Why hello there friends and family!!
Thank you once again for your continued prayers for our team as we continue our service in the beautiful country of South Africa.
The latest memory verse for our group was Colossians 1:29 which says
"To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."
This verse was very appropriate becasue we realize how God continues to give us the energy to work with the people at Living Way, the Life Skill Educators, and the Children at Overcome Heights and Capricorn. We realize that we do not have to rely solely on our efforts to show the kids the path to God's Kingdom, but rather how God works through us powerfully and gives us all the strength we need. We have bonded so much as a team because God has given us an opportunity to have us serve all the children in the kids club, the LSE's, the people at Living Way, and one another. We challenge you all to be united with us as well by memorizing Colossians 1:29 and to remember that even in times when you may feel weak, know that God will provide the strength for you.
Well here's the latest breaking news. On Wednesday we continued our work with Living Way where the girls continued the process of weeding and gardening. They have done a fantastic job in changing how the opening area of the Living Way campus looks. Myself and Mark have been creating a compost pile, moving and building furniture, and moving soil so that they can plant a new layer of grass on the campus.
Molly gave us a great analogy in terms of how the process of weeding can relate to our lives. She noted how our sin is like the weeds in the ground and that if we do not pull up fix the "root" issue, change will not be able to be made for the better. If you just clip off the top layer of the sin, then the root problem will still be embeded in you and eventually the sin will come back and hit you harder. We were all challenged and I hope you all are too to remember not to just clip off the top layer of your "sin", but rather completely dig out the root issue and therefore get rid of that sin entirely.
Also on Wednesday we returned from an afternoon running around with some crazy kids at Overcome Heights. They set up a basketball hoop and I had the opportunity to teach some of the kids how to shoot a basketball. One of the kids, Rosario, caught on real quick and began draining some deep shots! The kids are so much fun and we love going to Overcome and Capricorn. It truly is one of if not the brightest spot in my trip so far.
We added a few new members to the house that we are staying in too! Two members from last year's UD team, Amy Whitlock and Ronnie Fricke have returned to serve on a long-term basis for 6 and a 1/2 months! Also we have new friends, Nicole and Chris, from two different countries, Canada and England respectively. Over the next few weeks the team looks forward to continue the fellowship we have had with Ronnie and Amy at UD, and to start new friendships with Nicole and Chris. It's a very exciting time to be at the team house as much is changing for the better!
On Thursday we continued with the weeding and soil moving at Living Way and once again had a blast at Kids Club in Capricorn. One of the little boys, Reese, has decided to use my body as a tree for most of the Kids Club! He and about four to five other kids consistently decided that I would be a good target to cling too. It's been so much fun learning the kids stories as when they cling onto you, you have some time to talk with them. We also started with the Bible lessons for the kids and the team performed as skit of the story of Jesus coming into town on Palm Sunday. We also gave the kids a memory verse: Psalm 145:3
It says " Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise. His greatness no one can fathom"
The kids caught on quick as we even gave them hand motions to follow. The team can teach you the hand motions as well if you would like too!
We also stopped by African Hope Crafts which is located right near the Living Way facilities. There they employ women from a local village have handmade jewelry at very low prices. They started out in connection with Living Hope, but have been so successful that they were able to get a seperate store they can run themselves. It was great becasue not only was the jewelry very cool, but we had the opportunity to talk with the employees as well.
Also, Thursday night we had the priviledge of dining with the founders of Living Hope, John and Avril Thomas. They told us about how they got started with the ministry, where they want it to go, and many other stories of hope that the team definitely was encouraged by. We also were challenged with some startling statistics about the community and how people cannot just run away from the problems exposed in South Africa. It was a wonderful night and we truly enjoyed their company and learned so much from them.
On Friday, we were at Living Way working the whole day, as there was no kids club on friday. This was also the day that the memory verse of Colossians 1:29 was worked on. It was very appropriate for that day since we were working for about six to seven hours. Luckily, God kept the weather on the cooler side so we could not only be happy in the way God was using us at that time, but we didn't mind that the sun was not shooting a intense beam of light upon us!
Friday night we had a blast as we went to the youth group at Capricorn. The youth group consists of kids from about the age of 12-16 and they threw a disco that night. Now the group was a tad confused but luckily no one dressed up in 70's gear as a disco to them was just a regular dance! It was such a fun night, and we got to really meet some of the older kids in the community. After such a long day the team was exhausted and got some much needed rest.
Finally, today we're planning on taking a trip to Cape Point and Boulders Beach on the southern part of South Africa. There we'll be able to see some amazing scenery and more importantly penguins!! We're very excited to go and are sure to bring back some great pictures!
Well if you've made it this far, we've reached the end of the blog for now. But we'll be updating the blog over the next few days. Ta Ta for now!
