The Purposed Trek

I have been living in South Africa now for almost a year and I really love being here, doing life here, working with the Franzen’s, all those I come in contact with for work, my friends, and cheap movie tickets. Sometimes good things come to an end though and this is one that will be ending

I am sure there is a litany of questions that I could/will be bombarded with so I will try and answer them here, but if there are any I miss please let me know and if I know the answer I will be happy to share with you.

When are you coming “home”?
I don’t have a “home” per se so I will answer as if you are referring to the States and that is sometime in September. Once that ticket is bought I will post the updated itinerary.

What are you going to be doing?
Well, that is a really good question and one that I would love to know the answer to myself. As of right now I am not sure at all other than earning that green stuff again. If anyone has any leads to jobs let me know. The search is on.

Where are you going to live?
Another great question that I would love to know the answer to, but one that is hard to answer being that I don’t have a job which would kind of dictate where I live. For the time being I am sure I will bounce around for a bit and visit with family and friends and squat with a few families until I figure things out. Stefano’s and Yanov’s get ready for me or anyone else who wants a visitor for a little bit.

Why are you leaving South Africa?
The time has come to an end, this chapter is closed so to speak and I am ready for whatever God has next. I am very open and would like to pursue opportunities in other parts of the world possibly, experience another country, continent or a different state within the U.S. All I want to be fulfilling the purpose that God put me here on this earth, and I learn what that is each step of the way.

Are you excited about getting to come “home”?
To be honest it is all bitter-sweet. I really do like it here and the life that has developed around me. I love my friends & family here and I will miss them terribly. There are so many things here that I will miss and I could list them, but I will save that for another post. However there are so many things that I am looking forward to back in the States and one of them is seeing all my friends and family, and making new friends and family wherever I land. So bitter in leaving, sweet in seeing smiling faces when I arrive and walking in God’s will.

What have you learned during your time in South Africa?
I have learned a lot when it comes to cultures and all the people that are from here – black and white. It has been an enlightening experience, one that I will never forget and most assuredly one that I will never regret. I have also learned what to do with time by myself. I have learned to be a friend to myself and then I will never be lonely because I enjoy being with me. I have learned that what it took to come here isn’t as big of a sacrifice as I thought it was originally or because everyone kept telling me what a sacrifice I was making in coming here. On some level it was and I don’t discount the process of giving up the so called “American Dream”. I have learned that a sacrifice isn’t just about things and giving them up, it is also about giving up you for the sake of others. It isn’t just about living without; it is about living with what you have. Sacrifice should be a constant place that one lives in; it should be the very nature of your heartbeat. I am reminded of a song by Jason Upton called No Sacrifice that was played often when I learned South Africa was my destination. The words are listed here: To You I give my life, not just the parts I want to To You I sacrifice, these dreams that I hold onto To You I give the gifts, Your love has given me How can I horde the treasure, that you designed for free To You I give my future as long as it may last To You I give my presence, to you I give my past Your thoughts are higher than mine Your words are deeper than mine Your love is stronger than mine This is no sacrifice, here’s my life

This is the life that I am living. My life wasn’t a sacrifice, but something that I gave to God that already belonged to Him because of the sacrifice that He made. I want to continue life in this place of surrender and obedience to my purpose. That doesn’t mean I will know each and every step I am to take before I take it, but taking the steps and trusting that the path will be made clear before me and that my steps in faith will align with my purpose. So far this has been the case....                                         .....and so the Purposed Trek continues.

This entry was posted on 10 April 2008 at 4/10/2008. You can skip to the end and leave a response.