Christian & Christina's Missions to South Africa

Dear Family and Friends,

From August 6th-15th, we will be going to South Africa to learn and support the works of Zimele. Zimele, which in Zulu means “to stand on one’s own two feet,” is a non-profit organization that empowers women in the poverty-stricken areas of South Africa to create and start small businesses to build life skills and sustain themselves as well as their families. We, including our team of 22 high schoolers and chaperones, are not going there to save people from abject poverty. In fact, many are standing on their own two feet. Simply put, these strong and faithful women are far from needing saving. Instead, we are going there to hear the ways God is working in their lives, see the amazing works of Zimele, and come back to New Jersey to share and spread the word. We humbly ask and invite you to support us in prayer and donations. We need to fundraise a total of $6,000 to cover the cost of the trip for both of us. For any donations you would so generously like to give to us, you can donate to us through our Go Fund Me page, or a check (payable to “Metro Community Church”). Please read below for more specific directions to give, but also for more important information. If you have any questions or want to learn more about what we will be doing in South Africa, please do not hesitate to reach out. Please read more to learn more about our individual stories:

Christian Ahn:

When I was eight years old, my family took a trip to South Africa. It was an encouraging experience, but I was too young to fully comprehend what God was doing with the Zimele women. I didn't realize this until my sisters went to South Africa with the Youth Group several years ago. Their lives were deeply impacted by what God was doing in Kwazulu Natal through Zimele. I made a commitment that when I got to high school, I would go to the next Zimele trip. The time has finally arrived. I really do not know what God has instored for me, but I am open to whatever he may want to show me and do in my life as I take this trip. Please pray for me and if you would be so gracious, I would be thankful if you supported me and my sister on this trip. Thank you!

Christina Ahn:

I have the immense privilege of serving as one of the chaperones for this Youth Group trip to South Africa. Although this is the first time I will be taking on the role of a chaperone in this context, this is not the first time I have gone to South Africa and have supported the mission of Zimele. With my continuous involvement in this organization, I genuinely love and believe in the mission of Zimele. With this, I wish I could say that I have done more for the organization than the ways I have been blessed by simply witnessing the amazing works of God through the women in South Africa. But I have not. The times I went to Africa were transformative experiences for my outlook on the world and my walk with God. Therefore, I am excited to go to South Africa this third time and experience and witness the ways God will transform the lives of the high school students who will be going.

Thank you so much! We are eternally grateful,

Christina and Christian Ahn