Ceres

6/10-6/15

What an amazing week!

The prior days before going to Ceres our team was feeling discouraged, exhausted, and defeated. So all of our prayers leading up to this part of our trip was that we would be able to find purpose in being in South Africa, that the Lord would use us, and through Christ we would be able to reach and love on the people in Ceres.

Ceres is a place that Ethnos has been trying to make connections with for many years. So, because a team had never been sent there before we were unsure what our expectations should be. And by the first night we all knew we were in for an exciting next few days.

Arriving to Ceres was an adventure in its self, and after 16 hours, a flat tire, needing to replace four tires on our main vehicle, and all cramming into two small cars, we made it to a place that would impression our hearts forever.

Our first night in Ceres we attended a church service where we enjoyed worship and dancing. We were also invited to perform our skit we prepared and share some testimonies. This night served as an incredible welcome into the community and a revival of our spirits.

The next day we dived right into ministry. For the next three days we prepared a kids camp for the local children. This camp was designed to bring the next generation of the community together and instill truth and motivation to walk with Christ. Each day we planned fun activities, dancing, and Bible studies based on three different themes of teamwork, perseverance, and Christian community. Not only were the kids provided with a morning of fun, but our team had a blast leading these kids in all of the activities and getting to love on them for multiple days.

Our kids camp was only in the morning so after lunch we found ourselves doing various other ministries. We had the opportunity to visit one of the only orphanages in close proximity. We created a small program for them where we spoke on trafficking awareness and played games with the middle aged boys and girls. Another day we did a program for young adults out in the farmlands. There we performed our skit, danced, played games, and had intentional small groups. And on the last day we visited an after school program for kids who do not have good home lives and loved on those kids as we played games and danced with them.

We ended our ministry with a worship night and saying really hard goodbyes to all of the kids that we made strong connections with. This place and the people we met were truly a beacon of hope. God's grace and mercy illuminated through each of their lives as we got to know each person.

This week was all of our favorite weeks so far, we were able to love on so many people and witness God in many new ways. I will personally forever be grateful for how Ceres impacted my life.

Praises:

• All the love given and received

• Dance and praise to the Lord

• Getting to witness how people worship differently

Prayers:

• That missions team would be continued to be sent to Ceres

• That the young generation of Ceres would grow up to be a strong Christian community

• For love and provisions for all of Ceres