My life is changing in two weeks...that means that two weeks from today I will be getting on an airplane and heading back to America. I am saying goodbye to Jeffreys Bay (hopefully not for forever) and heading home. I honestly don't even know what to think right now. Really it depends on the moment. One second I am terribly sad to have to close this chapter of my life and the next I am excited about what and where God will take me next...whatever that may be. But a thought that is pretty consistent is that I am in total shock that the time is here. It's coming, and it's coming quick.
This week is the girls last full week of ministry. We are starting to clean out things, pack things up, and give things away. CRAZY! We are beginning to say our "pre" goodbyes and have to already begin to face the sadness of those here that we love so very much. I can't imagine my life without some of these people, but I do consider myself incredibly blessed to have such great friends half way across the world. The thought of leaving my girls...I can't even entertain that one yet. So many times I can't wait to get out of community, but I have to admit, I love this community. It has changed me and I will treasure them always. So for now, I'm just enjoying every second I have with them.
Here are a few pictures of the team....and a few of me and the girls I disciple:)
I am not really sure how this blog is going to turn out, so be prepared for a bunch of randomness. The only way I know how to start is to share a verse that I have been meditating on for the past couple of days.
"The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out" Prov. 13:9
I don't know if many of you know what has really been going on here, so I will try and do a quick recap.
First of all, about a month ago I got a call from my mom informing that my grandfather had a double heart attack. When it first happened he wasn't strong enough to do much more than rest, even though they thought we would for sure need surgery. Well, one morning God woke me up at 6:30 am and very vividly said "You have to tell them there is hope." I knew God could and would heal Him, but regardless, I knew I had to let my grandparents know there IS hope. So I did. About two weeks ago when my grandfather went back to the doctor, the doctor said for now he is healthy. He'll have to do some more tests to just make sure, but he should be fine. He doesn't need surgery. Some might say it is a coincidence or something strange, but I don't. It was God. There is hope. He is right in front of us. I find joy in this.
About a week after my grandfathers heart attack, one of my beautiful girls here in Jbay that I disciple decided that God was calling her home. It was rough. You spend so long pouring into some one's life that it becomes hard to let go and be okay with the seasons that people are in your life. As much as I wanted to fight it, God knew what He was doing. He had things in her He needs to do that He couldn't accomplish here. It was tough. I had a lot of questions, but still...the one thing that I still had was joy. I had the joy of knowing her. I had the joy that God CHOSE to use me in her life. I was able to see her grow and tackle things she never dreamed of.
On top of that, our teams here in South Africa experienced a huge tragedy. One of our beloved students, Sarah Buller, who was serving on the PE team was in a fatal car accident. She was with two other teammates and a local. They were heading to Jbay that afternoon when a tire blew. The car flipped. She was thrown from the car and shortly after passed away. It's one of those things you never thought would ever happen. I'm thankful to have known Sarah. Last semester I was given the opportunity to disciple her and truly get to know her. I remember so many of our conversations. We laughed. We challenged one another. We talked about our hopes and dreams. That girl was all about Christ. The joy and love of God seeped out of her very being. The world has been changed because of her and the life she had here. Now she is at home...with Jesus. In a strange way, I can find joy in this too. Yes, I don't understand tragedy or God's timing, but there is still joy. There is still hope. People have now heard of God...of Jesus Christ...not only through her life, but also through her death.
Since Sarah's death, so many other things have gone wacko from girls being sick, girls needing to go to the hospital, teammates leaving and going home, going to Cape Town to process, still pushing on with the program here and most recently, Dr. Bill (my SA grandpa) having a stroke. Most days I wake up not knowing what is going to happen. But now, I will bring it back to the verse at the beginning. Despite all circumstances, I am promised that my life is FULL of LIGHT and JOY. Those things still remain. I will NOT be snuffed out.
I'm learning what it looks like to live a life full of joy despite my environment. So many times I want to get stressed. I want to get easily irritated. I want to be what we call "miss pissy pants." But why? I have Christ. I'm living the life I was called to live. I get to live life with 10 amazing women of God. I get to see God move in people's lives every day. It's so easy for me to lose perspective and think all this is about me, but it's not. It's about Christ and through good or bad, He is receiving glory....and through that glory I find my joy. I will not be snuffed out. You don't be snuffed out. If you know Christ, YOUR LIFE, my friend, is full of JOY AND LIGHT.
It's one thing to describe what you do and where you live to your family, it's another thing to have the opportunity to show them EXACTLY what you are talking about. Just about two weeks ago, my family came to visit...they just left yesterday. My dad, mom, and brother came all the way to South Africa to see Jeffreys Bay and as much of South Africa as possible in such a short amount of time.
