Ubaba & Omama: Pt 4

Can I just say that my mom, Diane, and second mom, Dawn, are the most amazing women ever?! They worked so hard to help me host a bridal shower (also known as a kitchen & tea in SA) for Sibongile. Those of you who know my mom know how awesome her Christmas cookies are. Well, she took the time to make batches of cookies and they both carefully carried the cookies in their bookbags all the way here from America. How sweet!

Here is Sibongile and I with her son Kabelo before the party began.

We had a time of prayer, worship, singing and dancing, eating, and sharing words of advice with Sibongile. We had about 15-20 women come and support her during this special time in her life. It was a wonderful time of fellowship!

We also made spinach dip and a bean dip (thanks to my sis, Vanessa, for the recipe) which disappeared along with all the cookies. The food was a major hit to say the least. What I loved the most was when people asked how they were to eat it... definitely not food they were used to. It was fun teaching them how to eat American style as many times I have to ask how to eat the African way.

Speaking of the African way... Dawn had her birthday earlier in October... I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she requested a cultural meal. So, Given cooked her pap and chicken which both she and my mom loved!

Omama had the opportunity to participate in Bible Study and enjoyed learning through the oral telling of the story of Jesus' resurrection. This year we have started storying through the whole Bible to show how God's plan from the beginning was Christ. We share the Bible story orally and then we have them answer a set of questions... What do you like about the story? What is confusing or hard to understand? What do you learn about God? What do you learn about man? What do you need to obey? After the questions, we have the participants learn to share the story by repeating it and having them practice in partners. They are then challenged to share the story with someone that week.

I have really enjoyed this way of studying the Bible and it has challenged me to learn the stories more accurately. Also, I have learned much from my African friends as they share their perspective on the stories.

Omama came to Girls Club... It was such a joy to have them there and to see what it is I do each week. The girls loved meeting my "moms." We had a good time practicing a Bible verse (Romans 6:23). I was impressed to see one of my girls was able to recite it after we just learned it for the first time the previous week. These girls are hungry for the Word! What a blessing to be a part of what God is doing in their lives! We also studied the story of Jesus' baptism.

We have begun a tradition in Girls Club of having guests dance for the girls... so my mamas were such good sports and played along...

For your viewing pleasure (with permission):

Omama Dance from Rachel Jensen on Vimeo.

We also had some free time... My mom loves flowers and gardening so I thought it would be appropriate to take her to the botanical gardens. We had a lovely picnic and enjoyed catching up on life!

Sad to see them go but such a blessing to have them here and experience my life here in South Africa! At this point I have 7 months till I return to the States... bitter sweet.

Ubaba & Omama: Pt 3

We took a nice holiday to Kruger National Park for a few days. We ended up leaving at 430am and arrived 12 hours later at our chalet. But we enjoyed the ride and stopped for a pancake breakfast in a small town along the way.

The first morning we woke up for a 5am walk in the bush. We had two guides with guns who took us through the bush. One guide, John, found rhino prints and began tracking them. We kept walking and finally ran into a mama and baby rhino. They were surprised to see us and once they finally smelt us they began running around and acting like they were going to charge us. John told us that if he motioned for us to move that he wanted us to hide behind the bushes! Thankfully, we started walking in the other direction and after the rhinos circled around they decided to run in the other direction. Amazing experience!

Dad and I enjoyed the African outdoors! We saw jackals, hippos, zebra, giraffe, wilderbeast, impala and vervet monkeys. I enjoyed learning all about the different animals. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to walk in the bush alongside all these amazing animals.

Of course I had to take a TOMS shot in the safari jeep...

During the day we would drive around and try to find as many animals as possible... We found a water hole where we were able to sit and observe. My favorite was watching the elephants play in the water and then climb up a hill and cross the road. At one point, we were actually scared for our lives as some elephants appeared in the back and front of our car to cross the road and we were in the way... We even heard an elephant make their trumpet sound at another car for blocking their path. What an awesome show they put on for us!

We also went on a night ride and a sunset ride in hopes to see some cats by spot light. Thankfully, we were finally able to see a leopard walking around our last night there.

I heart African sunsets!

On the way home we decided to take a detour to see God's Window... It was beautiful to stand at the top of a mountain and look out over the valley below.

Ubaba & Omama: Pt 2

The adventure continues...

We went to downtown Johannesburg to experience the city life and do some shopping. Princess and Kabelo came along... they loved dad and used him as a jungle gym!

We ended up having to go downtown again the next day to complete the shopping for shoes and getting my traditional dress made for Sibongile's wedding. But I have found that by living in another country... things don't always go according to plan nor is the problem a quick fix. We went early to be able to get things done quickly but on the way... I heard a pop as I went to brake and then I lost control of the car and thankfully was able to swerve and miss the car in front of me.

I was able to drive with my hazards on slowly and found some police to ask where a car shop was. They had no idea but instead pointed us to a gas station. Which thankfully a car shop was right across the street... praise God! But while we waited for the car to be fixed, we walked the streets of Jozi. And God worked it all out with not too much difficulty. It was a lovely day regardless of the circumstances!

This is Lebogang and Sibongile with her son Kabelo. They are getting married on 30 October 2010. I'm so excited for the two of them! And this will be my first African wedding :)

We were able to go to the Rezolution conference to hear John Piper speak.

What was awesome is that Amber was part of the worship team, playing the violin. They did an excellent job leading worship in both English and Zulu.

Given who is a friend from Soweto was part of the worship team. He has bonded with my dad and calls him, Umkhulu, which means grandpa in Zulu. Let me explain... Given has taken to calling me mom because I always look out for him and make sure he is doing his school work. So, now he has met his grandpa and grandma!

