Let me share some quick thoughts off the top of my head, these are not super spiritual just some differences I am noticing.
In Africa there is no such thing as a plush roll of toilet paper... 1 ply, small roll and it is scratchy!!!
There is no such thing as a gallon of milk, they are sold in the 1/2 gallon or smaller, probably because there are not a lot of preservatives and they go bad faster, also bread goes moldy quickly b/c of the lack of preservatives.
Driving on the wrong side of the road is scary! I have only done it once (Andrea), Shelby however is a pro.. show off!
I have learned to hang my laundry, I feel quite accomplished when I see all the clothes on the line. Also, whites are so much whiter, I dont know why this is but they are brillantly white. This makes me happy.
I have a family of mongoose living in my front garden (lawn)... yes mongoose, like Rikki tikki tavi (remember the story)?
African time is not US time, it is slow paced here and I think people are less stressed. I'm working on it :)
My feet will never be pink again. I dont know if my childrens feet will ever be clean again. Africa is a dirty place and the dirt gets everywhere.
Ok... a short update. We are good, setteling in a bit. We all now have mattresses and our kitchen is working, someone from the church lent us a dining room table so we are good to go. We are unpacked and putting things away and hopefully I will be starting up homeschool next week.
The first week I was completely overwhelmed by the sights and the poverty, this week I am in love with the land and the people.
There is so much need, but instead of being overwhelmed the Lord allowed me to hear His heart. I am only called to do His will, not save everyone or fix everything! I do just the will of the Lord for me.
I have tons of pictures, and as soon as I can upload some I will share. We get a land line in 2-3 weeks and then in another 2-3 weeks we get internet (remember African time). So, until then I am out of the loop and only on the net here and there.
Please dont forget us and keep praying for us. Shelby is doing a basketball clinic at the orphanage next week, teaching basketball and Jesus :) Pray that the Lord blesses.
Love you all and Blessings,
Andrea
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Today is the day
I have so much to blog about from the last few days and don't have the time to do it this morning. I'll have some time on the plane today to jot a couple thoughts down :)
I can't believe the day is here when I can say we are actually moving to South Africa... wow. God has truly gone before us and I am amazed at his faithfulness. I'll be checking in with you all from South Africa.
To God be all glory and power forever and ever... AMEN!
Love and Blessings,
Andrea
I can't believe the day is here when I can say we are actually moving to South Africa... wow. God has truly gone before us and I am amazed at his faithfulness. I'll be checking in with you all from South Africa.
To God be all glory and power forever and ever... AMEN!
Love and Blessings,
Andrea
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I am watching the plan of the Lord unfold and it is truly amazing to behold. I am just as amazed at what He is doing as the next person. Let me tell you about what the Lord has been up too.
First He has provided us a home. He did it in His typical unconventional way just so we would again know that it was Him and not us. The home the Lord has provided is an amazing home on the property of Focus on Ithemba. This is a property Focus on the Family owns. They are doing cluster, foster homes on this property. This is where a family, mom, dad and their kids come to live then orphaned children are placed with the family and are cared and loved for. This is what our heart is desiring to do with our orphanage that the Lord has given us to work with. How amazing that He has plopped us down right in the midst of the model for what we feel we are to do. The other blessing is that it is very safe and in a gated community, this has provided great comfort for our families. There is also instant community for ourselves and our children with the other families on the property. I am excited to see how the Lord will knit this all together with our church Calvary Chapel 1000 Hills, the orphanage Kulani Kahle and with Focus on Ithemba. Please keep this in prayer and before the Lord that His will, will be done.
Second, we may have a car. I (Andrea) have a disability, and that is, I cannot drive a stick shift; I know shamefull. My brain DOES NOT work like that. My huge problem is that almost every car in SA is a stick. The thought of me having to learn stick shifting with my left hand instead of right and driving on the wrong side of the road terrifies me!!! I know that the Lord would download shifting skills if needed, but I prayed earnestly that he would provide an automatic car. As of this morning our friends in SA have gotten their hands on a car for us, it is safe, solid, and an AUTOMATIC! We have giggled about it, it's a 95 Mercedes... funny huh? This seems kinda luxurious for us, but Mercs are everywhere there and nothing special. I absolutely love that the Lord did not make me drive stick! Thank you Jesus, I am sure all South Africans would rejoice about this also.
