Calling Me Back

It's autumn in the states. The foliage is turning brilliant shades of every color, the weather is crisp and chilly; visits to the pumpkin farm, pumpkin carving, pumpkin lattes-pumpkin Pumpkin PUMPKIN! It's my favorite time of year and I'm enjoying every minute. And yet...
I'm dreaming of a place where summer is right around the corner-my LEAST favorite season. Where many of my friends will spend Christmas braai-ing on the beach in their bathing suits. A place filled with breathtaking beauty and heartbreaking poverty. God is calling me home to South Africa.

When I set off earlier this year I had no clear vision or purpose, I only knew I had been called and so followed. In my six months in Africa learning and serving, God taught me so much about His love and character, and my own heart. This January I am returning for a years commitment to All Nations, to work with their ministry Baby Safe.

From the time I was old enough to comprehend God has place in me the desire to be a mother. Through years working with the Crisis Pregnancy Outreach He has given me a heart for broken women and children. He has "anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted...to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners" (Is 61:1). And now he has opened the door to live this out. Baby Safe was founded to prevent the infanticide through baby dumping taking place in South Africa. They provide counseling, infant care training and donations for new moms, adoption opportunities, and more; including the baby safe-an anonymous and legal drop box where a woman can safely leave her baby instead of "dumping".

I am excited by this opportunity to learn and to serve, exploring and growing in the gifts and desires God has given me. I will be working as an intern under Bethany O'Connor, the young woman who is pioneering the ministry. God has also brought two other beautiful young women to partner with us, Lelanie Steyn and Allison Scarlett, creating the first full time Baby Safe team. Through my time in Africa I am blessed to already call these women my friends. He is so faithful! As we set out to love and serve in the familiar and unfamiliar alike, your prayers and support mean more than I can say. Thank you for walking with me on this journey and partnering in the LORD's work! I cannot wait to see all He has in store.

Le Me Be Honest

The last six months were the most difficult and the most wonderful of my life. But it seems when God calls the two go hand in hand. They neglected to mention in the CPx information that they intend to kill you-go figure. I've been strapped down to that altar mentally, emotionally, spiritually-learning daily to die to myself and allow God to remove anything and everything He sees fit. The process at times feels excruciating. The phrase "a sacrifice of praise" took on a whole new meaning-it isn't giving up a few hours to sing worship songs with passion and joy. It's taking up our cross daily to follow Him wherever He leads, whether that's sharing the gospel with those who have never heard it or loving obnoxious people.

Difficult? Absolutely! But the reward is infinitely worth it. God doesn't leave you empty and bleeding on that altar. With each thing He removed He gave me more of Himself. Through every insecurity dealt with He taught me more of my worth. I have encountered the love of the Father in ways I have never experienced before. I have heard His voice more clearly, I have felt His touch more deeply, I have known His love mere intimately. I have encountered the Lover of my soul, and He is worthy.

Let me be honest. These past six months I achieved nothing. But God did. The more I came to realize my weakness the more I saw His power. I personally did not lead anyone to the Lord, but I saw life restored through His Gospel of truth, light brought to the darkness and bondage of fear and false teaching. I did not heal any sick, but I saw the brokenhearted comforted and given new hope. I saw reconciliation, restoration, and provision with no explanation other than the hand of God. He has used the foolish and broken of this world to shine His light all the clearer. He used this weak and simple vessel to witness the power and glory of His love, so that there is no denying it is Him and Him alone.

I set off to love the lost of this world only to encounter the love of the Father for me. I sought to see others the way He sees them, and He showed me a vision of myself. And it was in the dust at Jesus' feet, a fallen woman who had prostituted myself after the desires of the world, chasing after other "lovers", unworthy and unclean. But He called me beautiful and He called me His. He raised me up and He made me His bride, pure and holy, worthy of love. And THIS is the love He asks me to share. And so I will follow.

When you have felt the finger of God who would choose anything else? It is hard to go; we fear that in giving up our dreams and plans the sacrifice will be too much and the plans HE has too difficult. But it's true, His plans for you and the desires HE gives-and fulfills!-are so much greater. I let go of all the things I thought I wanted and He gave me so much more. An adventure of breathtaking beauty, freedom, joy, and fulfillment. Your lover is calling you, will you follow?

