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
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Day Two and Through
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADY CANRIGHT!!!!! So sorry I’m not there, but so happy you’re a year older. Hope you just had the most marvelous time and continue to. It’s your birthday week! I miss you.
So it was day two today. This morning while the rest of the youth team went to Rehoboth orphanage, Taylor, Jodie, and I went to a meeting at the Scripture Union (organization on the property of Norwegian Settlers Church in charge of various youth events in the community) for the camp we’ll be a part of the week after next. I’ll be helping with grade 2-3 and be a part of the drama team. A lovely British girl by the name of Jess organized a brilliant (notice the South African/British lingo) little holiday camp (VBS to us ‘mericans) with the themes of spies. Very impressive. So we met for about two hours for that and met lots of new friends. Also, being surrounded by accents has already leaked into my speech. Today, I ordered a Fanta (FAWN-tuh) instead of a Fanta (FAN-ta). Taylor caught me…I’m coming home with a British accent so get ready! I’m going to sound 10 times more intelligent.
We got done with the meeting and were able to make it out to Rehoboth for about 20 minutes and let me tell you how my heart leapt at the sight of those faces. The faces that had been my screensaver, wall coverings, and dwelt in my heart for a year were in my hands and arms once again, and oh what a reminder of God’s grace and love they were to my heart. Joy of joys. I remembered their names, and faces, although some were missing due to death and adoption, which was a bitter sweet realization, but there were new faces too! The team was so blessed by their time their, and the children were right at home in their hands. One of our believing bus drivers was so moved by the love and selflessness displayed by Jesus through our team, that he asked about the Flippo’s and how he could get involved at the church and how he could pray!
“And they will know you are my followers by your love for each other…”
In action.
We drove back to Lake Eland Game Reserve, where we stayed last summer, and ate a lovely lunch of venison burgers and chips (fries), and FAWN-ta. Then we went on a game drive through the reserve and we saw lots of eland, springbok, antelope, impala (all deer-like animals) and TONS of giraffes up close! I’ll put some pictures up of that, but oh my goodness. Coolest thing ever. Then we went over the suspension bridge, which I did last year, and took some sweet pictures up there. I am determined to do the jump over the Oribi gorge this summer sometime. It’s like a giant swing your harnessed to and they drop you from 33 stories high and you swing through the air. Like skydiving pretty much. Biggest jump IN THE WORLD. Nuts.
I got super dusty, super happy, super blessed, and super clean all in one day, and tomorrow we return to Rehoboth and I get to hear those children sing, and see them dance and I can not wait. I can already feel that my time here is going to fly by, and I’m not even going to countdown, so I’ll be back August 7th and not a day earlier. I miss home, but this is home right now, in the will of my savior, and where my comfort and heart will stay until he calls me elsewhere.
Keep praying, keep surrendering, keep being obedient where you are.
Read Colossians 1:9-14. I was encouraged by that tonight. Now we’re on the same page.
Katy
So it was day two today. This morning while the rest of the youth team went to Rehoboth orphanage, Taylor, Jodie, and I went to a meeting at the Scripture Union (organization on the property of Norwegian Settlers Church in charge of various youth events in the community) for the camp we’ll be a part of the week after next. I’ll be helping with grade 2-3 and be a part of the drama team. A lovely British girl by the name of Jess organized a brilliant (notice the South African/British lingo) little holiday camp (VBS to us ‘mericans) with the themes of spies. Very impressive. So we met for about two hours for that and met lots of new friends. Also, being surrounded by accents has already leaked into my speech. Today, I ordered a Fanta (FAWN-tuh) instead of a Fanta (FAN-ta). Taylor caught me…I’m coming home with a British accent so get ready! I’m going to sound 10 times more intelligent.
We got done with the meeting and were able to make it out to Rehoboth for about 20 minutes and let me tell you how my heart leapt at the sight of those faces. The faces that had been my screensaver, wall coverings, and dwelt in my heart for a year were in my hands and arms once again, and oh what a reminder of God’s grace and love they were to my heart. Joy of joys. I remembered their names, and faces, although some were missing due to death and adoption, which was a bitter sweet realization, but there were new faces too! The team was so blessed by their time their, and the children were right at home in their hands. One of our believing bus drivers was so moved by the love and selflessness displayed by Jesus through our team, that he asked about the Flippo’s and how he could get involved at the church and how he could pray!
“And they will know you are my followers by your love for each other…”
In action.
We drove back to Lake Eland Game Reserve, where we stayed last summer, and ate a lovely lunch of venison burgers and chips (fries), and FAWN-ta. Then we went on a game drive through the reserve and we saw lots of eland, springbok, antelope, impala (all deer-like animals) and TONS of giraffes up close! I’ll put some pictures up of that, but oh my goodness. Coolest thing ever. Then we went over the suspension bridge, which I did last year, and took some sweet pictures up there. I am determined to do the jump over the Oribi gorge this summer sometime. It’s like a giant swing your harnessed to and they drop you from 33 stories high and you swing through the air. Like skydiving pretty much. Biggest jump IN THE WORLD. Nuts.
I got super dusty, super happy, super blessed, and super clean all in one day, and tomorrow we return to Rehoboth and I get to hear those children sing, and see them dance and I can not wait. I can already feel that my time here is going to fly by, and I’m not even going to countdown, so I’ll be back August 7th and not a day earlier. I miss home, but this is home right now, in the will of my savior, and where my comfort and heart will stay until he calls me elsewhere.
Keep praying, keep surrendering, keep being obedient where you are.
Read Colossians 1:9-14. I was encouraged by that tonight. Now we’re on the same page.
