Fool’s Gold..

Howisit Bru? One of the normal greetings I would receive in
Johannesburg, South Africa.  It is
funny that my last blog was about resting in the Lord and working out of that
rest because it seemed like resting was my test all month long in Joburg. This
month looked very different from all the other months. We were told that we
would be doing college ministry for the month, but when we got there all the
colleges were on holiday break for the month. Welcome to the world race though
where everything changes and Vinny gets to guess what? Die to self some more.
All of my plans and ideas that I have before every month usually get destroyed
on day one of the actual month. The Lord be praised though because my plans and
ideas are what some could say as “fool’s gold.”  

This month we worked for a non-profit called For-Good. This
non-profit is an actual online database that holds most non-profits in South
Africa on it.  Their goal is for
people to join their website and find non-profits that are near them and start
donating some time and get more involved in their community. This website is
basically a facebook for all non-profits in South Africa. For the month our
teams focused on the non-profits that surrounded the Joburg area. We would call
set up appointments and basically interview the non-profits and take pictures
to update their profiles on For-Good. We would ask each non-profit how the
website was working for them and how we can make it better.  Also we would try to find any events that the non-profit would be doing during the month that we could serve at. Those were our main
focus for the month and we have many interesting stories and somewhat humorous
ones that go with that focus.  One
in particular is that we went to a non-profit to take some pictures and help
them update their profiles, but for some reason they thought that we were
coming to invest money in their non-profit. My teammates Lauren, Kelly and I
went up the elevator to this business where we were welcomed by the whole staff
dressed up in their finest clothes. We look at each other (wearing the same
clothes I have had on for over a week now mind you) and we did not know what
was going on! We explain from the very beginning that we are missionaries just
working for a non-profit trying to update their profiles, but after a two and
half hour power point presentation of their business plan they were still not
convinced that we have no money to invest in them. We even had a brief
intermission for cake; cookies and drinks that they provided for us bless their
hearts. It was quite the experience to say the least, an unforgettable one at
that.

We did a lot of research and spreadsheets this month on the different non-profits in the area. We also had to post many news stories and updates about the non-profits that we visited. 

This is one of the non-profits we worked for called JAM. We worked an event with them where we passed out over 3,000 blankets to preschool children and daycares in the Joburg area. That is my teammate Emily. 

One of the non-profits we worked for called Yard by Yard. They go to communities and basically run a soup kitchen for all the children in the area. 

Another non-profit we worked with called the hART center where they teach and disciple young men about the Lord by using art.

Another non-profit called the Rose Act which is a school on Saturdays to help students with their studies that can not afford tutors or outside help. 

We got to do an weekend outreach in the bush of Joburg and it was a special time for us. 

The girls on our team taught the women of the village basic lessons for teaching young children in school. Special thanks to Michael Calamia for taking us on this weekend outreach we were itching to get out of the city.  He is the founder of A World Aware please check out his website http://www.aworldaware.org/main.html

These incredible ladies were with us for the whole month of Joburg. They worked with AIM in what is called “Real Life” where they come out for a month and join an existing team that is on the field. They became apart of our team from day one and we miss them already. They were a breath of fresh air for our team. Adrienne and Lindsey!

This month looked very different then all the other months.
I felt that I was working a real job each day. It was very good experience
though and the Lord definitely taught me many things. Some days were very hard
though because appointments would get cancelled and we just would not have much
to do that day.  We tried to be
creative and reach out to the many homeless people in the area or just spend
time with the Lord as a team, but it was very hard for some reason.  I felt that Joburg was a foretaste of
going back to America. The Lord showed me areas in my life that is just a mess,
even still after being on the field for many months.  It was a very humbling time, but the Lord is so gracious,
gentle and very patient in His life lessons.  There are so many times in my life where I would feel like
things are going great and that I am ready finally to be used by the Lord, but
then I would slip and fall on my face. 
The Lord in His love and mercy just whispers to me “your doing great son
get up, don’t give up and keep coming after me with all that you are.”  I tear up just typing this because of
His unfailing love.  One thing I
have seen so much on the field this year is that people think they have to be
cleaned up and in their best clothes to pitch their own business plans to the
Lord.  When He is just saying it is
okay that you have worn the same clothes all week long I want you just as you
are just give in to me, just say yes to me. 

One of my life long goals was reached this month as we went
to a Lion Park. I got to look into the eyes of a lion.  When I think of lions I think of Jesus,
as one of His names in the Bible is the Lion of Judah.  The power and the strength that is
Christ just moves me when I see a lion. 
I am just so thankful I got to see several lions it was such a blessing
to me.  I was thanking God even
when the Lion came up to our window and my teammates were screaming at me to keep
driving. I somehow knew that it was the Lord just blessing us with His creation
and that we would be safe.  It was
a powerful moment for me.

Aslan:)

“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the
Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to
open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5

Although this month looked very different when it comes to doing ministry. I felt that the Lord was teaching us to share His love with whoever we come in contact with in our day to day lives, not just in the bush of Africa where it can sometimes be easier to share the gospel. 

Please keep our whole squad in your prayers this month as we
are in Phuket, Thailand working in the red light district all month.  Four teams are working together this
month two go out a night to the bars and two stay in and intercede for the
others.  We have had some powerful
moments that I will update you all with soon enough. Please also pray for me as
Phuket, Thailand was the last place I got to spend time with my dad Tony Farino
before he died.  Over a year after
I visited my dad in Phuket (four years ago) he died of a heart attack, and is
buried here. I have never seen his grave before and I hope and pray to get a
chance to see it, and maybe even visit his old house (please pray that it all
works out).  This month was
definitely directed by the Lord as I ended up working in Phuket of all places
in Thailand. I just want to thank all of my supporters and those praying for
me, as this moment would not even happen if it weren’t for you and your obedience.  It means so much to me, God bless ya!