Walking on the Word

  The first night we arrived, we had
dinner with our contacts, Louis and Erika. They are absolutely incredible! As
we walked in to their home, the older, British-like couple greeted us with a
smile and open arms. Erika had prepared curry for us and we sat around their
large dinner table and got to know one another as we enjoyed our first real
meal in a few days. As I looked up, I noticed a few goats standing at the back
door and Erika remarked, “Oh don’t mind them, they are just like my second
children.” Then I remembered: Oh yeah, we really are in Africa.

 

  The next day we attended the Christmas
party for Beam Africa (their organization), and helped clean and close down the
office for the holidays. It was such a joy to get to know the staff and see the
good work the Lord was doing in them, but I was a little sad to know that we
wouldn’t have the opportunity to actually work with them. However, the Lord has
continued to be faithful and I already feel blessed to be here as we continue
to learn and grow as a team. Even though it is the Holidays and most
organizations are closed, I know the Lord has a purpose in bringing us to
Pretoria, South Africa, and I am excited to see what will come in the next
month.

 

  Tonight we gathered in the home with
our contacts and a few of the other missionary families here for a night of
prayer. I know it will be hard to be away from our families for Christmas, but
the Lord has blessed us with an incredible family here in Africa to take good
care of us and comfort us in this special time. It was such a blessing to
worship and pray with them tonight and it amazed me how the Spirit of the Lord
has brought this family together in such a short time.

 

   Erika and Louis shared the story
of the night they laid the tile floors for the home we are staying in. Louis
told us that his prayer was to one day have the home filled with youth who were
passionate about serving the Lord, and he was so thrilled to have us here. They
recalled one winter night when they were forced to stay up late and finish the
job by candlelight. They had over 80 tiles to lay on the floor, but before they
placed each tile, they first laid down a piece of paper with a scripture on it.
Louis said that he wanted it to be a home that was filled with worship and the
Word, and that it is!