Finally after two months of waiting, the electrician and the plumber showed up this week to begin work on my house. Consequently, my house was a disaster this week which is not something I really enjoy. What I am excited to see is the end result! By the end of the day, I should have electricity that works (meaning that I can have more then one electrical thing running at a time), a shower installed, hook-ups for my dishwasher and hot water for my washer.
I was thinking last night as I went to bed what a great picture these home improvements are of our spiritual life. Sometimes when God is doing major construction so to speak in our hearts, we don't enjoy or like the process but the end result is always worth it! The psalmist says in Psalm 119: 67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep your Word."
Friday, July 28, 2006
Friday, July 21, 2006
What I miss......
My brother Josh and I
Someone recently asked me what I missed most about the states. It's a common question and I have a standard answer I normally give- people and Starbucks. I've been thinking a little about that question since I was asked it. Missing friends is a pretty common thing when you move. It seems like several times through out the week I think, "I wish so and so was here to talk to about this or share this with."
I think that the hardest thing about being away from people you care about is not being there to help when you know that they are struggling or going through some tough times. For example, my mom is having surgery on her hand in a couple of weeks. I would love to get on a plane and fly home to help her as she recovers. If I still lived in the states that would be possible but it simply isn't an option from this far away.
One thing it has taught me though is what it means to be the family of God. It has been an incredible encouragement to me to see the body of Christ act like family both to me and others I care for. A couple of weeks back I was sharing with a friend how overwhelmed I was picking tile and shower fixtures by myself. His response to me was to ask me why I was doing it by myself when he would have been glad to come and help if I had just called and ask. What a good reminder that was to me of how many times I/we feel alone merely because our pride prevents us from asking for help.
Is there anything besides people that I miss? Well, the other night at about 1am I was reminded of the answer. I awoke to the sound of my house alarm going off. It seems that someone was in my yard and set off the perimeter beams. I miss not feeling safe. Crime is an everyday reality here. Just yesterday I got a call from a girl I have been discipling informing me that she had been a victim of an attempted highjacking.
I live in a house with a tall wall all the way around my yard and gate. There are burglar bars on my windows and security doors on the doors. Sometime in the not to distant future I will probably install electric fencing. I have perimeter beams that go off if someone enters my yard. The idea is to catch someone before they get into the house. My security company is alerted that they need to send an armed response to my house.
When I drive, I think about how long the car behind me has been following me. I don't open the gate and pull into my driveway unless no one is on the street. At stop lights, I am very aware of who is around me how close they are getting. My purse is on the trunk or at my feet to help prevent a smash and grab scenario.
I think that the hardest thing about being away from people you care about is not being there to help when you know that they are struggling or going through some tough times. For example, my mom is having surgery on her hand in a couple of weeks. I would love to get on a plane and fly home to help her as she recovers. If I still lived in the states that would be possible but it simply isn't an option from this far away.
One thing it has taught me though is what it means to be the family of God. It has been an incredible encouragement to me to see the body of Christ act like family both to me and others I care for. A couple of weeks back I was sharing with a friend how overwhelmed I was picking tile and shower fixtures by myself. His response to me was to ask me why I was doing it by myself when he would have been glad to come and help if I had just called and ask. What a good reminder that was to me of how many times I/we feel alone merely because our pride prevents us from asking for help.
Is there anything besides people that I miss? Well, the other night at about 1am I was reminded of the answer. I awoke to the sound of my house alarm going off. It seems that someone was in my yard and set off the perimeter beams. I miss not feeling safe. Crime is an everyday reality here. Just yesterday I got a call from a girl I have been discipling informing me that she had been a victim of an attempted highjacking.
I live in a house with a tall wall all the way around my yard and gate. There are burglar bars on my windows and security doors on the doors. Sometime in the not to distant future I will probably install electric fencing. I have perimeter beams that go off if someone enters my yard. The idea is to catch someone before they get into the house. My security company is alerted that they need to send an armed response to my house.
When I drive, I think about how long the car behind me has been following me. I don't open the gate and pull into my driveway unless no one is on the street. At stop lights, I am very aware of who is around me how close they are getting. My purse is on the trunk or at my feet to help prevent a smash and grab scenario.
All that to say there are times I miss not having to think about safety. It has been good for me though. I am reminded on a continual basis that God is my defender and my protector. I am constantly thankful for how God has protected me and how He has kept me safe. I am also reminded on a regular basis that He is sovereign and in control. That nothing is going to happen to me that God has not allowed. All these things were true in the states but here that take on new meaning.
Prayer Request
I mentioned in an earlier post that death is a reality here. I was reminded of that last night. We have a housemother, Gladys, whose husband died last night. It in some ways was a senseless death. He was sick and because he feared the diagnosis wouldn't go to the doctor's or the hospital.
