Time Flies

For serious, it is hard to believe that our time in South Africa is coming to an end. We have so many crazy stories from our adventure, and God has been shaping our lives in amazing ways. We have been back at the centre for a week since Mozambique, and it has been so good to be with our kids again. We had quite a transition from Moz to life back at LCW with a few bumps along the way that delayed our return. After a draining two weeks in Mozambique working with different kids and learning to live in a different culture, we were less than ready to return to the demands of life at LCW. Thankfully, God provided a few extra rest days for us to refuel in the form of visiting friends, having a quiet home to crash in and finally catching up on some of the sleep we’ve missed. When it was time to return we still weren’t sure if we were ready, but we took a leap of faith and dove in praying that God would give us the strength to love the children at LCW with all of our hearts and be able to give them all the attention that they deserve. God provided in a huge way.

Our first week back at the centre has been great. The kids are finally back in school, so we have the luxury of being able to wake up at a decent hour and still have some quiet time to accomplish things without having 17 kids running around. We have gotten in the routine of running errands in the morning (trying to pick up all of the last minute supplies we want to buy for the centre) and try to make it home before the kids get back from school. We cherish the afternoons, where we are able to spend all of our energy playing with the kids. Although we feel exhausted at the end of each day, we’re still excited to get up the next morning and do it all over again. It’s crazy to think that after feeling so unprepared physically, emotionally and spiritually to return to LCW to finish out our time, that now we feel the most energized and excited for the centre and the things we are doing here.

This last week has been a huge blessing. Not only are we rockin’ at the centre, but since we returned from Mozambique we actually have friends in the Cape Town area! It has been so encouraging to have people stop by to see what we’ve been doing and meet our kids that we rave about. We have people to talk to and bounce ideas off and ask for guidance. We’ve been strongly reminded of the importance of community, and that interdependence on each other is key to serving God and His people. We also get to hang out with people outside the centre and do some pretty cool stuff. Like go wine tasting, have sleepovers and climb really big mountains J

I am not looking forward to Wednesday. I hate good-byes, and trying to say 20+ tearful ones all at once is not going to be fun. These kids have stolen our hearts. I wish we could bring them all back with us so that you could meet them and see their spunk for life, and that we would be able to watch them grow into the lives that God has planned out for them.

We will miss them. More than anyone can probably imagine. Heck, I already miss them and they are only in the next room.

Birthday Fun

Ever since we started dreaming of how we were going to spend our summer in South Africa we have been talking about throwing a big birthday party for the kids. It finally happened… in a huge way!

We have been tossing around ideas for the party since we got here, and thankfully we were able to accomplish all that we had planned. We wanted to give them a big party, something that they would remember. So we decorated with balloons and banners; gave each kid a cupcake and a candle to blow out; and everyone a party pack full of candy, bubbles, books, party hats and pictures of themselves with us. It was incredible, they were so excited to be celebrated! A big favorite was the pictures. None of the kids have pictures of themselves, so we took photos with each of the kids and wrote a note to them telling all that we love about them. We put the photos on their walls next to their beds so they won’t ever forget how much we love them!

There were smiles everywhere as balloons were tossed about, bubbles floated in the air and sticky fingers tried to open just one more piece of candy. The adults even joined in on the fun and bopped the balloons high above the children’s heads as they jumped to catch their prize.

We also gave small gifts to the adults at the centre as thanks for all of the hard work they do every single day. It’s easy for us to come and give a small portion of our lives to these children, but the people here give so much of themselves to make sure the children are happy, healthy and well cared for. They loved the party as well, and really enjoyed the pizza we ordered for them. It’s not all that often that they are given the night off from cooking for 20+ hungry bellies!

After all the festivities had ceased and the kids were slowly wearing out their sugar highs, we found out that LCW generally has a big birthday bash for the kids around this time of year. However, they were unable to do it this year because of financial strain. They were so grateful that we met that need, and we didn’t even know it was a need! Thanks to God for providing for us through our supporters; because we have a surplus in funds we were able to throw a big party for the kids and celebrate them.

Raw Faith

I came, I saw, I understood.

I now know what it looks like to live a life of poverty, and watch God provide for every need. Ever since God opened my eyes to the world I have felt drawn to live amongst the poorest of poor and rely on God for everything.

