We're in London, about 12 hrs from being in Dallas, God willing. Flight from Joburg was super miserable for me, thanks to a lovely knee in my back every two minutes..and I was drugged up, so I couldn't open my eyes, but I was awake. Awful. Computer's about to die, and I have no adapter. Can you say naptime?
once again, thank you, and see you soonish!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 38: Travelin' through
Just a quick one to say we have departed. We're right in the middle of our 7 hr layover in Jo'burg, and will fly out of South Africa at about 8:30p. It's a bit surreal, to be honest. Goodbyes were sad and awkward as it didn't really feel like we were leaving until we flew out. It felt like we were saying, "See you tomorrow" or something.
oh yeah, and on Wednesday we jumped off a 33 story (100m freefall) cliff into the abyss of the Oribi Gorge. Yes it was awesome. Yes I'm alive, and YES i have it on video. I'll try and get it on facebook when I get stateside again. Just know we're pretty much the most hardcore people you'll ever know.
Excited to be going home, sad to be leaving, but so pumped to see what the next 6 months of my life are going to look like. Thank you so so much to everyone who supported our team and me, and know I have been so overly blessed and have grown so much. I'll never be the same.
I'll try and update travel statuses from London! Peace out
Katy
oh yeah, and on Wednesday we jumped off a 33 story (100m freefall) cliff into the abyss of the Oribi Gorge. Yes it was awesome. Yes I'm alive, and YES i have it on video. I'll try and get it on facebook when I get stateside again. Just know we're pretty much the most hardcore people you'll ever know.
Excited to be going home, sad to be leaving, but so pumped to see what the next 6 months of my life are going to look like. Thank you so so much to everyone who supported our team and me, and know I have been so overly blessed and have grown so much. I'll never be the same.
I'll try and update travel statuses from London! Peace out
Katy
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Day 30: Just the Cross
Last week was mostly filled with manual labor at the Youth Centre, painting and cleaning out a flat fro some hands on guys from IMB that'll be here mid-August. Other than that, we got to rest a good bit, saw Harry Potter, and have some good community time with the Becomers and such. I played paintball sunday afternoon. That was awesome. Did quite well, too.
Monday was more manual labor out at the Murchison Community Centre with our brothers Kurt and Kevin from Auburn, AL. We went back out to Rehoboth one last time, too, and that was a very bitter-sweet time. I don't know if I'll ever get to see those children again, but I leave knowing that they are cared for and loved, and forever etched into my heart. That night we had dinner at the Flippo's and sent the Auburn guys off. We'll miss those sweethearts. Consider this a shout out from your "South African" sister, guys. Yesterday we took the morning off and slept in, then went and helped out another US mission team from Washington at the Youth Centre, then went adn watched a Rugby match, which I absolutely LOVED. You think football is a contact sport... All these guys do is smash into each other. It was glorious. Then went and had a fun evening at a pizza joint with the Becomers. A good day.
Today, we went out into a village near the church with a name I can not pronounce or spell. Village meaning mud huts and shanties with tin roofs and 7 people living in a room the size of my bedroom at home. A non profit called Positive Ray has a program that sends community workers into villages all over Kwazulu-Natal to knock on doors and educate people about HIV/AIDS. If they encounter a person already infected, they continue to visit that person to build a relationship, and make sure they get ARV medication. It's really great, apart from the fact that since they have a grant from PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) from the US, they can't preach the name of Jesus. But we sure could! So we went along side the community workey and as they checked on the patients status, we prayed over them and just loved on them, then the workers sang in Zulu and that always blesses me greatly. One house we got to give this man living alone a zulu Bible and it just lit up his life. he said he was saving up money to get one, and he was just overjoyed. It was pretty heartbreaking though, just the status of the homes and the patients, and although most of the patients knew Jesus, it was just a dark area. I was just saying the name of Jesus and praying for whatever I saw as we walked through the rubbish and whatever else was on these paths. The last hut we went to was home to a woman who said she was 20 yrs old, but also said she had a 7 yr old grandchild, so we don't know where the miscommunication there was, but she did not look like a Granny. But when we asked her if she knew Jesus she said no. She didn't speak English, so we were telling her about Jesus and God throught he translator and she said she wanted to ask Jesus to come into her life, so Ami prayed, the translator translated, and the woman, Togo, repeated. The Positive Ray worker explained some more htings about God more clearly to her and we prayed over her and walked back up the hill. Lots of cute little half naked babies, chickens, and mangy dogs. All in all, it was a really great experience, but it was hard to see and be part of.
I really just feel God beating into my heart and soul that I cannot return and live idly and withdraw, even partially, from the work here. Even if I never get to physically come back here, I can't settle for sending a check or cash sometimes. I really have no idea what God has next for me, in terms of future mission's experiences, or things to do in the states, and that kind of makes me anxious to be honest. Last year, I left with a very strong feeling I'd be returning, and knowing I have 8 days left here, and no clue as to whether or not I'll be holding these kids in my arms a year from now, has forced me trust God all the more. I prayed for motivation and for a holy kick in the rear to quit being lazy at home, and I feel like God has slowly been answering that prayer through breaking my heart and hsowing me injustices that I can not tolerate.
Another lesson I've actually enjoyed re-learning very much, is how my only boast, my only claim to joy, is found through the cross, and Jesus' bloody sacrifice for me, so that I can find joy through making Him famous. I can boast in my weaknesses, because God makes me strong, I can boast in the joy of Christ in others, but it all leads back to the cross. It all MUST lead back to the cross. I refuse to let the Gospel become something I just tell to others, and have to continue drilling it's miserable wonder into my heart and soul. I think Satan can soemtimes cheesify the gospel for Christians, and make us forget how much we still need to revel in the power and perfection that was God's sacrifice on our behalf for His glory. I've come to a place where I can honestly say, I find no other joy greater than simply ENjoying the Father and basking in the glorious riches of His fame and holiness, and all that entails, but that joy is dissipated when I neglect to bring it back to the Son.
