The most impactful thing I have experienced since being here in South Africa has been the realization of how hard ministry can be. Through working with two incredible ministries, the Dream Centre and Living Hope, I have seen and aided with what goes into ministry work firsthand. The people here serving in South Africa are doing God’s work, and it is truly inspiring. Now, going back to America, not only have I gained respect for people working in ministry, but I also have a newfound inspiration to continue this type of ministry in the states.
However, with challenge comes opportunities to fail. Many times, throughout this trip, the hard work has gotten the best of me. Whether it was the early mornings feeling tired, or the outdoor work in the African sun, there are times I chose not be joyful and thankful. I was outside my comfort zone, and I was not prepared for the long days of hard work. However, the only place we grow is outside of our comfort zone. Although these long days have forced me to face the reality that ministry is hard, these days also highlighted the importance of relying on the Lord despite the tough moments.
For me, as someone who feels called to go into the ministry field someday, this hard experience is exactly what I needed. Getting tested in many ways I never have before has made me see things about myself I never knew. I really believe God is going to use this trip as a starting point for my career in ministry. It did not go exactly how I planned and there are things I wished I would have done differently. However, God was faithful through it all, and I have learned many life lessons these past couple weeks. I am grateful for all the Lord has taught me and for the reminder that I should not judge the worth of one’s actions by the size of their impact.
In closing, we may be done serving here in South Africa, but our lives of service are far from over, and I could not be more excited.
Charlie DeHann
Class XX Fellow