Hello friend, I hope that you are having a great great day today. I just wanted to share some pictures and stories and Scripture with you today-this is more than likely my last blog entry…we leave next Wednesday to come home!
Last Friday going to the zoo was so much fun! But it seems that we chose one of the coldest days of the winter to go. It was warm in the sunshine but quite cold in the shade and when the wind was blowing. Our kids were very very warm-we put them in snow suits and think hats and blankets in their stroller. I do believe that they greatly enjoyed this time at the zoo. I think my favorite and their favorite was the seal feeding. The man would throw the fish way out into the pool and the seals would swim after it and then shake it and the fish head would come off and fall to the bottom on the pool. Then the other seal would eat the fish heads off the bottom. The little boy that I was holding during this was just in awe. I also enjoyed the giraffes. We were able to get closer so very close to giraffes-closer than I have ever been. They really are pretty animals but they look so funny! Their tongues come out so far and they walk real funny. God surely is a beautiful, creative God.
When K and I got back to the Baby House, Auntie Francinah asked us if we could drive to Baby House 2 to pick up a baby who the police brought. She was found naked on the floor of a public restroom in a park. She was born that very day. Door of Hope took very good care of her for they gave her a good cleaning and the medical attention needed and wrapped her in thick blankets. She truly is a beautiful child and I wish that I could show you a picture. When we arrived at Baby House 2, we were met by 2 other aunties who were there taking care of her. She had only been there about a hour before we arrived. As we listened to this precious little girl’s story, I felt once again my heart breaking but knew that she has hope. She is at Door of Hope and will be matched with a forever family, but my heart broke for her mother. What kind of circumstances could lead you to leave your newborn like this? She must have been desperate and felt like she had no hope at all. As I have been praying for this little girl, I have also been praying for her mother. I pray that she will find true love and hope in Jesus Christ. After we had all listened to her story, we gathered around her little crib to pray. Much to my surprise, Auntie Francinah asked me to pray. I could hardly get the words out to our Heavenly Father to pray for this precious little one.
I had the opportunity to sit in the back of the car with her while K was driving back to Baby House 1. I was holding her little hand when I just all of the sudden felt a name on my heart. I told Auntie Francinah that we should name her Rebekah. We now have a Precious Rebekah in the small babies. She truly is beautiful. I am once again reminded of Isaiah 49:15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never forget you.” God loves little Rebekah more that we could ever imagine, just like he loves us more that we could ever begin to comprehend.
On Monday, I woke up feeling very homesick and did not understand why I was struggling so when I knew that I was coming home in nine days. K and I had the day off and we had decided to go help our new housekeeper named Auntie Lucy with the laundry and various chores because Mondays are always so busy. When I got to the baby house and spent time with the children and the aunties, my spirits were lifted. God sent encouragement and love to me through them.
Yesterday K and I took two of our children hiking! We went to a park that is about 5-10 minutes away from where we live. There are animals roaming free and hiking trails here. It was a beautiful day and the kids loved being outside in the sunshine and fresh air. Katherine carried her little girl on her stomach in front of her in a carrier and I carried my boy on my back with a blanket. This is a very common way to carry young children in Africa and the aunties taught me how. It is quite easy and works well. I am so thankful for this special time that we were able to share with the children.
That night six of us volunteers went out to eat at an authentic African restaurant which is called Moyo’s. It was very funny because a lady comes to your table and paints your face. All the other volunteers had pretty designs painted on their cheeks. But for some reason when it came my turn she decided that I needed a design on my forehead! The girls told me that I looked like an Indian woman. Oh me, I know I did look silly.
I want to try to share with you a few things that God has taught me this summer. I am not very good with words but I will try my best to tell you. This summer I followed where I felt God was leading me. There were times when I did not think I was going to go because of my own fears and doubts, but I followed where I was certain God wanted me to go. In my relationship with God I have never had to depend and truly cry out to the Lord in the ways that I have the past two months. I feel more committed and more in love with my Lord than I ever have. I know how it feels for the Lord to be my only hope. I have felt broken and alone in a desperate sort of way and come to realize that God is the true source of peace, hope, and joy. I have prayed Psalm 86 so many times, “Bring joy to your servant, for to you Lord, I lift up my soul…you are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you…I will praise you, O Lord, with my heart.” I have also prayed Psalm 119:76 “May your unfailing love me by comfort, Lord, according to your promise to your servant.” I realize how unworthy I am to know the Lord and to live in His love each and every day. God wants us to share everything with Him-each day of our life he wants to live in us and through us. God desires for His children to be fully committed to Him, his disciple willing to take up their cross and follow where He leads. It is only when we do this that we can find the abundant life that God promises us; “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…these things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
God has given me the opportunity to love the children here with my whole heart. They will forever be in my heart. Their stories have taught me that God truly does have “plans for a hope and future” for his children (Jer 29:11-13). He loves each of these precious orphans and will never leave them or forsake them. I am only thankful that I have had the opportunity to love and care for them in this short time. The love that I have felt from the aunties here reminds me of God’s family. Believers around the world are all bound together in the Lord’s name making us a family in Christ. Back home I will forever remember the “family” that I have here in South Africa.
When I get home, I am not exactly sure how long it will take me to adjust back to my “American” life. I have seen a poverty here that is hard to accept and I have learned that I need to be so very thankful for what I have. I do not understand why I have all that I have and many people here have so little, but I hope to have a more thankful and giving heart when I am back home. I have come to realize how much this world truly needs God’s message of love and salvation. But I also realize that one does not have to be a missionary overseas to share this. God does not call all his followers overseas to share his love in a foreign country. He calls us to be his lights of love right where we are. We can share and serve those in our very own community in so many ways, we may just need to ask God to show us how.
I have also realized the importance of prayer. This is something that I believe Christians so much take for granted; to be able to continually and steadfastly approach God with a praise or a request. We are to “devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Col 4:2) and must remember to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil 4:6) Are you praying continually to your Heavenly Father each day, in every circumstance?
There are a few verses that God led me to to encourage me this summer and I wanted to share those with you:
Ephesians 3:7 “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power.”
This verse reminds me to be a servant for the gospel and that it is only be God’s grace that I am His…
Colossians 1:9-14 “I pray that you will be filled with the knowledge of God of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father…”
Psalm 119:32 “I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.”
2 Corth 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you…”
Deutronomy 30:20 “Choose life, that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…”
I also want to share a song with you that has been a prayer for the children that I have loved on this summer. I think that the chorus it is a beautiful prayer also for yourself or your own children. The song is called “Hold on to Jesus”.
You’re a little piece of heaven, you’re a golden ray of light
And I wish I could protect you from the worries of this life
If there’s one thing I could tell you
Hold to Jesus, he’s holding on to you
(Chorus)
Hold on to Jesus and cling to his love
Rest deep in his mercy whenever things get rough
Don’t lose sight of his goodness and don’t ever doubt this truth
That when you’re holding on to Jesus, he’s holding on to you
Hear me Dear Jesus rock this little one to sleep
Keep her close when she’s scared and give her grace when she’s weak
I know she’ll stumble but I know she’ll make it through
If you hold on to her just like you said you’d do
Hold her to Jesus, so she’ll hold on tight to you
Thank you so much for your support and love and prayers that you have shared with me this summer. And thank you for reading my blog and encouraging me! I love you all!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Pictures
Me and Katherine eating at Moyo's and getting our face painted. Don't I look like an Indian woman?
Here we are at the zoo with the camel. So much fun!
We are having so much fine hiking! Don't worry, my back was not too sore that night. It was so worth it!Thursday, July 23, 2009
O Praise Him
My goodness, is it really July 23rd? I can hardly believe that it is already almost August! Do you feel this same way? On August 5th K and I come home. I am so excited to be home but I feel so many different emotions…I love my children so much…they have forever become a part of my heart. I will never forget their unique personalities and their stories, their cute giggles and toothless smiles. Telling them goodbye will leave me in tears (I almost cry thinking of this) but I can continue to pray for them and love them even though I am no longer with them. I love each of the children very much but my heart has been captured with the smile and love and laughter of one certain little boy. He is 8 months old and is so precious. He will reach for me and smile and try to talk when I come into the room to get my attention. I love him so much but am so thankful that God has plans for “my” precious little boy. He has been matched with a family and will be leaving to live in Holland a few weeks after I leave. He has an older sister who is four with a radiant smile and a family who enjoys being outside hiking and camping. I am so excited and thankful for this! I will pray that his family teaches him about Jesus and God’s love.
With all my heart I hope that it is in God’s will and plan for me to be able to adopt someday, but so much has to happen before then…I must be patient and wait to see if this is God’s desire, but it is a passion of my heart!
On Sunday K and I had the opportunity to take two children to church with us. They loved it, especially the praise and worship music. It seemed they were in awe of the sound of so many voices singing and the instruments that were being used to praise God. Then we went to the mall and took the little girl with us out to eat and to do some shopping and it was so much fun…so very memorable.
Monday-Wednesday was so much fun working and playing and laughing and loving. I wish that you all could come here for a day and spend the day with us. You would love the children and would enjoy spending the day with them and the aunties!
There is a girl who we call J who is 26 years old who has been coming to volunteer quite often. She has lived in South Africa for her whole life. Her parents are from India. She has brought her parents, brother, and cousin to meet the children and to volunteer with us at Door of Hope. Well, they invited all 6 of us American volunteers to their house for dinner for some Indian curry. How sweet! When we went on Tuesday night, I was just in awe of everything. Their house was very beautiful (a mini mansion). The mother had a sweet maid who helped her cook and serve dinner. I wish that she would have stayed to eat at the table with us but she took her dinner and ate in another room. I did not know what to think about this...but then I realized that this is part of the culture here. During dinner we talked and shared about our lives and interests. The father led most of the conversation. He is the Chief Financial Officer of Coca-Cola for Africa and the Middle East. (WOW-his title is so big that I am not sure that I even got that right) He travels all of the time and has been in 88 different countries. He comes to Atlanta a lot on business. He had many stories to tell about his travels and many trips. I soon realized how this dinner was an amazing witnessing opportunity. You see, J’s family are not Christians; they are Hindus. J is a Christian and has taken her father with her to church a couple of times but he has not embraced Christianity. When we were talking about the children and how much we love them, he said that he could not understand why we would travel so far and for so long just to come here to this country and work at the orphanage. I do believe that he realizes that we came because this is where our Lord led us and that we want to follow with our whole hearts. I hope that God used us to share his love and light with this family.
Tomorrow K and I are going to go to the Johannesburg Zoo and take two children with us. We are so very excited! I am so thankful for my close friend Katherine Lee Wiggins! I am thankful that God led us both here this summer; we have drawn close in a way that only friends can when they face many joys, laughter, and sorrow together. We have shared the joy of loving the children, sharing in the laughter of the cute silly things they do, the joy of laughing at hanging wet, dripping laundry with numb fingers on the clotheslines, shared in the joy of finding a family with the aunties, uncles, and children, laughing at the many small cultural mistakes we have made, the sorrow of seeing poverty that is found here, the sorrow we have shared when missing home, the tears we have shared when hearing our sweet children’s stories, shared in the joy of sharing Scripture and praying together…
Katherine has encouraged me and prayed with me and comforted me with Scripture when she knew my heart was heavy. K has loved me when I know that I was not very loveable and listened to so many random questions and stories and ideas that I have. Katherine is truly a woman seeking God’s heart and seeks to praise Him each day in every circumstance and finds God in small things such as birds chirping or a cup of coffee. K and I have shared so many cups of coffee together and we even have a coffee poem, “Coffee with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.” Cute, huh?