Leaving Zimbabwe

"Seems that I'll never get through 'preparing' for the mission field. But I've been comforted this week thinking of our Lord's thirty silent years of readying Himself at home with His family and bending over a carpenter's bench. Were those days any less of a fragrance to God that His later work before the eyes of the people? I think not. A well-made piece of furniture and a healed blind man represent the same thing to the Father-a job well done; mission accomplished. So with us here. Nothing great, but what is that to Him with whom there is no great or small?" -Jim Elliot

I read this passage only this morning; it seemed so fitting as today is our last day in Zimbabwe. Looking back, it is incredible to see the work God has done, both in us personally and in the community here. Some things great, some seemingly insignificant, yet all belong to God and it is He who will see the work through. What an honor to be His vessels and witnesses here for this short season.

This week has passed in a flurry of goodbyes, packing, and preparations. The time has been exciting, crazy, and bittersweet as we say farewell to all of our new brothers and sisters here. I think one of the pinnacles of our experience was last Saturday when we held baptisms for all those who had committed their lives to Christ. We drove four car loads of our friends out to a river area, where we took turns baptizing and praying over them. It was an incredibly sweet experience for me, being my first time to baptize anyone and seeing the work of God in these people's lives.

Thank you all for your prayers and support these past months, you have played a tremendous role in our work here. God has been incredibly faithful and I know much is due to you. Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for the long drive back; three days through Botswana and South Africa. Also for our last weeks in CPx before returning home, that God will give us peace and clear direction as we look toward the future. He has given us many dreams and visions which I am excited to share with you in the next couple weeks! Our God is faithful.

Relationships

These past two months in Zimbabwe God has brought about relationships
with a variety of people of diverse characters and circumstances. But
each has climbed into and claimed a special place in my heart, and I
want to ask you to join me in lifting up their hearts and futures in
prayer. Let me introduce you to a few of them.

The first is Victor, an eleven-year-old boy who sought me out when I
visited his school to play net ball. Victor is a special little boy;
there is a light in his eyes and a warmth in his heart that is absent
in too many of the children here, as well as a sharp mind and strong
hope for the future. He walks an hour every day from a neighboring
village to attend school here, and one weekend he ran the entire way
to take me back to his home to meet his family. They live in a tin
shack-well furnished inside-on an immaculately kept plot of land with
gardens both practical and pleasing. Victor's father Mike works
hard in order to pay for and begin building his family a house, brick
by brick. Victor visits me after school whenever he can; we talk
about Jesus and family, always praying together. I believe God has
good things in store for his future.

Another relationship which has been a blessing to me and Tersia is with
a woman named Blessed. She was misdiagnosed for a disease and given
treatment which made it worse, and is now crippled in both her legs
and hands. We began visiting her twice a week in order to help her
with her physical therapy and give encouragement. In just one week
she showed improvement which is increasing! And she has become an
encouragement to us as well, her faith and the peace of Christ shining
out of her eyes.

But perhaps the most encouraging relationships have been the most
challenging. Twice a week I meet with a family of sisters-Florence,
Prisca, Mama Jones, and Ceaser-their niece Tambusai, and occasionally
their friends. Each of these women gave their lives to Christ for the
first time after our first couple weeks here, and they are hungry for
Him and His word. They are all at the house almost every time we
meet, asking challenging questions and giving good insight. Their
faith and faithfulness is wonderful to behold, even in their difficult
circumstances, seeing the ways God is coming through for them in
providing for and speaking to them.

Their love and hospitality is so sweet. They have almost nothing yet
delight to serve us. A while back Tersia and Christine brought them a
supply of food when discovering their need. The following meetings
they fed US from what we had given them, tasty bean dishes and boiled
pumpkin they had prepared. I delight in their company, sitting and
visiting, laughing, reading the Bible and praying. It is a challenge
too, as their stories and lives are full of heartbreak and
difficulty-poverty, abuse, AIDS, cults. Yet still they cling to hope.
Please pray for them, that 'He who began a good work in (them) will
perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus'. (Phil. 1:6) Amen

Journal Entry

Friday, May 29, 2009

It is so incredible to me to see the shift in my life and focus. Incredible and wonderful. The entire center of passion and existence for myself and the team is the Gospel. We were all sitting together over dinner in the dark-again-and all we spoke of was the 'God story' and the meaning of the Gospel. We were sharing perspectives, asking questions, looking up scriptures and getting excited. We spoke of the consequences of sin being death, the significance of Christ having to die and the meaning of the resurrection, how best to explain sacrifice, and we read the Bible together with real enthusiasm.

