Pre/Post South Africa, triathlons and the power of faith

A Few Words...

Before I get too deep into things....let me just say a huge THANKS to all those who financially and prayerfully supported me through my mission trip to South Africa. It has been a life changing trip. If you want hear a few of the stories and experiences please call, text or email me. I can't possibly type them all out on this blog. If you want to see some of the beautiful men, women and children we had the joy of interacting with please view the album in the upper right hand corner of my blog......now back to my regularly scheduled program....

Pre-South Africa

I feel like their are now two me's....as if one was not enough. There is the me that left for South Africa nearly three weeks ago and there's the me I see in the mirror today. I can most definitely tell you these are not the same to people. What South Africa did for me is like what Oreo's did to milk or what cheese did to crackers (can you tell it's nearing time for a snack?) Anywho, you get the idea good in and of itself, but much much better with an added component.

Pre South Africa....

While I think did a pretty get job of my level of faith in what God can do, I can't say that I still had a mature view on what faith looks like. In addition to this, my ability to be grateful to God for my life in the mist of storms or moments of joy was lacking to say the least. Believing that God can really use anything and anyone to further His Kingdom was not quite fully believed in my spirit. Intellectually and analytically I believed, but deep in my spirit I shamefully doubted.

I'm a Mother-to-be!

Adoption/Fostering

I remember the little guy above and I remember meeting many orphans of various ages while I visited South Africa in the late spring of 2011.  It gave me a renewed hope that someday, if God should still see it fit, I would become an adoptive and/or foster mom.  Well, that time has come.  My career has stabilized, my support system has grown and my finances are in check.  I went through years of counseling to ensure my hurts and hangups were healed and now the time is really here.  I have a home study scheduled for January 23,  2013.  This will allow my foster care license to go active and officially allow me to be matched with a child who I can also adopt.  In order to do that I need a bit of help.  While I'm ready for the everyday care that comes with children, the up front cost are quite big.  In order for me to be licensed for any child, birth to 17, which is my desire, I have to quickly come up with all the following items needed for licensing.  I would hate to delay the process, but if I had to in order to remain financially responsible, I will.  Hopefully if you have any of the below items either gently used or new, I can expedite this process and get to this thing God has called me to do!  As things are donated, I will continue to cross them off the list.

Here is the list and where things stand;

Here is the list and where things stand;

Crib

Crib bedding - needed

baby boy and baby girl outfits for each age group - needed

0-3 months - needed

3-6 months - needed

9-12 months - needed

18 months - needed

1 package of diapers any size(s)

1 package wipes - needed

6 -10 complete baby bottles - needed

jar baby food any stages - needed

rice cereal - needed

rear facing and a forward facing car seat - needed

1 baby gate - needed

Infant/Toddler safety kit

 first aid kit fire extinguisher inspected and tagged within a year 

Twin bunk beds

2 dressers – needed

Twin beds and mattresses

Twin bedding

Inspected fire extinguisher

Stroller

James 1:27

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁷ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Can't get this thought out of my head

Remember that when you lock eyes with people that the person you're are looking at has endless worth to God. That person was someone God allowed his only son to die for.

Pre/Post South Africa, triathlons and the power of faith

A Few Words...for my readers with short attention spans

Before I get to deep into things....let me just say a huge THANKS to all those who financially and prayerfully supported me through my mission trip to South Africa. It has been a life changing trip. If you want hear a few of the stories and experiences please call, text or email me. I can't possibly type them all out on this blog. If you want to see some of the beautiful men, women and children we had the joy of interacting with please view the album in the upper right hand corner of my blog......now back to my regularly scheduled program....

Pre-South Africa

I feel like their are now two me's....as if one was not enough. There is the me that left for South Africa nearly three weeks ago and there's the me I see in the mirror today. I can most definitely tell you these are not the same to people. What South Africa did for me is like what Oreo's did to milk or what cheese did to crackers (can you tell it's nearing time for a snack?) Anywho, you get the idea good in and of itself, but much much better with an added component.

Pre South Africa....

While I think did a pretty get job of my level of faith in what God can do, I can't say that I still had a mature view on what faith looks like. In addition to this, my ability to be grateful to God for my life in the mist of storms or moments of joy was lacking to say the least. Believing that God can really use anything and anyone to further His Kingdom was not quite fully believed in my spirit. Intellectually and analytically I believed, but deep in my spirit I shamefully doubted.

His hands and His feet

Ms. Agnes, house mother to these boys.



The way that God is moving here is amazing. The Christian Life Centre here in Durban is one of the most amazing ministries I have experienced. We often speak of being the hands and feet of Jesus, but nothing I have seen compares to this ministries dedication to this saying that is over used at times. Today we feed about 30 children who will take loaves of breads back to their families. This is food they would normally have to go without or pay an extreme price marked up price for. Here are a few pictures from today and yesterday.
Getting to bake the days bread.



Marco, one of the many orphans here with positive HIV status being cared for by the Christian Life Centre



Sipo and Christian taught us how to bake the bread today.



Pastor Silva explaining how the bakery is sustainable.



The sign hanging up in their bakery.



The finished product.



Kimberky, our team leader w/Mbbale, another HIV orphan




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Location:Durban, South Africa-Christian Life Centre