Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

What a day! How blessed a day to celebrate to day our Savior came. He came as a baby! The word became flesh, and dwelt among us! The more I think about the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ, the more and more I am amazed. This Christmas was unlike any I have ever had! I am so overjoyed to have been able to spend Christmas with my family at RHI. Though I missed my family a bit and it didn’t quite feel like the White Christmas I am used to, I loved spending that day in the sun, here in South Africa! :)

 This Christmas I learned much about the humility of the Son of God, coming and dwelling among us. I was challenged to worship. Making lesser of the gifts and more of the reason Jesus came. 

He didn’t just come as baby Jesus all cute and sweet, so we can sing harmonious songs about him, but Christ came for a purpose so long foretold. Jesus came as King, as High Priest, and as the only one who could pay the ransom for our wicked souls.  He came not as a cute little ornament to hang on our trees, but as a victor of death! As a proclaimer of peace to set the captives free. He came to solve the world’s largest problem;  that even behind all the show, colorful lights, and money spent, we can't escape are depraved, and in desperate need of rescuing. 

I am not trying to bash anyone’s Christmas cheer, but maybe the reason for the cheer is more than Santa…actually I know it is!  It is JESUS, God in flesh, lowering himself to do what no gift of offering could ever do. He came to live unprivileged, downcast, sorrowful, and even hated. But he came to bring JOY to the world, to give them hope for their wickedness that no matter how hard we try we'll never solve our problem. But Jesus was born to give us life, break the chains of sin, bridge the gap so that we might have fellowship with God the Father!! Baby Jesus was born to live and die... and pay the debt I deserve! Jesus was born to die to save!! 

Wow, that is Christmas. Jesus: more than cute. Victor of Death, Messiah , Great I am, chosen One.

Oh Come Let us ADORE Him- Christ the Lord.

Here is a song that I have enjoyed. Listen to the words if you can. And enjoy the smiling faces I got to spend this christmas with :)

TUMELO

STHEMBILE

MONICA AND MEREDITH 

RETHEBILE

TUMI

DRAKE

MODIEHI AND KAMOHALO

ROSE, PETER, AND MOTSHIDISI

We spent a day at a nearby pool as a gift for christmas! :) A first for me.

DIEKETSENG

MOTSHIDISI

PAULINA

ROSE

LERATO

NTSIKILALO

Tumi trying out his new bike :)

Critters...

So far during my time in Africa, I have never have felt like it was Africa, like everyone imagined.

I made sure to check a couple days before I came when Lois asked me if there were any last minute questions. I asked if there was any snakes or strange spiders I should mentally prepare for. No matter that answer I was given I knew I was leaving soon enough to not turn back. Amazingly enough there hasn't been anything I have been to worry too much about! But...now that it is summer time, there are a couple of things coming out to enjoy the summer along with us...

It still isn't the Africa everyone thinks about when they think of "Africa", but here are some nice "little" South African critters that have reminded me I am not in Iowa anymore :)

First Encounter.

This happened in late July as I at one time, had eight spider bites on my face! Whatever kind of spider made a snack of my face, made it quite an itchy and awkward statement which I tried to explain. I tried to explain it's damage whenever someone would look upon my face with an odd wonder, and apathetic look of  my misfortune....but the explanation didn't always get to the worried onlookers.

The Second.

Our friendly neighborhood Shongololo known as the Great African Millipede! They are very common actually(I see about 6 a day now)  They start out small but can grow to be up to a foot long. I was first introduced as this one tried to crawl up my leg while Lerato and I were working on a school project outside. 

Third, and Most Scary.

The Red Roman Spider. 

In the last week I have seen two which is enough to make a little squirmy... 

Known for it's unique nest making habits, it is fortunately not harmful or venomous. 

"These interesting creatures are not a spider or a scorpion, but are described in its own class of species. Sometimes called "Sun Spiders" as they will follow you and stop in your shadow when you stand still. If you run, they run to stay in your shade. This often terrifies people as they move extremely quickly. In Afrikaans they are called "Baardskerders" as they also cut hair of any sort, animal or human to line their nests. They are not poisonous and do not have venom sacs. They are armed with sizable jaw pinchers for cutting hair. Each jaw can move independently of the other. It is stated "they do it so well you will not feel your hair being cut". They often have been noted leaving bald patches on dogs, sheep and probably many other animals."

Whatever, I am not a fan

Last and Most Recent.

Really BIG toads!

The guys found these in the garden. So today they had some fun, and the toads actually drew blood on after biting Louie's finger! Also watched them go after one another. It was a pretty good show this afternoon.

Not the African critters you imagined?

Even with all these creepy, crawly critters, I am so thankful for the grace that God gives everyday. He gives us new mercies every day! Grace upon grace! and I am so thankful for that! 

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)  For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."- John 1:14-16

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."- Lamentations 3:21-24