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.