Hi friends and family! I cannot believe it has been about a month now since I have been accepted to go on my mission trip. Even though everyday will look different, I am so excited to explain to everyone what I’ll be up to while I am there and why I am going.
eSwatini
The country of Eswatini, has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world, leaving thousands of children without parents. Adventures in Missions has made a long term commitment with eSwatini and have been working there for over 20 years. We will be going alongside the Swazi staff as they reach their communities through feeding programs, agriculture projects, and leadership programs. AIM believes that the keys to a nation’s future is it’s children. The goal is to teach the children to be adults who live abundant lives through Christ that go throughout their country to preach the Gospel. Adventures also focuses on church planting and partnership to reach across all generations and help them to grow spiritually.
South Africa
We will be staying in Johannesburg and working with Impact Africa, one of Adventures in Missions partners. Impact Africa’s mission is to motivate, educate, disciple and provoke individuals towards a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ through socially relevant outlets of ministry service. Even though South Africa is one the most prosperous countries in Africa, millions of people still live in poverty. Our job as missionaries is to serve, educate, and rescue individuals while leading them towards a relationship with Christ.
Lesotho
Lesotho is one of the worlds most mountainous countries in the world, were you will find small agricultural communities and nomadic shepherds raising sheep. While Christianity is their most popular religion many have yet to experience what it means to live out their faith. Africa for Jesus reaches younger generations through job skills and ministry training through sustainable discipleship schools. Along with this discipleship we will also be focusing on community development and youth ministry.
Why
I first heard about the World Race a year ago through online adds and immediately starting looking into and reading every possible thing I could about it. Then I found out that one of my close friends actually went to Africa with the World Race a few years back and she said it deepened her relationship Jesus so much and she absolutely loved it. So obviously, I prayed and prayed and prayed. The timing never felt right, I was anxious and fearful. So I came to the conclusion that it probably wasn’t the right timing to go right then and there. About six months later I started to fill that tug on my heart again to go, so I prayed all summer asking the Lord if its was finally time. The unexplainable peace that I felt was my answer, all my fears and anxieties about whether or not this is something I should commit to were gone. Everything has fallen into place perfectly and I couldn’t be happier! I am absolutely thrilled that God has called me for this work and I cannot wait to see how He uses me and my squad.
“And the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
With love, Emma Kelly
