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.
BIG NEWS NEWS NEWS, READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Hello treasured family!
I don't remember the last time that I wrote, several weeks ago now, but I have some big updates for you all.
So this past week was Holiday Club. The kids had a two week break because of Easter, so during one of those weeks we run a special program that the kids come to every day to hear the gospel, do a craft, sing songs, play games, and get food. My team of LSEs had to divide between two communities, some were in Capricorn and some were in Overcome Heights. Since last year I have had a heart for Capricorn and I still do, but this past week God gave me a greater heart than I'd had for the Overcome people. I had never been through Overcome other than to get to the container where we have club, but we actually drove the main "road"-a dirt path that was meant for two cars but only wide enough for one and these little shacks (if you can even call them that) lining both sides of the road. Last year when I saw Capricorn and how bad it was it broke my heart, but compared to Overcome, Capricorn seems like luxury. In Overcome, all I saw was utter poverty and it just broke my heart. I started observing more and realized that this place was the only place I've seen where race is mixed. All the other communities are segregated, whites in one place, blacks in another, and coloured in yet another. I found out that Overcome Heights isn't really considered a community; it's a slum. In the communities, people choose to live there because that's where their families are, but in Overcome people stay there because they have no choice-they have nothing. There is a 97% unemployment rate which means only 3% of people have jobs! That's ridiculous and makes more sense why there is such a huge problem with gangs, drugs, giving one's body for sex in return for food or drugs, etc. Anyway, my eyes were opened and I was deeply saddened, heartbroken for these people. It gave me even more love for this place and these people.
Second BIG update has to do with Ambassadors in Sport. I've been trying to keep you all up to date as much as possible, so as you read in my last blog post, I have been praying about a possible calling into sports ministry and was looking into coming back to SA to volunteer with them. They are a Christian based ministry (Christ comes first) who seek to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to people by using soccer. Anyway, the weekend before Easter I filled out the AIS application and had two reference forms filled out and sent in. So yesterday I had my big skype interview with Mark and Kelli from the AIS branch in the states. It didn't really feel like an interview, more like a conversation. Mark said I am two steps ahead of most people that apply to this program and that normally a big part of the interview has to do with doctrine and one's spirituality. However, he said that through my application he could tell that I have a true love and passion for the Lord and he was really excited about that. So while he still asked me theology questions, our interview went in a bit of a different direction. He got to know me a lot better and see my heart and I got to see AIS's and his. In, short he was very impressed by me and my passion and love for the Lord, soccer, and South Africa. The interview was such an encouragement to me and it was really fun. By the end of it I forget what was said but Mark said something along the lines of: it's scary how well you would fit right in with AIS. I will know within one week whether I am accepted or not, so I will keep you all up to date. If I am accepted I will start raising money now (while in SA), by emailing support letters out and such and then continuing to raise money when I get home. I already have 3 fundraising ideas.
Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I seek to follow God's calling and do His will. There are so many Bible passages that I have been encouraged by over the past couples weeks and have really been digging into the word on different subjects. God has been showing me lots of new things in his word, even though a lot of it is stuff I have read countless times.
Love you and miss you all! Even though I won't want to leave SA, I am excited at the same time to come home and see you all!
For His Glory,
Amy
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps".
-Proverbs 16:9
I don't remember the last time that I wrote, several weeks ago now, but I have some big updates for you all.
So this past week was Holiday Club. The kids had a two week break because of Easter, so during one of those weeks we run a special program that the kids come to every day to hear the gospel, do a craft, sing songs, play games, and get food. My team of LSEs had to divide between two communities, some were in Capricorn and some were in Overcome Heights. Since last year I have had a heart for Capricorn and I still do, but this past week God gave me a greater heart than I'd had for the Overcome people. I had never been through Overcome other than to get to the container where we have club, but we actually drove the main "road"-a dirt path that was meant for two cars but only wide enough for one and these little shacks (if you can even call them that) lining both sides of the road. Last year when I saw Capricorn and how bad it was it broke my heart, but compared to Overcome, Capricorn seems like luxury. In Overcome, all I saw was utter poverty and it just broke my heart. I started observing more and realized that this place was the only place I've seen where race is mixed. All the other communities are segregated, whites in one place, blacks in another, and coloured in yet another. I found out that Overcome Heights isn't really considered a community; it's a slum. In the communities, people choose to live there because that's where their families are, but in Overcome people stay there because they have no choice-they have nothing. There is a 97% unemployment rate which means only 3% of people have jobs! That's ridiculous and makes more sense why there is such a huge problem with gangs, drugs, giving one's body for sex in return for food or drugs, etc. Anyway, my eyes were opened and I was deeply saddened, heartbroken for these people. It gave me even more love for this place and these people.
Second BIG update has to do with Ambassadors in Sport. I've been trying to keep you all up to date as much as possible, so as you read in my last blog post, I have been praying about a possible calling into sports ministry and was looking into coming back to SA to volunteer with them. They are a Christian based ministry (Christ comes first) who seek to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to people by using soccer. Anyway, the weekend before Easter I filled out the AIS application and had two reference forms filled out and sent in. So yesterday I had my big skype interview with Mark and Kelli from the AIS branch in the states. It didn't really feel like an interview, more like a conversation. Mark said I am two steps ahead of most people that apply to this program and that normally a big part of the interview has to do with doctrine and one's spirituality. However, he said that through my application he could tell that I have a true love and passion for the Lord and he was really excited about that. So while he still asked me theology questions, our interview went in a bit of a different direction. He got to know me a lot better and see my heart and I got to see AIS's and his. In, short he was very impressed by me and my passion and love for the Lord, soccer, and South Africa. The interview was such an encouragement to me and it was really fun. By the end of it I forget what was said but Mark said something along the lines of: it's scary how well you would fit right in with AIS. I will know within one week whether I am accepted or not, so I will keep you all up to date. If I am accepted I will start raising money now (while in SA), by emailing support letters out and such and then continuing to raise money when I get home. I already have 3 fundraising ideas.
Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I seek to follow God's calling and do His will. There are so many Bible passages that I have been encouraged by over the past couples weeks and have really been digging into the word on different subjects. God has been showing me lots of new things in his word, even though a lot of it is stuff I have read countless times.
Love you and miss you all! Even though I won't want to leave SA, I am excited at the same time to come home and see you all!
For His Glory,
Amy
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps".
-Proverbs 16:9
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Just Some Thoughts...
One day a friend of mine said to me "It's kind of like you're a mom down there" and that really got me thinking. To a lot of the kids I see in kids club each day I probably am a motherly figure to them. These kids come from such broken backgrounds: alcoholic parents, parents on drugs, abusive parents, poor families, single parent homes, seeing their parents have sex with multiple people besides their spouse, families with HIV/AIDS, families that don't show much love, etc. WOW! What a privilege it is for God to use someone like me, a sinner in need of deep heart transformation, to love these kids. God can use someone like me to tell them the craft they made is wonderful, the page they colored is beautiful, to hug them and show them affection, to praise them, to discipline them, and to tell them that their life is important and that they are something. I don't know why He chose me to be here, but I am so thankful that He has. My heart is here in this country and with these beautiful people and these precious children.
The other thing I have been thinking about and praying about is God's calling on my life. For a little more than a year now I have believed that God is calling me into the mission field. I have the most joy and feel most full when I am fully serving the Lord. Yes you can have that in every day life, but this is something different. Last year when I was in SA I was asking God what He wanted me to do with my life and I asked Him how I could use my four passions for Him; those four passions being: God/missions, soccer, fashion, and people/children. God showed me that He wanted me coming back to SA and what do you know I am using all four of my passions and using my gifts/abilities for the Lord. Well I am in the same spot again, asking God what He wants me to do after July, and I believe that He may be calling me back to South Africa to do sports ministry with Ambassadors in Sport. I have been talking with two coaches and a pastor who do ministry with AIS frequently. In response to something I said, one of them said in a message to me "God has given you a passion for this nation, for soccer, and for mission. This is a huge clue as to where the Lord wants you to be. I always say that our Spiritual Gifts and Abilities tell us what we will do, and our passion shows us where we will do it!"
Please continue to be in prayer for me as I seek to follow God's calling on my life. Pray that He continues to make His call perfectly clear and pray that if He is calling me back here that I will be able to get people that are willing to commit to supporting me financially and spiritually.
Thanks for all your prayers! I love you family!!
For His Glory,
Amy
The other thing I have been thinking about and praying about is God's calling on my life. For a little more than a year now I have believed that God is calling me into the mission field. I have the most joy and feel most full when I am fully serving the Lord. Yes you can have that in every day life, but this is something different. Last year when I was in SA I was asking God what He wanted me to do with my life and I asked Him how I could use my four passions for Him; those four passions being: God/missions, soccer, fashion, and people/children. God showed me that He wanted me coming back to SA and what do you know I am using all four of my passions and using my gifts/abilities for the Lord. Well I am in the same spot again, asking God what He wants me to do after July, and I believe that He may be calling me back to South Africa to do sports ministry with Ambassadors in Sport. I have been talking with two coaches and a pastor who do ministry with AIS frequently. In response to something I said, one of them said in a message to me "God has given you a passion for this nation, for soccer, and for mission. This is a huge clue as to where the Lord wants you to be. I always say that our Spiritual Gifts and Abilities tell us what we will do, and our passion shows us where we will do it!"
Please continue to be in prayer for me as I seek to follow God's calling on my life. Pray that He continues to make His call perfectly clear and pray that if He is calling me back here that I will be able to get people that are willing to commit to supporting me financially and spiritually.
Thanks for all your prayers! I love you family!!
For His Glory,
Amy
PRAISES
I (AMY) have been here in SA for 2.5 months now, volunteering with Living Hope. God has blessed the ministries of Living Hope and here are 8 praises:
1. The parenting course, which teaches Biblical parenting had 13 parents from Masi graduate.
2. Red Hill salvations-12 kids in Jan/Feb prayed to accept Christ into their hearts.
3. Capricorn Outreach-the church was packed with people that don't normally come and 5 people came to know Christ that night
4. The teens team went to False Bay College to speak about sex and sexuality and had a positive response which created a buzz among the students.
5. Capricorn Primary School is one of the schools with the worst discipline, but Mzo and Julie (Life Skills Educators) have a good way of disciplining the students when they go to teach life skills, so the teacher adopted their method and it's working.
6. The school team finished term 1 alive.
7. Pre-schools=the Mama's are willing to train Grade R.
8. Masi children's prayer meeting was very powerful.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!
1. The parenting course, which teaches Biblical parenting had 13 parents from Masi graduate.
2. Red Hill salvations-12 kids in Jan/Feb prayed to accept Christ into their hearts.
3. Capricorn Outreach-the church was packed with people that don't normally come and 5 people came to know Christ that night
4. The teens team went to False Bay College to speak about sex and sexuality and had a positive response which created a buzz among the students.
5. Capricorn Primary School is one of the schools with the worst discipline, but Mzo and Julie (Life Skills Educators) have a good way of disciplining the students when they go to teach life skills, so the teacher adopted their method and it's working.
6. The school team finished term 1 alive.
7. Pre-schools=the Mama's are willing to train Grade R.
8. Masi children's prayer meeting was very powerful.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Cape Town For Jesus!