SO that's my encouragment to you. I found it in 2 Corinthians 1-9. Go back to the cross today, to where the Joy of your salvation originated and put yourself at the foot of it all. Then, when you get off teh floor, look to His holiness and to his powerful, perfect love for you, and how that love is there not to simply BE, but to empower you to present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1).
My time here is almost finished, but it is not. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, and for your obedience to Father, on my behalf.
It's not for us.
Monday was more manual labor out at the Murchison Community Centre with our brothers Kurt and Kevin from Auburn, AL. We went back out to Rehoboth one last time, too, and that was a very bitter-sweet time. I don't know if I'll ever get to see those children again, but I leave knowing that they are cared for and loved, and forever etched into my heart. That night we had dinner at the Flippo's and sent the Auburn guys off. We'll miss those sweethearts. Consider this a shout out from your "South African" sister, guys. Yesterday we took the morning off and slept in, then went and helped out another US mission team from Washington at the Youth Centre, then went adn watched a Rugby match, which I absolutely LOVED. You think football is a contact sport... All these guys do is smash into each other. It was glorious. Then went and had a fun evening at a pizza joint with the Becomers. A good day.
Today, we went out into a village near the church with a name I can not pronounce or spell. Village meaning mud huts and shanties with tin roofs and 7 people living in a room the size of my bedroom at home. A non profit called Positive Ray has a program that sends community workers into villages all over Kwazulu-Natal to knock on doors and educate people about HIV/AIDS. If they encounter a person already infected, they continue to visit that person to build a relationship, and make sure they get ARV medication. It's really great, apart from the fact that since they have a grant from PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) from the US, they can't preach the name of Jesus. But we sure could! So we went along side the community workey and as they checked on the patients status, we prayed over them and just loved on them, then the workers sang in Zulu and that always blesses me greatly. One house we got to give this man living alone a zulu Bible and it just lit up his life. he said he was saving up money to get one, and he was just overjoyed. It was pretty heartbreaking though, just the status of the homes and the patients, and although most of the patients knew Jesus, it was just a dark area. I was just saying the name of Jesus and praying for whatever I saw as we walked through the rubbish and whatever else was on these paths. The last hut we went to was home to a woman who said she was 20 yrs old, but also said she had a 7 yr old grandchild, so we don't know where the miscommunication there was, but she did not look like a Granny. But when we asked her if she knew Jesus she said no. She didn't speak English, so we were telling her about Jesus and God throught he translator and she said she wanted to ask Jesus to come into her life, so Ami prayed, the translator translated, and the woman, Togo, repeated. The Positive Ray worker explained some more htings about God more clearly to her and we prayed over her and walked back up the hill. Lots of cute little half naked babies, chickens, and mangy dogs. All in all, it was a really great experience, but it was hard to see and be part of.
I really just feel God beating into my heart and soul that I cannot return and live idly and withdraw, even partially, from the work here. Even if I never get to physically come back here, I can't settle for sending a check or cash sometimes. I really have no idea what God has next for me, in terms of future mission's experiences, or things to do in the states, and that kind of makes me anxious to be honest. Last year, I left with a very strong feeling I'd be returning, and knowing I have 8 days left here, and no clue as to whether or not I'll be holding these kids in my arms a year from now, has forced me trust God all the more. I prayed for motivation and for a holy kick in the rear to quit being lazy at home, and I feel like God has slowly been answering that prayer through breaking my heart and hsowing me injustices that I can not tolerate.
Another lesson I've actually enjoyed re-learning very much, is how my only boast, my only claim to joy, is found through the cross, and Jesus' bloody sacrifice for me, so that I can find joy through making Him famous. I can boast in my weaknesses, because God makes me strong, I can boast in the joy of Christ in others, but it all leads back to the cross. It all MUST lead back to the cross. I refuse to let the Gospel become something I just tell to others, and have to continue drilling it's miserable wonder into my heart and soul. I think Satan can soemtimes cheesify the gospel for Christians, and make us forget how much we still need to revel in the power and perfection that was God's sacrifice on our behalf for His glory. I've come to a place where I can honestly say, I find no other joy greater than simply ENjoying the Father and basking in the glorious riches of His fame and holiness, and all that entails, but that joy is dissipated when I neglect to bring it back to the Son.
SO that's my encouragment to you. I found it in 2 Corinthians 1-9. Go back to the cross today, to where the Joy of your salvation originated and put yourself at the foot of it all. Then, when you get off teh floor, look to His holiness and to his powerful, perfect love for you, and how that love is there not to simply BE, but to empower you to present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1).
My time here is almost finished, but it is not. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, and for your obedience to Father, on my behalf.
It's not for us.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Day 22: ERs and Waterfalls
South Africa is so inexpensive...And so full of adventures!
So Monday was our three week marker! 21 days in the land of Nelson Mandela (it's his birthday today. Amazing fellow.) This weekend was pretty action packed though. Saturday we went back out to Assissi The Catholic orphanage, and painted and played with kids again. The view out there is absolutely astounding. Better than the gorge. You can see for miles and it's just chock full of rolling hills with colorful rondhavels (thatch huts), trees and sugar cane fields. Beautiful. Saturday night we had a braai ( barbeque) at the Flippo's house which felt like "family" time. I love the community here! Sunday morning we went to church and it was so fun. Pastor Trevor brought the word with great passion as always, and the worship was so encouraging and uplifting. I love how just the presence of God and the worship of his name in a community of believers is enough to bring people closer to Him. It doesn't always take a Holiday club, or expensive campaign. Just say his name and worship him with your life and people see the difference. Mmm.
