Hello from Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa! It took four days of travel to get from Ecuador to South Africa and we took four planes through four continents and then a nine-hour bus ride, but we have finally made it! My team and I arrived to this small beach town about a week ago and ministry here has been really great! The placement that we have here is for the shortest amount of time that we will have on the World Race with only two and a half weeks!
We are working with a school called Global Leadership Academy this month and helping to renovate the school and work on their farm. The people who own and operate this school were partnered with the first World Race team that launched over 25 years ago and helped to discover what the mission’s organization would look like. They have grown and operated such an amazing school here and it is great to be able to work with them this month. The school is situated in a town that was deeply affected by apartheid, and the dream of this school is to offer a private Christian school education to kids from all backgrounds and all areas of the socioeconomic spectrum. This idea practically works through sponsorships for children who cannot afford a private school education, and through the process of accepting an equal number of kids to the school from the richer areas of town and from the squatter settlements around Jeffreys Bay. In South Africa today, the unemployment rate is over 50 percent, which means many families are not able to afford homes and end up living in squatter settlements, and many kids do not go to school unless they have opportunities like this to be reached out to, sponsored, and bussed to school.
For this month, we are helping out the school in a few different ways. This includes redoing and repainting one of the main walls, renovating the desks in one of the classrooms, and redoing and repainting one of the bathrooms. We are also helping out with work in the vegetable garden and farm where food is grown and given to families in the community that are in need. It is amazing to see this beautiful school that was all built through donations and volunteer missions work and now is fully operating and doing amazing things for the community and the kids! I am excited to see what this school will look like in the future, as they are currently making plans to grow the school and add another wing so that more students are able to attend.
For those of you praying with me through this journey, the school here could use prayer for their fundraising efforts for the new wing of the school and my team would love prayers for continued safety, and for small comforts being away from home during the holiday season.
With love,
Claire
This is so amazing Claire, I am so proud of you and in awe of all God is doing! This is so sweet reading your letter and more about the work you will be doing with GLA reminds me of when Jesus is talking about what we do for those in need is the same as doing for the Lord. So sweet., you are an encouragement to me. Praying lots for you my friend! Miss you a ton and can’t wait to catch up soon!
Claire!! What a joy it is to read your blog post updates and to hear what areas of the world the Lord is leading you to. God is working in and through you and your team in incredible ways and it is such a blessing to hear about it and have it be such a joyous encouragement. Praying over you and your team for health and safety and for the school. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, you are loved beyond measure may you be comforted knowing that our Savior was born and reminded of our need and desperate need for a Savior! Love you so much sweet friend! Praying Isaiah 41:10 over you! Love, Sydney ????
Claire your blog is a wonderful way to share your adventures as you experience being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ as your reach out to others with His love. Looking forward to reading your blog entries. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas. I know in 2022 God will direct your steps and bring new purpose to your life. Blessing and Happy New Year!
Claire what a exciting four day adventure to South Africa. So proud of you . Have a Merry Christmas!!
Mike Adamson
I hope you and your team were able to really enjoy this unique Christmas…different than you’ve ever had before. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what the ministry you’re serving at is like, their history with WR, and their upcoming plans. Dear God, please provide abundantly for all of the needs of this ministry. In Jesus name, amen.