So this will probably be a rather short blog post because as the header says I have finals quickly approaching, aka tomorrow, and I have probably 6-8 papers of varying length to write between now and the 26th. Yes I may be procrastinating by writing a blog post but there are and have been some pretty exciting happenings that I couldn't wait any longer to post about.
First off Amy and I both received an exciting affirmation from God Last Friday at InterVarsity Large group when Ryan Moyer spoke. His message was about just saying, "Yes" to God when he calls you to serve and then trust in him to provide. He read from the passage in Mark which I included at the end of my support letter. Mark 1:16-20 says, "As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him." I did not want to take up much more space on my support letter to elaborate on the significance of these future apostles turning to follow Jesus so I will do so now. Verse 18 says when Jesus called to Simon and Andrew they at once left their nets and turned to follow him. For these two men they would have been raised with fishing as the family business. Their idea of a future no doubt included a fishing net to make a living by and provide for their families. So for them to immediately drop their nets and turn to follow Him at once, with only one summons signifies them not only choosing to follow Jesus but also turning away from what was most likely the only way of life they had ever known. A little further along Jesus cam across James and John in the the boat working with their father. One summons later they had turned not only from their nets, as Simon and Andrew had, but also from their father, representative of their families as well. I'm pretty sure I can speak not only for myself but for Amy also when I say how familiar I feel with the summonings Jesus issues throughout this passage, especially that of Simon and Andrew. For my part I was looking forward to starting classes on main campus in Newark this fall at University of Delaware, having finally completed my associates degree at the Wilmington Campus. I'd registered for classes, gotten into my Professional Writing Major, and even secured a full time Job. However all these were simply My Plans and they clearly did not match God's. When God initially started calling me back to South Africa I had to make a choice, continue on the course I had set for myself or turn and follow him. After Much prayer I decided to take that first step of faith and turn to follow him. Over the last two weeks as I have put my full trust in him he has allowed all the plans for my future following him to fall right into place. My registration for online classes fell right into place, my contacts in Cape Town are prepared to accept me and my service, and Crossroads Church (xrdschurch.com) has most graciously set up an online giving site for this trip agreeing to help manage all our finances.
All this and I'm ashamed to admit that there are still times when I think about all that still must happen for this trip to be successful and feel discouraged. I find myself thinking, 'A year in South Africa...?... You are truly out of your mind', 'You'll never raise enough support and it's just gonna mess up your future and your education'. But Our God is more powerful than any of these doubts and he proves himself to me on a daily basis.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Support letters have been mailed out please be praying for the hearts of those they are heading toward. Also pray for my focus through finals these next couple weeks. Also if you could be praying for my Heart and Amy's and that God will continue to defend them against the advances of the Devil who is trying to spread discouragement and doubt.
Prayerfully in His TLC,
Ronnie Fricke
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Ronnie, don't be discouraged. Travel of any kind, especially when there's a humanitarian motive behind it, can only enrich one's education and one's life, not hinder it. I knew many people in college who decided to study abroad while serving a humanitarian cause. Looking back, I wish I had taken such an opportunity. Returning to South Africa and serving the people there will teach you things that simply can't be taught a classroom, and of course be good for your soul and the souls of those you help. Besides, you'll be able to continue taking your classes over there. U of D will be right where you left it and it shouldn't be too hard for you to find another job. Also, if your major is professional writing you could make that dovetail beautifully with your mission work. That kind of experience could lead to a career with National Geographic, a foriegn news correspondant, or of course, as a missonary.
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