Precious Little Children

Today we took the Bethesda team to Manapo Hospital in Qwa Qwa to visit the children’s ward. It was a heart-breaking experience because some of the children were so sick and weak. The illnesses varied, some of which likely caused by or complicated by HIV/AIDs. But it also was such a joyous occasion as the team loved on the kids, bringing smiles as they played and gave out beanie babies and sweets. The hard-working nurses and overtired moms seemed encouraged as well.

I was immediately drawn to a little baby boy alone in his crib. At first, he seemed so scared of me – I must have looked quite strange, and nothing like his mom. I held his hand, stroked his arms, and tried to play a little. Slowly he warmed up to me and reached out his hands to be picked up. He was as light as a feather and so precious. We walked a little, looked out the windows, and he soon nuzzled into my neck and seemed content. By the end of our visit he was playing with his stuffed toy and finally allowing another team member feed him his lunch. Please pray with us for all the precious children we met – that they are healed and grow up to be healthy, strong men and women with bright futures. Please also pray for safe travel as we take the team on a safari then back to the airport for their return home, and as we pick-up another team later this week.

PS. This is a picture of me with Qwa Qwa in the background. If you’re thinking I look pretty funny, it’s because I took it myself. Thanks so much for your prayers and support!

This is Just Cool

Hi there - not really much to say here - this is just pretty cool. The ostriches came by this morning and these are pictures looking out our back window and from out back porch. Enjoy!

A Week in Intabazwe

When the Bethesda team arrived, Pastor Mabena from New Life Church was so excited to have them come into his community to share the love of Christ and to help connect families with his church where they can continue to grow. As the first week of ministry wraps up, I am grateful for how the Lord has blessed, equipped, and used us all in so many ways. It has been blessing for me to serve alongside the mission team. I’ve been so inspired by their passion and compassion, by their enthusiasm and teamwork, and all of the wonderful stories they have shared this week. Relationships that will be remembered and cherished. Opportunities to serve others. A children’s program that seemed to double each day as kids excitedly told their friends.

One of the experiences the team shared last night was meeting with a Sangoma, or witchdoctor. She was a kind woman who expressed a desire to be a Christian, but also felt her ancestor spirits were directing her to be a Sangoma. She felt conflicted between her faith in Christ and her traditional practices. The team spent several days with her, serving, sharing the love of Christ, reading the Bible and praying. Not only was she healed from chronic pain, but she also expressed a desire to checkout New Life Church with us this weekend. Please pray with us for her and her family – that they come to have a saving faith in Christ alone.

Made it up Mt. Everest

Sunday I attended some additional training with the Bethesda team, this time to prepare for Children’s Ministry in the village. Not only was it great to learn the material, but also to learn how the training classes are taught and how the teams prepare for their programs. After lunch, we all set out on a hike of Mt. Everest which is 6,620 feet above sea level. The weather was beautiful, the scenery breath-taking, and the team really worked together to help everyone make it to the top. And what a view! Boy, did I feel small looking out over rolling hills and skies that went on forever!

Please pray for the team this week as they minister in Intabazwe: that they build strong relationships, have a fruitful children's program, help New Life Church to grow in their community, and serve those in need in meaningful ways. Thanks so much for your prayers and support!

Outreach Season Kicks-off

The first mission team of the season arrived yesterday – a team of 14 from Bethesda church in Sterling Heights, Michigan. They were a kick for me personally because I was able to get updates about the latest news and weather from home. We spent today with cultural and ministry training, followed by team building exercises among the obstacle and low ropes courses here on the mission base. Children’s ministry training will be tomorrow morning, and then a guided hike up Mt. Everest in the afternoon. These 2 days will help the team rest up, reenergize, and prepare for ministry in Intabazwe which begins on Monday. When teams go into the villages, they build relationships with the local families, doing what is called a Life Exchange. They ask questions about their lives and culture, share about themselves, and serve in love however needed such as with household chores, helping the sick, planting gardens, etc. The teams also conduct a children’s club in the afternoon. Our hope is to be the hands and feet of Christ, and to also connect families into the local church where they can continue to be nurtured, getting the help and hope they need.

Please pray for the teams as they minister in Intabazwe this week, for the leaders and interpreters, and for the families struggling with unemployment, poverty, and the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Please also pray for Thrive Africa as well. As the outreach season kicks off, I am saddened that their full service Dining Room and Conference Center burned 2 years ago and finances are still needed for the reconstruction. In the meantime, the staff is doing an outstanding job serving the teams in a temporary dining hall, and other buildings for meetings and classes. Thanks for all your prayers, support and encouragement! I so much appreciate it!