They first came to Jbay. They were here for about 5 days. I was able to take them around to all the ministry my team and I are involved in. It was also really cool for my family to meet people that I have talked about for almost two years, as well as those that I have grown to love here have the opportunity to meet my parents. It was really cool.
I had a really sweet moment actually. I took my parents to the clinic to meet everyone there. All of the staff were so excited to meet them, but the one that surprised me the most was Sister Meyer. She is pretty sassy most days, and you really have to push to get to know her. She is ALWAYS stressed out and very rarely smiles. BUT when I got to introduce her to my family, I finally saw a WHOLE different side of her. She smiled and actually spoke about the impact I have had. It was really great. I can only attribute that to the Lord.
After Jbay, we went on a mini tour of SA. For one night we went to a game reserve. You can't be in Africa and not attempt to see all the big 5. After that we went to Cape Town for four days. Amber was gracious enough to let me go. It was exactly what I needed. It was a nice time to get away, relax, and get some needed alone time in.
So yeah, that's what I've been up to. I have been super busy, but I'm so glad that my family came. Good times. This week I am playing catch up and giving Amber some days off because her family is now here! It's a crazy time for visitors.
I do hope and pray that each of you are doing well and you are seeing the Hand of OUR Almighty God. He is moving.
When I get a chance I will post some new pictures:)
***So... I just briefly looked over my last blog, and I just want to apologize. I think that was the WORST grammar EVER. Mrs. Rooke would NOT be proud of me. Yes, I am a college grad, thanks. I will try to make this one better. I hope.***
You know those weeks where everything just seems to go wrong all at once? That is how this past week has been. It has just been little things, but I have to admit, Amber and I are NOT handy dandy AT ALL. Its been an adventure trying to be MISS fix it. Its provided a lot of entertainment and a side of stress, but we are stronger from it though right? I think so. We have had to break our first reaction...and that is calling "TAG!!!!!" the moment anything just might not be working the right way. Now its weird to hear all the students desperately calling our names...
This past week in Discipleship Amber and I split the week and taught on the book of Romans. She taught the first half, and I finished up with the last half. First of all, one could study Romans for WEEKS, but we went ahead and gave it a shot. Honestly, it was awesoe. I was really stressed out at the beginning of it just because there is SO much to get out of the book, and how do you just skim it?! The Lord knew exactly what He was doing.
I think I probably needed that study more than the students did. It is one thing to read the Word and think about it a little, but for me, it is a totally different thing when you have to VERBALIZE truth and lead by example. Ouch. It hurts, but a good hurt. I saw myself all over Romans. I saw myself as the Israelites who got so focused on the Law that they forgot about the GRACE Jesus so freely gives. I see myself in the Gentiles as one who takes for granted the grace and becomes prideful and judgmental. Its convicting. But I also saw how deep in my core...deep in my heart...I want to be the living sacrifice that Paul so boldly writes about in chapter 12. That's what I want more than life itself.
It's really easy for me to read what my life is supposed to look like being a Christ follower and be super overwhelmed. It was so nice though to sit in the presence of God and these girls and be able to admit where I fall short, but also speak about how Christ keeps pursing me to become better. It's a process. I love it.
The girls really did engage in the entire study. It was amazing to be able to wrestle along side of them as they try to work out their salvation to be more like Christ. It was just a great reminder for me to show me THIS is why I am here. I am here to see them see Christ a little more. It was so refreshing.
This week looks a lot like a normal week, but I hold on to that loosely. Really, who knows what will happen. We always have to be on our toes. Welcome to Africa:)...and being a missionary, of course.
My parents and brother are coming to visit in just under 3 weeks! I'm really REALLY REALLY excited about them coming. It will be so great to introduce them to people and show them a place that I have grown to love.
Well, the good news is I have survived my SECOND week of the spring semester. At times I feel like I was just at home yesterday for the holidays, but most days I feel like I never went home. Between making sure the girls eat to making sure they get rest and stay healthy to pushing them to fulfill their purpose for being here and becoming more like Christ, the days just seem to slip by. It makes for a very interesting concept of time. I wish I tell you all that happens in a week, but I think that would be just about the longest blog EVER...so maybe I should blog more I suppose.
Last week we spend most of our time finding our routine. We started the girls off in their ministries but as a leader I spent most of the week trying to figure out what needs to be done when, who needs to be where when and all that kind of stuff as well as reconnect with my ministry here in Jbay. It makes for a crazy but great week. I thought for this blog I would just fill you guys in on what a "typical" (what is that when you are a missionary??) schedule for one of our wonderful FYMers. So here it goes...
Monday: Team Discipleship in the morning taught by Amber and/or I. Lunch. Ministry at their Internship which includes Ithemba (Xhosa kids), Joshua Project (street kids), or the clinic. Street kid feeding at 6ish. Dinner. And the evening to do either One on One discipleship or prepare for the next day.
