Sorry for the third post in one day. Upon hearing that it's 100 degrees right now where Yeller is, I felt compelled to show you what our weather is doing. Anyone up for some frosty 12-degree temperatures? Well, we're getting some this evening!
Can We Take a Snow Day?
It is so cold here today. While our winter started off really cold, with snow and all, it's been fairly mild the past few weeks. Cold, but not as bad as we all expected. Well, I think it may have been saving up for today. It is so nasty outside: freezing cold, windy, and snowing heavily. The plus-side is that, in my mind, the snow makes the cold weather worthwhile. At least there's something to show for it. On the down-side, the lack of indoor heating makes it unbearably cold pretty much anywhere we are. Everyone is roughing it in the office today, with blankets, gloves, and heaters galore.
This weekend we are taking our staff down to the Indian Ocean for a staff retreat. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for Ballito isn't looking too good right now. We're hoping it warms up by Friday so we can enjoy the beach a bit. Next week we're off to a safari lodge for debriefing with our Outreach Staff; their two months with us is coming quickly to an end. We are getting ready to leave for the States on August 12 (yikes! only 10 days from today!) and will be there through October. We are really looking forward to soaking up the end-of-summer sun!
Niel's making a fire in our fireplace. Relocating from my cold office to the couch sounds really good about now...
Re-Joyce in the Lord
Most people in South Africa have house help. Including us. It is definitely a blessing which I am very thankful for, although it was difficult for me to get used to at first. Joyce, who works in our home, is a pure delight. She always has a smile on her face and is a blast to be around. She is an incredibly hard worker, often helping me cook as well as clean the house and wash laundry.
But Joyce is more than a "domestic worker"; she is also a friend. I've celebrated her children's birthdays with her family (in fact, her daughter Nomboso turned 9 yesterday), and I've mourned with her over the loss of her loved ones.
Since yesterday, I haven't been feeling well. I've had a fever off and on, but mostly it's my sore and swollen throat that is bothering me. This morning was particularly rough; I took a slow morning before finally crawling out of my bedroom. When Joyce saw me, she asked, "What's wrong?" (That tells you how great I looked!) After telling her that I wasn't feeling well, she asked, "Can I pray for you?" She then hugged me and prayed for me in Sesotho.
While I still feel yucky on the outside, that moment with Joyce this morning warmed my heart...
What Do I Do, Exactly?
Just the other day someone asked me, "So you spend all day everyday in the office?" I guess it's a good thing that I enjoy what I do, because most people seem to cringe at the thought of it. While I don't spend literally ALL day EVERYday in the office, that is where the majority of my job takes place. Doesn't quite fit the picture of a missionary, does it?
If we had enough staff for me to have things my way, my responsibilities would be solely corresponding with partners (being the "face" of the ministry to those back home), vision casting and strategic planning (for the growth of the ministry), and developing partnerships, connections, and friendships with key influencers here in South Africa. However, a lack of staff requires me to do all of that (at diminished levels than is actually needed), plus:
- Writing curriculum
- Meeting with staff (certain staff/departments report to me)
- Writing copy for newsletters, websites, brochures, flyers, etc.
- Editing ministry materials
- Planning pastors' conferences
- Recruiting/corresponding with potential staff members
- Planning our USA trips
- Teaching classes to interns
- Driving mission teams & spending time with them
- Hosting ministry guests
- Leading staff meetings
- Dealing with staff issues
- & a myriad of little things that seem to creep up and fill up my days!
My least favorite thing of all is dealing with staff issues. We just ended a season where we were doing this regularly, and it was draining me more than I'd ever anticipated. I'm glad it's over, but I also know that my job as a leader over those types of things will never be "over". I look forward to the day when we have a ministry administrator who can handle all the day-to-day running of things (which would include dealing with staff issues).
My favorite thing of all, I think (cause you know how much I love choosing favorites!), is sharing about the ministry and our vision. There is much about that whole process that I dislike (meeting new people, speaking publicly, just getting the ball rolling), but I've discovered that, once we've started, I really love it.
