Interdependence

I knew this goofy picture would get your attention! When people ask how my visit to Michigan is going, I usually say something like “Great. It’s been fun to see family and friends.” Which is so true! But this doesn’t even begin to express what it has been like.

I’ve also been humbled, overwhelmed, and blessed by the outpouring of love and support.

I’ve been intimidated and even a little embarrassed about being in the “spotlight” as I’ve shared my testimony and heart for South Africa.

And I’ve had to trade my once-valued independence for God’s design of interdependence as I’ve relied on partners in various ways – everything from prayers and encouragement to accommodations and a vehicle here to additional finances so that I can stay working in South Africa.

Through this whirl of emotions the Lord just keeps reminding me of how blessed I am to do the work I love, for people I love, with people I love (those in South Africa and partners in the US). What a joy this past year has been!

So I guess this is just a huge THANK YOU to everyone who is helping to make all this possible! May the Lord bless you as you have blessed me.

Praise Report - Thank You

You may know that a huge prayer request has been for the Lord to provide me with a vehicle. Praise God for His answer to my prayers and for His provision!

-Provision through praying friends and family.
-Provision through generous financial supporters.
-Provision through the savings that made-up the difference.
-Provision in that one of our missionaries who returned to the US offered me a well-maintained vehicle for a good price.

I’m so thankful for all these things!!

So here I am with my new-to-me bakkie (pronounced “buckey” aka truck). I love that is has an extended cab for passengers, and can haul things around the mission base. It already came in handy as we moved our houses around over the holiday break, and I know it will be useful if we need extra vehicles when hosting mission teams. I’m also getting used to the diesel engine and manual transmission. Learning to drive a manual has been an interesting experience, especially given that we drive on the opposite side and that there are a lot of hills around here. You should see our new driveway!

So thank you for your prayers and support. I’m grateful that the Lord used you to bless me and our ministry in this way!!

I'm So Thankful

Thanksgiving is around the corner which makes me pause to think of all the things I have to be thankful for…not that giving thanks is reserved for one day, we should always have an “attitude of gratitude”, but the actual holiday is a great reminder.

I’m so thankful that the Lord has called me to serve full-time in South Africa. It has been a welcomed challenge and great joy to join in the Lord’s vision for training Godly leaders and changing the course of this nation.

I’m also so thankful for the financial and prayer support that allows me to live out this calling. I’m thankful for the provision, and even for the lessons I’ve learned about faith and interdependence when things have been tight.

I’m so thankful for the support of my family, as we were all sad about me moving far away and the holidays make it even more difficult. (I’ve been feeling a bit homesick lately).

I’m so thankful for the many ways the Lord has moved through Thrive Africa this year – lives committed to Christ, leaders trained and mobilized, real change taking root in our churches, schools and communities...the list goes on.

And I’m so thankful for the fresh vision, passion, and focus the Lord is giving us for the future. It’s has been exciting to plan for next year - seeking God’s will, setting goals, working together to expand our reach and multiply Godly leaders.

To sum it up, I’m thankful that we all have so many things to be thankful for! And I pray that you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Praise Reports

I’ve been in the missions field for just over 3 months – June, July and August - and it has been an amazing experience. Through my next few blogs I thought I’d share a little more about what it’s like living and working in South Africa….starting with some praise reports thanks to God and to your faithful prayer support!!

- For the generous financial partnership of family and friends that allow me to remain in South Africa and work among the Basotho people. I’m currently at 75% of the necessary monthly commitment which covers basic living expenses each month.

- For an awesome and impactful outreach season. 16 mission teams who brought 215 team members, served with 7 partner churches, led 65 people to Christ, taught more than 575 children during week long children’s programs, planted 55 gardens, gave away Bibles, did countless chores and the list goes on…

- For a growing Leadership Summit school program as the new term kicked off with more than 3400 students in 10 schools.

- For the 8 interns who have been serving with us all year, and for the 24 interns who served with us during their summer breaks. We continue to see amazing fruit from their ministry with us.

- For a smooth transition into a new home, community living, and a new role as Outreach Coordinator. I’ve learned so much these past few months and it has been great.

- For the dear friends I’ve made here - for my housemates and co-workers who as brothers and sisters in Christ really do feel like my extended family.

- For each of you who have been praying with me and for me during this wonderful journey. It means so much!! Thank you!!

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

Lead. Serve. Love.

After the Bethesda team safely arrived at home our Thrive trip arrived - a team of 10 amazing men and women assembled from all over the US and even the UK. It’s so cool that Thrive Africa offers yearly trips for individuals in addition to the teams that come from churches and other sending organizations. We began the trip talking about how each person was called here (such inspiring and encouraging stories) and what each person expected from the trip. Praise the Lord for generously exceeding all of our expectations. The team bonded from day 1 and became fast friends, and it was a blessing to serve alongside them. We laughed and cried, learned from each other, and encouraged each other along the way. Our daily devotions focused on how we are called to follow Christ’s model of Leading by Serving, Serving by Loving, and Loving by Leading. Lead. Serve. Love. We each definitely have a long way to go, a long way to grow, but Christ has equipped us with everything we need for what we are called to today. I’ll share more about our work in some additional entries, but we ended the trip with an overnight safari. It was a way to rest, reflect, and celebrate a wonderful week of ministry. Afterwards, it was on to the airport for the return flights home. Amidst the hugs and tears we rejoiced at how the Lord knitted together such a great team and used us in surprising and amazing ways. Please join me in praying that their lives are forever changed by this experience, and that the Lord continues to use them to do wonderful things wherever he calls them to next.