I’ve just returned from my fifth trip to South Africa. Each trip is unique, experiencing the lowest lows of despair coupled with the highest highs of hope. This trip was special because I got to visit my good friend, Nicole Corlew who just relocated from Nashville to Cape Town this January to be a cross-cultural worker with Growing the Church, an organization of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Africa. Nicole is coordinating Youth Leadership Development.

Nicole has rented a lovely 2-bedroom flat in Cape Town close to Muizenberg Beach and has just bought a car that you drive on the left-hand side of the road!

I am so proud of her; it is hard moving away from friends and family and the easy life we have here in the United States. She has to learn new customs, currency and even an entire culture that is foreign to us. I’m most proud of Nicole because she discerned that God has called her to work in South Africa for the next three years and then she followed that call.

Few of us our asked to make the significant changes and sacrifices like Nicole, but all of us are called to serve God. Nicole has demonstrated how to give up our own will and follow God’s plan; I can’t wait to schedule my next trip to Cape Town to see her!

Here are pictures of the Cape Town coastline at the Cape of Good Hope and Nicole in the patio at her flat.

My prayer is that we will all ask God where, when and how we are to serve Him and then we will be bold enough to follow his direction.

You can read about Nicole's ministry in South Africa at: www.nicolecorlew.com.

Blessings,

Agatha