With each new team that arrives, Niel and I lead a "Thrive Talk". We explain the ministry and cast the vision. With some teams, who are extremely interested, this has been an awesome time! Niel and I get passionate and excited, and it's a joy to share our hearts. We would go on for hours if we could. The other night, however, we had a team sleep through our Thrive Talk. One girl even made use of a neck pillow (apparently, she came prepared for her nap). That was a difficult one to get through; we did so, but without nearly the same level of passion and excitement as we usually have. Anyway, on a good day, with a good (interested, listening) audience, I really do enjoy sharing our vision.
The ministry is our "baby", birthed by the Lord through us. How can we not be totally pumped to share it with others?! Given the opportunity, we'll gladly whip out the wallet-photos to brag about what God has done!
Can I have a...?
"Can I have a...?" We hear this often. An unfortunate thing about Africa is that people have a "give me" mentality. We are constantly being asked for things not only from people we know but from complete strangers as well. "Can I have some money?" "Can I have a job?" "Can I have a pair of shoes?" Sadly, the requests are not often polite; the Basotho--normally a peaceful, warm, friendly people--can get obnoxious and aggressive in their requests for "stuff".
This past week, we were ministering with a team in the village of Bluegumbosch. Towards the end of the week, the whole village was buzzing with the news that "the Americans are here". The team had Sesotho Bibles which they were giving to the families that they had gotten to know and had ministered to all week long. News that we were there distributing Bibles spread like a wildfire. All day on Thursday (their last day in the village), many different Basotho approached me and asked, "Can I have a Bible?" I had to explain that the team was giving them only to the people they had gotten to know during the week. I encouraged them to attend the local church and that perhaps down the road they would be able to receive a Bible. I had this dialogue about a dozen times before lunch. It got old to have to explain this so much, at times in languages other than English.
At the end of the day, as the team wrapped up children's ministry and returned to the vehicles, swarms of kids followed them. One girl approached Rebecca and I; she asked, "Can I have a..." She paused. We knew what was coming. "...Bible?" or "...sweet?" or "...t-shirt?" When she opened her mouth to finish the sentence, we were stunned.
"Can I have a...hug?"
She received a big hug from both of us. And I received a hug for my heart.
I Remember Now
My American culture and task-focused tendencies were put on the back burner this morning. In Africa, relationships are the basis for everything; they remain the top priority and the main focus, more important than any job that may need to be done. This week I’ve been out in Qwa Qwa helping to drive/lead one of our mission teams. It’s hard for me to be out of the office that much but I’ve been able to bring my laptop with me and get some things done during the day. Today, however, I spent the entire morning talking.
As an introvert, and a very task-oriented introvert at that, I’m not really one to just sit around and talk. Actually I’m not one to just sit around and anything while there’s work that needs to be done. While I see this as a positive characteristic, it easily becomes a negative “workaholic” tendency. I find it difficult to “switch off” when I do have time off or time away.
With my long to-do list, I came prepared for a full and productive day of answering emails, writing newsletters, editing curriculum, modifying some informational packets, and more. But my plans were hijacked as I spent hours talking with the pastors of the local church we are partnering with in this area of Qwa Qwa. After I talked with Mme Josephine for a while, she introduced me to Pastor Abram. I spoke with him for a long time, covering topics as varied as what American culture is like to what is lacking in African churches.
At first, I felt my O.C. mind nagging me and reminding me of all the work that needs to be done. But I finally pushed passed it and was able to enjoy a morning of relationship-focus. Pastor Abram and I had an amazing conversation – eye-opening for him in some ways and encouraging for me in others. It was an, “Aaaah! I’m in Africa!” moment.
Sometimes I just need to remind myself that I am, indeed, in Africa; and you know what they say: when in Africa, do as the Africans. Carving out some time this morning to drink tea and talk was refreshing for my soul. This is the type of experience that drew me to Africa in the first place. It is why I am here, yet I so quickly can forget. I remember now. I remember now.
What About Bob?
There's nothing like an African church service. It's hard to describe the experience to someone who's never been; it is beautiful, exciting, lively, and long! The Basotho love to sing and dance; they have an innate harmony which never ceases to amaze me. They sound best singing a cappella with no microphones; but unfortunately the Basotho also really love to blare music as loudly as possible, usually to the point of distortion.