Katy
Day One and Done
We’re here! It’s currently 8:07 pm on Wednesday July 1, 2009. We left on Monday June 29th… It just felt like one long day that was actually three. Nuts. But we got to London fine, and did the fastest walking tour of London that has ever been completed. Sites we hit in four hours included: Big Ben, Parliament, London Eye, Tower of London, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, a quaint little eatery by the bridge where a grilled chicken melt graced my tummy, and then we proceeded back to Heathrow Airport and flew to Johannesburg (Jo’burg affectionately), South Africa. I made friends with the captain of our plain in the elevator down to the gate, and he found out we were a Christian group, and asked me to sing him a gospel song. Naturally, I said I was a famous singer and didn’t do that kind of stuff for free. So he asked my name and where I was sitting on the plane, and said that he was going to call me out over the speaker to grace the plane with a song.. I kind of thought he was kidding, but he really wasn’t. He said after announcing the weather in Jo’burg and all that jazz that he had a special announcement: indeed, a famous Gospel singer was sitting in seat 34G and was going to grace the plane with a tune before take off. An old man and our group were the only people who really thought it was funny. But still. Who else can say the captain of a 747 lied about their musical skills to a plane full of people?
Anywho, a pleasant 11 hours in the air later, we were in Durban! Nice, chilly, pleasant, African, Durban. We were greeted by all of our luggage, and a very cheery Cala and Sara Beth Flippo (The Flippo’s are the M family who are stationed here in South Africa). We hopped on busses and drove to the Port Shepstone area about an hour away from Durban. We dropped our bags off at Skogheim (SKOGE-hime) Christian Conference Center where we’re staying, and ate a lovely lunch at the Waffle House (not what you’re thinking). After that we came back and showered for the first time since Monday, (or Sunday for some of us, but definitely not me), then had a little orientation time with Cala where she briefed us on some Zulu culture and greetings, and really gave us a taste of what their vision is for our time here, and as a whole. It is a beautiful vision, and we all feel more then blessed and less than worthy to be a part of what Father is doing in and through them for the unreached here in the Kwazulu-Natal region of South Africa.
On the plane from London to Jo’burg, I was reading in Isaiah. I wasn’t really feeling nervous, so much as anxious about how God would make a statement or reveal himself to me and the team even in the first day on the ground when we wouldn’t really be doing ministry, so much as getting acquainted with some things. But he showed up to me before we even landed:
• Isaiah 40:8- The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever.
• Isaiah 46:8-11
o “Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you transgressors. Remember the former things, those long past, for I am God, and there is no other. I am God and there is no one like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established. And I will accomplish all my good pleasure…’”
He is so sovereign. He is so big. I am so powerless. I am so small. But I’m serving that God. He’s letting me be a part of his ancient work, he planned long ago, and that is more than enough to quell my anxiety. Praise God.
The team will go to Rehoboth, the orphanage tomorrow, but Taylor, Jodi, and I who are staying longer will be going to a meeting for the camp we’re doing after they leave, so we’ll miss the first morning out.
I’m going to post this as soon as I have internet, but you’ll be reading it after the fact, and I’m storing my computer at the Flippo’s house for safe(r) keeping (Momma) until apartment time.
I miss home, and it’s lovely, scruffy faces, but am overjoyed at the blessing of this time. Thanks for sending me and supporting me with continued prayers and thought. We feel them all.
Love you all!
Katy
Anywho, a pleasant 11 hours in the air later, we were in Durban! Nice, chilly, pleasant, African, Durban. We were greeted by all of our luggage, and a very cheery Cala and Sara Beth Flippo (The Flippo’s are the M family who are stationed here in South Africa). We hopped on busses and drove to the Port Shepstone area about an hour away from Durban. We dropped our bags off at Skogheim (SKOGE-hime) Christian Conference Center where we’re staying, and ate a lovely lunch at the Waffle House (not what you’re thinking). After that we came back and showered for the first time since Monday, (or Sunday for some of us, but definitely not me), then had a little orientation time with Cala where she briefed us on some Zulu culture and greetings, and really gave us a taste of what their vision is for our time here, and as a whole. It is a beautiful vision, and we all feel more then blessed and less than worthy to be a part of what Father is doing in and through them for the unreached here in the Kwazulu-Natal region of South Africa.
On the plane from London to Jo’burg, I was reading in Isaiah. I wasn’t really feeling nervous, so much as anxious about how God would make a statement or reveal himself to me and the team even in the first day on the ground when we wouldn’t really be doing ministry, so much as getting acquainted with some things. But he showed up to me before we even landed:
• Isaiah 40:8- The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever.
• Isaiah 46:8-11
o “Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you transgressors. Remember the former things, those long past, for I am God, and there is no other. I am God and there is no one like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established. And I will accomplish all my good pleasure…’”
He is so sovereign. He is so big. I am so powerless. I am so small. But I’m serving that God. He’s letting me be a part of his ancient work, he planned long ago, and that is more than enough to quell my anxiety. Praise God.
The team will go to Rehoboth, the orphanage tomorrow, but Taylor, Jodi, and I who are staying longer will be going to a meeting for the camp we’re doing after they leave, so we’ll miss the first morning out.
I’m going to post this as soon as I have internet, but you’ll be reading it after the fact, and I’m storing my computer at the Flippo’s house for safe(r) keeping (Momma) until apartment time.
I miss home, and it’s lovely, scruffy faces, but am overjoyed at the blessing of this time. Thanks for sending me and supporting me with continued prayers and thought. We feel them all.
Love you all!
Katy
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Stranger things have happened in a year's time
I leave Monday for South Africa until August 7th! I will be updating this blog frequently I anticipate, so be checking back throughout the summer for updates and pictures on here and facebook!
www.katykrik.blogspot.com
Pray pray..I'll miss you State side people.
Read Isaiah 46 if you ever question God's power over anything. And oh how this God loves us.