That beautiful sunny afternoon we went grocery shopping and then headed to St. Michael's beach for our surfing lesson with Byron!!! The water was absolutely freezing, but you get over that when your sitting on a surfboard waiting for some killer pipe, bru. I got up on my 5th try after a few gnarly wipeouts and rode MY wave all the way in. Most exciting and exhilerating thing ever. Not gonna lie, I felt pretty cool. Then Katie W. got up and it was so exciting. We were bein all bold and surfer girl-ish the rest of the afternoon. We were so Blue Crush. I body boarded and swam for awhile longer before we headed back to the apartment and ate dinner and went to bed early. Monday we were suposed to go back and surf again, but the water was just not great so we decided to go hiking with all the becomers in the Oribi Gorge. About 10 minutes into the 2 mile or so hike to this waterfall, I trip over this huge, noticeable, obvious log. I was attempting to jump over and my foot got caught and as I'm catching myself/face planting into the dirt on the opposite side of Mr. Log, my left arm just gives out. So I roll over and I have a huge bruise on my right knee and my left arm is totally limp. But hey, in the words of Rod Kinball, Life is pain, and we have to scrape the joy out of it every chance we get. So I hop up and Amanda constructs a sling out of her shirt and I trudge on. I get feeling back in my arm and it hurts really badly, but it didn't really swell up too much and there was no bone jutting out, so I just hold it up and continue climbing and such. We get to the waterfall, and it's kind of dry, but so so so gorgeous. Like this hike looked like hiking through the set of Lost or something. Picture Jungle, opening up into an opening with water falling over a cliff of shelf-like. If I had a camera you could really picture it :( but still. Awesome. So we hike back and I call Cala and tell her about my arm and she suggests we see a doctor. After having the American doctor have a look, he says we need to head to the emergency room just to make sure it's nothing big, but he thinks there may be a fracture. So Ami and I and the doctor head there, and after x rays and a very expedient, cheap and pleasant experience, find out that we need to come back in the morning when the specialist is there to read the x rays, but there was nothing big from what the doctor could tell. Which was Encouraging news to say the least. So this mornign at about 9:00 am we got there and waited a bit but the specialist made the report and the doctor said there was nothing big and no fractures so if the swelling and pain wasn't gone in about 10 days to come back for another x ray. SO thanks to everyone who prayed against a broken arm! that would've ruined things. I'm planning on doing the big swing over the gorge next weekend so that would ruin things. Plus we are doing mainly manual labor this week, so my one arm will get a work out.
So much of this time has blessed me and grown me and it's been nice to know that even though it's all very emotional work, I don't just feel a strong emotion anymore. The feeling and act of living in obedience and through the spirit has become a lifestyle, and this environment is still much more condusive to that lifestyle, but I feel very encouraged about returning and continuing living in this attitude. Pray that We don't lose that mindset as we're over half way done here. I'd like to say I'm excited to go home, but it's about 70% not excited and 30% excited. It'll be bitter sweet for sure, but God will take care of our hearts.
Miss you all, and praying for your hearts as you pursue whatever obedience is for you this summer/winter.
Katy (still waiting for a sweet Zulu name)
P.S. Sounds like Kitale loves you, Yeah Yeah!!
So Monday was our three week marker! 21 days in the land of Nelson Mandela (it's his birthday today. Amazing fellow.) This weekend was pretty action packed though. Saturday we went back out to Assissi The Catholic orphanage, and painted and played with kids again. The view out there is absolutely astounding. Better than the gorge. You can see for miles and it's just chock full of rolling hills with colorful rondhavels (thatch huts), trees and sugar cane fields. Beautiful. Saturday night we had a braai ( barbeque) at the Flippo's house which felt like "family" time. I love the community here! Sunday morning we went to church and it was so fun. Pastor Trevor brought the word with great passion as always, and the worship was so encouraging and uplifting. I love how just the presence of God and the worship of his name in a community of believers is enough to bring people closer to Him. It doesn't always take a Holiday club, or expensive campaign. Just say his name and worship him with your life and people see the difference. Mmm.
That beautiful sunny afternoon we went grocery shopping and then headed to St. Michael's beach for our surfing lesson with Byron!!! The water was absolutely freezing, but you get over that when your sitting on a surfboard waiting for some killer pipe, bru. I got up on my 5th try after a few gnarly wipeouts and rode MY wave all the way in. Most exciting and exhilerating thing ever. Not gonna lie, I felt pretty cool. Then Katie W. got up and it was so exciting. We were bein all bold and surfer girl-ish the rest of the afternoon. We were so Blue Crush. I body boarded and swam for awhile longer before we headed back to the apartment and ate dinner and went to bed early. Monday we were suposed to go back and surf again, but the water was just not great so we decided to go hiking with all the becomers in the Oribi Gorge. About 10 minutes into the 2 mile or so hike to this waterfall, I trip over this huge, noticeable, obvious log. I was attempting to jump over and my foot got caught and as I'm catching myself/face planting into the dirt on the opposite side of Mr. Log, my left arm just gives out. So I roll over and I have a huge bruise on my right knee and my left arm is totally limp. But hey, in the words of Rod Kinball, Life is pain, and we have to scrape the joy out of it every chance we get. So I hop up and Amanda constructs a sling out of her shirt and I trudge on. I get feeling back in my arm and it hurts really badly, but it didn't really swell up too much and there was no bone jutting out, so I just hold it up and continue climbing and such. We get to the waterfall, and it's kind of dry, but so so so gorgeous. Like this hike looked like hiking through the set of Lost or something. Picture Jungle, opening up into an opening with water falling over a cliff of shelf-like. If I had a camera you could really picture it :( but still. Awesome. So we hike back and I call Cala and tell her about my arm and she suggests we see a doctor. After having the American doctor have a look, he says we need to head to the emergency room just to make sure it's nothing big, but he thinks there may be a fracture. So Ami and I and the doctor head there, and after x rays and a very expedient, cheap and pleasant experience, find out that we need to come back in the morning when the specialist is there to read the x rays, but there was nothing big from what the doctor could tell. Which was Encouraging news to say the least. So this mornign at about 9:00 am we got there and waited a bit but the specialist made the report and the doctor said there was nothing big and no fractures so if the swelling and pain wasn't gone in about 10 days to come back for another x ray. SO thanks to everyone who prayed against a broken arm! that would've ruined things. I'm planning on doing the big swing over the gorge next weekend so that would ruin things. Plus we are doing mainly manual labor this week, so my one arm will get a work out.
