Before I went to Cape Town to work with U-Turn, I sensed God calling me to learn more about Him, and to step out and be confident in who He’s made me to be. And indeed that’s what happened! I found that the part of me that needs to be more straightforward was brought out. 

For example, we helped run a shop for street people one day each week, where they could pick up a couple items of clothes for R2 a piece. I’d have to limit the number of items people purchased & it was crazy – I was squaring up to guys I knew were involved in crime on the streets saying, “eh, no, you can’t take that.” In the end, I realized the best thing anyone can give to others is themselves: authentically following Christ, authentically human with real experiences and emotions, authentically compassionate. For example, people could see that I wasn’t being fake about my faith. I was able to share with people my own struggles and questions about my faith, and also how that has stretched me and even drawn me closer to God. I know a few people were encouraged by openness and honesty. I met people living on the streets who were abused or were alcoholics. I found that, yeah, we each need God and our lives are changed immensely by the decisions we make.