Dear Friends and Family,
Another month has passed and I find myself standing in awe of God, how he works, and what He’s done in my life since being here. As I sit here typing, it’s crazy to think that my time in South Africa is almost over. I only have 3 weeks left and then I am homeward bound. It’s a feeling of mixed emotions as I can’t wait to come home and see my family and friends, yet at the same time I don’t want to leave my family here, my friends and every connection I have made over the past 6.5 months.
This whole past month has been a whirlwind because it’s been Holiday Club (one month that kids have off from school) and Living Hope runs programs for the kids and teens. The holiday program is run in the same manner that our kids club afternoon programs are run, except more intense and longer hours. My role during the past month has been to run the Upwards soccer program. During that time I got to teach soccer skills to kids and teens in four different townships. I spent one week in each of the following areas: Ocean View, Masi, Overcome Heights, and Red Hill, plus a one week soccer clinic at King of Kings Church. It was a hectic month, but it was one of my best months here as soccer is my passion and I love kids. It’s also been great to spend a week in areas that I have never experienced before. It’s great being able to love on kids and build relationships with them. I pray that God uses everything to draw kids and teens closer to him and bring the unsaved to salvation.
For two and a half weeks of coaching, I got to work alongside a soccer team from Brazil who came to help. It was a privilege to work alongside them and a great joy. Some of them didn’t speak English, some spoke broken English, and others spoke decent English. Despite a bit of a language barrier I still got to talk with several of them and make some really great friends and connections. They just left on Sunday and I am so sad that they are gone. I’ve wanted to go to Brazil for years, ever since falling in love with the soccer team and since knowing missionaries to Brazil. Now that I have these new friends, my desire to go is even greater. Two of the Coach’s said that they see a lot of potential in me for soccer ministry and that I should pray about it and come help them with ministry in Brazil, even if for just a couple of months. So while I can’t wait to get back to SA next year for soccer ministry, I am praying about the possibility of getting to Brazil some time for soccer ministry. Please keep me in your prayers, that I follow God’s calling and am obedient to him.
The next two weeks will be spent doing the work I did before holiday club started. So that means sewing lessons, kids clubs, and training meetings. The last week that Ronnie and I are here we decided to take off in order to do things we haven’t gotten to do yet. We might drive out one day to the eastern cape to see the dessert, go to the District 6 Museum, etc. We also plan to do last minute visiting with friends we’ve made and say our goodbyes.
We fly out on the morning of July 31st and get home August 1. Please pray for traveling mercies. Thank you again for your financial and prayer support over the past 6.5 months. You have been such a blessing to me and I thank God for each and every one of you.
FOR HIS GLORY,
Amy
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
I'M STILL ALIVE!!!
Dear Friends and Family,
I want to sincerely apologize for not keeping you more up to date with what has been happening with me in South Africa over the past month and a half. I know it’s a poor excuse but I have been incredibly busy with ministry, soccer, a relationship, life, keeping up with friends and family, etc. I don’t even know where to begin.
I guess for starters, for those of you that haven’t heard, I am dating one of my good friends from soccer. He is a really great guy, one of the most amazing guys I have met and he has an awesome family (all of whom have taken me in and watch out for me). He is seeking and desiring to grow in the Lord as am I. We aren’t on the same page spiritually yet, other than the fact that we are both aware of our sinfulness and need for a savior and both desire to live our lives for Him, but he desires to be the spiritual leader. It’s been encouraging to see Sean grow in his relationship with the Lord over the past 3 months since I met him and first became friends with him. To grow in our relationship with the Lord and one another we have been going to connect group bible study on wednesdays, church on Sundays, reading the Bible together (looking for some type of material for us to study the Bible together, if you have any suggestions let me know) and praying together, plus talking about spiritual matters and what the Bible says about it. Please pray for Sean to keep growing in his relationship with the Lord and pray for his family to start living for the Lord (Catholic background) and pray that God would use me to minister to them. It’s been great building relationships with the whole family over the past 3 months.
