Lots to Catch Up on: Visiting the States... Fear, Gratefulness... Name Change of Bridge for Hope to HOPE AFRICA, Thembelani's Story, New Website...

Hi guys,

I know it's been a while. And it's May - of 2013!!! - I can hardly believe it! That means I have been here 15 months straight! Whoa. Yes, I am hankerin' for a trip home to the U.S. of A. It's the longest amount of time I've been in a foreign country and is definitely a growing experience in SO many ways. I will have to  tell you about it in person... as I HOPE to buy tickets home for sometime in July-August - would you please PRAY with me in purchasing tickets, finances, timing for my trip to the States and to several States to visit family and friends? And also some logistics I need to work out on this side of the sea - with ministry and my stuff/flat for the 2 months I will be gone. It's been A LOT on my heart and in my prayers. Thank you.

Mad hike one hot day overlooking Cape Town - Table Mountain and Lion's Head in the distance.

 I cannot emphasize enough how Grateful I am to God as my Provider, Sustainer, and Leader. Faith and Rest in Him to hold me has taken another level over here - as I am still learning - He holds my fear and stresses and unknowns. A missionary lady said something along these lines recently,  

"Fear is doubting God's capability and His character."  

...in my life. ...in others. ...in the world around me. (Choose your ending.)

Boom. That one really hit me up side the head. God's capability, God's character, HE is Trustworthy. I am reflecting on that and being changed by that more and more.

And I cannot say it enough how I am SO Grateful for God using people in my life to support and encourage me - from afar and new ones nearby. I realize how important Friendship and Community are. If you are lonely or aren't lonely, I bet you someone is - please reach out today. 

(I'm being too wordy - must be because I haven't written in a while.)

And now for awesome news. You know I work in ministry in South Africa with Bridge for Hope - But recently we went through a NAME CHANGE to HOPE AFRICA COLLECTIVE. The vision and what we do hasn't changed, but this name captures us better. You can read about it here:
http://hopeafrica.com/new-beginnings/

And I would love for you to watch Thembelani's story here: http://hopeafrica.com/projects/ Thembelani shares how God has transformed his life. And now he impacts people's lives in his community through Hope Africa. He is truly an awesome guy, and I think he will encourage you!

Also, check out more on our New Website with our New Name: http://hopeafrica.com/

That's all for now - I think! Please drop me a line about your lives. I would to hear and pray for you.  

Many blessings from the bottom of Africa.  ~ Shannon

Life's Little & Larger Blessings - The Sweet & Sour - But It's a Pretty Sweet Start!

When I get to fly I get a little excited. I love to travel. and fly. and watch people in airports. and be anonymous. and the mystery, the intrigue of strangers.

Travel is Seasoned - Both Sweet and Sour. 

The sour can make the blessings sweeter, and both contribute to make memorable stories. (Note: If this post sounds in any way corny or dorky, it is. I am a dork. Embrace it.) Sour comes saying goodbyes to family and friends. Sweet goes hellos to South Africa's friends and experiences. Sour comes my heavy luggage. Sweet is that its makes weight, and I don't have to pay fees for my checked bags (and I get a workout)! My airplane seat reading light doesn't work - but my sweet neighbor likes to read a lot and shares hers with me. Sadly, that same seat is broken and won't recline for my 10 hour overnight flight to South Africa - but I SO appreciate a bed right now. Airplane food usually bites the dust, but I am so hungry I rave about the pasta. Sweet that I make all my flights (including my luggage) when I sometimes wait less than 10 minutes or another time run through Frankfurt airport to get there late and still make it!  Thank you, Lord, through the sweet and sour!

Unusual snow in Hamburg, Germany - the Rooftops (my fav pic).

Sweet Conversations. 

The older English gentleman sitting next to me on my LONG flight from Chicago to London was the grandfatherly type in the best sort of way. We chattered on about history and family history - he's researching his ancestry. Not only do I enjoy history which I studied at university, but I would love to research more of my family history someday - I wrote a paper on my Italian side at uni (as the British say university).

Sweet Stops.
Along with South Africa, one of my greatest prayers these past 2 years was to visit a dear friend (from YWAM Montana) in Germany. It so worked out I could take a longer layover for the same ticket price! As I was escaping from winter U.S.A. to warmer - summer - weather in South Africa, I found myself in one of the greatest cold fronts in Europe. Hamburg was at its coldest in years - "the event" was to venture out of the uncommonly frozen lake and slide around in our boots! I have a new appreciation for our personal cars in rural Montana as Hamburg transportation meant freezing walks to the bus, train, and subway stops! But blessings abounded including European history, international flava', encouragement, prayers, and the bond of friendship.

On my German stop for a coffee to warm up - it's bitterly cold out!

Sweet Starts.

And I'm off to a running start! Although a bit tired (from that stiff seat and left over jet lag), I was reunited with my friends, mentors, and founders of Hope Africa Collective. In my first full day "in country," the team and I set out for the township of Philippi, pronounced "Phill - i (short i sound) - ppe." I cleaned the office closet - normal stuff happens here too - and 30 students registered for the Life Skills course out of over 90 applicants! The team and I will be participating in the classes, building relationships, and learning how to teach these classes for the future! We have two dedicated, veteran teachers leading us. As the students learn job skills and both Christians and non-Christians join these courses, I love that under the surface they are learning Bible based values and being challenged personally. It is the hope for transformation to be from the heart (internal) to the external (living) and from individual to the community. I think that one of our leaders said it best that it is "presenting skills for them to live life to the fullest." (Note: Pics in South Africa coming soon.)