This morning I practiced sharing the 'God story' with the team, for the first time with excitement and not nervousness, and received real encouragement from their response. Half of our conversations are concerning ministry, teaching and sharing the Gospel, confronting religion and false doctrine, and how to make the word understandable and applicable with language barriers. And this is what we WANT to talk about! Not because we have to or that it's our "job", but because this is becoming the very core and center of who we are.

It blew my mind when I realized this tonight. The shift has taken place so gradually, we've moved into it without thinking. Not that it didn't come without challenge or that I wasn't without passion for God's word before. But I feel for the first time I can say He is truly first and foremost in my life and all else stems from this. The realization hit me tonight for the first time and filled me with such joy.

This evening was my first time leading a meeting on my own as Tersia couldn't make it. It was awesome. Two days before we had asked that they read John 1, which was probably a mistake because they only have the original King James Bible. But I sat and we read the first fourteen verses together out of my Bible, which I explained and paraphrased before having them repeat what it means and says about Jesus to them. It was powerful seeing the light go on in their eyes, hearing them translate to each other, and hearing their opinions.

I've had dreams at times of preaching the Gospel, or living out my life with the poor. I dreamed again last night of being home, but I was passionately sharing the 'God story' and living out the Gospel, while preparing to go out again to "the nations". For the first time I woke to the knowledge that my dreams are a reflection of my waking life! Incredible. May it continue to be so.

God is amazing! He is teaching me and growing me so much. But even as He refines me and sloughs off the dead and rough edges, bringing challenges and conviction, He daily teaches me my worth. Every day I see His love and faithfulness to me as I learn to more clearly hear His voice and follow the leading of His Spirit.

Our Ministry by Aaron Marshal (leader and fellow teammate)

There are 10 christian tv channels and an infantry of churches and cults in Vic Falls, so the environment is very “religious”. Strangely though there is a huge shortage of bibles here. That being said there is much heresy and false doctrine floating around. It was very discouraging at first, especially at bible studies when people would start voicing false statements about God and the Gospel. A few of our team members attended a crusade where the leaders were blatantly scamming the people for money in the name of Jesus. Nearly everyone believes that they earn their way to heaven and that if they have enough faith God will do anything for them. Many people lean heavy on the TV evangelists, who focus on healing, prophecy and prosperity twisting biblical truth and forming “religious” idols.

Our strategy initially was to lead inductive bible studies as we began to focus on a few key people. Once we discovered the goofy doctrine floating in we shifted gears to teaching God’s story and personal stories and that is when things began to change. Telling the story helped the people see that they didn’t really know the Gospel. Telling the story also made them hungry to know more. We are now teaching them to tell the God story, with good initial results. We hope to record some of them and share it with you. We are using 5 chapters; Creation/Rebellion/Sacrifice/Redemption/Commission. We give them verses under each chapter and help them to summarize each scripture and combine all the summaries into a story. It’s powerful to watch them help each other expand the story from their own personal study. Occasionally a new section will pop up in someones God’s story that we didn’t teach them ourselves.

When we discover a specific idol/sin that the group dealing with, we integrate scripture into the God’s story aimed at that issue. For example, Munya told the God story to a group and placed special emphasis on sacrifice, addressing the issue of traditional animal sacrifice for ancestors. The results were immediate and a man who is a “church goer” repented of having sacrificed chickens that week to his ancestors. He is now one of the key guys that we are working with, and he craves to hear the Gospel explained. Last night we read Galatians with him and unpacked the first several verses that discuss false gospel. Being a common false belief here, we talked extensively about not being able to earn your way to heaven. With glazed watery eyes he responded by saying this “right this very second there is a preacher in Vic Falls that is preaching that I have to go to church and tithe or I will go to hell, what you guys are telling me is just melting me, its amazing”. Needless to say you can see this guy being set free the more and more we explore the Gospel with him.

We have redefined our strategy a bit. Rather than focusing on starting reproducing communities we want people to have a rich understanding of the Gospel. We don’t want to start anything that doesn’t start and end with the Gospel. You can see the freedom in peoples eyes, they are at the foothills of adoring Christ.