The service we attended this morning included a mixture of Sesotho, Zulu, and English songs. Much to my surprise and chuckling, we even managed to sing Bob Marley's "Let's Get Together and Feel All Right"! (I just kept picturing the commercial for travel to Jamaica that used that song as its theme when I was a kid.) Only in Africa could you get away with singing Bob Marley during a worship service!
The "high context" Basotho culture means church services have protocol and formalities to be followed. For instance, every person who gets up to speak says, "I greet you all in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." There can be no lulls, so the short quiet between the introduction of someone and him/her actually starting to speak is filled with a song (which extends to several minutes and makes it a bit awkward at times for the person who was just introduced).
Church was short today; we were on our way home only three hours after the service started. Niel ministered a great word and the Lord was clearly moving. The deep faith of the Basotho inspires me; their joy and willingness to sing Him praises while living in dire poverty challenges me. It's great to "get down" and have church Africa-style!
Cheerio Bip-Bip and All That
A ministry guest who was here in April brought us a Costco-sized box of Cheerios. I just had a bowlful -- with bananas -- and felt compelled to blog. Joy truly does come from the little things.
It's ironic when I think about it. Growing up, my mom wouldn't allow us to have sugar cereals. Kix was as far out there as she'd let us go. Cheerios was a staple in our house, and although I enjoyed it I also disliked it because it was unsweet and boring. (I can recall that whenever I slept over a friend's house, I would devour as much Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops as I possibly could, feeling so deprived at home!) Now that I'm thousands of miles from home, able to purchase all the sugar cereals I want, I miss the good ol' basics like Cheerios and Kix. We brought back a box of Kix from Germany last October (as we got to shop on the American military base) and received the Cheerios in April. It's a good cereal year!
Dave has seasons 1-3 of The West Wing on DVD; last night we watched the finale of season 2. It's taken us--Niel, Dave, Rebecca, and I--a year (or maybe a year-and-a-half?) to get through the first two seasons. I have really been enjoying them; the writing is unbelievably riveting. I recall watching the show back in 1999/2000 during the short times I was in the States. My older brother Mike was an avid fan; I only watched the occasional episode with him. I remember struggling to keep up with fast-paced dialogue; now that's one of my favorite aspects of the show. I'm looking forward to starting season 3. Good times.
It's 66 degrees today; the air is still pretty cold, but it's nowhere near as cold as it was last week. Rejoice. Rejoice. Again I say, rejoice.
Home Sweet Home
Our home is an old farm house --- with many quirks and problems, but it is home nonetheless. I just learned that it is one of only two homes that were left standing in this area during all the wars and battles that were fought. Interesting.
(Yes, that's a trampoline out front, and our red four-wheelers...)
Together with my parents, we just purchased a house in New York; my parents went to closing yesterday. We are excited for my parents to be able to live in a nicer and bigger house (with more than one bathroom!!!) and for us to have more space when we are back home. I've only seen pictures so far and cannot wait to see the real thing when we are Stateside later this year! We are excited!
We had a snowstorm earlier this week; since my attempt at linking to an online album failed, here are some pictures from the day after the snowstorm...
The Long Version
In July, 2002 we bought the property we now call home. We had been living in Harrismith for four years by then, and were currently renting a flat outside of town. It was built on a farm in a converted chicken coop (no lie). There was a beautiful view from our living room window of three mountains -- Mount Everest Game Lodge.
Niel and I had been to Mount Everest a few times. (It was so named because one of the mountains on the property is named Mount Everest; we always thought it was so goofy.) We had gone there for Valentine's dinner once, at which we won a drawing for a weekend stay at the lodge (which we never even got to use!).
In May that year, we felt impressed to start looking to buy land for our mission base. We had brainstormed and had a list of things we'd want to eventually build on our base. When we heard that Mount Everest was for sale, we went out to see it with the real estate agent. Looking at it with all new eyes, it astounded us. We could check off so many things on our list that were already on the property: high/low ropes courses, thatched buildings, game animals, eating hall and kitchen, housing, conference facilities, etc.
We shared the vision with our family, Board, friends, and prayer partners. We all sensed it was the Lord and we decided to pursue it. A dear friend got a loan out Stateside for us and we went to the auction with $400,000. At the time, the exchange rate was R10 to $1; we had R4 million. I will never forget the day of the auction; it was like something out of a movie.