Tuesday: Student led devos early. Morning ministry which includes house visits, Seventh Heaven Children's Home, Virginia's Creche (pre-school), and St. Francis Bay Township. Lunch on the go. Afternoon Internship. Dinner. And preparations.
Wednesday: Looks a lot like Monday except some of the team heads to a prayer service at Ithemba after dinner.
Thursday: Exactly like Tuesday.
Friday: The students day off which a great day for Amber and I to catch up!!!:)
Saturday: Family ministry which means we, as a team, go and do ministry all together in the morning. Lunch. Intentional Ministry is in the afternoon which is four hours where the girls get to decide how they want to minister. It gives them the freedom to build into relationships that they form during the week. Saturday dinner and evening is "Family Night." This is when we do something fun together as a team. It's a great time!
Sunday: Church in the morning. Late lunch together as a team. Resting and preparation in the afternoons followed by evening Church. After we finish church we do a house meeting to get on the same page for the upcoming week.
If you haven't noticed we have a pretty packed week! I am so proud of my team though. They are such hard workers and they are running with the ministries they are apart of. Jbay will be different because of their hard work. Please pray for rest and strength that they may run HARD from now until the end☺
Sorry it has been a few weeks since I have blogged, but I've been around the world and back...literally...and I'm just now finally settling back in for the last 4 1/2 months here in Jbay. As most of you know, I went home for Christmas for two weeks. It took me almost three days to get there, but it was well worth it. I spent a week down in Jacksonville with my family and just about a week up in Atlanta seeing old friends. It was a blast and exactly what I needed. I don't think I realized how much I miss so many of them.
I arrived back in South Africa last Tuesday night...as the big dawg this time around. I am working with Amber, my amazing co-leader, and we are leading an ALL girls team here in Jeffreys. We have 12 outstanding women of God that we get to lead. I can say that I genuinely love each one of them and I can see EXACTLY why all these FIERCE women are here. They are not the type to sit on the sideline, but rather they have to dying to get back into ministry. Its great. Makes my job a bit easier:) It has taken me almost this long to find my place and realize that its "game time." Its been a challenge most of the time, but I do think its amazing and I am enjoying myself. It is a LOT of work...but its totally worth it.
All last week we spent most of our time doing team bonding, setting schedules and ministries, and figuring out exaclty how our little "community" is going to function as the body of Christ. We did fun things like the House Olympics, a picnic by the beach, and my favorite..."Bubble Night" at the local water slide. We had a blast! Its so great to be able to just spend time with the girls and get to know most of them in a totally new setting.
Today the girls start their first day of ministry! I'm so pumped for them and I can hardly wait to see what God has in mind. This semester is looking a little different for them because they will spend WAY more time doing ministry and less time doing intense discipleship. Its a great opportunity for them to pour themselves out completely on the people here in Jbay. They will be soooo tired...but of course, its a good tired.
Please be praying for our team as we are starting out on a fresh start. Pray for their hearts that they would engage in this community 100% and realize that their ministry is not just to the people here in Jbay but also to one another...as we can all find healing and our place in a community of Christ. Pray for Amber and I as we are stepping out on this exciting, but scary journey at times. I am so grateful for her and wouldn't want to do this with anyone else. God has Big Plans. May we all pray and wait in Great Expectation.
Here are a few new pictures from Nellie's...at Seventh Heaven...
This is me with Mariam...she's new:)
Angel, Blessings, and Mariam
The girls and I!
Angel likes to pull hair... I don't mind!
As you can tell, Angel is doing AMAZING! Every time I see her she is making progress. Nellie is such a blessing. I am just grateful I get to see a little bit of God's story for this little girl. Its just the beginning. Praise the Lord!
As most of you who follow my blog know, I have fallen in love with a little baby girl named Angel. You can go back and read previous blogs about her and where she comes from. Anyways, I just wanted to give a short update on how she is doing at Nelly's house. First I have to say that Nelly has done an AMAZING job. We would be so lost without her and she just is incredible. Every time I turn around she is opening her house to more at risk children. She accepts them with an open heart and open arms. She loves them. She gives the hope because of the Awesome God she serves. She is an inspiration. A few of our students have been doing their ministry internship with her and they have been doing a great job as well. I love that they are there. Plus, it gives me another excuse to go and visit to see all the wonderful children, especially Angel.
On Tuesday, Nelly wanted to throw a baby shower/ Christmas for all the children. Some of us AIM people were there, but we also joined together with some YWAM people and local people from the community that love Nelly. It was actually great to see some many friends there from all over Jeffreys Bay. Everyone did a great job of providing things for the children and also for Nelly. I think everyone had such a great time, and it was priceless to see the smiles on the children's faces.