So much of this time has blessed me and grown me and it's been nice to know that even though it's all very emotional work, I don't just feel a strong emotion anymore. The feeling and act of living in obedience and through the spirit has become a lifestyle, and this environment is still much more condusive to that lifestyle, but I feel very encouraged about returning and continuing living in this attitude. Pray that We don't lose that mindset as we're over half way done here. I'd like to say I'm excited to go home, but it's about 70% not excited and 30% excited. It'll be bitter sweet for sure, but God will take care of our hearts.
Miss you all, and praying for your hearts as you pursue whatever obedience is for you this summer/winter.
Katy (still waiting for a sweet Zulu name)
P.S. Sounds like Kitale loves you, Yeah Yeah!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Day 18: Love and Oranges
I do eat a lot of oranges now. Probably two a day.
This week has been pretty similar across the board. Out to holiday club in the mornings from 8 to "half past 12", then eating lunch at the church, then going down to the care center, internet-ting, or chilling around the church in the afternoons. Had a couple meetings and various duties, but all in all the afternoons have been very chill. Got to skype with a couple folks who were up in the early morning, Audrey and the brudder, and want to with a few others, but hey.. 7 hours in advance is a lot to ask. Brady's got no excuse being only 1 ahead though.
At night our plans have varied. Just chilled at home on monday, Tuesday we went to the youth house and watched ice age 1 and 2 then went and saw the 3rd one in theatres. Tell me if this doesn't make you mad. It cost us R13.50 to go to the movies which is less than $3.00. UGH. Wednesday we played Coffee Uno which is absolutely the best group game ever. Too much to explain here though. I'm bringing it back to OBU though. Just know that you drink a lot of coffee.
It's been cool to finally feel like I kind of live here. Been here almost 20 days so it's about half way through now. Saw my calendar for the rest of the time we're here and it looks rather short. It's weird.
Praying for you guys at home, and in Kenya, and in London, and in Ghana, and in New Orleans, and in the ME and everywhere else! Miss you.
Be bold, be Jesus
Katy
This week has been pretty similar across the board. Out to holiday club in the mornings from 8 to "half past 12", then eating lunch at the church, then going down to the care center, internet-ting, or chilling around the church in the afternoons. Had a couple meetings and various duties, but all in all the afternoons have been very chill. Got to skype with a couple folks who were up in the early morning, Audrey and the brudder, and want to with a few others, but hey.. 7 hours in advance is a lot to ask. Brady's got no excuse being only 1 ahead though.
At night our plans have varied. Just chilled at home on monday, Tuesday we went to the youth house and watched ice age 1 and 2 then went and saw the 3rd one in theatres. Tell me if this doesn't make you mad. It cost us R13.50 to go to the movies which is less than $3.00. UGH. Wednesday we played Coffee Uno which is absolutely the best group game ever. Too much to explain here though. I'm bringing it back to OBU though. Just know that you drink a lot of coffee.
It's been cool to finally feel like I kind of live here. Been here almost 20 days so it's about half way through now. Saw my calendar for the rest of the time we're here and it looks rather short. It's weird.
Praying for you guys at home, and in Kenya, and in London, and in Ghana, and in New Orleans, and in the ME and everywhere else! Miss you.
Be bold, be Jesus
Katy
Monday, July 13, 2009
Day Eleven. God and Tea
It’s currently Sunday July 12, 2009 at 19:14 and my cup of tea and I have had a restful weekend, and have thought about you restless natives a lot today. So, it is only fitting that I create another little update for you folks who continually bless my life, even though you’ll see this a day afterward, and I just posted a somewhat out of date one.
The youth team left on Friday, leaving Taylor, Jodie and I to the rest of our time. We went to an all day meeting for Holiday Camp in a neighborhood near to the church where we prepared the dramas, art, and other things for the week. We’ll do that all next week in the mornings and a variety of things in the afternoon, depending on transportation and such.
We all finished up the week well going out to Khula club in the mornings to see pastor Joseph, the well, and all 170 of those precious kiddos, runny noses and all. The last day there, Jacob presented the gospel and about 30 kids raised their hands to ask Jesus to take control of their lives! It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. After that we were singing a song in Zulu that says there is no one like Jesus and how we were walking, walking, searching, searching and there was nothing, nothing and there is no one like Jesus. Hearing those kids and our team all singing that was moving in and of itself, but I looked at this one girl, Nancle, and she was singing in a different way than she had been the rest of the week. I could just tell in her happy hands and dancing feet and glowing smile that she understood and I just saw Jesus dancing with her. And as if that wasn’t enough to make me all misty, these other 9 year old-ish boys, that I can never remember their names, were holding my hands and were kind of sad we weren’t coming back. So I asked one if he knew Jesus in his heart and he looked up at me and said “I love Jesus, I love Jesus,” in a serious, but knowing tone, and the other one got my attention and replied the same. It was the sweetest thing ever! And what a privilege to be able to see that physical tangible (audible) fruit that I had prayed for two days ago. A welcome blessing to say the absolute least.
So that was Wednesday morning. We went to Murchison (neighborhood where new community centre is going up) and did bible club there. The first day we had 70 kids and by Wednesday we had over 150. God provided miraculously with food one day, giving us just enough to feed every child exactly (see www.419missions.blogspot.com/southafrica for details), and just really pushed our team physically, but rewarded us with relationships and joy. A 15 yr old boy name Magnificent translated the Bible story into Zulu and helped me teach the craft time by translating which was a huge blessing. He is so smart and such a gentleman and was just a joy to have around. His 14 yr old sister Lady helped us too. Beautiful, both of them.
