SNAPshot a day: goody bags

First Baptist Orlando sent over 50 members to Joburg to lead us in worship and preaching during this week long meeting. They brought us a bag of goodies from America! How thoughtful!

SNAPshot a day: his glory

Meeting time.

Pray that this time of worship and fellowship will be refreshing. Pray that I will be able to return to ministry with excitement about finishing my last 2 months well... to the praise of His glory!

SNAPshot a day: hiv

Couldn't pick just one SNAPshot...

We had the opportunity to accompany a dear friend for the day. She works for a home based care organization that serves those suffering with HIV/AIDS and orphans in the community.

This man is suffering from AIDS. He lives alone. We were able to give him food, laundry detergent, and toiletries. Special thanks to Chelsea for the missions money that provided all these items.

We were able to visit with 4 orphans who are infected with HIV and give them some groceries. What a joy it is to love on these children and show them that someone cares!

It was quite difficult seeing the living conditions of these children and hearing about their circumstances. One shack we went to is housing 10 people. Another lady is caring for 5 orphans and does not have a job. Many of these children are orphans because their parents have died from HIV. Family members of the deceased parents, such as aunties, have taken these children in.

After a heart breaking day, I couldn't ask for a better way to end it then by holding a new born baby!

Sibongile gave birth at 6:15am this morning to a sweet baby girl. Her name means Blessing in English.

SNAPshot a day: smile soweto

Shooting from the back of the bakkie throughout Soweto.

SNAPshots of culture...

Digging among rubbish for recycling.

Men sitting around.

Sangoma. A witchdoctor associated with ancestor worship.

Shacks made of corrugated metal. No electricity. No running water.

Selling ice and cigarettes in the middle of the street.

Handwashed laundry.

Horse carts for transporting coal.

Car repair shops.

Shops selling fruit, veg, and snacks.

Death all around.

And as always, SNAPshots of children...

SNAPshot a day: childlike faith

At church this morning, Alan gave people the opportunity to come up to be prayed for. I noticed a young boy and wondered if he was just standing with his mama. Alan finished praying for the mama and turned back around to go pray for someone else. Then this sweet little boy reached out to touch Alan and ask for prayer. I saw a few people laugh and I thought to myself... if only we had the faith of this child?!

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Mark 10:15

SNAPshot a day: rainy day

Saturday + Rain = Cards

SNAPshot a day: portrait

Sandile drawing me.

SNAPshot a day: what is love

What is love?

1 Corinthians 13

SNAPshot a day: full class

Thulani Secondary School has been a difficult school to work with because the lack of support from teachers and the girls not being informed of Girls Club. But we were excited to see this many girls come this week! Praise God!

Pray for these grade 9-12 girls to understand of God's love for them.

SNAPshot a day: soweto towers

I heart Soweto.

Orlando Cooling Towers. During apartheid, these towers provided power for whites living in the city while people in Soweto lived with the pollution and no power. The towers are now one of Soweto's famous landmarks.

SNAPshot a day: faith, hope, love

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-18

God is love. I have been meditating on this truth recently as God has been teaching me about love and giving me opportunities to put it into practice. How often I fail at loving like Christ.

Today, we had an opportunity to love a brother in Christ. Lori's mom and co-workers sent money to help someone in need. We were blessed to be able to buy some much needed items and take it to a friend whose possessions fit in one bag. We bought a hot plate, iron, pots, tea kettle, blanket and a few food items. It was with much joy that we were able to visit with him and hear his life story...

To hear where he has come from and to see where he is going. This young man lost his father. His HIV positive mother lives in another province. He is alone. No one to care for him. No one to provide for him. He has moved 4 times in the last 6 months. He feels as though he is the problem. But he remains hopeful. He stood firm in his faith and resisted using muti (ancestor worship) which led to him having to leave the last home he was in. But God provided through members of the church. He now stays in a shack by himself. He no longer has distractions as he studies for school. He spoke about wanting to finish matric (senior year of high school) with good marks in order to get into university and get a good job. He works diligently so one day he can make money to provide for his younger brothers and sisters. He is the only one in his family who can do it. Pray for him. Pray he finishes school well. Pray for God's provision in his life including his daily bread. Pray for his faith to be strengthened.

SNAPshot a day: i need africa

I need Africa more than Africa needs me.

-mocha club-

Special thanks to Chelsea for the shirt :)

How can we call ourselves people of faith, if we don't allow a situation in our lives that calls us to live by faith?

