"I have made you for this. You were shaped for this work and I have placed you here. My favor is with you, and I will provide for and take care of you. You are in My will and I will make a way." The LORD has whispered these things to my heart and daily confirms them. In everything I feel both His blessing and stretching, as every experience is a learning experience causing me to grow. Africa is making a self-sufficient woman out of me! But in all things He continues to care for my heart as well, through His provision and through the community here.
March has been a month both of great challenges and great benefits. So much has taken place it feels like two months instead of one! I was blessed to be able to take a Basic Counseling course through a local organization over three weeks time. It was an enriching experience and I learned so much, especially through the practical application. It proved to be quite the learning curve in more ways than one, as I had to drive over an hour and all over the place to get there! I am now able to navigate throughout Cape Town and surrounding areas quite confidently, even getting lost and finding my way without a map.
In both the Baby Safe and Vulnerable Children ministries I continue to understand and take on more. Every day the LORD gives me new perspective and greater joy in my work, and I have a great love for my teammates and the people we serve. I've been taking over some counseling duties, making job re'sume's and promoting them for women in the communities, visiting families and doing Kid's Club in Masi, driving babies between foster families and parents, and LOADS of admin. Thank God for weekends!
One area of tremendous blessing and excitement is that I have purchased a car!! A friend in Pretoria found a beautiful 2005 Toyota Tazz, negotiated the purchase for me, and then drove it down to Cape Town himself and delivered it. It's perfect! Now the fun begins as I learn how to drive it-I've never driven stick before in my life. It's been an experience in itself, like being 16 all over again only this time you're more aware of how undignified you really are-driving round-and-round the parking lot. But I seem to be getting the knack pretty quickly! My friend Alison is teaching me and we have graduated to roads and hills in the neighborhood.
Another area of great blessing and provision is Tersia's and my living situation. We moved once more, but this time we are settled more permanently, staying until after she gets married in September. Floyd and Sally, our All Nations directors, very graciously opened their guest flat for us to rent until that time. We are now staying in Kommetjie (sounds like comb-a-key), one of the most beautiful areas around. From my windows I can see both the sea and the mountains, and am able to hear and smell the salty waves. Even more fun, three of my best girl friends in SA live in a flat within walking distance, and we are constantly taking advantage of the fact.
I think above all else though, the relationships have been the greatest blessing of all. The LORD has been deepening the ones previously formed, and providing wonderful new ones. Every week is filled with times of encouragement and fun-through our house church gatherings, movie nights, braais, and more! I walk away from every gathering feeling encouraged, challenged, and uplifted. I've usually laughed myself silly at some point in the exchange as well, no matter how serious our purpose. God is good! Every day has both it's ups and downs but I rest in the peace of knowing I am where He wants me. He has made me for this, and I would not choose anything else.