So this past Monday was a National Holiday so we went to the new Green Point Stadium on an outing with some of the kids, Life Skills Educators, and other volunteers for the Cape Town for Jesus Convention they held there! It was a huge gathering of Christians with live worship and several speakers. Unfortunately, we were pretty high up and the stadium is not designed with acoustics in mind so we couldn't hear very well even when it was in English. However, the height provided many opportunities for picture taking!
Here are just a few I took!
What Do You Think?
Cheers!
R.
Here are just a few I took!
What Do You Think?
Cheers!
R.
Craft Box Opening!!!
YAY craft box!! The Pioneer Girls from my church are a group of young girls that meet every Friday to learn about the Lord. My mom and another lady from church are in charge and so they did a "special project" this year. They knew I was coming to SA and that craft supplies were needed, so they gathered up as much as they could and shipped it overseas. I received the package a couple days ago and it was like Christmas in March! The box was filled with all sorts of awesome craft supplies from foam stickers to glitter. In the pictures are four of the Life Skills Educators who were just as excited as I to get all those supplies. We will be using those items during kids club and holiday club and I know the kids are going to be thrilled to get all that stuff.
Thanks for all those who participated in buying those supplies!
AMY
Thanks for all those who participated in buying those supplies!
AMY
Biblical Procrastination
So lately I've been really easily distracted... *Smack* HAHA just smashed a mosquito, One Point!... Shoot, see what I mean?!? Every little thing has been distracting me from being productive while at work and when I should be doing school work. So this evening, while procrastinating doing my readings for school, I became classically distracted pondering procrastination in the Bible, as well as what the Bible says about Procrastination and I discovered what I am about to divulge to you now:
So of course, you've at least heard of Noah, you know the one with the ark and all the Animals... not to be confused with the somewhat humorous 2007 Steve Carell movie, Evan Almighty. You know the one with Morgan Freeman (Who Doesn't LOVE THAT Man!?!?!) and Lauren Graham who makes me pee my pants laughing Nearly every time she speaks... most know her as Lorelai on Gilmore Girls.
ANYWAY, I have decided he(Noah) is a prime example of a God chosen Procrastinator! Yup, I said it, God Blessed a Procrastinator! (*Boom, Crack, Sizzle!!! Lightening from Heaven Smites Me Where I Sit*... Okay maybe that didn't actually happen) So anyway, God comes to Noah and says, "Like, yo Brother Noah! I like, totally dig the walks we take together but like, mankind it totally sinnin' too much! So I'm, like gonna cause Global Warming and melt the ice caps so the oceans will rise and like, baptize the whole Earth for a few months. But you're totally like, my BFF, so I'm giving you a heads up so you can, like build an Ark and survive... Oh yeah and you're going to bring along a few of my animals too." Okay so Maybe he didn't phrase it Quite Like That... But you get the idea.
Can you imagine Noah's response?... Well apart from saying "Sure thing G'Man!" I imagine he was Super Excited to rummage out the tool box his wife got him for Christmas five years prior and cut the price tags off! Okay maybe not, they didn't have Christmas yet... How depressing! *Smacks Forehead*... Will not get sidetracked again! So he started building the Ark.
Then we skip to the next chapter and Noah is "in his 600th year of life" and Papa G starts sending the animals to him... Did you Catch that? Noah was 600 Before the Ark was finished and ready to float!!!... Now I've always considered God to be a pretty smart being, all knowing etc etc. I therefore think it would be very unlikely that he would come to a Noah in say his 599th year of life and say, "Dude, Let me hold your walker while you build this Colossal Ark!" That said, the Bible does not specifically say how long it took Noah to build the ark. When Noah is first mentioned in Genesis 5:32, he was 500 years old. When Noah entered the ark, he was 600 years old. The time it took to build the ark would depend on how much time had passed between Genesis 5:32 and the time that God commanded Noah to build the ark (Genesis 6:14-21). So we're looking at 100 Years to build an Ark. Now, I'll give the guy a little leeway because he is so old and probably not as spry as he once had been in his youth, and he didn't exactly have Sears Tool Center and it was a pretty big Ark. But 100 Years?... Really Noah? God only gave the Animals 7 Days to get to the Ark... So Unfair... Those Poor Creatures!
In my opinion, Noah was a bit scatter brained, easily distracted, and a huge procrastinator. (But in all honesty I imagine were I to live to be 600, I would be pretty wild myself). I'm really no better than Noah though... the Bible says he literally walked with God and I certainly can't say that much.
So where am I going with this post?... Well I think the lesson I've learned is that sometimes God can use our seeming scatter braininess, and distractions to get our attention and show us what he really wants us to see. Now-a-days we don't live for 600+ years to gradually learn to listen to God and follow his callings and directions for our lives. Yet, how often do we honestly take a break from our busy schedules to sit down and honestly listen to what he is whispering? However, the Bible also warns against procrastination. Proverbs 13:4 says this, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied" (the word Sluggard makes me laugh... I just picture a slug shriveling up on the sidewalk after someone sprinkled salt on it... Not that I would Ever Do That!) and Colossians 3:23 tell us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men".
For me I have felt like God is calling me back to his side these last few weeks in South Africa. Even though I'm here as a missionary serving, it has been hard for me to not have my Small Group family on a weekly basis, or a Church where I feel truly connected. Thankfully, this week I got more connected with Hillsong Church Cape Town, and even got connected with a Hillsong Connect group which will be meeting locally starting in April. The procrastination is something I know I need to work on because unlike Noah I do not have 100 years to complete my school work. However, I rather enjoy being a little Scatter Brained and Easily Distracted, it makes life just a little more interesting. However, my goal is to provide enough personal time for God in my daily life so he doesn't have to resort to petty distractions to draw me closer to him.
My challenge for you is to consider your life and how you spend your days. Are you providing God ample time in your daily life or are you forcing him to distract you from the work you continually put off till the last minute, then prioritize above Him?
So of course, you've at least heard of Noah, you know the one with the ark and all the Animals... not to be confused with the somewhat humorous 2007 Steve Carell movie, Evan Almighty. You know the one with Morgan Freeman (Who Doesn't LOVE THAT Man!?!?!) and Lauren Graham who makes me pee my pants laughing Nearly every time she speaks... most know her as Lorelai on Gilmore Girls.
Image via Wikipedia
ANYWAY, I have decided he(Noah) is a prime example of a God chosen Procrastinator! Yup, I said it, God Blessed a Procrastinator! (*Boom, Crack, Sizzle!!! Lightening from Heaven Smites Me Where I Sit*... Okay maybe that didn't actually happen) So anyway, God comes to Noah and says, "Like, yo Brother Noah! I like, totally dig the walks we take together but like, mankind it totally sinnin' too much! So I'm, like gonna cause Global Warming and melt the ice caps so the oceans will rise and like, baptize the whole Earth for a few months. But you're totally like, my BFF, so I'm giving you a heads up so you can, like build an Ark and survive... Oh yeah and you're going to bring along a few of my animals too." Okay so Maybe he didn't phrase it Quite Like That... But you get the idea.
Can you imagine Noah's response?... Well apart from saying "Sure thing G'Man!" I imagine he was Super Excited to rummage out the tool box his wife got him for Christmas five years prior and cut the price tags off! Okay maybe not, they didn't have Christmas yet... How depressing! *Smacks Forehead*... Will not get sidetracked again! So he started building the Ark.
Then we skip to the next chapter and Noah is "in his 600th year of life" and Papa G starts sending the animals to him... Did you Catch that? Noah was 600 Before the Ark was finished and ready to float!!!... Now I've always considered God to be a pretty smart being, all knowing etc etc. I therefore think it would be very unlikely that he would come to a Noah in say his 599th year of life and say, "Dude, Let me hold your walker while you build this Colossal Ark!" That said, the Bible does not specifically say how long it took Noah to build the ark. When Noah is first mentioned in Genesis 5:32, he was 500 years old. When Noah entered the ark, he was 600 years old. The time it took to build the ark would depend on how much time had passed between Genesis 5:32 and the time that God commanded Noah to build the ark (Genesis 6:14-21). So we're looking at 100 Years to build an Ark. Now, I'll give the guy a little leeway because he is so old and probably not as spry as he once had been in his youth, and he didn't exactly have Sears Tool Center and it was a pretty big Ark. But 100 Years?... Really Noah? God only gave the Animals 7 Days to get to the Ark... So Unfair... Those Poor Creatures!
In my opinion, Noah was a bit scatter brained, easily distracted, and a huge procrastinator. (But in all honesty I imagine were I to live to be 600, I would be pretty wild myself). I'm really no better than Noah though... the Bible says he literally walked with God and I certainly can't say that much.
So where am I going with this post?... Well I think the lesson I've learned is that sometimes God can use our seeming scatter braininess, and distractions to get our attention and show us what he really wants us to see. Now-a-days we don't live for 600+ years to gradually learn to listen to God and follow his callings and directions for our lives. Yet, how often do we honestly take a break from our busy schedules to sit down and honestly listen to what he is whispering? However, the Bible also warns against procrastination. Proverbs 13:4 says this, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied" (the word Sluggard makes me laugh... I just picture a slug shriveling up on the sidewalk after someone sprinkled salt on it... Not that I would Ever Do That!) and Colossians 3:23 tell us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men".
For me I have felt like God is calling me back to his side these last few weeks in South Africa. Even though I'm here as a missionary serving, it has been hard for me to not have my Small Group family on a weekly basis, or a Church where I feel truly connected. Thankfully, this week I got more connected with Hillsong Church Cape Town, and even got connected with a Hillsong Connect group which will be meeting locally starting in April. The procrastination is something I know I need to work on because unlike Noah I do not have 100 years to complete my school work. However, I rather enjoy being a little Scatter Brained and Easily Distracted, it makes life just a little more interesting. However, my goal is to provide enough personal time for God in my daily life so he doesn't have to resort to petty distractions to draw me closer to him.
My challenge for you is to consider your life and how you spend your days. Are you providing God ample time in your daily life or are you forcing him to distract you from the work you continually put off till the last minute, then prioritize above Him?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
BIG News...
Another couples weeks has passed and so much has happened. As you all read in my last blog, a couple weeks ago I went to an Ambassadors in Sport (AIS) training program. It teaches/equips you to share the Hope of Jesus Christ through soccer. Anyway, the whole week of training I felt so joyful and full. Of course I was with other amazing people who shared the same passion as myself, but I felt I was where God wanted me. So for awhile I have been trying to figure out if God has called me into full time missions, and more and more I believe this is true, just wasn’t sure how or what exactly I’d be doing. So I have been praying about it, but I especially began thinking and praying about everything that had happened. I was wondering if God gave me the biggest passion for soccer and a love for Him because He wants me doing full time sports ministry. I still don’t know the answer to this question, but after being in that program for a week, I had a strong interest in doing sports ministry through AIS.
I got the contact information for Bruce and Dave who were my coaches during the training program and spoke interest in finishing my time with Living Hope, coming hope at the end of July, and then raising money to come back to intern with AIS. Well it turns out that Bruce and Dave were impressed with me during the training course and they weren’t surprised when I contacted them. So we met up last week to discuss what I am currently doing here, what my passions are, how I’m trying to figure out if God is calling me to full time sports ministry, brief testimony so they could get to know me better, and possibilities that could happen now. We came to what we thought was a great conclusion, but it was something that needed to be discussed with Living Hope.
