Victory!!

Two years ago Baby Safe was founded to address the issue of baby dumping in South Africa, and a safe was installed to allow desperate women a legal and anonymous alternative to this. For two years that safe sat empty. The LORD continued to expand the territories of our ministry, connecting us with hopeless women in all circumstances, and allowing us to intervene in the lives of countless babies through a variety of venues. But not through the safe. Countless prayers were lifted up, strategic questions were asked and explored-was it a bad location? Was it the wrong timing? Was the idea for the safe even from the LORD? But He continued to speak confirmation and patience to us, even as the issue of baby dumping increased and the safe continued unused.

All of that changed last week.

I was on call with the Baby Safe phone, my last rotation before leaving for the Sates on holiday. Early on in my shift there had been a false alarm, something which had happened frequently in the past that we'd grown accustomed to. But as I lay down to sleep that night I had an unshakeable premonition; we're going to receive a baby. Two thoughts crossed my mind after this. 'Wouldn't it be amazing if I was here for our first baby before leaving?' And in my state of exhaustion the next was, 'Please God, just not tonight!'

At 5:30am on Tuesday morning, November 16, the Baby Safe phone went off. As it was already lightening outside I would be able to go to the safe myself without danger, so threw on some jeans and a hat, and grabbed my baby bag and keys. I didn't know what to expect, but decided if there was a baby this time then some backup would be good, so woke up my flatmate. Nicole is an absolute trooper and at 5:40am she willingly jumped in the car with me. We made it in less than 10 minutes, the entire time my mind racing and wondering what we would actually find. Was there really a baby waiting for us, or was it just another false alarm?

When we arrived at the safe I found it had magnetically sealed, so something had either been placed inside or it had experienced great external force. I tried to suppress my hope as I let myself into the back room and went through the routine of disarming the safe in order to open the back. Everything felt surreal. I wasn't able find the light switch so couldn't even see properly as I pulled the hatch back, but there was enough morning light entering the room to distinguish a large bundle resting inside. My heart nearly stopped. Reaching in, my hands encountered a mass of blankets, which unfolding revealed a tiny baby.

I cannot begin to describe the feelings that passed through me in that moment. Wonder, awe, excitement, joy, disbelief, and an overwhelming sense of the honor God had granted me to be here for this. I could hardly contain myself as I reswaddled the baby, gathered her into my arms and opened the door to show Nicole. "We have a baby!" Incredible.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of excitement and activity. The baby girl was maybe three days old, healthy and absolutely perfect, and ironically she was Chinese! At our flat Nicole and I changed, clothed and fed her, while excited and strategic phone calls passed between myself, Alli, and Bethany. It had happened! Now all the plans and procedures set up for so long came in to play, and we found everything came together without a hitch.

We took our tiny charge to the All Nations family meeting that morning, and the spirit of rejoicing was overwhelming. It was a historic day for our team and for our missions body, and a moment of tremendous victory. This child represented life; when so many are aborted, discarded, or later abandoned, the LORD had delivered her and her mother had made another choice. Together our team gathered with her in front of our All Nations family and stood in agreement as their prayers were lifted over the baby's life, and for the future of Baby Safe and the door this has opened.

Later at our staff meeting we named our precious bundle Joy, as Bethany shared how God had given her the name that morning. Maybe it's cliche, but the LORD had rescued and redeemed her, and delivered her from darkness into His purpose and promises, and into His joy. So together as a team we laid our hands upon Joy and consecrated her life unto the LORD, praying over her and the destiny He has in store, rejoicing in the victory of her life and the blessing she is and will be.

Joy is now on her way to a new life and new family through the process of adoption. As we release her to the LORD and the plans He has for her, we look with excitement and expectancy to the future. Our hope is now that as news of Joy spreads, other desperate mothers will choose life through the option of the safe rather than discarding their children. And we stand together in wonder and thanks for the life He has delivered, and the privilege of being here to serve Him in this way. To Him alone be the glory!