I am overwhelmed by His provision! He has truly done everything!!! Except pack... which we have done :) We made a lot of progress today and hopefully will be completely packed up by Wed. I am asking for prayer for this week. There is much opposition from the enemy, which is really just a nuisance, so we really are asking that the Lord would protect and just keep the enemy away. We also need to finish packing and clean our home. My family will be in town on the 9th and I am asking for prayer that we can just really enjoy each other and have everything done so we have time to just "be" with each other. Shelby's family will come in on Sunday... again just pray for a sweet time of fellowship for us all. We just need prayer cover so if you can please lift us up!
Alrighty, that is it for tonight. I am exhausted and have another day of packing and errands tomorrow, so I am off to bed.
Be Blessed,
Andrea
First He has provided us a home. He did it in His typical unconventional way just so we would again know that it was Him and not us. The home the Lord has provided is an amazing home on the property of Focus on Ithemba. This is a property Focus on the Family owns. They are doing cluster, foster homes on this property. This is where a family, mom, dad and their kids come to live then orphaned children are placed with the family and are cared and loved for. This is what our heart is desiring to do with our orphanage that the Lord has given us to work with. How amazing that He has plopped us down right in the midst of the model for what we feel we are to do. The other blessing is that it is very safe and in a gated community, this has provided great comfort for our families. There is also instant community for ourselves and our children with the other families on the property. I am excited to see how the Lord will knit this all together with our church Calvary Chapel 1000 Hills, the orphanage Kulani Kahle and with Focus on Ithemba. Please keep this in prayer and before the Lord that His will, will be done.
Second, we may have a car. I (Andrea) have a disability, and that is, I cannot drive a stick shift; I know shamefull. My brain DOES NOT work like that. My huge problem is that almost every car in SA is a stick. The thought of me having to learn stick shifting with my left hand instead of right and driving on the wrong side of the road terrifies me!!! I know that the Lord would download shifting skills if needed, but I prayed earnestly that he would provide an automatic car. As of this morning our friends in SA have gotten their hands on a car for us, it is safe, solid, and an AUTOMATIC! We have giggled about it, it's a 95 Mercedes... funny huh? This seems kinda luxurious for us, but Mercs are everywhere there and nothing special. I absolutely love that the Lord did not make me drive stick! Thank you Jesus, I am sure all South Africans would rejoice about this also.
I am overwhelmed by His provision! He has truly done everything!!! Except pack... which we have done :) We made a lot of progress today and hopefully will be completely packed up by Wed. I am asking for prayer for this week. There is much opposition from the enemy, which is really just a nuisance, so we really are asking that the Lord would protect and just keep the enemy away. We also need to finish packing and clean our home. My family will be in town on the 9th and I am asking for prayer that we can just really enjoy each other and have everything done so we have time to just "be" with each other. Shelby's family will come in on Sunday... again just pray for a sweet time of fellowship for us all. We just need prayer cover so if you can please lift us up!
Alrighty, that is it for tonight. I am exhausted and have another day of packing and errands tomorrow, so I am off to bed.
Be Blessed,
Andrea
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
12 Days... unbelievable!
I cannot believe we only have 12 days until we leave!!! It seems unbelievable to me that the past year has flown by so fast.
We still have so much to do with packing and forwarding addresses and selling vehicles and some furniture. Please pray that we will be able to do everything we need to and that the Lord would sustain us.
Please also pray for Jesse, Emily and Eisley. They are going to be in South Africa tomorrow. We are so excited for them to start their journey in SA. Be blessed friends we love you see you in 2 weeks.
We also are still in need of monthly supporters. Please pray that the Lord will raise people up to support us. We know He is going to provide, He has promised and provided the whole way. Let's just keep it before the Lord.
Still... 12 days. Oh my!
Blessings,
Andrea
We still have so much to do with packing and forwarding addresses and selling vehicles and some furniture. Please pray that we will be able to do everything we need to and that the Lord would sustain us.
Please also pray for Jesse, Emily and Eisley. They are going to be in South Africa tomorrow. We are so excited for them to start their journey in SA. Be blessed friends we love you see you in 2 weeks.
We also are still in need of monthly supporters. Please pray that the Lord will raise people up to support us. We know He is going to provide, He has promised and provided the whole way. Let's just keep it before the Lord.
Still... 12 days. Oh my!
Blessings,
Andrea
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