So today Bruce (AIS guy), Avril (LH supervisor), Mike (LH volunteer coordinator), Kevin (volunteer who wants to do soccer ministry), and myself all met up to discuss where my heart is. I explained to them everything and Bruce helped with that. He said to them that he didn’t want to embarrass me, but that he and Dave were very impressed with me during the training course. He said whether it was in our Bible discussions, small group things, out on the pitch (during the hottest week of summer), no matter what we did I always had the same excitement to be there and I just had a great attitude. He further said not only does she have a talent or gift to play, but she also is competent and has a gift to coach.
Originally Bruce, Dave, and I thought maybe I could intern with AIS for the next four months here, but still do stuff with Living Hope. However, at this point it looks like it’ll be best if I just wait to intern. So although I still feel a little confused or like nothing was accomplished in that meeting, it means I just need to wait for things to happen. Everyone is excited for me to do soccer stuff, it’s just a matter of getting logistics in Capricorn figured out and see what the pastor is expecting. So I am working on getting my morning schedule figured out and hoping to get out of schools, which I think will be possible, and then if all goes well, hopefully do soccer training on Monday-Thursday afternoons and then have tournaments on Saturday mornings.
So it’s a lot to sort out, but I know God will come through. He always does and He’s worked everything out thus far. And since I won’t be able to intern with AIS now, I will still get a feel for how they work, I will gain more experience, and I will get to see if that’s what God is calling me to. Then, if it is, the idea would be for me to get back by January to start a one year internship for AIS. Then if that goes well, there would be talk of me joining AIS staff, but I’d still have to raise support to be part of that ministry.
I am still involved with the women's support group on Tuesday mornings where they are learning how to sew. I have designed a bag for the women to make, which hopefully they will be able to start soon. I also designed a fabric doll in hopes that they will be able to make that as well. I make samples ahead of time to make sure my patterns are correct, so I am currently in the process of making a doll. I will put a picture of the purse and the doll on here as soon as I can.
So that’s the latest and greatest news. Please continue to keep me in your prayers! I need them so very much, especially when it comes to needing God’s guidance for my life. I miss you all and think of you often.
For His Glory,
Amy
I got the contact information for Bruce and Dave who were my coaches during the training program and spoke interest in finishing my time with Living Hope, coming hope at the end of July, and then raising money to come back to intern with AIS. Well it turns out that Bruce and Dave were impressed with me during the training course and they weren’t surprised when I contacted them. So we met up last week to discuss what I am currently doing here, what my passions are, how I’m trying to figure out if God is calling me to full time sports ministry, brief testimony so they could get to know me better, and possibilities that could happen now. We came to what we thought was a great conclusion, but it was something that needed to be discussed with Living Hope.
So today Bruce (AIS guy), Avril (LH supervisor), Mike (LH volunteer coordinator), Kevin (volunteer who wants to do soccer ministry), and myself all met up to discuss where my heart is. I explained to them everything and Bruce helped with that. He said to them that he didn’t want to embarrass me, but that he and Dave were very impressed with me during the training course. He said whether it was in our Bible discussions, small group things, out on the pitch (during the hottest week of summer), no matter what we did I always had the same excitement to be there and I just had a great attitude. He further said not only does she have a talent or gift to play, but she also is competent and has a gift to coach.
Originally Bruce, Dave, and I thought maybe I could intern with AIS for the next four months here, but still do stuff with Living Hope. However, at this point it looks like it’ll be best if I just wait to intern. So although I still feel a little confused or like nothing was accomplished in that meeting, it means I just need to wait for things to happen. Everyone is excited for me to do soccer stuff, it’s just a matter of getting logistics in Capricorn figured out and see what the pastor is expecting. So I am working on getting my morning schedule figured out and hoping to get out of schools, which I think will be possible, and then if all goes well, hopefully do soccer training on Monday-Thursday afternoons and then have tournaments on Saturday mornings.
So it’s a lot to sort out, but I know God will come through. He always does and He’s worked everything out thus far. And since I won’t be able to intern with AIS now, I will still get a feel for how they work, I will gain more experience, and I will get to see if that’s what God is calling me to. Then, if it is, the idea would be for me to get back by January to start a one year internship for AIS. Then if that goes well, there would be talk of me joining AIS staff, but I’d still have to raise support to be part of that ministry.
I am still involved with the women's support group on Tuesday mornings where they are learning how to sew. I have designed a bag for the women to make, which hopefully they will be able to start soon. I also designed a fabric doll in hopes that they will be able to make that as well. I make samples ahead of time to make sure my patterns are correct, so I am currently in the process of making a doll. I will put a picture of the purse and the doll on here as soon as I can.
So that’s the latest and greatest news. Please continue to keep me in your prayers! I need them so very much, especially when it comes to needing God’s guidance for my life. I miss you all and think of you often.
For His Glory,
Amy
Friday, March 19, 2010
Laptop Woes
Please pray for my laptop! Alan the I.T. guy at Living hope has it cause this morning it started going on the Fritz. I not only need it for my ministry work but also for my online classes this semester... :(
Sent from my BlackBerry
Sent from my BlackBerry
Monday, March 15, 2010
Who's in Your Family?
Take just a moment before reading this post, close your eyes and picture everyone you consider family?
Obviously, everyone has a Mother and a Father and perhaps you have sisters and/or brothers, and maybe you pictured a few other blood relations such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. But did you also picture anyone not related to you genetically?
This past week, Pumla was on leave so I was back visiting clinics with Hilary with whom I have become very well acquainted with over the last couple months. It was during one of our morning clinic visits that a little boy in a waiting room asked her if I was her son. Clearly, I am not and could never naturally become tan enough to pass as her son, but it was a little boy who had most likely noticed me following her around the clinic all morning. Since he asked her in Afrikaans I could not understand the question or her answer but after we left the clinic she told me in the car what he had asked and that she had simply answers with an affirmative. I was very touched by her answer because I really have not known her very long in retrospect. She has four children of her own and three grandchildren whom she loves and praises to me regularly and I was most touched that she would consider me among them.
It made me start to consider who in my life I consider my family. My parents and siblings are a given, as well as my grandparents. But I then began to pick through my blood relatives, coworkers, friends, and acquaintances and found that God has blessed me with a HUGE family stretching across each of the above categories and reaching into many countries. I then began to consider all of my brothers and sisters in Christ and my family just multiplied into the billions across every continent. It is very common among South African Christians to refer to each other as Brother or Sister and I really like that because it is a true demonstration of how God’s love for us and Christ’s Sacrifice links us all regardless of boarders, blood and cultural differences. Mark 3:34-35 says this, “Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
So as you go out this week I challenge you to carefully consider your Whole Family above yourself and to be a support and inspiration to them as they walk alongside you on the paths of life.
I would love to hear your thoughts on our posts in the comment section!
Who in your life do you consider your True Family (Blood Relations or Not) and why?
Cheers,
R.
Obviously, everyone has a Mother and a Father and perhaps you have sisters and/or brothers, and maybe you pictured a few other blood relations such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. But did you also picture anyone not related to you genetically?
This past week, Pumla was on leave so I was back visiting clinics with Hilary with whom I have become very well acquainted with over the last couple months. It was during one of our morning clinic visits that a little boy in a waiting room asked her if I was her son. Clearly, I am not and could never naturally become tan enough to pass as her son, but it was a little boy who had most likely noticed me following her around the clinic all morning. Since he asked her in Afrikaans I could not understand the question or her answer but after we left the clinic she told me in the car what he had asked and that she had simply answers with an affirmative. I was very touched by her answer because I really have not known her very long in retrospect. She has four children of her own and three grandchildren whom she loves and praises to me regularly and I was most touched that she would consider me among them.
It made me start to consider who in my life I consider my family. My parents and siblings are a given, as well as my grandparents. But I then began to pick through my blood relatives, coworkers, friends, and acquaintances and found that God has blessed me with a HUGE family stretching across each of the above categories and reaching into many countries. I then began to consider all of my brothers and sisters in Christ and my family just multiplied into the billions across every continent. It is very common among South African Christians to refer to each other as Brother or Sister and I really like that because it is a true demonstration of how God’s love for us and Christ’s Sacrifice links us all regardless of boarders, blood and cultural differences. Mark 3:34-35 says this, “Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
So as you go out this week I challenge you to carefully consider your Whole Family above yourself and to be a support and inspiration to them as they walk alongside you on the paths of life.
I would love to hear your thoughts on our posts in the comment section!
Who in your life do you consider your True Family (Blood Relations or Not) and why?
Cheers,
R.
Picture Fun!
Amy will be giving me some of her pictures to add to this post I am certain but for now here are a couple I have taken... Since I'm working largely in the clinics please understand the patient privacy policies prevent me from taking pictures of a majority of the work I have been doing and the rest has been administrative work which would be a yawn to picture though the first one in of the resource center where I spend a lot of time organizing and doing work :)
Cheers,
Ronnie
Cheers,
Ronnie
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Brotherly Affection
Ronnie Here!
Sorry I have been a bit M.I.A. lately where the blog is concerned but now that school has started I have found a majority of my free time pouring into reading and writing for my classes. I just really want to share a recent experience with you…
So last week was my first week traveling to the Health Clinics with the other Counselor Coordinator Pumla visiting the clinics she oversees. The first we went to was the clinic in Masiphumelele (aka, Masi. Clinic) which is in a black Xhosa (pronounced Cosa) speaking community. Up until that point I had had very little direct involvement with the black communities as Capricorn and Ocean View are colored Afrikaans speaking communities. I had however heard from other volunteers that the black communities are very different and having driven through Masi before I felt prepared for the differences. Regardless, I cannot speak Xhosa so I felt the language barrier much more as the Xhosa speaking black communities speak very little English, unlike the colored communities which are pretty balanced between English and Afrikaans.
Upon entering the clinic I, as has become usual, was besieged by inquisitive stares because, and I hope this comes as no surprise to anyone reading this, I am a White Male! Yes I know the truth is sometimes Shocking! Anyway, Pumla took me around and introduced me to the counselors and a few of the other attending physicians there and I would assume she told them why I was there but of course, I couldn’t understand a majority of what was said. We then left and went to visit her other two clinics one in a colored community and one in a predominantly white area. The next day she asked me to meet her at Masi Clinic in the morning so I did so and was pleasantly surprised by the warm greetings I received from everyone I had been introduced to the previous day. I was hugged and everyone shook my hand and I even had the pleasure of seeing and visiting with a woman I was partnered with weeks prior in an HIV/AIDS workshop at Living Hope. I then watched and did my best to assess the presentation given by the counselors which obviously was all in Xhosa.
The experience made me think about what this world would be like if as God’s family we were all as welcoming to outsiders as those people in Masi Clinic were to me. Because surely, that day I returned, no one was required to say anything to me, a minority in their close knit community, and yet they welcomed me in without question with open arms. My challenge to everyone reading this blog is simply this: How can you reach out a meaningful hand or hug of love and acceptance to those around you today? Maybe it is that coworker that drives you and everyone else in the office bananas, or perhaps it is the best friend that let you down, or even the sad looking stranger waiting in front of you in the grocery store queue. Romans 12:9-10 tells us this “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection.” As this verse says, I encourage you today to love the world “with brotherly affection”!
