Through mine and your willingness to serve our Lord and Savior we have travelled to over 10 locations, across 3 continents, into the hearts of those who are searching for hope, love and true life. We really have impacted the places we've visited and here is your opportunity to help me continue on to Southeast Asia doing the same thing. I have only 3 months left of this journey and only $2500 left to raise!
Please help me reach my goal by Septmeber 30th.
Have a peek at this video update for our time in India!
It's a scary phenomenon that happens when we are blind to who we have become by living outside of depenency on God. One way to understand what this broken world has made you is to get into community living and let those around you be your mirror, reflecting the raw image of what is at your core.
The Lord has taken these first 7 months on the race to go extremely deep into the core of who I am, which sounds wonderfully devine, but has been one of the messiest, bloodiest battles I have ever been in. As God moves around deep within me, there is a ripple effect that causes the ungodly, ugly parts of who I am to become more apparent at the surface. The most common things surfacing are my self-centered "rights" and "opinions" backed up by my ability to use "past pain" as fuel and fire to get what I want! Can you imagine how well this goes over in a community of Christ Followers?
Community living, and following Jesus is all about submitting to relationships and prefering one another over ourselves with great joy, honor and love, maintaining righteousness at all times, with all people, and God Himself. The Holy Spirit wanted to uproot and remove from the depths of me, these character flaws that were stunting the growth of relationships around me. The Lord has walked me through brokenness and humility, confrontng my own behaviors and thoughts. My small team has been an incredible influence in creating new mindsets about myself, others, life and God Himself.
This has been the most stretching 7 months of my life. Personally it's been all about new growth in character, letting Jesus be the reflection that shines from my face. It's been hard and I have cried more tears than I ever expected I would, but at the same time I am consumed with the Lord's goodness. It's His love that wants to see me become all that He intended me to be in character and virtue. Cape Point - Atlanic Ocean on the right and Indian Ocean to the left
So I start my time in India with a new fragrance.
"Count it all Joy when you fall into various trials. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him askof God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
I am now sitting through our layover in Abu Dhabi, UAE as we move on to India. What a change from the rugged African nature to the religiously respectable atmosphere of an Arab country.
Yesterday we said goodbye to my beautiful Africa. I knew I would love her this much. A continent of such deep passion and resiliency. Reminds me a lot of myself. Africa has changed the way I will live out the rest of my life. God met me there in so many unexpected ways. Most of the time through pain, other peoples' and my own. The Lord has set before me new mindsets and challenges. The first and most important; seeking Him first in ALL that I do, from ministry and daily logistics, down to thoughts, attitudes, perceptions, conversations, you name it, He has to be first. His wisdom in every situation outweighs my ability to make my life glorify Him. I hope to blog further about all that the Holy Spirit is doing inside of me.
So now we are off to India. I doubt that these next 5-6 weeks will be any less than what I have experienced in Africa.I serve a good God. I'm not entirely sure of the ministry yet except an orphanage and a Lepar colony are involved!
We checked on the progress of the orphanage construction in Mutarara and then began a traveling church service! We began with a beautiful service in Mutarara and then we began our travels into the bush by means of a truckbed for an hour and a half. We reached a small village where we had another service, by that time, in the dark. we pitched our tents there and rose at 4 am to drive another 3 hours deeper into the bush to a village named Dowa. In Dowa we held another 2 services, one public and another for pastors and leaders of the area.
Dowa was an interesting place to be. I am really not sure if white people have ever visited this area because everytime we made sudden movements all the children would take off running in fear. and when we tried to entertain the children with songs, they stared. For 3 hours. finally some smiles surfaced when we made dancing fools of ourselves. And it was quite the scene when we attempted to pitch our tents. hundreds of eyes stared and crowds gathered as we put together our instant shelters. and even as we laid in our tents the children gathered around the doors to stare.