Be safe and courageous my friends.
Katy
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Hi, My Name is:
I mentioned a couple posts back about trying to tag stages of my life with adjectives (or other grammatical words, as I'm not sure what this coming word is) , and I think I have a new one:
This stage is called Digging.
Digging through thoughts, Digging through decisions, Digging through feelings, Digging through my spirit.
I couldn't tell you in so many words what I'm Digging "for" persay, maybe because I haven't finished yet. Kind of waiting for that tell-tale "Thump" that always happens when people are Digging for a chest, or coffin, or time-capsule in movies. I'm waiting for the shovel to hit something solid.
Maybe I can say what I'm NOT Digging for? Yeah, I'll try that.
I'm not Digging for contentment, as I don't want to be content with where I am right now, and I mean that in a non-locational sense. I don't know if I ever want to be content. Not that it wouldn' be nice, it just seems kind of dangerous.
I'm not Digging for answers, which is strange, because I don't have a lot of questions right now. For the first time in a long time I am not consumed with curiosity. Praise.
I'm not Digging for happiness, because I am not sad. But at the same time, I'm not completely happy. And that's ok . Happy people normally don't go around Digging.
I'm not Digging for treasure. I'm fairly sure of that, but I won't complain if that's what I find.
I think most of all, I'm not Digging just for the sake of Digging. That's a good thing to know.
And so, I wait for a thump; something to tell me that this pile of dirt behind me was covering something important.
But maybe, I just needed to Dig.
This stage is called Digging.
Digging through thoughts, Digging through decisions, Digging through feelings, Digging through my spirit.
I couldn't tell you in so many words what I'm Digging "for" persay, maybe because I haven't finished yet. Kind of waiting for that tell-tale "Thump" that always happens when people are Digging for a chest, or coffin, or time-capsule in movies. I'm waiting for the shovel to hit something solid.
Maybe I can say what I'm NOT Digging for? Yeah, I'll try that.
I'm not Digging for contentment, as I don't want to be content with where I am right now, and I mean that in a non-locational sense. I don't know if I ever want to be content. Not that it wouldn' be nice, it just seems kind of dangerous.
I'm not Digging for answers, which is strange, because I don't have a lot of questions right now. For the first time in a long time I am not consumed with curiosity. Praise.
I'm not Digging for happiness, because I am not sad. But at the same time, I'm not completely happy. And that's ok . Happy people normally don't go around Digging.
I'm not Digging for treasure. I'm fairly sure of that, but I won't complain if that's what I find.
I think most of all, I'm not Digging just for the sake of Digging. That's a good thing to know.
And so, I wait for a thump; something to tell me that this pile of dirt behind me was covering something important.
But maybe, I just needed to Dig.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Swings in that Park
Tonight, I cried..
A tear for him, tears for her.
But mostly, I cried for them. I cried for them all.
I think they needed someone to cry for them.
Tonight, I cried.
A tear for him, tears for her.
But mostly, I cried for them. I cried for them all.
I think they needed someone to cry for them.
Tonight, I cried.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Changing of the Seasons
I think this one's gonna be really different. I think all Christmases are, but this one is going to be the most different Christmas season I've had in many years. Im surrounded by completely different people than I have been the past four years, I can't really buy any Christmas presents (which is upsetting as I usually love buying everyone thoughtful gifts) due to lack of funds. I've grown a lot, and appreciate different things in different ways now, but also I appreciate old things in new ways. Come to think of it, there's not really one thing that is the same other than family Christmas stuff, but even that might be a little bit different.
Change comes like snow this time of year. Unpredictable yet fragile, as if a doubtful thought or glance upward might scare the beautiful, mysterious fluff away.
Here's the thing.. It seems as if nothing but change has been happening to my life since Summer of this year started. And there was a multitude of triggers for this change. And how I react to all the changes has been the determining factor of the next change that happens. I said I wanted change, and I did/do, but I'm still waiting for it to level out and plateau. I guess where the snow comes in is how unpredictable and gently powerful all this has been in my life. But at the same time, how delicate this time has been.(Like snow? just roll with it) Now, how do you deal with something like this? I wish I knew. I'm stuck doing trial and error most of the time.
This brings us back to now, and Christmas time. I had kind of hoped things would be all smooth and creamy by now, but, lo and behold, I have no clue what's ahead.. in the slightest. BUT we're rolling with that. God has me in this perpetual limbo of uncertainty and inefficiency, and Gods knows when that will end. I think that's where we're (and by we're I mean "I'm") supposed to be now, if not always.
On the up side of things, I've been thinking this week of how much God has blessed me this second half of the year with the most wonderful new friends of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors, hair styles, and etc. He's put a smattering of different personalites in my path and I have never laughed so much, smiled so much, been so full, or thankful in a very long time. I will miss so very much some old Christmas traditons with old friends, but I'm excited to see what will come of these new blessings. What is Christmas for if not for that perpetual feeling of the nostalgic "warm fuzzies", or for giving giving giving? And first and oh so foremost, what is Christmas for if not for remembering that a perfect, sovereign, mighty, precious, beautiful, loving, just God became a baby in Jesus Christ so that His people could worship Him forever in Heaven and on Earth until the last of days.
Well, there's that...
P.S. Most of you have discovered or experienced my strange love for cold weather. Today was the coldest day of the year so far. Dark, gloomy, overcast, lovely, a bit transcendental when you look at the sky. Kind of made everything swirl together and calm down in my head. Freezing, but a beautiful day.
Change comes like snow this time of year. Unpredictable yet fragile, as if a doubtful thought or glance upward might scare the beautiful, mysterious fluff away.
