So here we are at the end of a week of living, breathing, loving, laughing, being wrecked for the ordinary at Refilwe. Refilwe is located in Lesaria, South Africa. Home to several foster moms and families, a training center for different job skills, a church, Refilwe’s motto lived out is Life for all. And I was a witness to that.
Our ministry this past week and for the next two weeks is children’s ministry, VBS in essence. This week I led a small group of about 20-something 10-12 year olds with Kelly. At two points during the week, we invited those that wanted to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior to raise their hands. Both times, practically all of the children raised their hands. So, I led almost all of the children in the prayer of salvation. But in the back of my mind, I thought, ‘Jesus…its just too easy…thats it?!” Its something that I have been wrestling with throughout the week. Everytime we have invited people to accept Christ whether young or old, the answer has been yes. And I kept thinging…’that’s it?!’ But, the Lord responded to all this with…”yea, thats it, Jane, I did it all.’ In the states, we have made this salvation thing, this being a follower of Jesus, all of it so much more complicated and delicate and fragile that it in fact is. When all it is, is just saying yes. If you think about it, when you read the bible, its not complex, its not exegesis, theological, philosophical, high falutin anything. Its Jesus saying simple things like, ‘Come, follow me’ or ‘Do not worry about life’ or ‘Don’t store up treasures on earth.’
God is working in so many ways, and tomorrow we leave Refilwe. The first of many goodbye’s. But it doesn’t feel so hard. Because leaving people you have grown to love is an act of trust. Leaving for me is saying God I trust you, I trust you with this person’s life, its saying God I know you are in control and you love this person.
FYI my bag has arrived! It came with Colin and Kathy, missionaries in Swaziland that drove it out to me is South Africa a 5 hour drive on their way to taking care of some other stuff. Thanks to them and their beautiful ministry to missionaries. I had a happy reunion with my precious. It felt like Christmas as I opened the bag and smelled all the home smells…I was grinning from ear to ear as I embraced it.
And pictures are soon to be uploaded…I’m having technology phobia.
