Hey everyone. A few things... I started work on tuesday, so far it is mostly office stuff, organizing and cleaning out the church office. I'm also writing up the yearly bulletin, and it's due in about 3 weeks. Which is a challenge, since I am unfamiliar with most of the church members and ministries. But what an opportunity to get to know the staff and the church body. I've also been learning to drive a manual transmission on the wrong side of the road...it's not smooth, but getitng there. I have been assigned a series of maps to memorize, and learn my way around Germiston. Another lesson in patience. I've added some pictures, you can see where I live. I will have more up soon. Internet is a little less accessible than I had thought. But not much. I'll put up some more info later, but for now, things are going well, and I am really rejoicing in being here. |
January 22, 2006
well, I made it. I'm in africa. right now.
My room is awesome, the people I've met are really cool, and the kids in the aids orphanages are to die for. I also saw the work site. Lots of work to be done.
I still haven't seen kerry drew, but I went to where she works, and I will catch her eventually.
That is all for now. Call me Aladdin, cause I'm in a whole new world.
January 20, 2006remarkably, and entirely because of God, I think everything is in place for my trip tomorrow. I am sending out the rest of the newsletters in the morning, I still need to buy ducttape and Mach3 razors, and I'm having lunch with three old friends that are still in town, but, otherwise, that's it, I'm on the road starting tomorrow night.
Man, can I just say God is in control. I had a level 10 reason to worry this afternoon when I lost my ATM card, but, it turned up just fine, everything is cool. God has taken care of everything, and given me so much grace and help with the things I am responsible for.
I hope that all is well, and please be praying for me as I travel. Thank you to all who are supporting me, not just financially, but in so many other ways. You rock. It's going to be a crazy year.
January 18, 2006
My tickets came in the mail today, but, I wasn't home to sign for them, so now I need to get them tomorrow. Hooray.
Tomorrow the letters should be going out. And, the last youth group of my time here. We're watching "Invisible Children" so, I'm sure it will rock their world. Such a strange situation in Uganda...maybe I'll go there someday.
Check me out:
January 17, 2006
Well, Sunday was awesome, they had me in the church bulletin, which is pretty cool, so like 1400 people had a chance to read about my trip. Several people came up to me and told me about their experiences in South Africa, and prayed with me, it was great. Then, I went to lunch with many of the high schoolers, and just spent time hanging out with them. We saw Glory Road and sat around and ate in the food court, and went to book stores and looked at cool books, and played free games in Uncle's Games. Good times. Then I went to my friend Dan's birthday party, and we had a great time, and I saw many people for probably the last time before I leave, so, it was a little emotional. I won Seafarers of Catan for the first time. It was a sweet night, and my friends and I prayed together for a while before I left for the night. Today I got confirmation that my plane tix are on the way to my house, and so is the hardware I am taking over for the church in SA, so that is all good. I am getting excited. January 15, 2006 Today was pretty subtle. Update: Lord Willing, I will be departing on Friday, January 20th, on South African Airlines, and I think that is pretty remarkable, coonsidering that 48 hours ago I had no idea when i would get to South Africa. Just gotta keep my perspective centered around Christ. I mailed off the payment and registration for my airline ticket, had lunch with a high schooler, which was cool, there are some sweet kids in our youth group. And a few of them realize the difficulties of growing up in the church, so it's encouraging. Then I watched football with my dad for a while. Go Seahawks. Superbowl or bust, baby. Now, an evening of solitude before a busy final Sunday in the States. (btw, my favorite way to refer to my home is "the states" which is strange unless you're traveling.) January 14, 2006 Okay, so today was pretty crazy, but, I ran errands in the morning, came home for lunch, got my visa in the mail, called to arrange a plane ticket, cause I had to cancel the last one, cause, of various things. and tomorrow I will send off the final package to pay for my ticket, and then when it gets here, I will probably feel a modicum of confidence, and be reminded yet again that the Lord has the whole thing situated. God is so good, like, so much last minute stuff and I thought I was gonna get really stressed, but, it seems, at least for now, that things are okay, and I will get to Africa on His time... It always hurts to realize what a control freak I can be, but, any patience I had in the last 3 months was a gift from God, for sure. and I think I learned a lot about international stuff...no matter how much you think you learn, every trip is an adventure. And there are still difficulties I will have to address when I get to Africa, but, God is surpassingly faithful, and He has reminded me at every step on this journey to put my trust in him, and not the world. January 12, 2006
the only news is that my visa was delayed, and my departure for Africa may be as well...God is definitely in charge of timing for all things. |
January 2, 2006
Winter Retreat for the High Schoolers was this past weekend, great fun in the snow, and it's the same place and time that I got saved 7 years ago, so that makes it extra special. God is good, and I think he was working in all the students lives this weekend. It was definitely awesome to be a part of it. On a somewhat related topic, here are some jokes I learned at camp. -There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist. -A blind man was walking down the street and accidentally stepped on Chuck Norris' foot, and Chuck replied, "Don't you know who I am? I'm Chuck Norris!". At the mention of his name, the man's vision was completely restored. However, the first, last and only thing the man ever saw was the bottom of Chuck Norris' foot. -When Chuck Norris jumps into water, he doesn't get wet. The water gets Chucked. -Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits. -Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. -Chuck Norris sleeps with a nightlight, not because he is afraid of the dark, but rather, darkness is afraid of Chuck Norris. -Chuck Norris frequently donates blood to the Red Cross. Just never his own. -A Duck walks into a grocery store and asks for some chapstick. The clerk asks "Will you you pay with cash or credit?" and the Duck says "Just put it on my bill."
That is all. |
