Learning to Celebrate the Differences!

When you are in transition, the differences jump out at you ... comparing it to how it was before and/or how it use to be. I however, have always believed it is best to focus on the things that are the same, it makes the transition a little easier than looking at what you are missing. 

But God is showing me that focusing on what is different gives me another dimension into Him; 

not on what I am missing, but on what is new and what can be exciting.

God's plan and God's creation is all different and all beautiful!!!

He first showed me in little discoveries of the world around my new home in Nelspruit.

This was a rose in a garden in a quaint shopping area!

A waterfall visited during our missionary retreat.

 

Nearby botanical gardens.

Prayer mountain where we stay when we have to be at the southern CarePoints for more than one day.

"The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display His marvelous craftsmanship."

Psalm 19:1

Ah! But He didn't stop there. He started showing me His greatest creation in all the new people I am meeting and experiencing. 

The new culture of Afrikaans for example. They are white Africans that speak a different language which is a mix of German and Dutch. Very different from Siswati, no clicks and a lot of back of the throat sounds in their words. I see their words on signs and have no clue on how to pronounce it correctly. They seem less open and excepting of Americans and it has been very intimidating to me. But I am starting to see them with new eyes. I see huge hearts and loving spirits and I am growing in a positive anticipation of  getting to know and understand this new culture a little better and make new friends.

Churches is another new experience. Visiting churches when you move is sometimes very overwhelming.

In the frustration of finding a new church home and none of them being like Swaziland, God has given me peace and joy. (It has been a process that I didn't welcome at first.) I now have a desire to use this rare opportunity before getting settled to experience different types of worship. 

Big and little, traditional and more modern, different "denominations", different ethnic mixes, different experiences. What a pleasant eye opener it is becoming! We can worship God in different ways but "agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose" (Philippians 2:2). I know He will show me where to plant myself but first I get to soak up the joy of worshiping Him in a variety of environments. 

Then there are the children and adults at our new feeding sites! Because I miss Swaziland, I want them to be the same as my kids there. And in many ways they are ... the language, the smiles and the love.

But we are not in Swaziland anymore. This is no kingdom. It is a government that in some ways is better and in some ways bring the traps of a society that has a welfare type system.  And regardless of it all, 

each child is different...

Each child is unique.

As we start doing sponsorship in South Africa, I am seeing new faces, new challenges and new opportunities to bring hope and the love of Christ to those who need His light, love and wisdom!

As people (maybe even you) help in sponsoring a child, 

(we have only 4 out of 444 sponsored so far and even more children to register)

we will work not on what we have done before or elsewhere but in looking at how South Africa is different.

Looking at what the needs of these communities are. 

Looking at how we can best minister beyond just nutritious meals for healthier bodies but in Bible based activities for eternal impact and in psycho-social training to improve the lives of each child and the community they live in.

"But forget all that---it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!"

Isaiah 43:18-19

I am realizing for the first time, that I am excited about God using me in a new work. I trust His plans! I cherish how He grows me! I anticipate what the future holds!

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."

Philippians 3:13

Blessed Trip to the States

I wasn't planning on visiting the states this year. I usually go home every 2 or 3 years. But can I say God, my family (all of them, even extended family), my friends and even yes even strangers, 

BLESSED MY SOCKS OFF!!!!

The whole reason for the trip was that last August, my youngest son Michael got engaged! Stephanie is wonderful! The wedding was fun! I am blessed with two great sons, Kristopher and Michael and two fantastic daughters (in-laws) Christina and now Stephanie.

Here are a few shots of the crazy, fun love packed adventures my 4 weeks in the states held!

And for all of you, that I was enjoying myself so much, I failed to take a picture, you are still imprinted in my memories!!!!

Thank you!!! Lots of love and hugs and appreciation!!!

Newsletter from South Africa!

A long overdue newsletter is finally out!

Romans 8:35 & 37

This is a deviation to the journey blog I started the other day. I felt compelled tonight to share my journal entry from just about an hour ago; something I don't think I have ever done. I pray that it is for someone who is feeling overwhelmed and in their own cocoon. I also figure that if I don't do it now now, that I will reason my way out of it and fail to be obedient. It may not speak to you but please, as always, bear with me.
Earlier today, it now being close to midnight, I was hit with the most sudden and crippling migraine I have ever had! Gratefully, my migraines have never lasted more than 24 hours (I so feel for those that  have them that last for days). This one has held true in that regard but I have never had one that has been so violent and painful and scary! I am thankful that through it all I knew Char had my back and I was physically not alone. As the pain subsides, I finally was able to sit with my Lord and was led to Romans chapter 8. The following verses (35& 37) spoke to me and I share what I wrote afterwards. Be aware that this is not shared to gain sympathy or compassion but because I think the Lord has someone who needs to hear that He is there in the midst of it.