I can rely on God when things get tough. I can ask for God’s strength when mine runs out and have the faith that I can carry on under God’s care. I can pray for miracles when I know that the only way to fix a situation is with a godsend. What about when I’m back in Madison? When things aren’t tough? When I’m not struggling or tired or weak? When I can do things with my own strength, no miracles necessary?

I have seen how God provides, and how people rely on Him to provide enough food for the day. I have seen God work miracles. I have learned what it looks likes in my life to have the raw faith in Christ that He will provide… but only when I cannot provide for myself. How do you rely on God when life seems peachy and good? When I am not in a situation that requires more strength than I physically can give I find myself doing things by myself, for myself. My strength and God’s strength are disconnected, when I should always find my own strength in His.

I'm looking for that raw faith every single day in life. I believe it starts with recognizing that God is truly in control of everything, and He has given me everything that I need, even if it doesn't always look like that.

More Than Fine

I sit here in the empty office at LCW on a bright Sunday afternoon. With my headphones on. Blocking out the noise that surrounds me. I will be the first to admit that I am only human, and can only handle greasy fingers and hearing “he hit me first” for so long. So I sit. And vent. I’m listening to Switchfoot for old times’ sake and soaking up the lyrics: “More than fine/More than bent on getting by/More than fine/More than just ok”

If we settle at ok, we will never know good. If we settle at good, we will never know excellent. And if we settle at excellent, we will never know anything that rocks hardcore. I give it up to God to rock hardcore, because I am not cool enough to do that on my own. So I hope to rock on.

I get excited when I think of what I can do with my life. I get excited when I think about the little things God has shown me during my time overseas, almost hinting that this is what I will be doing for the rest of my life. If He has it in His plans to give me the future I hope for (Jer. 29:11 MSG) then rock on, God. I will follow Him knowing that He wants something so good for my life that I cannot even comprehend it. He is teaching me things that I long to hear and comprehend. He is teaching me how to live a life of faith.

Words

Words are a powerful thing. Sometimes I forget just how much “damage” words can do. Although God knows our innermost needs and desires, He still requires us to pray. To use our words and praise Him. To ask for things. To question things. To learn things. We are called to pray even though God already knows what we are going to say before the words reach our lips. Sometimes I forget this.

In the South African communities of Christians we have been a part of, there is a difference in prayer from what I’m used to back in Madison, and it was quite intimidating at first. When we pray as a group, everyone prays out loud… at the same time. God is big, He hears everyone. All at once. It is incredible to be in a room of Christ Followers using their words to speak to God knowing that He hears every unique voice and prayer.

Questions

As I was trying to get to know the other team members I realized I ask a lot of questions. I don’t know if that’s a new thing or I haven’t paid attention to it before. They aren’t normal questions either, just random ones that pop into my head such as:

If you were a plant, what kind of plant would you be?

If you were a different skin color (unnatural one), what color would you be?

And the list goes on. Then it got me thinking, how do other people get to know others? And since we don’t ever get annnny comments on our blog this is a good opportunity to put your own question or methods of making friends…something I can always use more of.

Runs

One of my favorite selfish aspects of the trip was that I was able to run everyday. It was soooo refreshing and good for my body and soul. I was able to run in the trees, on dirt roads through villages, next to little kids running along side of me, up and down steep hills, by waterfalls, through fields, with great fellowship, and with the biggest smile on my face. No one person wanted to run with me everyday so I had a cycle of about 4 guys that I had to drag out of their sleep to keep me company. All the girls who ran preferred to run by themselves, so I was stuck with the incredibly tall boys. It was funny to compare running strides for sure. Some of my best conversations with people were on runs, as I think and feel so much better while I’m running. There is nothing to do but run and talk. And admire the beauty you’re running past. One run in particular was steller and it started with Lovat (who had just decided to pick up running) saying, “Guys, I really think we should push ourselves today. To the point where we need God’s strength and not our own.” At first I was like, “really? Why the poo did I invite him, I want a relaxing run!” But an hour and constant uphill later I was loving it. I felt I was being pushed and challenged. As the three of us were all focused on our running up steep hills it was quieter than normal and I had lots of time to think about the verse I had read the day before in 1 Peter about being a living hope. I’m still trying to figure out what living hope really looks like, but I had this image of a runner with full confidence they were running for the prize and willing to sacrifice anything and everything to get there. The prize is not a selfish one, but represents that hopes that I have in God. The hope that orphans will experience the love and joy God can give. The hope that humanity will love and not hate each other. The hope that Jesus’s name will be known. The hope that healing covers the brokenhearted. The hope that I can do something to change the world. The hope that I can influence the people around me in a positive way. I have lofty hopes, not on myself but on God’s power alone.

