You said: "Ask, and you will receive."

Hey team!

We're in the middle of week 2 at Wits now, and God is really moving already! Last week we met lots of students, and recruited for a Braai on Friday night. We had quite a turnout - about 120 students! There was lots of food, music, dancing, and conversations. (We introduced a few students to the American delicacy of S'mores :) It was great fun, and the students loooved it! The Gospel was shared before we ate, and I think that it sparked some sweet conversations and follow-ups this week. Jacqueline and I met about 25 girls last week, and have built some solid friendships with a few of them.

We had our first Bible study in Jubes last night, and between us 4 girls laboring there, about 16 girls came. I was able to share my testimony, and we discussed who Jesus is and the claims he makes, mostly in the book of John. We read through a few major things that he says, and that Jesus says about himself, and discussed questions in small groups. Most girls knew the right answers, so it's really a matter of seeing where their hearts are at, and where they stand before God. Please pray that they would wrestle with those questions, and what the claims that Jesus makes mean for their lives.

Tonight was our first evangelistic meeting, called HD - High Definition. Matt Cazee spoke and shared his testimony, and mostly just shared the Gospel, and how it pertains to our lives. He made a point that we cannot merely aknowledge Jesus and who he is, but repent, and turn to trust believe in Him. I think it really challenged the people that came, and will be a great way to follow-up with the girls from Jubes that came.

As for me personally, everyday is a struggle to believe the Gospel - I know that's always the case, but God is revealing a lot of sin lately, and many idols in my life. We're in John 15 now, and I feel like every verse hits me right where I'm at - about what it means to abide in Him, to ask anything in His name, and learning the promise that He will do it, if we ask in His name. He is teaching me what it means everyday to abide in Him, and transforming my desires to His, so that my thinking is also transformed, and therefore my prayers will be pleasing to Him. I am also learning about the fact the God really is in control, and it is fully up to Him whether or not we get to have gospel conversations with girls, or if no girls are around and we go to the roof to pray. Just that it doesn't depend on me, and God is the one doing the work. He changes hearts, not me.

Speaking of the roof...Jacqueline and I cover the top 5 floors of Jubes and decided to go to the roof everyday before we go to hang out with girls to pray for our day. There's an incredible view of a big part of Johannesburg, and even some mountains in the distance. I know a friend that went to Jo'burg last summer and also labored in Jubes, and also went to the roof to sing praises to God, the song "You Said" by Shane and Shane. That song comes in my head every time we're up there - that God says to us "ask, and you will receive, whatever you need." The song also says in the chorus, "Ask and I'll give the nations to you, O Lord, that's the cry of my heart. distant shores and the islands will see Your light, as it rises on us." It's a testament to the sweet promise that God is so faithful, even when I'm not, and He wants to bless me, and use me to bring Him glory. This really is becoming the cry of my heart, and we ask God everyday to change the hearts of these women, and in that glorifying Himself.

Thank you all for the prayers, comments, and emails. It is such a sweet blessing to read them, and to know that I have brothers and sisters on the other side of the world interceding in prayer on our behalf.

In the One who saves,

Kasey

Adventures in Jo'burg!

Hello friends!

Well we have been in Jo'burg for 6 days now, and it has been utter chaos and quite a battle since we arrived. I think Satan has been scheming against us since we left the US. Besides almost missing our flight, there have been many trials, big and small, that have tested our faith and endurance.

Turns out our team mate Rachel that was sick in the States is too ill to come to Africa at all. She has hepatitis now, and is very weak and sick. Apparently the Lord had different plans for her this summer, and saw it fit for her to stay home. This was a blow to our team, and especially myself, because I was really excited to labor with her at Wits, but I cannot imagine what she is going through now. Please pray for her through this tough time and that she would trust in and rely on the Lord through this will for her summer.

Other things include that our house we're staying at is not completely finished, so electricity and hot water have been inconsistent at first. A couple people on our team have been sick. Our Toyota Quantums (kumbi) are too tall to fit through the gate at our house, so we cannot park them here, and have to park them at a COJ house a few minutes away. Also, the CO director of Wits and one of our key leaders, Tim, had his car stereo stolen the other night. And our other COJ leader, Beth - the clutch on her car went out...in the middle of a high-traffic street in Jo'burg...on a hill. We had to get out, push it up a ways up the hill, and into a parking spot, while crazy Jo'burg taxis are flying by on both sides. And those are just the big things, there have been many minor setbacks as well.

I'm convinced that we are in spiritual warfare right now. That Satan sees why we're here, and he doesn't like it. He is doing all he can to stop us from helping the Gospel go forth at Wits. But, we are clinging to the truth of Ephesians 6:10-20, the sweet promises of 2 Cor. 12:9-10 and 10:3-4. Satan doesn't stand a chance - Jesus has already won! And we know that these trials will produce endurance, and refuse to grow weary. (Romans 5:3-5)

Anyways, since we've been here, we have had some orientation for ministry at Wits and have been getting to know some of the CO students from Wits, too. We have learned alot about the vision here, and the method they use on campus: targeting 1st year students, because they will be there longer, and be able to have more impact on campus than older students would.