I want to recommend a book to all of you. It is called Praise Habit by David Crowder. When I am reading it, I often find myself laughing out loud. Don’t you love books like that? There are twenty one psalms with a devotion. I read Psalm 8 yesterday. It says, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the Earth. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. (The Message says: nursing infants gurgle choruses about you) When I consider your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?” I was reminded to think of the precious babbling and gurgling of the children as praises to God and this should remind me to praise God in my heart. I also was reminded how small I am and unworthy of God’s love, but God loves us unfailingly and more than we can comprehend. I was then reminded of the Who am I song by Casting Crowns “Who am I, that the Lord of all the Earth would care to know my name, would care feel my hurt? Who am I that the bright and morning star would choose to light the way for my ever wandering heart? I am a flower quickly fading, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind, still you hear me when I’m calling, Lord you catch me when I’m falling and told me who I am: I am yours.” We are God’s child he wants us to live in the wonder of his love and goodness.
My next blog entry will be my last one while I am here in South Africa! I am coming home so soon!
Love you all,
Rachel
With all my heart I hope that it is in God’s will and plan for me to be able to adopt someday, but so much has to happen before then…I must be patient and wait to see if this is God’s desire, but it is a passion of my heart!
On Sunday K and I had the opportunity to take two children to church with us. They loved it, especially the praise and worship music. It seemed they were in awe of the sound of so many voices singing and the instruments that were being used to praise God. Then we went to the mall and took the little girl with us out to eat and to do some shopping and it was so much fun…so very memorable.
Monday-Wednesday was so much fun working and playing and laughing and loving. I wish that you all could come here for a day and spend the day with us. You would love the children and would enjoy spending the day with them and the aunties!
There is a girl who we call J who is 26 years old who has been coming to volunteer quite often. She has lived in South Africa for her whole life. Her parents are from India. She has brought her parents, brother, and cousin to meet the children and to volunteer with us at Door of Hope. Well, they invited all 6 of us American volunteers to their house for dinner for some Indian curry. How sweet! When we went on Tuesday night, I was just in awe of everything. Their house was very beautiful (a mini mansion). The mother had a sweet maid who helped her cook and serve dinner. I wish that she would have stayed to eat at the table with us but she took her dinner and ate in another room. I did not know what to think about this...but then I realized that this is part of the culture here. During dinner we talked and shared about our lives and interests. The father led most of the conversation. He is the Chief Financial Officer of Coca-Cola for Africa and the Middle East. (WOW-his title is so big that I am not sure that I even got that right) He travels all of the time and has been in 88 different countries. He comes to Atlanta a lot on business. He had many stories to tell about his travels and many trips. I soon realized how this dinner was an amazing witnessing opportunity. You see, J’s family are not Christians; they are Hindus. J is a Christian and has taken her father with her to church a couple of times but he has not embraced Christianity. When we were talking about the children and how much we love them, he said that he could not understand why we would travel so far and for so long just to come here to this country and work at the orphanage. I do believe that he realizes that we came because this is where our Lord led us and that we want to follow with our whole hearts. I hope that God used us to share his love and light with this family.
Tomorrow K and I are going to go to the Johannesburg Zoo and take two children with us. We are so very excited! I am so thankful for my close friend Katherine Lee Wiggins! I am thankful that God led us both here this summer; we have drawn close in a way that only friends can when they face many joys, laughter, and sorrow together. We have shared the joy of loving the children, sharing in the laughter of the cute silly things they do, the joy of laughing at hanging wet, dripping laundry with numb fingers on the clotheslines, shared in the joy of finding a family with the aunties, uncles, and children, laughing at the many small cultural mistakes we have made, the sorrow of seeing poverty that is found here, the sorrow we have shared when missing home, the tears we have shared when hearing our sweet children’s stories, shared in the joy of sharing Scripture and praying together…
Katherine has encouraged me and prayed with me and comforted me with Scripture when she knew my heart was heavy. K has loved me when I know that I was not very loveable and listened to so many random questions and stories and ideas that I have. Katherine is truly a woman seeking God’s heart and seeks to praise Him each day in every circumstance and finds God in small things such as birds chirping or a cup of coffee. K and I have shared so many cups of coffee together and we even have a coffee poem, “Coffee with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.” Cute, huh?
I want to recommend a book to all of you. It is called Praise Habit by David Crowder. When I am reading it, I often find myself laughing out loud. Don’t you love books like that? There are twenty one psalms with a devotion. I read Psalm 8 yesterday. It says, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the Earth. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. (The Message says: nursing infants gurgle choruses about you) When I consider your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?” I was reminded to think of the precious babbling and gurgling of the children as praises to God and this should remind me to praise God in my heart. I also was reminded how small I am and unworthy of God’s love, but God loves us unfailingly and more than we can comprehend. I was then reminded of the Who am I song by Casting Crowns “Who am I, that the Lord of all the Earth would care to know my name, would care feel my hurt? Who am I that the bright and morning star would choose to light the way for my ever wandering heart? I am a flower quickly fading, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind, still you hear me when I’m calling, Lord you catch me when I’m falling and told me who I am: I am yours.” We are God’s child he wants us to live in the wonder of his love and goodness.
My next blog entry will be my last one while I am here in South Africa! I am coming home so soon!
Love you all,
Rachel
A few pictures
We are gazing at the beauty of the Lord, looking out the window at the sunset. Psalm 27:4 "One thing that I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may gaze upon the beauty of the Lord all the days of my life and to seek Him."
So precious! 
This is Auntie Veronica who we love very much. This picture was taken when we went out for lunch and ice cream. So much fun!Saturday, July 18, 2009
God is Sovereign
Hello friends and family! I hope that you all are doing great and have had a great week. I am so excited for all those who are involved in “Reach Rowan” which starts today. I will be praying for you as you share the gospel and love others. “Reach Rowan” is a community outreach in the city of Salisbury where many youth and adults will be going door-to-door trying to share the gospel and sharing information about local churches, leading back yard bible schools to reach the children and their families in Jesus’s name, and many will be leading a basketball camp to reach youth….all pray for open hearts and opportunities for the gospel to be shared. I am so excited to hear how God is going to work this week at Reach Rowan.
Isn’t it amazing how God is here with me in South Africa living in me and through me and he also in Davie County, living in and working through his children there? Isn’t it amazing how God is also in you and living through you each
day, wherever you are? Isn’t God amazing!! He truly is SO BIG! (I have been singing that song with the children-the one that says… “My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do...” I do the hand motions with their little arms and they think this is so funny).
Last Friday, K and I went out to eat with Auntie Veronica and her daughter named Nikki. This was a very special time. Auntie V was dressed up and she looked very pretty. We let Auntie V pick out where we were going to go eat and she picked a restaurant called the “Ocean Basket.” She had never eaten here and was excited about eating it...I could tell that she wanted to get a more expensive plate than what K and I were eating (just fish and chips) and when it came her turn to order she also ordered fish and chips but I knew she wanted to prawn plate and I told the waiter to bring this. Prawn look like big shrimp and the whole thing came on her plate. She had to break away the eyes and tail and shell just to eat the meat. So much work! She laughed at me when I was so surprised that there was a mini family of prawns on her plate. Auntie V’s daughter was very quiet and shy and is a beautiful girl. We all had fun talking and then we went to get ice-cream…we had so much fun! So they would not have to try to find a taxi to get home, K and I offered to take them home. Once again, I was struck with the poverty here and my heart broke once more.
Saturday and Sunday K and I worked and it was so much fun! I love the children so much and enjoy all the time to spend with them. Heather and Maria (our friends from Viriginia who live at the baby house) will come upstairs to be with us and play with the children sometimes. Heather plays the guitar and we had the idea of having a praise and worship time with the children. We put several of them in the “bumbo” chairs, a couple in the swings, and held some. We were all together singing and praising God when we noticed a little boy who was raising his hands, just looking at Heather while she sang. She said, “Look, Sibonelo is worshipping.” Oh my goodness, I just laughed and laughed and laughed…you know that feeling when you laugh so much that your stomach hurts and tears come out of your eyes…well, I found this hilarious. I bet you are laughing right now-but if you are not, I am sorry, I guess you just had to be there. You see, Sibonelo is our fussiest child and he is rarely happy and just to see him in awe of the music and raising his hands( I like to think that he was worshipping) just made me laugh so much.
Sunday was an absolutely exhausting day! The children were so fussy…I feel like K and I had three or four babies in our laps all day or our arms just to keep them happy…but that is okay, we tried our best to love on each one-we don’t like when they cry!
On Monday night we worked night shift with Auntie Betty, who I love very much. We had wanted to do this with her for a while and this was the best opportunity. Oh my goodness, I have a new respect for all those who work third shift! K and I worked from 7-7 and there were a couple of times where I thought I was going to fall asleep standing up. But I did not thank goodness! We fed babies, comforted crying babies, folded laundry, cleaned toys, washed bottles, made milk and put the right amount into each bottle…this takes awhile because different babies are on different formula and drink different amounts and different babies need different number of bottles for the day time and during the next night. Some of our newest babies need 8 bottles made. K counted and we made 144 bottles of formula! My goodness! But we were so busy that the time flew by, but I was very tired the next day and it took me a couple of days to catch up on my sleep. Auntie Betty said that she finds strength in singing to the Lord and remembering that she is working for the Lord. This is so true! I enjoyed seeing our babies at night time when they are sleeping-so cute and precious.
I want to tell you about Auntie Loyce-she is our housekeeper at Door of Hope and she has become a very close friend. Every morning we have so much laundry and if one person hangs it, it takes about two hours. But with two people hanging laundry on the clotheslines, it only takes about one hour! I have been trying to go help her in the mornings when I am working if the children are fed and okay and Auntie Veroinca is there helping Katherine. Auntie and I have been able to just talk and talk and talk about our lives. She knows all about Justin and my family, how I came to know the Lord, dreams I have for my life. Let me tell you a little bit about Auntie Loyce. She is from Zimbabwe. She came here to South Africa to find work so she can support her two twin daughters who are turning 8 years old soon. The father of her twin daughters is not involved in their lives and she is trying to support them on her own. One of her daughters is named Celine and the other is Diana (she says she named them after Princess Diana and Celine Dion-she is so funny). But Diana has special needs-she can not feed herself and can not talk. So one year ago, Auntie Loyce came to South Africa to live with her sister here and make money to send back to her younger sister who is taking care of her children for her while she raises enough money to pay for a specialist to help her daughter. She thinks that soon she will be able to go back to her daughters. She misses them greatly but says that she is trusting God... What faith!
The other day I was reading my bible before we had staff devotions and Auntie Loyce asked to see my bible. She had never seen a study bible before and was in awe of the study notes. She said, “It tells you what is happening and explains the verses…this is amazing.” So K and I went to the mall and bought Auntie a study bible-we are so excited about giving this to her before we come home.
This picture was taken right after staff devotions. From left over, it is Auntie Veronica, Katherine, Auntie Loyce, me, and Auntie Bebe.
Uncle Brice has also been working at Door of Hope for one year. He is from the Congo and came here to work. He left his wife in Congo until he could raise money to bring her here to Johannesburg. He is so sweet and is funny! He truly loves the children so much. When the children were so sick with that stomach bug a couple of weeks ago, he told me that he could not sleep because he was worried about the children. On the weekends when he is not working, he calls Door of Hope just to make sure that all the children are okay. His wife has now been here for two months! Uncle Brice told me that he was just walking down the street one day when he heard a lot of babies crying. He went and knocked on the door of Door of Hope and began volunteering at Door of Hope and soon he was offered a job. He said that God has provided for him and his wife in great ways.
