Youth Camp

We had the pleasure of hosting a youth camp with Pastor Sthembiso on our campus the week before Christmas. There were over 80 teens/young adults here. It was amazing! John, Rae & I all had the opportunity to speak.

John spoke on Ephesians 5 to the young men in the camp. He talked about the role of husbands & what that means. God's word transcends cultures. Women are to respect their husbands. And husbands are to love their wives like Jesus loves the church. The role of men in any society is crucial. And for most of the young men in SA, there isn't a role model. So many of them have grown up without a father figure. But God has specific instructions on how to do this. It was a very open discussion with John challenging them with God's truth. Once you know the truth, you are responsible for it. Of course, mentoring is the key. John, Pastor Sthembiso & Stanley are meeting weekly with the young men to discuss what is going on in their lives & what God's word says.

Rae spoke on "A Generation of Change". God put this on her heart a year or so ago. It doesn't matter what your age is, you can make a difference. She spoke to the young women about making a change in their communities & in the world. She then asked them to write down ways that they could make a difference. Afterwards, they shared. One young lady shared that if they were always holding on to the past, they couldn't grasp hold of the future. Rae did a wonderful job & God used her in a special way.

I taught on the Motivational gifts. We talked a lot about what ministry is & isn't. It's not about what you do on Sunday mornings or only at church. It's about life & everyone you come in contact with. Then we talked about the different kinds of gifts, looked at the motivational gifts & did a survey to see what each persons gifts were. I asked the group to please be interactive & ask lots of questions. And they did! It was an awesome experience. There is nothing like God using you in a way that brings change & transformation to others!

I think the camp was a great experience not only for the youth, but for our family as well. We are so blessed to have this amazing relationship with Pastor Sthembiso. And to be able to live this life that God has called us to. Thank you to all of you who make that happen!

Katiwhe

This is my friend, Katiwhe. She is one of the amazing young women who serves the children in the community of Kabokweni. When I first met her back in March, she was not doing so well. She was depressed & had talked of taking her own life & her 2 childrens as well. Her life seemed hopeless & sad. She is 20 years old, has a 6 yr old & 18 month old. She lived with her father & step-mother. Her step-mother would withhold food from her & accuse her of stealing food if she ate. She was nursing her baby, looke liked she was nothing but skin & bones & had no way out. This amazing young lady volunteers 5 days a week to cook & serve over 100 kids who have even less.

Recently, she was able to get a "home" of her own. Her father worked out a deal with a neighbor & fixed up this tiny shack for her. It is tiny. One room, no window, dirt floor. It has a bed, a light bulb & extension cord & a little shelve on cinder blocks for her hot plate & tea kettle. Yet, when she told me about it, her face lit up! She walked me to her place & with pride, showed me her new home. The change in her has been amazing! She is happy & has dreams for the future. Some day, she would like to have her own little cafe. She dreams of being able to provide for her girls. Although Ten Thousand Homes did not provide her home, it just goes to show what a difference a home brings to those who don't have one. It brings a place of security & hope.

Christmas

So, for the first time EVER, we weren't with family & friends at Christmas. We decided to just take it easy, hang out at the pool, throw some cream-cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped jalapenos on the grill and relax...Not too bad! Then we spent the evening Skyping the kids, grandkids & parents, watched a few episodes of "The Office" and relaxed some more. Overall, not bad at all!

Ticket from South Africa to Texas: Expensive
Walking your daughter down the aisle & dancing at her wedding: Priceless!

Good works vs God's work

One of the things God has been speaking to me about lately is doing God's work vs good work. Being a missionary, there is plenty of good work to do. God wasn't telling me to stop doing what I was doing, but to make sure that I'm doing His work. So, after meditating & praying about it, what I really got out of all this is that it is up to me to make sure I am doing what God wants me to do. That didn't mean in my case to sit & pray about every activity that I'm doing, but to see God in all that is going on. Let's face it, it's easy to get into the task mode. You know which one I mean. Oh, it's Monday...that means we go to Kabokweni, feed kids, play with them, maybe help do the dishes, etc., etc. Task mode! Good work! But God was saying, "Are your eyes open to me being there?" So, instead, it's a heart attitude. God, can I show your love to a child today by holding him? Does my eyes meet those of the little girl I hand a plate to to show her value in your eyes? Am I speaking encouraging words & life into the ladies who are volunteering? Does anyone see you through me today?

I detest...

Doing dishes!

I know, almost everyone does. Not on the favorite list of anyone I know. But I have to say, it's even more of a pain living in South Africa. First, there is no automatic dishwasher! Oh no! I haven't seen one since we've been here. I'm pretty sure they have them in this country somewhere, but I can't say I've looked. I'm too afraid I would find one & want it really bad! But I regress! So hand washing it is! Added to that, we have one small (and I do mean small!) sink in our kitchen. With no hot water. And there is no Dawn Ultra dish soap here either! So, here are the steps to washing dishes.

First, make sure everything is scraped & dumped out. Then, plug the sink with the plug that doesn't quite fit by using the scrubby pad under the plug. Then, 2 empty water jugs from the bathtub faucet with hot water. Use 1 jug to fill the sink while pouring in a quarter bottle of dish soap. Then, start with glasses & cups. Use one of the cups to pour rinse water into from the 2nd jug. Rinse each glass & cup with the rinse water, pouring the rinse water back into the first cup as you go. Next, it's on to plates & bowls. Repeat the process of rinsing. Usually, it's time to change the water after this. So, back to the bathtub! Next it's time for the pots & pans. No non-stick here! No siree! Well, one non-stick, very small frying pan, but other than that, nope! So, scrub away! Rinse & repeat. Last, time for silverware. Wash a hand full, stick it in the glass, pour water over & put in the drying rack. Finally! Dishes done. Whew!

And yes, I do realize that I have a 15 yr. old. Unfortunately, she inherited her uncle's gag reflex in regards to washing dishes. But I make up for that with her having bathroom duty! I'm so mean, but hey!

So, I dream. Not of an automatic dishwasher. Oh no. I dream of a nice, big, double sink with hot running water! Sometimes, you have to dream for attainable goals, not necessarily the big dreams!

Home is more than a house...

It's times like now that bring this inot focus. Many of you may have read about the home that the Orlando team built last month. If not, go to www.tenthousand.blogspot.com The home was built for a single mom with 2 children. Often, the neice is there as well when her mother is not doing well with her illness.

Last night, we recieved the news that the mom had passed away. Now, the 15 yr. old boy will be the head of the household, with a young sister to take care of. The immeadiate needs seem overwhelming enough. Money to release the body to the funeral home, cost of a funeral, paying to keep the electricity on, no food in the house. And then to thnk of the long term needs; well, it seems a little daunting to me, I can only imagine how a 15 yr. old boy feels.

Last night, Ryan asked if there was anyone to stay with the children until the grandfather arrived. When we found out there wasn't, Ryan & Mongolisa packed a bag, grabbed some food & headed out. Two selfless guys, doing what neede to be done.

Our job now is to make sure these children don't fall through the cracks. How can we help make sure they are taken care of & not taken advantage of? How do we ensure that their needs are met so the boy doesn't have to quit school & get a job to support his sister? How do we help make sure the sister isn't raped or abused? Thankfully,we are working with a wonderful pastor in the community. Pastor Stembiso & his wife have the heart of God & the faith of Abraham. Our prayer is we can come along side of them & see the children grow up taken care of & knowing the love of the Father.