Photos

Here are photos for everyone. I'm not sure about the quality. But you can at least see what I see. This is my living quarters.

Arrived at McCord

Hey all,

I have been in South Africa for two days now. Just starting orientation today. People have been extremely nice.

Please pray that I would continue to feel better and less home sick. I still don't have my internet situation sorted out(I am using a hospital computer). I am also going to work at getting a volunteer nursing license while I am here. Which would allow me to practice as a nurse for three months.

I just want everyone to know how thankful I am to have such a huge support network at home. I look forward to sharing what God is doing here at McCord and through me. I know there will be many stories to share. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Phil

Arrived in Joberg

Hey all,

Just arrived in Joberg about 2hrs ago. I'm waiting for my flight to Durban. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. Thank you for your letters. Soon, I will update with information about my address and getting settled in.

During my flight, I spent a lot of time praying that God would be pave the way for me as I come here. I thanked him for support of many people and for the people that I will come into contact with I live in Durban.

Phil

Preparing to Leave

In two days I will be starting my journey to South Africa. There have been a lot of people asking how I am feeling about leaving and if I am nervous, excited, or ready. Having had time to pray and think about this there are a fews that I feel called to share.

I would say that the majority of what I am feeling is excitement and anxiety. I am excited to see what God has in store for me as I step out in faith to serve Him. I am anxious to get started. For the past 5 months I have had time to think and pray about what God has in store for me. Now I am ready to get involved in what He would have me to do.

Many people have asked what they can be praying for while I am in South Africa. There are a few things that I would like prayer for. Please pray that God would give me wisdom as I care for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Pray for boldness, as I speak into the lives of patients and co-workers. Pray for protection and encouragement as I travel and meet new people.

I would like to thank everyone who is supporting me through prayer and financies. I know that if it weren't for your faith and support I wouldn't be able to have this experience. Thank you for allowing God to use you and support me.

First Trip

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their prayer and support as I have been preparing for this initial trip to South Africa. I have to be honest, it has been such a blessing to hear that people are praying for me and the work that is being done in South Africa. I have been meaning to start this blog for the past month or so and now it seems like I can't procrastinate any longer. So here is the start of my journey to South Africa.

In less than a week, I will be leaving with a group of seven people to take my first flight to South Africa. The purpose of this trip to is to see what God is doing on the ground in South Africa. We will be visiting orphanages, hospitals, mass graves, schools, and churches that have been effected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. I am very excited to see where I will be working in the months to come and to meet the people that I will be working with as well.

There are a few things that I am hopeful for on this trip. I am hopeful that God will show me where I fit into his plan for serving the orphans and widows and those suffering from the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Furthermore, I am hopeful that God will expand my vision and my heart for what it means to follow Him.

As I am writing this first entry, I am listening to a song by Jon Foreman named “Your Love Is Strong.” The opening words to the song are “Heavenly Father, you always amaze me/let your kingdom come in my world and in my life.” How appropriate those words are as I prepare to see what God is doing South Africa. I want to see God's kingdom come in this earth and in my life. For as Jon sings further on in the song, “God knows what I need.”

I look forward to updating everyone on travels and how God moving as he gives me vision for what he is doing South Africa.