With that said, I got to spend some extra time with Angel. She is just about 9 months now and she is just progressing so well. She just keeps on packing on the pounds. I love it. She still can really sit up by herself or crawl, but I think its coming soon! She attempted a few times by kicking up her baby bottom, but just isn't there yet. She is just doing so well and I'm so encouraged by God just continuing to provide for her.
Last week I brought Angel's mother and grandmother (Gloria and Esther) for a visit and they were overwhelmed at how beautiful their little girl looks! It was good for them to be able to see her and know that she is being cared for. I think it was difficult for them to leave, but Gloria still trusts in the decision she has made for now...and so do I. God is working. God is doing something and I can't wait to see what it is. He has saved this precious little girl for Himself. Oh, and a few weeks ago Gloria showed up at church! Awesome! God is good.
It is finally the first of December. That is pretty crazy. It's weird to think that JUST now the weather is getting SO hot here, and for many of you, you just can't get warm enough! I guess that is the beauty of being on the other side of the world in a different hemisphere. I love warm weather and it is BEAUTIFUL here right now. I do have to say that I am excited that it is holiday season. I love this time of year...even though it looks differently here.
Last week for Thanksgiving, we decided to do a good ole American meal for all 50-something of us. It was wonderful. It really turned out to be a crazy day. We did ministry in the morning, cooked in the early afternoon, had an AMAZING Thanksgiving meal, cleaned up, packed up the left-overs, delivered the left-overs to families we LOVE, and then headed to the beach to baptize two of our students. I don't think the day could have been better. It was a great moment to stop and be SO Thankful for where God has placed me and for the people He has put in my lives. I also thought about each of you as you guys have so faithfully provided spiritual, emotional, and financial support to me for the past year or so. I'm so grateful for each of you. After we finished all of the Thanksgiving festivities, a few of us leaders headed home to start the Christmas spirit with some great Christmas movies...of course Home Alone was one of them.
This past weekend we released all the students for a "Thanksgiving break" so they could find some rest....and we as leaders could have a weekend off as well. It really was amazing. I was able to do some extra sleeping, enjoy the great weather, spend some extra time with the Lord, and we even got to go away for a night to a BEAUTIFUL Bed and Breakfast near by. It was just what the doctor ordered. I needed this time. We are all getting pretty worn out! Thankfully we only have a few more weeks before we can have a nice break for Christmas.
Since it is the first of December, we only have two weeks of ministry left (including this week) and then we will do a semester debrief for a few days...and then I will be heading to America for the Christmas Holidays! I can't believe it! I'm pretty excited about it.
Please be praying for each of us these next few weeks. I am not only closing up the semester but we are also trying to do all the leg work to prepare for the next four months. When we arrive back here in January we will be hitting the ground running. So pretty much there is a lot to do! But that's what I'm here for:)
I hope that each one of you had an amazing Thanksgiving with your friends and family. We have so much to be thankful for. Blessings.
I'm trying to think of things to update you on, but I have to be honest and say that I can't really remember what has been going on. The longer I'm here the more the days run together. Sometimes it is difficult to put into words what happens here because SO many things occur in just one day. We aren't just here being kind and loving to those in need, but we are also walking along side students that are finding healing and freedom. They are finding out who God has created them to be, and how to walk in that. It's SO incredible to be apart of. Its an amazing opportunity to fight for, love, encourage, push, and teach these students to truly seek the God of All. I would like to say it is easy work, but its not. It is probably one of the hardest things I have ever done, but seeing in their eyes the truth and life they are finding makes it all worth it.
The past couple of weeks we have been trying to challenge the students to write a Statement of Faith based on the following six things: Jesus, God, the Bible, Church, the Holy Spirit, and the depravity of Man. It was pretty incredible. Matt, Tag, and Chris did a great job of taking everything that the students thought they had nailed down and challenging them to really KNOW what they believe and WHY they believe it. That is so huge. Some still have some question marks, but I think that is ok. I think God is revealing Himself a little at a time to each of them. I'm really excited to hear them all and see what work God has done in each of their hearts.
Now, I am going to do some bragging. I hope that is okay. I have the most AMAZING ministry team ever. Brittany, Layne, and Andrea have taken over my full time position at the Clinic. At hard it was so hard to let go and put the ministry in their hands, but I am so glad I did. They are so great. They are constantly looking for new ways to minister to all that work and wait there. They bring light and joy to every corner of that place. The nurses have learned to love them and its just so great to see. Its really encouraging to be able to see them come after and do a great job. They truly bring love into that place.
Thats all I can really think of right now. OH! I did get to have tea w/ Dr. Bill and Carol again. It was the first time I had really spent time with the since I've been back. It was so great. They were so happy to see me, and it was just great to be back at my South African grandparents house again! I'm hoping to be able to spend a little more time with them soon:)