To be totally honest I think we all feel like we are in the foothills of adoring Christ. There have been times of severe discouragment for our team as we battle through dietary issues, team tension and totally foggy vision of what we are suppose to be doing here. Repeatedly hearing the Gospel and attempting to share it has been the redeeming element of everything that we have done here. God is loving us, He is showing up at just the right times, and He is making a difference in the community.

The Adventures of Living

Daily living is so crazy and quirky and beyond the norm, half the time
we don't know whether to laugh or cry. Usually we just carry on
without thinking about it, though on occasion we temporarily go
insane. A missionaries' life is neither exotic or romantic, but no
one can deny it's an adventure! Every aspect of daily living is a
challenge, yet it's amazing how quickly we adapt.

We do our laundry by hand, last time I peeled the skin right off my
knuckle while scrubbing. Tersia has since introduced me to the method
of on treading the clothes with my feet. Wringing out my towel is an
experience unto itself. Our showers are open cement stalls, only one
of which has hot water. And if someone decides to use water in
another part of the house you lose yours. A lot of yelling back and
forth takes place in the mornings.

Our current mode of eating is enough to make a carboholic go on the
Atkins diet for life. The staple food here is sadza-or maize meal-a
fine corn porridge substance cooked in a variety of ways for any meal.
I am quickly developing the African booty. We drink coffee like
water, trying to make up for the energy crashes from lack of protein
and good sleep.

But in the midst of the craziest circumstances we make some of our
favorite memories. Loss of power to load shedding is becoming much
less frequent. However, last week we lost both water and electricity;
as soon as one came back on the other went off. So there we were,
sitting on the cement floor of our kitchen eating by the light of one
candle, sharing stories and laughter. Having no sweets, Tersia passed
out packets of orange cool-drink powder and we sat dipping and licking
it off our fingers, laughing hysterically over the pathetic picture we
presented. If they could see us now! God has a sense of humor. But
in every circumstance-the good and bad, the fun and difficult, the
crazy and the awe inspiring-He comes through and meets us where we're
at, proving His love and faithfulness

Elephant!!

I was in the midst of falling into a deep sleep when my dreams became influenced by outside noises. Dogs were barking, followed by a heavy scuffling and blowing, joined by the sounds of running, clapping and calling. Suddenly reality broke through the dreaming as the Tandis knocked on our doors, calling out "Girls! Girls! Elephant, elephant!"

In a state of disorientation and excitement we hastily threw aside our mosquito netting and flew outside. Tersia forgot about her netting entirely and just about took the whole bed with her. We ran into the yard to find Aaron and Nichole with Mama and Papa Tandi, all in our pjs in the pitch black night without lights. I climbed atop our truck trailer to see. Across the street a great shadow stood out from the rest, swaying and blowing heavy gusts. Not ten meters away was an elephant!

Our excitement and awe was beyond measure, even without being able to see it clearly. It was delightful to see Mama and Papa behave like little children over it, though they are used to these happenings. Some neighborhood men were in the road, yelling and throwing stones to drive the elephant away. That in itself made my breath catch, not knowing if that would drive it off or provoke it.

Eventually it turned and proceeded down the main road, but stopped at a house to feed on-and consequently destroy-their trees. Being the completely rational people that we are we immediately ran into the street to see. We moved down the road to within fifteen meters of the beast, nothing between us if he decided to charge. We were even laughing and making a joke over the fact that if we had to run for it, we'd be in a sticky situation with all of us trying to make it through our narrow gate at once. But standing there, exposed and unprotected in the presence of such power, even danger, I was struck by what it means to serve and be in the presence of our God. How great and terrifyingly wonderful! What an awesome God.

Upon returning to bed we were told that the elephants (there was another in the bush) would most likely come back. Less than an hour later we heard Aaron outside our window, "Girls, they're back, they're back!!" Leaping up on our beds we swept aside the curtain and looked out. Christine was standing on my bed behind me, her body between my nets and the bed frame.

Outside the first elephant was passing by our wall, while Aaron jumped around taking pictures and we whispered excitedly. Bats swooped around in the dark; Aaron laughed, "I'm living the Discovery channel!" But what followed caused our very hearts to stop.

Coming just after the first was the largest elephant I've ever seen, not seven meters from where we sat in the window and a mere meter from where Aaron stood at the wall. Twice his height, it's head was wide as he was tall. As it came across from us it turned it's mighty head to look directly at us; you could hear it's heavy breath and the flap of it's ear as it turned, it's eyes shone bright in the night. For a moment my breath was stolen from me, never have I experienced anything like it.

