The Website of Miah and Michelle Collins

Michelle and I have just finished STeM (Short term equipping missions) which has kept us out of touch with the wider world for the past two and a half weeks. About 100 young people came to the farm in two groups to be trained in short term missions. They were trained in areas such as cultural taboos, how to plan a mission, finding contacts, gaining trust and building relationships in a community, and how to share their own story and the hope they have in Jesus Christ. Michelle taught a seminar about Spiritual gifts which she really enjoyed.
After about 4 days with us they were sent in groups to 7 different communities where they could put these things into practice. I’ve always enjoyed short term missions, especially how it forms young people to think outside of themselves and their world and to consider others first. Michelle and I also led a team into Hillbrow, an area in central Johannesburg known for being a melting pot of the entire African continent. The church we worked with there had only about 40 members from 11 different countries! Michelle got many opportunities to speak French and we both got the chance to invest into peoples’ lives.
We were in an area known for alcohol and drug abuse amongst so many other social challenges facing the young people. Our team of 19 guys and girls grew tremendously as they shared the hope within them to youth in the parks and homes in the area. Our theme for the week was Romans 15:13 which says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
There were so many great testimonies from the 2 weeks, but also great challenges. One group did the bulk of their ministry in a refugee camp where they encountered embittered people who had fled oppression in their own countries only to find more violence against them here. The team was challenged to follow God’s way by caring for the sojourner. They also spent time washing and clothing Aids sufferers who were too sick to do this themselves.
When the teams returned to the farm for their final dinner together and recap a guy named Nini had a powerful reminder: “This was not just an experience. These were real people we have been spending time with and real lives who will face the same challenges tomorrow as they did when we were with them. Don’t let your heart stop hurting with them even though you are gone. Let God grow that passion in you.” And that is my prayer for every person that was here.
A big encouragement for me was having my little brother, Jordan, here for STeM. If you know Jordan you won’t be surprised when I tell you that everybody here loved him. He generally leaves quite an impression wherever he goes. He was really challenged and enjoyed his time here (even though he had to sacrifice most of his winter holiday!) Maybe I can get him to write a short message on here about his experience sometime.
On a more personal note, Michelle is struggling quite a bit with culture shock. We knew this was something that would come up and that it was going to be a struggle for her more than for myself. Please pray for her, that God would continue to sustain her passion for people and for Africa as she adjusts to the new lifestyle and cultural values. Also pray that we would be humble, seeking to understand other than to be understood, and to be open to new things before we try to change others.
We are no longer the only Americans with J-Life! The Evans’ have just arrived from McKinney, Texas. I met Dave, the father, earlier this year, but we will be meeting the rest of the family for the first time tomorrow, showing them around Heidelberg, and helping them with their transition. God is really expanding our team here.
Its hard to try to describe what we do here from day to day. Sometimes you may struggle to figure out how everything fits together, and for that I apologize. But instead of being discouraged, let it rather inspire you to start saving up to come and visit us!
You are all a gift and encouragement to us. Thanks again for your prayers and support.