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Maria's 1-Year Story
After graduating from high school, every eighteen-year-old is faced with many big decisions. I had scholarships and careers available to me, but I felt God calling me to something different—a year on the mission field. I felt an urge to go, so I gathered my courage and put my faith in God and joined Operation Mobilization for a year in the country of South Africa.
In September 2008, I arrived in South Africa and joined the African Exposure team. The "A-Team," as it was referred to, consisted of eight Germans, three South Koreans, three Americans, one Dutch and was led by two South Africans. The whole idea of the A-team is to expose foreigners to the issues, culture, and people of South Africa. So for five months we traveled around southern Africa: in Swaziland, Namibia and South Africa to show the love of Christ in various ways.
We arrived at an area and generally stayed for around two weeks doing any kind of ministry that was needed: whether it be teaching in the schools, picking up trash, delivering meals to the sick, educating and assisting those with HIV/AIDS, preaching in the churches or visiting local believers. For the duration of these five months, I was able to learn a lot about the cultural diversity within southern Africa but also had an experience where I could serve as Christ served.
My last six months in South Africa was spent with Operation Mobilization's missions training program. It's a six month program that educates people on issues they may encounter in missions. For example, topics may cover anything from working with children to evangelizing to reaching out to other faiths to discipleship to mobilizing the local church. We had various teachers, many of whom spent lots of time on the mission field. This program involved a much larger group of people.
There were about sixty of us, from fourteen different nations, participating in this six month program. After learning certain skills, we would participate in unique outreaches where we could apply what we learned. We served from the rural villages to the inner city to predominately Hindu areas—all with one purpose: to share the love of Christ.
After returning home to Ohio, I have really been grateful for this experience. I have been touched greatly with the way I saw God moving amongst the poorest of the poor. I have been moved by the joy of people who have nothing. When I think of my time in Africa, I picture the smiles and the bright eyes that are filled with hope. A hope that I believe Christ is revealing to these people. I want to thank The Chapel for supporting me in this adventure. I am so thankful because with your support, you too made a lasting impact in this country. May you continue to keep the country of South Africa in your prayers.
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