Today is the 18th of July and I have 18 more days here until I come home. I am feeling many different emotions and am so thankful for my time here. God has taught me so much(this will probably be a whole other blog entry in the next couple of weeks) and I have felt so much love and had so much love shared with me…I have seen God’s love and provision and majesty in a new light.
1 John 4:9 “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…He sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…”
Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
Much love to you,
Rachel
Isn’t it amazing how God is here with me in South Africa living in me and through me and he also in Davie County, living in and working through his children there? Isn’t it amazing how God is also in you and living through you each
day, wherever you are? Isn’t God amazing!! He truly is SO BIG! (I have been singing that song with the children-the one that says… “My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do...” I do the hand motions with their little arms and they think this is so funny).Last Friday, K and I went out to eat with Auntie Veronica and her daughter named Nikki. This was a very special time. Auntie V was dressed up and she looked very pretty. We let Auntie V pick out where we were going to go eat and she picked a restaurant called the “Ocean Basket.” She had never eaten here and was excited about eating it...I could tell that she wanted to get a more expensive plate than what K and I were eating (just fish and chips) and when it came her turn to order she also ordered fish and chips but I knew she wanted to prawn plate and I told the waiter to bring this. Prawn look like big shrimp and the whole thing came on her plate. She had to break away the eyes and tail and shell just to eat the meat. So much work! She laughed at me when I was so surprised that there was a mini family of prawns on her plate. Auntie V’s daughter was very quiet and shy and is a beautiful girl. We all had fun talking and then we went to get ice-cream…we had so much fun! So they would not have to try to find a taxi to get home, K and I offered to take them home. Once again, I was struck with the poverty here and my heart broke once more.
Saturday and Sunday K and I worked and it was so much fun! I love the children so much and enjoy all the time to spend with them. Heather and Maria (our friends from Viriginia who live at the baby house) will come upstairs to be with us and play with the children sometimes. Heather plays the guitar and we had the idea of having a praise and worship time with the children. We put several of them in the “bumbo” chairs, a couple in the swings, and held some. We were all together singing and praising God when we noticed a little boy who was raising his hands, just looking at Heather while she sang. She said, “Look, Sibonelo is worshipping.” Oh my goodness, I just laughed and laughed and laughed…you know that feeling when you laugh so much that your stomach hurts and tears come out of your eyes…well, I found this hilarious. I bet you are laughing right now-but if you are not, I am sorry, I guess you just had to be there. You see, Sibonelo is our fussiest child and he is rarely happy and just to see him in awe of the music and raising his hands( I like to think that he was worshipping) just made me laugh so much.
Sunday was an absolutely exhausting day! The children were so fussy…I feel like K and I had three or four babies in our laps all day or our arms just to keep them happy…but that is okay, we tried our best to love on each one-we don’t like when they cry!
On Monday night we worked night shift with Auntie Betty, who I love very much. We had wanted to do this with her for a while and this was the best opportunity. Oh my goodness, I have a new respect for all those who work third shift! K and I worked from 7-7 and there were a couple of times where I thought I was going to fall asleep standing up. But I did not thank goodness! We fed babies, comforted crying babies, folded laundry, cleaned toys, washed bottles, made milk and put the right amount into each bottle…this takes awhile because different babies are on different formula and drink different amounts and different babies need different number of bottles for the day time and during the next night. Some of our newest babies need 8 bottles made. K counted and we made 144 bottles of formula! My goodness! But we were so busy that the time flew by, but I was very tired the next day and it took me a couple of days to catch up on my sleep. Auntie Betty said that she finds strength in singing to the Lord and remembering that she is working for the Lord. This is so true! I enjoyed seeing our babies at night time when they are sleeping-so cute and precious.I want to tell you about Auntie Loyce-she is our housekeeper at Door of Hope and she has become a very close friend. Every morning we have so much laundry and if one person hangs it, it takes about two hours. But with two people hanging laundry on the clotheslines, it only takes about one hour! I have been trying to go help her in the mornings when I am working if the children are fed and okay and Auntie Veroinca is there helping Katherine. Auntie and I have been able to just talk and talk and talk about our lives. She knows all about Justin and my family, how I came to know the Lord, dreams I have for my life. Let me tell you a little bit about Auntie Loyce. She is from Zimbabwe. She came here to South Africa to find work so she can support her two twin daughters who are turning 8 years old soon. The father of her twin daughters is not involved in their lives and she is trying to support them on her own. One of her daughters is named Celine and the other is Diana (she says she named them after Princess Diana and Celine Dion-she is so funny). But Diana has special needs-she can not feed herself and can not talk. So one year ago, Auntie Loyce came to South Africa to live with her sister here and make money to send back to her younger sister who is taking care of her children for her while she raises enough money to pay for a specialist to help her daughter. She thinks that soon she will be able to go back to her daughters. She misses them greatly but says that she is trusting God... What faith!
The other day I was reading my bible before we had staff devotions and Auntie Loyce asked to see my bible. She had never seen a study bible before and was in awe of the study notes. She said, “It tells you what is happening and explains the verses…this is amazing.” So K and I went to the mall and bought Auntie a study bible-we are so excited about giving this to her before we come home.
This picture was taken right after staff devotions. From left over, it is Auntie Veronica, Katherine, Auntie Loyce, me, and Auntie Bebe.
Uncle Brice has also been working at Door of Hope for one year. He is from the Congo and came here to work. He left his wife in Congo until he could raise money to bring her here to Johannesburg. He is so sweet and is funny! He truly loves the children so much. When the children were so sick with that stomach bug a couple of weeks ago, he told me that he could not sleep because he was worried about the children. On the weekends when he is not working, he calls Door of Hope just to make sure that all the children are okay. His wife has now been here for two months! Uncle Brice told me that he was just walking down the street one day when he heard a lot of babies crying. He went and knocked on the door of Door of Hope and began volunteering at Door of Hope and soon he was offered a job. He said that God has provided for him and his wife in great ways.
Today is the 18th of July and I have 18 more days here until I come home. I am feeling many different emotions and am so thankful for my time here. God has taught me so much(this will probably be a whole other blog entry in the next couple of weeks) and I have felt so much love and had so much love shared with me…I have seen God’s love and provision and majesty in a new light.
1 John 4:9 “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…He sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…”
Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
Much love to you,
Rachel
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Hello!
Hello! I hope that you all are doing okay and have had a great week so far, smiling bunches and bunches.
Last Wednesday K and I traveled to Soweto where I was greatly saddened by this township which is referred to as an “informal settlement”. I saw children playing with toys they had made from scrap metal, dusty streets, and houses made out of tin and concrete. I was greatly saddened, as anyone would be who saw poverty like this. I was able to talk to three small children through a fence that went around the dirt yard and small groups of houses that was inside this fence. They ran to the fence when we walked by and I talked to them. They were playing with little toy cars. As I looked at where they live and gazed at their dirty clothes and faces, I felt guilt and an anger for all that I have. Why do I have so much and they so little? Why do they have to live in the middle of this type of environment? My heart hurt and I did not know what to think…I kept thinking how we could do something to help them…I now know that I have taken so much for granted-having a warm home filled with love, food to eat, clothes….but despite all these children lacked, they still smiled and laughed…how I want to be like them. During staff devotions a couple days later, we looked at verse Hebrews 13:4-5 “….be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” I realized how all comes from God and I should be thankful for all I have each day. God is with us; he is our Provider, he is all we need. But what can be done about poverty in Africa, India, America...how can we help? There is no doubt that God is calling us to reach out, but how can we? How can we bring God’s light and hope?
The next two days (Thrusday and Friday) K and I worked but I felt like my focus was not there. I felt like I was getting impatient for no reason and having a hard time keeping a praising heart. After work on Friday, I finally realized that I am not going to be able to change poverty all around the world and here in South Africa. Yes, this broke my heart, but I should not allow myself to dwell on this and feel angry and guilty because of it. I realized that we need to be thankful for what we have and pray that God will use us to reach those who live in poverty. We can make a difference in our hometown, for there are so many people in need all around the world. If we are able help meet their physical needs-providing food, shelter, or clothing, we are also sharing God’s love and we can hopefully be used by God to meet their spiritual hunger as well…
On Saturday K and I took two babies-aged 5 months and 8 months- to the mall and we had so much fun! I had the idea of letting the 8 month old boy taste ice cream for the first time! How funny-don’t worry, we only let him have two or three licks. He loved it and was so funny trying it. We took lots of pictures. We then came back to our host family house and played. We read books, sang, and just had fun laughing and giggling. Pulang is talking some and is a joy to be with.
At the mall, several people asked us whose babies we were taking care of and we were able to talk to them about Door of Hope. They also want to know where we are from, because well, we don’t look or talk like anyone else in South Africa. Our waitress even got the number from us of Door of Hope and wants to call to see if she can work for them. Did you know that Door of Hope is non-profit? The Africans who work here are paid through church donations and all our materials are donated or bought with donated money. I just think that this is amazing how God truly does provide. The aunties were worried one day because we were running very low on formula; we were out of infasoy 1, but God provided just that kind of formula on that day. Wow!
Speaking of providing, God provided a place for me and K to stay the remainder of our time here. We were unable to stay at the Gospel Tract very long, for it was all booked before it was known that we were coming and a host home had not been able to be found for us. The aunties and uncles were praying and said that they would take us in, but many of them are living in two-bedroom homes with 5-8 children. But God did provide us with a “host family”. But our host family is a 75 year old man who we call Uncle Collin. He is a 75 year old man who has 4 children. One of his daughters lives in Spain, and his son lives in the UK, and his other two daughters live in towns close to Johannesburg. His wife died 3 years ago and he lives alone. He works for Door of Hope; he is called the management man who picks up donations and fixes odds and ends at Door of Hope’s three baby houses. When he heard that K and I needed a place to stay, he was very sweet to offer for us to stay with him. I believe that he was very lonely before. He told me and K that we bring light back into his life.
On Sunday, we went to church with Uncle Colin and I was surprised to see people from all nationalities worshiping God together. The congregation was african, indian, white, and oriental. A man with a guitar led the music and the congregation sang to the top of their voices and sang with their full voices. I was giggling at one point because Uncle Colin was singing beside me and he was singing his own song (the same words as us, just not in the right place and off key) and when we were clapping, he was always clapping at the off beat. But he did not care-he had his eyes closed just praising God. I realized that God truly does not care what we sound like, he just desires us to worship him in spirit and in truth and with our whole hearts. Psalm 9:1-2 “I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart” and Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.” When we go to worship on Sundays, are we focusing on praising God with our whole heart and being broken and humble and genuine before God?
I want to tell you that I am so thankful for Katherine! We have become very close friends and I have been blessed to share this with her. She is a constant encouragement. We have shared so many laughs as well as tears. K makes me laugh so much! How awesome it is to have a friend with me to share Scripture with me and to pray with me. I love her a lot! I am also thankful for the friendships that I have made with the Maria, Heather, and Melody, who are also volunteers from America. Our friendships are brought together in that we all love the children so much and desire to live for the Lord. Every Friday night, we go out to eat and spend the evening together, whether it is watching a movie (so far we have watched Rescuers Down Under and Aladdin) just talking, or playing card games. I am so thankful for the fellowship found here! Maria has even spent the night a couple of times and three of us in our small double bed is quite funny, but we are so tired from working that we just fall asleep no matter where we are. On Monday, there were some difficult circumstances that were happening at Door of Hope and after work, we came together with heavy hearts and just prayed together for what was happening. Truly what peace is found when we take everything to God in prayer. I am so thankful for the friendships that I have found here, not only in the other volunteers but with the aunties. Tomorrow, we are going out to eat with Auntie Veronica and her daughter. I am excited! And another best friend that I have made is one with Auntie Loyce, the housekeeper. I try to help her with as much as I can and this week I have been able to help a lot with the laundry during the children’s nap-time and she has been so grateful. She gave me and K a peppermint at lunch yesterday, telling us that this came from her inner-most heart. How sweet!
