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

Long walk on a short beach

^"But he said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise." Luke 19:40

It’s been a long week and I had a great desire to get out and get away today, but where to? I don’t know many places that would be a good escape and I longed for something familiar, something comfortable. I jumped in a car and started heading towards Cape Town maybe a movie at the Harbor or something? There are only a few roads that I know and when I hit a detour heading into Cape Town I was a little worried. But that detour brought me right to a charming little beach outside of Cape Town (Lagoon Beach). The beach, the ocean… the place I always go when I want to be near to my God, rejoice with Him or just cry out to Him. What a gift!

So today, I took a long walk on a short beach, walking up and down several times reflecting about my time so far and wondering how God will use the time I’ve dedicated to this journey. No answers, just a comfortable, familiar afternoon with my Heavenly Father in the heart of His amazing creation… walking down the beach with Table Mountain towering over the harbor, it was a beautiful sight to behold and I even found a piece of sea glass.

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came." John F. Kennedy

Click Here for Pictures

Pray for: God ordained moments with each kid before I leave & strength for the journey ahead (finish well at Bridges & mission to Tanzania)

My prayer for you: That you would have a sweet moment with your Heavenly Father today.

Because of you HIV/AIDS

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

This was left behind by a young girl in one of my classes, I'm starting to realize that often they will leave notes and things behind because they actually want me to read them. I've typed it just as it was written:

I had it all

but it went down

the drain

I couldn’t breath

my eyes were full of tears

my heart was cold

My parents were taken

away from me

friends, anyone I cared for

Because of you I have nothing

but I want to let you know

I’m not afraid of you

Because of you HIV/AIDS

I’m strong

you have not destroyed me

and for that you will not bring me down

All you do is give me strength

to fight you so bring it on!!!

Pray for the millions of kids who could claim this as their own around the world.

Hoop Prayers!

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11

On Wednesdays I coach a group of 12 girls who have signed up to be on the "Basketball Team" at Bridges Academy, which is amazing since they have never really been on a sports team before and there are no other girls teams for us to play as of now. As you can imagine, trying to get them motivated to run 1.5km to the basketball court and then work hard on the court for an hour only to run another 1.5km back to school, is pretty difficult. The first time I made them run for taking too long of a water break they looked at me like I had two heads. So, I dug down deep and pulled out my best Coach Heather speech about being part of a team, sacrificing, feeling good about yourself... then I told them that I had no idea if they would ever play another team but that I was committed praying every night that they would have that opportunity. Two days later the school got an email from the organizer of the boys league saying they were going to start a girls league next term and the first tournament will be August 13th - I almost fell out of my chair when they mentioned it to me casually! I couldn't wait to tell them, some of them were beyond excited and others were a bit worried since they have never really played a team sport and one girl was most concerned about what color their uniforms will be (girls will be girls)!

This may seem like a silly thing to pray for in the midst of so many other predominant needs, however, this is about more than just basketball. It's about establishing self-confidence, being part of a team, competing and most of all... seeing their Heavenly Father care enough to give them a team to play.

Now, start praying for these girls to get some basics down and have fun competing! As for me, you might want to pray that I'm able to tone down my competitive nature - I think I'm scaring them a bit. I'll get some pics to you soon until then here is a link to pics from this weekend: Pictures from hiking

Sweet Home

"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Today I was able to sneak away from the academy and go with Susan, Sisanda & Mama Lulu to the Creche in Sweet Home. There were twice as many kids as the first time. The first time I went, two weeks ago, many of the kids were scared of us because we were white (many have never seen a white person in their township), today when they saw me come in they mobbed me - It was a bit overwhelming! They saw I had a guitar so right away I played some songs - Yes Kristy we did "At a Time Like This" - and they even remembered most of the hand motions from last time. After that we tried to help with lunch but the kids were too anxious to play with us. With only a couple of us there it was challenging to instruct them to play games (since they don't understand English and almost all of them were 4 or younger) so I did some pat-a-cake and invented some jumping games - we couldn't go outside since most of the kids don't have shoes and the lot is full of rocks and glass.

After I tired from endless rounds of jumping and pat-a-cake, I decided I would just pick up each one vying for my attention and hold them for a minute and look them right in the eyes with a smile. Their reactions varied, some looked right back at me with a huge smile; some rested their head on my shoulder; and others were more interested in touching my hair and playing with it. Just about everyone of them gave me a kiss before I set them down and then they would get in line to be picked up again, well sort of a line. There was a moment when an older boy (about 7 or 8) reached out his arms for me to pick him up, so I did and he smiled bigger than the rest, and then it came to me... he was probably Nomokolwa's son (read the post "Ncuma") and he was at the Creche because he can no longer go to the school he's been attending due to her ill-health. I was so thankful God gave me the opportunity to hold him and show him His love through a smile.

As we drove back to the farm, I thought of how I go about my normal days in America and don't even consider how a simple smile or dedicated moment would bless someone. I'm thankful I get the opportunity to be here and walk the journey at Bridges Academy, Sweet Home, and with the Staff here at the Academy and in the Townships and I pray that I will take those opportunities to simply bless someone always and often in my life wherever I am. I pray the same for you.

Pray for the CHE volunteers who run the Creche (pre-school) that God would bless them and provide beyond what they can imagine for this community outreach, training, materials, strength and joy!