As for ministry, things have been going extremely well. I have been able to build awesome relationships with people here through the ministries I am involved in with Living Hope and through playing soccer on Fish Hoek soccer teams. The sewing lessons that I have been giving at the women’s support group have been going well and the women are eager to learn and get better at this trade. I am trying to instill in them the importance of doing a good job on whatever they are making, meaning that they take their time, work on sewing straight, and try to make things look professional. Often I feel cruel having to tell them that they need to redo something, but it’s all part of the learning process and I myself have been there and done that. It is good though because it teaches them a good work ethic and teaches them to think about the business end of things and how important quality is. Plus, the hope is that what the women make will get sold and will bring them some income. There has been a language barrier which can be frustrating at time, but for those that speak English well, I have enjoyed sitting and chatting with them while they sew. Two women imparticular, Yvonne and Grace, are just the sweetest, Godly women and they just glow and they love having me there. I’ve also gotten to know Gail, one of the support group leaders and she is a doll, I’m really going to miss these 3 women inparticular.
The soccer ministry I was a part of on Mondays has been going well and over the past couple months as myself, 3 Living Hope workers, and another volunteer have been getting to know some guys in Overcome Heights. The guys are 18-25 years old and most are involved in drugs, alcohol, gangs, and unemployed. We would just get some goal posts and a ball and go play soccer with them for 1.5 hours. It’s been really fun being a part of that. The thing I am disappointed with is that we were going to start doing devotions with the guys because we have gained their trust and respect, but now holiday club has started, so this soccer ministry gets put on hold. I’m hoping that once holiday club is over (in a month) we will get to pick up where we left off and do devotions with the guys and see hearts and lives changed for the Lord.
Kids club is always a blast, but does have it’s frustrating points. Two days a week I am in Overcome Heights and two days I am in Capricorn helping to run programs where the kids hear a Bible story, do a craft, play games, sing songs, learn a memory verse, etc. I have fallen in love with all the children in these two communities. About a month ago we had 16 kids in Overcome Heights make a commitement to the Lord, so that was really exciting. Sometimes the hard part about ministry is wanting to see the fruits of our labor and it can be discouraging when we don’t. So I always remind myself that God is using me to plant seeds and if He chooses to water them while I am here, AWESOME and if not, AWESOME because He will accomplish what He has set out to do.
So as I mentioned earlier, it is now Holiday Club from June 14-July 9. All the kids are on holiday from school for a month so we run programs exactly like kids club, but with way more kids and way more intense. Last year I had the privelge of being a part of this and this year I have the blessing of being a part of the Upwards Soccer Ministry. Over the next month I will be in four different areas, each for a week. I will be a station coach-teaching kids footwork, passing, dribbling, shooting, skills games, and game situations. My role over the next month is being a role model to kids and helping to teach them the fundamentals of soccer. We are using soccer as a tool to be able to share Christ with kids.
God has continued to show me the importance of building relationships with people and through that He has opened up doors to talk to people about Christ. I can also honestly say that since I have been in SA for 4.5 months now it has become life. So there have been times where I have allowed myself to get far too busy, I say yes to too many things, especially since it’s ministry related, etc. It’s been hard to find a balance in ministry and life here, but for the most part I have done ok. God always shows me the importance of filling myself with Him rather than anything else and He is what keeps the fire in me burning.