K and I have been here a little over a month and I have been able to see so much change in the children in just one month! This truly is amazing. I know how to make each child laugh and have seen them begin to try to talk and giggle and roll over and even crawl. Our oldest girl is going to begin to walk soon and I hope that I get to see this happen! She is quite a handful…when a smaller baby is crying, she will often crawl to them and look at them as if she is wondering why they are crying and then she pulls their hair! I wonder why she thinks this helps…it only makes the baby cry louder. But she makes ma laugh. Her name means “blessing.” In the African culture, the meaning of the children’s name is very important. This week, we have gotten four new babies and I have heard the aunties discussing what to name the precious children. One of our new babies is named a biblical name-one of my favorites! A couple of nights ago, when we answered the doorbell, a very young lady with a downcast face asked if this was 15 Barbara Street, which is Door of Hope’s address. She was carrying a bundle of blankets. We took her to the office and a few minutes later, she left and she looked so sad. She left her baby with Door of Hope. She did not name her one-day old son. She wants so much to keep him, but is unable to provide for his needs. But there is still hope for her to get involved in a program where she can get help and find hope and get a job and learn how to take care of her son. We can pray for this young mother and so many like her…
I want to share some Scripture that I read this morning really quick with you. I read Psalm 146 this morning and read a little devotion that K has in a book called “Praise Habit” by David Crowder. Psalm 146:
“Blessed is he whose help is in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the sea, and everything in them-the Lord, who remains faithful forever…He defends the wrong, feeds the hungry, frees prisoners, gives sight to the blind, lifts up those whose are bowed down, takes the side of the orphans and widows. The Lord reigns forever, praise the Lord.”
David Crowder says, “Read this psalm and think about how God is calling us to someplace above the gray, through the clouds to a place where there is hope and healing, where justice and mercy rule, where the King of Creation cradles and widows and the orphans and the fallen, where the blind see and goodness is champion. This is our God. There is no love greater or more beautiful.”
I love you all!
Rachel
P.S. Today is Lucas’s 19th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Send some birthday wishes his way!!!!
Last Wednesday K and I traveled to Soweto where I was greatly saddened by this township which is referred to as an “informal settlement”. I saw children playing with toys they had made from scrap metal, dusty streets, and houses made out of tin and concrete. I was greatly saddened, as anyone would be who saw poverty like this. I was able to talk to three small children through a fence that went around the dirt yard and small groups of houses that was inside this fence. They ran to the fence when we walked by and I talked to them. They were playing with little toy cars. As I looked at where they live and gazed at their dirty clothes and faces, I felt guilt and an anger for all that I have. Why do I have so much and they so little? Why do they have to live in the middle of this type of environment? My heart hurt and I did not know what to think…I kept thinking how we could do something to help them…I now know that I have taken so much for granted-having a warm home filled with love, food to eat, clothes….but despite all these children lacked, they still smiled and laughed…how I want to be like them. During staff devotions a couple days later, we looked at verse Hebrews 13:4-5 “….be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” I realized how all comes from God and I should be thankful for all I have each day. God is with us; he is our Provider, he is all we need. But what can be done about poverty in Africa, India, America...how can we help? There is no doubt that God is calling us to reach out, but how can we? How can we bring God’s light and hope?
The next two days (Thrusday and Friday) K and I worked but I felt like my focus was not there. I felt like I was getting impatient for no reason and having a hard time keeping a praising heart. After work on Friday, I finally realized that I am not going to be able to change poverty all around the world and here in South Africa. Yes, this broke my heart, but I should not allow myself to dwell on this and feel angry and guilty because of it. I realized that we need to be thankful for what we have and pray that God will use us to reach those who live in poverty. We can make a difference in our hometown, for there are so many people in need all around the world. If we are able help meet their physical needs-providing food, shelter, or clothing, we are also sharing God’s love and we can hopefully be used by God to meet their spiritual hunger as well…
On Saturday K and I took two babies-aged 5 months and 8 months- to the mall and we had so much fun! I had the idea of letting the 8 month old boy taste ice cream for the first time! How funny-don’t worry, we only let him have two or three licks. He loved it and was so funny trying it. We took lots of pictures. We then came back to our host family house and played. We read books, sang, and just had fun laughing and giggling. Pulang is talking some and is a joy to be with.
At the mall, several people asked us whose babies we were taking care of and we were able to talk to them about Door of Hope. They also want to know where we are from, because well, we don’t look or talk like anyone else in South Africa. Our waitress even got the number from us of Door of Hope and wants to call to see if she can work for them. Did you know that Door of Hope is non-profit? The Africans who work here are paid through church donations and all our materials are donated or bought with donated money. I just think that this is amazing how God truly does provide. The aunties were worried one day because we were running very low on formula; we were out of infasoy 1, but God provided just that kind of formula on that day. Wow!
Speaking of providing, God provided a place for me and K to stay the remainder of our time here. We were unable to stay at the Gospel Tract very long, for it was all booked before it was known that we were coming and a host home had not been able to be found for us. The aunties and uncles were praying and said that they would take us in, but many of them are living in two-bedroom homes with 5-8 children. But God did provide us with a “host family”. But our host family is a 75 year old man who we call Uncle Collin. He is a 75 year old man who has 4 children. One of his daughters lives in Spain, and his son lives in the UK, and his other two daughters live in towns close to Johannesburg. His wife died 3 years ago and he lives alone. He works for Door of Hope; he is called the management man who picks up donations and fixes odds and ends at Door of Hope’s three baby houses. When he heard that K and I needed a place to stay, he was very sweet to offer for us to stay with him. I believe that he was very lonely before. He told me and K that we bring light back into his life.
On Sunday, we went to church with Uncle Colin and I was surprised to see people from all nationalities worshiping God together. The congregation was african, indian, white, and oriental. A man with a guitar led the music and the congregation sang to the top of their voices and sang with their full voices. I was giggling at one point because Uncle Colin was singing beside me and he was singing his own song (the same words as us, just not in the right place and off key) and when we were clapping, he was always clapping at the off beat. But he did not care-he had his eyes closed just praising God. I realized that God truly does not care what we sound like, he just desires us to worship him in spirit and in truth and with our whole hearts. Psalm 9:1-2 “I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart” and Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.” When we go to worship on Sundays, are we focusing on praising God with our whole heart and being broken and humble and genuine before God?
I want to tell you that I am so thankful for Katherine! We have become very close friends and I have been blessed to share this with her. She is a constant encouragement. We have shared so many laughs as well as tears. K makes me laugh so much! How awesome it is to have a friend with me to share Scripture with me and to pray with me. I love her a lot! I am also thankful for the friendships that I have made with the Maria, Heather, and Melody, who are also volunteers from America. Our friendships are brought together in that we all love the children so much and desire to live for the Lord. Every Friday night, we go out to eat and spend the evening together, whether it is watching a movie (so far we have watched Rescuers Down Under and Aladdin) just talking, or playing card games. I am so thankful for the fellowship found here! Maria has even spent the night a couple of times and three of us in our small double bed is quite funny, but we are so tired from working that we just fall asleep no matter where we are. On Monday, there were some difficult circumstances that were happening at Door of Hope and after work, we came together with heavy hearts and just prayed together for what was happening. Truly what peace is found when we take everything to God in prayer. I am so thankful for the friendships that I have found here, not only in the other volunteers but with the aunties. Tomorrow, we are going out to eat with Auntie Veronica and her daughter. I am excited! And another best friend that I have made is one with Auntie Loyce, the housekeeper. I try to help her with as much as I can and this week I have been able to help a lot with the laundry during the children’s nap-time and she has been so grateful. She gave me and K a peppermint at lunch yesterday, telling us that this came from her inner-most heart. How sweet!
K and I have been here a little over a month and I have been able to see so much change in the children in just one month! This truly is amazing. I know how to make each child laugh and have seen them begin to try to talk and giggle and roll over and even crawl. Our oldest girl is going to begin to walk soon and I hope that I get to see this happen! She is quite a handful…when a smaller baby is crying, she will often crawl to them and look at them as if she is wondering why they are crying and then she pulls their hair! I wonder why she thinks this helps…it only makes the baby cry louder. But she makes ma laugh. Her name means “blessing.” In the African culture, the meaning of the children’s name is very important. This week, we have gotten four new babies and I have heard the aunties discussing what to name the precious children. One of our new babies is named a biblical name-one of my favorites! A couple of nights ago, when we answered the doorbell, a very young lady with a downcast face asked if this was 15 Barbara Street, which is Door of Hope’s address. She was carrying a bundle of blankets. We took her to the office and a few minutes later, she left and she looked so sad. She left her baby with Door of Hope. She did not name her one-day old son. She wants so much to keep him, but is unable to provide for his needs. But there is still hope for her to get involved in a program where she can get help and find hope and get a job and learn how to take care of her son. We can pray for this young mother and so many like her…
I want to share some Scripture that I read this morning really quick with you. I read Psalm 146 this morning and read a little devotion that K has in a book called “Praise Habit” by David Crowder. Psalm 146:
“Blessed is he whose help is in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the sea, and everything in them-the Lord, who remains faithful forever…He defends the wrong, feeds the hungry, frees prisoners, gives sight to the blind, lifts up those whose are bowed down, takes the side of the orphans and widows. The Lord reigns forever, praise the Lord.”
David Crowder says, “Read this psalm and think about how God is calling us to someplace above the gray, through the clouds to a place where there is hope and healing, where justice and mercy rule, where the King of Creation cradles and widows and the orphans and the fallen, where the blind see and goodness is champion. This is our God. There is no love greater or more beautiful.”
I love you all!
Rachel
P.S. Today is Lucas’s 19th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Send some birthday wishes his way!!!!
Pictures!
I am chatting with a dear friend and he is telling me all about his day. This precious little boy was adpoted to Norway last Monday. I am so excited for him!
These are my new friends who are also volunteers from America. Melody is from South Carolina and Heather and Maria are from Viriginia. I am so thankful for them!Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hello!
