Commissioning Service - Saturday 3rd August 2019

Commissioning Service - Saturday 3rd August 2019

On Saturday we met slightly earlier with all our bags and any extra bits we have to take out. After so many kind donations from families, friends and colleagues we had to organise getting all our toiletries, shoes and games for the children out to South Africa. From the sheer generosity we decided that we would take 2 extra ‘hold’ suitcases with all of the toiletry bags, more toiletries and games in to play with the children.

Once we had sorted all the packing and getting our passports scanned, we sat down for dinner with our friends and family. It was lovely to sit as a team (obviously missing Alice Parker, who is already in Sough Africa) and share a meal together. We had great conversations over our quiche, chicken, ham and salad with many many laughs shared.

We then were joined by lots of friends and family in church where we started our ‘Commissioning Service’. Alice, Clarrie and Oliver shared the vision of the 2019 Team which is ‘Love’. They shared about why it is so important to love everyone and especially to love in the communities we visit. Clarrie spoke about how we need to learn from the children that we visit, to reflect on childhood experiences and to be child-like when within the communities. Oliver shared about the darkness within the community which seems to always be put out by the light which shines through both the care workers and the children at the care point. Alice concluded by encouraging love between us all and to use our faith as a source of strength, she explained that although it will be tough, everything must be done in love.

Rob then shared some words to the team about his trip to South Africa and what that meant to him and how it shaped him. This gave the team something to think about and it was great for our team to hear about another experience out with Hands at Work. The team were then provided great encouragement by Jessica who shared words from the ‘Hands’ vision as well as an encouraging story from her time in Zambia a couple of years ago.

The time then came for our hands to be anointed by Rev’d Guy, to go and to represent our community back in St Andrews out in South Africa. We then finished the service in prayer, led by John.

The team would like to thank all those who shared within the service, all those who came and supported and everyone who has donated, supported, prayed or provided encouragement for the team. We hope that you will continue to pray for us as we venture out to South Africa and that if you are able to you can provide words of encouragement either here on our blog or on our Facebook posts.

This is just the beginning of ‘Team Africa 2019’ and we cannot wait to share so many amazing memories with you on our return.