My South African, American, World Challenge family

Okay so I know I promised a third blog about Zithulele but time slipped away and I never got to it…  hopefully grace abounds! 

The good news is I am home! I am so excited to be back with family and friends. The sad news is I’m leaving my South African family which hurts WAY more then I thought it would when I first got here. I have met people who I never want to leave. I have been impacted by the people here more then they know. God knew what he was doing when he decided not to send us to Swaziland that is all I have to say. Going to Jeffrey’s Bay and Zithulele South Africa was a dream come true. These friends have turned into family that will be in my heart forever. This blog is more of a tribute to my South African family and my “A” squad. I have been trying to conjure up the words to actually say when I tell you about what these three months did to my life and how to tell you all about the people I have met and the love God has given me. I’m not sure I have found them quite yet but here goes nothing as I try to tell you. 

To start, I am seriously IN AWE of God. When I say I’m speechless as I reminisce guys, I am seriously stumbling to find words to say about it all. God blessed me with four South African sisters that I will never forget. These girls will never be forgotten by me. They are walking lights of love, bursting with passion. 

 Adri is a fearless fighter who is going to fight against world hunger in Jesus name. I watched Adri over these three months as she immersed herself in the word of God and desperately sought out the Father. I witnessed right before my eyes one of the most beautiful baptisms ever as Adri publicly declared that she was going to be Jesus’s forever. God uses people like Adri who just seek him and are willing to do whatever it takes to build kingdom. 

Anri is a deep lover who serves so selflessly. Anri gives herself up for the Lord in every situation. She is willing. She is meek and she is moldable in the eyes of God. She never ceases to amaze me as I watch her serve endlessly to the needs of those around her. No matter the task, no matter how many times she’s done the dishes, she will do it again from the bottom of her heart. I have this deep feeling God is going to continue to wreck her heart the rest of this year as she continues with Global challenge and goes to different parts of the world. She is so genuine and in love with God and will continue to selflessly love Gods people. 

Clarissa is fierce and on fire for Jesus. She is confident and brave standing strong and tall. She is a prayer warrior. Clarissa trusts Jesus in all circumstances. I watched her blossom into a fearless leader over these three months. She is leading her team with her strong confidence in the Lord. Clarissa is going to be apart of the underground church movements in Iran one day. Her passion for this is evident with her clear confidence and trust in Gods word and who God is. She is going to bring revival in Iran. She is going to fight for the people by laying down her life for Jesus in every way seeking what he wants and doing his will for her life. Her prayers are going to continue to change the lives of those around her and those she meets in Iran. She will continue to bring hope to the hopeless and love to the unloved. 

Last but certainly not least is Uné. Uné is soft and safe and so loving. She is smart beyond belief and she is clearly so in love with Jesus. Being in the presence of Uné is to feel the peace of God and to feel safe. Uné’s gentle spirit is such a gift that makes her easy to talk to and easy to love. She is incredibly gifted with that. Uné is the youngest of the bunch but when I see her, her age means nothing. She is mature in Christ and she is unbelievably humble and kind. Uné is going to change lives with her love. She is going to be a listening ear to those who do not feel heard and a comfort to those in need. She will not stop loving no matter the cost. 

We spent all three months practically conjoined at the hip with these girls. We did life with them at home and even sometimes in ministry. We became family. These girls are incredible and I cannot wait to see all God does in their lives. To say a thank you to them would not be enough. I have learned how to love better through them. I have learned the cost it takes to follow Jesus and have 8 sisters and 2 brothers. It takes the fruit of the spirit and a heck of a lot of grace to have this big of a family in one house. For three months I was in a family of 11 and I cherished it and am even more in love with the idea of having plenty of children in my own house one day. 

I also gained my South African grandparents, Tannie Engela and Oom Paul. These two are special to say the least. Engela and Paul have the heart of God. They just want to serve him any way they can. Praise God for their willingness to take us 11 under their wings and care for us over this time. Whether it was feeding us, doing our laundry, giving us advice or telling us crazy stories, Tannie was always there for us. For a laugh, for a cry, for whatever we needed. She just wanted us to feel loved. Oom was there to keep us on our toes! Always scaring Isabel just at the right time, driving us around in the land cruiser, making us laugh endlessly, helping the boys build, no matter what he was there. Oom has such a sense of peace about him. He just enjoys life with the Lord. It is so simple for him, the Lord loves you and he is good all the time. Why worry? That is his motto. Paul and Engela’a lives are just testimonies of Gods goodness. Paul was not always a believer or a follower of Jesus but as soon as he gave his life to Christ, all things were behind him. Him and Engela lived only to serve the Lord. Wherever he may take them. They went to Bible school, they established a ministry in Mozambique, they currently oversee that ministry along with ministry in Lesotho and Madagascar and on top of that, they are a helping hand a global wherever they are needed which is how they ended up with us! They selflessly gave themselves to us. They allowed us to get close to them and they shared their lives with us. It was really like going over to your grandparents house. The sense of comfortability and love was always there.