Sweet Prayers.

Classes begin Monday, February 13th! Please pray:

• For all of our 30 students to show up Monday morning - open and willing to learn.
• Prepare their hearts and minds.
• Our teachers and team - to be sensitive to how God is working in the classroom.
• Team bonding.
• Peace and rest in the midst of 2 busy months - new classes, learning, training... (not to stress and increased capacity and memory).
• Setting up the computer skills classroom - internet, electricity, computers, etc.
• Housing for me - affordable and the right fit for place and roommate. Help me to "know."
• Settling in - (cell phone - done today!) furnishings, food, and down the road - a car... And time to get things done.
• Friendships.
• Time with God. Renewal.

Hopefully, you are able to identify all the Sweet Praises I included in this post! Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support! Maybe I am in the first days of blissful, surreal beginnings, but I think that's okay. Reflecting on the good and the bad, the little and the larger blessings today is highlighting how truly great our God is! and I guess He's pretty sweet too.

____________________________________________________________________

Let me know: What is God highlighting in your life as Sweet and Sour lately, this week, today? How can you be thankful for the sweet and the sour? 


You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'd love to hear from you! 

Blessings, 

                     Shannon

Praises & Prayers - Leavin' on a Jet Plane Tomorrow - Ack!

Dear Friends and Family,

I've had a lot to do to before leaving for South Africa (2011 taxes anyone?) tomorrow and big financial miracles to hope for! You know, it's amazing what I remembered at the last minute that I needed to do. But I have been so encouraged by you, my friends, as I prepare for this journey and epic change in my life. Thank you so much for your prayers and lovely e-mails. I love hearing from you. So let's start with the Praises and Thanking God for what He has done!

Praises:

• His Provision! Thank you so much for being part of His provision. I am on my way to monthly financial stability in South Africa and getting a car. More Miracles, Lord!
• Sharing with Glendive Alliance Church was such a blessing! Thank you for adopting me in every time.
• My bags may be too full for my flights back (now a prayer - that they are NOT overweight!). :)
• Times with friends and family in the States - fellowship, food, fun, favorite memories...
• Seeing my sister and her husband's newborn girl! This is my first niece, and I am so grateful.
• Encouragement to my Heart, and God teaching me Hard but Worthy things about Him and about Me.
• Even in the face of difficulties, He knows His plans for me!
• God is Good!

And if you could please continue to Pray:

• For a few more people to be led to partner with me in monthly support.
• For continued donations for a car.
• For safe travels to South Africa: safe roads to the airport, flights on time, and no lost bags!
• For God to draw the people to the classes (starting with Life Skills, Computer Skills, and Biblical Training), For the teachers to be well-equipped and lead with wisdom and discernment, and For the students Hearts and Minds to be open to the Lord and learning.
• For my missions team - to be led by God and to work together in unity.
• For passion and discernment - in  my words and building new friendships with the African people.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers!

In His Power and Name,

Shannon Mintz

"Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."
 
~ Philippians 4:14-20 ~

I NOW live in South Africa. As you can tell, I'm really excited about this!

As you can read, I have arrived safely in South Africa,
the land that I now live in and hope to come to love!

At the Airport with my Sister

“See you laters”

After sad goodbyes - or as I like to call them "see you laters" in hopes that I would cry less - from Montana to California to Minnesota and Wisconsin and places in between, my flights from Minneapolis to Amsterdam to Capetown were uneventful. (Yeah!) This is the first time I have ever arrived at my destination in two flights, and to South Africa at that! But my legs did get a bit cramped with back-to-back flights. I arrived after 10:00pm, both of my checked bags made it (yeah!), and I headed out of customs looking for a familiar "YWAM" sign! And there it was, with a little crowd of people!

Destination Africa!

I arrived early, with a few days to settle in and get over jetlag before my classes started Monday. Jetlag was no fun! I was so tired the first few days. But I got a chance get to know my new hometown of Muizenberg (where the grocery store is, Checkers, some coffee shops, and the beach) and my roommate Anne and some of my other classmates and staff.

International Flava'
Both the town and the YWAM base are quite multi-cultural. In my School of Biblical Studies (SBS) alone, there are twenty-two students, representing six continents and fifteen countries (not including my staff)! I have nine classmates from African nations. As a school we are even blessed to have a local pastor attending classes with us! He has an amazing testimony! I am looking forward to get to know my classmates from such diverse backgrounds and experiences.

God Experiences

I have been praying so much about who my roommates would be, and they are so great. So far I have two from two different countries and continents. We get along well and have already had quite a few things to laugh about! I am thankful for all the girls in SBS. Together we are a small group of girls, but it seems we have similar hearts to love the Lord. I believe God will be showing us a lot of amazing things during this season at we seek Him!

The other night, we girls were talking and praying about this new season in our lives and the things that God has placed on our hearts. One thing I felt impressed by – my desire is that the Holy Spirit be evident in love and action in this SBS, my school – in our lives! Most of the time with school, we get wrapped up in head knowledge, but my prayer is that it would be about heart knowledge, centered around the Holy Spirit revealing to us what He desires us to learn! This goes so much deeper than that what I can learn in my own wisdom and effort.