As you all know it’s WORLD CUP FEVER!! It’s been so cool to see all the South African pride and this country full of people who have come for the world cup. This past weekend I actually got to go with Sean and his family to see Greece play South Korea in Port Elizabeth. It was an 8 hour drive, but took us 10 hours (there’s a story behind it) then we watched 90 minutes of soccer and drove 8 hours back. Talk about a long two days no sleep for those two days, it was crazy but fun and quite the experience.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
* Sean and I to keep growing in the Lord and God will be clear in His direction for us
*Sean’s family to know the Lord personally and live for Him
*My Fish Hoek soccer teammates-my desire is to see a ripple effect and that one person makes an impact and the whole club transformed for the Lord
*The women’s support group (sewing group)-that they will be empowered and realize that they are worth so much in God’s eyes
*The guys that are part of the Monday soccer ministry-pray that God strips them of their addictions and transforms their hearts
*Upwards Soccer clinics to go smoothly and that kids come to know Christ
*Holiday club to go well, pray for strength and energy for all LSEs and volunteers (it’s an intense month) and pray for kids to come to Christ.
*God to keep transforming my life and remolding me so that more and more I become a reflection of Him
*Pray for me as I seek to raise support to come back to SA to do ministry with Ambassadors in Sport.
LOVE YOU ALL!!
Amy
“Think of yourself as a clear glass, whatever you put in is what you reflect”
I want to sincerely apologize for not keeping you more up to date with what has been happening with me in South Africa over the past month and a half. I know it’s a poor excuse but I have been incredibly busy with ministry, soccer, a relationship, life, keeping up with friends and family, etc. I don’t even know where to begin.
I guess for starters, for those of you that haven’t heard, I am dating one of my good friends from soccer. He is a really great guy, one of the most amazing guys I have met and he has an awesome family (all of whom have taken me in and watch out for me). He is seeking and desiring to grow in the Lord as am I. We aren’t on the same page spiritually yet, other than the fact that we are both aware of our sinfulness and need for a savior and both desire to live our lives for Him, but he desires to be the spiritual leader. It’s been encouraging to see Sean grow in his relationship with the Lord over the past 3 months since I met him and first became friends with him. To grow in our relationship with the Lord and one another we have been going to connect group bible study on wednesdays, church on Sundays, reading the Bible together (looking for some type of material for us to study the Bible together, if you have any suggestions let me know) and praying together, plus talking about spiritual matters and what the Bible says about it. Please pray for Sean to keep growing in his relationship with the Lord and pray for his family to start living for the Lord (Catholic background) and pray that God would use me to minister to them. It’s been great building relationships with the whole family over the past 3 months.
As for ministry, things have been going extremely well. I have been able to build awesome relationships with people here through the ministries I am involved in with Living Hope and through playing soccer on Fish Hoek soccer teams. The sewing lessons that I have been giving at the women’s support group have been going well and the women are eager to learn and get better at this trade. I am trying to instill in them the importance of doing a good job on whatever they are making, meaning that they take their time, work on sewing straight, and try to make things look professional. Often I feel cruel having to tell them that they need to redo something, but it’s all part of the learning process and I myself have been there and done that. It is good though because it teaches them a good work ethic and teaches them to think about the business end of things and how important quality is. Plus, the hope is that what the women make will get sold and will bring them some income. There has been a language barrier which can be frustrating at time, but for those that speak English well, I have enjoyed sitting and chatting with them while they sew. Two women imparticular, Yvonne and Grace, are just the sweetest, Godly women and they just glow and they love having me there. I’ve also gotten to know Gail, one of the support group leaders and she is a doll, I’m really going to miss these 3 women inparticular.
The soccer ministry I was a part of on Mondays has been going well and over the past couple months as myself, 3 Living Hope workers, and another volunteer have been getting to know some guys in Overcome Heights. The guys are 18-25 years old and most are involved in drugs, alcohol, gangs, and unemployed. We would just get some goal posts and a ball and go play soccer with them for 1.5 hours. It’s been really fun being a part of that. The thing I am disappointed with is that we were going to start doing devotions with the guys because we have gained their trust and respect, but now holiday club has started, so this soccer ministry gets put on hold. I’m hoping that once holiday club is over (in a month) we will get to pick up where we left off and do devotions with the guys and see hearts and lives changed for the Lord.
