I am over thinking this whole blog thing. I keep trying to think of original things to write, things that are beautifully written, and have deep theological meaning. I sit down to think, and there lies the problem. What I need to do is sit down and tell. Tell of the stories God is writing in my life; original stories, beautifully written, and filled with lessons of His love, strength, and glory. Im not going to apologize for “not posting for a while” because it will probably happen again. I do want you all to know how much each of you mean to me, and that I truly do want you to hear what is going on in my life. Thank you for the prayers, love, and support, that crosses oceans and can be felt 10,000 miles away.
I’m writing this in an outdoor cafeteria, on a beautiful 14 acre campus of a church in Nelspruit, South Africa. We just finished our three months in Africa, and in just three days we will be on our way to India. Africa, even in the most civilized parts, is a wild place. There was not one time in the 90 days we’ve been here did things go the way we planned. Kids camps to painting water towers, nothing is what it seems, or as easy as you would think. I’m not sure if South Africa now feels normal, because it was the first place we were on the race, or if it reminds me of home, but coming back here for 4 days is a treat. Stoney’s Ginger Beer (its a soda, not actual beer Mom) and Rooibos tea are the new Rembrandts Coffee, and russet potatoes. Things that make me feel at home.
South Africa was an intense vacation mission trip. My team, Wildfire, was in Jeffery’s Bay with an all girls team. We worked on a horse farm, ran a kids camp for at risk teens, did prison ministry, and helped build a christian high school. My favorite week was Camp Turning Point. We took 40 kids from the local high school who, came from abusive homes, out into the mountains (of course I love the mountains). More than just mountain air, God really showed up and his glory shown through darkness we felt the first few days up there. All of the kids were placed on teams, and each team got two americans. Due to some of the racers absence, I was given a few different teams throughout the week. It was the last team I lead, during the small group time, that really meant the most to me. It was a group of guys that had been the trouble group the whole week. So I was not expecting much to come from our 15 min alone together that day. The theme of the week were the fruits of the spirit. And I was supposed to talk about patience to a bunch of hooligans. God used my words. He spoke through me, and gave me thoughts that I would have never thought about patience. Those boys were so intrigued, they asked questions, they help quasi-translate things I couldn’t get across. They were moved, and I was moved. It was one of my favorite times on the race. And then like so many times on the race we had to say goodbye to friends we’ve just made, and in most cases will never see again.
to be continued….