"'Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?....No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."
Lord, I have never had a migraine hit so fast & so hard. Thank you that it is dissipating. It has a way of making you feel all alone. Making me feel vulnerable and out of control. Even with others around to help, pain isolates me. It traps me in my own cocoon. I can't even feel You! I can only focus on breathing in & out. Draw me close as the pain subsides. Comfort me and hold me and whisper that even when I don't feel You, you are always there. Thank you!"

Even now as I type this, I know my experience was so short a timespan and that so many deal with chronic pain, or calamity or hunger or cold. I think of my friends who I know suffer so much more than I have. I think of the children and families and pastors we work with who are hungry and cold night after night, day after day. I am humbled by my journal entry and now pray for them to feel you even through their cocoon! May each of us realize how blessed we are to have You in our lives Lord, no matter what is happening! And may anyone who reads this but doesn't know You personally, ask You to reveal Yourself to them and to sincerly ask You into their life! I know You will hear and respond in grace, mercy and love! Amen!

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.)

Happy New Year!

Happy 2013!!! A new year has come, a new home for me is coming and a new look to my blog is here!!!! 

I pray that as you reflect on 2012 you are able to see God's hand throughout it. Through the ups and the downs, He never left you. He is always there to be your refuge, your strength, your cheerleader and your loving Father!

2012 had many ups for me:

1) the visits I had with family (Some had been over 3 years since we had hugged)

2) the growth of Children's Cup not only in size but also in depth

    

3) my staff doing so well I was moved out of my position over sponsorship

It was not all sunshine, there were also downs in 2012:

1) the death of my ex-husband and father of my children, Keith Chesterman

2) the 5 month hospitalization of our Swaziland director, Mitch Hildebrant

3) the realization that I would not remain in Swaziland

God is faithful and whether it feels like something was up or down or good or bad; God works it all out for His glory. I strongly believe in the verse God gave me for my journey to Africa which I have quoted often. "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!" Ephesians 3:20

As I prepare to move to South Africa in March 2013 my ministry will be the same just different than what it has been!

SAME

Still with Children's Cup

Still working with orphan and vulnerable children

Still working primarily with Swazis

Still being obedient to what I feel God says

DIFFERENT

Will be living in Nelspruit, South Africa

Only initial staff will be myself and Mitch and Char Hildebrant

Will have to get new resident permits sorted for South Africa

We will be partnering with existing ministries to start new CarePoints in Badplaas (about halfway between Mbabane, Swaziland and Nelspruit, South Africa) and Mahushu (the other side of Nelspruit).

Change is challenging, so please keep me in your prayers. I know by 2014 I will be amazed to see all that God does and I pray I can be faithful to the task of starting Children's Cup in a new country. I will deeply miss my dear friends and co-workers in Swaziland that I have spent five years building relationships with! But, my heart swells like a proud parent, that so many have grown and taken over the ministry in ways that allows me not to be needed in Swaziland. It is also comforting to know that although I am in another country, it is only a couple of hours from Mbabane and we will be partnering and visiting often.

I covet your prayers during this time of change. 

Specifically for:

1) Peaceful and smooth transition to South Africa

(Mitch's hopefully final surgery is today and upon Char and his return to Africa, is when we move to SA, probably in March)

2) Please pray that Mitch's surgery is successful and he has a complete and quick recovery!

3) Grace for getting necessary organizational and individual government paperwork to be received and processed timely and correctly

4) The logistics of housing and office (please check out http://www.mitchionary.blogspot.com/ for how we are trying to purchase a facility that can do both)

5) That I walk in joy, peace and continued obedience for 2013!

Thank you for being so faithful to read my blogs, to support me with prayers and finances and just to send me your love and encouragement throughout the journey!

Ngiyabonga kakhulu kakhulu!!! "Knee-yah-bone-gah 

gah-koo-loo gah-koo-loo" which means 

I thank you soooooo much!!!

Happy New Year!