Kids club is always a blast, but does have it’s frustrating points. Two days a week I am in Overcome Heights and two days I am in Capricorn helping to run programs where the kids hear a Bible story, do a craft, play games, sing songs, learn a memory verse, etc. I have fallen in love with all the children in these two communities. About a month ago we had 16 kids in Overcome Heights make a commitement to the Lord, so that was really exciting. Sometimes the hard part about ministry is wanting to see the fruits of our labor and it can be discouraging when we don’t. So I always remind myself that God is using me to plant seeds and if He chooses to water them while I am here, AWESOME and if not, AWESOME because He will accomplish what He has set out to do.
So as I mentioned earlier, it is now Holiday Club from June 14-July 9. All the kids are on holiday from school for a month so we run programs exactly like kids club, but with way more kids and way more intense. Last year I had the privelge of being a part of this and this year I have the blessing of being a part of the Upwards Soccer Ministry. Over the next month I will be in four different areas, each for a week. I will be a station coach-teaching kids footwork, passing, dribbling, shooting, skills games, and game situations. My role over the next month is being a role model to kids and helping to teach them the fundamentals of soccer. We are using soccer as a tool to be able to share Christ with kids.
God has continued to show me the importance of building relationships with people and through that He has opened up doors to talk to people about Christ. I can also honestly say that since I have been in SA for 4.5 months now it has become life. So there have been times where I have allowed myself to get far too busy, I say yes to too many things, especially since it’s ministry related, etc. It’s been hard to find a balance in ministry and life here, but for the most part I have done ok. God always shows me the importance of filling myself with Him rather than anything else and He is what keeps the fire in me burning.
As you all know it’s WORLD CUP FEVER!! It’s been so cool to see all the South African pride and this country full of people who have come for the world cup. This past weekend I actually got to go with Sean and his family to see Greece play South Korea in Port Elizabeth. It was an 8 hour drive, but took us 10 hours (there’s a story behind it) then we watched 90 minutes of soccer and drove 8 hours back. Talk about a long two days no sleep for those two days, it was crazy but fun and quite the experience.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
* Sean and I to keep growing in the Lord and God will be clear in His direction for us
*Sean’s family to know the Lord personally and live for Him
*My Fish Hoek soccer teammates-my desire is to see a ripple effect and that one person makes an impact and the whole club transformed for the Lord
*The women’s support group (sewing group)-that they will be empowered and realize that they are worth so much in God’s eyes
*The guys that are part of the Monday soccer ministry-pray that God strips them of their addictions and transforms their hearts
*Upwards Soccer clinics to go smoothly and that kids come to know Christ
*Holiday club to go well, pray for strength and energy for all LSEs and volunteers (it’s an intense month) and pray for kids to come to Christ.
*God to keep transforming my life and remolding me so that more and more I become a reflection of Him
*Pray for me as I seek to raise support to come back to SA to do ministry with Ambassadors in Sport.
LOVE YOU ALL!!
Amy
“Think of yourself as a clear glass, whatever you put in is what you reflect”
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Updates!
Hello Dear Family!
I hope this post finds you doing well. I want to appologize for not updating this more often. I have been crazy busy over the past couple of weeks. Ministry is going well, though can be disappointing because with wacky weather it makes soccer ministry hard. Anyway, things are going great with the sewing classes in Capricorn and the women are finishing up making the bags I designed. After that we will move on to making aprons, then peg bags, pillow cases, and pillows. No idea how long it will take them to make all this stuff, but probably a bit. It's been fun getting to teach them as they are all eager to learn. The language barrier can be a bit of a problem at times though. I plan to learn Afrikaans so that I can converse better with people and since I will be coming back it'd be very helpful in my ministry.