Here's the thing.. It seems as if nothing but change has been happening to my life since Summer of this year started. And there was a multitude of triggers for this change. And how I react to all the changes has been the determining factor of the next change that happens. I said I wanted change, and I did/do, but I'm still waiting for it to level out and plateau. I guess where the snow comes in is how unpredictable and gently powerful all this has been in my life. But at the same time, how delicate this time has been.(Like snow? just roll with it) Now, how do you deal with something like this? I wish I knew. I'm stuck doing trial and error most of the time.
This brings us back to now, and Christmas time. I had kind of hoped things would be all smooth and creamy by now, but, lo and behold, I have no clue what's ahead.. in the slightest. BUT we're rolling with that. God has me in this perpetual limbo of uncertainty and inefficiency, and Gods knows when that will end. I think that's where we're (and by we're I mean "I'm") supposed to be now, if not always.
On the up side of things, I've been thinking this week of how much God has blessed me this second half of the year with the most wonderful new friends of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors, hair styles, and etc. He's put a smattering of different personalites in my path and I have never laughed so much, smiled so much, been so full, or thankful in a very long time. I will miss so very much some old Christmas traditons with old friends, but I'm excited to see what will come of these new blessings. What is Christmas for if not for that perpetual feeling of the nostalgic "warm fuzzies", or for giving giving giving? And first and oh so foremost, what is Christmas for if not for remembering that a perfect, sovereign, mighty, precious, beautiful, loving, just God became a baby in Jesus Christ so that His people could worship Him forever in Heaven and on Earth until the last of days.
Well, there's that...
P.S. Most of you have discovered or experienced my strange love for cold weather. Today was the coldest day of the year so far. Dark, gloomy, overcast, lovely, a bit transcendental when you look at the sky. Kind of made everything swirl together and calm down in my head. Freezing, but a beautiful day.
Monday, October 27, 2008
9(nine) hours: An Adventure through Shuffle
Time completely alone is such a uniquely fabulous thing.
There have not been many times,recently, that I am completely alone with my thoughts for a prolonged amount of time. I think that that's for a reason though. I don't need complete prolonged solitude very often. I'm a write/talk(rarely) out my thoughts and inklings, then share kind of person. I do enjoy good long conversations, those are on my top 10 favorite things list. But I think God designed prolonged solitude for reflection, or at least that's what this drive was for me.
Shuffle (in terms of an iPod) is such an interesting phenomena in my life. Doubly so on this particular drive from Dallas to Fayettville, and Fayettville to Arkadelphia. I didn't even think a lot during it. In fact there was maybe 3 minutes of silence the entire time. I was more led through thought processes by my 2.6 day, 933 song, long playlist I'd carefully constructed for this undertaking. It was like there was a train of music trudging through all these experiences and ponderings I've been harboring in my head the past months or so. This train would pick up a thought here, a possibility there, and would keep on trudging through different songs/stations and drop off these"passengers" in a different/new area of thought, and things just began to click. Some songs provoked a more spiritually provoking "passenger" to get on the train, and it would sit down and talk to another passenger who might be a simple emotion or an observation I've been neglecting to process. Before I knew it, a lot of inputs my heart and head have been processing for a long time, became outputs at last. Solidified, fixed, and encoded, for the most part.
I've been trying to tag stages of my life with words lately. Mostly, just for fun, but also for some much needed introspection. The word I came up with after this Train ride in my car was this:
Free.
I can't express how surprised I was to discover this adjective. The thing is, it's noun form (freedom, for those of you not following), was not what came to mind. (I have not seen fit to say I am experiencing freedom, because I have recently decided that I do not have freedom, as I am, or strive to be, a slave to Christ.) I am feeling free in every aspect of the word.
For some reason God has chosen these past two moths or so for me to be broken before Him, and because of Him, alone. I've been going through this healing time a bit blindly, and whenever I decided I was better, Father would knock me back down and shake his head, saying "You're not done healing until I say so. And you won't be done until you do it my way, ye of little faith." So, that's been the story of my heart: Trial and error. Lots of trials, and many errors have led me to now, the end before the beginning. This beginning is me seeing how endlessly helpless I am without Christ, and acting this realization out as best I can. I've never been that (past tense feels good) broken inside and out in my life, and I am a huge believer in Father using brokenness to draw us to himself, and this time has been no exception. I didn't resist his drawing, but I just came a little slower than He would've liked, I think. I prayed that I would be desperate for Him and boy did he answer. Desperation galore. Someone wise once told me that the "desperate prayer" is one of the most dangerous prayers you can pray, and I prayed before praying it, and it's what I needed.
I don't have an adjective for this new stage yet, because it just opened up this past week/weekend, but I'll let you know when I find it. Until then, this train of thought will be loading and unloading for a while, I hope. I only got through 276 songs, so I've got about 700 songs of thinking left to do.
But hey, how many roads, right?
P.S. Cold weather makes me sit and think a lot, as well. Get your scarves and gloves ready. :)
There have not been many times,recently, that I am completely alone with my thoughts for a prolonged amount of time. I think that that's for a reason though. I don't need complete prolonged solitude very often. I'm a write/talk(rarely) out my thoughts and inklings, then share kind of person. I do enjoy good long conversations, those are on my top 10 favorite things list. But I think God designed prolonged solitude for reflection, or at least that's what this drive was for me.
Shuffle (in terms of an iPod) is such an interesting phenomena in my life. Doubly so on this particular drive from Dallas to Fayettville, and Fayettville to Arkadelphia. I didn't even think a lot during it. In fact there was maybe 3 minutes of silence the entire time. I was more led through thought processes by my 2.6 day, 933 song, long playlist I'd carefully constructed for this undertaking. It was like there was a train of music trudging through all these experiences and ponderings I've been harboring in my head the past months or so. This train would pick up a thought here, a possibility there, and would keep on trudging through different songs/stations and drop off these"passengers" in a different/new area of thought, and things just began to click. Some songs provoked a more spiritually provoking "passenger" to get on the train, and it would sit down and talk to another passenger who might be a simple emotion or an observation I've been neglecting to process. Before I knew it, a lot of inputs my heart and head have been processing for a long time, became outputs at last. Solidified, fixed, and encoded, for the most part.