In Him,
Rob
PS: Hi family!! Don't let Buster play too hard with Mike's new puppy!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
What a BIG God we serve!!!
Hello Friends and Family,
Thank you SO much for all of your prayers, they really make a difference! On Sunday night we sang worship songs on the roof and read John 13:1-20 where Jesus washes the disciples' feet. Afterwards we went downstairs and washed each other's feet and while we did this we also prayed for one another. It was such a cool experience because it humbles you to wash another person's dirty feet and for the person who is having their feet washed they have to be willing to be open to allow it to happen. Afterwards we had a wonderful to have a time of both silent and group prayer.
On Monday we began our first day of construction and working (playing) at the kids clubs. Our memory verse for Mon & Tues is 1Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore my beloved brothers be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." In the mornings from 8:00am-12:30pm we go to Living Way (the job creation centre). On the first day the boys cut wood & flipped compost & today they moved furniture across campus. The past two days the girls have been busy pulling out weeds from the gardens and dandilions from the grassy area. While working we play word games, talk, pray & sing songs & the time passes by quickly. This morning's gardening was actually pretty enjoyable because in the morning we were able to hear the "Youth On A Mission" group (who is staying at the Living Way campus for three months) sing praise & worship. Then while weeding I got the chance to talk with & get to know some of the girls on our team a little better :)
Kids Club is AWESOME!!! Monday we went to Overcome Heights and when we got there we started singing circle songs, with 60 or so kids ranging from 2-16yrs old, lead by Shagmie (one of the Life Skill Educators) who was singing/screaming at the top of his lungs, we sang silly songs & songs about God & ones that taught about abstinence & played "Theres a fire on the mountain, Run Run Run, get in groups of (insert a #)" & the kids would run around in a circle and then would have 10 seconds to get in a group with that number of people. It was SO fun! The kids are really cute! I met Chloe who was around 4 years old and just wanted to be held and to be swung around. After playing games the kids lined up for sandwiches and juice, the girls went first and the boys second, the boys were so patient and well behaved, as they waited in a straight line for 10 - 20 min. The kids were filled with so much joy, which was so inspiring to see especially, considering many of the kids didn't have shoes and were walking in areas with broken glass, and that the sandwiches and juice we gave the kids were likely the only meal some of the kids would have for the day.
Today we went to Kids Club in Capricorn. Even though the age range was still around 2yrs old to 16yrs old proportionally there were more older kids (in the 10-15yr old age range there) & probably about 40-50 kids in total. Capricorn was where last year's UD IV team helped with Kids Club, it was cool to see the kids memory as they were asking about some of the members who aren't here this year. Goes to show the impact you can have on a child's life even in a period of a few weeks! Before club began Ruthie & Brianna taught a group of girls some ballet & the girls from Capricorn showed us two praise dances and one hip hop dance, they all were very talented. Kids Club began with singing and dancing to "Tell the World," "You're the Answer," "My Redeemer Lives," & "Supernatural God." It was such a workout because in addition to singing at the top of my lungs dancing around I was also holding 5yr old Alicia, I felt like my arms were going to fall off at times, but it was so sweet when she would hug me while I was holding her. A few songs in & thankfully before my arms broke, Alicia was ready to get down, so I went over to Wendy & Felicia who are 10 and 12 yrs old & had fun singing and dancing with them. After worship I talked with Felicia & we joined some of the other girls singing & sang Mariah Carey's "Hero" (it brought me back to Mrs Travis' 6th grade english class where we would sing it on a regular basis) we sang a few more songs talked and played hand games such as Miss Mary Mack, Numbers, Down By The Banks.
I'm excited to get to know the girls more, watch the grounds at Living Way shape up, and to start serving at Living Grace & Living Care!
Please continue to pray for our safety and health, as well as pray for the team & I to be fully dependent on God and to meditate on His word daily & for us to love others as Christ first loved us. Thank you so much for all of your support.
I love you all very much!!!
-Jennifer
PS tomorrow's memory verse is Hebrews 12:1 Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (extra credit) verse 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Thank you SO much for all of your prayers, they really make a difference! On Sunday night we sang worship songs on the roof and read John 13:1-20 where Jesus washes the disciples' feet. Afterwards we went downstairs and washed each other's feet and while we did this we also prayed for one another. It was such a cool experience because it humbles you to wash another person's dirty feet and for the person who is having their feet washed they have to be willing to be open to allow it to happen. Afterwards we had a wonderful to have a time of both silent and group prayer.