We started on campus on Monday. My ministry partner is now Jacqueline, a senior at Purdue. We've been getting to know each other and are becoming closer everyday. We are laboring in Jubilee Hall (Jubes), a girls dorm at Wits. There are about 80 1st years in Jubes. Jacq and I are on floors 7 through 11, and have been knocking on doors and meeting lots of girls all week. So far we've met 19 girls! Our goal for this week is to just meet a lot of 1st years and build friendships. We are also recruiting to a Braai that COJ is putting on on Friday night. Most of the girls we've met are planning on coming - Praise God!

Prayer requests would be....

favor with the girls in Jubes and good friendships to be built.

unity as a team and with Jacqueline as partners.

God would continue to give us trials to draw us to run to Him and rely on Him in every situation.

that my own heart would be softened to the Gospel everyday and I would rely on the Spirit to guide my words and direct my thoughts to Jesus.

that our team would be bold to tell people about Jesus! (Ephesians 6:19)

Thank you all for your prayers and support - I don't deserve it at all. This is an amazing privilege to be here, to have this opportunity. Thank you for helping it to be possible.

In the One who saves,

Kasey

South Africa - week 1 update

My faithful brothers and sisters,

I am pleased to inform you all that our team made it safely to South Africa! We had quite a trip though - our flight from Indy to DC was delayed, which put us in DC at 5:40 pm.....and our flight for Jo'burg was supposed to depart from DC at 5:40 pm. So, we were on the plane waiting, thinking we would have to stay overnight in DC and try to get on the next flight to Jo'burg as soon as we could. We were trying to cling to God's sovereignty, and remembering that this is His plan. Turns out, the flight people contacted the Jo'burg flight and told them to wait, they announced that all passengers on the plane that were going to Jo'burg to get off the plane first, and they told us to run! The plane waited for us, and 15 of us college students RAN through the DC terminal to get on our flight!! Apparently God wanted us on that flight, and we made it! Crazy.

After a 16-hour flight, we arrived in Jo'burg at 7 pm on Tuesday night (their time). I have so much to tell you all, but for the sake of time I will only hit on the highlights. We've been staying at COJ's (Campus Outreach-Johannesburg) retreat center called Ebenezer Farms. It's outside of the city, and you drive through a township to get there. The last 3 days our team has been working in this township called Delmas, along with other CO people and church leaders in the area building houses for 2 families. It has been hard labor and tough work, lots of lifting and shoveling and getting dirty, but it's been such a privilege to serve these people. We've been able to meet many South Africans, and many of them are Christians. God has provided some sweet fellowship with these brothers and sisters. One girl, Makhotso (Mak-G for short) is staying with us at Ebenezer too. She attends Wits, is involved with CO and has been a believer for about 2 years. I am loving this chance to get to know her - her walk and her testimony is really encouraging, and I'm excited for our friendship for this summer.

All in all, this experience has been ridiculously eye opening and transforming. I've seen the differences in our cultures to a great extent, from the food, to the way they work and interact, to how they worship. The food is amazing (there's no preservatives here, and they eat lots of meat), they are very hardworking and disciplined, and just kind and gentle in how they treat each other. I love it here more and more everyday. I cannot believe how much I've seen and all that's happened so far, and it has not even been a week. The more time I spend here, the more convinced I am that God is moving in my heart to consider something like this for my life.

This summer our team is studying the Upper Room Discourse in John 13 - 17 and reading Francis Chan's book called Crazy Love. We began John 13 this week, and have been learning a lot about what it means to serve. In the context of working and building in the township, the true meaning of Christlike service is being revealed to us more and more. Please pray that we would continue to learn to die to ourselves, to consider others more significant than ourselves.

Also, my ministry partner on the team, Rachel, is still in the States - she has been very sick with mono, and was unable to make the trip. She's is getting medicine and treatment, but it will be at least a week and a half until she can come. She is still planning on coming, but please pray for her health and her trip that she'll be making alone.

I wish I could express all that I've experienced so far in such a way that would give you insight to this country, but my time is very limited. All I can say is that it has been amazing, I've experienced God and His glory in new ways, and my eyes have been opened to just how broken this world is, and how great the need is for laborers.

Personal prayer requests would be that I would continue to learn how to truly serve the way Jesus did, that God would show me and my team His glory everyday, and that we would die to our comforts everyday. And also for safety and protection - we are heading out to Kruger Park tomorrow for 3 nights of real camping (in tents).

Thank you for sending me to Africa, and for helping make it possible for me to experience the gospel, God's glory, and the world in new ways. (and don't worry, I'm taking tons of pictures!)

Until all hear,
Kasey