We’ve got so much to look forward to, South Africa

I haven’t seen my American family for almost 5 whole years. I’ve had a baby whose turned into a toddler, and my little boy turned into a pre-teen since then. We’ve been in a LONG season of being stuck - literally, legally stuck in South Africa without the option to hug NaNa goodbye or remind our parents face-to-face how much we love them. 

BUT way down here at the bottom of Africa, I have newfound vision, hope and dreams that I couldn’t have found anywhere else. In my lowest lows here, I got scrappy, desperately seeking  something proactive I could do when it was easiest to get stuck on what I couldn’t. 

I didn’t know what to do with a newborn. I needed my mom.  Lifa needed his mom. My body and my husband’s mental health were shutting down. I desperately sought refuge in God’s Word through the YouVersion Bible app - the easiest thing to hold onto while caring for a baby. I found incredible encouragement through a plan by the Help Club for Moms there and decided to do a little research on their website. 

Suddenly, there was help! There were moms! There was hope! I didn’t know how much moms needed moms and people needed hope until I ran out - until I was stuck half a world away from my mom and didn’t know how to be the mom to the kids living at my house. The more I read, the more I felt hope shoot through me like fireworks. I had stumbled into a faithful, encouraging group of normal, busy mamas who were committed to helping moms stay in God’s Word and keep His priorities for their lives: their relationship with Jesus first, then their husbands, children, and household. I contacted the Help Club in the US and asked if I could bring their ministry here to South Africa. 

Here we are, South Africa. We are doing this thing! I’ve hosted a few Help Clubs over the past year, and, for the first time since moving to Cape Town, I have deep and authentic friendships. I’m constantly praying with other moms and constantly in awe of how God responds to moms coming together in His Name.  Help Club works. Not because of some magic recipe, but because it is a model of the church and it’s for the church. Help Club for Moms strengthens a woman’s spirit by discipling her in God’s Word and giving extremely practical tips on how to live that out in daily life with their husbands and families. It brings community, encouragement and emphasizes the power of prayers. It’s about Jesus, and it’s for Him. 

Tight restrictions - visa issues, dealing with depression and anxiety, and now quarantine - has worked like sandpaper on my heart. It’s hurt along the way, but I’ve got a smooth, shiny perspective now. I am so full of hope and vision for South Africa’s moms and families I COULD BURST! I believe the next generation of South Africans can be impacted by the unstopping love of God, and it can start with their mamas. If there was ever an opportunity to encourage - this is it. 

Pray with me as I send out an all-call through Facebook to South Africa’s mamas. I’m inviting them (and you too!) to read long with us on Help Club for Mom’s You Version reading plans starting on June 1st. I would love for local churches to use Help Club for Moms as a resource to build their church. We all know that healthy, happy mamas make for a healthy, happy family! We will watch teachings together from the US Help Club on Monday nights through Facebook Live, and I’ll share on Thursday mornings to make it uniquely South African. 

Guys...

WHAT IF ALL THE MAMAS IN SOUTH AFRICA HAD THE WORD OF GOD IN THEIR HANDS, HEARTS AND MOUTHS!?!

What if husbands, children and households were transformed by the gentle spirit of a mama who has found her hope in the Lord?

What if the next generation of South Africans grew up in church because their mamas knew the power of worshiping, praying and living life together?

Please pray with us, follow along on Facebook and share! Let’s go, South Africa!

Follow @helpclubformomssouthafrica on Facebook and read along with us!