Hello! I hope you are doing great and have had a great week. Thank you for praying for our children who have been so sick. There are now only two of our children who are still sick. Thank goodness that they are better! It is not fun seeing anyone being sick, but especially little children. I worked in the “isolation room” where the sick children were kept separate from those who are not sick. Being with sick children this week has been challenging, but God has given me the strength needed. Mom asked me if I was going to come home and change my major to pediatric nursing and I just don’t think so. But I learned so much-I made a lot of rehydration water for those who were sick because the children were losing so much fluid and not able to keep the formula in their tummy. The rehydration water was 1 liter of hot water with 8 tablespoons of sugar with ½ tablespoons of salt. Thankfully the children drank it so stay hydrated! I was able to spend a lot of time with these children and I wish I could describe them to you by name. I am just amazed at how their personalities are so different and they are each precious in their own way. The youngest child who was sick was 3 months old and God used him to touch my heart…let me tell you the story real quick. I was having a hard day-it was this past weekend, and I felt like I had so much to do-the laundry, bottles, helping with the other children, dishes, cleaning, changing beds, feeding…and I was feeling overwhelmed. On weekends, there are not as many aunties and volunteers to work and it is a very busy time. But there was not a possible way for me to do everything needed and take care of those who were sick and entrusted in my care. And I was so tired and just lost my focus on working for the Lord and in the Lord’s strength. I went into the isolation room to check on the children and one of the boys was crying. I picked him up and cradled him close to me and he immediately stopped crying. I just began to pray to God about all that was on my heart and I started crying just from exhaustion and wondering why I did not pray earlier. My tears began to fall on Mandla. When I looked down at him, he was looking at me. He looked me in the eyes and smiled at me. I felt a God’s love and joy through Mandla’s sweet smile. I believe that God speaks to us every day in small ways, just sometimes we seem to busy to notice or think of the small things like this as a gift from God.
This leads me to tell you something else that God showed me this week. I was reflecting on the number of days we had been here and how many days were left and I realized that this past Friday marks 40 days until Katherine and I leave. I began to think about how the number 40 is such a significant number in the bible and I began to look up different passages about this. In Matthew 4, Jesus was led in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights and he fasted during this time. Jesus was tempted by the devil and he always responded to the devil’s temptations with Scripture. In verse 4 Jesus told the devil, “Man should not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In verse 10 Jesus said, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” I realized how God’s word is like our spiritual food and can not live a day without it. I also realized that God longs to be the one true God of my life…
Another passage that I wanted to share with you comes from 1 Kings chapter 18. This is about Elijah. Elijah was in the desert, fleeing for his life. An angel appeared to Him and told Elijah to eat. Then he traveled for forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, where God said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord.” Then there was a powerful wind that tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks, an earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in any of these. After the fire came a gentle whisper…the Lord was in the gentle whisper. I was challenged for the next forty days to focus on serving the Lord with my full heart, looking to His word when I am homesick or have a broken heart and to look for God in the “gentle whispers”-the smile of a child, the sound of laughter, the encouragement of a friend, the warmth of the sunshine(it is cold here-I guess it would be the coolness of shade at home), the songs of birds in the mornings, a sunset, and just to have an open heart to see how God is working everywhere. How do these two Scripture passages challenge you?
On Friday, Katherine and I went with another volunteer named Cornee from Holland to an open flea market called Bruma flea market. This was quite an experience! There was so many beautiful authentically African made things and I was able to buy some really beautiful things. I am not going to tell what because I do not want to spoil surprises for those I bought things for. But what was even more neat was how God opened the door to share with Cornee. I will tell you a bit about him-he is a 40 year old man who we work with at Door of Hope. He works in small babies (newborns to 3 months) but we still see him a lot and know him well and knew it was safe to go with him to Bruma. He helped us when all the Africans said, “Ladies come here! I give the best prices! Come look to see what I have to offer!” After we had shopped for 2-3 hours, we decided we were hungry and wanted to go eat lunch/supper. Well, this meal lasted for a couple of hours because we were just talking and sharing. Cornee came to Door of Hope to try to “find himself again…” he shared with us how empty he feels inside and how his heart has been broken by circumstances in his life. Katherine and I shared why we were here and I shared how I have come to understand how I have found that I know I am only complete in Christ and can only find true purpose, joy, hope, love, abundant life in Him. He seemed to think about his for a while and just said the he could not understand how we could be our own individual self when we are living under the direction of someone watching us in the sky. We shared with him and tried to share our testimony…please pray for this man who is searching and pray that he comes to understand that God wants to know him personally…
This weekend was a great weekend of working and loving the children and I am so glad that they are better!
Yesterday, about 6 of us volunteers went to the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve and saw some beautiful animals. The lions were so majestic and huge! We saw girl and boy lions-the boy ones are the ones with big manes, which I think everyone knows this but I was not sure so I asked and got made fun of. But we saw baby lion cubs and you could pay to play with them but I didn’t. Sometimes they would bite at you and claw at you and I just decided to watch. We saw cheetahs but did not get to see them run. We saw huge rhinos with their babies. Zebras and their babies, ostriches(they are such funny looking animals), many kinds of antelope, snakes (they were in cages-there were deadly snakes there and a huge python and cobras-I not like), lots of wild birds that were pretty, and we got to see tigers and leopards, but the majestic creatures were in a large cage with lots of land around them and I know they just want to get out and run. But would a tiger eat a lion or a lion eat a tiger? They do not live in the same kind of places do they? Don’t tigers live in the jungle? Oh and we saw hippos and they were swimming and one of them was pregnant and I was afraid she was going to sink to the bottom, but they would blow water out of their nostrils and it looked like a whale doing this. It was funny.
For dinner we ate at a place called Carnivores and it was fun and different. Wait until you hear what I tried…you are going to want to do this too! In the middle of restaurant there is this huge roast thing where all the animals are cooking and it smells really good. Then they bring you huge meats on a big stake and ask you if you would like any. I tried everything!! Let me tell you what I ate: spicy chicken liver, chicken wings, pork sausage, rump steak of beef, leg of lamb, venison meat balls, venison sausage, zebra, kudu, warthog, and crocodile. Oh my goodness! The chicken liver was chunky and very spicy, the chicken wings were like those at home but not fried, the pork sausage was tasty, the beef was normal, the leg of lamb was tender but not much taste, the venison meat ball was delicious, the zebra was white and has a unique taste, the kudu was my favorite(it was like a really lean pot roast and very tender-a kudu is a type of antelope, I think), the warthog was awful-it tasted fishy(I had to spit it out-yucky), and the crocodile had lots of bones in it and I did not like all too much. But it was fun and I hope you all get to eat game animals like that someday..
This week K and I work Wednesday thru Friday. Yesterday, two more of our children were adopted! One of our boys went to Denmark and a young girl went to Norway. I can not imagine the life that God has planned for them there…I do wish that the United States could adopt from South Africa, but right now this is not allowed…we should pray for this. Also continue to pray for a social worker. Last week, two new babies were brought to us from the hospital and they are beautiful-they are also so small and were born premature. But God is showering them with love and care at Door of Hope!
I love you all so much!!!
Love, Rachel
This leads me to tell you something else that God showed me this week. I was reflecting on the number of days we had been here and how many days were left and I realized that this past Friday marks 40 days until Katherine and I leave. I began to think about how the number 40 is such a significant number in the bible and I began to look up different passages about this. In Matthew 4, Jesus was led in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights and he fasted during this time. Jesus was tempted by the devil and he always responded to the devil’s temptations with Scripture. In verse 4 Jesus told the devil, “Man should not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In verse 10 Jesus said, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” I realized how God’s word is like our spiritual food and can not live a day without it. I also realized that God longs to be the one true God of my life…
Another passage that I wanted to share with you comes from 1 Kings chapter 18. This is about Elijah. Elijah was in the desert, fleeing for his life. An angel appeared to Him and told Elijah to eat. Then he traveled for forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, where God said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord.” Then there was a powerful wind that tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks, an earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in any of these. After the fire came a gentle whisper…the Lord was in the gentle whisper. I was challenged for the next forty days to focus on serving the Lord with my full heart, looking to His word when I am homesick or have a broken heart and to look for God in the “gentle whispers”-the smile of a child, the sound of laughter, the encouragement of a friend, the warmth of the sunshine(it is cold here-I guess it would be the coolness of shade at home), the songs of birds in the mornings, a sunset, and just to have an open heart to see how God is working everywhere. How do these two Scripture passages challenge you?
On Friday, Katherine and I went with another volunteer named Cornee from Holland to an open flea market called Bruma flea market. This was quite an experience! There was so many beautiful authentically African made things and I was able to buy some really beautiful things. I am not going to tell what because I do not want to spoil surprises for those I bought things for. But what was even more neat was how God opened the door to share with Cornee. I will tell you a bit about him-he is a 40 year old man who we work with at Door of Hope. He works in small babies (newborns to 3 months) but we still see him a lot and know him well and knew it was safe to go with him to Bruma. He helped us when all the Africans said, “Ladies come here! I give the best prices! Come look to see what I have to offer!” After we had shopped for 2-3 hours, we decided we were hungry and wanted to go eat lunch/supper. Well, this meal lasted for a couple of hours because we were just talking and sharing. Cornee came to Door of Hope to try to “find himself again…” he shared with us how empty he feels inside and how his heart has been broken by circumstances in his life. Katherine and I shared why we were here and I shared how I have come to understand how I have found that I know I am only complete in Christ and can only find true purpose, joy, hope, love, abundant life in Him. He seemed to think about his for a while and just said the he could not understand how we could be our own individual self when we are living under the direction of someone watching us in the sky. We shared with him and tried to share our testimony…please pray for this man who is searching and pray that he comes to understand that God wants to know him personally…
This weekend was a great weekend of working and loving the children and I am so glad that they are better!
Yesterday, about 6 of us volunteers went to the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve and saw some beautiful animals. The lions were so majestic and huge! We saw girl and boy lions-the boy ones are the ones with big manes, which I think everyone knows this but I was not sure so I asked and got made fun of. But we saw baby lion cubs and you could pay to play with them but I didn’t. Sometimes they would bite at you and claw at you and I just decided to watch. We saw cheetahs but did not get to see them run. We saw huge rhinos with their babies. Zebras and their babies, ostriches(they are such funny looking animals), many kinds of antelope, snakes (they were in cages-there were deadly snakes there and a huge python and cobras-I not like), lots of wild birds that were pretty, and we got to see tigers and leopards, but the majestic creatures were in a large cage with lots of land around them and I know they just want to get out and run. But would a tiger eat a lion or a lion eat a tiger? They do not live in the same kind of places do they? Don’t tigers live in the jungle? Oh and we saw hippos and they were swimming and one of them was pregnant and I was afraid she was going to sink to the bottom, but they would blow water out of their nostrils and it looked like a whale doing this. It was funny.
For dinner we ate at a place called Carnivores and it was fun and different. Wait until you hear what I tried…you are going to want to do this too! In the middle of restaurant there is this huge roast thing where all the animals are cooking and it smells really good. Then they bring you huge meats on a big stake and ask you if you would like any. I tried everything!! Let me tell you what I ate: spicy chicken liver, chicken wings, pork sausage, rump steak of beef, leg of lamb, venison meat balls, venison sausage, zebra, kudu, warthog, and crocodile. Oh my goodness! The chicken liver was chunky and very spicy, the chicken wings were like those at home but not fried, the pork sausage was tasty, the beef was normal, the leg of lamb was tender but not much taste, the venison meat ball was delicious, the zebra was white and has a unique taste, the kudu was my favorite(it was like a really lean pot roast and very tender-a kudu is a type of antelope, I think), the warthog was awful-it tasted fishy(I had to spit it out-yucky), and the crocodile had lots of bones in it and I did not like all too much. But it was fun and I hope you all get to eat game animals like that someday..
This week K and I work Wednesday thru Friday. Yesterday, two more of our children were adopted! One of our boys went to Denmark and a young girl went to Norway. I can not imagine the life that God has planned for them there…I do wish that the United States could adopt from South Africa, but right now this is not allowed…we should pray for this. Also continue to pray for a social worker. Last week, two new babies were brought to us from the hospital and they are beautiful-they are also so small and were born premature. But God is showering them with love and care at Door of Hope!
I love you all so much!!!
Love, Rachel
Pictures!
Much love to you from Rachel and Katherine all the way from South Africa!