I've been trying to tag stages of my life with words lately. Mostly, just for fun, but also for some much needed introspection. The word I came up with after this Train ride in my car was this:
Free.
I can't express how surprised I was to discover this adjective. The thing is, it's noun form (freedom, for those of you not following), was not what came to mind. (I have not seen fit to say I am experiencing freedom, because I have recently decided that I do not have freedom, as I am, or strive to be, a slave to Christ.) I am feeling free in every aspect of the word.
For some reason God has chosen these past two moths or so for me to be broken before Him, and because of Him, alone. I've been going through this healing time a bit blindly, and whenever I decided I was better, Father would knock me back down and shake his head, saying "You're not done healing until I say so. And you won't be done until you do it my way, ye of little faith." So, that's been the story of my heart: Trial and error. Lots of trials, and many errors have led me to now, the end before the beginning. This beginning is me seeing how endlessly helpless I am without Christ, and acting this realization out as best I can. I've never been that (past tense feels good) broken inside and out in my life, and I am a huge believer in Father using brokenness to draw us to himself, and this time has been no exception. I didn't resist his drawing, but I just came a little slower than He would've liked, I think. I prayed that I would be desperate for Him and boy did he answer. Desperation galore. Someone wise once told me that the "desperate prayer" is one of the most dangerous prayers you can pray, and I prayed before praying it, and it's what I needed.
I don't have an adjective for this new stage yet, because it just opened up this past week/weekend, but I'll let you know when I find it. Until then, this train of thought will be loading and unloading for a while, I hope. I only got through 276 songs, so I've got about 700 songs of thinking left to do.
But hey, how many roads, right?
P.S. Cold weather makes me sit and think a lot, as well. Get your scarves and gloves ready. :)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Talks and Rocks
Don't read into that title...
I suppose it's the "about to leave for college"-ness, and the "school startingness" that hangs over Rockwall this time of year that causes people to want to catch up more than usual, but I have really enjoyed it. I'm actually kind of upset at myself for putting it off until there's two weeks left, because I've been missing out this past year on some super neat people. I've always been one to enjoy good long talks about anything and everything with some depth and meaning mixed in, and in like the past week, I've had like 5 good conversations. I miss that. These talks used to be a weekly occurrence for me, but they haven't been before this summer.
I don't have a ton of deep thoughts.. mostly just ready for a new normal. I very vividly recall typing that sentence about 2 years ago on xanga, and didn't expect to be typing it again this soon, but here we are none the less. And not just because the old normal is gone and college is starting and I'm curious about new people and stuff, but what is normal going to look like for me in a year? Two? Ten? I have no clue. and I'm ready for a clue. But just that Don't bring the curtain up, but at least stick a sign out saying when the show will start. Normal is something totally relative, but what I feel like my life is right now is not normal.. It's very in between and something's going to give in me. Something about me will leave or something new will come in, just like it did last time I typed that sentence and what the HECK is it..
I've mentioned this to a couple of friends about how the first two or three weeks of college will be everyone sizing each other up, and first impressions and all. And i've been thinking, what an opportunity to seize. These people don't know who I am, what I'm about, and better yet, what my major flaws are. I have this golden ticket to get rid of the things I want to change, and no one will be the wiser, and I will be better for it. How often in life does that happen? where you're thrust into an environment where everyone is strangers pretty much, and it's up to you to show them who you are. Of course I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not, and I'm not going to put on an act, but I want to start to practice things I've learned that could better myself and the way I represent Father to others. For starters : Gentleness. A quality that gets passed over usually, but one that is so needed in my life. I don't think I'm super abrupt or too in your face or critical, but I'm definitely not someone who would be described as gentle, I don't think. When I walk into a room, I'm pretty sure that other's spirits aren't more at rest than before. When I open my mouth, I don't spread peace with the content and tone of my words. Am I always approachable? Am I always ready to calm a storm? Sure I don't want to be this calm docile creature who is always smiling and saying "God bless you..I mean it", but from different sources, first impressions of me have been that I am intense. My sarcasm is over the top, and they are scared to get too close to me. How heartbreaking. I'm sure Jesus was funny. I know for a fact the greatest missionary ever (Paul) is one of the sassiest sarcastic people I've ever heard of, but it's the timing. It's the tones, it's the faces that accompany words, it's body language, it's the turning it off when I need to that makes and breaks my efforts to be gentle. And something that must come with gentleness I've discovered is discernment and wisdom beyond anything I can do by myself. I've been praying for wisdom since I was in 11th grade and I feel that God has blessed me with a good bit, but do I use it in the right ways, and places, if at all as much as I need to? It's a lot of pressure..But this is way to valuable an opportunity to give up on. I've kind of started to get better, but being Gentle is a lot harder than just shutting up more than normal.. and with that, I leave you with this..Somehow, that Paul always knows how to get me. Darn him!
Colossians 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
seriously??...did I not just say I needed to do all of that? It's like Jesus lives inside me or something and tells me what needs to happen, and if I don't listen, he just does it anyway..
and THAT, my friends, was sarcastic.
P.S.- Winter, please come with haste
Monday, July 14, 2008
South Africa 6 - Thurs July 10, '08
On the plane from Durban.