There was a lot of commotion in Capricorn on Tuesday because a man had been attacked and stabbed in the head twice. I didn't actually see that happen but I saw him drenched in blood. The health care counsellors from Living Hope brought him into the container to clean him up and bandage his head. Three police vehicles arrived as did a Fire and Rescue vehicle. They went out to try and find the guys who did this but I don't know if they found them. It made me so sad and the kids we run programs for were all riled up but this stuff doesn't even phase them anymore because they are used to it. That just breaks my heart! I just can't imagine all that these kids have seen and been through. Makes my trials and struggles seem miniscule compared to them.
Last night I went to bible study with a cell group that is run by a couple that attend Hillsong Church. I've been going to Capricorn Church on Sunday mornings and Hillsong in the evenings. Anyway, we read John 20 starting in verse 19 and read about doubting Thomas. It was such an awesome passage and time of sharing. In the passage we read, 3 times Jesus said "Peace be with you" and that just really stood out to me. Usually when God says something more than once it's important stuff and God reminded me that His peace is with me and in me. That yes we all have doubts and that's ok because even when we have no idea what's happening and what the Lord is doing we can rest in the peace of God and know that "there is nothing that the Lord is not in control of".
I moved rooms and am now rooming with Zuzana who is such a lovely young woman. We have lots of deep awesome conversations and lots of laughs. It's been cool how open we've been with each other and the other night we were able to talk about some struggles and it was really encouraging. We've gained 3 more volunteers, so now at the house there is: myself, Ronnie, Kendra, Zuzana, Stuart, Chelsea, and Louise. What a lovely bunch of people and a great dynamic each of us brings. In about two weeks we are actually all moving to a new location which isn't far from where we are now, and it's only about a minute from the Living Hope head office. I've seen the house and it's in a neighborhood and seems really nice.
Fall/Winter is upon us and with that comes some of the craziest weather. One day it'll be sunny and relatively warm, the next day it storms in ways I've never seen before. When it rains here it pours-it's like God opened up the flood gates and just dumped it on us. It's really crazy and the wind is insane, but it's so fun to sit and watch and see the power of the Lord at work.
Just recently, outside of ministry, I decided to take on coaching a girls soccer team for Fish Hoek. I am training them with another woman on Tuesdays/Thursdays before I have my own practice. I am still training with the Fish Hoek men's second team and hopefully will get a chance to prove myself on the game field soon and then I am also playing with the Fish Hoek women's team. It's been a lot of fun.
Lots of stuff has happened in the 4 months that I have been here and I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for the rest of my time here. God is so good and I am excited for coming home to see you all and then coming back to South Africa to serve. Just to keep you all updated I am in the process of having my support letter, newsletter, and commitment card reviewed and approved before I can send it out. Please keep me in your prayers as that's what I need more than anything; I need people willing to be prayer warriors to pray for me daily!!
For His Glory,
Amy
I hope this post finds you doing well. I want to appologize for not updating this more often. I have been crazy busy over the past couple of weeks. Ministry is going well, though can be disappointing because with wacky weather it makes soccer ministry hard. Anyway, things are going great with the sewing classes in Capricorn and the women are finishing up making the bags I designed. After that we will move on to making aprons, then peg bags, pillow cases, and pillows. No idea how long it will take them to make all this stuff, but probably a bit. It's been fun getting to teach them as they are all eager to learn. The language barrier can be a bit of a problem at times though. I plan to learn Afrikaans so that I can converse better with people and since I will be coming back it'd be very helpful in my ministry.
There was a lot of commotion in Capricorn on Tuesday because a man had been attacked and stabbed in the head twice. I didn't actually see that happen but I saw him drenched in blood. The health care counsellors from Living Hope brought him into the container to clean him up and bandage his head. Three police vehicles arrived as did a Fire and Rescue vehicle. They went out to try and find the guys who did this but I don't know if they found them. It made me so sad and the kids we run programs for were all riled up but this stuff doesn't even phase them anymore because they are used to it. That just breaks my heart! I just can't imagine all that these kids have seen and been through. Makes my trials and struggles seem miniscule compared to them.