On Monday we began our first day of construction and working (playing) at the kids clubs. Our memory verse for Mon & Tues is 1Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore my beloved brothers be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." In the mornings from 8:00am-12:30pm we go to Living Way (the job creation centre). On the first day the boys cut wood & flipped compost & today they moved furniture across campus. The past two days the girls have been busy pulling out weeds from the gardens and dandilions from the grassy area. While working we play word games, talk, pray & sing songs & the time passes by quickly. This morning's gardening was actually pretty enjoyable because in the morning we were able to hear the "Youth On A Mission" group (who is staying at the Living Way campus for three months) sing praise & worship. Then while weeding I got the chance to talk with & get to know some of the girls on our team a little better :)
Kids Club is AWESOME!!! Monday we went to Overcome Heights and when we got there we started singing circle songs, with 60 or so kids ranging from 2-16yrs old, lead by Shagmie (one of the Life Skill Educators) who was singing/screaming at the top of his lungs, we sang silly songs & songs about God & ones that taught about abstinence & played "Theres a fire on the mountain, Run Run Run, get in groups of (insert a #)" & the kids would run around in a circle and then would have 10 seconds to get in a group with that number of people. It was SO fun! The kids are really cute! I met Chloe who was around 4 years old and just wanted to be held and to be swung around. After playing games the kids lined up for sandwiches and juice, the girls went first and the boys second, the boys were so patient and well behaved, as they waited in a straight line for 10 - 20 min. The kids were filled with so much joy, which was so inspiring to see especially, considering many of the kids didn't have shoes and were walking in areas with broken glass, and that the sandwiches and juice we gave the kids were likely the only meal some of the kids would have for the day.
Today we went to Kids Club in Capricorn. Even though the age range was still around 2yrs old to 16yrs old proportionally there were more older kids (in the 10-15yr old age range there) & probably about 40-50 kids in total. Capricorn was where last year's UD IV team helped with Kids Club, it was cool to see the kids memory as they were asking about some of the members who aren't here this year. Goes to show the impact you can have on a child's life even in a period of a few weeks! Before club began Ruthie & Brianna taught a group of girls some ballet & the girls from Capricorn showed us two praise dances and one hip hop dance, they all were very talented. Kids Club began with singing and dancing to "Tell the World," "You're the Answer," "My Redeemer Lives," & "Supernatural God." It was such a workout because in addition to singing at the top of my lungs dancing around I was also holding 5yr old Alicia, I felt like my arms were going to fall off at times, but it was so sweet when she would hug me while I was holding her. A few songs in & thankfully before my arms broke, Alicia was ready to get down, so I went over to Wendy & Felicia who are 10 and 12 yrs old & had fun singing and dancing with them. After worship I talked with Felicia & we joined some of the other girls singing & sang Mariah Carey's "Hero" (it brought me back to Mrs Travis' 6th grade english class where we would sing it on a regular basis) we sang a few more songs talked and played hand games such as Miss Mary Mack, Numbers, Down By The Banks.
I'm excited to get to know the girls more, watch the grounds at Living Way shape up, and to start serving at Living Grace & Living Care!
Please continue to pray for our safety and health, as well as pray for the team & I to be fully dependent on God and to meditate on His word daily & for us to love others as Christ first loved us. Thank you so much for all of your support.
I love you all very much!!!
-Jennifer
PS tomorrow's memory verse is Hebrews 12:1 Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (extra credit) verse 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
How is your foundation?
Hello friends and family!!!!
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support! We have been so blessed and seen God work in countless ways!
Our team has really become unified the last few days! As a team, we are memorizing a new verse every two days and we have lots of time to practice these verses on our car rides! We invite you to join us in memorizing these verses as we have seen the importance of hiding God's word in our hearts. We challenge you to commit them to memory as well. So far we have memorized:
John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
What challenging reminders these verses have been to us that we must rely on God's strength and rest in Him.
Saturday we hiked Table Mountain as a team. It was a 2.5 hour hike that was pretty much like climbing steep stairs in the 98 degree, hot African sun! Needless to say, it was very challenging but I was so encouraged to be doing it along with our team. As we hiked, we said verses to oneanother, sang songs, and prayed for divine intervention :) We got to meet lots of friendly people as we hiked and some people called us group of girls the "singing nuns". But, we made it to the top and what an amazing sight to see God's awesome majesty displayed through the towering mountains and breath taking oceans. God reveals himself through His creation! I was very grateful that we were able to hike together as we learned to rely on oneanother and encourage eachother which will be essential as we begin our time of ministry on Monday! After our long hike, we went to the waterfront and got to have ostrich, warthog, kudu, springbok, and crocodile for dinner! Crazy south african food!
I have been really blessed to be back, a second year and to be reunited with the ACTS staff and LSE'S. Gordon, our wonderful bus driver and spritual encourager wears his UD baseball hat that we gave him last year :) and everyone has loved getting to know him!
