Thank you for allowing me to walk this journey...

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

This may seem weird, but I often struggle with the "why" of short mission trips and even though this one is a bit longer than most that I have served on - it is still short in the scheme of things. And if I'm perfectly honest, this trip was as much about me seeking "something" as it was wanting to make an impact for the Lord. The "something" in my mind was for the Lord to show me what is next, "what shall I do?" or "what will you do in my future?" something like that. That answer is still clear as mud.

As I served here at the Academy, I had the chance to walk with kids - all who are orphaned and talk with them about who they can be if they make the choice to truly walk with Christ, teach them life skills - most quite basic, and laugh and cry with them. I realized this journey was mostly about me when my time with them was brought to an abrupt end for unforeseen circumstances and I was left feeling overwhelmed by emotion and a bit cheated that I didn't get to leave them with my "great" words of encouragement that I had spent hours planning", meanwhile they were intensely grieving the circumstances that meant several loved ones in their lives would no longer be here when they would return for the next term in late June.

I think the purpose for missions like this is two-fold, to build up those we encounter and let them know that there are brothers and sisters in Christ willing to walk the journey with them (kids and staff alike). And the second part is that we (I) get to learn from them what simple and unabated joy in the Lord is supposed to be like which allows God to break down the barriers to my joy and pursuit of all other fruits of the Spirit in my life. I am now writing each of the kids a letter along with some pictures I have printed for them, in each letter I have thanked them for allowing me to walk this journey with them for this time. I would say the same to each of you who have encouraged me in writing this blog and found some enjoyment or inspiration in it. As for the question of what shall be next... no clue!

Monday I head for Tanzania and I have no idea what the Lord has in store there!!! Pray for safe travel and a refreshed spirit for a new journey. I don't think I will have internet access there but if so I will try to keep up the blog.

Click here for pics from last day at Sweet home

4,195

"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." Psalm 45:11

During my time with the kids at the Academy I became known for taking a lot of photos and then I would put together a slide show and show it to them at the end of each class. They loved it, whether their picture was in the slide show or not. On Caregiver day I took a picture of each child with their caregiver and made prints for the children and one for the caregiver as well, they were so excited! Once they knew I could have prints made, the requests came rolling in, so I made a deal - they could each have one print of their choosing - one I had already taken or one they would like for me to take. To my surprise most of them wanted a picture all by themselves, but then it made sense, they have some photos around but all of them are with friends, visitors or other staff. Do you remember the joy of getting your school photos, or the solo in your soccer uniform...? These kids have never experienced that, and for most of them this is the only photo they have of just themselves. My hope is that one day they will pull it out to show their children or grandchildren and be reminded of how far they have come in their walk with Christ!

4,195, that is the number of photos I have on my computer, the things we may take for granted.

Pray for: Click for pictures

Teach me to Pray

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

One thing I constantly have to say in class or while hanging out with the kids, “English – you must speak English”. This is a rule at the Academy for many reasons, mainly because a person who speaks English well is far more likely to succeed in South Africa (a country where there are 11 official languages and the National Anthem is sung 5 verses in 5 different languages). So as much as I love to hear and learn Xhosa, it’s important to encourage them in speaking English, along with the fact that they could be making fun of me or planning something nefarious in Xhosa and I would never know the difference. The one time, however, that I allow them to speak in Xhosa is when I ask if anyone wants to pray – they will raise their hand enthusiastically and then ask, “may I pray in Xhosa”… “yes you may pray Xhosa”. It blesses me to listen even though I don’t understand a word.

Yesterday I began to pick up a pattern to the way they begin their prayers and asked them to teach me…

Yanga nkosi ngevumthandazo, wabankwana aboncinci, ngenxo koi Yesu Krestu nkosi yethu.

May God hear the prayers of the little children because of Jesus Christ our King.

There was something sweet to me about the way they see themselves as “little children” even though they have been through far more than you or I could imagine in their short lives. In fact we are all “little children” in the presence of our King – right?

Pray for: The kids as the go back to their townships for 2 week break - for protection and safety and that they make good choices. Pray for me as I prepare to finish at the Academy and head to Tanzania.

Pics of dinner with Bible Study Girls