Rebecca Prins is a high school student who is part of Bethel Church. On March 4th she left for South Africa where she is part of a team of students and adults serving in several Christian schools, bringing encouragement & training opportunities to the people there. We have received another email from Rebecca hi-lighting some of the activities of the team over the first days of her trip:

“…I’m having an amazing time.  I love the family that I’m staying with – the father is a pastor and the mother is a teacher at the public school.  Their daughter is named Arinao and she is in my grade.  We get along really well.
On Saturday we had an incredible time…we visited the Beit bridge and also went to Mpumalanga!  There we saw a giraffe!!, zebra, gazelle, oryx etc.  It was very exciting.  Perhaps the most exciting part however, was driving up a mountain and then hiking the rest of the way.  From there, we could see a huge portion of that part of the Limpopo valley.  It was truly stunning to see the natural habitat in which the African animals live. Unfortunately, this grand habitat is also home to the infamous ‘Mopani worm’ (which are not actually worms but rather giant caterpillars – I’d say about 5 inches long).  Along with us were two African ladies from the school community.  As soon as they saw their favorite treats just crawling along the branches, they couldn’t resist, and started filling their plastic bags with them.  I had several problems with this: a) we weren’t actually supposed to get out of the vehicle (there are lions in the park), b) it was a national park so I don’t think you’re allowed to remove things, especially living animals, c) we had over 3 hours to travel back to Makhado, and I would be one of the passengers sharing the taxi.  Regardless of my concerns, these women took their treasures back on the taxi with them.  Sure enough, within 10 minutes, these caterpillars were crawling EVERYWHERE, including on my bag and me.  We chucked them back in the bag.  This process was repeated 7 more times to be exact – every time we left the taxi.  It was scarring, I tell you.
Despite this experience, our time here has been incredible, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I can’t imagine just coming here and sightseeing.  The culture that we have been thrown into headfirst is really  beautiful, though extremely different.  At first, it was difficult to decipher exactly what their culture was, as there is a thick layer of Western influence coating it.  However, now that we have been here for a week, I am beginning to be able to see a little deeper into the way these people think.  That is why I’m so glad that we are staying with families and attending school.
School…it’s good.  I’ve met so many really amazing people and made many good friends.  I really can’t explain everything now because Andrew still has to email.  However, I will say that my favorite class is grade R (Kindergarten).  We’ve taught several lessons and led the entire school in worship.
I really have to go now, but thanks so much for your prayers.   Rebecca.