“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” — Psalm 84:11
Hey friends!
As our time here in Africa begins to wrap up, I wanted to take a moment to share some reflections and give you a glimpse into what’s been on my heart.
These last three months have honestly been some of the most transformative and joy-filled months of my life. It’s been a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness—how He truly doesn’t withhold good things from those who walk with Him. For so long, I believed that chasing temporary pleasures—partying, alcohol, relationships—would bring me happiness. I thought God just didn’t get it. But the truth is, the Creator of the universe, the One who formed us and knows us better than we know ourselves, calls us to live a life set apart. Not because He wants us to miss out, but because He longs to protect us and lead us into deeper joy. Real joy.
Jesus said in John 15:10-11, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love… I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” That’s the kind of joy I’ve found here—a joy not rooted in comfort or ease, but in closeness with Him.
Don’t get me wrong—it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. There were days full of exhaustion, bug bites that turned into wounds and took forever to heal, hard goodbyes, and more than a few challenges. But through it all, God’s presence has been constant. Even in hardship, He’s teaching me that joy and suffering can coexist. In fact, it’s often in suffering that we come to know Him more deeply.
We’ve seen heartbreaking poverty, but even more incredible hope. We’ve witnessed people with so little praise God with everything they have. That kind of faith has stretched and inspired me beyond words. It’s shown me that our joy isn’t found in our surroundings, but in the unshakable foundation of His love.
Ministry in South Africa
Our time in South Africa looked quite different from Eswatini. These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of new places, new people, and unexpected opportunities.
Our squad split into two teams, and my team has spent most of our time at an orphanage and daycare called 7th Heaven here in Jeffreys Bay. It’s a place full of energy, love, and little voices calling out, “Look at me!” as they climb monkey bars or show off their latest drawing. These kids have captured my heart. We’ve shared Bible stories, helped with schoolwork, played endless games of hide and seek, and even had a few impromptu dance parties. (And yes, I’ve had some very creative hairstyles thanks to their imaginative hands!)
One of the sweetest moments was being able to bless Nelly—the amazing woman who runs 7th Heaven—with a plane ticket so she could attend a family member’s funeral. She was worried about the dangers and time commitment of taking a long bus ride, and because of your generosity, we were able to help ease that burden. We also used extra funds to provide essentials like diapers and baby wipes, which were received with so much gratitude.
Whenever we ask Nelly how we can help, she almost always says, “Just spend time with the kids.” And she’s right. Sometimes the best thing we can offer is simply being present—seeing them, hearing them, loving them well. We love because He first loved us. If the only message these children take away is that Jesus loves them, and so do we, then that’s more than enough.
Youth Camps & Community
We also had the opportunity to serve at two youth camps—Ignite and #Imagine.
At Ignite, we worked with the GLA leaders and poured into a group of teens (mostly 13–15 years old). We played tribal games, worshiped through song and dance, shared conversations about faith, and spent time at the most breathtaking beach I’ve ever seen. While we weren’t always sure what our role was at the camp, we realized that just being there, encouraging these students, and showing them the love of Christ was powerful in itself.
#Imagine was a larger, nationwide youth camp that returned to J-Bay for the first time in six years. To be honest, this camp was a challenge. We wrestled with understanding our purpose there and had to navigate some tough dynamics. But through it all, we clung to the truth that God uses all things for good—even the messy, confusing parts. Our team grew stronger, more unified, and reminded that even when we don’t understand everything around us, God is still at work.
Construction Week
We also spent a few days helping build a new technical school through GLA—designed for students wanting to learn trades and practical skills. We worked alongside Lukas, who not only led us in physical labor but also shared so much wisdom about what it truly means to follow Jesus.
Painting walls and grinding concrete might not seem glamorous, but we were reminded that worship is more than a song—it’s the way we serve with our hands, our time, and our hearts. Everything we do can be worship if it’s done unto the Lord.
Thank you for following along on this journey. I truly believe your prayers, encouragement, and support have been a huge part of the transformation I’ve experienced and witnessed here. This trip has changed my life. I came expecting to serve and bless others—but I leave feeling like I’ve received far more than I gave.
God is so faithful. He sees us. He loves us. And He withholds no good thing from those who walk with Him.
With so much love and gratitude,
Jaya Miller
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