I'm Back

I apologize for not blogging in a long time. I've been what Casting Crown's song calls a "slow fade". I had been caught up in the lies of the enemy and becoming emotionally isolated, a pitfall of being a single missionary (or of being single in general). I had no one close enough to recognize the spiral I was in and call me out on it. But God is good; He sustained me through my life giving church and an awesome group of ladies in my home cell group who loved and welcomed me when I felt unlovable and also by staying physically active in a local gym. He didn't let me go even when I didn't realize I was floundering. And then, just a couple of weeks ago God shined a light that pierced the darkness I hadn't even comprehended the depths of. When the light fades slowly, you just don't realize how dark it has gotten until it is suddenly lit back up.

But I'm back!!! Praise the Lord! God did a miracle and brought me to a place of realizing my pain, seeking help and receiving it,  and communicating in a healthy way the hurt that had wounded me... and all in about a 24 hour period. He restored my sense of balance. Where I was unable to make a decision anymore, He brought clarity. Where I was believing the lies of insecurity, He gave me confidence. If you are in a slow fade. I pray you can see the lies of the enemy and attack it and recognize His love, peace, clarity and healing! Feel free to message me or someone else and talk it through. It helps!

Since that moment of epiphany, I have moved to  Badplaas which is Afrikaans for "place of much thunder" but it's Siswati name Emanzana which means "healing waters" (how appropriate) is the name it is changing to. (Like most of South Africa cities and towns are transitioning to the Siswati and Zulu names.) Emanzana is the community where I was commuting over an hour from Nelspruit to do ministry. I am working full time with Emoyeni "Em-oh-yen-knee" South Africa http://www.emoyenisa.com/ (GABRIEL ministry will develop as God sees fit down the road. It is a vision He has given me and He will put the pieces together when the time is right.) I have handed over the financial book keeping I was doing for Emoyeni to a volunteer who has much more accounting skills than I do. What a blessing!!! I am now working with the feeding sites more intimately. I'm working at putting systems in place to make a strong foundation so we can build on and minister better to the children Emoyeni feeds. I am excited for the future in my heart now and not just in my head. I hope you will think about coming out to visit. I would love a hug and to show you around.

Here are our current feeding sites at the AFM church, Izithandani "Is-ee-tawn-dawn-knee" school and Mooiplaas "Moo-ee-plaws" church. Thank you for your prayers. They were and are my life line.