Step by Step

As many of you might know I attend a women's Bible Study and we have been going through "Having a Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver. As we are finishing it up a quote from Amy Carmichael's journal stood out as I have been struggling with saying things that edify and keeping my mouth shut when those are not the words I want to say. I've been failing miserably in this area.
"Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step.

By little bits of wills

Little denials of self

Little inward victories

By faithfulness in very little things.

They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken.

These is no sudden triumph

no [sudden] spiritual maturity.

That is the work of the moment.

What comfort that has been to me, to realize that I am changing. That I am better than I was a year ago at keeping my words in check and and I can look forward to continue to improve as I take each step, each little victory. May we each continue

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.

6 Month Anniversary

Can you believe I've been here 6 months!! I arrived Nov. 16th 2007. Some days it feels like I just got here and others it seems I've been here for years.

For my 6 month celebration Elevate Team from HPC arrived with a suitcase full of my winter clothes from storage!! Yea, I can dress warm!! (Remember our season are the opposite here and yes it does get cold in Africa especially without central heat!) Even more exciting was the cards from my church friends!! Thank you. I will cherish them and the gifts. I love the neon index cards, salon shampoo & conditioner, the devotional and GVOM DVD, the book and verse cards. I even got a birthday present and cards I can't open for another month. Oh, the suspense!! Thank you for the rememberance. Continue to email pictures. I haven't seen anything of the new youth building. Love the pictures I've gotten and the new members who have emailed me who I have never met. It means a lot when there are days I feel isolated. I will try to blog later this week on the progress on the classroom.

Thank you again and again and again!!!!

Cooks/Teachers Picnic

Just wanted to share that Saturday I had a picnic for the cooks & teachers of Oasis @ Swaziland, both Mangwaneni and Fonteyn CarePoints. The teachers have group meetings and most have worked at both CarePoints, so they knew each other. I wanted the cooks to get to know each other though since they never get a chance to interact. There had been some rifts and disharmony among different personalities at the CarePoints in recent months and I wanted to build them up and get them to think as a family lifting up not pulling down each other.

We played games, had a short devotional and ate KFC! (The only fast food restaurant in Swaziland.) Here are some of the pictures. It was a gorgeous day! I also gave out a goody bag with toothbrush, small toothpaste, hotel soap, lotion, an index card with a scripture on it and of course chocolate bar.

Pepe Is Out of the Hospital!

Update:
Pepe is back home at the orphanage as of last Thurs. afternoon. (And I am back in my own bed after almost 6 weeks!) I would have blogged earlier but Friday we spent most of the day in line at the doctor's office to get meds straightened out and Sat. was Pepe's Birthday and we had a small party at the orphanage and then I took her to KFC (her favorite place to eat and only "fast food" resturaunt in Swaziland). She is doing great but has a uphill battle, so continue to pray for her. She is currently taking 2 liters a day of a high nutrient formula for malnurished children. Friday she was up to 16 kg from a low of 13 during part of her hospital stay. Here is a picture history of my life with Pepe.
Jan. 2008 when she stayed @ my house.

First day @ the hospital March 30th!

Pictures during stay

Visitors:

Pepe's photos with me:
Night we got the NG tube out (She took picture 0f me in my room.)
Going home (Pepe is being Swazi & carrying blanket on head) (Pepe with me) (Pepe with Make Kate and brother Banile)

Pepe's Birthday Party!

Other kids at the orphanage singing for us:



Trip to KFC

Thanks for indulging me in sharing my pictures of Pepe!! I will be blogging pictures of a picnic we held for the cooks and teachers of Oasis @ Swaziland's CarePoints soon.

Happy 4th Anniversary Oasis Church!

Just wanted to get on and say hey to my home church The Oasis Church! Happy 4th Anniversary!! How much you have grown and how far you have reached in your short 4 years. Thank you for your step of faith in supporting 2 CarePoints here in Swaziland and me!! I will have been here 6 months on May 16th -- can you believe it??

My birthday is next month so if anyone wants to send a card by mail you better get it in the mail this month, it usually takes 4 weeks for a letter to get here. My birthday is June 19th and my address is

Sandra Chesterman

c/o Children's Cup

P.O. Box A527 Swazi Plaza

Mbabane, Swaziland

Anyway, Oasis enjoy the video from Africa and have a great day of celebration!! I would love to see pics of everyone and the new youth building.

Love you!!

Oasis @ Swaziland Pen Pals

Adventure Island has started the process of writing letters to children at the 2 Oasis @ Swaziland CarePoints. All are welcome though. Anyone @ the Oasis church interested in starting a Pen Pal relationship with one of the children at our CarePoints please see or email Scott Cabaniss scott@theoasischurch.org .

Here are the photos of the Mangwanenit Pen Pals:

Here are the Fonteyn Pen Pals: