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

Tow trucks, flowers and free dog hotels

The day before my departure for this trip I went to pick the last of donations my employer, Trinity Lutheran School, donated for to the littles I be meeting soon. I stopped by my classroom and my co-workers picked up a beautiful bouquets of flowers and cards. One of the cards was a sympathy card for my recent death of sister and the other was a card of blessings for the team and I for the work we'll be doing with orphans who have HIV/AIDS. I didn't want to wreck the flowers so I took them to my car first and arranged them in a way that they wouldn't fall over. I parked in the hotel lot adjacent to the school so that I could quickly gather everything up and get back home. Upon making the second trip back to the car I had a little surprise waiting for me. My car was hoisted up onto the back of a tow truck with the truck driver making the last of his dodad attachment things (how's that for technical towing talk). Anywho, He looked out at me and said, "Is this your car?" and I replied yes. He then went on to tell me that he knew it was somebody that would be coming back real soon because no one leaves fresh flowers inside a locked car in Florida. Then we just there. So, I said, in my most kindest presumtiousvoice, "it was so super kind of you to go as slow as possible just in case the person showed up. I feel so blessed by you and I glad I made it back in time for you to put it down so I can get going. With a rather perplexed look, he put my car down and said, "You're welcome....very perplexed tone and drove away. After he drove away, I'm not all that sure why, but I laugh completely and wholly out loud and think winked at God. Oh, and I'm pretty sure He winked back.
Now, in other news, what a day of departure I had. I woke up with Pink. Yep, crusted and gross. I called our trip ARNP to see what she recommended. Go to Centra Care...immediately. Ugh, I already slated three gabillion things to do and spending more money wasn't one of them. I had to take some dogs that I was sitting to WInter Garden and I had to get my own dog to the kennel, which was going to be costly. So, I started the errands. When I went to take care of my dogs kennel bill in advance they looked up the total....what for it....what for it...PAID. What?!?! Huh?? This is me dumbfounded. Whoever paid it wished to stay anonymous. Okey dokey. I didn't have to think about that it expense. Long story short...that more than covered my Dr's visit and the medication that was needed there after.



Going Deeper
What's most interesting to this above stuff is how much money I should have parted with during those 48 hours. Let's take a look shall we:
Towing-$267
Dog Kennel-$140
Dr's Office without insurance-$65 Prescriptions-$98
Right before I left, I'll be honest...I had brief debate in my mind about tithing. It's easy to tithe and do offerings when everything is going peach, but went the money belt get's pinched we quiver in our fallible human nature. We don't trust that the same God that's been there before will still be here now. Why do we do that? For real? Why?
I did complete my full tithe and my monthly offering to the my World Vision daughter got paid.

At the end of it I realize that it's all God's...all of it. I need not wax and wane at giving Him what's already His. He's got this and so much more well in control.
2Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

To this I say, "All my needs are met and I rejoice that you allow me to further Your Kingdom by giving".

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Location:Plane to Johannesburg Less Than 3hrs

Puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks

Today has been a day where, at moments, I thought I would just melt into a crumpled up pile of tears. The day started off great. The tiny humans that I teach were in a great mood and the giggles were non-stop. At a little after ten o'clock this morning my biological Mom called. She left a message that I could barely understand. The tone and strain in her voice instantly told me that something was very wrong. I called her back as soon as I went on break.

She called to tell me that my oldest sister had died overnight. She had Lupus and the complications ravaged her body. She was 46. I got to see her last year and she barely could remember anything. I was thankful that she remembered me and was ecstatic to see me. Our contact had been very limited over the past 2 decades due to the estranged dysfunctional relationship I've had with my biological family.

The only thing I could think about was how awful it must be for my Mom to bury her firstborn daughter. I can't even begin to understand her pain. Then my heart broke for my nieces. I spoke with them shortly after speaking with my Mom. They are devastated. Lastly, my grief became inward for me because I was scheduled to leave for S. Africa in a little over 48 hours.

Going Deeper

As I do in most times I turned to God. I felt a strong affirmation that I am still to go to South Africa. In fact, I felt joy and beauty when my heart became peaceful over this thought of fulfilling this part of my life's journey. Here is were He lead my heart;

Luke 9:59-62

59 Jesus said to another, "Follow me." He said, "Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral."

60 Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"

61 Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home."

62 Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."

And to this I say, "Here am I, send me." Please pray for my family and please pray for me.