We drove up in our old VW van, feeling rather intimidated by all the Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, and Audis that had arrived from Joburg. We had a lawyer here to represent us; he sat separate from us and did the bidding on our behalf. The auctioneer opened the bid at R5 million and we just sank in our seats. No one accepted it, so he lowered and started somewhere around R1.5 million I think. It progressively went up into the R3's.
It was then our lawyer and one other guy (let's call him Dude to make things easier) who were bidding back and forth; each would raise it an additional R100,000. Dude eventually bid R3.9 million; our lawyer bid R4 million and the tension mounted! If Dude raised it one more time, that would be it; we didn't have another cent to our name. He got on the phone with his banker to try to organize more money; and the auctioneer gave him some time before he finally banged his gavel and said, "Going once". Another two minute pause; "Going twice". Minutes went by; the auctioneer was giving Dude a chance to outbid us. Dude finally got off the phone and said, "That's it; I'm out" and walked out of the room.
"SOLD!"; the auctioneer banged the gavel the final time and that was it. We were hesitant to get excited; was it really ours? We turned to our lawyer (seated several rows behind us), and asked, "Was that us?" Indeed, it was!
The rest of the day was a blur of paper signing, and then reality set in. We now owned the three mountains which we had seen out our tiny flat's living room window! The year that followed was also a bit of a blur; our ministry exploded wide open and we were overwhelmed by so many new challenges. The vision before us kept us from selling the property and running far, far away!
The property is truly a gift from God. It is stunningly beautiful: 2500 acres including the mountains, 775 animals at last count (zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, antelope), amazing views on all sides. We felt the most notable feature was the prominent peak that resembled an eagle's head; we renamed the property Eagle Mountain.
The main complex area is 6000 feet above sea level (higher than Denver); the highest peak (the eagle's head) is at approximately 7,470 feet. Much of the property is on a slope; being out of shape and over a mile above sea level means walking between the offices often gets me out of breath!
We moved into the original farm house that has been here for almost 100 years. It's age gives it character, but it also has many quirks. It's not our dream house (by far), but it's home for now. And it's quite a step up from our old flat, which would fit in the kitchen and dining room of this house!
Well, so much for trying "to make a long story short". I think I made a long story...well, long. I'll post some pictures so you can see what I see everyday. Yeller, I'm curious how it lines up with the dream you had...
See Through My Eyes
The view when you come in the main gate and look towards the right; that island used to have a gazebo/picnic spot on it, but it got struck by lightning and burned down...
The eagle's head peak and the chalet (cabin) at its base
The middle and, ironically, smallest mountain: Mount Everest
Mooihoek mountain (means "Beautiful Corner"); this is the mountain that burned a few years ago.
The view from atop Mooihoek; the heart is a grove of trees (on our property); animals often hide in there and it's fun to race through on our four-wheelers.
There are cool outcroppings of rocks and boulders all over the property.
Part of the main complex, this is the eating hall and conference room.
One of the housing units; the single female staff live here (Mooihoek in the background).
One of the cabins
Just a random end-picture; Niel hunted an eland on our property last Thanksgiving. Eland is the largest antelope in the world; all the guys sitting on it gives you an idea of its size...Gangsta Gloves
I look a little ghetto today; I'm working with fingerless gloves on! I know it looks utterly ridiculous, but it enables me to type while keeping my hands warm. Granted, my fingertips are like ice cubes, but the rest of my hands are toasty. I've got a space heater plugged in right next to me in an attempt to warm my legs; it's not working yet.
The mountains around Qwa Qwa are snow capped, and it started to snow, hail, and sleet on our base over the weekend. So here I sit, in my office, with my gangsta gloves on. Aaiight?
Virtual Tour of Harrismith
Our town is quite quaint, complete with a town hall. The only time I've been in there is for Carols by Candlelight around Christmas. They often hold Afrikaans concerts there; no thanks, I'll pass.
The post office ALWAYS has long lines. The usual slow service is combined with an assortment of services and items for sale that should not be available in a post office. You can play the lottery, do your banking, send faxes, purchase school supplies, pay your speeding tickets, and make photocopies. So those who are there on legitimate post office business (you know, buying stamps and mailing packages), are stuck waiting in line behind everyone else who's there to do any number of things. Fun times.