On Sunday, we went to Ocean View Baptist Church, a small church nestled in the middle of one of the townships. We were so blessed by the worship- what a testimony of God's power to see people whole heartedly worship and to know that our God is a God of the nations! Man can they sing! There was such a sense of community in the church as they prayed for one another and showed supernatural love for eachother and for us! In the midst of a broken, drug infested township that is ravaged by prostitution, that church stands as a "light on a hill that can not be hidden." Shagmie, one of the Life Skill Educators we work with in Capricorn where we run Kids club, ministers at Ocean View but this was his last Sunday there as he is becoming the youth pastor at Capricorn. He gave his last sermon at Ocean View. He challenged us by saying, "How is your foundation?" "What have you built your foundation upon?" Unless the Lord is the builder, the builder builds in vain. He said that whenever we build something it comes at a cost. It is the same way with our spiritual walk- there is a cost involved in building our foundation in Him but when the storms come, we will not be shaken! There are areas in our lives in which our foundation is broken or cracked. We must identify those areas, confess them, and reclaim them for Christ! Check out Matthew 16:18, 1 Timothy 18-19, 2 Timothy 2:9 So we challenge you to think about what you have built your foundation upon!
We begin construction at Living Way, the job creation center, from 8-2 tomorrow and then we head over to Capricorn for Kids club from 2:30-5! I really hope to see all the kids from last year and we are excited to get to know all the new faces as well! Please pray for us!
We love you all and we are praying for you as well!
Molly (love you so much family!!!!!!)
We do not have internet where we stay so we go to an internet cafe when we can, but we will not be able to write as much as we would have hoped! We appreciate you taking the time to read this and most importantly, for your faithful prayers!
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support! We have been so blessed and seen God work in countless ways!
Our team has really become unified the last few days! As a team, we are memorizing a new verse every two days and we have lots of time to practice these verses on our car rides! We invite you to join us in memorizing these verses as we have seen the importance of hiding God's word in our hearts. We challenge you to commit them to memory as well. So far we have memorized:
John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
What challenging reminders these verses have been to us that we must rely on God's strength and rest in Him.
Saturday we hiked Table Mountain as a team. It was a 2.5 hour hike that was pretty much like climbing steep stairs in the 98 degree, hot African sun! Needless to say, it was very challenging but I was so encouraged to be doing it along with our team. As we hiked, we said verses to oneanother, sang songs, and prayed for divine intervention :) We got to meet lots of friendly people as we hiked and some people called us group of girls the "singing nuns". But, we made it to the top and what an amazing sight to see God's awesome majesty displayed through the towering mountains and breath taking oceans. God reveals himself through His creation! I was very grateful that we were able to hike together as we learned to rely on oneanother and encourage eachother which will be essential as we begin our time of ministry on Monday! After our long hike, we went to the waterfront and got to have ostrich, warthog, kudu, springbok, and crocodile for dinner! Crazy south african food!
I have been really blessed to be back, a second year and to be reunited with the ACTS staff and LSE'S. Gordon, our wonderful bus driver and spritual encourager wears his UD baseball hat that we gave him last year :) and everyone has loved getting to know him!
On Sunday, we went to Ocean View Baptist Church, a small church nestled in the middle of one of the townships. We were so blessed by the worship- what a testimony of God's power to see people whole heartedly worship and to know that our God is a God of the nations! Man can they sing! There was such a sense of community in the church as they prayed for one another and showed supernatural love for eachother and for us! In the midst of a broken, drug infested township that is ravaged by prostitution, that church stands as a "light on a hill that can not be hidden." Shagmie, one of the Life Skill Educators we work with in Capricorn where we run Kids club, ministers at Ocean View but this was his last Sunday there as he is becoming the youth pastor at Capricorn. He gave his last sermon at Ocean View. He challenged us by saying, "How is your foundation?" "What have you built your foundation upon?" Unless the Lord is the builder, the builder builds in vain. He said that whenever we build something it comes at a cost. It is the same way with our spiritual walk- there is a cost involved in building our foundation in Him but when the storms come, we will not be shaken! There are areas in our lives in which our foundation is broken or cracked. We must identify those areas, confess them, and reclaim them for Christ! Check out Matthew 16:18, 1 Timothy 18-19, 2 Timothy 2:9 So we challenge you to think about what you have built your foundation upon!
We begin construction at Living Way, the job creation center, from 8-2 tomorrow and then we head over to Capricorn for Kids club from 2:30-5! I really hope to see all the kids from last year and we are excited to get to know all the new faces as well! Please pray for us!
We love you all and we are praying for you as well!
Molly (love you so much family!!!!!!)
We do not have internet where we stay so we go to an internet cafe when we can, but we will not be able to write as much as we would have hoped! We appreciate you taking the time to read this and most importantly, for your faithful prayers!
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