So, this we named the “program of staring”. To be honest by this point we were a bit tired of being stared at and we called it an early night, only to be woken at 3 am to begin our travels through the bush back to Mutarara. Well at least we got to see an incredible sunrise from the truckbed. We arrived at Mutarara around 8 am. This would be when we received notice that Rachel's father passed away while we were in the bush. It was a shocking moment for our team, our sister was devastated and we couldn't fix it. Momma Rita played a key part in this time, Rachel had a mother's shoulder to cry on when her own mother was a continent away. We immediately cut our traveling church services short and began our 35 hour journey to Vilanculo where Rachel could catch a flight home. Stopping along the way in the middle of the night to say goodbye to those at Momma Rita's house. Once Rachel had departed to be with her family, we immediately realised the effects of all that had just happened. We were less one family member, who's life had just changed drastically, our time was cut short with Momma Rita and her family, and we did not get to say good bye to everyone. The whole thing was a huge shock to our system, and i missed our mozambican family like crazy. We rested at a fellow missionary's house for the next week before departing for our debreif in Swaziland.
It had been an eventful month that has impacted me in many ways. I have learned of a selfless love that flows from a servant. A love that cares not about being loved in return or how its being perceived, but loving because Jesus first loved us. I have experienced community living being taken to the level of incarnational living, where I feel what they feel, see how they see, love how they love. To take in orphans as your own has to beone of the most life giving ways you can live out the gospel of Christ.
Here is a blog I wrote a few weeks ago about our experiences in Mozambique last month. I have broken it into 2 parts because, well, I had a lot to share... enjoy! If your looking for a quick version, Andihas put together a beautiful picture blog click here to view.
Mozambique seems to be a sweetspot in the heavenlies. You can’t visit then return as the same person you were before entering the experience. I know this because I am different, changed. My team and I spent the past month ministering (or being ministered to) in Mozambique, and I believe that we will all carry with us for the rest of our lives the blessing that it was to meet our Mozambican brothers and sisters in Christ.
After traveling 23 hours north from Manzini, Swaziland, to Beira, Mozambique we came to rest at a home that has deeply impacted my view of God's Kingdom. Momma Rita is the head of this household. A woman a great character and Godly virtue. My first glimpse into her heart was when our bus came to a stop at the side of the highway and there she stood , waiting intently, excitement seeping from her body. When we climbed down with all of our bags, she whole heartedly wanted to carry one of our big backpacks back to her house, but our niavety of Kingdom culture kept her from being able to do so. We learned later that it would have been a great honor for her to carry our bags, next time I'll accept. We walked into the roadside bush that hid a bustling village and winded through the foot paths until we reached the humble house of Momma Rita. After an impromptu church service we sat to hear Momma Rita's story and the reasons why her house was overflowing with precious orphans...
10 years ago, Momma Rita and her husband Ezekiel began to welcome their community's orphans into their small concrete home. Most of the orphans lost their parents due to malaria after the floods. As the years past, and orphans kept apprearing, they took in over 30 children, overflowing into another household of a friend in ministry. Their heart was to raise them as their own, teach them of the love of Christ and prepare them for a hopefull future. Back in 2007 Pastor Ezekiel was martyred in the streets of Beira because of his spiritual influence. Momma Rita is passionate about carrying on Ezekiel's vision for building a large orphanage, becoming self sustaining, and continuing to take in orphans. She prayed for months that the Lord would send people to help her, and in His beautiful timing our World Race teams started arriving. Since the first team arrived in April an orphanage has begun to be built, north in Mutarara. A refrigerator, mattresses for the children, and a new roof have been purchased ,while a water system is currently being installed on her property in Beira.