Ubaba and Omama went to church at Faith Baptist Church in Snake Park. They enjoyed the worship and dancing African style!

Here is Mom and Dawn in action...

Worship Dance from Rachel Jensen on Vimeo.

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

Psalm 149:3-4

Ubaba & Omama: Pt 1

I have the best parents anyone could ask for! They have always been there for me through the good times and the bad. I'm so thankful for their godly leadership in my life. They taught me at a young age to fear the Lord and walk in His ways. They have always been so encouraging and supportive of me and even more so when I decided to follow the Lord's leading and live in Africa for two years. It has been hard to be away from family but I'm so blessed to have my Dad, Mom and Dawn (like a 2nd mom) come to visit me and share in my ministry!

My Dad is a trooper... on the day he arrived he was already out in Soweto playing with children. He was able to see Zach and Philani's soccer ministry and be a part of it.

Dad came to Bible study with me and was able to meet some members of Faith Baptist Church in Snake Park. My dad enjoyed getting to talk with Zakhele all about South Africa and America.

After Bible Study, we hung out with some friends who enjoyed a meal of kotas together. Kota, also known as Bunny Chow, is a quarter of a loaf of bread filled with chips (french fries), meats, and cheese. Everyone has taken to calling him Father... Dad mentioned that Sibongile may be his new favorite daughter. So quickly I have been replaced :)

Even though my Dad is a boy... I thought he might enjoy seeing what I do at Girls Club. The girls were so excited to meet him and even sung a song for him!

My Mom and Dawn came over two days later to join the festivities! They were so sweet to come bearing gifts...

A special thanks to Grace and Faith who made a book with notes and pictures for me! I miss you girls so much :)

Thank you Carole for the encouraging note and the rand. I wish you could have been able to come and share in this experience!

Thank you Kimmie for the fun gifts.. especially the Gucci donation to kids suffering from HIV/AIDS in South Africa. How appropriate and thoughtful!

Mom and Dawn joined Sibongile, Thembane and I at discipleship. Sibongile was so excited to meet my mom that she began crying as she hugged her. Too sweet! We enjoyed studying Sarah together and sharing with one another about how God has worked in our lives during times of waiting.

Side note: Ubaba means Father in Zulu. Omama means more than one Mother in Zulu.

Challenge

As I have mentioned in a previous post, the 2nd Saturday of every month we pass out Challenge Newspapers. These papers have stories and testimonies of how Jesus has changed people's lives.

Challenge. I looked up this word and found a variety of definitions: (1) To demand as due or deserved. Require ... Jesus requires our whole life and at the same time deserves it. (2) To order to prove identity ... Shows our devotion and identity in Christ when we are willing to lose it all for the sake of the Kingdom. (3) To confront or defy boldly. Dare ... Jesus confronts our sin and dares us to follow Him and never look back.

All of those definitions can be applied to how Christ challenged people to follow Him.

Check out Luke 9:57-62...

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

I am currently reading the book Radical, by David Platt, and he really challenged my way of thinking when it comes to following Christ. When people came to Jesus and said they were willing to follow, Jesus basically tried to talk them out of it. Jesus did not tell them to pray a simple prayer so that they could be saved. No, a relationship with Jesus requires complete abandonment. We are challenged to leave everything to follow Him.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:25

Are you willing to accept Jesus' challenge? Are you willing to give up the comforts of this life for the profit of gaining a relationship with God?

These are some of the ladies from Faith Baptist Church that helped pass out Challenge Newspapers. My prayer is that these ladies would understand the cost of following Christ. That they would understand that being a Christian is not about going to church or even reading your Bible and praying daily. The cost of discipleship is much greater than that. Please pray that they would accept the challenge of Jesus and follow Him wholeheartedly.

We broke up into groups of three and walked the streets of Soweto. This week we were in an area called Dobsonville. We tried to speak with people and see who was interested in God and invited them to church. Pray for the contacts that were made and will be followed up with. Pray they would accept Christ as Lord and be willing to give it all to follow Him.

I love Karabo dearly... My heart goes out to him because he lives a rough life. He is cared for by his Gogo (grandma) who also takes care of 3 other siblings all from different fathers. He never really had a childhood but is forced to be the man of the house. Please pray for him to know the love of his Heavenly Father. Pray he would make wise choices and live his life for Christ.

What is work without a little play... as we were walking the streets we saw these children jumping rope. My friend Portia asked if I could do it and I explained that I'm getting to old for that stuff haha. She then proceeded to show us all up with her mad jumping skills...

Check out this video of Portia...

Jump Jump from Rachel Jensen on Vimeo.

Cape Town

Cape Town is located in the Western Cape province which is almost a 17 hour drive from Johannesburg but thankfully I flew. It is one of Africa's most popular tourist destinations. And is one of the most beautiful places I have been to! My pictures do not do any justice to the beauty of this city...

Margie and I were able to go to Cape Town to help with children's ministry. I had the privilege to work alongside Judith, below middle, who is from Zimbabwe. I enjoyed getting to know her and hearing her many stories of how God has been faithful in bringing her to Cape Town to get her masters of theology degree from Cape Town Seminary. She was such a delight! We had fun spending time with the children and teaching them that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Margie and I were able to take a morning to go explore Cape Town. We went to see the Jackass Penguins who were given this name for the donkey like sound they make. But there are several other species that make this same noise therefore they have begun referring to them as the African Penguin.

We also went to Table Mountain and took a cable car to the plateau. From the top, you can see much of the city, Table Bay, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years) and of course the Atlantic ocean.

On top of the mountain you can find many different species of floral including all kinds of proteas which is the national flower of South Africa. Just beautiful!