It is hard to put into words as I sit here and try to think of how to explain the last 6 months, let alone the last year!
It has been a year of miracles, God's hand and provision, knowing we were right where He wanted us to be. The last year has been a huge year that I will always look back on and remember as the year the Lord did what He wanted with our lives and we literally just rode the wave He put us on.
The last 6 months have been months of adjusting, meeting new people, doing things that I never thought I would do, seeing things I never thought I would see, touching and smelling things I never thought... oh you get the picture.
We climbed on board a plane and landed in a new land not really knowing exactly what to expect. God has blown us away with the ministry He has given us here. First we are blessed with KulaniKahle, our orphanage we help with. The children are beautiful and the Lord provides for their needs. It has been wonderful to get to know Mama and the kids and be able to support them and be there for them. Teaching them the Word and being an example. We even had one of the teenage boys get saved this past week.
The soup kitchen will start up this Sat. It is huge how God provided for this ministry. We did not have the money, but God told us to prepare like we did have the money and lo and behold it showed up thru faithful supporters. We now have way more than we ever thought we would have and the soup kitchen will be prepared to run in a fashion that will honor God and bless the people it is set up to serve.
Calvary Chapel 1000 Hills, we are blessed to have them. We are building beautiful relationships with the people there and I am sure that God will continue to bless them and the community as He works through this little body of believers. We are blessed by a wonderful pastor who teaches the Word each Sunday and feeds us well spiritually.
Some things I've learned:
spiritually: God is everywhere and He LOVES His people. I've knew this, but now I see it. He is also in the details and sometimes the way you think things will turn out wont even be close because God has other plans. Just work on the small task He puts before you and He will take care of the rest or one can get overwhelmed fast. He takes me way beyond my physical capabilities and never lets me down. His way is the ONLY way, learn this now and you wont go through heart ache!!! Seriously!!!
physically: My work load is more here, dishes, laundry are all done in a more manual labor sort of way. I'm used to it now and actually do not mind hanging laundry. I find something pleasurable about seeing my clothes on the line :) There is a lot of dirt here so cleaning is more frequent which is hard when your pregnant and really dont feel like cleaning, such is life. Mosquitos are my enemy! They try and eat us every night... no lie! Screens would do wonders for this Country and I can not for the life of me think of one reason why they do not use a screen. We all get homesick at times. We all battle fear at times and uncertainty, we are not perfect people, but we do know our calling and find great strength in that and in the Lord. I miss having a car I can drive and often feel a bit land locked... a car would be nice :)
Random thoughts:
I have never seen kids get so dirty so fast and the bottoms of our feet are permanently dirty looking!
Zulu men "wee" wherever they want. It is disgusting and something I dont want to get used to.
Everyone here says they are a Christian even though they all aren't. So we give the gospel to everyone.
We have the craziest looking car and I love it!
Our family is closer than before and less distracted from each other
I feel like we have gone back in time to a simpler time of life (in some ways)
Grandma's get sick, parents get sick, emergencies happen at home and we have to trust that God will take care of those we love while we pray hard on this side of the Ocean.
Time is short and we have to live life to the fullest living out what the Lord wants from each of us.
My family is pretty awesome
The mission field can be lonely
The mission field can be the most exciting place
The Lord is truly our alarm system, our guard and the one who protects us
He provides!!! He provides!!! He provides!!!
Every good gift is from the Lord!
I am really in love with Skype :)
The body of Christ is pretty wonderful
...
The list goes on and on!
This is certainly an inadequate summary of the last 6 months. There have been highs and lows, the Lord has taught us a lot about relationships, being faithful in the small things, and how He changes our plans to His plans. He has taught us to only rest in Him. He will continue to do a deep work in us and hopefully in those around us as we minister every day.
Blessings friends,
Andrea