The first week of staying at Momma Rita's house consisted of joining in on their daily activities. We ate, slept, played, worked along side them, and even though our hearts were to serve them, it was important for them to serve us as treasured guests. The chidlren gave up their bedrooms for us to sleep in, women spent all day cooking for us and heating water for the 2 showers a day they insisted we take. A couple days in we noticed the two toddlers were serverly ill. They both had no interest in food, were feverish and slept all day long. We set out for the local clinic finding out that one had malaria and the other an intestinal infection (which I have just recently recovered from as well). It was incredible to watch the life start to flow back into these girls as the days followed. During this week it was also the teenage girls' pleasure to put mine, Rachel, and Andi's hair into extensions, which by the way hurt more than hell, im sure of it!
As the week came to an end we started our next adventure visiting the orphanage 10 hours north in Mutarara. Oh and this might be a good time to share that our only english translator was Pastor Ezekiels' blind nephew, Peter. Peter took us everywhere and was the best host we could have asked for, the fact that he was blind brought us closer together because we depended on him, and he depended on us, it was a beautiful friendship. So, Peter took us to Mutarara which led into what one might call a “series” of interesting and life altering events...
Be sure to read 'Walking Through Mozambique -Part 2' for the continuation of our Mozambican adventure!
Among the many beauties of The World Race comes a lot of down time. We have done our best to make the most out of our time... and capture it on video too!
Here is a taste of life on a Swazi Safari...
But before you click play on the following videos make a note to send in that support that you've been meaning to! *wink, wink. We are ever so close to the finishing goal, only $2800 left to be accounted for! (click here if you want to donate now!) Praise God for your faithful support. You will notice a girl named Jen in the following videos, she is also in need of immediate support, so if the Lord leads please help her too by clicking to donate here, she is an asset to this team, just check her out!
I found someone who makes Jesus' heart melt, someone
who makes His face light up with one look from her eyes, a little someone who
fits perfectly into His arms, and a smile that makes Him want to give up
everything for her. I know this to be true because Christ's' passion lives and
breathes in my heart.
At "Care-Point" #3 in Nsoko Swaziland, I met her, and the smile
that took me thousands of miles deep into the heart of The Father. Baby is her
name. Right away when you meet Baby you can see that life is harder than it's
supposed to be for her. Baby suffers from respitory problems that have plagued
her from birth. Her chest is misshapen and protrudes beyond normality. Asthma
often sends her to the clinic because her family cannot afford a supply of
medications at home. Baby also lives with chronic tonsillitis that often steals
away her ability to eat when food is available. She is often too weak to walk
to the G42 Care-Point. Baby is four years old and lingers around the size of a
2-1/2 year old. She is in desperate need of surgery to remove her tonsils, a
simple enough procedure that could make all the difference in her precious
life.
I befriended Baby right away. My natural instinct to comfort
collided with The Fathers heart of compassion and drew me close to her. I
assumed that she couldn't talk because I had not heard her utter a noise the
entire time, but occasionally she would reveal the greatest smile I have ever
known. One day I walked to her house to meet her family and learn more about
her situation. I learned that Baby talks up a storm at home, she loves to sing,
and hasn't stopped talking about her new friend since the first day she met me.
"I have a new friend, and she's the small one, just like me!" she expressed
with excitement to her mother. With that one little line, she stole my heart
for good. I had no idea, my petite presence could make such an impact on a
child's heart. I love my little friend too.
I'm sure it's easy to read about Baby and feel the strings
of your heart being plucked. I'm almost certain you will feel like making a
difference in this world, even if only for a mere 5 seconds before the
overwhelming feeling of inability and helplessness leaks into your thoughts. We
are so often immobilized by the sly voice of darkness that subliminally tells
us we couldn't possibly make a difference, it's only one kid out of millions,
and besides, your hands are tied with your own bills to pay, not to mention
your own kids to feed. We know this is not our Father speaking, if we were to
take a moment to find the still small voice, I know that He is telling us that
there is hope in one little face, freedom in giving, enough money to finance
the entire Kingdom of God, and His everlasting life breathes out of our
outstretched, unwavering hands... if only we could manage to get them out from
under our butts.