Thursday morning, we went to Genesis Care Centre for their chapel service. This was a hallmark of our trip. The patients slowly and softly filtered in with a few nurses to aid them, and then this man started to play his accordion and sing with such passion and joy and sheer gratitude that it brought tears to my eyes. He told us God had given him the gift of song, and it was his joy to use it to praise God. Boy, did he. Then Terri Hoover on our team got up nd shared a powerful testimony of redemption and forgiveness and Greg Presented the gospel (all through a translator). Five patients accepted Christ that morning. Five more terminally ill, dying patients will now be rejoicing in heaven in new complete bodies because Jesus called them that morning!! We sang and danced for another 30 minutes as the pastor prayed and sang and nurses danced and cried and screamed (literally) praises and prayers and songs to their Savior King. I think that’s what will be the hardest about coming back…No beautiful Zulu voices filling in the silences and musical breaks and everything in between with sound. So we went from that place, wet with tears of joy and gave some gifts to patients and nurses then went back out to Murchison In a glorious, holy nutshell, about 18 or so kids ages 10 and up gave their hearts to Jesus as well! I was overcome at this point.
I had done a devotional for the team Sunday night and voiced the conviction to pray for physical fruit and all, and God had answered so enormously! We served in one body and of one mind and our reward was His name being glorified beyond our dreams of bringing Him fame. Souls were saved, lives altered, and I felt like I had done nothing, but was so thankful for that feeling. Pride is always one of my biggest shortcomings, and to feel like God had done everything through our futile hands was such a relief and a victory over the Evil one; that we could rejoice in our inadequacies and dance on our insufficiencies! Oh, what joy.
It was hard to see the youth team go, because our hearts had been so connected for so long and so joined through obedience. But at the same time, it was encouraging to know that if the month and a half was kicked off with such a bang, there’s no way God is finished! I got a little homesick this afternoon, but not too bad. I liked it almost. I do have a heart!! But just a shout out to my family: Dad, Mom, Michael, Shannon, Nana, Blestel’s, Savages, and any other Krikorian’s out there, I love you guys and miss you and have been praying for you! Be powerful in New Orleans and eat some beignets for me. And Michael, hold down the Big Apple. And my man Brady holdin’ down Kenya!! OK that’s all I got. I’ve been a little sick the past couple days (Don’t worry mom, just a cold, I got medicine!) and I need some rest and another cup of tea, which I’m up to about 4 cups a day now, so I’ll post this tomorrow and see you all soon!
Be bold, but courageous!
7/13/2009
Holiday club went fantastic! sitting now at the church and internet-ing a bit before we go back to the Apartment, which is absolutely fabulous, by the way. Complete with rockwork and stained cement and wood floors. Beautiful.
Katy
P.S. Reggie Rocket and JCON, I watched those videos you guys left on my photo-booth while I was in Cayman and laughed so much. Kind of made my day ☺ Love you, my boo’s!!! I got some sweet stuffs for our African room too, get excited
The youth team left on Friday, leaving Taylor, Jodie and I to the rest of our time. We went to an all day meeting for Holiday Camp in a neighborhood near to the church where we prepared the dramas, art, and other things for the week. We’ll do that all next week in the mornings and a variety of things in the afternoon, depending on transportation and such.
We all finished up the week well going out to Khula club in the mornings to see pastor Joseph, the well, and all 170 of those precious kiddos, runny noses and all. The last day there, Jacob presented the gospel and about 30 kids raised their hands to ask Jesus to take control of their lives! It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. After that we were singing a song in Zulu that says there is no one like Jesus and how we were walking, walking, searching, searching and there was nothing, nothing and there is no one like Jesus. Hearing those kids and our team all singing that was moving in and of itself, but I looked at this one girl, Nancle, and she was singing in a different way than she had been the rest of the week. I could just tell in her happy hands and dancing feet and glowing smile that she understood and I just saw Jesus dancing with her. And as if that wasn’t enough to make me all misty, these other 9 year old-ish boys, that I can never remember their names, were holding my hands and were kind of sad we weren’t coming back. So I asked one if he knew Jesus in his heart and he looked up at me and said “I love Jesus, I love Jesus,” in a serious, but knowing tone, and the other one got my attention and replied the same. It was the sweetest thing ever! And what a privilege to be able to see that physical tangible (audible) fruit that I had prayed for two days ago. A welcome blessing to say the absolute least.
So that was Wednesday morning. We went to Murchison (neighborhood where new community centre is going up) and did bible club there. The first day we had 70 kids and by Wednesday we had over 150. God provided miraculously with food one day, giving us just enough to feed every child exactly (see www.419missions.blogspot.com/southafrica for details), and just really pushed our team physically, but rewarded us with relationships and joy. A 15 yr old boy name Magnificent translated the Bible story into Zulu and helped me teach the craft time by translating which was a huge blessing. He is so smart and such a gentleman and was just a joy to have around. His 14 yr old sister Lady helped us too. Beautiful, both of them.
Thursday morning, we went to Genesis Care Centre for their chapel service. This was a hallmark of our trip. The patients slowly and softly filtered in with a few nurses to aid them, and then this man started to play his accordion and sing with such passion and joy and sheer gratitude that it brought tears to my eyes. He told us God had given him the gift of song, and it was his joy to use it to praise God. Boy, did he. Then Terri Hoover on our team got up nd shared a powerful testimony of redemption and forgiveness and Greg Presented the gospel (all through a translator). Five patients accepted Christ that morning. Five more terminally ill, dying patients will now be rejoicing in heaven in new complete bodies because Jesus called them that morning!! We sang and danced for another 30 minutes as the pastor prayed and sang and nurses danced and cried and screamed (literally) praises and prayers and songs to their Savior King. I think that’s what will be the hardest about coming back…No beautiful Zulu voices filling in the silences and musical breaks and everything in between with sound. So we went from that place, wet with tears of joy and gave some gifts to patients and nurses then went back out to Murchison In a glorious, holy nutshell, about 18 or so kids ages 10 and up gave their hearts to Jesus as well! I was overcome at this point.