Last night I went to bible study with a cell group that is run by a couple that attend Hillsong Church. I've been going to Capricorn Church on Sunday mornings and Hillsong in the evenings. Anyway, we read John 20 starting in verse 19 and read about doubting Thomas. It was such an awesome passage and time of sharing. In the passage we read, 3 times Jesus said "Peace be with you" and that just really stood out to me. Usually when God says something more than once it's important stuff and God reminded me that His peace is with me and in me. That yes we all have doubts and that's ok because even when we have no idea what's happening and what the Lord is doing we can rest in the peace of God and know that "there is nothing that the Lord is not in control of".
I moved rooms and am now rooming with Zuzana who is such a lovely young woman. We have lots of deep awesome conversations and lots of laughs. It's been cool how open we've been with each other and the other night we were able to talk about some struggles and it was really encouraging. We've gained 3 more volunteers, so now at the house there is: myself, Ronnie, Kendra, Zuzana, Stuart, Chelsea, and Louise. What a lovely bunch of people and a great dynamic each of us brings. In about two weeks we are actually all moving to a new location which isn't far from where we are now, and it's only about a minute from the Living Hope head office. I've seen the house and it's in a neighborhood and seems really nice.
Fall/Winter is upon us and with that comes some of the craziest weather. One day it'll be sunny and relatively warm, the next day it storms in ways I've never seen before. When it rains here it pours-it's like God opened up the flood gates and just dumped it on us. It's really crazy and the wind is insane, but it's so fun to sit and watch and see the power of the Lord at work.
Just recently, outside of ministry, I decided to take on coaching a girls soccer team for Fish Hoek. I am training them with another woman on Tuesdays/Thursdays before I have my own practice. I am still training with the Fish Hoek men's second team and hopefully will get a chance to prove myself on the game field soon and then I am also playing with the Fish Hoek women's team. It's been a lot of fun.
Lots of stuff has happened in the 4 months that I have been here and I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for the rest of my time here. God is so good and I am excited for coming home to see you all and then coming back to South Africa to serve. Just to keep you all updated I am in the process of having my support letter, newsletter, and commitment card reviewed and approved before I can send it out. Please keep me in your prayers as that's what I need more than anything; I need people willing to be prayer warriors to pray for me daily!!
For His Glory,
Amy
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
ACTS News Letter
Amy and I each wrote entries for ACTS (African Christian Tours and Safari's) newsletters. Her's was used this month, the link is below, expect to see a link to mine in the upcoming months.
Will be making a full Blog Post Via Video soon, Stay Tuned!
Blessings,
Ronnie
ACTS Newsletter May 2010
Will be making a full Blog Post Via Video soon, Stay Tuned!
Blessings,
Ronnie
ACTS Newsletter May 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
HIS Plan Made Known...
Hello again my dear family!
You are probably thinking "WOW! Amy's made three posts in one week, this is crazy" There has been so much happening that I just can't keep it all to myself, especially when I have the body of Christ behind me!
I just wanted to let you all know that I received an email last night with a letter stating my acceptance into the Ambassadors in Sport family! I am so pumped and excited for what is to come. I know God has really big plans with this and I am blessed and honored that He would choose someone like me to be a part of it. How humbling that is! Years ago I never would have guessed that this is where the Lord was leading me, but it makes sense since God and soccer are my two greatest passions and loves and I have a heart for the people of South Africa. I am currently waiting to hear back from two people from AIS who will talk to me about raising support and how much I will need to raise. I just wanted you all to be up to date with what's happening. I hope you will start praying now and seeking God as to whether you will feel led to support me in full time ministry. I can't thank you enough for the ways you all have already blessed me and "thank you" seems inadequate, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
Love you all so very much!
Amy
You are probably thinking "WOW! Amy's made three posts in one week, this is crazy" There has been so much happening that I just can't keep it all to myself, especially when I have the body of Christ behind me!