As the elephant finally moved on, Aaron voiced the only possible thought. "What do you do, what do you do?" Indeed. As we finally lay down to sleep again, Tersia summed it up. "THAT was a gift from God." Amen.

Zimbabwe

"The Eagle is flying; the Eagle is flying."

"This is the Gray Squirrel, we copy that."

"This is the Black Pearl, we've got your back."

So began our drive to Zimbabwe, caravanning and communicating with three vehicles and walki-talkis. It was a time of bundu-bashing, driving over three days from South Africa up through Botswana to Zimbabwe. We encountered elephants in the road and potholes as big as swimming pools in Botswana; bathroom breaks consisted of "Boys on the left, girls on the right" with the general rule of, "If you see a lion, grab the pants-leave the toilet paper!" Upon crossing the Zimbabwean border we were greeted by a herd of ten or more giraffes.

We arrived in the village of Chinotimba to no power and no accommodation prepared as was planned, and were greeted by a church that expected us to fall in with their denomination and programs. We ended up sleeping on the floors of a local family's house for three days and explaining to the church our method of planting Jesus in communities and not joining events. But through this we were blessed by the hospitality and open hearts of the people-in their warmth and how they helped bear our burden-and we developed a good understanding and relationship with the church.

In the following days we found a house to rent for the entire team with the Tandi family, and began going out prayer walking and forming relationships in the community. A highlight was when thirty children knelt in the street to give their hearts to Christ.

On a personal level, we have all been so challenged by God to lay down our idols and the comforts we cling to. Every day is a challenge-living in tight quarters, cooking over a single propane burner on the cement floor of our "kitchen", losing power almost every night because of load shedding. But God has said to us, "Shake yourself free, undo the chains that bind you!" And through this He is bringing freedom to our hearts and greater unity in our team. One of our most memorable and enjoyable evenings was when we lost power-again-and ended up cooking spaghetti bolognaise with soya mince over our burner, on the front porch under the stars. We followed it with s'mores and lots of laughter.

Living in Victoria Falls, you would think it is such an incredible blessing to be so near one of the seven wonders of the world. But an even greater blessing is the constant faithfulness of God as we daily die to self and learn greater humility and love. We are not content to travel around the same mountain twice but conquer each as it comes, personally and in the communities. We are excited to see what God has in sore for these next two months!

On Our Way!!

The autumn weather continues here with varied degrees of beauty and discomfort. The cold and damp seeps into everything, making it impossible to feel truly warm or dry and prolonging colds. But the beauty can be breathtaking. We drove through Cape Town University's upper campus just to see the leaves. Shrouded in mist, we moved between aged brown buildings draped with ivies in various shades of scarlet and orange. All that night we could hear the ships at sea hooting in the fog in order to avoid collision. We stood on our deck after dark in order to hear them and watch the city lights under the dusky clouds.

This week my team is preparing to leave for Zimbabwe on May 2nd. I can't believe it's come up so fast! Sunday morning Tersia, Nichole and I drove to the open-air flea market in Muizenburg to purchase long pants and makeshift sarongs to wear over them for modesty. We are both nervous and excited, planning all the last minute details and getting ready to pack. It will be a three day drive, with seven of us in one vehicle and our luggage in a trailer, camping on the way up. That alone will be an adventure in itself! If we survive that we should be able to survive anything *wink-wink*

We will be living for two months near Victoria Falls, a massive tourist location and melting pot for the various tribes. Our goal is to plant simple churches within families and circles of influence that will be self-sustaining and able to reproduce. Our heart is to see Jesus transform lives!

While praying over our outreach, God gave Tersia a vision for our team. She saw us standing on the shore by gentle waves, but on the other side was a massive tidal wave. God said we have a choice. We can wade into the waves and get our feet wet, have a wonderful experience and come back and tell what God did in Zimbabwe. Or we can rush out and be caught up in the tidal wave that is Him, and the mighty work that He wants to do. It involves risk and trust, but if we will abandon ourselves to Him He will bring about things beyond what we can do in our own strength. He will not let us be swept away or sucked under, but lift us up to ride the wave in with Him.