In His TLC,
R.
PS I have discovered and have become rather addicted the blog found at: www.stuffchristianslike.net I encourage everyone to check it out for encouragement and most likely a laugh as well.
Sorry I have been a bit M.I.A. lately where the blog is concerned but now that school has started I have found a majority of my free time pouring into reading and writing for my classes. I just really want to share a recent experience with you…
So last week was my first week traveling to the Health Clinics with the other Counselor Coordinator Pumla visiting the clinics she oversees. The first we went to was the clinic in Masiphumelele (aka, Masi. Clinic) which is in a black Xhosa (pronounced Cosa) speaking community. Up until that point I had had very little direct involvement with the black communities as Capricorn and Ocean View are colored Afrikaans speaking communities. I had however heard from other volunteers that the black communities are very different and having driven through Masi before I felt prepared for the differences. Regardless, I cannot speak Xhosa so I felt the language barrier much more as the Xhosa speaking black communities speak very little English, unlike the colored communities which are pretty balanced between English and Afrikaans.
Upon entering the clinic I, as has become usual, was besieged by inquisitive stares because, and I hope this comes as no surprise to anyone reading this, I am a White Male! Yes I know the truth is sometimes Shocking! Anyway, Pumla took me around and introduced me to the counselors and a few of the other attending physicians there and I would assume she told them why I was there but of course, I couldn’t understand a majority of what was said. We then left and went to visit her other two clinics one in a colored community and one in a predominantly white area. The next day she asked me to meet her at Masi Clinic in the morning so I did so and was pleasantly surprised by the warm greetings I received from everyone I had been introduced to the previous day. I was hugged and everyone shook my hand and I even had the pleasure of seeing and visiting with a woman I was partnered with weeks prior in an HIV/AIDS workshop at Living Hope. I then watched and did my best to assess the presentation given by the counselors which obviously was all in Xhosa.
The experience made me think about what this world would be like if as God’s family we were all as welcoming to outsiders as those people in Masi Clinic were to me. Because surely, that day I returned, no one was required to say anything to me, a minority in their close knit community, and yet they welcomed me in without question with open arms. My challenge to everyone reading this blog is simply this: How can you reach out a meaningful hand or hug of love and acceptance to those around you today? Maybe it is that coworker that drives you and everyone else in the office bananas, or perhaps it is the best friend that let you down, or even the sad looking stranger waiting in front of you in the grocery store queue. Romans 12:9-10 tells us this “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection.” As this verse says, I encourage you today to love the world “with brotherly affection”!
In His TLC,
R.
PS I have discovered and have become rather addicted the blog found at: www.stuffchristianslike.net I encourage everyone to check it out for encouragement and most likely a laugh as well.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
AN AMAZING WEEK!
Wow! I can't even begin to tell you what an awesome week I had. I was at a soccer coach training program through Ambassadors in Sport from Tuesday until Saturday and from 9-5 each day. They are a Christian organization which believes in sharing Jesus through soccer. So they taught us how to coach and how to bring Jesus into it. The cool thing about the program is that rather than sitting in a classroom, we were physically doing the training that we'd have the kids do. I met a lot of awesome guys and a few girls who share the same passion for God and for soccer, and have the same desire to take what we learned into the communities to run programs for the kids. Anyway I learned a lot about coaching and at the end of the week we all got assessed on our coaching ability. I was a little bit nervous, but I set up my playing area, read over my notes, and then sat and prayed. God definitely gave me the confidence that I needed. The best score that you could get on the assessment was a +1 and I received a -1, which I was pleased with because it was my first time coaching in this way. The coach that I was with all week did my assessment and he gave me really positive feedback and just told me of a few things I'd need to do next time. He also told me he'd like me to come back for the level 2 training course. I talked to him throughout the week and they (Ambassadors in Sport) have a need for people to volunteer with them and help with some of their programs-He asked if I was interested, which I am, but since I am here through Living Hope, I am not sure that will be possible. Anyway, I told Dave, my coach, that I would talk it out with Living Hope, but if it wasn't possible, I was interested in coming back to intern with them. I am here in SA trying to figure out God's calling on my life, but I feel as though it may be sports ministry. It's what I have a huge passion for-soccer and God, and there is a huge need here. Hopefully by next week, Kevin and I will be going into different communities to run soccer clinics and share Jesus with the kids. This week was so fulfilling and I was filled with joy.
So to say the least this week was wonderful but also very tiring. Friday night we all went out to dinner as a sending off for Christina. She's a volunteer here who feels called into full time missions in SA. Anyway, she's returning home for one month to raise money in order to come back here. We went to the Ocean Basket and I got prawns (shrimp) and they still had their heads on. That was interesting haha but very tasty. Afterwards we went to see Alice in Wonderland-what an awesome movie. On Saturday evening, Ronnie and I went to meet up with Clinton (a former LSE) and his wife and a couple YWAMers. It was really nice to catch up with him and see what all is going on his life. Today is Sunday, so we went to church in Capricorn which was really good. Afterwards we went to Makros (like a Costco or BJs) so I could get an electric sewing machine. I'm sooo excited to have it because now I can start making samples. If you remember, I am helping to teach sewing lessons on Tuesdays to a women's support group and I get to design what they make. So I spent the afternoon making patterns for a bag and cutting out the fabric. Tomorrow evening I will make my first bag-I'll take a picture of it and post in on here later so you can all see it.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers! I'm so blessed to have the family of God standing behind me, supporting me in prayer, finances, and encouragement. I would love to hear from you! Feel free to email me! I love you all!
So to say the least this week was wonderful but also very tiring. Friday night we all went out to dinner as a sending off for Christina. She's a volunteer here who feels called into full time missions in SA. Anyway, she's returning home for one month to raise money in order to come back here. We went to the Ocean Basket and I got prawns (shrimp) and they still had their heads on. That was interesting haha but very tasty. Afterwards we went to see Alice in Wonderland-what an awesome movie. On Saturday evening, Ronnie and I went to meet up with Clinton (a former LSE) and his wife and a couple YWAMers. It was really nice to catch up with him and see what all is going on his life. Today is Sunday, so we went to church in Capricorn which was really good. Afterwards we went to Makros (like a Costco or BJs) so I could get an electric sewing machine. I'm sooo excited to have it because now I can start making samples. If you remember, I am helping to teach sewing lessons on Tuesdays to a women's support group and I get to design what they make. So I spent the afternoon making patterns for a bag and cutting out the fabric. Tomorrow evening I will make my first bag-I'll take a picture of it and post in on here later so you can all see it.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers! I'm so blessed to have the family of God standing behind me, supporting me in prayer, finances, and encouragement. I would love to hear from you! Feel free to email me! I love you all!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
GOD IS GOOD!!
Hello Family!
So I don’t even know where to begin. So much has happened since my last update. Sorry it’s been so long since I personally updated, I am just super busy here. Anyway, I wanted to keep you all up to date with what’s going on and how God is working. All I can say is that God is so good!
As you all know, I have been going into the schools as an LSE to help teach life skills to kids in primary school. As much as I love the kids and playing games with them, I am not passionate about teaching. I have really been struggling with that and just feeling useless and ineffective because I have never had any training on how to teach. I have been trying to learn by watching the other LSEs but when some of the classes are in Afrikaans it makes that hard to do. So anyway, I ended up scheduling a meeting with my supervisor last Friday to talk things over with her. My supervisor is Avril Thomas and she and her husband, Pastor John Thomas are the ones who started Living Hope. Anyway, they are a really neat couple and she’s a very awesome woman and very open to listening to others. So we sat down and I told her my frustrations and everything that was happening and told her I really wanted to do what I felt I was called here to do-sewing and soccer ministry. As it turns out, I found out from Mike Talley that I would not be able to have any involvement with Khumi’s bags like I had hoped and originally felt called to do. With her passing away and lots happening, they are struggling with finding a local South African to run it and keep it going. He appologized and felt really bad that I wasn’t getting to do any of the ministries that I was called here to do. Anyway, Avril told me that there is a women’s support group that meets on Tuesdays in Capricorn and the women are learning how to sew there. So she made a few phone calls and made it so I’d be able to go to that. February 23 was such an awesome day and was one of those days where I could say “Oh, so this is why God called me here”.
So although I am bummed that I don’t get to do anything with Khumi’s bags, I am so excited for this new opportunity to teach sewing; and not only do I get to do that but I get to design the stuff that the women will be making!! PRAISE THE LORD! I finally get to do something I am passionate about and in an area that God has gifted me. The first thing I’m designing are some simple bags. After that I need to figure out how to pattern skirts and tops for all the different sized women. Not quite sure how I am going to do that. This is when I feel inexperienced in my field because I’ve had no industry experience, but I am trusting the Lord to help me figure it all out. Anyway, I got to have some great conversations with some of the women yesterday and two of the ladies that head it up are really excited to have me here and said I’m an angel sent by the Lord. So for right now the sewing is only once a week (I don’t go into schools that day), but it looks like we might end up doing sewing two times a week. So if that happens I will do sewing twice a week, schools twice a week, and then continue to go to kids club every day and hopefully within the next two weeks Kevin and I can get our soccer programs going. Next week I have the opportunity to go with Kevin to Ambassadors of Sport which is a week long, extremely intense soccer coach training program that also teaches you how to evangelize. It’s a Christian run program, so I am a lil intimidated by it but really excited.
God has really been at work in my heart and has been reaching into the depths of my heart. It’s been wonderful having so many people encouraging me along the way and saying prayers on my behalf. Thank you so much for those! Please keep them coming!
I’ve made some really good friends here with the other volunteers and I just love them! We hang out every weekend and usually do something on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday because we don’t get to see them much during the week. Lately I have had some really good conversations with two of the LSEs that I’m friends with and getting to know better. It’s fabulous!
Some exciting news is that we finally got our dog!! ACTS paid to get a dog as a deterrent from unwanted people getting onto our property. So we got him last Thursday and I got to meet him when I got home. At the time he was really upset because he’s 3 years old and has never been away from his owners. But when I walked in the house and went to him and talked to him and pet him, he calmed down almost right away. Everyone was like whoa, so you’re like a dog whisperer huh? HAHA So funny! Sambuka and I have really bonded, so much so that he literally follows me every single place I go-he’s practically attached at my hip. AND he makes such a great running buddy, so now I’m even more safe. I can run with him not being on a leash and he stays right by my side, so it’s great because no matter what speed I run, he’s right there. No matter if I have a good day or a bad day he’s there. When I stopped to think about that, God gave me a revelation of.....Oh my, that’s just how God is. It doesn’t matter what I am going through because He is always by my side and will never leave me. It was a great moment!
Well if you made it this far in this blog, GREAT!! Sorry it’s soo long, but there was just soo much to tell! I love you all and thank you for your prayers and support! One more thing, if you think of it, please pray that I start sleeping straight through the night. I am sleeping horribly and feel exhausted.
FOR HIS GLORY,
Amy
So I don’t even know where to begin. So much has happened since my last update. Sorry it’s been so long since I personally updated, I am just super busy here. Anyway, I wanted to keep you all up to date with what’s going on and how God is working. All I can say is that God is so good!