I thought this picture was funny. I was joking that the rhino and his Momma were going to have a "play day" with the other rhino momma and baby. And sure enough, we watched them go and meet up together and the baby rhinos started playing!
This is a white lion who roams free at the nature reserve. I had never seen a white lion before. Isn't he majestic? He just looked at our car, trying to figure out what we were and why we were disturbing his peaceful afternoon. His eyes were gold colored.
This is a tiger cub that is at the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve. So handsome isn't he? Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Prayer Request
Hello friends and family,
I hope that you all are doing good and having a good week. Katherine and I have worked Monday through Wednesday and it has been great but harder beacause our babies are sick! It is Wednesday night here, about 9:00. I just wanted to share a few things with you:
Please pray: Our babies are sick with diarrhea and vomiting. There are only four out of our group of twelve children who are not sick and in an "isolation room" (we have two now). It breaks my heart to see them so sick and crying so much. They do not have an appetite and not wanting to eat-we must feed rehydration water every few hours, which is always a struggle because this does not exactly taste good...Please pray for healing for the children and strength and patience for the other aunties, uncles, and volunteers.
Door of Hope also is in desperate need of a social worker. All of the adoptions are being put on hold because there is not a social worker...which is not good. Please pray that God will provide a social worker who desires to glorify Him and who will truly love the children.
Thank you so much for your prayers...
I also want to tell you something else that happened today. A couple weeks ago, I believe that I told you about two of our little boys who were adopted-one to a family in Holland and another in Sweden. Well, after the adoption, the family has to stay in Johannesburg for 2 weeks with the baby just to make sure that everything is going to be okay and this is also to follow policy. Well, today the two families came today to Door of Hope to tell everyone goodbye and to see where their son lived for the first few months of his life. When they arrived and were taken on a tour of the orphanage, everyone was so excited! This was amazing to see and brought tears to my eyes. Just to see the joy radiating from the new parents' eyes and to see the evident love that each couple had for the small baby that they held in their arms was precious. Each couple was taking pictures, videoing, and talking to all the aunties and uncles. It was like a big renuion. This was truly something I will never forget. I hope that each precious child will have the opportunity to have a family who loves them unconditionally and teaches them about God's amazing love and grace.
Thank you again for your prayers and I love you all!
I hope that you all are doing good and having a good week. Katherine and I have worked Monday through Wednesday and it has been great but harder beacause our babies are sick! It is Wednesday night here, about 9:00. I just wanted to share a few things with you:
Please pray: Our babies are sick with diarrhea and vomiting. There are only four out of our group of twelve children who are not sick and in an "isolation room" (we have two now). It breaks my heart to see them so sick and crying so much. They do not have an appetite and not wanting to eat-we must feed rehydration water every few hours, which is always a struggle because this does not exactly taste good...Please pray for healing for the children and strength and patience for the other aunties, uncles, and volunteers.
Door of Hope also is in desperate need of a social worker. All of the adoptions are being put on hold because there is not a social worker...which is not good. Please pray that God will provide a social worker who desires to glorify Him and who will truly love the children.
Thank you so much for your prayers...
I also want to tell you something else that happened today. A couple weeks ago, I believe that I told you about two of our little boys who were adopted-one to a family in Holland and another in Sweden. Well, after the adoption, the family has to stay in Johannesburg for 2 weeks with the baby just to make sure that everything is going to be okay and this is also to follow policy. Well, today the two families came today to Door of Hope to tell everyone goodbye and to see where their son lived for the first few months of his life. When they arrived and were taken on a tour of the orphanage, everyone was so excited! This was amazing to see and brought tears to my eyes. Just to see the joy radiating from the new parents' eyes and to see the evident love that each couple had for the small baby that they held in their arms was precious. Each couple was taking pictures, videoing, and talking to all the aunties and uncles. It was like a big renuion. This was truly something I will never forget. I hope that each precious child will have the opportunity to have a family who loves them unconditionally and teaches them about God's amazing love and grace.
Thank you again for your prayers and I love you all!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Update
Hello! I hope you all are doing well. I just want to thank you all so much for the emails and encouraging comments you are leaving on my blog. When I opened my email last time I had so many emails and I was flooded with encouragement and support and love. You do not know how much this means to me.
I always have a difficult time knowing where to start when I am trying to tell you what is happening here and all that God is showing me, but I will try me best…J
Last weekend, K and I worked. We are very busy on the weekends because only three of us work and there is not a housekeeper, so we vacumn, clean house, laundry, clean dishes…we do try to help Auntie Loyce (our housekeeper) in all that we can during the week, but I did not realize how much she does each day! Wow…she is from Congo and is here working to try to pay for her family to also come and live in South Africa. She is always smiling and working diligently.
Katherine and I have been working each time with Auntie Veronica. She has worked at Door of Hope for 9 years and loves the children. She loves me and Katherine and we feel loved and accepted by Auntie Veronica. We laugh throughout the day together and share stories about our lives. Auntie loves the Lord and I enjoy hearing her humming and singing throughout the day. She is making sure that K and I are taking care of ourselves and that we are safe. God has shown me so much love and encouragement and has created a special friendship through Auntie Veronica. She wants to come to Yadkinville and meet my family and our church. Maybe someday! I wish that you all could meet her.
Katherine and I have just felt overwhelmed with love by the aunties and uncles we work with each day. I have realized that we truly are a family in Christ. We are all bound by this love for the Lord and a willingness to serve him. The children of Door of Hope are truly loved in Jesus’s name.
On Monday, Katherine and I drove out to Klipriver Nature Reserve and went hiking. It was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy God’s beautiful creation. We climbed up on a small mountain/hill and could see very far. The beauty here is quite different from what we see at home in the Blue Ridge Mountains or Stone Mountain. God truly is a beautiful God. We saw zebras and we came within seven feet of four zebras. They truly are beautiful animals. We were looking at how detailed and different each of the different zebra’s stripes are and Katherine asked me, “How can you see a this view and look at this zebra and not believe in a Creator?” And to think that this Creator who made the heavens and the stars, the oceans, also made you and me and we are beautiful in His eyes. And this wonderful Creator wants to know us and share each day with us, breaking us free from all that holds us captive from living abundant life in Him…is beyond my comprehension.
The last four days have been very difficult for me. I believe that this has been the hardest week for me, but God has revealed so much to me this week. K and I moved on Tuesday and this was a hard day. We had become adjusted to living at the Baby House and we moved about 15 minutes away into an area of town where we are afraid to leave the gated area and we missed the community of the Baby House. Where we are staying is nice, it is called the Gospel Tract and is connected to a church. They house missionaries who are serving in Johannesburg. We have met a couple from Brazil who are trying to get to Mozambique but are not able due to difficult circumstances. They are trying to start a dental clinic there. They have been here for two months. Their English is limited, for they speak Portuguese. We also have met a lady who has been in South Africa for 4 years as a full time missionary church planting and working with an orphanage. I believe that this moving day was so hard because we had to adjust again to a whole new setting and drive on our own in this big city. But God has given us peace and strength as we have now adjusted to living here. We will be here for at least another week and then we will move in with a host family for the month of July.
Wednesday-Friday we worked at Door of Hope. For some reason, I was questioning why God brought me here this summer. I was really missing home and received a letter in the mail from Kathy Spicer (my “pretend” 9 year old little sister who I go to church with) who told me that she loved me and missed me so much. She drew a frowny face that was crying and I then felt really homesick and wondered if I should have stayed home this summer and loved the children in my own church and community. I was also having a difficult time trying to understand why so many precious children are abandoned and why there is so much heartache…I was holding one of the twins who are 2 weeks old and barely weigh 3 pounds when I began to just cry. The twins are in an isolation room so thankfully no one could see me! I was asking, “Why, Lord? Why are so many children without homes? Why has their family just forgotten them?” That same day we received a young girl who had to be taken away from her home and has a burnt foot and has to see a specialist and take two kinds of medicine…we received a baby who was born yesterday and the mother decided that she could not take care of her…we are running out of beds and working so hard to provide and love for all the children…all of this was too much for this heart of mine to take. I have fallen in love with these children and I wonder about their future. I was quite upset and just began praying for each child, by name, right there in the isolation room when I was holding one of the twins. I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:11-13 which promises that God has plans and purposes for each of his children, plans for a hope and a future. This is also true for the orphans that I am loving this summer. I also know that God led me to this verse this week, for I have never read it before, and if I did, I could not connect with it before:
Isaiah 49:15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you.”
God has not forgotten these little ones; I felt silly and so small for my questioning heart.
When I talked to Katherine and shared with her what my heart was feeling, she told me that she thinks God has led her here because He has taught her and spoke to her in ways that He could not have if she was home this summer. This is very true. I have been challenged in my walk with God so much this summer. I have needed to depend and cry out to him in ways that I never have before. I have realized strongholds that are in my life which are keeping me from serving God to the fullest. My heart has been broken and the only way that it can be whole again is through God’s love and living word, with His promises of unfailing love and faithfulness and plans and presence that is full of joy.
Today I challenge you to think about what is in your life that is distracting you from serving God to the fullest. What is on your heart at this very second that is making it feel heavy or broken? Take this to God, call out to Him, and he will comfort you, speaking to you. Turn to His word and trust in His promises. I have learned that I tend to take my worries, fears, doubts, and heartache to other things other than God. But this is when I am led to into a stronghold, which is anything that stops me from living an abundant life with God. Why have I not recognized this before? God wants us to come to him:
Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We are unworthy to share every feeling and every circumstance with God, but He wants us to share everything with him-not only our praise, but our burdens, our brokenness, our worries. This is a wonder to me. Take everything to Him, friend, and you will experience His wonderful peace. (Philippians 4: 4-7).
Sorry if this blog entry has seemed sad or not as upbeat as the others. I am just sharing my heart with ya’ll-thanks for taking the time to read. I love you all so much. Talk to you soon!
Pictures!
Another beautiful sunset!
The amazing zebras at Klipriver Nature Reserve.
Me trying to get the precious child to take her morning nap and not cry when I put her down in her crib. She likes to be held :)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Hello!
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement, I can feel them every day. Monday and Tuesday were me and Katherine’s first two days of “work” and I enjoyed them greatly. The days went by really fast because we were so busy that we were exhausted each night. But it was a good kind of exhausted. On Monday, two of our little boys were adopted-one was adopted by a family in Holland and another by a family in Sweden. Katherine and I bathed them extra good and they looked great! One of the boy’s family changed his African name to a name that is common in our country. Most of the Holland adoptions usually change the children’s names. Two of the smaller babies were moved up into our group-they are about 3 months old. Let me tell you our schedule:
At about 6:45 a quick breakfast
7:00-wake up the children if not already awake (so fun!) Give baths and put on lotion, nappies, and clothes for the day. Door of Hope does not have heat, so the children need about 3-4 layers and we put a big coat on them! I am surprised about how cold it is here. Remember last time when I said that most winters are blue skies and sunshine? Well, it has been rainy and cloudy this week and has gotten cold! I wish I brought more warm clothes, but it okay wearing the same clothes again and again, right? It is not common for South Africa to have rain in their winter months; it is supposed to stop soon. Oh my, how did I get to talking about the weather?