Yesterday was a good day, but I was NOT ready for this week to end. Rehoboth in the morning was like the other, which was good not to have an ominous feeling over the day. Jacob Way told the salvation story and a few of the older kids were very very attentive. And it was so cute, while we were singing Jesus Loves Me, there was these two little ones about 3 yrs old I think, and they were just screaming at the top of there lungs, "JEEESSSUUUUUSSSS LOOOOOOVVVEEEESSS MEEEEEEE!!!" while the other were singing normally..It was so cute, we were all cracking up. Then for the craft we made those salvation bracelets with the 5 colored beads on them and they liked it alright. Not to into it.
The rest of our time was spent playing and laughing and loving as it should be. I know I've said it over and over again but these children are just so happy and healthy and full of love you would NEVER know they are HIV+. Kind of heart breaking, but so encouraging that they're in a place where they can be children and grow up normally.
Saying goodbye was hard. As expected. We had just finished face painting and cleaned everything up and I knew it was coming. But the strange thing was, the kids knew as well as we did. Usually things like this end with us saying goodbye to the kids and they say goodbye all happy like they'll see us tomorrow or something, while we're all crying and sad. But there was a few, like Siya, Samke, and Mpilo who were as sad as we were, and they are like 5 and 7 years old. They knew we weren't going to be coming back for a long time. I didn't feel like crying until my favorite little boy, Mpilo, came up to hug me goodbye and I sat down on the ground to hold him and he said in his ute little British and South African accent, "You mustn't go Auntie Katy.." Oh man... I just hugged him close and cried a little for a good while. He was such a sweetheart the whole week. And he would dance sooo cute-ly when they'd sing their beautiful songs in the morning. It looked like he was marching around..
After regaining some composure, we all said goodbye to the kids one last time, and walked over to the office with Alfons to drop of clothes and toys and things we were leaving there. He thanked us so much and said what a blessing we were and to come back as soon as we could. Then he prayed over us a very sincere and honest prayer. All the people here pray so passionately and honestly... I wish I could be more like that.
We ate lunch at Leopard Rock again, then went back to the church around 4 or so. There they gave us the option of going back to the hospice or staying in the church for the next hour and a half, cause they knew some of us had a really hard time with it. Needless to say I was very torn..I knew that I myself did not want to go at all, but there was a part of me that knew I needed to go back.. So I said "ok God..I'll go for like 20 minutes" I can do 20 minutes.. I just would go straight to Ruth, the woman I had connected with the first time. So we walked over there. Janine Dillow had brought a suitcase full of beautiful head scarves to give to the nurses and patients, so we grabbed a bunch of those and started to hand them out to the ladies, and they all just smiled so big and looked like they felt like the prettiest woman in the world. It was a blessing to be able to bring them some happiness. Then me and Lauren walked over to Ruth's bed and when she picked out her scarf she was so happy, but more happy that we'd come back to see her. We talked to her about her kids (they had called to talk the day before) and how they were coming to visit her on thursday, and about how awful the soap operas were, and just small talk really. She said she was feeling a bit better today than even the day before, so that was good. Then Lauren came back from handing out the rest of her scarves and had an extra one. So she gave it to Ruth saying that she should give it to her daughter when she comes. That was huge. That she would have something to offer her daughter was a big deal and she was just smiling and saying thank you thank you over and over. Then she said "I wish I had something to give my son, I guess I'll just give him some candy" Right as she was saying that I put my hand in my pocket for some reason and felt an aswered prayer. That morning at rehoboth when we had been making the bracelets, I had been handing out beads so I had a bunh of extras in my pocket. Not onlythat, but I had an extra bracelet already made too! So I took it out and said, "Here! give this to him. And let me tell you what the beads mean so you can tell your son! and here's more beads so you can make more!" (One of the things the center does with the women is beadwork once or twice a week...crazy). I told her what they stood for and she lit up when I said that the Gold one stood for heaven where we'll be with Jesus forever. What an incredible God-coincidence that was. Then we prayed over her for a long time, said goodbye and walked out feeling so very blessed and encouraged and satisfied that God had used me when I knew that it was impossible on my own yet again. I looked at the clock and I had been in there for 1 and a half hours... The Joy of Obedience
----
It's 9:00 pm now and we're sitting on the 747 airplane about to leave for London after a lovely 8 hours in the Joburg Airport. We played spaids for a while and shopped and such. I'm pretty excited. I decided that I absolutely love long plane rides. I love airplane food and the cute lil trays it comes on, the socks and eye mask they give you, the blankets, the pillows, the tvs, the long playlists on you iPod, although Ive had no good ones lately....everything. Except when you someone asks you to switch seats and the seat you end up in has 5 kids ages 5 and under sitting right in front of you stomping around and peeking over the seat for 9 hours...but! hey..it's ok
See you on the other side.. Can't say I'm just pumped about going home, but I'll love getting to see you all. I know you'll be reading these like days after I get back, but know that all of your prayers, support and thoughts that were with us this wee were sucha huge blessing, and it would've been impossible without you guys' obedience as well as ours. Hope you had a wonderful week, I know I have.