Shopping is fairly limited in Harrismith. We have a few grocery stores, two video rental stores (who have slowly been building up a selection available in DVD format), and probably 9 furniture stores. Pretty much every small town in SA has a ton of furniture stores; unfortunately they all sell pretty much the same junk. (Funny enough, one year a furniture store advertised a free sheep with any purchase over R2000. Only in Africa!) No Lowe's or Home Depot, just lots of small hardware stores. Most of the stores close at 5:00 during the week, at 1:00 on Saturdays, and don't open at all on Sundays. I think they even roll up the streets after 9 PM.
It is an unwritten law that it's okay for a woman driving by herself to not wait at a red light after dark. Because of the high rate of crime in SA, a woman can come to a stop and then just continue on if there are no cars going the other way. I like to make use of that whenever I can; not because I feel unsafe, but simply because I'm impatient!
We do have some restaurants in our fine city. Our eateries include:
- KFC - they are everywhere in Africa, are much better than the American ones, and are affectionately called "Kentucky"
- Nandos - yummy grilled chicken, from mild to extra hot
- Spur - steaks/tex mex with an odd Native American decor that you need to see to believe!
- Juicy Lucy - smoothies and sandwiches; a fun new addition to our town
- Wimpy - burgers/breakfast; not too high on my favorites list
- Debonairs Pizza - twenty minutes out of town, but worth the drive when we have time to make it
The restaurants are typically "open till late", meaning they're open until they decide to close or everyone has left. This could mean 9:00 or 10:00, you'll just have to wait and see!
We live 15-20 minutes outside of town (the opposite side than that of the pizza place). The dirt road leading out to our base is really bad right now. All the rain we've had in the past few months has left it looking like Swiss cheese (which, by the way, is not available here; Amers, remember how badly we wanted it so you could make your yummy Swiss Chicken?!). So the drive is a bit longer than usual since we have to drive a bit slower than usual. We're not that far from town, but we're far enough that sometimes weeks can go by with me not ever leaving the base! The lack of a personal car is the largest contributing factor to that; we're believing to be able to buy something next year. With gas currently at over $4 a gallon, it's a challenge to pay the expenses for all the ministry vehicles right now, never mind throwing another car into the mix.
Well, that's a glimpse of good ol' Harrismith. All you need to know and more! Now you need to come see for yourself, if you haven't yet, or come see how it's changed, if you've been here before! The welcome mat is out; come on over!
A Cold Spell
The place I now call home is Harrismith, a tiny town in South Africa. For those who need me to start at the very beginning (a very good place to start), South Africa is a country at the southern most tip of Africa. Countless people, upon hearing that I'm a missionary in South Africa, have asked me, "Oh, what country in South Africa?" Maybe because South America is a continent consisting of countries, confusion has arisen regarding the sovereignty of the nation of South Africa. Indeed, it is a country.
South Africa has nine provinces; we are based in the good, ol' Free State province -- as rural and hick as...well, I don't want to offend
anyone so you can insert your own thought regarding a rural/hick place. Thankfully, Harrismith is located between four of SA's large cities; we are just about halfway between Johannesburg and Durban (so a movie theater is only about 3 hours away). As I drive through SA, I offer thanks to God that although Harrismith is small, it is at least pretty. Most of SA's small towns are ugly and boring, but our fine town is located at the base of Platberg (Flat 
Mountain) and is rather picturesque. There is an annual Mountain Race, where thousands of people flock to Harrismith to run up and down Platberg. This has been going on for over 100 years and had a rather humorous beginning.
For about half the year, we are seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The other half of the year, we are only six hours ahead. South Africa does not use Daylight Savings, so when America "springs ahead" an hour, we become an hour closer. I prefer this time of year, being only 6 hours ahead. Not only does it make me feel closer, but the decreased time difference makes it easier for us to connect and correspond with the States.
Because we're in the Southern Hemisphere, our seasons are opposite of those in the States. We are going into winter now and it has been freezing. Yes, it gets cold in Africa. In fact, we get snow here in Harrismith! This is our house, covered in snow...
