Natalie Memories!

Natalie arrived last February for a 9 month internship and left to return to Lousianna yesterday. Normally I do not cry but I will have to admit that I have shed some tears as I let go of a dear one who has become like a daughter to me.

Last February she came to live with me in a whirlwind. In the first 24 hours of moving into my house she moved the bed out of the room I set up for her to the other room and took a living room overstuffed chair upstairs and relocated it into her room. That first week she rearranged my kitchen cabinets and would become agitated if anything was left out on the kitchen counter or if dishes were left unwashed in the sink. She saw me as intrusive overly nosey old lady. Needless to say we had to learn to give and take and understand how each of us communicated. (We did!)

The road was rocky (with boulders at times!) but I have grown to appreciate Natalie's joy and excitement for God and for what each day holds! (I'm also washing dishes more promptly.) Natalie learned to accept motherly love and concern and even has aked for my advice at times. I can't wait to hear what wonderful surprises God is yet to reveal to her in the future. I'm sure it will be exciting.

Love you Natalie! I'll miss you!! Hamba Kahle! "hahm-bah gah-(slur)thle" (means Go Well!)

10 Things I Love About Swaziland

I don't know if I mentioned that we have 6 teams in a 7 week period and it has been crazy here. The last two teams are here now. Before these teams arrived though, I took a couple of days off to rest in the Lord and renew my spirit. Above is one of the beautiful sites in Swaziland this time of year, the jacaranda trees. This weekend I surprised Natalie (my roomie departing for the states next week) with a Saturday that was special for her. We went walking (2 hours worth) and I took her horseback riding. (Yes, by back end is sore.) But it made me think of all the wonderful things in Swaziland. So many people say you have given up so much (free refills, fountain drinks, TV, WalMart, family), but look at what I've gained!!

MY TOP 10 LIST SWAZILAND (TODAY)
#10 Jacaranda trees in bloom! (it's spring here) Aren't they beautiful?

#9 Horseback riding in Africa! Natalie, Christy and me in the rear.

#8 The view from my house!

#7 Waking up to birds and sunshine out my window.

#6 Lightning displays (picture is of sunset though)

#5 My "sanctuary" chair

#4 The Children's Cup missionaries! What a team!

#3 My women's bible study group! What a support group!

#2 God's hand in everyday miricales! :)

And of course on top of the list ---

#1 I love the kids!!!!

Family

Here is a recent picture of my family! In fact this was taken just last weekend when my sons and “daughter-in-law to be” went to visit my parents in St. Louis. You see pictures of me often enough but here are who I left behind to come to Africa.
The far left is my baby, Michael. He just turned 22. His long golden locks are the result of not cutting his hair since I left home last November. He shaved his hair to show his support and vowed not to cut again until he saw me. (See picture to the right.) The good news is he is coming to visit me in Swaziland in December and has asked to have it shaved again when he sees me.
To the right of Michael are my parents, Howard and Irma Sparks. Dad just was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has started chemo treatments and seems to be handling it wonderfully. Keep him in your prayers. Everyone says I look like my mom but I think she is a lot more photogenic.
On the far left is my eldest son, Kris. He will be 24 in February. He is working on his master’s in education and has a passion for teaching history. Kris’s fiancé, Christina, is the one taking the picture so here is a separate picture of her. She has the sweetest spirit and caring personality. Keep them in your prayers as she also is undergoing chemo treatments.
I am so pleased that both my boys (and Christina) took the initiative to travel from Georgia to Missouri to visit their grandparents without their mom prompting them. They do grow up to be responsible adults!
Sometimes it is hard to be so far away, but sometimes it is easier to let go and let God handle things when I not in close proximity. I am such one to want to “fix” things and “solve” problems and often that is not my place.
Over a month ago I was reading a devotion in “The Word For You Today” and I have copied it and been letting it sink in ever since. So as I share “my family” with you may I share some of “Let Go And Let God”.
To let go doesn’t mean to stop caring, it just means I can’t do it for someone else. . . . To let go is to admit my powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands. . . . To let go is not to care for, but to care about; not to fix, but to be supportive; not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being. To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their own outcomes. To let go is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality. . . . To let go is to fear less and love more. To let go --- is to let God!
My prayer is that by learning to let go more that my family and friends will stop being distracted by my actions and see God’s hand in everything.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8

Either You Believe It or You Don't -- I Do

"O Sandra, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. no one can measure the depths of His understanding" Isaiah 40:27-28 NLT

"For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 40:9b-10 NLT

God is good and is in control. Life doesn't have to go the way I plan (and I plan and problem solve a lot). His plan is better and He will sustain me and all others. Whether it is an orphaned child at a CarePoint or my dad with cancer or even the next president of the United States. We are not forgotten or alone. He understands even when I don't and that's enough.

The Team was Amazing @ Fonteyn CarePoint

I will quickly try to recap yesterday before we get started this morning.
Yesterday at Fonteyn the team amazed everyone including ourselves in putting in 90% of a retaining wall so the classrooms won't flood when it rains this year.

Susan and Creig even put in steps up to the cooks area.
Note: Charlie and Julie's muscles!!

There was an art project with the children from our classes and Emily face painted. We had a baby shower and prayed over 2 of our 4 teachers. Portia (on the left) is due in December and Kiki (on the right) is due in January! It was a lot of fun!

The ladies also got to sit in on the devotional with the cooks and teachers of Fonteyn. Nelly and Karabo led the study on standing firm with God during difficult times. It was an annointed and blessed time!

Can't wait to see what today brings. Keep us all in your prayers!

Team at Mangwaneni Mbabane

Monday was cold and rainy at Mangwaneni, Mbabane but that didn't stop us from working hard and loving lots!

Mixing cement and making the cooks area have a wall to block wind and a counter to set food. They are so excited! Visiting a homestead!

Helping cooks!

Loving on kids!

They Have Arrived!!!!

The 2008 Oasis mission team had arrived!! It is so great to see faces from home!!! After a rough time in Johannesburg, lack of sleep, flying into Swaziland but not being able to land and having flown back to Johannesburg, the cell phone company not working Friday in Swaziland --AT ALL.; the team finally arrived on Friday and all their luggage arrived (later that evening, not with them).

Keep them in your prayers! God has great things in store! We've already had a close encounter with an elephant -- just ask Steve when he gets back.

Tony Lancaster has a Myspace page where is uploading pictures -- when the internet is working. http://www.myspace.com/oasisswazilandteam2008 .

Thanks for all my little gifts that were sent and some of my stuff I had left behind. I've been worshiping to H2O's CD in my truck!!!!

Something big is at work because Satan is working overtime!! This morning it is cold and drizzly. But we are off to Mangwaneni, Mbabane CarePoint!! Lots to do and lots of kids to love on!!!