As you all know, I have been going into the schools as an LSE to help teach life skills to kids in primary school. As much as I love the kids and playing games with them, I am not passionate about teaching. I have really been struggling with that and just feeling useless and ineffective because I have never had any training on how to teach. I have been trying to learn by watching the other LSEs but when some of the classes are in Afrikaans it makes that hard to do. So anyway, I ended up scheduling a meeting with my supervisor last Friday to talk things over with her. My supervisor is Avril Thomas and she and her husband, Pastor John Thomas are the ones who started Living Hope. Anyway, they are a really neat couple and she’s a very awesome woman and very open to listening to others. So we sat down and I told her my frustrations and everything that was happening and told her I really wanted to do what I felt I was called here to do-sewing and soccer ministry. As it turns out, I found out from Mike Talley that I would not be able to have any involvement with Khumi’s bags like I had hoped and originally felt called to do. With her passing away and lots happening, they are struggling with finding a local South African to run it and keep it going. He appologized and felt really bad that I wasn’t getting to do any of the ministries that I was called here to do. Anyway, Avril told me that there is a women’s support group that meets on Tuesdays in Capricorn and the women are learning how to sew there. So she made a few phone calls and made it so I’d be able to go to that. February 23 was such an awesome day and was one of those days where I could say “Oh, so this is why God called me here”.
So although I am bummed that I don’t get to do anything with Khumi’s bags, I am so excited for this new opportunity to teach sewing; and not only do I get to do that but I get to design the stuff that the women will be making!! PRAISE THE LORD! I finally get to do something I am passionate about and in an area that God has gifted me. The first thing I’m designing are some simple bags. After that I need to figure out how to pattern skirts and tops for all the different sized women. Not quite sure how I am going to do that. This is when I feel inexperienced in my field because I’ve had no industry experience, but I am trusting the Lord to help me figure it all out. Anyway, I got to have some great conversations with some of the women yesterday and two of the ladies that head it up are really excited to have me here and said I’m an angel sent by the Lord. So for right now the sewing is only once a week (I don’t go into schools that day), but it looks like we might end up doing sewing two times a week. So if that happens I will do sewing twice a week, schools twice a week, and then continue to go to kids club every day and hopefully within the next two weeks Kevin and I can get our soccer programs going. Next week I have the opportunity to go with Kevin to Ambassadors of Sport which is a week long, extremely intense soccer coach training program that also teaches you how to evangelize. It’s a Christian run program, so I am a lil intimidated by it but really excited.
God has really been at work in my heart and has been reaching into the depths of my heart. It’s been wonderful having so many people encouraging me along the way and saying prayers on my behalf. Thank you so much for those! Please keep them coming!
I’ve made some really good friends here with the other volunteers and I just love them! We hang out every weekend and usually do something on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday because we don’t get to see them much during the week. Lately I have had some really good conversations with two of the LSEs that I’m friends with and getting to know better. It’s fabulous!
Some exciting news is that we finally got our dog!! ACTS paid to get a dog as a deterrent from unwanted people getting onto our property. So we got him last Thursday and I got to meet him when I got home. At the time he was really upset because he’s 3 years old and has never been away from his owners. But when I walked in the house and went to him and talked to him and pet him, he calmed down almost right away. Everyone was like whoa, so you’re like a dog whisperer huh? HAHA So funny! Sambuka and I have really bonded, so much so that he literally follows me every single place I go-he’s practically attached at my hip. AND he makes such a great running buddy, so now I’m even more safe. I can run with him not being on a leash and he stays right by my side, so it’s great because no matter what speed I run, he’s right there. No matter if I have a good day or a bad day he’s there. When I stopped to think about that, God gave me a revelation of.....Oh my, that’s just how God is. It doesn’t matter what I am going through because He is always by my side and will never leave me. It was a great moment!
Well if you made it this far in this blog, GREAT!! Sorry it’s soo long, but there was just soo much to tell! I love you all and thank you for your prayers and support! One more thing, if you think of it, please pray that I start sleeping straight through the night. I am sleeping horribly and feel exhausted.
FOR HIS GLORY,
Amy
Thursday, February 11, 2010
And Another Week Has Past
Hello Family!
Thanks to all of you who are faithfully following Ronnie and me. I greatly appreciate your interest in my life and I can't thank you enough for all of your prayers.
This week has seemed to be the never ending week. Monday and Tuesday were so long that it felt like the entire week had passed. I think it's because I unfortunately am still not sleeping well and it's been that way since I got here. I have had only 3 good nights of sleeping straight through, and praise God last night made the 4th.
So as you all know, I have been going into the schools as an LSE and I help the LSEs to teach life skills. I usually don't do the teaching, I'm more of an aid to the LSEs-help lead the games, pass out papers, etc. I did get to teach one lesson this week on love which was good, and in the coming weeks I am sure I will start teaching more. It's been a little rough in the sense that I don't have any background in teaching, so I don't feel like I know how. We teach in about 6 or 7 different schools throughout the week so we stay very busy. In the afternoons I go to kids club, which I just love! Those kids are soooo precious.
God has really been showing me that I can fully trust Him with everything, to be patient, and to wait on Him. So many different situations over the past year have really caused me to do that, and especially while being here. I asked God one day to break my heart for what breaks His. I need to be careful for what I ask for because I got what I asked for, not only for just a day but for close to a week. Haha A couple days when I was at kids club, I was almost in a daze just looking around at all the kids, and had some kids clinging to me when I was thinking about the terrible backgrounds the kids come from. Their parents are drug addicts, abusive, alcoholics, unloving, etc etc and my eyes just filled with tears as I thought about those things. Yet it amazed me that despite such a rough life, these kids still have hope and they just want to be loved. Another day I was in Capricorn organizing some things in the container, when I looked out the window to see someone's shanty burst into flames. It just broke my heart to see all that someone has, which wasn't much, be taken from them so quickly. All the more reason to share the Gospel with people and bring God's love to them.
I know there is much more that I could say and share with you all, but I must be going for now. Please continue you pray. Miss you and love you all.
For His Glory,
Amy
Thanks to all of you who are faithfully following Ronnie and me. I greatly appreciate your interest in my life and I can't thank you enough for all of your prayers.
This week has seemed to be the never ending week. Monday and Tuesday were so long that it felt like the entire week had passed. I think it's because I unfortunately am still not sleeping well and it's been that way since I got here. I have had only 3 good nights of sleeping straight through, and praise God last night made the 4th.
So as you all know, I have been going into the schools as an LSE and I help the LSEs to teach life skills. I usually don't do the teaching, I'm more of an aid to the LSEs-help lead the games, pass out papers, etc. I did get to teach one lesson this week on love which was good, and in the coming weeks I am sure I will start teaching more. It's been a little rough in the sense that I don't have any background in teaching, so I don't feel like I know how. We teach in about 6 or 7 different schools throughout the week so we stay very busy. In the afternoons I go to kids club, which I just love! Those kids are soooo precious.
God has really been showing me that I can fully trust Him with everything, to be patient, and to wait on Him. So many different situations over the past year have really caused me to do that, and especially while being here. I asked God one day to break my heart for what breaks His. I need to be careful for what I ask for because I got what I asked for, not only for just a day but for close to a week. Haha A couple days when I was at kids club, I was almost in a daze just looking around at all the kids, and had some kids clinging to me when I was thinking about the terrible backgrounds the kids come from. Their parents are drug addicts, abusive, alcoholics, unloving, etc etc and my eyes just filled with tears as I thought about those things. Yet it amazed me that despite such a rough life, these kids still have hope and they just want to be loved. Another day I was in Capricorn organizing some things in the container, when I looked out the window to see someone's shanty burst into flames. It just broke my heart to see all that someone has, which wasn't much, be taken from them so quickly. All the more reason to share the Gospel with people and bring God's love to them.
I know there is much more that I could say and share with you all, but I must be going for now. Please continue you pray. Miss you and love you all.
For His Glory,
Amy
We're Exhausted...
So this last week has passed in a blur of activity. I’m really starting to feel the days move by faster as we become more and more at home in the area. This is not to say that they have not become busier or more intensive, because they have. Just going to recap the weeks highlights for you all in an attempt to keep the post shorter than has become our norm.
Last Friday was exciting for me as rather than joining in the usual LSE (Life Skills Educators) planning meeting I joined in with the counselors in an AIDS/HIV training workshop presented by The Metropolitan Foundation. It was an all day workshop and while boring at times I really left feeling like I’d learned a lot and connected with the counselors there. Saturday was spent sleeping on the beach and fellowshipping with a few of the other volunteers. Sunday we went to Masiphumelele Baptist Church in the morning for a nice long service in Xhosa (Pronounced ‘Cosa’) after which I gave Amy her first Manual Car Driving Lesson. That afternoon we went to Hillsong Church which was as uplifting as ever. It was their Vision Sunday for 2010 and we were both very excited to hear that one of their biggest visions for 2010 is to plant a Hillsong Church in New York City!!!
Monday morning I began touring the health clinics with one of the counselors named Hilary. She showed me where they all were and explained a little bit about each. That afternoon kids club was canceled because of a meeting running late so Amy went for a run on the beach and afterward we both relaxed at home. Tuesday morning I again went to the Health Clinics though spent a majority of my time in Seawinds Clinic where I analyzed one of the counselors as she gave a presentation to a group of patients. We then had Kids Club in the afternoon. Wednesday morning Amy joined me at the Living Hope Main Campus where I got caught up on some work in the resource center and Amy attended a meeting for a new sports ministry. We then went to Kids Club in the afternoon where we helped act out a skit on the resurrection… it was really funny but the kids seemed to really enjoy it and most importantly understood the message.
Finally, today has been, for me at least, the most exhausting day of the week so far. I began my morning by dropping Amy off at 8 then high-tailing it over to the other side of the mountain to meet Hilary at Muizenberg Clinic which was full of patients already picking up their medicine (many ARVs) for the day. She finished up the paperwork she was working on then we drove over to the Hospital in Takai (I can never remember the official name, sorry). Having been to the hospital before, though later in the day, I wasn’t expecting to need to wear a surgical mask (as pictured)
to walk around but because it was earlier there were many more patients out of their wards for medications. While HIV/AIDS is not airborne, many of the patients there suffer from TB as well as other ailments which may be airborne making the mask a necessity. Once properly attired we met up with the clinic’s Living Hope Counselor Billson. After finishing up some work he invited me to follow him around as he visited the wards and spoke with various patients. It was a very moving experience! I found myself thinking how many medical students would give a limb to do what I was doing and I didn’t understand half the medical terms and paperwork Billson showed me and patiently explained. Learning about the patients via bedside visits and medical records really provided me with an intimate look at how AIDS/HIV and TB affects individuals as well as a society as a whole. There were multiple times during the follow I had to pray for God’s strength to get me through and to put a reassuring smile in my eyes. I really felt him moving through all the suffering and I believe the experience will remain with me for the rest of my life, forever changing my comprehension of the world of HIV/AIDS and TB.