I had done a devotional for the team Sunday night and voiced the conviction to pray for physical fruit and all, and God had answered so enormously! We served in one body and of one mind and our reward was His name being glorified beyond our dreams of bringing Him fame. Souls were saved, lives altered, and I felt like I had done nothing, but was so thankful for that feeling. Pride is always one of my biggest shortcomings, and to feel like God had done everything through our futile hands was such a relief and a victory over the Evil one; that we could rejoice in our inadequacies and dance on our insufficiencies! Oh, what joy.
It was hard to see the youth team go, because our hearts had been so connected for so long and so joined through obedience. But at the same time, it was encouraging to know that if the month and a half was kicked off with such a bang, there’s no way God is finished! I got a little homesick this afternoon, but not too bad. I liked it almost. I do have a heart!! But just a shout out to my family: Dad, Mom, Michael, Shannon, Nana, Blestel’s, Savages, and any other Krikorian’s out there, I love you guys and miss you and have been praying for you! Be powerful in New Orleans and eat some beignets for me. And Michael, hold down the Big Apple. And my man Brady holdin’ down Kenya!! OK that’s all I got. I’ve been a little sick the past couple days (Don’t worry mom, just a cold, I got medicine!) and I need some rest and another cup of tea, which I’m up to about 4 cups a day now, so I’ll post this tomorrow and see you all soon!
Be bold, but courageous!
7/13/2009
Holiday club went fantastic! sitting now at the church and internet-ing a bit before we go back to the Apartment, which is absolutely fabulous, by the way. Complete with rockwork and stained cement and wood floors. Beautiful.
Katy
P.S. Reggie Rocket and JCON, I watched those videos you guys left on my photo-booth while I was in Cayman and laughed so much. Kind of made my day ☺ Love you, my boo’s!!! I got some sweet stuffs for our African room too, get excited
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Day four and on
These are from day four through the end of the youth trip. I'm sitting in Norwegian Settler's Church on Sunday July 12,2009 and I'm excited about the next week! Read up:
Today was the fourth full day, for me. July 5th 5:00 pm currently. Is it weird I feel like time is just going to fly by?
The last day you heard about was Thursday, so I’ll sum things up best I can. Friday was an amazing day. Returned to Rehoboth for the whole morning and played and sang and watched them dance and held babies and played house and made imaginary sand food and had a fabulous time. I was reunited with some kids I didn’t see the first day, and learned some Zulu songs. Just 4 and a half of the best hours you can imagine for someone who’s heart is just in bliss. I let most of the kids write their names on my converse with sharpies. Most amazing art ever. I’d be playing with or holding Mpilo or Nosipo or Brightness or Ncamsile and just look up and see the rolling, giant, beautiful hills and valleys covered with sugar cane, rock, trees, grass…goodness. The overwhelming moments come in waves and you just have to stop and say “Thank you” or “Praise God, you are so Holy” or “I can NOT believe what I am doing right now..” That’s the best way to describe how it works inside of me. I like to stop and feel things and make a memory or just make sure my heart stays aware of what it’s doing.
I would be holding a child and just stare at his/her hands, feet, arms, face, hair and just try my best to capture the feeling and emotions associated with that child. The best I can describe what I feel/felt when I hold one of the orphans or look into their eyes is that I’m holding the hands of Christ. I’m playing with chalk with Jesus. And He’s looking right back through me. There is nothing more soul piercing than the deep eyes of these children. There aren’t words to describe how humbling it all is and how overwhelmingly bitter sweet this experience has and will continue to be. Still in awe, and hope I stay there.
After that we ate at the church, where I found out I was to play guitar and sing in worship Sunday morning at church with Steve Flippo and others. Needless to say, I was very nervous. Never done that before, but have felt for awhile God kind of preparing me and stretching me towards being ok with sharing those gifts. So we practiced while the rest of the tem went to the hospice. When I got over there, it was clear hearts were breaking/broken already. I had missed Sharon’s intro to the care centre unfortunately and walked into the lobby pretty terrified as usual. I looked for someone to walk in with and kind of followed people around for awhile until I finally just waited outside with Steve and Sam.
Saturday we went on another game drive at Tala Game Reserve outside Durban and saw way, way more than at lake eland. It was much bigger and had more bush areas and then more plains areas. I saw a whole herd of Giraffe, wildebeest, RHINOS, HIPPOS (my new favorite maybe), it was just so so neat. Just made the whole Africa thing sink in all the way. Almost got charged by a wart hog, but I calmed him with my hog whispering skills.
Sunday I played guitar and sang at Margate Baptist with Steve and his son and a Zulu boy named Bonge (BONG-ah) who is my new friend, and the rest of the team enjoyed Pastor Trevor at Norwegians. It went well enough for my first time. My fingers were absolutely killing me before we even started, but I prayed God would just make them numb and he totally did. Then that afternoon we went out to a Catholic orphanage further inland called Assisi that the youth service team at Norwegians has a partnership with. Held a precious child who never said a word other than a laugh occasionally and he just fell asleep sitting up on my chest. It was magical.
7/6/2009 13:00
This morning was the most joyful of all the moments as of yet. We went to Kulu (a rural village) this morning where Jacob Way’s fundraiser (Hawks Care) raised $16,000 (only 5K was needed) to put in a well that will provide water for a huge community and save, change, and enhance literally hundreds of lives. They broke water at the well within the first 3 hours of drilling, which is un heard of, three days ago. Today we stood around that very well. That one year ago was an idea in an airport in the head of a willing vessel. We prayed, cried, sang, knelt, ran the dirt through our fingers, and just stood in awe of God’s wonderful power and provision and grace over this land. It was so humbling and such a touching time. They are putting the pump in today for it, and within an hour or so, people will have drinkable water there! The magnitude of the impact of this well for this community is so, so huge. There aren’t words. The rest of the time we just played and sang in Zulu about how great God is. Blissful.