We don't get as much snow as Michigan, but we get snow nonetheless. And without plows, our whole town just shuts down when it snows. The worst snowstorm we've ever had occurred right over September 11 (the original). The road leading out of town to Durban was closed (it's steep and curvy) and trucks couldn't get in to deliver more goods. Oddly, the three things the town ran out of was toilet paper, diapers, and whiskey.
Now the real challenge in winter is that we have no indoor heating. Not just us, but the entire nation. It's a foreign concept (literally), and many people in our area die each winter just because of the cold. It is typically just as cold indoors as it is outdoors, if not colder. Most nights (and mornings), we can see our breath in our bedroom while sitting in our bed. Yikes - that's cold. It's something I have never gotten used to about living here... We run space heaters where we can, but it does little to ward off the permeating cold.
The forecast for tomorrow is "mostly cloudy and very cold, with temperatures around 25 degrees Fahrenheit". Real stay-in-bed-with-warm-pj's-and-drink-hot-cocoa-all-day kind of weather, but alas, I cannot! I will, however, go jump into my warm bed right now... G'night!
something is stirring
On Sunday, Mma Impo received word that her father passed away. She and her daughter were planning to leave Botswana later that day to come to Harrismith, South Africa to attend our women's conference. The news that her father passed away shook her, but did not deter her. Her daughter arrived, assuming they would have to cancel their plans and rather go to their home village to make funeral arrangements. "No," Mma Impo said. "Going to Mahalapye will not bring him back. God comes first. We are going to Harrismith. God has something for us there." So they came. Their expectancy was evident. The look in their eyes told you they were expecting an encounter with God. It was visible in many others' eyes as well. The women were hungry. Eager. Expectant. And God did not disappoint. The sessions were powerful, the ministry times were sweet, and the women's lives were changed. They were challenged, inspired, encouraged, motivated, and stirred. They left with a clear vision and sincere passion to be used by God in their communities.
One of the women was clearly suffering from advanced stages of 
AIDS. She was emaciated to the point of skin and bones, her cheeks were sunken and sallow, her gait was strained and slow. When she came forward for prayer, I had the opportunity to minister to her. My heart broke. I began to weep as I hugged her; it felt as though I was hugging a skeleton. She pressed through her pain and discomfort to attend the conference, longing for a touch from the Lord. I believe she received one; her face, amidst the suffering, radiated joy from within. Her presence at the conference also provided me a touch from the Lord, as He gripped my heart once again for this beautiful, precious woman and the countless like her who are dying across South Africa.
From Qwa Qwa to Botswana, a revolution has begun. Brace yourself. Something is stirring in Africa.
Eight Years & Counting
Friday marked eight years in Africa. The day came and went without incident. Africa didn’t notice. As if I’ve always been here. Or maybe as if I just arrived. A dear friend remembered and it warmed my day.
I think my perception of my time here is just like Africa’s. In some ways it’s as though I’ve always been here. Feels very much like home. Comfy. Cozy. The only place I’ve ever lived in my “adult” years. I know nothing else. It feels like a very long eight years, longer than the sum total of the rest of my life.
In other ways it’s as though I just arrived. There are times when things are as challenging and difficult as they were eight years ago. There are days when the my heart aches from missing friends and family, when the rawness of my longing for home seems fresh and not eight years old.
Yet there’s still the newness of the adventure that grips me at times – the thrill of being in Africa! The “buzz” of being a missionary. The awe at the amazing beauty that surrounds me. The peace of walking in His will.
Eight years has gone by, yet I am still just beginning.
When You See a Missionary...
I don't know who made this statement, but I find it to ring true in my own life...
"Remember, when you see a missionary coming home broken in body and weary in soul, it isn't the privations or dangers or things he's done that leave a deep hurt; it's the things he couldn't do that break his heart."
I am often overwhelmed by all that is left to be done. I'm not talking just about the things on my daily to-do lists that I don't seem to have enough time to accomplish (although that is a daily occurrence). I'm not even talking about my email inbox that seems to hover at about 100 emails still to be answered, even when I try my hardest to stay on top of correspondence. I'm talking about the overwhelming sense of the unfinished task that lies before me.