So I ask for prayer. Pray that we would abandon ourselves to Him. Pray we would be sensitive to His Spirit and follow wherever He leads. Ask for holy boldness and divine speech. Pray for continued unity in our team, above all that we would be unified in seeking after our Father's heart. Pray also for safety, health, wisdom, and patience and joy in sacrifice.

Thank you for joining with us in prayer and faith. What an awesome privilege to stand together in furthering the Kingdom! May you know the blessings of God's love and favor, and the challenge of His calling!

This Grand Adventure

I am constantly amazed by the ways God works in our lives; by His faithfulness and how much He can bring about in such a short time. My team was reminiscing and laughing recently over our first days here and meeting each other. It seems like so long ago! Another time and season. My beloved roommate Tersia just confided that our first night together she could hardly understand a word I said with my American accent and was completely freaking out. Ha! Well, we've certainly moved beyond the barriers of communication, now you can't get us to shut up!

Last month All Nations had a retreat/conference for all their members and missionaries, which they made available to any CPx students who are considering joining. The weekend was packed and at times overwhelming, but it was a wonderful experience. One morning that touched me was when Isabel Paterson shared, who is a friend of the McClungs, fellow missionary, and leader of CPx in Kansas City. This beautiful seventy-year-old woman went to the front, and before anything else got out her ukeleli and sang I Surrender. Her voice was still clear and strong, so sweet. Afterwords she shared her story of God's love, calling, and faithfulness in her life. Watching and listening to her, I saw the woman I want to be in 50 years. I had the blessing and privilege of speaking and praying with her as well. God really used her to bless and encourage me.

Easter weekend was our one and only break-four days to do whatever we wanted! I spent it with my friend Christianne, an intern from Alaska. The weekend was a blessed respite from the constant mental and emotional exertion and daily routines, though there was no lack of activity! There was a girls slumber party featuring loads of chocolate, cheap wine in a box, story telling, and heart sharing. The following day with minimum sleep a group of us climbed Chapmans Peak on pure adrenaline. It was breathtaking, overlooking the crystal, aquamarine waters of Hout Bay surrounded by mountains-what an awesome God! Sunday evening following our Easter celebration we had an amusing movie night. Watching Ice Age with the Germans, Africans, and Americans, we busted out laughing over the line "I don't know about your guys, but this is the funniest herd I've ever seen." Ironic.

This week we had a beautiful and encouraging experience during our outreach time at Greenmarket Square. Our team has been struggling a bit with discouragement over our ministry; it's a difficult environment for me, Tersia and Nichole to have a deep relationship with the ladies there, and we wonder about our "effectiveness". Then Promise, one of the ladies we've been sharing and praying with, told us how she spoke at her church on Easter Sunday, sharing on God's faithfulness in her life. She told us, "I was in the dark, and you brought the light. Now I am in the light; I have hope and I want everyone else to walk in the light." Praise God! He takes our humble, feeble efforts and uses them for His glory. You should see the smile on Promises face! If we accomplished nothing else in our time here that would be enough.

As the lecture phase draws to a close and we approach the halfway mark for CPx, I am putting more thought into my plans for after. God has shown me that this is a season for being poured in to-of learning and growing and pressing in to Him. He has said not to worry, that He will reveal His plans in the proper time. While resting in this, I am prayerfully considering coming back for the internship next year. Please join with me in praying for clear direction and peace. Wherever this road takes, what a privilege and grand adventure it is to serve our God!

Fire on the Mountain

Wednesday morning (if you can call 1:30 morning-ugh!) was probably the most terrifying and hysterical experience of my life!  I woke up to what I thought was the most obnoxious car alarm ever.  But after 10 minutes of it not ceasing I realized also that I smelled smoke-a bit disconcerting during dry season when fires have already been frequent.  Proceeding to the window I saw a smoky sky tinged with luminous hues.  That's when I woke up my roommate.

I half hissed half choked "Tersia!  The sky is orange!"  She responded by nonchalantly looking out the window and stating "Oh yeah-something is burning", and proceeded to the loo.  I must say I was floored-then again that's about how Tulsa responds to tornadoes.  Unconvinced by her flippancy I ran up the stairs to the deck.  Table Mountain sits maybe only a mile away from our house.  The entire sky behind it and above us was filled with smoke, and the mountain was completely lit with an orange glow.  (And through this entire story the sirens continued to wail).  At that point Tersia emerged from the loo, promptly swore, and FLEW up the stairs to join me.  If the look on her face was a reflection of mine I don't even know how to describe it to you.  We must have looked half crazed and half stoned.