I once fell victim to this voice of reason and doubt after the
Lord told me to financially give to a ministry in Bangladesh over a year ago, and my
decision plagued me for months. I knew I heard God's voice and still turned to
partner with helplessness. Where was my faith? And really, how big is my faith
if it runs and hides when asked to act? I eventually repented, and right away
the Lord redeemed that moment by randomly placing a photo of a young girl from
Bangladesh in my hands giving me the chance to once again give financially to
someone in need. Only this time I was without job. But the Lord reassured me
that it's Him who wants to provide for this child, He will always provide the
money. And He has. He wants to do the same for Baby.
It honestly takes a big shift in our hearts and minds to
begin to understand what the Father is about. I am beginning to see that God's
desire for me is to be shaped into a vessel that can and will conduct His love
in a just and life giving fashion. I am really starting to see that my
relationship with God isn't all about me and what He can do for me and my
future, but it's about Him being the
future to a hurting world through the hands and feet of a person broken for
Him. It starts with us being willing to feel His love for His children, and
holding our hands out to those in need instead of folded inward. In turn He
will always provide for us, He will be our future, and will lavish us with unending
love. Think about it, a church that instead of meeting in a building for a
cutsie service, the body of Christ, Christ in Body, meeting at the feet of
the diseased, the poor, and the abandoned. A shift that will usher in the
presence of God in an unmistakable way. Lets prepare the way of the Lord.
Beginning in our hearts, pouring out to those around us. This is where taking
back nations for the Kingdom begins.
*I also credit my amazing World Race squad for being
conductors of God's love to me, preparing the way for God to make greater moves
in my heart. My hands are open to you always, G squad.
If you want to start your change with the beautiful children
of Swaziland,
please go to the G42 website. Photos of the children and opportunities to
sponsor them will be available in the near future. If you would like to give to
the General Fund for the children of the NSoko care points click here.
As for me, I am off to Mozambique this month. You may or may
not hear much from me, but know that I will probably be taking back land and
killing giants for God's Kingdom. Loving and missing you all!
Fact:
HIV/AIDs is making a killing field of our world
Fact: Over half the population in the Kingdom of Swaziland
is infected with HIV
Fact: A third has already perished and their children remain
orphaned
Truth: Jesus made a difference while on earth
...
I want to, too.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works I
do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to
My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that My Father may
be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
John 14:12-14
We completed our first month in Africa. The squad split into our
smaller teams and we were dispersed among the nations of the southern tip of
Africa. My team (Kaleo) moved into the small community of Nsoko in the Kingdom
of Swaziland.
Here is an account of our first day of ministry.
Speeding down the highway, we left our tented homes in the
presence of “Lucky” the Lion at Nisela Safaris, a small hideaway from the
truths of Swaziland. Our host was preparing us for ministry. We would be taking
on the project of profiling all the children at various G42 “Care Points”.
Eventually the children's profiles will be posted on the G42 website with the
hopes of them being sponsored by families in North America. He tried to prepare
us for the reality we were about to step into, but even a heads-up can't hold
back the feeling of retreat my soul wants to make when faced with hopelessness
and uncertainty.
Mbuthu is a “Care-Point” set up by the organization, G42
(Generation 42). It is a feeding center for orphaned and needy children in the
area. Gogo's (Grandmothers) and teachers are organized to prepare 2 meals a day
and provide some basic teachings for the kids. Compensation for their serving hearts
are the guaranteed 2 meals a day.
Sixty or so children gathered at a junction where gusting wind and
dust met with the sole purpose of tormenting your eyes. An old chicken coup is
the structure in which they seek refuge. Children were being shuffled back and
forth as multiple woman tried organizing the kids to have their photos taken by
us. I stood for the longest time, lost in the sea of smiling faces. They were
so happy we had come to visit. My face vacant of emotion. I hardly even
questioned why some children had no bottoms to cover them, or why these 8 year
olds were carrying their siblings on their backs for hours with no respite, or
why shoes for anyone is nearly nonexistent. I was snapped out of my “soul
retreat” by the pulling of all my fingers from countless children gathered
around me yearning for my attention.
