A New Chapter

Valerie here to wrap things up!
This day marks the first ten days of our lives back in the US. Back to the culture we came from. Back to the lives we left behind for that month in George, South Africa. Things seem to be moving the way I remember they always had before. Nothing has really changed since we've been gone, but somehow it all feels so different. The busyness of LA should be nothing new to me and neither should driving on the right side of the road. Still, I must admit that getting on to the freeway to go home was quite an interesting experience. I had just gotten used to driving on the left side!

Getting on the plane back home was one of the hardest things in the world for me. Leaving SA behind was difficult. Saying goodbye to the new friends we had made was heart-breaking. I miss them all so much. I miss SA so much. I miss my team so much. This last month I was able to share this amazing experience with 8 of the most amazing people. We have all grown so close. We've had trials with one another. We've laughed, we've cried, and we've suffered the wrath of Stephen McKenzie together (jk Stephen!). God used us, He blessed us, He worked in and through us, He broke us. We've shared some life-changing experiences with one another and that is something that I will never forget. I really could not have asked for a better team! The way I have seen them interact with each other as well as the way they have interacted with the people we have served has been an encouragement to me. This was definitely God's team and I have seen Him work in and through it, more than I am aware of I'm sure. He has shaped and molded us. He has taught us tough lessons and has has stretched us. He is still growing us. He is still changing us. I've been encouraged by each member of this team and I have been changed by them. It has been such a privilege to be one of the leaders and I could not be prouder of them.

Now, as we are continuing on with our lives here at home, I would ask that you continue to pray for us. Pray for us as we process through our experience in George. Please pray that we be open to God continually teaching us those lessons. Please pray for strength as we seek Him out in the next steps of our lives. Pray that we remember what we went through. I know I don't want to forget it.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
~Jeremiah 29:11
God has big plans for each and every member of this team. I am excited to see what is in store for each of us!

Thank you all so much for everything you have done for us. We definitely could not have done this without you. Thank you all for your encouraging words while we were overseas. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for being supportive of us. It all means more than you will ever know. We appreciate you! Our love goes out to you!

Valerie
Team Uthando