More Wildebeest

Watch Out for the Wildebeest

I try to take long hikes on the weekends and short hikes before work when it’s warm enough. It’s so awesome to head out early, see the sunrise, and see the animals as they graze around. It’s a great way to start the day!

This week I kept running into the herd of wildebeest. First, all on the hill watching me watching them. Then, crossing Zebra Road a few at a time waiting for a baby who was straggling behind. A few days later, startling me big-time when 31 (I counted) ran out from behind my house. I guess I startled them too. I didn’t expect the whole herd to be in the backyard. But it was pretty cool!

So I went to the National Geographic website to learn a bit more. Wildebeest is the Afrikaans name given to the gnu, which is part of the antelope family. They can reach up to 8 ft in length, 4.5 ft in height, and can weigh up to 600 lbs. Both males and females grow horns, and their average life span is 20 years. They are native to the grassy plains and open woodlands of central, southern, and eastern Africa. Calves are born in Feb and March at the beginning of the rainy season. And they learn to walk within minutes, and can keep up with the herd within days.

If this trivia helps you win $$$ on a game show I expect a cut.

Be Blessed, Jill

Summer (Winter) Interns

I’ve already shared a bit about our Twenty4Seven interns – young men and women who have committed a year to serving with Thrive Africa, ministering in the villages, taking classes, working behind the scenes in our ministry, and experiencing first-hand what it’s like to live and work as a full-time missionary in South Africa.

Well, this past week we welcomed 24 additional interns as part of our 2 month, summer Next Step program. Longer than a mission trip, but shorter than our year-long program, Next Step is intended to give young men and women a taste of missions. Some come because it’s a rewarding way to spend a summer. Some come to get experience while in school or before heading into full-time ministry. And some are interested in full-time missions and want to learn more. Either way, it’s a wonderful opportunity to help others, learn, and be stretched by God.

This past Sunday, we had an extra-special Thrive Church service. Beautiful, heartfelt worship. An inspiring message from June about focusing on life’s journey more so than the destination, how each step prepares us for the next, and how God wants to shape us along the way. And then a powerful commissioning of our Next Steppers to bless them and equip them for the days and weeks to come.

Next they will spend a week doing relationship evangelism and children’s ministry in Qwa Qwa, followed by a renovation project at the Limakatso Children’s Disabled Center. I look forward to sharing their stories with you.

Thanks so much for your prayers. Serving Christ with Joy, Jill

More Cool Safari Pictures

Cool Safari Pictures

Twenty4Seven Interns - Super Heroes in My Book

Well, I don’t want you to think all we do is party, but… Last night our Twenty4Seven interns hosted a Super Hero party. It was a great time for the extended Thrive Africa family – staff and interns – to kick back, laugh and relax before things get really busy starting next week. As you can see the costumes are pretty creative and really hilarious! We had creative names, every super-power you can imagine, and homemade (super-cheap) costumes. It was a lot of fun!

So I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce you to our extended family. This year we have 8 wonderful young men and women with us in our year-long internship program called Twenty4Seven. The internship program is an intense, hands-on experience for young adults interested in serving the Lord for a year, and is a great step for those considering full-time mission work. Many of the Thrive Africa staff started as interns, loved it, and then returned to work long-term.

Interns get to teach classes, facilitate conferences, help host mission teams, work behind the scenes in the ministry, and attend classes such as language, culture, and discipleship classes. It’s an awesome program, and an awesome group interns. They are definitely Super Heroes to me!

So here is a picture of our extended Thrive Africa family. I’m the one in the middle with the pink winged mask. As Princess Petomai (Greek for fly…I hope), the Ancient Greek warrior, I can fly into the past or the future fighting crime and bringing justice for all. All in a day’s work! And yes, my dress is made of a trash bag and duct tape, and my shield is a steering wheel cover.

Thanks so much for your support and for standing in prayer with us. Please pray for a fruitful and impactful Outreach season. And please let me know if you have prayer requests that I can lift up.

Blessings, Jill

Yes, It Actually Snows Here

Nothing compared to Michigan...but it does get cold enough to snow sometimes, especially in the mountains where we are.

Disco Celebration

It was a great first week here at Thrive Africa! We’re ramping up for the busiest part of the outreach season with 24 summer interns and several mission teams arriving in the next weeks and months. I’ll share more about those in future blogs.

I’m also feeling settled into my new room and new house. This week the Thrive Africa family celebrated Jenn’s birthday by throwing a Disco Party complete with homemade disco ball, strobe lights, and creative costumes. (Mine wasn’t all that creative, but I managed to feather my hair. Where is Aqua Net when you need it?!?) Marc was the DJ and put together an awesome collection of videos and music from the 60’s and 70’s. And Cassie won the costume contest with her Charlie’s Angels jumpsuit. We had a great time!

Here is a picture of me and my housemates – Charlene, Katie, and June and then of picture of the entire Thrive Africa staff minus Amy our Director who is taking the picture. Jenn is the “disco diva” with the blue hair, and Dave is the “crazy cat” in the crazy shirt. They are our Ministry Directors managing all of our ministry programs.

Thanks for all your prayers and support along this amazing journey. And thank you for helping us to raise up the next generation of believers and Godly leaders here in South Africa.

Blessings, Jill

Back Safe and Sound

Greetings from South Africa! My friend June and I made it back safe and sound. Praise God! Thank you so much for the prayers and support that enabled me to return. It’s such a privilege to be able to serve here in South Africa.

When we first arrived we spent a couple of days in Johannesburg to shop for supplies that we can only get in the city. A few staff members met us as well. Trips into the city have to be well planned because our base is 3 hours away, yet still flexible because of what we affectionately call “South Africa time”. I spent the weekend settling into my new room and catching up with friends, and then kicked off my new role as Outreach Coordinator on Monday.

It has been a whirlwind over the past 2 weeks between leasing and moving out of my house, spending time with family and friends, packing and storing all my stuff, traveling, etc. Whew! So it’s great to be settling into this next chapter of my life.

Praise Reports:
- For the support of my family who helped so much with the move and for giving me a place to stay during the transition.
- For prayer and financial partners who helped me to return. (I’m currently at 60% of my financial goal).
- For the significant impact that Thrive Africa is having among the Basotho people as they carry out their God-gifted mission.
- That we (you and I) are invited to serve alongside them.

Prayer Requests:
- That I adjust quickly to my new home and role as Outreach Coordinator.
- For the additional financial support needed to remain in South Africa.
- For the busy Internship and Outreach season that ramps-up in mid-June.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Please let me know if you have any prayer requests that I can lift up. And please keep in touch – I’d love to hear from you. jillmariemarshall@yahoo.com

Blessings, Jill