I also know I'll be coming back here...soon :)
over and out
Katy
Saturday, July 12, 2008
South Africa 5 - July 8, '08 0:15 (12:15 am)
Today was the most amazing day yet. Got to Rehoboth at like 8:15 and got to hear the devotional and singing again...so good. The Auntie that sings has a voice like I've never heard. Doesn't sound like aretha franklin or other big black ladies, but it's just different. The vibrato and the tones were so pure and just unique. Ah. The rest of the the morning went the same as yesterday. I told the story of Jonah, then we made wales out of paper bags. They weren't to into it. These kids are just amazing. I'll name a few. Mpilo (pee-loh), Nosipo, Lucky Joshua, Aphiwe (a-pee-way), Sampson, Lebo, Siya, Vuyo, Namcle, Mbongeni, Londiwe, Brightness, Happiness, Nathan, Yaya (the last two are Alfons and Yvonne's kids), Namsile, Samke, and many more. Then we just played again. They loved the balloon animals so much.. They all wanted swords. Then we left for the Kulah Club, which was out in a village by Lake eland. It was run by Pastor Joseph who led a village church there. It was surrounded by mountains and plateaus and trees..I took pictures. They just aren't loading yet. It's an all day program that provides meals for children, parents, and just fun and protection for kids of all ages and sizes. We got there around 1:30 and there was like 100 kids there. Most didn't speak English, but it didn't matter. Our adult team had been there all day and yesterday so they were playing and singing with them. So we just played and held kids for awhile, then Joel and Courtney warren started to pass out stickers so I offered to help and they swarmed. All just holding up their lil hands to me like I was holding life and they wanted some. These stickers were barely the size of a fingernail but it made their face light up and brought so much happiness. I wanted to cry. I was just peeling and sticking and praying for them with all of my heart. The older girls who were holding kids who they most likely care for all the time would hold up the little ones hands and then walk away.. I called them back and gave them one too and they just looked at me with the most thankful eyes. Overjoyed because they got a piece of sticky paper with a few colors. This was blowing my mind. Because of AIDS, parents are dying, leaving 4 or 5 kids usually to fend for themselves. The older one takes over the role of parent, and when they die, it carries on as such. The adult team got to go out into the village and see a home the size of room where a 13 yr old girl was caring for 5 kids on her own. Her house had been destroyed by a flood that came through,and the church had built a new one, but it was so small, but huge to her.
As the day there was ending There were a few kids who had latched onto me and I them so we were just walking around, then there was about 10 older women who helped there and they started to sing and dance so loudly and everyone gathered to watch and sing along. It was so amazing. We all danced and sang songs in Zulu. Pastor Joseph walked over to me during this and just said to me so sincerely, "We will NEVER forget your visit to us. You are sent from God" over and over again as these women praised God in Zulu around us. God's presence was so overwhelming. I asked him what they were saying, and he said "they are singing 'There is no one like our Jesus". The kids I was holding on to were fighting over my hands and when I looked down I saw that one girl who like 5 was taking her stickers off her hand and putting them on mine..She looked into my eyes and was just smiling so big. Those stickers she's waited about 30 minutes for, and that made her so happy, she was placing on my hands, and smiling with more joy than before. This made me lose it.. I bent down and just hugged all 4 of them to my chest and cried and prayed and was just so happy and sad at the same time..
The women continued to sing and the children would harmonize and I just stared at the sky, and the hills surrounding us and was just so..full. Some of the happiest tears I've ever cried. Then Pastor Joseph got up to pray, and he prayed in English first the most passionate and sincere prayer I've ever heard. He prayed for Jesus to be their portion, and nothing else. We left there very uplifted. Praise God today...man
Then we got to go on a safari drive through the Game reserve we were staying at that week and it was soooooo freakin neat. We saw 5 Zebras, 3 real non zoo like Giraffes, lots of Springbok and eland, and other deerish creatures, wart hogs, some birds and lots of gorgeous mountains and trees and nature. Then we went to the suspension bridge that goes over the Oribi gorge and across the deepest place in South Africa. Hoooly nuts. It looked like the bridges that always break in the movies.. HA. So awesome though. Took lots of pictures. The sun was setting as we pulled away and it was the perfect end to a perfect day.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, is our last day here. It's been such a ride. Such joy out of such sadnes.. We are being blessed as much or more than we are blessing these people. Isn't God just amazing. I'm so glad this week came when it did. My heart is healing, but I'm afraid of going home and wounds reopening..but we'll cross that gorge when it comes..
Katy
SA 4 - Tues July 8, '08 7:43 am
Yesterday was an interesting day. It was our first real day at Rehoboth. We arrived around 8:30 to catch the end of their morning devotional (they do one every morning and translate into Zulu as well). When they finished all the children and one of the aunties (women who aren't mums but stay there like 3 days a week) stood up and sang a song in Zulu and it was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard in my entire life. It brought tears to my eyes to see 25 kids who have one of the most awful diseases known to man singing and dancing an praising God so joyfully. What an encouragement. I hope we get to hear it again. Then we split them up into 3-6 year olds and 6-11 yr olds. I went with Hunter Beauchamp, Brandon Bambico, Jacob Way and Claire Jordan with the older kids and for about 30 minutes we just played, learned their names, played tag and some other lightly organized games. Then we all met back together and Hunter told the story of David and Goliath. Hilarious. We sang some songs, they sang some songs, then we split back up and we made a craft with the older kids. then we just playe with all the stuff we brought until we had to leave at 13:00 (1:oopm). Bubbles jump rope, tag, more bubbles, play doh, coloring books, etc. They LOVE bubbles and gettin their picture taken.
The whole time I'm thinking, "This is it. I feel at home. My soul feels at rest here." I was just so satisfied in the joy just seeping out these children. then we had to leave, and we went and ate some interesting pizza, then began doing the most spiritually and emotionally challenging thing I've ever done. We walked over to the Genesis Car center which is a hospice for AIDS patients. It was an amazing place..first you must understand that I'd been praying about going here for 4 days, just telling God how incredibly terrified I was to go there. Dying people are just so far off of my spiritual comfort zone radar. I have really awkward reactions when I hear bad news, and I don't know what to say, ask, feel do, how loud to talk..Just all these things that were scaring me to death. I'd been praying for power because I knew without a doubt that I couldn't do it, so it would have to be God doing it through me.
