October Brings Change

As November is on its way in the next week it is amazing to say I have been living in South Africa for 9 months now. Every day is a new day which holds new opportunities, challenges and continues to show me why God has called me not only to South Africa but specifically to Refilwe.

I have completely changed roles in the past month which has been such a blessing. I have often questioned about the specific reason I am here, what that looks like and how I am to serve. With the changes in what I am now doing here at Refilwe, I finally have an answer. I have moved out of the Carpentry Project and Infinite Family Program as well as am driving much less. I filled in as a substitute teacher for the ABET program, a one year English as a second language program, which has now become one of my duties. I had no idea how much I loved and missed teaching! I have a new manager who is teaching me a lot about time management and prioritizing. Although coming under authority is never easy, I can honestly say it has been so good. I still love the days that I get to do manual labor and work with the guys on the farm. They are actually my favorite days. It has been such a blessing to build friendships and working relationships in which we are freely able to talk about God and base everything we do in the day on how He calls us to live.

I have also been blessed in building relationships with two of the Mama’s and one of the managers. I know that although I may teach English or do graphic design during the day, when it comes down to it, I am here to build the Kingdom and the people in it through relationships.

Please continue to pray for me. It has been recommended by my mentors that I go home to visit the U.S. during the Christmas holidays. I have a ticket home but need to raise $1300 for the return flight as God has called me back to this place. Please also pray as I continue to build relationships and submit to the authority God has put in place for me as I serve here.

I continue to pray for all of you and can’t wait to see you in December.

PRAISES!!!!

WOW! This week has turned out to be truly amazing! God is so good. I just can't stop praising Him! After all but one vehichle was broken down on Monday and had no idea what to expect. But God has provided so much. In spite of a huge Taxi strike we hired a taxi to take the kids to and from school. This was a great relief as transport is a big concern. Lawrence (one of our kids) has not returned to school since the accident due to a leg injury and is still walking on crutches. We need to continue to pray for his recovery. The tires keep going flat so we couldn't take the truck to the shop. Yesterday we finally took them to a tire repair shop who fixed them for free! Today we took the truck to the shop and the mechanic said angels must have layed it down. The oil filter looked like it had just come out of the box! Everything in the engine was perfect. WE GOT TO DRIVE IT HOME!!! The guy made sure that I knew I had just witnessed a miracle and thatGod's hand was in this!
I just can't explain the joy and peace that God gave me this weekend and how it has carried on! PRAISES!!!!!

Crash and Burn

The past week has been a very intense one. Nonetheless, I have learned a lot. God has provided a ton of joy and peace in spite of the circumstances. I am so thankful to be serving this community with the family here at Refilwe.

One of my main responsibilities here is to take care of all the vehicles and trailers that are owned by the project. Most of the time this is a busy but manageable job as we have two vans, a work truck, and two cars as well as two trailers. This past week one of the vans stopped working. Because of this I made the wrong decision to transport children to school in the back of the truck with high cattle rails. On Friday, with children on board, the truck was involved in a hit and run which flipped it onto its side. All six children had to be transported to the hospital but thankfully were just a bit shook up. In attempt to save a very expensive tow, our other van attempted to tow the truck into an upright position and started burning out the clutch. On Sunday our smallest car was being used for driving lessons and attempted to climb a tree. Thankfully no one was hurt but it goes to the garage on Thursday. Sunday night brought us flat tire number six for the week and forshadowed another long day. While attempting to get the first van to the garage, the clutch completly went out on the second. We had to call two tow trucks (one of which broke down on the way). All in all we have one working car.

In spite of all of this God has provided so much joy and peace. Even through this rocky and hard time, I can see Him at work. It is so good to know that although I do not know the plans, I know He has a plan and that His plan is going to glorify Him.

On the Move

The past couple of weeks have been long and hard.

About a week and a half ago, two teenagers were told to come to our community project because the grandmother who was taking care of them could do so no longer. This brother and sister were with us several years ago so we were aware of their situation and family. We all prayed about what to do because all of our foster parent houses were already full. Within a week God provided a new foster parent. Everyone involved really has peace and feels that God really provided.

Although we had a parent all the houses were still full. Thankfully some of the other volunteers were moving out of their cottage (which is really big) and we were all told to move in a 12 hour period. It was stressful to have life change that fast but we understood the urgency of the situation and could see God's hand.

Now I have been asked to move again since I am not a normal volunteer and intend to be here long term. Where I live greatly affects my focus and ministry. Please pray for all of the leadership, my mentors and myself as we try to sort out housing and God's call on my life.

Where do I go?

So I have almost been here five months and all I can say is wow. I am not the same person I was even five months ago and I am so thankful for that!

This past week has been a very intense but rewarding one. I spent the past week with the home based care team and a team of doctors and nurses from the United States serving three of our local informal settlements. I have laughed, cried and prayed with people more this week than I have in a long time. There is such a need here. It is difficult to find the balance of trying to invest in people's lives and yet using the proper channels to do so. For me, I struggled with knowing that I have skills or extra of something as well as the desire to give but that to do so would make the people I was working with have a harder life.

I am still in process with all of this. Who knows, maybe in five months I will be in a completely different place again. Until then, I am going to seek God and enjoy the ride.

Part of the ride is taking on new roles. Please join me in praying as I have been asked to take on two new roles here at Refilwe and I am seeking God on both issues.

Wedding Crashers

Well, I can say I have successfully participated in my first South African wedding. After many weeks of going to dance practice and watching everyone learn the steps, I actually had a chance to learn for myself. Thankfully Piet came home and was able to stay for the wedding. Not only was he my dance partner and coach but he was the one who kept me from truly freaking out!

The wedding was beautiful and there are several customs and traditions that I would like to integrate into my own one day. Until then, may God bless Dudu and Richard in their marriage and may their relationship always be centered around him.

As for me and my house

As most of you can imagine, moving to Africa is not easy. There are lots of components that come into play in just the logistics. When I was still in the communication stage with Refilwe one of the questions that arose was where would I stay. At that time I had the choice to stay by myself or with some other volunteers. I honestly didn't know what decision to make so I prayed about it and had others pray about it with me. In the end the decision was made to live with other volunteers.

Now I wish I could say that we all are great friends and there is never any conflict but you all know me and know that living with me can't be that easy. There are four of us in the house. A married couple and another single girl. They are all really amazing people (and I mean that in a good way). Honestly if you pooled a group of people their age you wouldn't likely find such competent and gifted people for the kingdom. I am blessed to have the chance to get to know them.

Sadly, I haven't been acting like this is the truth at all. In fact, I have gotten increasingly more nasty to one of my housemates as time passes. Everything this particular person said, or didn't say, to me I took personally. As you can well guess this was a problem that just compiled on itself and by this past weekend I was ready to sleep in a tent and never come home again.

Thankfully I love and serve a very loving God. I know that God knew my sin and hardened heart on this matter. He has heard both my tantrums and justifications and yet he has been gently and lovingly convicting me of my sin. I am happy to admit that on Saturday I apologized to my housemates. I did not apologize because everything I did was wrong but because even when my point may have been right, my heart was terribly wrong. I also admitted some fears of living with three people you don't know and being vulnerable to them.

I have to tell you that this process has not been easy. In fact it was scary and a little painful. Nonetheless it has been precious. Today and even yesterday we talked to each other respectfully and I actually enjoyed even the brief moment of conversation.

All this to say...I love the God I serve. He is truly a loving God. He is the God of Peace and once again has proven himself in my life!