I just wanted to let you all know that I received an email last night with a letter stating my acceptance into the Ambassadors in Sport family! I am so pumped and excited for what is to come. I know God has really big plans with this and I am blessed and honored that He would choose someone like me to be a part of it. How humbling that is! Years ago I never would have guessed that this is where the Lord was leading me, but it makes sense since God and soccer are my two greatest passions and loves and I have a heart for the people of South Africa. I am currently waiting to hear back from two people from AIS who will talk to me about raising support and how much I will need to raise. I just wanted you all to be up to date with what's happening. I hope you will start praying now and seeking God as to whether you will feel led to support me in full time ministry. I can't thank you enough for the ways you all have already blessed me and "thank you" seems inadequate, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
Love you all so very much!
Amy
Thursday, April 15, 2010
COMPASSION...
By: Amy
Compassion, it’s not something that every person has, but it’s something that every person needs. However, I have come to find that the number of people that do not have compassion far outweigh those that do have it. This subject is something that I think about quite often because the Lord has blessed me with a heart full of compassion and I don’t say this with a boastful heart. Not only that, but the Lord blessed me with the best earthly role model, a Godly mother who is the most compassionate person I know.
The prompting of this post came from watching The Blind Side last night. Wow, now what a story of compassion. As I sat there watching I saw my mom and myself in the character of Sandra Bullock.
I was blown away by the compassion that Mrs. Tooey (Sandra Bullock) had on Michael, a homeless boy who had a really rough background. She and her family took him in, cared for him, tended to his needs, gave him clothes, provided him with an education, believed in him, encouraged him, built him up, and gave him love like no one else had ever given him before. I saw all of this and realized wow, now how much more has God done that for us. When we were in the midst of sin, when we had nothing to give, when we felt that we weren’t worth anything, He picked us up, cleaned us off and He tended to all of our needs. Christ gave us love like no one in this world would ever be able to give us. Talk about compassion, Jesus is the definition of compassion.
For a good part of my life I have been told that I am “too nice”. To me, it’s what I’d like to define as compassion, but because it is a foreign subject to many, they don’t know what it is so they see it as being too nice. I often wonder how people can’t have compassion, especially when I look at the world around me and see hurting people everywhere. Perhaps Christ gave me such a big heart of compassion because of the great amount of compassion He had on me. Honestly, where would the world be if there weren’t people that had compassion on others? We would live in a miserable world where no one cared about anyone but themselves. Christ showed the ultimate act of compassion on us, how much more should we live to follow His example, rather than living for ourselves?
Compassion, it’s not something that every person has, but it’s something that every person needs. However, I have come to find that the number of people that do not have compassion far outweigh those that do have it. This subject is something that I think about quite often because the Lord has blessed me with a heart full of compassion and I don’t say this with a boastful heart. Not only that, but the Lord blessed me with the best earthly role model, a Godly mother who is the most compassionate person I know.
The prompting of this post came from watching The Blind Side last night. Wow, now what a story of compassion. As I sat there watching I saw my mom and myself in the character of Sandra Bullock.
I was blown away by the compassion that Mrs. Tooey (Sandra Bullock) had on Michael, a homeless boy who had a really rough background. She and her family took him in, cared for him, tended to his needs, gave him clothes, provided him with an education, believed in him, encouraged him, built him up, and gave him love like no one else had ever given him before. I saw all of this and realized wow, now how much more has God done that for us. When we were in the midst of sin, when we had nothing to give, when we felt that we weren’t worth anything, He picked us up, cleaned us off and He tended to all of our needs. Christ gave us love like no one in this world would ever be able to give us. Talk about compassion, Jesus is the definition of compassion.For a good part of my life I have been told that I am “too nice”. To me, it’s what I’d like to define as compassion, but because it is a foreign subject to many, they don’t know what it is so they see it as being too nice. I often wonder how people can’t have compassion, especially when I look at the world around me and see hurting people everywhere. Perhaps Christ gave me such a big heart of compassion because of the great amount of compassion He had on me. Honestly, where would the world be if there weren’t people that had compassion on others? We would live in a miserable world where no one cared about anyone but themselves. Christ showed the ultimate act of compassion on us, how much more should we live to follow His example, rather than living for ourselves?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Oh, Father!