Last Friday was exciting for me as rather than joining in the usual LSE (Life Skills Educators) planning meeting I joined in with the counselors in an AIDS/HIV training workshop presented by The Metropolitan Foundation. It was an all day workshop and while boring at times I really left feeling like I’d learned a lot and connected with the counselors there. Saturday was spent sleeping on the beach and fellowshipping with a few of the other volunteers. Sunday we went to Masiphumelele Baptist Church in the morning for a nice long service in Xhosa (Pronounced ‘Cosa’) after which I gave Amy her first Manual Car Driving Lesson. That afternoon we went to Hillsong Church which was as uplifting as ever. It was their Vision Sunday for 2010 and we were both very excited to hear that one of their biggest visions for 2010 is to plant a Hillsong Church in New York City!!!
Monday morning I began touring the health clinics with one of the counselors named Hilary. She showed me where they all were and explained a little bit about each. That afternoon kids club was canceled because of a meeting running late so Amy went for a run on the beach and afterward we both relaxed at home. Tuesday morning I again went to the Health Clinics though spent a majority of my time in Seawinds Clinic where I analyzed one of the counselors as she gave a presentation to a group of patients. We then had Kids Club in the afternoon. Wednesday morning Amy joined me at the Living Hope Main Campus where I got caught up on some work in the resource center and Amy attended a meeting for a new sports ministry. We then went to Kids Club in the afternoon where we helped act out a skit on the resurrection… it was really funny but the kids seemed to really enjoy it and most importantly understood the message.
Finally, today has been, for me at least, the most exhausting day of the week so far. I began my morning by dropping Amy off at 8 then high-tailing it over to the other side of the mountain to meet Hilary at Muizenberg Clinic which was full of patients already picking up their medicine (many ARVs) for the day. She finished up the paperwork she was working on then we drove over to the Hospital in Takai (I can never remember the official name, sorry). Having been to the hospital before, though later in the day, I wasn’t expecting to need to wear a surgical mask (as pictured)
to walk around but because it was earlier there were many more patients out of their wards for medications. While HIV/AIDS is not airborne, many of the patients there suffer from TB as well as other ailments which may be airborne making the mask a necessity. Once properly attired we met up with the clinic’s Living Hope Counselor Billson. After finishing up some work he invited me to follow him around as he visited the wards and spoke with various patients. It was a very moving experience! I found myself thinking how many medical students would give a limb to do what I was doing and I didn’t understand half the medical terms and paperwork Billson showed me and patiently explained. Learning about the patients via bedside visits and medical records really provided me with an intimate look at how AIDS/HIV and TB affects individuals as well as a society as a whole. There were multiple times during the follow I had to pray for God’s strength to get me through and to put a reassuring smile in my eyes. I really felt him moving through all the suffering and I believe the experience will remain with me for the rest of my life, forever changing my comprehension of the world of HIV/AIDS and TB.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
FROM ACROSS THE WORLD...
Hello my dear family!
I do apologize, but I will not be sending you monthly newsletters. I had made a really nice one with lots of pictures, but the file was for some reason to large for my email to send, so I then deleted a bunch of pictures and still couldn't get it to send. So as a result, I will be posting on this blog from time to time to keep ya'll updated. So here goes:
FROM AMERICA TO SA
As you all know, I left DE on January 9th to fly out to Detroit to stay with Ronnie and his family for two days. While there I got to see Lake Erie frozen over, go to Tony Pacos original restaurant (the restaurant in MASH tv show), go to a mega church, workout at a huge YMCA, and hangout with Ronnie and his family. On the 11th we flew 8 hours from Detroit to Frankfurt. Once we were in Frankfurt we tried to find our way around the airport and then hop on a subway to go into the center of town. Ha! That was quite the experience, as neither of us could read German. Fortunately some friendly Germans helped us out. We walked around part of Frankfurt to see some of the awesome architecture and then went to Starbucks to get warm. We then found our way back to the airport and still had 7 hours to kill before our flight, so we played some card games and walked around. We then flew 11 hours to Johannesburg. Unfortunately our flight didn’t have personal tvs, and I am unable to read or draw on a plane. So I listened to music and dozed off and on, and eventually a couple movies were put on for the whole plane to watch. Our flight in Frankfurt took off late and so we arrived late in Jo-burg which gave us very little time. By the time we claimed our baggage and went to check in we found out check-in for our flight had closed. We were scrambling around and went to talk to someone else and he rebooked us for a flight that was 20 minutes later than our scheduled flight and we didn’t have to pay anything. I thanked God for working that out! So we got our tickets, rushed to get through security, re-checked-in our bags, and then literally sprinted through the airport because we only had 5 minutes to get to our gate. We safely flew the 2 hours to Cape Town and arrived around 2:30 pm or so. Clynton, a friend of ours picked us up from the airport and delivered us to the Living Hope Volunteer house. Talk about climate change, I believe I was told it was around 100 degrees when we arrived.
MY MINISTRIES
I know many of you have wanted to know what I would be doing while here, and there was only so much I could tell you while in the states, because some of it was to be decided once I got here.
Anyhow, in the mornings from Mon-Thurs I am going into schools with the Life Skills Educators to teach life skills and help. This is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I think it will be challenging and exciting. On Mon/Wed afternoons I will be going to Overcome Heights and on Tues/Thurs afternoons I will go to Capricorn for kids clubs. On Friday mornings I will go to training sessions with the LSEs and in the evenings I will go to the youth group programs.
Eventually I will be helping with Upwards Sports-the program that runs soccer camps in all the communities. I am really excited to do this ministry and hope it starts sooner rather than later.
I know I had mentioned to you all that I wanted to work with a purse ministry here. Well, I received some heart breaking news the day after I got here. Khumi, the lady that ran this ministry, passed away. She had HIV and TB and was on ARVs, but went to some church and the pastor told her God would heal her only if she stopped taking the ARVs. People here don’t know any better so she listened and her health took a turn for the worse. So I hope to continue her ministry here or be a part of it somehow, but I am waiting to see if the ministry will keep going or not. I will let you know more on this subject later.
FUN
On the first weekend we were in SA, Ronnie, Chris, Nicole and I all joined the UD group in doing some sight seeing. Nicole is from Canada and Chris is from England-both will be here for a month. Even though Ronnie and I saw both of these sights last year, it was hard to pass on going because this country is absolutely gorgeous. At Cape Point we climbed to the lighthouse to take pictures of the scenery. It’s breathtaking and doesn’t matter how many times I see something here, it’s still just as beautiful. God was so creative when He created the world and everything in it. I wish I could have been there when He did because He is the greatest artist there ever was. While at the top we met a guy named James who believe it or not was from Hockessin, DE!! We got to see two mama baboons with their two adorable babies up close and personal which was really neat, and we saw others on the road. At the boulders we got to see all the really cute penguins and you could get so close to them that you could almost touch them. Ronnie and I also joined the UD team in going to the Botanical gardens. The team I went with last year wanted to go, but we didn’t have time to do everything. Wow was that a neat place to go! The plants were just absolutely gorgeous! The plants here are so different from anything that I’ve seen in the US. The beauty of this country just takes my breath away.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Last year when we did our budget we based it off of the 10: 1 rand to USD which was a big mistake. Since then the rand has dropped in value to 7:1 USD. Therefore we have some budget increases. We just found out that the car we were planning to get (which was only $150/month at the time) won’t be the most reliable car in the long run and the price on it increased, so Charl-an ACTS worker helped us to find the next cheapest thing which costs $375 to $400 per month. The prayer request is that we are able to raise extra funds to cover the cost of the car as well as our other expenses.
Pray for the hearts of the kids, parents, and locals that I meet. Pray that they are open to hearing the Gospel and allow it to transform their lives and turn their world upside down.
Pray that I will be bold for the Lord and that He will do great works in and through me for His glory.
Pray for God’s direction in His calling for my life.
THANK YOU
If you made it this far in the newsletter, that’s great and I hope you enjoyed it! Future newsletters will be shorter. Sorry it was so long, just thought you’d like to see pictures and hear what’s going on. Anyway, thank you so much for your faithful prayer and financial support. I wouldn’t be here to do the Lord’s work if it weren’t for you. I hope all is well with you! Love you all so very much!
For His Glory,
Amy
I do apologize, but I will not be sending you monthly newsletters. I had made a really nice one with lots of pictures, but the file was for some reason to large for my email to send, so I then deleted a bunch of pictures and still couldn't get it to send. So as a result, I will be posting on this blog from time to time to keep ya'll updated. So here goes:
FROM AMERICA TO SA
As you all know, I left DE on January 9th to fly out to Detroit to stay with Ronnie and his family for two days. While there I got to see Lake Erie frozen over, go to Tony Pacos original restaurant (the restaurant in MASH tv show), go to a mega church, workout at a huge YMCA, and hangout with Ronnie and his family. On the 11th we flew 8 hours from Detroit to Frankfurt. Once we were in Frankfurt we tried to find our way around the airport and then hop on a subway to go into the center of town. Ha! That was quite the experience, as neither of us could read German. Fortunately some friendly Germans helped us out. We walked around part of Frankfurt to see some of the awesome architecture and then went to Starbucks to get warm. We then found our way back to the airport and still had 7 hours to kill before our flight, so we played some card games and walked around. We then flew 11 hours to Johannesburg. Unfortunately our flight didn’t have personal tvs, and I am unable to read or draw on a plane. So I listened to music and dozed off and on, and eventually a couple movies were put on for the whole plane to watch. Our flight in Frankfurt took off late and so we arrived late in Jo-burg which gave us very little time. By the time we claimed our baggage and went to check in we found out check-in for our flight had closed. We were scrambling around and went to talk to someone else and he rebooked us for a flight that was 20 minutes later than our scheduled flight and we didn’t have to pay anything. I thanked God for working that out! So we got our tickets, rushed to get through security, re-checked-in our bags, and then literally sprinted through the airport because we only had 5 minutes to get to our gate. We safely flew the 2 hours to Cape Town and arrived around 2:30 pm or so. Clynton, a friend of ours picked us up from the airport and delivered us to the Living Hope Volunteer house. Talk about climate change, I believe I was told it was around 100 degrees when we arrived.
MY MINISTRIES
I know many of you have wanted to know what I would be doing while here, and there was only so much I could tell you while in the states, because some of it was to be decided once I got here.
Anyhow, in the mornings from Mon-Thurs I am going into schools with the Life Skills Educators to teach life skills and help. This is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I think it will be challenging and exciting. On Mon/Wed afternoons I will be going to Overcome Heights and on Tues/Thurs afternoons I will go to Capricorn for kids clubs. On Friday mornings I will go to training sessions with the LSEs and in the evenings I will go to the youth group programs.
Eventually I will be helping with Upwards Sports-the program that runs soccer camps in all the communities. I am really excited to do this ministry and hope it starts sooner rather than later.
I know I had mentioned to you all that I wanted to work with a purse ministry here. Well, I received some heart breaking news the day after I got here. Khumi, the lady that ran this ministry, passed away. She had HIV and TB and was on ARVs, but went to some church and the pastor told her God would heal her only if she stopped taking the ARVs. People here don’t know any better so she listened and her health took a turn for the worse. So I hope to continue her ministry here or be a part of it somehow, but I am waiting to see if the ministry will keep going or not. I will let you know more on this subject later.
