The
Journey
2014 is
showing itself to be an interesting journey of discovery. The above
collage gives a glimpse of my year thus far. As I have been seeking
the Lord in intense study and prayer and through helping with other
ministries (to be mentioned later) and individuals, He has
continually showed me His love and power and passion. Even through
obstacles, like my broken right wrist, He has shown me blessings and
joy and an understanding of the enemy in using loneliness, isolation
and inabilities to tear down people's hope. He has allowed me to be
in the right place, at the right time to love on, encourage and
become friends with others during their difficult times. I feel
humbled to be used by God as I feel He is leading me to start my own
ministry. It is not because I think other ministries are not bringing
God glory. On the contrary, I long to plug into an existing ministry
and add support. But each time I have sought out God's direction to
connect long term with a ministry that I am currently helping, I feel
He has said "no". Therefore, I ask that you diligently pray
for me as I take the first steps toward starting a new NGO (not for
profit organization) to be named GABRIEL ministries ...Bringing the
message of God's love. (GABRIEL is an acronym for Girls And
Boys Receiving Instruction, Education & Love). The goal
is to offer a safe home for orphaned, abandoned and/or at risk
children in South Africa. It is the passion God has placed in my
heart. The need is beyond what I can even imagine. GABRIEL's focus
will seem to be a drop in the bucket of the large number in need. But
my prayer is that it is the few that might otherwise fall through the
cracks and not know the transforming power of God's love. I admit
that I am naive at this point of what that actually will entail. But
when I came to Africa, God told me to go without ever visiting
because He told me "If I say it is okay, you don't need to go
visit first." I've never regretted that decision. And so now, I
am all in for this journey. I have no clue how it will unfold and I
will probably mess up a lot of times on the way but I feel that God
is saying to do it. I will trust God, like Gideon and so many
examples in the Bible, that He will provide what is needed, when it
is needed. For the present I am working on meeting with the local and
area Dept. of Social Services and other support organizations to see
what they feel the need is for the children in this area. It is hard
to find an overview for the need in extended areas or to know which
areas lack the most assistance, but I trust God will continue to shed
light and show me where He wants me to start. I am also seeking out
the administrative logistics of what I need to do to actually start
an NGO. Step by step. I have stuttered in His presence long enough
about the overwhelming task so this is my public acknowledgement that
I am stepping out in faith and praying fervently that in my definite
lack of ability and my weakness and fear that He is glorified. May I
hold on to the verse God gave me when I arrived in Africa...Ephesians
3:20 "Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within
us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare
to ask or hope."
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Bomake
"bow-mah-gay" (women) Retreat
The bomake who cook and/or teach children at feeding sites in and
around the Badplaas area were blessed with a retreat the first week
of April. It was to give them a time of renewal and encouragement, to
minister to them spiritually and physically and to teach them in a
variety of areas. The picture above is when they were given a
crocheted flower to share with someone else and to pledge to pray for
each other. The picture below was the bomake learning how to teach
through play. It was so much fun. The retreat was hosted by Emoyeni
"Em-oi-yea-knee", in support with Children's Cup, Hands and
Feet Ministries, Spark, and Swazi Serve. I had the privilege of assisting
in logistics for the meals and getting to love on these amazing
ladies, including dressing up more African (head wrapped) on one
special evening of the retreat.
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Michael's Children's Village
Besides working with Emoyeni, I have been working with Michael's
Children's Village (a part of the International Iris Ministries). I
have assisted with a few administrative tasks and I help weekly
with watching the younger residents during staff meetings. These
guys and gals (pictured above and on the right) are adorable,
inspiring and of course full of energy and personalities.
Jonny and Bex Gilling are missionaries from New Zealand and the
directors of Michael's Children's Village. They are definitely a model
of leadership and love for me to emulate. They have been an
encouragement to me to seek God and let Him direct even if it means
not coming and working alongside them. They are constantly saying
that whatever God's plan is, that
is what is best. Michael's Children's Village has given me exposure
to what my passion looks like in the real world. The ups and downs
of logistics in house parents, child behavioral issues, cultural
sensitivity, handling personality conflicts, financial limitations
and the prayerful hard calls of saying yes or no to new children
are invaluable insight into the journey ahead. I am thankful that
God has provided such divine and loving connections! Please pray
for Michael's Children's Village and the children they are
providing love and care for. Pray that God will work through
GABRIEL ministry just as powerfully. Thank you!
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