Hello All!
This is going to be a pretty short post as I have midterms this week, and have been extremely busy with them, among my regular school work and missions work.
Something that has come to my attention a lot while here, has been the absence of Christian male role models, both in the Church and communities. It is an issue I was aware of from our last trip, but during this trip is has become more prominent as I have gotten to know the people here better. Obviously, having a male role model plays a very important role in the lives of children, both boys and girls. This absence is strongly felt by everyone in the communities, adults and children alike.
I was very lucky growing up to have a Christian father of integrity who loved and cared for me, even if he could not always be home as much as he would have liked. And I am very happy that he can be even more present in the lives of my siblings, now that he has a more manageable job. I am constantly faced with challenges in my life, and now that I am grown up and mostly independent, I often find myself asking, “What would my dad do/say in this situation?” and I find myself calling, emailing, and messaging him on a nearly daily basis for advice. It is a true testament of a great father, when their adult children feel they have the freedom and ability to seek their father’s guidance.
Here, on the other hand, most of the children do not have prominent male role models growing up, as many fathers are not interested in being fathers, or they simply do not know they are the father. They do not have the encouragement I had from my father growing up, to become a man of integrity, chasing after God’s heart. I heard a sermon on this subject recently discussing the importance of the father’s role in his children’s lives. What struck me most was the importance of hearing, from your father, how proud he is of you. I will never forget my high school graduation because of that very reason! To actually hear your father say, “Good Job, I’m Proud of You!” as a child, youth, or young adult, is by far greater than any award ever given. And to think God, our heavenly father, whispers that very thing to us all on a daily basis! It’s Incredible!
I am encouraged, to see a few men really stepping up in the communities here through the various churches to be the role models the children here are so desperate for. My prayer is that God can be revealed as a proud father to all the children here who are so despite for guidance.
In His TLC,
R.
This is going to be a pretty short post as I have midterms this week, and have been extremely busy with them, among my regular school work and missions work.
Something that has come to my attention a lot while here, has been the absence of Christian male role models, both in the Church and communities. It is an issue I was aware of from our last trip, but during this trip is has become more prominent as I have gotten to know the people here better. Obviously, having a male role model plays a very important role in the lives of children, both boys and girls. This absence is strongly felt by everyone in the communities, adults and children alike.
I was very lucky growing up to have a Christian father of integrity who loved and cared for me, even if he could not always be home as much as he would have liked. And I am very happy that he can be even more present in the lives of my siblings, now that he has a more manageable job. I am constantly faced with challenges in my life, and now that I am grown up and mostly independent, I often find myself asking, “What would my dad do/say in this situation?” and I find myself calling, emailing, and messaging him on a nearly daily basis for advice. It is a true testament of a great father, when their adult children feel they have the freedom and ability to seek their father’s guidance.
Here, on the other hand, most of the children do not have prominent male role models growing up, as many fathers are not interested in being fathers, or they simply do not know they are the father. They do not have the encouragement I had from my father growing up, to become a man of integrity, chasing after God’s heart. I heard a sermon on this subject recently discussing the importance of the father’s role in his children’s lives. What struck me most was the importance of hearing, from your father, how proud he is of you. I will never forget my high school graduation because of that very reason! To actually hear your father say, “Good Job, I’m Proud of You!” as a child, youth, or young adult, is by far greater than any award ever given. And to think God, our heavenly father, whispers that very thing to us all on a daily basis! It’s Incredible!
I am encouraged, to see a few men really stepping up in the communities here through the various churches to be the role models the children here are so desperate for. My prayer is that God can be revealed as a proud father to all the children here who are so despite for guidance.
In His TLC,
R.
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