KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Carson-Newman softball's All-America utility infielder Elayna Siebert spent the first part of her summer break on a missions trip to South Africa. This is a blog of her experiences.
It's been 20 hours since I've arrived back in Knoxville from Cape Town, South Africa, and I still have not had enough time to reflect on all that the trip has meant to me. So many sights, thoughts, and experiences come to mind that it is nearly impossible to sort it all out. One thing I can make sense of is this: Cape Town changed my life. I left Knoxville expecting to take some beautiful pictures, meet unique people, and serve the community in whatever ways I could. I left Cape Town having formed bonds with those I came in contact with that will last forever and having felt the Lord call me to something greater than I'd ever imagined. I had hoped to leave an impression on the kids that I met through Living Hope, but I did not expect that they would change me as much as they did. Yes, I took beautiful pictures, met wonderful people, and served Living Hope for a few days. But I also fell in love with Cape Town and its people in a way that I could never explain.
Throughout the course of these past two weeks, I faced multiple challenges and fears. I was forced to overcome my deathly fear of heights (yes, forced), challenged to broaden my worldview, and confronted with the realities of people and communities in need. The Lord placed me in situations I'd never been in before, and I came out of them a new person. Thankfully, He provided a group of amazing students and professors to go on this journey with me. Though all of our lives changed in different ways, each of the team members made a dramatic impact on my life. They were all there by my side to lead me, motivate me, encourage me, comfort me, and change with me every single day. I couldn't be more thankful for these new friendships and the wonderful memories we all made together, because they are a testimony to how the Lord places others in our lives to shape us and mold us into the people we are meant to be.
To think that I had almost passed on the opportunity to go on this trip is astounding. I would have missed out on countless memories, beautiful new relationships, and a new perspective on God's purpose for my life. All throughout the Bible – in both the Old Testament and New Testament – there is an emphasis on helping the poor and the needy. Just take a look at Deuteronomy 15:11; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 25:34-40; Mark 10:21; and Luke 14:13. These are just a few of the countless times God points our attention to those in need. But not only does He point them out to us – He calls us into action. God is not saying, "Look at them, pity them, and walk away." He is saying, "GO and HELP THEM, in My Name." Being in Cape Town and working with Living Hope in places such as Ocean View, Mountain View, Masi, and Agape Farms has shown me that there is no shortage of people in need. It is impossible for me to explain the amount of need I saw in Cape Town alone – I cannot even imagine how much more need there is around the rest of the world.
Rather than asking why I've been so blind to the poor and the needy in the world until now, I am instead asking myself what I can do to serve these people in the Lord's Name. I do not have to be all the way in South Africa to act – there is so much need here in Knoxville alone that we as Christians can do something about. I spent much of my time on the way back to America thinking about what the Lord wants me to do with all that I have learned and experienced in Cape Town. As I look back, He has been revealing His will to me this entire time. Serve others. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Supply water to the thirsty. Give to the poor. And do all of this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Now, as I begin working and volunteering this summer around the city of Knoxville and making plans to serve Him and others elsewhere over time, I am convicted to keep one more thing in mind: "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us. But to Your Name give glory" (Psalm 115:1).
