Soak it up!

Only two more real days, and I have been trying to soak up the time as much as I can!

This week I have been going back and forth from houses mothering this week. I am pooped, but also so thankful for the extra time with the kids.
I can't believe my time is up. There has been many tears so far this week and am sure there will be more to come.
My bags are packed, and I am all but ready to come home. TJO. I know God has so much for me these next couple day and the months to come and can smile at the future, because my God has proven Himself faithful over and over again.

Everyday this week Tumalo in broken english has been asking if he is coming to America with me.... :(

Letaro

mmm-bah! Means kiss is Sesotho 

Haha, what a keeper. Tumi striking a pose on a hot hot day. 

Sthembile

Ntseekilalo

Please be praying for me as I say goodbyes, and then leave on friday. Pray for safe travel as I fly, and that I will rest in the grace, truth and mercy of Jesus Christ. 

Counting on My Hands...

Only 10 days...
I am now able to countdown on my hands the number of days until I fly across the ocean. I feel like I did before I came, a bit scared, and sad to leave my home.
I have said it a million times, but I CAN NOT believe how the time has flown.
In many many ways this place has become my home. And my heart is invested in so many places.
The goodbyes have started, and I am nearly always a few snaps away from tears. I am usually not one to be classified as a crier (well, it depends on who is judging I guess :) but I think South Africa has indeed made me much more of a crier. I cry because of the blessing I have received. I have heard it said, that "you cry when you come to Welkom, and you cry when you leave." And I think I would have to say that that saying is proving it's self true to me.

It never really was my plan to come to South Africa again, especially for almost a year. And thinking back on the year it all came together very fast. And what I have learned this year that has made me so close to tears these last couple of days are lessons and experiences of sweet sweet GRACE.
Being here has been such a gift!

At this point I have been doing a lot of reflecting over the last eight months, and have experienced an out and overflowing feeling of joy and amazement of all the things the Lord has provided for me.

Now I am not going to make everything sound like heaven, it has not always been easy here. It has not always been fun, and there were times that I was ready to come home. But looking back, I see eight months covered in GRACE.

No Worries.
I have been extraordinarily blessed to not have had to worry about finances. The Lord provided for me all the way through! I have never gone hungry. I wasn't sure how it would all work when I was first asked to come to SA, but God provided people to give, and take care of me. I have been provided for not only in financial ways, but in spiritual ways that feed me much more than food could. Now that is something that really has been such an underserved blessing; and I am truly thankful for! I haven't had to worry at all. I praise the Lord for those who were involved in the gift and grace God gave me.


 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindnessto us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.- Ephesians 2:3-9

Faithfulness!
You know, I came here thinking I would minister to people, but I have felt like I am the one who has received such a deep encounter of mercy ministry.
I have had people invest in my life in ways I was so surprised and blessed by.
Above everything and anything I could have done, I have experienced God claiming my heart, and wanting more and more of my attention, and worship. He has worked in mighty ways in my heart and shown me how He wants to work in my heart!  He has reminded of His faithfulness in the past, the present and the future. I am learning that when I am most satisfied in Him, ministry is effortless because it is the work of the Lord.  No good work I could do would mean a thing, but it is God who works in me and through me that makes this life worth anything. It is only when I, Mallory, decrease; and Christ increases that I am able to be apart of God's work in others lives. I am just a servant, and one who abundantly has received grace upon grace. I am sinful, and God is full of mercy.

^"13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,who is a pattern of the one to come.
¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,overflow to the many! ¹⁶ Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
²⁰ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."- Romans 5:13-21

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. -John 1:14-17

And I am overflowing.

And have become a crier.

:)

My Buddy From Church- She has one of the cutest giggles. 

She is Tumi's friend too :)

Enjoying some time my friend DJ, who has been on break from university and working at The Village. 

Peter O'Tool has been a fun kid to have around. 

Modiehi

Miss Meredith O'Tool

Ntseeki is a little cheese ball. 

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

An Emotional Dummy?

Today I was reminded of a quote that I have loved. Because as a girl I can be thrown around, day by day, by a war of emotions. That was today for me... Today I have been an Emotional Dummy. At least I am feeling like those dummies for car crash testing. Or maybe the fact that I FEEL all these ways is just making me, the opposite of a smarty pants. But it all just goes to show, no area of your life is left unchallenged to walk obediently, and in a manner that is worthy to the calling we have received in Christ.

I am so thankful for the emotions God has created us with.
Emotions are a response, they make us human (created in the image of God) they move us to do things, and they are a deeper form of who we are. Just imagine worship without feeling. 

I used to think that emotions were bad.  But God has given them to us as a tool and a gift. It is when our emotions slip from being a response to truths, and turn making us believe them truth in themselves- that is when we are on slippery ground.

God gave us the wonderful gift of emotions, for the sake of His Kingdom, and to reveal His character, and -as  The Church- to show Jesus' compassion (Isaiah 54:7-8), share His joy (Jesus speaking John 17:13), and even His intercession in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). 

But there is a battle with emotions because like I lion roaming around seeking someone to devour; the devil is pretty sneaky slipping in to trip you up.
Emotions are not what I will build my hope on, for they are like shifting sands; when they shift, I fall. They are not stable. I need a firm foundation to respond to.  I will build my life on The Mighty Rock, the unchanging truth, of Jesus Christ, and His grace for me, and my ever changing emotions. 



I will chose to cast aside tempting emotions that can cause me to sin, or miss out of the joy of worship, and I will hold fast to the steady word of God, the faithful Rock of Ages! God is my steady grasp when the war of emotions bog me down, or try to make me stumble.

I will chose to stand firm, being thankful for the emotions God has given me, but resist the devil from trying to manipulate them away from being good, and true.

                   Where to Hang Your Soul                                      

"Every Sunday morning in our church we repeat a creed. You know what it says." I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible." There's a statement that has nothing whatever to do with my personal opinions or emotions . It's a statement of objective fact, accepted by faith, and when I stand up in the company of others Christians and repeat this statement I am not talking about myself at all. The only thing I am saying about myself is that I submit to these truths. This is where I stand, this is Reality.

   Very Often (nearly always, I'm afraid) when I come to church my feelings are uppermost in my mind. This is natural. We are human, we are "selves,"and it takes no effort at all to feel. But worship is not feeling. Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and this takes discipline. We are to worship "in spirit and in truth." Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them.

... I take my position, I get my bearings. I need to do this often- more often, it seems, in these days when so many have altogether lost there bearings." - 

Elisabeth Elliot from Let Me Be a Woman

So that is where I am at today... A challenge, and a choice to worship, and obey in spirit (emotion) and in TRUTH.

And November has not gone quite like I had intended in productivity. For evidence of my attempts, I have started 4 posts, but just haven't gotten to it. But it is by grace I am saved, and sustained- AMEN to that- because I sure do need it. :)


Thank you for all your prayers!

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." -1Peter 5:7-11