I recently heard that 60% of the people living in the townships (the poorest areas) have AIDs. The problem is AIDs has an incredible stigma here which often prevents people from seeking medical help. It is seen as a curse from your ancestors and if it is discovered that you have it, you become an outcast. A common belief is that the cure for AIDs is to have sex with a virgin- which in turn perpetuates the problem.
Please be praying for Gladys and her daughter Prayer (who is 1). Gladys is a believer but I know this is an incredibly difficult time for her. Her husband was a pastor and they lived in the church parsonage. So, an additional issue for her will be finding new housing. Thanks for your prayers!
I recently heard that 60% of the people living in the townships (the poorest areas) have AIDs. The problem is AIDs has an incredible stigma here which often prevents people from seeking medical help. It is seen as a curse from your ancestors and if it is discovered that you have it, you become an outcast. A common belief is that the cure for AIDs is to have sex with a virgin- which in turn perpetuates the problem.
Please be praying for Gladys and her daughter Prayer (who is 1). Gladys is a believer but I know this is an incredibly difficult time for her. Her husband was a pastor and they lived in the church parsonage. So, an additional issue for her will be finding new housing. Thanks for your prayers!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Pictures From Church Camp
Thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures from camp.
The kids had a lot of fun in the afternoon sliding down the hill on cardboard.
Grace Christian Church Group Photo
The kids had a lot of fun in the afternoon sliding down the hill on cardboard.
Of course, the biggest kid of them all, Brian, couldn't help but join in :) .
Thursday, July 06, 2006
49 years and still going strong!
Today marks my parents 49th wedding anniversary. Pretty amazing to think that they have been married that long and still like and love each other! What a blessing it is to have such a godly example of what marriage should look like.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Death is a reality here
We had our fourth funeral today in about 6 weeks. Given came to us in November. She had a condition that caused water to accumualate on her stomach and not drain properly. We waited for about 3 months for her to have a shunt put in that would allow easy drainage. The doctor didn't do the surgery properly and the end result was a quicker death. She was a sweet cheerful girl who always seemed to have a smile.
I was struck at the cemetary today by the number of fresh graves. They give you an idea of the bigger picture. Three weeks ago the little child we buried was marked as child 61. Today Given was marked as child 231. There were 8 small graves that had been dugged for funerals today. Death is a reality here. Suffering seems to be a way of life. Sobering to think of.
I was struck at the cemetary today by the number of fresh graves. They give you an idea of the bigger picture. Three weeks ago the little child we buried was marked as child 61. Today Given was marked as child 231. There were 8 small graves that had been dugged for funerals today. Death is a reality here. Suffering seems to be a way of life. Sobering to think of.
The Row of Graves
The reality is that for all of us life is short. Are we making the most of our time because the days are evil? (Eph. 5:15-16)
Little Rock Team
The team from The Bible Church of Little Rock left last night. I think the best description for the team is consistent servant spirits. They were a true examples of people who look for needs and ways to meet them. While they were here, they hosted two Holiday Bible Clubs. The Bible Club at the church had about 30 children show up to it everyday and the one that was held at Mercy Bible Church, our church plant in the settlement, had about 130 children each day. Praise the Lord for the excellent turnout and continue to pray that God would use His Word in the children's lives.
In addition, the team helped to run our church camp this past weekend. We had over a 100 people from our church go to camp- which was a pretty exciting turnout given we have about a 150 people in our church. Tim Senn spoke on "Pursuing Holiness". His teaching was practical and convicting. It was especially encouraging to see people really spend time together sharing and getting to know one another.
Its been really good to have my brother here this last week. We've had a great time together- lots of good conversations and lots of laughs. He is finding how many South Africanisms I have begun to use humorous. I no longer call people. I phone them. Stop lights are now robots. I put stuff in the boot of the car and not the trunk. And I now say 'shame' and not 'that's to bad'. Who knows in a few years I might even have an accent :).
In addition, the team helped to run our church camp this past weekend. We had over a 100 people from our church go to camp- which was a pretty exciting turnout given we have about a 150 people in our church. Tim Senn spoke on "Pursuing Holiness". His teaching was practical and convicting. It was especially encouraging to see people really spend time together sharing and getting to know one another.
Its been really good to have my brother here this last week. We've had a great time together- lots of good conversations and lots of laughs. He is finding how many South Africanisms I have begun to use humorous. I no longer call people. I phone them. Stop lights are now robots. I put stuff in the boot of the car and not the trunk. And I now say 'shame' and not 'that's to bad'. Who knows in a few years I might even have an accent :).
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