After baths, which takes a while, it is time to feed the children and give medicines. About 5 are eating cereal and the others are still drinking from a bottle. Then we play and love the children until 10:15 and it is “tea time”. The children then take their morning nap. The tea is so popular here…putting a tea bag in a cup of hot water with lots of sugar and milk in it. I have tried it and it is yummy, especially on cold days it is nice to get something warm to drink. At 11:00 we have staff devotions, which is awesome. It is always great to read Scripture together and share how this Scripture has impacted our lives and how it speaks to us. It is also encouraging to share prayer requests and pray together. Then the children begin to wake up from their nap and we begin feeding lunch and changing nappies. Feeding the children lunch is fun but challenging. Many times, I have a hard time getting the child I feed to open his mouth wide enough, he wants to touch the spoon, getting very messy, and when he is eating, he spits the food out of his mouth at times…I laugh a lot during this time. At about 4:00 we begin to change the children into their pajamas. Then we play and love and feed more bottles and change more nappies. During the afternoon, I like to have music time with the children. We get out a few of the toys that are similar to little maracas and the children shake them to the beat.(well, you know, they try) I dance with a couple of the children and act crazy, clapping my hands and dancing around. A few of them look at me like I am a crazy person, but most of the children really enjoy this time. We sing and dance to a kid’s worship CD. And it has the song “How Great is Our God” on it, which is my favorite. Then about 6:00 it is night-night time. We tuck the children into bed and put lots of blankets over them so they do not get cold in the night. There are three rooms-one room for boys, another for girls, and another room where the youngest babies sleep.
Katherine and I have been blessed to get to know Maria and Heather from Virginia. They have become close friends of ours and they love the children so much. Heather brought her guitar and she has a beautiful voice. Maria plays the drums and also has a beautiful voice. One night, after Katherine and I had been working, Heather brought up her guitar and Maria got out a pot (she used it as a drum) and we praised God together in song. I am very thankful for their friendship.
This Wednesday, two week old twins were brought to the Door of Hope. They weigh under 3 pounds and are so small that they were put into the isolation room where only 2-3 aunties can go in to feed them because they can not get sick. The Mom brought the twins to the baby house that in the inner city and said that she could not take care of them and wanted them to be adopted and loved. I can not imagine how hard that must have been for her to do. In the isolation room, there is also a little girl who is HIV positive and she is battling this to her fullest. She is only two months old and so little. We give her several different types of medicine that helps her feel better and will hopefully help her get better. There is so much that can break your heart here, especially when you hear the children’s stories, but I keep remembering that God has a plan and purpose for every child that he fashions and creates beautifully. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and care for these precious children.
I have also been amazed at how small acts of kindness can show others love. Katherine and I went to the mall on Wednesday and ate lunch out. We then decided that we wanted a CD to play in the car and to play upstairs when we are working with the children upstairs as background music. We found a three pack of Hillsong CD’s for about 99 rand, which is about 15 dollars in America. I asked the cashier lady if she was having a good day and she looked at me funny and said, “Why do you want to know?” I told her that I was asking to be nice and because I cared about her. She smiled really big and told me that I had just made her day. She actually came around the counter to hug me and ask about where I was from and why I was in South Africa. I was also surprised how this small act of kindness meant so much to her. Do I take the time to do this in Yadkinville and Boone? I challenge you to think how you can show someone love and kindness through a small act today.
Tuesday night was the first time that I had felt homesick and cried when I called home. You see, Lucas was graduating that night from Forbush and I wanted to be there to support him and when I called home, everyone, including Uncle Buster and his family from Charleston were there and I was sad. But Momma reminded me that I am doing what God has called me to do; she encouraged me so much. And then I cried when I called JJ…but then I wrote God a long letter and looked at the Scriptures that comforted me greatly. I have been absolutely fine since then, but at night sometimes I can get a little bit homesick. Mom, Dad, and Lucas left today to go to Costa Rica to celebrate Lucas’s graduation and I hope they have a fun, safe trip.
Scripture I want to share with you that has spoken to my heart greatly these past few days:
Colossians 1:9-14 Paul prayed “…asking God to fill you with all the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this so that you may live a life WORTHY of the Lord and may PLEASE him in every way: growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great ENDURANCE and PATIENCE, and JOYFULLY GIVING THANKS to the Father….”
When I was so homesick and sad on Tuesday night, God led me to this verse:
John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
My study notes said “In God’s will is the safest place to be because not only are we glorifying God by following Him, but we are also covered by His grace and power in a might way.”
I realized that as Christ’s disciples, we must follow where He leads us, because only when we follow His will can we find true purpose, fulfillment, and joy. God reminded me that He was with me and I should not be homesick….
I love you all and thank you for taking the time to read my blog and encourage me. J
If you could pray:
~for the 4 children who are very sick here and need God’s healing
~for loving, Christian parents to be found for each precious child
~that Katherine and I will be lights of love here to the “aunties”, “uncles”, and other volunteers
If there is anything that I can be praying specifically for any of you, let me know! I have lots of free time on my days off and am able to spend much time in prayer and reading the word. If you do not want to post it on the blog for others to see, email me at rb75848@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
At about 6:45 a quick breakfast
7:00-wake up the children if not already awake (so fun!) Give baths and put on lotion, nappies, and clothes for the day. Door of Hope does not have heat, so the children need about 3-4 layers and we put a big coat on them! I am surprised about how cold it is here. Remember last time when I said that most winters are blue skies and sunshine? Well, it has been rainy and cloudy this week and has gotten cold! I wish I brought more warm clothes, but it okay wearing the same clothes again and again, right? It is not common for South Africa to have rain in their winter months; it is supposed to stop soon. Oh my, how did I get to talking about the weather?
After baths, which takes a while, it is time to feed the children and give medicines. About 5 are eating cereal and the others are still drinking from a bottle. Then we play and love the children until 10:15 and it is “tea time”. The children then take their morning nap. The tea is so popular here…putting a tea bag in a cup of hot water with lots of sugar and milk in it. I have tried it and it is yummy, especially on cold days it is nice to get something warm to drink. At 11:00 we have staff devotions, which is awesome. It is always great to read Scripture together and share how this Scripture has impacted our lives and how it speaks to us. It is also encouraging to share prayer requests and pray together. Then the children begin to wake up from their nap and we begin feeding lunch and changing nappies. Feeding the children lunch is fun but challenging. Many times, I have a hard time getting the child I feed to open his mouth wide enough, he wants to touch the spoon, getting very messy, and when he is eating, he spits the food out of his mouth at times…I laugh a lot during this time. At about 4:00 we begin to change the children into their pajamas. Then we play and love and feed more bottles and change more nappies. During the afternoon, I like to have music time with the children. We get out a few of the toys that are similar to little maracas and the children shake them to the beat.(well, you know, they try) I dance with a couple of the children and act crazy, clapping my hands and dancing around. A few of them look at me like I am a crazy person, but most of the children really enjoy this time. We sing and dance to a kid’s worship CD. And it has the song “How Great is Our God” on it, which is my favorite. Then about 6:00 it is night-night time. We tuck the children into bed and put lots of blankets over them so they do not get cold in the night. There are three rooms-one room for boys, another for girls, and another room where the youngest babies sleep.
Katherine and I have been blessed to get to know Maria and Heather from Virginia. They have become close friends of ours and they love the children so much. Heather brought her guitar and she has a beautiful voice. Maria plays the drums and also has a beautiful voice. One night, after Katherine and I had been working, Heather brought up her guitar and Maria got out a pot (she used it as a drum) and we praised God together in song. I am very thankful for their friendship.
This Wednesday, two week old twins were brought to the Door of Hope. They weigh under 3 pounds and are so small that they were put into the isolation room where only 2-3 aunties can go in to feed them because they can not get sick. The Mom brought the twins to the baby house that in the inner city and said that she could not take care of them and wanted them to be adopted and loved. I can not imagine how hard that must have been for her to do. In the isolation room, there is also a little girl who is HIV positive and she is battling this to her fullest. She is only two months old and so little. We give her several different types of medicine that helps her feel better and will hopefully help her get better. There is so much that can break your heart here, especially when you hear the children’s stories, but I keep remembering that God has a plan and purpose for every child that he fashions and creates beautifully. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and care for these precious children.
I have also been amazed at how small acts of kindness can show others love. Katherine and I went to the mall on Wednesday and ate lunch out. We then decided that we wanted a CD to play in the car and to play upstairs when we are working with the children upstairs as background music. We found a three pack of Hillsong CD’s for about 99 rand, which is about 15 dollars in America. I asked the cashier lady if she was having a good day and she looked at me funny and said, “Why do you want to know?” I told her that I was asking to be nice and because I cared about her. She smiled really big and told me that I had just made her day. She actually came around the counter to hug me and ask about where I was from and why I was in South Africa. I was also surprised how this small act of kindness meant so much to her. Do I take the time to do this in Yadkinville and Boone? I challenge you to think how you can show someone love and kindness through a small act today.
Tuesday night was the first time that I had felt homesick and cried when I called home. You see, Lucas was graduating that night from Forbush and I wanted to be there to support him and when I called home, everyone, including Uncle Buster and his family from Charleston were there and I was sad. But Momma reminded me that I am doing what God has called me to do; she encouraged me so much. And then I cried when I called JJ…but then I wrote God a long letter and looked at the Scriptures that comforted me greatly. I have been absolutely fine since then, but at night sometimes I can get a little bit homesick. Mom, Dad, and Lucas left today to go to Costa Rica to celebrate Lucas’s graduation and I hope they have a fun, safe trip.
Scripture I want to share with you that has spoken to my heart greatly these past few days:
Colossians 1:9-14 Paul prayed “…asking God to fill you with all the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this so that you may live a life WORTHY of the Lord and may PLEASE him in every way: growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great ENDURANCE and PATIENCE, and JOYFULLY GIVING THANKS to the Father….”
When I was so homesick and sad on Tuesday night, God led me to this verse:
John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
My study notes said “In God’s will is the safest place to be because not only are we glorifying God by following Him, but we are also covered by His grace and power in a might way.”
I realized that as Christ’s disciples, we must follow where He leads us, because only when we follow His will can we find true purpose, fulfillment, and joy. God reminded me that He was with me and I should not be homesick….
I love you all and thank you for taking the time to read my blog and encourage me. J
If you could pray:
~for the 4 children who are very sick here and need God’s healing
~for loving, Christian parents to be found for each precious child
~that Katherine and I will be lights of love here to the “aunties”, “uncles”, and other volunteers
If there is anything that I can be praying specifically for any of you, let me know! I have lots of free time on my days off and am able to spend much time in prayer and reading the word. If you do not want to post it on the blog for others to see, email me at rb75848@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A few pictures
I am not allowed to put pictures of the children's faces on the Internet, so I can't put many of the pictures that I have taken, but I will post a few! For some reason, I can not move my pictures to be under the text, so I just have to leave it like that way it uploaded. So sorry! And once again, sorry that I can't put pictures of the kids on the Internet, but I will show pictures when I get home.
The first picture is of Katherine and I this morning. We were sitting on the top bunk of our beds and just talking and reading. I am so thankful that she and I are able to share this trip together. She has so much love for the children too!
The second picture is of one of our kitchen sinks-it gets full of baby bottles during the day, which we clean and then sterlize in large bins of hot, hot cleaning water. The fidge is full of little bins with each child's name on it because each bottle needs to have different ounces in it.
The third picture is of a beautiful sunset from the balcony of Door of Hope. The clouds in the sky are not normal for a winter day in South Africa. All the winter days are usually blue sky and sunny-my favorite!
Lots of love to you all!I'm here!!!