The vision God has given us, the passion He has emblazoned in my heart to see Africa transformed, is much larger and more encompassing than what we are doing now. I feel as though we are only barely scratching the surface of what we could, and should, be doing and what we are called to do. I understand that it's a journey, a process. I also can look back and see how far we have come (and it sure is a long way!). But I also get frustrated as I try to keep my head above water with what is on my plate now while also longing to be doing so much more.
The needs are so great. I look around me and can almost tangibly feel the hopelessness and despair that seems to reside in Qwa Qwa. Week after week, I learn about someone who has passed away--someone who is related to someone I know or connected to our ministry in some way. Death is a startling daily reality in Africa.
The things I can't yet do are the things that break my heart. They weigh heavy on me...
Juicy Lucy
Rebecca and I went out for lunch the other day for our "Juicy Lucy date", which we've been planning for months. Juicy Lucy is a smoothie/sandwich shop that just opened in our town. Yes, the bustling metropolis of Harrismith has opened a new establishment! They have been announcing that it is "coming soon" for months and months, and Reba and I have been anticipating it eagerly. It was well worth the wait.
It is by far the nicest place in our town right now; AND they are working on making it an internet hot-spot – can it get any better than that?! Reba and I were bursting with excitement, and laughing at ourselves, the whole time we were there. I can guarantee we will be there pretty often…
Life in Harrismith is SO much better now than it was 8 years ago when I first arrived! Smoothies, tortillas (occasionally), and Philadelphia cream cheese can make such a difference! (Not necessarily consumed together!) It's easy to find joy in the little things here in Africa.
Carey-Okie Lessons
I was recently reading about William Carey, the great missionary to India back in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. He was a pioneer of the missionary movement, someone for whom I have a lot of respect and admiration (can you have those things for someone who is deceased?). He is probably most known for saying,
“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”
I read that Carey made that bold proclamation in a sermon he preached. It was his deduction of what Isaiah 54:2-3 was saying.
Carey also said, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” My future depends not on my location, my culture, my experiences, my background, or my financial portfolio; my future is determined by the promises of God. I am challenged to remember that whenever I am faced with something that seems to contradict what God’s Word says. My future is as bright as the promises of God.
In a letter William Carey wrote to his father, telling him of his decision to go to the mission field, he wrote:
"I hope, dear father, you may be enabled to surrender me up to the Lord for the most arduous, honorable, and important work that ever any of the sons of men were called to engage in. I have many sacrifices to make; I must part with a beloved family and a number of most affectionate friends. But I have set my hand to the plow."
I am blessed and privileged to have set my hand to the plow for the most “arduous, honorable, and important work” of making Christ known in the earth. Setting your hand to the plow is done not only by those who live on foreign soil. You can be engaged in this honorable and important work in your hometown, as you go about your daily life of mothering, working, or serving in a church.
Keep your hand to the plow; don’t look back; fix your eyes on the promises of God; expect great things from the Lord and attempt great things for Him!
When It Rains, It Pours
It was raining in my house last night. Well, not literally, but it sure seemed like it.
We fell into bed shortly before midnight. Niel started snoring right away and I began reading a few more chapters in my book. Suddenly I heard this strange sound, almost like a waterfall. Our home has a tin roof so the sound of rain is very distinct (and loud!). I knew it didn't sound like rain normally does, but I couldn't imagine what else it could be. So I peeked my head out the front door, and confirmed that it was indeed not raining. Perplexing...
As the sound continued, I walked into our guest room to see if it sounded different in there. As I turned on the light, I discovered that water was streaming through the ceiling all over the bed! As I began grabbing everything off the bed (and moving it into the office) and calling for Niel to come and help, my brain finally processed what was happening. The geyser (hot water heater) is directly above the guest bed - that was what was "raining" into the room! Which explained why all the water, which was drenching me in the process of moving everything, was so hot!
We moved the bed out of the way, threw towels on the floor, and laid out bucket after bucket to catch all the water. Niel finally got the water to the house turned off and the waterfall became a steady drip, which became a slow drip, which eventually became a nonexistent drip. We came into the office, plopped into our chairs, and just looked at each other, shaking our heads.
When it rains, it most certainly pours...