Hanna Strickland, lifelong Brethren member, arrived home from a 6-week mission trip to South Africa at the beginning of October. While there, alongside KJ Soden, Hanna had the opportunity to work with our partners in South Africa and learn how ministry is different in this unique context. Hanna and KJ served with Mission Partners Sandile and Abby Mkhwanazi, who run a church in Durban, South Africa. Sandile is completing the Brethren ordination process, as well as leading other South African pastors through the same process. Once Sandile is ordained, he will then ordain the other pastors as well. In her time working with these pastors, Hanna saw how robust their faith and worship is. She shared stories of crusade tent worship nights where pastors and visitors were dancing and shouting for the Lord. She explained how she learned what healthy conflict resolution looks like; the South Africans Hanna worked with showed that they tend to be a blunt people, and when they have issues with each other, they do not let it fester. Hanna shared, “They have a different perspective; we have to be close. We have to be in community. There is no, “Well, we’ll just work with someone else,” because there is no one else. Why would you want to be angry with someone you’re going to spend eternity with?” Hanna saw that when someone had an issue with their sister or brother in Christ, they would address it, pray about it, and then resolve it together. Hanna and KJ were also able to offer support in the ministries growing in South Africa. One ministry that takes place weekly is called “Kid’s Club” and it is a time where children coming home from school will gather outside with ministry leaders, hearing Bible stories and participating in various physical activities. Schools in this area do not have recess time, and many of the children’s homes do not have a yard big enough to run around in, so Kid’s Club offers a time for children to be children and run around and play, as well as hear stories about the love of Jesus. Hanna, a dancer back here in the states, had the opportunity to teach children how to dance, and even choreographed a dance with them. KJ was also able to play with the children, sometimes even letting them color in her tattoos, which they were enamored with. From working at Sandile’s church, to Kid’s Club, and participating in their door to door prayer ministry, and so much more, Hanna grew to love the differences of life in South Africa. Coming back to Ashland, Ohio, Hanna wants to continue to process her trip and all that the Lord did during her time away. She is excited to keep in contact with the friends she made; the work that was started is not over: “I want to see the Lord continue to work in their lives, and if I can be the vessel for that to happen, then I want to do that,” said Hanna. Hanna asks for prayers of peace and continued healing for her as she continues to process her trip. For our partners in South Africa, she asks for prayers of resilience for the pastors who have endured so much with the recent record-breaking floods and more. She also asks for prayers of empowerment and healing for all she was working alongside. Finally, continue to pray for KJ Soden, who remains in South Africa until this coming December.

This past week a massive cyclone hit the coast of South Africa with tremendous force. Home to the new Brethren Church network, Durban was impacted by over nine inches of rain in less than thirty-six hours. The resulting flash floods caused rivers to swell dozens of times past their normal limits, carrying mud and debris down hills, mountainsides, and valleys, to the sea. The loss of life and property is still hard to comprehend as houses, businesses, and equipment, vehicles were swept away in the roaring tumult. Many of your brothers and sisters hunkered down, hoping to ride out the storm. Unfortunately, while some managed to stay dry and safe, not all our Brethren were able to. Several Pastors lost their houses to mudslides and flooding. One church building was also destroyed. During the early part of the storm, Pastor Elias attempted to get children and other adults to safety after school. He had his vehicle stall and then swept into the raging river. Although he was able to free himself and several other children and adults, he lost his middle son Favour and two other adults still trapped in the vehicle. The loss is overwhelming. Pastor Sandile and his wife Abby turned their home into a refuge for others needing shelter and food. Abby kept families busy while Sandile and other leaders worked to help those in need dig out and locate those deceased still in the mud and water. The experience was a trying time and exhausting, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Sandile and Abby opened their home to Pastor Maxwell, his wife Slee, and their children after their home was all but destroyed. On your behalf, we released funds from Brethren Relief to help with the immediate needs of buying food, blankets, and clothing as the church continues to serve the affected community. We also established an Isaiah 58 project for anyone who would like to give specifically to help with those ongoing efforts. Although the days ahead will be hard, your partners rejoice because they know you are with them in spirit, prayer, and love. They know they are not alone! They also know a more profound truth. There is hope! On Easter Sunday, Pastor Sandile and Pastor Franc Blair led worship at the new church in Waterfall. Beginning with foot washing and ending in praise, your partners also recognize that there is hope and reason to celebrate even during loss and tragedy. The tomb is empty, and Christ is risen!