A Days Adventure With Mr. Toad...

The other day Laurie and I had a lovely day hanging out, and caring for the youngest four boys Rethabile, Tumelo, Tumi, and Sthembile. 

Rethabile and Tumelo have adopted the nick-name of the Terrible Two. They are quite the pair. They always seem to be getting into something, as you can imagine any four and three year old boy would be.

The other day to their delight, while the normal adventuring outside, they found a little friend.

-Rethibile-

-The Terrible Two-

Just their type indeed! With  all his tolerant behavior, inviting looks, friendly charms, not to mention his slow getaway skills, this fine fellow was welcomed quickly into the boys duo. 

I went outside to see what all the Sotho chatter was about and there and behold, was our afternoon guest and entertainment: Mr. Toad!

Mr. Toad

-Tumi wasn't that into it-

After all the fun with our friend Mr. Toad, we sent him on his way.  We all then worked on a few English words and shape. Retibelie has really picked up a lot of words quickly. He is understanding so much. Tomelo is working on it. He learns the words of food much quicker than shapes. He might not quite be able to remember which is red or green, but he knows what a crasins and almonds are! J

As Laurie and I are stepping back from our house mothering duties, (because RHI has now hired a new relief house mother) we will have much more time to work with the boys with basic English, and begin some kindergarten learning! It is really amazing to see just how much the boys have grown up since being here. I am sure when we first arrived they thought having two white mamas speaking in a different language was pretty silly, but it seems like Mama Lulay, and Mama Nthabisang (what the boys call Laurie and I) have made a little place in their lives, that hopefully they will be able gain something from it. If only by simply teaching them shapes, or caring for them, we hope that they would be shown the love of the Lord through me in some way.

Please pray for these boys.

 Though they do not understand it yet, we pray that they would one day know the love of Jesus in their lives. We pray for them now, for protection and peace for their lives.  For some of the children we don’t know how long they will be with us at The Village. We know that the Lord has had them safely in His hands since He created them in their mother’s womb, and will continue to hold them in His loving hands wherever they go or stay. 

 We pray for their lives; and are blessed to be able to hold and love them now.

“You hem me in, behind and before,

And lay your hand upon me…

For you formed me in my inmost parts;

You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

My soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

When I was being made in secret,

Intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

In your book were written, every one of them,

The days that were formed for me, when as of yet there were none of them.”- Psalm 139:5,13-16

Sthembile-nothing beats a happy baby in a onesie 

Reflecting a Bit

I am sitting outside, hiding in my little corner where I can catch the internet. I am enjoying the soft breeze and quite rest. The quiet is so nice. J

 I just got off from a great weekend at the older girls house (thrus-sun).

It feels like Laurie and I are finally getting the hang of things, and being able to relax (relatively) and enjoy more moments.

Yeah, we are still the “moms”, and I have learned how to have a thicker skin, but I sit back and am realizing how hard it will be to leave these kids, that I have come to love on a whole new level. I have never felt this kind of love before. So I am not quite sure how to explain it.

 Allison a girl who Laurie and I have been blessed to get to know as our roommate for that last three months is leaving this week. We will miss her a lot, and the work she has been apart of.

Summer is coming to an end. (I hear the fair starts soon and you know that is a sue sign of summer’s end) Shorty after that Laurie will be on here way home in September.That will also be my half way mark…

I am thankful I still have a while to be here, but that I will in turn have to leave also. It is sad watching people say goodbye. It seems like a really hard thing to say goodbye, and don’t really want to have to do it.

But as I am sad at that fact, I am reminded once again WHY I am here. I sit back and reflect on the telling’s of Christ.

 He was faithful to bring me to South Africa for the purposes of His name, and to tell of His mighty acts.

I remember how I felt this fear to performance the months before I left. When I was trying to prepared for being a missionary.

 God showed me my inadequacy. I am still pretty aware of it… ‘cause I know the fails of each day.  As much as I think about all my weaknesses, I have forget to acknowledge, and live in His complete perfection, and powerful hand over all things!

I missed the point of 1 cor 12:9 because I stopped reading after the first line. But the important part of the verse is the second half.

Almost every week in church, we sing this song called Once Again.  The lines of it each week humble me to ‘once again’ look to that big and bloody cross, nail pierced hands, and dying hill.

 A gory sight of scandalous grace;

 the act of God, who so loved the world, that He gave up His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

“Once again I look upon the cross where You died,

 I’m humbled my your mercy and I’m broken inside

 Once again I thank you

 Once again I pour out my life

Once again.”

I stand in my pew and sing those words, surrounded by all these kids I love, singing the message I came here to share- through my hands and words- to the same kids watching me sing those words: “Once again, I look upon the cross where you died… Once again I thank You; Once again I pour out my life.”

Once again meaning A.K.A here we go again.

A repetitive action.

An action of returning again, and again, to the foot of that bloody cross, and looking up at Him, who brought me peace.

Him who had all power and authority to conquer death.

Him who lives and dwells in me, covering me from all my blemishes and failures of sin – because His life, death, and resurrection- and stamping me with His love-And in His love calling me to love, as He has.

His name is Jesus.

His name is peace.

And He, is the one who has known and cared for these children even as they were formed in their mothers womb (Pslam 139).  I can do nothing here apart from that blood.

I sit back and reflect on that a little longer.

 Thinking “ I, can do nothing apart from the blood of Jesus.” Yet, I, see that I am not here for nothing.

I see that God is working despite myself. He is using my body, to be His messenger of His love.

He has purpose for me, and for me being here in Welkom, South Africa falling in love with the kids I am so blessed to know here.

I want to reflect more on that repetitive action of “once again I pour out my life.” and stay there for a while. 

Please listen to the song. Pause there for a moment.