Minutes later we proceeded back to our room to calmly decide on a reaction.  No one else was awake, not even the homeowners were stirring.  So we called our leader Munyradzi.  (A little explanation, our rooms are all separate units which open into the walled back patio and pool area.  Our fire plan-no joke-is to immediately leave our rooms and jump in the pool).  Waking up Munya, I explained the circumstances and expressed our concern.  To which he replied with complete sincerity, "Tell me you're not in the pool."  After our hysterical laughter ceased we explained and he came out to check.

The second time around on the deck you could see massive flames burning on our side of the mountain!  Again...half crazed.  Nonplussed, Munya reassured us, gave us a radio, and went back to bed.  ??!!??  So with smoke and ash blowing through our window and sirens blaring we tuned in to the ONLY radio station broadcasting a response to the fire.  That was an experience unto itself.

I swear, the guy broadcasting the radio show only got the job because he knew no one would be listening at that hour and he wouldn't have to do anything.  As Tersia said at one point, "Who made you king of the castle?"  I doubt if he'd ever had to cover anything before.  At one point after a break he began with, "We're here talking about the fire.  That's burning.  On the mountain."  Thank you for clearing that up!

Around 2:30 we had ascertained that there was nothing to be done, we would be evacuated if needed, and no one else was concerned.  Having laughed ourselves silly over every crazy circumstance, we did the only sensible thing left, and went back to bed.  The next morning the entire portion of the mountain was black, as well as surrounding areas.  It is still incredible to me how dangerous the situation really was and could have become.  But as it was, the crazy circumstances and happenings throughout the evening so far surpassed any fears, all we could do was laugh.  And every moment I think back on it, it's all I remember!  And it's all I do = )  Then again, sometimes what else can you do?

In This Place...

I cannot believe I have reached the one month mark already!  It has gone by so fast it's unbelievable.  Yet the time has been so full it seems like much longer.  The thought of writing a sufficient update is daunting but I will do my very best.

We have been learning about simple church and how to plant growing, reproduceable small churches.  There is also a HUGE focus on community and living in a "Kingdom Culture" that transcends all others, as well as pressing in to the Father-heart of God.  The leaders here really pour themselves into us; we are surrounded by love and grace, as well as Godly example and encouragement.

This past week we had a guest speaker from Scotland, Joe Ewen, who taught on the Holy Spirit.  The teaching was eye-opening and challenging, as well as exciting.  On his last day Joe spoke on the gift of prophesy, after which he gave us instruction and then had us do exercises in speaking over each other.  It was incredible; this has been an area I've really struggled with and lacked confidence in, and God spoke through me!  He is stretching me in every way.

All students at CPx are divided into small teams-or simple churches-for focus and accountability, and as outreach teams.  All the teams but mine are ministering in the three townships (massive tent cities) of Red Hill, Ocean View, and Masiphumelele.  My team is based in the city, and has chosen Green Market Square at our outreach focus.

Green Market Square is an open market in the middle of the city, surrounded by shops and restaurants, where vendors from every nation and religion of Africa and even Asia come to sell merchandise and scrape together a living.  Two or more times a week we come simply to form relationships with the people here, sitting and talking, sharing and listening to each other's stories, and encouraging and praying with them.  Already we have made friends with several beautiful women.  Sandra, Angel, and Titie from Congo, and Promise from here in South Africa.  We are praying for Promise in her marriage, and that God would give her a child.  We are believing that by the time we leave, she will be pregnant!

Relationships within my team at our house continue to grow.  Each member is such a blessing to each other, as well as a delight!  We have such fun together.  Fridays have now been dubbed "Braai-days" when we cook out, and have over any other students and friends.  The Americans have now introduced s'mores and root beer floats, and the South Africans have indoctrinated us into braai broodtjies-tomato, onion and cheese grilled between buttered slices of bread.  Ahhhhhhh...

Outside of outreach, my roommate Tersia and I are involved in the process of setting up the first prayer room for All Nations and CPx.  We've received incredible favor and much progress has been made.  We are excited to opening it this week.  I am also a part of the first CPx drama team, and loving every minute!  Our first drama is a pantomime put to music portraying the creation, fall, and redemption of man.  I am playing the role of Eve as a representation of mankind.  I never come alive so much as when I get to worship in this way.  Floyd is looking forward to launching us soon.

