A Return to South Africa
Friends and family—
It has now been four days since our team boarded planes for an adventure that had seemed so far off for so long. For months, talking to each of you about this unique place to which the Lord has called me was somewhat like the telling of some tall tale from a character of a literary work. However, this is no tall tale; the adventure has begun.
It has been apparent already that this adventure will be filled with both excitement and hardship. The first 48 hours were the hardest (26 of which were spent on the journey from Atlanta to Durban) being torn away from all of you—the ones whom I miss and care about the most. Our team has encountered several challenges already, but the resilience they’ve shown has been encouraging. The next two weeks will be a bit of an adventure as well as we will be living out of our suitcases and traveling.
School for South African students starts the first week in February. Tomorrow (Sunday) we will leave for Port Shepston, a small camp about an hour down the coast, for a four-day retreat with the other Campus Crusade staff from Durban. Although there are other staff in the city, our team will be the first group to be permanently on a college campus since the early nineties (the end of Apartheid in South Africa). It should be a great time to relax and get focused for the ministry that we will be doing this year.
On Wednesday, we will return from the retreat and repack an overnight bag for perhaps the biggest adventure of the year. Gary Price, the city director for Campus Crusade in Durban, has coordinated with a few students from the college campus to secure us a place to stay for the week. The adventure lies in the fact that we will be staying (in pairs) with three students that live in the townships surrounding Durban. We have been assured that these areas are entirely safe, but it certainly can be something to pray for over the next 10 days. I am very excited for the opportunity to enter the home of a student here and live as they live.
After a week in the townships, we will be moving into our permanent residences for the years. The girls will be staying in fairly modern apartments in the safest part of town and Dan and I will be living in a flat (sort of like a converted-garage-turned-apartment) behind the home of one of our contacts here. It is not at all the Ritz, but it will be a great place to live. I have fairly limited internet access presently and over the next 10 days probably won’t be able to access it at all. Please be praying for safety and the ability to settle in peacefully. I miss you all very much and look forward to touching base with each of you on a personal level as soon as we can secure reliable internet! Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers!
Barrett
wbgrant
You probably don’t remember me but my sister, Lyn, used to babysit all of you Grant kids when you and Michael were very young. I’m friends with your cousin Katherine on Facebook and she shared your blog with everyone there.
I have read over your blog from your previous visit to Durban as well as what you are currently doing. Please know that I’m praying for you as you serve our Lord in SA. It’s wonderful to hear that you are doing the Lord’s work in an area where all of us cannot go. Thank you for serving where God has directed you.
I can’t wait to read about more of your experiences.
Hey, Barrett! So good to read your post and hear that you are there and getting settled in. I will definitely be praying for you and sharing your updates with others and asking them to pray as well. You are doing the Lord’s work and I know He will bless you so greatly as you serve Him! I look forward to more posts and hearing off all the great and wonderful ways you’ll be blessed this year!
Barrett,
We are so proud of you and the work you have been called to do for the Lord. We will be praying for you and safety for all of you as you get settled in before school begins. I took the dogs over for their monthly manicure/pedicure with Amelia and Patrick this afternoon – they seemed to be well, but I know they miss you! Will be watching for your updated posts as you share your experiences with us.
Praying for y’all daily! Tell the Prices and others there hello for me! Hope y’all have a great retreat. And I think staying a few days in the townships will be an incredibly experience that will give you amazing perspective as you start working with these students.
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HCC
I don’t know if Mom and Dad know that your blog is back up and running but I’ll let them know. It was good to talk to you Saturday. We love you and are so proud of you for being so brave to do what God has called you to do. You are constantly in my prayers!