The Long Journey

Wow!

I can't believe I am finally settling down in South Africa!!!! It has been a 9 month transition! And it all started when I arrived, back to Swaziland from my visit to the states last year, the end of July......

 The sponsorship and office staff that I had supervised had really stepped up to the plate the two months I was gone and it was decided that since Children's Cup was wanting to start up in South Africa, I would not step back into my position as office manager and sponsorship director. This is the only role I had known since I had arrived in Swaziland in 2007. Now what? 

South Africa would be my final destination but it was not to happen right away.

The long transition began. Nothing in the next 9 months would be a consistent role for me. Change is not easy and it seems the older you get (and I'm getting up there) the harder it is. So this is my confession and apology of why I hadn't blogged in such a long time. I have been so out of my comfort zone that I had difficulty processing and thus difficulty sharing.

As I get to look back though, I am happy for the opportunities of seeing Children's Cup from other vantage points. At first I got to be what you might title a "CarePoint Coach" and go spend a full day at one CarePoint at a time. This is the dream of every missionary here. To get to spend alot of time in the field... hands on! I was there to evaluate a CarePoints strengths and give help in the areas they were weak. It was a wonderful experience and allowed me to bond with so many of the facilitators in a different way!

The next role I had, I helped visit different sites where we are assisting persons and/or churches with food to feed children in their communities. We needed to assess that the food is being used for the purposes intended and if the feeding site had the potential of becoming a CarePoint in the future. It was rewarding to see the other individuals and groups ministering to so many orphan and vulnerable children. It made me realize how vast the need is beyond where we currently are working but also that there truly are partners out there with the hearts of Christ and we do not serve alone. Some of the sites (I'm sorry not to have pictures) were so remote, the public transport does not even travel to the area. It was humbling to say the least. 

What a eye opening experience both of these temporary "positions" were for me! Although I know most all the aspects of Children's Cup in Swaziland, it was different looking at it without the eyes of just sponsorship. It allowed me to see a a fuller more complete picture of what we do, how we do it, how all the different ministries fit together and what areas we are weak and need to do it better.

I have to admit that I did not like being out of my regular "position" at the time. It was hard and I confess it challenged my identity of who I was as a missionary. "I run the office and oversee the sponsorship program". How could I travel the country and be of value outside of that role? It made me look at the simple but difficult motivation of why I am here. Is it for me or is it for Him?

"My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." 2 Corintians 12:9

 Ouch! Easier to read than to walk out. As I look back, I feel blessed to have been through the journey. Blessed with the opportunity to see the broader picture! 

This is only the first 3 months of my transition! Know that most of these insights were not mine as I walked through this journey. My blog is getting too long, so for now I will pause. I will continue sharing and catching you up on the last 9 months and of my new home in South Africa, so stay tuned for the next addition.

(I promise to do it soon.)