In the afternoon, we went to Murchison where about 70 kids came out and we told stories, fed them probably the only meal they had that day, and did a little craft with them. Saw a lot of younger girls and couldn’t help but feel what their life must be like. There was a 15 yr old boy there named Magnificent who was so uplifting though. He translated for me while I explained crafts, and Charlie who told the story of Jonah, and just kept telling us how glad he was that we had come. He was the one who brought the children there. We pulled up and there was about six kids around, and he brought 70 more. We went to Rehoboth for about 30 minutes after that to see Alfons and Yvonne the directors there for a bit, and visit with the kids again. I’ve never been so joyfully greeted in my life. Mpilo especially just lights up my heart. If any of you were involved in the fundraiser some girls put on called Formally Yours that resold prom dresses, that money was presented to Rehoboth today to pay for furnishings in the Midway house they are building to house some boys there that are about to move into town with a house couple and be the first to experience the next part of Alfons and Yvonne’s vision to be able to continue pouring into these kids life even when they outgrow the orphanage. Lebo, Mbongeni, and Spehcicle, boys we’ve gotten to know well over the past two years, will move there soon, and the money provided by those girls fundraiser made that possible.
Here’s what I’ve observed God doing in me/to me. He is stripping away all my crutches. All my little security blankets, that weren’t necessarily bad things, just little ways in which I didn’t have to totally trust him. Leadership roles I wasn’t expecting, experiences I thought I could skirt by without giving everything I had, and even people I wasn’t expecting to be challenged by. It’s hard and makes me so vulnerable, but I prayed for it, and feel like I am being refined by fire. Painful, consuming fire. Word to the wise: don’t pray these prayers and expect God not to answer them, if you were serious when you asked. Being on my knees in tears around that well, and seeing the overflow of Jacob’s heart I tears in that sand around the well, along with the fact that those three boys we’ve loved will be affected by high school girls who had no idea who they were a week ago, was just the most incredible display of God’s heart to me. I know the climax of my experience is still to come, but I can not imagine what could be better. I did a devotional for the team over Colossians 1:9-14 (read that…all of Colossians 1 is where I’m living right now) and what a “Life worthy of the Lord” looks like for us this week. God really put it on my heart to pray for physical, tangible fruit as a result of good works done through us, but by him, in these communities and that water well, Rehoboth, and Murchison are nothing short of the results we should expect when we allow the Spirit to work in and through us and our gifts. As a result of these experiences, I feel like we’re growing individually and as a group in the knowledge of God, and that is mightily empowering us with great endurance and patience in order to complete the good works to bear tangible and intangible fruit. It’s a beautiful cycle being displayed in front of us throughout these two weeks.
The youth team leaves on Friday morning and Taylor, Jodie and I begin the next 4 weeks of our experience here in South Africa. We’ll do a children’s holiday club (VBS) along side two guys from Auburn University, and some volunteers from Scripture Union (organization at Norwegian’s that does community outreach) the week of the 13th-17th and after that details are vague, but it looks like we’ll be very busy. I’m very anxious to see what Father has on his agenda for us, but it’s just that: His agenda. Surrendering to that is really more comforting than dwelling in the doubtful side of uncertainty. SO I’m choosing to hang out on the no worries side of uncertainty. It’s like making a really good playlist on your iPod then putting it on shuffle. You know there’s good stuff coming up, but you don’t know what song is next. Some of you probably can’t relate, but hey…I’m “that” generation.
Akekoh ofana nojesu! Some Zulu for you. It means “There is no one like Jesus”. And that is so true, and so evident here and everywhere. Do not be surprised when he comes through, or shows up, or answers prayers, because that’s who He is. Thank you so much for your prayers, and continued support. We feel them, I feel them, and from the top, bottom and middle of my heart I thank you, but challenge you to see how God is moving around you today, and resist the urge to withdraw and simply read about his power. What a shame that would be to get up from the computer and say “That’s nice.” Make it real.
Siyabonga! (Thank you)
Katy
Today was the fourth full day, for me. July 5th 5:00 pm currently. Is it weird I feel like time is just going to fly by?
The last day you heard about was Thursday, so I’ll sum things up best I can. Friday was an amazing day. Returned to Rehoboth for the whole morning and played and sang and watched them dance and held babies and played house and made imaginary sand food and had a fabulous time. I was reunited with some kids I didn’t see the first day, and learned some Zulu songs. Just 4 and a half of the best hours you can imagine for someone who’s heart is just in bliss. I let most of the kids write their names on my converse with sharpies. Most amazing art ever. I’d be playing with or holding Mpilo or Nosipo or Brightness or Ncamsile and just look up and see the rolling, giant, beautiful hills and valleys covered with sugar cane, rock, trees, grass…goodness. The overwhelming moments come in waves and you just have to stop and say “Thank you” or “Praise God, you are so Holy” or “I can NOT believe what I am doing right now..” That’s the best way to describe how it works inside of me. I like to stop and feel things and make a memory or just make sure my heart stays aware of what it’s doing.
I would be holding a child and just stare at his/her hands, feet, arms, face, hair and just try my best to capture the feeling and emotions associated with that child. The best I can describe what I feel/felt when I hold one of the orphans or look into their eyes is that I’m holding the hands of Christ. I’m playing with chalk with Jesus. And He’s looking right back through me. There is nothing more soul piercing than the deep eyes of these children. There aren’t words to describe how humbling it all is and how overwhelmingly bitter sweet this experience has and will continue to be. Still in awe, and hope I stay there.
After that we ate at the church, where I found out I was to play guitar and sing in worship Sunday morning at church with Steve Flippo and others. Needless to say, I was very nervous. Never done that before, but have felt for awhile God kind of preparing me and stretching me towards being ok with sharing those gifts. So we practiced while the rest of the tem went to the hospice. When I got over there, it was clear hearts were breaking/broken already. I had missed Sharon’s intro to the care centre unfortunately and walked into the lobby pretty terrified as usual. I looked for someone to walk in with and kind of followed people around for awhile until I finally just waited outside with Steve and Sam.
Saturday we went on another game drive at Tala Game Reserve outside Durban and saw way, way more than at lake eland. It was much bigger and had more bush areas and then more plains areas. I saw a whole herd of Giraffe, wildebeest, RHINOS, HIPPOS (my new favorite maybe), it was just so so neat. Just made the whole Africa thing sink in all the way. Almost got charged by a wart hog, but I calmed him with my hog whispering skills.
Sunday I played guitar and sang at Margate Baptist with Steve and his son and a Zulu boy named Bonge (BONG-ah) who is my new friend, and the rest of the team enjoyed Pastor Trevor at Norwegians. It went well enough for my first time. My fingers were absolutely killing me before we even started, but I prayed God would just make them numb and he totally did. Then that afternoon we went out to a Catholic orphanage further inland called Assisi that the youth service team at Norwegians has a partnership with. Held a precious child who never said a word other than a laugh occasionally and he just fell asleep sitting up on my chest. It was magical.
7/6/2009 13:00
This morning was the most joyful of all the moments as of yet. We went to Kulu (a rural village) this morning where Jacob Way’s fundraiser (Hawks Care) raised $16,000 (only 5K was needed) to put in a well that will provide water for a huge community and save, change, and enhance literally hundreds of lives. They broke water at the well within the first 3 hours of drilling, which is un heard of, three days ago. Today we stood around that very well. That one year ago was an idea in an airport in the head of a willing vessel. We prayed, cried, sang, knelt, ran the dirt through our fingers, and just stood in awe of God’s wonderful power and provision and grace over this land. It was so humbling and such a touching time. They are putting the pump in today for it, and within an hour or so, people will have drinkable water there! The magnitude of the impact of this well for this community is so, so huge. There aren’t words. The rest of the time we just played and sang in Zulu about how great God is. Blissful.
In the afternoon, we went to Murchison where about 70 kids came out and we told stories, fed them probably the only meal they had that day, and did a little craft with them. Saw a lot of younger girls and couldn’t help but feel what their life must be like. There was a 15 yr old boy there named Magnificent who was so uplifting though. He translated for me while I explained crafts, and Charlie who told the story of Jonah, and just kept telling us how glad he was that we had come. He was the one who brought the children there. We pulled up and there was about six kids around, and he brought 70 more. We went to Rehoboth for about 30 minutes after that to see Alfons and Yvonne the directors there for a bit, and visit with the kids again. I’ve never been so joyfully greeted in my life. Mpilo especially just lights up my heart. If any of you were involved in the fundraiser some girls put on called Formally Yours that resold prom dresses, that money was presented to Rehoboth today to pay for furnishings in the Midway house they are building to house some boys there that are about to move into town with a house couple and be the first to experience the next part of Alfons and Yvonne’s vision to be able to continue pouring into these kids life even when they outgrow the orphanage. Lebo, Mbongeni, and Spehcicle, boys we’ve gotten to know well over the past two years, will move there soon, and the money provided by those girls fundraiser made that possible.
Here’s what I’ve observed God doing in me/to me. He is stripping away all my crutches. All my little security blankets, that weren’t necessarily bad things, just little ways in which I didn’t have to totally trust him. Leadership roles I wasn’t expecting, experiences I thought I could skirt by without giving everything I had, and even people I wasn’t expecting to be challenged by. It’s hard and makes me so vulnerable, but I prayed for it, and feel like I am being refined by fire. Painful, consuming fire. Word to the wise: don’t pray these prayers and expect God not to answer them, if you were serious when you asked. Being on my knees in tears around that well, and seeing the overflow of Jacob’s heart I tears in that sand around the well, along with the fact that those three boys we’ve loved will be affected by high school girls who had no idea who they were a week ago, was just the most incredible display of God’s heart to me. I know the climax of my experience is still to come, but I can not imagine what could be better. I did a devotional for the team over Colossians 1:9-14 (read that…all of Colossians 1 is where I’m living right now) and what a “Life worthy of the Lord” looks like for us this week. God really put it on my heart to pray for physical, tangible fruit as a result of good works done through us, but by him, in these communities and that water well, Rehoboth, and Murchison are nothing short of the results we should expect when we allow the Spirit to work in and through us and our gifts. As a result of these experiences, I feel like we’re growing individually and as a group in the knowledge of God, and that is mightily empowering us with great endurance and patience in order to complete the good works to bear tangible and intangible fruit. It’s a beautiful cycle being displayed in front of us throughout these two weeks.
The youth team leaves on Friday morning and Taylor, Jodie and I begin the next 4 weeks of our experience here in South Africa. We’ll do a children’s holiday club (VBS) along side two guys from Auburn University, and some volunteers from Scripture Union (organization at Norwegian’s that does community outreach) the week of the 13th-17th and after that details are vague, but it looks like we’ll be very busy. I’m very anxious to see what Father has on his agenda for us, but it’s just that: His agenda. Surrendering to that is really more comforting than dwelling in the doubtful side of uncertainty. SO I’m choosing to hang out on the no worries side of uncertainty. It’s like making a really good playlist on your iPod then putting it on shuffle. You know there’s good stuff coming up, but you don’t know what song is next. Some of you probably can’t relate, but hey…I’m “that” generation.
Akekoh ofana nojesu! Some Zulu for you. It means “There is no one like Jesus”. And that is so true, and so evident here and everywhere. Do not be surprised when he comes through, or shows up, or answers prayers, because that’s who He is. Thank you so much for your prayers, and continued support. We feel them, I feel them, and from the top, bottom and middle of my heart I thank you, but challenge you to see how God is moving around you today, and resist the urge to withdraw and simply read about his power. What a shame that would be to get up from the computer and say “That’s nice.” Make it real.
Siyabonga! (Thank you)
Katy
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