On a more personal level, the Lord is doing truly wonderful things in my life.  He is really wooing my heart and teaching me to more clearly hear His voice and press in to Him.  His future plans are yet to be revealed

South Africa!

The adventure has begun! My first time flying alone and I successfully navigated two of the largest airports in the US and Europe. By a sheer miracle of God I found fellow student Elizabeth at Frankfurt, and spent the day seeing the city (BTW, had some of the best pizza and beer I have ever experienced!)

Two days and six hours of sleep later I arrived to the hottest day yet of South African summer. You can (and I have) experience four seasons in one day here, and the winds are tremendous- but blessedly cool. This is the most glorious and beautiful country. We drove over the mountains to reach Africa House, every scene breathtaking.

I am living with six others on the lower level of a missionary couple's house. My roommate is a beautiful South African woman named Tersia, she is becoming a great friend and teaching me an Afrikaanse word each day, her native language. We are joined by a wonderful American couple Aaron and Nichole, and three young African men-when I know how to spell their names I will tell you.

Our home is 40 minutes away from the rest of the 46 students, who live at the Team House and Africa House, where our lectures are. I confess it was difficult for me to be so separate, but God has blessed me tremendously. Each day He has confirmed his word that I would be matched with the people I need to be matched with; we are a family.

In one week God has been confirming His promises and faithfulness over and over; I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am where He has called me during this season.  I have been so blessed by the love and leadership of founders Floyd and Sally McClung, and the rest of the leadership team.  Every day I am blown away as I form relationships with my fellow students-from the US, UK, Holland, Germany, the Netherlands, and all regions of Africa.  In one week I have been ministered to through teaching and small groups, we have visited two of the townships where outreach is taking place, walked by the sea, and climbed a mountain!

I am excited to see the move of God and what He has in store for this season.  Please continue to pray for me in the joys and challenges that lie ahead.  May you no the riches of His love and blessings deeply in your own lives.

How I Got Here

'Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you"' -Genesis 12:1

When God called Abraham, He did not tell him where he was going, when he would get there, or what he would be doing. He simply said "Go. Follow where I lead, walk in faith, and I will show you when you get there." And for this God promised him blessing, and that through Abraham the nations would be blessed.

God has been shaping my life in much the same way. The story of Abraham has spoken to me often these past few years. Like Abraham, God has said to me "Go, leave your comfort zone and everything familiar, walk in faith one step at a time, and I will show you when you get there." In this season now, He is leading me to South Africa.

It has been an interesting journey that led me to this point. It was certainly unexpected! In my life and heart there have been dreams and desires which have remained constant, growing and shaping over time. Above all have been my desires for family and to serve in ministry. God has placed in me a burden for the poor and a heart for broken women, a gift of hospitality and a desire to serve. But as usual, God's timing and plans in bringing things about were not mine.

I found myself in what seemed a season of waiting; changes in jobs that took me no closer to my "purpose", being asked to surrender my hearts desires, moving away from certain circles and pursuits but not moving forward in anything else. It was very discouraging, until I realized that no season is without purpose, no time is more or less important to God. He calls us to a life of active obedience and service in all circumstances. I was not going to waste another minute.

I began seeking God in how He would have me invest this time. As a family was not a part of His present plan I looked into methods of greater training and experience for ministry. Little did I know the turn that would take! Through prayer and counsel with family, pastors and friends, my attention was directed to All Nations in South Africa.

A missions organizations run by Floyd and Sally McClung, with whom my church has worked closely, they run a missions training program called the Church Planting Experience (CPx). After much prayer and counsel I applied-and was accepted!! So this February I will be moving to Cape Town, South Africa. For the first three months I will be involved in classes exploring faith, ministry and evangelism, and church planting, while actively ministering in surrounding townships. The following months I will go with a team to take part in a church plant. During this time I will be prayerfully considdering staying for a long term internship with All Nations through next December.

I am excited by this opportunity which God has provided. I have no "plan" for the future, simply to follow where He leads. For the present He is leading me to South Africa. I look forward with great anticipation to what He will bring about there, and where He will lead me after-whether to stay, return, or go elsewhere! But I have never had greater peace than I do now, knowing that as I have no plan of my own, whatever takes place will be His!