Multiple times I found myself zoning out from the scenery of
children around me, and at the end of the day I realized that a culture of corrupt and misleading media at home has made it easy for me to close my heart right at the
point where it should break with compassion for the world around me. Look at how
Christ lived when He was on Earth. His life was consumed with compassion for
the undesirable, the forgotten, the overlooked. And yet here I was, standing in
front of many who have been forgotten and my mind goes off on “retreat” because
the problem seems bigger than I am. It's time for a change. It's time to BE
compassion and not just say I feel it. It's about that time I start living the
life of Christ FOR those around me and not just for myself. In the words of Tom
Davis, author of “Red Letters”, “...our world should not be defined by despair
and disease, but defined by the product of compassion: hope.” I want to ask
Jesus for a nation and watch His all consuming love burn up the hardened hearts
of men and stand that nation back on its feet ready to stand for the Kingdom of
God. I want to see orphans covered in the protection of a most loving,
Righteous and Holy Father. I want to know that I can ask Jesus for the
impossible and He'll provide.
Fact: HIV/AIDs is making a killing field of our world
mother was a continent away. We immediately cut our traveling church services short and began our 35 hour journey to Vilanculo where Rachel could catch a flight home. Stopping along the way in the middle of the night to say goodbye to those at Momma Rita's house. Once Rachel had departed to be with her family, we immediately realised the effects of all that had just happened. We were less one family member, who's life had just changed drastically, our time was cut short with Momma Rita and her family, and we did not get to say good bye to everyone. The whole thing was a huge shock 
to our system, and i missed our mozambican family like crazy. We rested at a fellow missionary's house for the next week before departing for our debreif in Swaziland.
being taken to the level of incarnational living, where I feel what they feel, see how they see, love how they love. To take in orphans as your own has to beone of the most life giving ways you can live out the gospel of Christ
Mozambique seems to be a sweetspot in the heavenlies. You can’t visit then return as the same person you were before entering the experience. I know this because I am different, changed. My team and I spent the past month ministering (or being ministered to) in Mozambique, and I believe that we will all carry with us for the rest of our lives the blessing that it was to meet our Mozambican brothers and sisters in Christ. 
our bus came to a stop at the side of the highway and there she stood , waiting intently, excitement seeping from her body. When we climbed down with all of our bags, she whole heartedly wanted to carry one of our big backpacks back to her house, but our niavety of Kingdom culture kept her from being able to do so. We learned later that it would have been a great honor for her to carry our bags, next time I'll accept. We walked into the roadside bush that hid a bustling village and winded through the foot paths until we reached the humble house of Momma Rita. After an impromptu church service we sat to hear Momma Rita's story and the reasons why her house was overflowing with precious orphans...
She prayed for months that the Lord would send people to help her, and in His beautiful timing our World Race teams started arriving. Since the first team arrived in April an orphanage has begun to be built, north in Mutarara. A refrigerator, mattresses for the children, and a new roof have been purchased ,while a water system is currently being installed on her property in Beira. 
One day I walked to her house to meet her family and learn more about
her situation. I learned that Baby talks up a storm at home, she loves to sing,
and hasn't stopped talking about her new friend since the first day she met me.
It honestly takes a big shift in our hearts and minds to
begin to understand what the Father is about. I am beginning to see that God's
desire for me is to be shaped into a vessel that can and will conduct His love
in a just and life giving fashion. I am really starting to see that my
relationship with God isn't all about me and what He can do for me and my
future, but it's about Him being the
future to a hurting world through the hands and feet of a person broken for
Him. It starts with us being willing to feel His love for His children, and
holding our hands out to those in need instead of folded inward. In turn He
will always provide for us, He will be our future, and will lavish us with unending
love. Think about it, a church that instead of meeting in a building for a
cutsie service, the body of Christ, 