Update from last month

HELLO FRIENDS!



It's been about two months since I arrived in Worcester, South Africa, and it seems like it was only yesterday. I am here learning intro level Primary Health Care, and it has been so mind-stretching!



OUR TEAM

Staff:

Jen is our school leader from Zimbabwe

Placky from Zimbabwe

Steve from Cameroon

Joy from Zimbabwe



Students:



Grace from Nigeria

Mawuse from Ghana

Karissa from Indiana (works in Malawi)

Donna from Barbados (Albania)

Katie from Colorado (Uruguay)



Hilaire from Cameroon

And of course myself from Costa Rica/ Minnesota



BASE:

Although our class is small there are other schools going on at the base as well. There are so many different cultures represented here from so many different countries, and I absolutely love it! I am leaning about some of the different African cultures and picking up some phrases in French and some Bantu languages. I feel at home with all of the Brazilians (similar to the Costa Rican culture) that are here, with whom I am able to practice my Portuguese.

Our base has a blog so you can see what we have been up to as a base. http://www.ywamworcester.blogspot.com/


Weather

When prepping for Africa, I didn't expect cold whether that we have here in Worcester! Many people walk around with hot water bottles at night to keep warm. We do have a good mix of sun and showers, which makes for some incredible rainbows, which always remind me of God's faithfulness.



Rainbow over our gathering place view from ourclassroom

CLASSES:

It has been quite an intense workload! Despite this challenge, God is showing me that He alone is my strength. We are learning to assess, treat, prevent, and educate illness and diseases. Our emphasis is on helping families and communities prevent and treat health problems they face through education.

Learning examination of patients



COMMUNITY:

Our team had the opportunity to go to church in Zwelithemba, a squatter camp here in Worcester. There is such disparity between the black, colored and white communities, and it just breaks my heart. Our multicultural team worshiping with the people of zwelithemba, was absolutely incredible. The unity we have in Christ breaks through the racial tensions that have been passed down through the generations. Our team has been serving this community by helping in children's activities as well as sharing health teachings with the young and old.




OUTREACH

We will be working in South Africa here for 3 weeks caring for HIV hospice patients. After that we will be going to Mozambique in October the remaining months to a village called Maromeu. We will be partnering with a local hospital and reach out to the community through education. The main language there is Portuguese, but this is the second language of the village people that we will be working with. I will not be able to have any contact with family or friends during this time, as there is no electricity in the village that


WHAT GOD IS TEACHING ME

Upon arriving, I remember looking out the window at the silhouette of the majestic mountains, and the thick blanket of fog that hovered over the ground, while the stars still danced across the sky. It seemed so surreal and I sighed as I thought to myself, " How romantic."



And that is exactly what this time has been, a time of drawing near to God's heart and opening up mine to Him. It has been a time of intimacy, letting Him be my first love, my delight, and the only one that I long to please. This has been a challenge, for sure, because I had let people pleasing take root in my life. But God is my banner as well as my victory over every stronghold and barrier that is holding me back from experiencing all that He has in store for me during this time. I am learning how to trust him and live in faith as opposed to fear and anxiety. It has been difficult with everything that we have going on, but I am learning how to protect that my time with Him, and invite Him into every area of my life, so that all that I do becomes like an act of worship to Him.



PRAYER REQUESTS:



*continual intimacy in my relationship with God

*my family

*communication

*finances



In what way can I keep you in my prayers?



Natasha Acuna