I balled like a little baby having to leave these people. Tannie and Oom brought me to tears as I couldn’t imagine not goofing around with Tannie, whether it was convincing our hosts to give us off for my birthday and have a huge party or laughing about the ways we can tease Oom Paul or Isabel or talking about all the ways God is good to us, we always had great laughs. Tannie and I’s meddling days maybe be over as a team, but I know she is still meddling without me! Ha! It’s exciting that I may see them all again one day but what is sad is it will never ever be these moments again. We will never all 11 be in the same mission house log cabin, making memories. We will never go to Tannie and Ooms all together for a meal. This season with all these people at one time is over. It is a sad reality but in the end I have a bond with these people that will not be broken. I have memories that will last a lifetime. I will see their faces in heaven all at one time again.

Lastly my precious super seven, my leftovers, my blessed and highly flavored ones, my “A” squad. Thank you for pulling along with me these last nine months combined. From 6 different countries in 9 months broken apart. I am reminded of training camp in 2019 having no idea what I got myself into with these people. God was teaching me how small I really was and how HUGE he really is. Now I see a family of people who understand me. Who know and get me when nobody else understands, who gets what it’s like to be passionate about missions, who just seems to deeply know me and who, for the time of the world race, said yes with me to whatever God had for us no matter the cost. These people are a huge part of my story that I will hold forever. I will not forget this journey where God chose to intertwine our stories to fit just perfectly in his intricate puzzle of our lives. He chose this season for us, to experience really high mountains and really low valleys together.  He chose to allow us to meet and laugh until we cry and cry until we laugh. He chose to create a bond far more beautiful than I could ever conjure up myself. That is why he is God. That is why I follow him because His way is always greater than mine. “A” I could go on and on about this season of life but I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the push you have given me to persevere, the laughs, the cries, the fights about dishes, the travel days, the ministry days, the days we felt like we couldn’t go on, the times I was motivated because of your striving, the love you gave me, the word of God you encouraged me with, the excitement in your eyes when God revealed something to you and so much more. 

And to my super seven specifically, I CHERISH YOU. I cherish this three month trip to South Africa with you. I cherish the memories. I cherish everything about each one of you. Hannah Hughes the sweetness in your heart and the intimacy you have with the Lord. You are so hidden within Christ. You are a fighter and you love so deeply. Rachel the way you lead selflessly no matter what. You are always doing things for others wanting nothing in return which shows your heart for the Lord. You are driven, you are honest and you care so deeply about people around you. Kierin you are soft and compassionate clearly having the heart of the Father. You are dedicated to Holy Spirit allowing him to speak life into you always. The love you have for kids is beautiful and you never stop loving no matter the cost. Isabel, my little matryoshka doll, you are wise beyond belief. You are so quick to share what the Lord is teaching you and are always excited about Gods faithfulness and kindness. You are loving and you are the funniest person I know besides myself. You know what makes me laugh and you know what cheers me up. You always speak life into those around you and never hesitate. David you are my doctrinally sound brother. You are trustworthy to go to in times of need. You have such a big heart of worship and seeing you lead is one of the most beautiful things ever. You are always a shoulder to lean on for me. Lastly, Isaac. You always say the right things at the right time. You are hardworking and humble. You are a man of few words and your silence speaks volumes. You are attentive and observant and I know when you speak, I want to listen because the Lord is greatly within you. 

My leftovers the first 3 months of 2021 with you was God ordained. I’m sad this season is over but I am happy that it happened at all. I feel blessed beyond belief to have had this adventure with you all. 

These are people who have impacted me these last three months. But they are not the only ones. I give a huge thank you to my hosts Wendy and Anita. I give a huge thank you to Lehanie who was with us a short while but is a forever friend. Thank you to Julian and Adrian for all the Pitbull jokes and for always keeping me laughing. Thank you to my Zithulele family specifically Ilze, Riaan and their children, Zirk and Charney, Ruan, Serietta and their children, the local boys including Bex, Cosicona, Fix, Siseko and Zim, Joanna whom I did not spend enough time with at all and lastly, Joanie and her family. You all impacted my life whether you know it or not you have a place in my heart forever. 

This is why, despite what anyone says, I will continue to live this crazy life of missions no matter the cost, no matter what it takes, I will persevere in this crazy life I am privileged to live with the Lord. The people God has allowed me to meet through missions inspire me time and time again. The Lord has made it abundantly clear to me missions is a path I am to continue with. I am excited to one day share what is next for me with you all as well. 

Thank you my faithful friends for being on my side. Thank you all for reading this very long letter and coming back for more time and time again. Thank you for your prayers and your love from afar. Thank you for your financial support. I am so happy to now be home. Feel free to reach out to me to hear more or hangout!! Peace and blessings upon you and your families. 

With love, 

Hannah