And pray for me! 

·      Pray that I would dwell continually on Jesus’ sacrifice, and revel at His works!

·      That me being in SA would be and act of worship, for His glory

·      And that we would be able to see that power, and authority of the cross’ redemption, cover and be at work in Restoring Hope Village.

Enjoying The Sun

It is August now, and I can’t even believe how fast the time has flown! I know I keep saying that, but it just affirms the truth in it.

I have been making this my home, and I have to say that I love this “job”!

It is winter here, and we are all in winter mode, but there have been a few days we got to roll up jeans, and soak in the sun. We almost forgot about our long- time withdrawn pasty white ankles beneath the layers.   (brought out the sunglasses, not because of the sun, but for our legs! haha )

Tuesday Laurie and I spent the day at the younger children’s house, and it was such a good day! During nap time we took advantage of the time and heat, and sat outside to read.

You never get bored, (or maybe I am becoming much more easily entertained) but there is such a blessed mix of relaxing rest, and keeping busy; all of which, can really be quite funny, and an enjoyable mix.

--Check out the video below--

When the kids got up they played so well outside. Laurie and I would just look up and smile, thinking how blessed we are to be able to be here, taking care of the kids. And how honored I am to be apart of this ministry.

It is is cool to see kids relearn how to be kids, and be gifted with the freedom to do so.

 So often because of sin, children are forced to grow up far too fast. These kids have seen many things, they have had to do, much more to care for themselves, many more responsibilities and worries than even adults have. It has become normal in this culture to have ten year olds providing the food and taking care of little siblings. But cool to see once again children being children.

Jesus knew what he was doing when he told his disciples to let the children come to Him and listen to him. And to follow their examples of a childlike faith.

I am also reminded of a childlike joy. 

My dear friend from South Africa, just lent me a new book that I am already super excited for! One, because, it is written by one of my favorite people in the world; and two, because I am have only read the preface, prolog and first chapter, and am already challenged!

The Shadow of the Almighty By Elisabeth Eliot. A biography and collection of writings of her first husband, Jim Elliot. (A missionary to Ecuador, along with Nate Saint and others who were killed preaching Christ.)

 I admire and am inspired by her, and his writing for so many different reasons! I feel like this will be one book I will have a hard time putting down for the truth found in it. And something so encouraging to read, as I am busy, plugging away at the ministry in front of me.

Here’s a taste of what I’m talking about.

“ Jim’s aim was to know God. His course, obedience- the only course that could lead to the fulfillment of his aim. His end was what some would call an extra –ordinary death, although in facing death he had quietly pointed out that many have died because of obedience to God.

   He and other men with whom he died were hailed as heros, ‘martyrs’. I do not approve (Elisabeth Elliot- Wife of Jim). Nor would they have approved.

    Is the distinction between living for Christ and dying for Him, after all, so great? Is not the second the logical conclusion of the first? Furthermore, to live for God IS to die, ‘daily’, as the apostle Paul put it. It is to lose everything that we may gain Christ. It is in thus laying down our lives that we find them” –Elisabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty

So tonight, I think I will indulge a little; maybe buy a tub of real dairy ice-cream (most you will find in disguise, is made from vegetable oil…) and sink in to some old words with the Elliots. J

“It is when we obey God’s law that we can be quite sure that we really know Him. The man who claims to know God but does not obey His laws is not only a liar, he lives in self-delusion. In practice, the more a man learns to obey God’s law, the more truly and fully does he experience his love for Him. Obedience is the test of whether we really live ‘in God’ or not. The life of a man who professes to be living in God must bear the stamp of Christ”-1 John 2:3-6, JBP

The Goodness

So, It has been a while since I have written anything on this.
I am alive and well!
I could come up with a million excuses for why I have not written,
but I won't.
I would tell you many stories, of the good and bad days;
But that would be a lot.
I could tell you all that God has been teaching and opening my eyes;
And I will.


But, what I have experience during the last few weeks (while neglecting my blog) is something too sweet to be cluttered with all of those things at this moment.
I am sure I will eventually get caught up, somehow; but at this moment I am filled with the joy of a simple truth.
               "I will exalt you, my God the King; 

    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
 Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; 
    his greatness no one can fathom. 
 One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts. 
 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b] 
 They tell of the power of your awesome works— 
    and I will proclaim your great deeds. 
 They celebrate your abundant goodness 
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, 
    slow to anger and rich in love.

 The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you. 
 They tell of the glory of your kingdom 
    and speak of your might, 
 so that all people may know of your mighty acts 
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
    and your dominion endures through all generations."- PSALM 145:1-13

These last weeks I have been reminded of the joy of salvation, and the goodness of the Lord.
Sweet grace.


So many ways the Lord has poured grace upon grace to me.
Grace: this thing so undeserved.


God has shown me His love and goodness to me in so many ways.
He has given me given me laughter, when discouraged; sleep, when I was tired; His Word, when I was hungry; eyes, when I had no wisdom to see; and love, when I knew none.


He has given me all I needed, and still he delights in blessing His children with those sort of gifts!
Gifts I do not deserve. Gifts I do not need. Gifts that show me love. Gifts of goodness, mercy and love!
These are gifts of the goodness of the Lord, that fill me up with joy.
And they can be so simple, yet, as the Lord knows my heart, He knows how to bless is so well!


Here are a few of those sweet gifts, and moments that were captured in part :)


Enjoy!

Beautiful

Working on our music with a glockenspiel and accordion band :)

A fun day off in Bloem with our friends! ( Me, D.J, Sam, Alex, Allison, and Laurie)

What's for dinner?

Look at those cheeks- He later fell asleep on me

Laurie and the boys

I love hearing Tumi talk- He is getting his "NO " down to a tea, in english a Sotho