FUN
On the first weekend we were in SA, Ronnie, Chris, Nicole and I all joined the UD group in doing some sight seeing. Nicole is from Canada and Chris is from England-both will be here for a month. Even though Ronnie and I saw both of these sights last year, it was hard to pass on going because this country is absolutely gorgeous. At Cape Point we climbed to the lighthouse to take pictures of the scenery. It’s breathtaking and doesn’t matter how many times I see something here, it’s still just as beautiful. God was so creative when He created the world and everything in it. I wish I could have been there when He did because He is the greatest artist there ever was. While at the top we met a guy named James who believe it or not was from Hockessin, DE!! We got to see two mama baboons with their two adorable babies up close and personal which was really neat, and we saw others on the road. At the boulders we got to see all the really cute penguins and you could get so close to them that you could almost touch them. Ronnie and I also joined the UD team in going to the Botanical gardens. The team I went with last year wanted to go, but we didn’t have time to do everything. Wow was that a neat place to go! The plants were just absolutely gorgeous! The plants here are so different from anything that I’ve seen in the US. The beauty of this country just takes my breath away.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Last year when we did our budget we based it off of the 10: 1 rand to USD which was a big mistake. Since then the rand has dropped in value to 7:1 USD. Therefore we have some budget increases. We just found out that the car we were planning to get (which was only $150/month at the time) won’t be the most reliable car in the long run and the price on it increased, so Charl-an ACTS worker helped us to find the next cheapest thing which costs $375 to $400 per month. The prayer request is that we are able to raise extra funds to cover the cost of the car as well as our other expenses.
Pray for the hearts of the kids, parents, and locals that I meet. Pray that they are open to hearing the Gospel and allow it to transform their lives and turn their world upside down.
Pray that I will be bold for the Lord and that He will do great works in and through me for His glory.
Pray for God’s direction in His calling for my life.
THANK YOU
If you made it this far in the newsletter, that’s great and I hope you enjoyed it! Future newsletters will be shorter. Sorry it was so long, just thought you’d like to see pictures and hear what’s going on. Anyway, thank you so much for your faithful prayer and financial support. I wouldn’t be here to do the Lord’s work if it weren’t for you. I hope all is well with you! Love you all so very much!
For His Glory,
Amy
Monday, February 1, 2010
Bye UD Team... We'll Miss You!
Hello All!
A lot has been happening since my last post and I’m really excited to share it all with you!
So, last week pretty mush finished up with, for the most part the same routine as it began in. I spent my mornings working in the resource center cataloging and referencing everything there then going to Kids Club at Overcome Heights on Mon. and Wed. and Capricorn on Tue. and Thu. Then on Friday morning we had our Life Skills Educators meeting all morning in which we discussed the establishment of new policies concerning child protection. Friday night was amazing as we were invited to our friend Christina’s flat for Dinner and Games. Christina has been here serving since September and plans for go home for 5 weeks in March so as to fund raise then return to continue her volunteer work with Living Hope indefinitely. There were several other volunteers there and it was really nice to spend time fellowshipping together in a more casual environment.
Saturday was a nice chill day. We were able to sleep in and then the University of Delaware team through a huge Braai (BBQ) at the house and there were tons of people from Living Hope and ACTS in attendance. We all worshipped together and spent time in community and it was an over all blessed evening. Sunday morning we went to Capricorn church where we have been holding one of the kids clubs in the afternoons. It is obvious God is doing great works in this growing church congregation as the youth we work with occasionally throughout the week and worked with closely last year in the kids club, are now stepping up and helping to lead the congregation which is composed largely of youth. Afterward, our newest addition was dropped off at the house!.... Drum Roll Please!!!!
Everyone Meet Fikki! Our VW CITI Golf Car Hire with more Character than any picture can convey! Thank you soo much for all your prayers and support! Fikki is only one example of your prayers and support for us and the work we are doing here and from the bottom of our hearts we thank you all!!
Anyway, Sunday afternoon we took Fikki for a drive to the beach to sun bathe and I surfed a bit. Sunday evening we went out with our new friends and co-volunteers Christina and Andy for Pizza and an affordable but delish favorite haunt of theirs. We had a great time. Afterward we spent time with the UD team saying our farewells as packed and prepared for their impending flights today.
Today was Totally Awesome!!! They Held an official dedication for the resource center I’ve been working so diligently in for weeks now and it was such a blessing for me to be there and be able to pray over it with a few of the trustees and leaders in Living Hope. I am excited for the works God will be able to accomplish through the resources in that center and the people using them. Amy and I then went to the Kids Club in Overcome Heights in the afternoon. We helped teach the lesson which was the crucifixion story. The Kids there are so amazing and as short as it was it was great spending time with them.
We returned home to a seemingly empty home as the UD team had departed after we left for work in the morning. It’s a little odd being here without the team as it is all we are Really used to, but we are making the adjustment and wish everyone on the team safe and happy travels back home over the next couple days.
I suppose that’s all for me for now…
Thanks You all again for your continued prayers and support! We really appreciate it and it has been absolutely amazing to see the work God is doing here and our trip is only just beginning!
In His TLC,
Ronnie
A lot has been happening since my last post and I’m really excited to share it all with you!
So, last week pretty mush finished up with, for the most part the same routine as it began in. I spent my mornings working in the resource center cataloging and referencing everything there then going to Kids Club at Overcome Heights on Mon. and Wed. and Capricorn on Tue. and Thu. Then on Friday morning we had our Life Skills Educators meeting all morning in which we discussed the establishment of new policies concerning child protection. Friday night was amazing as we were invited to our friend Christina’s flat for Dinner and Games. Christina has been here serving since September and plans for go home for 5 weeks in March so as to fund raise then return to continue her volunteer work with Living Hope indefinitely. There were several other volunteers there and it was really nice to spend time fellowshipping together in a more casual environment.
Saturday was a nice chill day. We were able to sleep in and then the University of Delaware team through a huge Braai (BBQ) at the house and there were tons of people from Living Hope and ACTS in attendance. We all worshipped together and spent time in community and it was an over all blessed evening. Sunday morning we went to Capricorn church where we have been holding one of the kids clubs in the afternoons. It is obvious God is doing great works in this growing church congregation as the youth we work with occasionally throughout the week and worked with closely last year in the kids club, are now stepping up and helping to lead the congregation which is composed largely of youth. Afterward, our newest addition was dropped off at the house!.... Drum Roll Please!!!!
Everyone Meet Fikki! Our VW CITI Golf Car Hire with more Character than any picture can convey! Thank you soo much for all your prayers and support! Fikki is only one example of your prayers and support for us and the work we are doing here and from the bottom of our hearts we thank you all!! Anyway, Sunday afternoon we took Fikki for a drive to the beach to sun bathe and I surfed a bit. Sunday evening we went out with our new friends and co-volunteers Christina and Andy for Pizza and an affordable but delish favorite haunt of theirs. We had a great time. Afterward we spent time with the UD team saying our farewells as packed and prepared for their impending flights today.
Today was Totally Awesome!!! They Held an official dedication for the resource center I’ve been working so diligently in for weeks now and it was such a blessing for me to be there and be able to pray over it with a few of the trustees and leaders in Living Hope. I am excited for the works God will be able to accomplish through the resources in that center and the people using them. Amy and I then went to the Kids Club in Overcome Heights in the afternoon. We helped teach the lesson which was the crucifixion story. The Kids there are so amazing and as short as it was it was great spending time with them.
We returned home to a seemingly empty home as the UD team had departed after we left for work in the morning. It’s a little odd being here without the team as it is all we are Really used to, but we are making the adjustment and wish everyone on the team safe and happy travels back home over the next couple days.
I suppose that’s all for me for now…
Thanks You all again for your continued prayers and support! We really appreciate it and it has been absolutely amazing to see the work God is doing here and our trip is only just beginning!
In His TLC,
Ronnie
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
AHH Sooo BUSY!!!!!
OMGsh!!!! So Much has been Happening!! I'm So Excited To Share With You All the Work God has been doing through Amy I Already!!
But as a Quick Side Note:
(Recap)
~I am working in the Resource Center as well as being Danielle, the Kids Club Curriculum Creator's personal Assistant. I've also been doing a few side things which I'll mention in this blog. In the Afternoons I'm assigned to go to the Capricorn or Overcome Heights Kids clubs to help out the Life Skills Educators (LSEs).
~Amy has been spending most of her mornings with me organizing the Resource Center however starting this week she is working with the LSE team responsible for going into schools. She is very nervous about this but has been willing to step outside of her comfort zone to help so please keep her in your prayers. In the afternoons she too is working with the LSEs at Capricorn and Overcome Heights.
This past week flew by in a blur and a flurry of activity but here is the day to day rundown of events... Ready?... Set?... GO!!!...
Saturday (16th): Went to Cape Point and Boulders today with the UD Team it was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to fellowship with them. Cape Point is the Furthest South Western Point of the African continent and also the location of the Cape of Good Hope. Boulders is home to the Jackass Penguins.
Sunday (17th): Went to King of King Baptist Church across the street from where we are living. It was a very interesting service as the church body was just beginning a fast and there was no worship. That afternoon we went to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which are rated one of the top Botanical Gardens in the world... after Longwood I'm Sure... then we went directly to the Hillsong Church service in Cape Town Proper. Their Worship was Amazing as Usual and Amy and I both intend to make a habit out of going to their services as often as possible.
Monday (18th): Amy and I spent the morning taking count of everything in the Supply Closet in the new prevention building and generating a list on the computer. We then began to Catalogue and organize the Resource Center. It was heart breaking for me in particular to see the craft supply closet's size and stock as it is, by comparison to churches I've attended, very small and its stock must last them all year. (If you are interested in contributing to their supply closet contact me and I will get you the necessary information.) I also was assigned to create a presentation on Public Speaking to present to the Health Care Clinic Counselors on Friday. We then spent that afternoon at the kids club in Overcome Heights which is one of the poorest townships Living Hope Ministers to.
That evening we managed to settle a few more details about our car rental situation and put a hold on a car due to be returned to the lot on Jan 31st. Cost wise it is going to cost a considerable amount more than the original dealership, however our local connections tell us it will be much more dependable, gas efficient and safer... well worth the extra money. And so we pray that God will Supply the additional support totaling approx. $2000 over the course of 6 months and we Humbly began emailing supporters, family and friends.
Tuesday (19th): Amy had her first meeting this morning about her ministry in the schools so I was on my own referencing the Resource Center... Tedious should be my middle name... But I put on some tunes got a cup of coffee and the morning flew by! That afternoon I spent my time beginning my Presentation PowerPoint for Friday while Amy, not feeling so well, decided to just take it easy, and thanks to jet lag finally catching up to me, my mind too began to wonder.
I didn't mean to be late to work... I just couldn't get around the Cows... :/
Wednesday (20th): Amy joined me again this morning referencing the Resource Center. She worked on some fabric though cutting it into useable bible story teaching costumes for the kids clubs while I continued to label books and write up reference cards. For the afternoon Amy want off to Kids Club in Overcome Heights while I stayed back and emailed Old Professors and my dad for Public Speaking Guidelines to include in my presentation for Friday. I also sent out some emails about my textbooks, which still hadn’t shipped, and emailed my upcoming semester's professors about my living situation and Textbook situations. That evening I was thankful to receive responses to most of my queries.