Well, I just do not know where to start!! Today is Saturday and Katherine and I arrived on Wednesday night. So much has happened that I just do not know where to begin…well, I will start with the plane ride. We were on the plane for about 16 hours but we had lots of fun. On international flights, you can watch free movies-as many as you want! Daddy, you would love that wouldn’t you? I watched “Bedtime Stories” –it was cute! Then Katherine and I watched “New in Town.” It was cute too. I got to read a lot…but even on the plane, God opened the door for me to share about his unfailing love. I will tell you a bit about this story. About half a hour into the flight, a lady came to me and said, “Can I sit here? My movie thinge is not working. I can not sleep on the plane and I usually watch 7 or 8 movies.” (I forgot to tell you that I had a open seat beside of me-I was in the middle of a row of three seats). Well, when she sat down, I started asking her questions. Her name was Hero and she was a very sweet lady. She is from Johnannesburg. A few hours later, she decided she was tired of watching movies and started talking to me. She asked me why I was going to South Africa….she is a follower of scientology. She listened to the gospel, but told me that she could not believe this. Only she can be her Savior…pray for her…pray that she will have on open heart to God’s love and offer of salvation.
When we arrived at the Baby House, we were so excited and put out suitcases in our room. For two weeks, we are living in the “flat” under the baby house. It is nice and cozy. Then we went upstairs and met “aunties” who are so sweet! These ladies are Africans who work for Door of Hope. They are so open and sweet to the volunteers and are always willing to teach us of give us a baby to feed. The first night, I was able to feed a precious baby named Moses. The infant room has 11 babies who are the ages from 5 days to 3 months. Katherine and I are working with the “big babies” which are aged from 3 months to 1 ½ years. They are precious! Downstairs, there is a starfish program which houses special needs babies and toddlers. All together, there are 30 precious children living here at Door of Hope. I wish I could put up pictures, but this is against policy of the orphanage. We are not allowed to post names or pictures of the children on the Internet, but when I get home, I will show you all pictures! I have a lot already. On Monday, two of the children in our big babies class are being adopted. Door of Hope began in 1999 and already about 700 children have come through Door of Hope and ¼ have been adopted. This is wonderful. I know that God has a plan and purpose for each precious child that he has created. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and take care of these children. They share as much love to me as I give to them!
Katherine and I have a car-it is very cute. We drove on the left side of the road yesterday! You bet we were scared…but we did it and it’s really not that difficult, we must be thinking each moment. It’s quite fun. Yesterday we also had orientation where we learned all day so much! We worked with the aunties who taught us the way to bathe the babies, where to find clothes, blankets, how to prepare bottles, what time to take naps, how to record feeding and “nappie” (diaper) changes, laundry, cleaning, which babies need what medicine… I worked very hard to memorize and say right each child’s name. Their names are beautiful and quite different from American names. The aunties have asked Katherine and I why we can only stay 2 months…they said they want us to stay longer. I wonder how Katherine and I will feel at the end of this two months?
I have also enjoyed staff devotions. I am trying to learn eveyone’s name and if I do not I can just say “auntie”. When we pray, we each pray aloud and I love to hear the mixture of several different languages and accents, all lifting praises and requests to our Heavenly Father. We have volunteers from Holland, England, America, and the Congo; most of the aunties are from different countries in Africa. I love to listen to what their life is like and see pictures of their children-most have between 5-8 children of their own.
Each child here has their own unique personality. I love to see their smiles, hear their giggles, and have them reach up for me to hold them. I wish I could describe to you the children by name, but I can’t. Whenever I feed a child a bottle, he/she always looks you in the eyes. I usually sing to them and sometimes they fall asleep while I am feeding them! I guess I don’t need to sing and rock and feed their bottles at the same time, huh?
Today is Saturday and Katherine and I have the weekend off to rest. We will start work Monday. We will work every other weekend…I do believe that we are going to be very busy. I am grateful and excited for the time to spend here in South Africa. I have already love the children and aunties very much. But at night, sometimes I feel a little sad because I miss home and miss my family and JJ. But when I feel that way, I just look the Scriptures for comfort and strength. I know that God has led me here this summer and I want Him to use me for His glory. I know that I should focus on Him and not on being away from home. It is amazing how God’s word is definitely living and active. I have read Scripture that I have read many times before and it has taken a whole new meaning this week. Isn’t God amazing?
Here are a few Scriptures to share with you:
2 Thessalonians 1:12 “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of your Lord.”
Hebrews 6:19 “This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast…”
Psalm 139 “Where can I flee from your presence?....Even if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Today is Saturday. We are about 6 hours ahead of time than at home. Many of you are just waking up right now. Katherine and I are at a nearby mall maybe 5 minutes away from our home here at an Internet café. I am not sure how often we will be able to come back here, but I will try to update you all as much as I can. We are living up on a hill that overlooks the city and it is beautiful. I often look out the window and think of the song “God of this city.” There is a lot of evil that happens in this beautiful city; in Johannsburg alone, at least one baby is abandoned every day.
I love you all..thank you for your constant prayers and support. I miss you but will see you soon!
Much love,
Rachel
When we arrived at the Baby House, we were so excited and put out suitcases in our room. For two weeks, we are living in the “flat” under the baby house. It is nice and cozy. Then we went upstairs and met “aunties” who are so sweet! These ladies are Africans who work for Door of Hope. They are so open and sweet to the volunteers and are always willing to teach us of give us a baby to feed. The first night, I was able to feed a precious baby named Moses. The infant room has 11 babies who are the ages from 5 days to 3 months. Katherine and I are working with the “big babies” which are aged from 3 months to 1 ½ years. They are precious! Downstairs, there is a starfish program which houses special needs babies and toddlers. All together, there are 30 precious children living here at Door of Hope. I wish I could put up pictures, but this is against policy of the orphanage. We are not allowed to post names or pictures of the children on the Internet, but when I get home, I will show you all pictures! I have a lot already. On Monday, two of the children in our big babies class are being adopted. Door of Hope began in 1999 and already about 700 children have come through Door of Hope and ¼ have been adopted. This is wonderful. I know that God has a plan and purpose for each precious child that he has created. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and take care of these children. They share as much love to me as I give to them!
Katherine and I have a car-it is very cute. We drove on the left side of the road yesterday! You bet we were scared…but we did it and it’s really not that difficult, we must be thinking each moment. It’s quite fun. Yesterday we also had orientation where we learned all day so much! We worked with the aunties who taught us the way to bathe the babies, where to find clothes, blankets, how to prepare bottles, what time to take naps, how to record feeding and “nappie” (diaper) changes, laundry, cleaning, which babies need what medicine… I worked very hard to memorize and say right each child’s name. Their names are beautiful and quite different from American names. The aunties have asked Katherine and I why we can only stay 2 months…they said they want us to stay longer. I wonder how Katherine and I will feel at the end of this two months?
I have also enjoyed staff devotions. I am trying to learn eveyone’s name and if I do not I can just say “auntie”. When we pray, we each pray aloud and I love to hear the mixture of several different languages and accents, all lifting praises and requests to our Heavenly Father. We have volunteers from Holland, England, America, and the Congo; most of the aunties are from different countries in Africa. I love to listen to what their life is like and see pictures of their children-most have between 5-8 children of their own.
Each child here has their own unique personality. I love to see their smiles, hear their giggles, and have them reach up for me to hold them. I wish I could describe to you the children by name, but I can’t. Whenever I feed a child a bottle, he/she always looks you in the eyes. I usually sing to them and sometimes they fall asleep while I am feeding them! I guess I don’t need to sing and rock and feed their bottles at the same time, huh?
Today is Saturday and Katherine and I have the weekend off to rest. We will start work Monday. We will work every other weekend…I do believe that we are going to be very busy. I am grateful and excited for the time to spend here in South Africa. I have already love the children and aunties very much. But at night, sometimes I feel a little sad because I miss home and miss my family and JJ. But when I feel that way, I just look the Scriptures for comfort and strength. I know that God has led me here this summer and I want Him to use me for His glory. I know that I should focus on Him and not on being away from home. It is amazing how God’s word is definitely living and active. I have read Scripture that I have read many times before and it has taken a whole new meaning this week. Isn’t God amazing?
Here are a few Scriptures to share with you:
2 Thessalonians 1:12 “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of your Lord.”
Hebrews 6:19 “This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast…”
Psalm 139 “Where can I flee from your presence?....Even if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Today is Saturday. We are about 6 hours ahead of time than at home. Many of you are just waking up right now. Katherine and I are at a nearby mall maybe 5 minutes away from our home here at an Internet café. I am not sure how often we will be able to come back here, but I will try to update you all as much as I can. We are living up on a hill that overlooks the city and it is beautiful. I often look out the window and think of the song “God of this city.” There is a lot of evil that happens in this beautiful city; in Johannsburg alone, at least one baby is abandoned every day.
I love you all..thank you for your constant prayers and support. I miss you but will see you soon!
Much love,
Rachel
Monday, June 1, 2009
Psalm 86
Psalm 86:
Protect me, O Lord, for I am devoted to you. You are my God. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You ar e forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. You are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.
Protect me, O Lord, for I am devoted to you. You are my God. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You ar e forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. You are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Oh my goodness
Hello! Well, about this time next week I will be in Africa. I can not believe it!
Here is my flight schedule:
Tuesday June 2:
Leave Greensboro at 4:25 pm and arrive in Atlanta at 5:51 pm.
Leave Atlanta at 8:05 pm and fly straight to Johannesburg! We arrive in Johannesburg at 5:10 pm (about 11:10 am our time). This is going to be a 15 hour flight. Oh my!
We leave Johannesburg on August 5th at 9:05 pm (2:05 our time) and arrive to Atlanta at 7:20 am August 6th.
Then our flight from Atlanta leaves at 9:32 am and arrives in Greensboro at 10:55 am. What a journey!
Here is my flight schedule:
Tuesday June 2:
Leave Greensboro at 4:25 pm and arrive in Atlanta at 5:51 pm.
Leave Atlanta at 8:05 pm and fly straight to Johannesburg! We arrive in Johannesburg at 5:10 pm (about 11:10 am our time). This is going to be a 15 hour flight. Oh my!
We leave Johannesburg on August 5th at 9:05 pm (2:05 our time) and arrive to Atlanta at 7:20 am August 6th.
Then our flight from Atlanta leaves at 9:32 am and arrives in Greensboro at 10:55 am. What a journey!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thank you
To family and friends,
Thank you to all for the support you are providing for me to go serve at Door of Hope this summer. How wonderful it is to know that I have you all praying and thinking about me as I follow where God is leading me. There are now only 11 days left until I leave. I am excited and scared and joyful and nervous all at the same time. I am trusting in God as I am preparing to leave and find peace in Him because I know that this is His will for me this summer. Pray that Katherine and I will have strength each day, will be safe, and will be lights of love to the children and workers of Door of Hope. Pray that we will be witnesses in the city of Johannesburg. Pray for safe travel and health while we are there. Pray that I do not become homesick or love sick. Pray that our hearts will be open to what God wants to teach and show us. I love you all!
Thank you to all for the support you are providing for me to go serve at Door of Hope this summer. How wonderful it is to know that I have you all praying and thinking about me as I follow where God is leading me. There are now only 11 days left until I leave. I am excited and scared and joyful and nervous all at the same time. I am trusting in God as I am preparing to leave and find peace in Him because I know that this is His will for me this summer. Pray that Katherine and I will have strength each day, will be safe, and will be lights of love to the children and workers of Door of Hope. Pray that we will be witnesses in the city of Johannesburg. Pray for safe travel and health while we are there. Pray that I do not become homesick or love sick. Pray that our hearts will be open to what God wants to teach and show us. I love you all!
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