Taking Ground

The LORD is Bringing Breakthrough!

"See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed." -Deuteronomy 1:21

The last month has been an incredible struggle but the reward is worth it. There are new and exciting things taking shape. Two of my priority clients have been on the verge of either huge setback or tremendous strides forward. Our little Andisiwe, removed from abuse and neglect and now flourishing in the care of our safety parents, was potentially going to be removed again and placed back in Masi. Much prayer and constant advocation then went into a plan and proposal to have her placed long term with our current safety fa

mily, but the decision hung on the Magistrate's disposition and understanding. We knew if Andisiwe were placed back in the township, there was huge risk of emotional, psychological and even physical setback, as well as risk of harassment and kidnapping from the parents. But the decision was out of our hands so we could only lift it up to the LORD and trust to His heart and perfect will, whatever the outcome.

At the same time we had begun planning and praying into the removal and long term placement of an older client, sixteen-year-old Nicole, who I have been discipling since April. After her decision to keep her baby boy instead of placing him for adoption, she has faced constant abuse from the relatives with whom she stays. Our desire is to see her in a stable and loving environment where she can finish school and maintain relationship with her son, who is in foster care, until she can parent him herself. But these hopes hung precariously on the mood of her relatives and their threats to send her back to Durban. It seemed the more we tried the more difficult things became.

In the midst of these circumstances the assault on my own life increased. I began suffering sever exhaustion and sleep deprivation, and then my car was broken into and my baby seat was stolen as well as donations from the boot. During this time I faced some of my lowest moments, trying desperately to cling to the promises of God. "He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:9-10)

And God brought breakthrough! On one of my lowest days when I felt I had nothing to give, the Spirit moved and one client gave her heart to Christ, while Nicole later spoke in tongues. Shortly after, the Magistrate ruled in favor of our proposal and Andisiwe was placed for a year with her current safety family. Two days later, we very peacefully picked up Nicole from her families' home and moved her in with a wonderful young missionary couple, who have invited her to stay until we find a permanent placement. Such incredible testimony of the LORD's faithfulness. Regardless of the schemes of the enemy or the plans of men, if we place our hope in Christ and obey then He WILL make a way for us! Thank you for all of the prayers this month which carried both me and my team, and brought change for these precious ones.

Our Team is Expanding!

Baby Safe has added three new dynamic members. We have been joined by Rachel Byrnes, a YWAMer from Scotland, as well as 2010 American CPx members Meehan Shannon and Julie Ostrand; and with them have come exciting new opportunities. Their presence will not only allow us to distribute and carry the workload more easily, but also expand our vision and move in to more territory. We are praying into Rachel and Meehan taking on the Termination of Pregnancy counseling at two other hospitals, allowing us to reach out to more women. Julie has a vision to develop a year-long discipleship, micro-business and job-skills training program for the women in the communities who show growth and commitment, in order to empower them to proactively change their lives and provide for themselves. We cannot wait to see all God has in store!

Seasons

My first full year in South Africa is drawing to a close and the countdown has begun for my holiday in the States! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone (although my family may beg to differ) and how much has taken place. But even as this year draws to a close, new and exciting things are taking shape as God leads me into the next season. I recently moved in to a beautiful new flat with my new flatmate Nicole Lalli, and I could not be more blessed in either circumstance. Though we are living with almost no furniture, the space is wonderful and the LORD keeps providing for all our greatest needs as they arise. We are three doors down from two of our "besties" Christianne and Alison, and Nicole and I gel like pb&j ;)

On December 6th I will be in Tulsa for 6 weeks to see family and friends, and do some support raising as I prepare for next year. It is my intent to return to South Africa on a 3 year visa to continue working with Baby Safe and All Nations. I cannot wait to see everyone, to share my heart and experiences, and to hear all the stories from home! Please join with me in prayer that the LORD would provide for each of my needs, and that my time would be blessed and filled with peace and rest as I head in to this next season. It is a blessing and a privilege to share it with you all!