Thursday (21st): Amy went off to another meeting for her work in the schools Ministry while I Referenced yet more in the resource center. It's come to my attention that I haven't really named the purpose of the Resource Center... Well it's to provide Resources of Course... Duh!... HAHA No But Really... So The Resource Center, which is now fully stocked and catalogued, is composed of all sorts of Book, CD, DVD, Audiocassette and VHS resources for the Life Skills Educators and the Health clinic Counselors use. The Resources there range in topics from HIV/AIDS to Rape to Diabetes to fireproofing your home. There are even VeggieTales DVDs and a few computer games. Anyway, after a bit of that I started to get to work finishing up my presentation and showed it to Danielle my supervisor who said I should slim it down... A lot... And so Thursday Afternoon I worked on finishing the long presentation and began drafting a shorter version of it while Amy went to Kids Club in Capricorn. I also found out even more detailed information about our car rental enabling us to set its drop off date for Feb. 1st and arrange for payments to be made etc.
Friday (22nd): We spent Friday morning in the weekly LSE planning meeting where we find out what the following weeks lessons will be on and receive the tools and resources to teach them. Afterward, Danielle helped me pull apart my presentation even further cutting a 20 slide PowerPoint into 6 slides... Quite a Feat Believe Me. After a quick packed lunch I gave my presentation to the Counselors which really seemed interested and eager to hear what I had to say and invited me back to give another presentation though a little more in depth, next month on Public Speaking. I was feeling so good about the presentation I decided to go for a 3 mile run with Amy and Amanda (A UD Team Member).
Saturday (23rd): I went Surfing in the Morning with a few Members of the University of Delaware Team and our Team House buddy from last year Clynton. The Surf was Great and if felt sooo Wonderful just to be out in the water. Caught several waves and got some sun on my face. After surfing we got Ice Cream from a tiny ice cream parlor called Sinful... So Good. After returning to the house to get cleaned up and eat lunch we loaded up a couple vans and a car with volunteers and Living hope and Acts workers and drove into the City where we went to the Commemorative Game at the Brand New World Cup Stadium. It was AMAZING!!!
Afterward Amy and I joined a few other volunteers and grabbed some Seafood at a local cheap but delicious seafood restaurant near our lodging.
Sunday (24th): We went to Church at Capricorn this morning and it was wonderful to finally get to see all the kids we worked with while here last January. They've all grown sooo Much! After the service we decided after having had such a busy week and following all the festivities of Saturday not to mention only just recovered from Jet Lag that a trip to the beach was all our agendas could afford. And so, not having a car yet, one of the long term volunteers Christina, who we had been eager to spend some time with, picked us up and took us to Simon's Town Beach where we laid out and actually had some deep conversations. It was really nice to establish stronger relationships with the other volunteers we will practically be living with for the next 6 months as they are your immediately available source of support. In Christina's case she has already been here 5 months so everything we're heading through and into she's been there experienced that so it was great her hear her input etc. After Laying on the beach I got sick with a Nasty Stomach bug of which I will spare you all the details.
Monday (25th): I don’t really know what happened as I didn't leave my room... Remember that stomach bug... Yeah, well it pretty much kept me from doing anything all day.
And Finally Tuesday (26th): Today was Amy's first day going into the schools in the morning with the LSEs and she loved it! I spent my morning finishing the last of the referencing in the Resource center then attended Pat Ball's farewell Party. Pat has been with Living Hope as a volunteer for 4 years and was loved by all and will be sorely missed. She is returning to the United States to work with Living Hope's sister organization Emergency Response in Atlanta. I wish her all the best and every blessing as she follows God's will for her life. After finishing up a few things in the Resource center I hitched a ride with another Volunteer Melanie, who has been rooming with Amy, to the Capricorn Kids Club where Amy, riding along with the LSEs, and the UD team all met up with us. Kids Club went very well and was as much a blessing to me as ever being around the kids.
And now for tomorrow… Well that's still a Mystery to Me but God Knows what he has in store for us and I'm eager to see his plans play out so on that note I bid You all a Good Night until tomorrow... Maybe Thursday...
Blessings my Blessings!
Ronnie
But as a Quick Side Note:
(Recap)
~I am working in the Resource Center as well as being Danielle, the Kids Club Curriculum Creator's personal Assistant. I've also been doing a few side things which I'll mention in this blog. In the Afternoons I'm assigned to go to the Capricorn or Overcome Heights Kids clubs to help out the Life Skills Educators (LSEs).
~Amy has been spending most of her mornings with me organizing the Resource Center however starting this week she is working with the LSE team responsible for going into schools. She is very nervous about this but has been willing to step outside of her comfort zone to help so please keep her in your prayers. In the afternoons she too is working with the LSEs at Capricorn and Overcome Heights.
This past week flew by in a blur and a flurry of activity but here is the day to day rundown of events... Ready?... Set?... GO!!!...
Saturday (16th): Went to Cape Point and Boulders today with the UD Team it was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to fellowship with them. Cape Point is the Furthest South Western Point of the African continent and also the location of the Cape of Good Hope. Boulders is home to the Jackass Penguins.
Sunday (17th): Went to King of King Baptist Church across the street from where we are living. It was a very interesting service as the church body was just beginning a fast and there was no worship. That afternoon we went to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which are rated one of the top Botanical Gardens in the world... after Longwood I'm Sure... then we went directly to the Hillsong Church service in Cape Town Proper. Their Worship was Amazing as Usual and Amy and I both intend to make a habit out of going to their services as often as possible.
Monday (18th): Amy and I spent the morning taking count of everything in the Supply Closet in the new prevention building and generating a list on the computer. We then began to Catalogue and organize the Resource Center. It was heart breaking for me in particular to see the craft supply closet's size and stock as it is, by comparison to churches I've attended, very small and its stock must last them all year. (If you are interested in contributing to their supply closet contact me and I will get you the necessary information.) I also was assigned to create a presentation on Public Speaking to present to the Health Care Clinic Counselors on Friday. We then spent that afternoon at the kids club in Overcome Heights which is one of the poorest townships Living Hope Ministers to.
That evening we managed to settle a few more details about our car rental situation and put a hold on a car due to be returned to the lot on Jan 31st. Cost wise it is going to cost a considerable amount more than the original dealership, however our local connections tell us it will be much more dependable, gas efficient and safer... well worth the extra money. And so we pray that God will Supply the additional support totaling approx. $2000 over the course of 6 months and we Humbly began emailing supporters, family and friends. Tuesday (19th): Amy had her first meeting this morning about her ministry in the schools so I was on my own referencing the Resource Center... Tedious should be my middle name... But I put on some tunes got a cup of coffee and the morning flew by! That afternoon I spent my time beginning my Presentation PowerPoint for Friday while Amy, not feeling so well, decided to just take it easy, and thanks to jet lag finally catching up to me, my mind too began to wonder.
I didn't mean to be late to work... I just couldn't get around the Cows... :/Wednesday (20th): Amy joined me again this morning referencing the Resource Center. She worked on some fabric though cutting it into useable bible story teaching costumes for the kids clubs while I continued to label books and write up reference cards. For the afternoon Amy want off to Kids Club in Overcome Heights while I stayed back and emailed Old Professors and my dad for Public Speaking Guidelines to include in my presentation for Friday. I also sent out some emails about my textbooks, which still hadn’t shipped, and emailed my upcoming semester's professors about my living situation and Textbook situations. That evening I was thankful to receive responses to most of my queries.
Thursday (21st): Amy went off to another meeting for her work in the schools Ministry while I Referenced yet more in the resource center. It's come to my attention that I haven't really named the purpose of the Resource Center... Well it's to provide Resources of Course... Duh!... HAHA No But Really... So The Resource Center, which is now fully stocked and catalogued, is composed of all sorts of Book, CD, DVD, Audiocassette and VHS resources for the Life Skills Educators and the Health clinic Counselors use. The Resources there range in topics from HIV/AIDS to Rape to Diabetes to fireproofing your home. There are even VeggieTales DVDs and a few computer games. Anyway, after a bit of that I started to get to work finishing up my presentation and showed it to Danielle my supervisor who said I should slim it down... A lot... And so Thursday Afternoon I worked on finishing the long presentation and began drafting a shorter version of it while Amy went to Kids Club in Capricorn. I also found out even more detailed information about our car rental enabling us to set its drop off date for Feb. 1st and arrange for payments to be made etc.
Friday (22nd): We spent Friday morning in the weekly LSE planning meeting where we find out what the following weeks lessons will be on and receive the tools and resources to teach them. Afterward, Danielle helped me pull apart my presentation even further cutting a 20 slide PowerPoint into 6 slides... Quite a Feat Believe Me. After a quick packed lunch I gave my presentation to the Counselors which really seemed interested and eager to hear what I had to say and invited me back to give another presentation though a little more in depth, next month on Public Speaking. I was feeling so good about the presentation I decided to go for a 3 mile run with Amy and Amanda (A UD Team Member).
Saturday (23rd): I went Surfing in the Morning with a few Members of the University of Delaware Team and our Team House buddy from last year Clynton. The Surf was Great and if felt sooo Wonderful just to be out in the water. Caught several waves and got some sun on my face. After surfing we got Ice Cream from a tiny ice cream parlor called Sinful... So Good. After returning to the house to get cleaned up and eat lunch we loaded up a couple vans and a car with volunteers and Living hope and Acts workers and drove into the City where we went to the Commemorative Game at the Brand New World Cup Stadium. It was AMAZING!!!
Afterward Amy and I joined a few other volunteers and grabbed some Seafood at a local cheap but delicious seafood restaurant near our lodging. Sunday (24th): We went to Church at Capricorn this morning and it was wonderful to finally get to see all the kids we worked with while here last January. They've all grown sooo Much! After the service we decided after having had such a busy week and following all the festivities of Saturday not to mention only just recovered from Jet Lag that a trip to the beach was all our agendas could afford. And so, not having a car yet, one of the long term volunteers Christina, who we had been eager to spend some time with, picked us up and took us to Simon's Town Beach where we laid out and actually had some deep conversations. It was really nice to establish stronger relationships with the other volunteers we will practically be living with for the next 6 months as they are your immediately available source of support. In Christina's case she has already been here 5 months so everything we're heading through and into she's been there experienced that so it was great her hear her input etc. After Laying on the beach I got sick with a Nasty Stomach bug of which I will spare you all the details.
Monday (25th): I don’t really know what happened as I didn't leave my room... Remember that stomach bug... Yeah, well it pretty much kept me from doing anything all day.
And Finally Tuesday (26th): Today was Amy's first day going into the schools in the morning with the LSEs and she loved it! I spent my morning finishing the last of the referencing in the Resource center then attended Pat Ball's farewell Party. Pat has been with Living Hope as a volunteer for 4 years and was loved by all and will be sorely missed. She is returning to the United States to work with Living Hope's sister organization Emergency Response in Atlanta. I wish her all the best and every blessing as she follows God's will for her life. After finishing up a few things in the Resource center I hitched a ride with another Volunteer Melanie, who has been rooming with Amy, to the Capricorn Kids Club where Amy, riding along with the LSEs, and the UD team all met up with us. Kids Club went very well and was as much a blessing to me as ever being around the kids.
And now for tomorrow… Well that's still a Mystery to Me but God Knows what he has in store for us and I'm eager to see his plans play out so on that note I bid You all a Good Night until tomorrow... Maybe Thursday...
Blessings my Blessings!
Ronnie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
