Greetings from South Africa! Our International Immersion trip has been such a blessing so far, and I’m excited to share a glimpse into my faith journey so far. As we finished up our last day of serving with Living Hope, our team was overcome with many emotions, but one of them was bittersweet. Bitter because it is sad to say farewell to a ministry that has blessed me and countless others, but it was also sweet looking back on the ways God has moved during our time in South Africa. 
Here, I have witnessed donations during times of crisis and heard stories that demonstrate God’s love and goodness, but my thinking has also changed during my time here. I am learning how to give my anxiety over to God, which is a concept that is not new to me, but it is something that I have learned to apply in my life during my time in South Africa.
There were occasions when I was walking the streets, and I would become anxious, but I had to learn to rely on God and his sovereignty to hold me fast.
Similarly, I remember another day when I was very tired. I did not feel that I had the energy to carry on. I prayed for strength and energy, and God gave me exactly that. It was a good and growing time of reliance on God, and He gave me the strength to finish the day strong.
God has also blessed my team and me with amazing leaders. Their wisdom and council has blessed me personally. To put it simply, God has been with me on this trip, and He continues to bless His people in South Africa. I have experienced God’s provision for me on this trip; He has blessed me, and I have learned to lean on Him. Nonetheless, my thinking has changed for the better, and my faith has grown on this trip. Today, my team and I have been deeply reminded of this scripture:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Luke Martin
Current Fellow, Class XX