Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Loving South Africa

Mamelodi:
On Saturday we went to a township to work with an organization called Africa Revolution. This ministry is partnered with a church called, Power House, and together they are working to reach out to the community be bringing the message and the ministry of Christ. We spent the day working on two houses, owned by elderly widows. We had the opportunity of cleaning and painting the houses. It was such a refreshing time to serve in this way. Even getting to work along side the church members and share stories and learn about what God is doing in their lives was beautiful. It was good to be reminded that God is God of the Universe, and His love remains the same no matter where you go.

Culture:
The African culture is much different from American culture and I am learning a lot from it. The Christians I have met here are very grateful to the God for everything he does. As a matter of fact they are very grateful to everyone. It has shown me how often I can just be about me and not others. Even those who have very little to give, are constantly giving. Lifestyle here is very communal. So people are always eating together and sitting around and talking together and enjoy each other. It has shown me that I don’t stop to do that enough. Everyone shares everything which I love, because most do not have a lot. The students we have been getting to know have an eagerness and a hunger to know God more like you would not believe. South Africa is beautiful. The people, the landscape, and the languages are all so beautiful. The Lord is really teaching me to slow down more and take those things in.

Friday, May 8, 2009

And.... we're... outta here!!

Oh wow! I cannot even begin to express the excitement and joy in my heart! First of all God is amazing, He has truly done immeasurably more ALREADY than all that I could have asked or imagine. As far as support...He provided not only for what i needed, my goal, or what i was trusting him for, but even beyond that! We leave in just two days to go to Johannesburg. I honestly don't know what to expect from this summer. I just know that I expect God to show up and do BIG, HUGE, AMAZING things for his Kingdom through and in us....He likes to do that ;)
Thank you so much everyone who has supported and who has been praying. It means more than you'll ever know! I'm ready! Let's GO!

"...Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod. Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God." -Amy Carmichael

LOVE AND GRACE