-Lysa TerKeurst-

I have learned so much from living here in Africa. I have learned to focus on what truly matters in life... loving God and loving people. I have been encouraged by seeing the faith of my friends who have nothing but rely on the Lord to provide their daily food, literally. I could tell you countless stories of friends who didn't know what their next meal would be and God provided, sometimes through me.

I want that kind of faith which is why I don't want the American dream. I don't want a well paying job, a big house and a fancy car... those things will pass away and only the eternal will remain.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17

I want to live a radical life for Christ.

SNAPshot a day: market

I love the market. I have been quite a few times and have made friends with the shop owners. Don't think I need any more African curios but who can resist a smiling African face?!

SNAPshot a day: worth

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

Pray that these girls would accept Christ as their Lord. Pray they would understand that their worth is found in Him alone.

SNAPshot a day: inside out

We now teach girls and boys in our Life Orientation class. With the Fuge team here, we were able to split them up; girls in the classroom and boys outside under a tree. The team taught hygiene but more importantly what you look like on the inside.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Matthew 23:25-26

SNAPshot a day: shoot me

"Shoot me." Children love getting their picture taken. Their favorite part is seeing themselves on the digital screen as most children don't have pictures...

I have been a part of two funerals for children which were difficult to say the least. But my love for photography has been a blessing because I was able to give photos to the families who didn't have any of their lost loved one.

SNAPshot a day: rubbish

Children playing "house" with rubbish.

To think of how American children are so spoiled with their countless toys. And to think of how African children appreciate having a single soccer ball. Oh how we take our many blessings in life for granted and have forgotten what is truly important.

SNAPshot a day: coffee

Much needed coffee break with my dear friend Stacie... going to miss this girl when I head back to the States!

SNAPshot a day: fuge

LifeWay began a camp called Centrifuge which has now branched off to M-Fuge and Centri-Kid. This week 20 leaders from these camps are here in Joburg to experience ministering in Soweto. They will take their stories back to camps this summer to share how God is working in Sub-Saharan Africa. The camps will focus on Africa for the next 5 years. How exciting to know that hundreds of American children and youth will be praying and giving money for the gospel to spread in Africa!

Pray for these leader's lives to be impacted during this trip. Pray that they can use these experiences to get children and youth in America excited about the spreading of the gospel in Africa.

SNAPshot a day: love one another

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

1 John 4:7-9

Do you love God? Do you love others?

SNAPshot a day: healer?

Pastor Chris... A Nigerian pastor and healer.

I don't really have the words to explain this experience of attending a healing event. After 10 hours of waiting, praying, worshipping, and listening to motivational speeches we didn't get to witness actual healings as we left early at 1am. Pastor Chris did speak from God's Word but at times I felt like it was being twisted just a little bit. I'm still trying to digest everything heard and seen.

Whether these healings are true or not, just pray that the people of Africa would not follow a man or miracles but instead put their hope and trust in Christ alone.

SNAPshot a day: discipleship fun

Discipleship = the Word of God and cold drink.

SNAPshot a day: gospel bracelets

Gospel bracelets at Thulani Secondary School

Gold: God is Holy and created us to have a perfect relationship with Him.

Gray: But we are sinful and separated from God.

Red: Jesus' blood shed on the cross for us.

White: Receive Jesus and be restored to God.

Green: Grow in relationship with God through reading His Word, praying, ect.

Pray these high school girls would understand their need for a Savior.

SNAPshot a day: song and dance

The girls love to sing and dance!

SNAPshot a day: tea

South Africans love tea.

And so do I.

I will definitely bring some back to the States with me.

SNAPshot a day: beautiful feet

Beautiful feet

SNAPshot a day: rollercoaster

Gold Reef City Theme Park

SNAPshot a day: part of the fam

We are currently discipling Andile... She has welcomed us into her home and we have become part of the family!

Pray for Andile to grow in her walk with the Lord. Pray for other family members to accept Christ as their Lord.

SNAPshot a day: expecting

Sibongile is expecting any day now...

I'm privileged to be the first person she calls so I can take her to the hospital. I'm hoping to get to go into the delivery room!

SNAPshot a day: 1 man, 1 woman

We have been teaching True Love Waits in Girls Club. This week at Thulani Secondary School we looked at Adam and Eve and how God intended sex to be a good thing between one man and one woman in marriage. We then looked at how the world views sex and the many different consequences that will destroy one's life if one chooses the world's way.

It has been reported in msn South African News that 4 816 Gauteng school girls were pregnant in the 2009-2010 financial year. And they are estimating that 4% of these girls are HIV positive.

Pray that these girls would choose God's way!

SNAPshot a day: african sky

the beautiful African sky