So Sharon, the manager of the care center, gave us a run down on just how the center worked, and what they believed and stuff. She said that they get the patients from hospitals after they send the people away saying "We can't do anything else for you, go home and die". She said 45% of the patients that come into the center actually walk out healthy enough to go live at home again and work and have a life. How amazing is that! I'm telling you this place was just overflowing with love and hope and the holy spirit. I was still scared though. I walked into the womens ward with Ami Cheek and Lauren Wuest, and right off the bat Ami just walks up to the woman in the first bed, grabs her hand, starts stroking her head, and talking to her just like you'd talk to a friend in the hospital. That made me feel a bit better. So we talked to a few more, then walked over to the mens ward and met a man named "Power". HE just kept talking about how much hope he had for his life since he came there and how nice the nurses are and what great care he gets and just how wonderful it was compared to being at home because in that culture people with AIDS are stigmatized and exiled in their villages and die alone and undignified. So he went on and on and Ami asked him how long he'd been at the center and he said, get this, he got there THAT morning....ONE morning totally changed this man's life. Praise God. So we prayed with him, then me and Lauren walked back over to the women's ward feeling better, but still nervous. We met a woman named Ruth. we held her hand as she told us about her kids who are 27 and 15. She looked like she was about 36 or so but she was 44. We asked how she was feeling and just talked like we were friends. In silences I would pray for God to just tell me what to say or what to do and i worked.. We prayed over her, said goodbye, and walked out. I still felt very uncomfortable, but was so joyful because all I did was walk in and God did the rest. That felt good to know God used me when I knew it was impossible by myself. How awesome is that. I'm not sure if I'll go back, but it was a great experience. Can't wait to see what today is like.
We eat out every night and the food is always good, no worries :) Miss ya'll!
Katy
Friday, July 11, 2008
South Africa 3- Sunday July 6, 2008
At Norwegian Settlers Church this morning.
SOO cold last night at the Game reserve, but really fun with all the girls. Came to church this morning and what a blessing it has been to be encouraged by such a great cloud of witnesses.
We got to go to Rehoboth Village, or the orphanage, yesterday after an awesome lunch at Leopard rock overlooking the Oribi Gorge. It was Gorge-ous..pah. We finally got to see the kids I've been praying for for months and my heart was leaping in my chest. I couldn't stop smiling the entire time. All 24 or so of the children are HIV+, but you really wouldn't know it just by looking. Most of them were happy, active, and real children. They were not charity to the couple who ran it, (Alfons and Yvonne, a white couple from denmark) or to the house mothers. This orphanage is so unique because it gives the children a family. There are 11 houses in the village and each one if self sufficient with washers kitchen bathroom everything. There are 4 kids to a house with a mum to look after them. And she is their real mother. It is no job to them. The kids aren't just loved 4 hours a day when someone sees them, they are loved 24/7 and are taught how much God loves them as well. Because of the undeniable presence of God there, Alfons showed us many examples of children who came in emaciated and dying, and now are healthy and lead normal lives thanks to love, prayers, proper medication and nourishment, and the power of God. It was incredible to see just the vision streaming from these people. They want to start villages like this all over africa, and are actually working on it! They had story after story of how their faith in God to provide had paid off at the last minute. He kept saying over and over "You just have to walk on water. You can only stand in the boat so long."
I'm at the church now watching and listening to a sermon form a man so full of God's blessing and spirit I can almost see Him standing next to him. Pastor Trevor. Man. Such a wonderful start to the day...
We get to watch a Rugby match after church!!! (the entire team is sitting behind us and lemme tell ya. like 30 very handsome burly men all in one place about to slam into each other running full speed. OH my.) Then, we're going to Merchison Hospital to minister to the kids and women there and have a lil party.
Very excited, but sad we only have 4 days here..
Katy
South Africa 2- Sat July 5, 2008
DAY 4 OF TRAVEL..I grow weary..
So someone just made the executive decision to book us on a flight out in the morning at 6:55 and British Airways would comp us for the hotel, food, and transportation. So I get on the bus to the hootel expecting a motel 6 to pop up in front of me, and round the corner pops a lovely glass building named the Southern Sun. Also the name of our hotel. Folks it was niiiice. And everyone got here own room, except the youth had two to a room which was still nice because you got your own queen size bed. Two awesome meals, nice hot long showers and lots of rest. This turned out to be a blessing because now we won't be all jet lagged when we actually get there, knock on wood.
We left the hotel at 5:30a for our 6:55 flight. It's now 6:23 and we haven't gone through security yet.. South African I'm learning are very accommodating, but NEVER in a hurry. I really hope we don't miss this flight. I think I'll cry. We'll only have 4 and a half days, as it is, there. I couldn't sleep last night, of all nights. I'd have very short, sad, uncomfortable dreams every time I closed my eyes and I'd wake up crying..I hate crying. So I stared at the clock and thought about stuff and sang to myself, praying for rest, but none came until 3 am, only to be woken up at 4:30. So right now, I feel okay, thanks to coffee, but FOUR days and three times zones is going to catch up with me sometime. Pray it doesn't.
I so want to be writing about the adorable little kids I'm meeting, and the wonderful people we're serving with, but God has willed otherwise it seems. 6:30 am now and still not through security. I can't wait anymore!
I'm curious as to whether God will put Africa on my heart as much as others seems to have it. I remember praying before I went to Germany for God to show me whether or not I was called to live overseas, or called to Germany or whatever, and he answered no I'm pretty sure. BUt I know I have a passions for missions, children, family, and traveling, and this trip has a lot of all of those things, so maybe I might end up here in the future, or just come here often..who knows.
We made it on the plane. got to he gate just as it was boarding. Praise the Jesus. Now when we get to Durban we'll jump on a bus for 2 hrs and head to Port Shepstone, and then the youth will drive another hour to Lake Eland Game Reserve where we're staying. At least that's the Tentative plan. I have a feeling it'll be this way al week. Bring it on!
landed at 7:50 am.. go time
Katy
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