Prayer Hut

There is a beautiful hut like building at Maforga specifically for praying and seeking God. There are candles lit at night and the floor has beautiful tiling. There are built in benches all around with grass mats as well. It is one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been in. We had worship and sharing times there a couple times during our stay and each day people we scheduled to pray for 30 minutes in the morning.

It was a great time to sit and be. A great time to reflect, to challenge ourselves, to focus. We were reminded the necessity for removing ourselves from the busyness and chaos of life and just being.

Community

As my book club can attest to I love talking about community and the importance of it. It has become even more real this summer. We are often isolated by our language, skin color, and age at the centre. Thankfully we are still friends and enjoy each other’s company, but it was refreshing to be part of a community with the Mozambique team. There were two teams, one from Cape Town and one from Pietermaritzburg. From Cape Town there was Ian, Ian, Sarah, Sara, Jess, Jess, Nicky, Andrew, Bronwyn, Tamryn, and Bryan. We met up with Alistair, Mark, and the Peitermaritzburg team in Jo’Burg. From Peitermaritzburg there was Mike, Lovat, Hannah, Heather, Jenny, Jono, and Batung. Most of us were youngsters, in their 20s. Jenny was the oldest, being older than our parents and Andrew was in his late 30s. Lots of energy, lots of laughter, lots of jokes, lots of good times. We were both semi-surprised to naturally gravitate back to each other throughout the day. One day when we were in separate cars, I missed Sarah a lot and kept thinking, oh I have to tell Sarah this and this…so we’ll probably experience some type of withdrawal when we go back.

Anyway back to the community. It was awesome to have the sharing times in the morning and afternoon. Hearing and sharing what God is doing in us and the team was great and refocused our purpose of being here. Both of us love getting to know people on deeper levels, and loved having this time for just that (the car trips helped a lot too for getting close quick).

It is such a beautiful thing to see communities support, challenge, encourage, be invested, and love each other. God’s relational nature shines through.

Captions: 1. lots of Moz love 2. Mike, Sarah, Sara, Manwele, Tamiryn, Brian, Kayeightu

Toilets

Going to the toilet was an experience wherever we were. For the sake of those with queasy stomachs we’ll bare you details of the bathrooms at the border crossings, but let it be known it may be worth just holding it until you are out of Zimbabwe. Here are some of the best of:

Best view: the hole (referred to as the long drop) surrounded by stalks, which can be seen over to see gorgeous mountains…and fields…and what is that? A path?

Best flush: Non-existent. But the one at the centre would be the best of the bad. Let’s just say the Sara(h)s are getting up close and personal this summer.

Best privacy: One at Maforga had a locking door, but sometimes it tended to lock people in just as much as locking them out. So you can take your chances.

Best non-toilet: At Maforga there were these half built buildings that were perfect…you just had to time it right so none of the boys were walking back to their dorm at that time. And that the field workers had gone home.

Best Camaraderie: In Zimbabwe we would pull over for bathroom breaks and hit the trees along the road. Sometimes one or two people found the same spot satisfactory. Others got stage fright. It’s all a matter of opinion.

Language

Xhosa. Portuguese. Afrikaans. Shona. Zulu. English. What about Spanish, German, Romanian? Unfortunately for us, not so much. It has been absolutely incredible to listen and attempt (and in Sara’s case, fail repeatedly) to speak different languages. In Mozambique the boys that were living at the orphanage, Maforga, spoke often three languages fluently. They were our translators when we went to villages. The two missionaries that we spent time with, Caas and Sara, had two kids who spoke nearly four languages with ease (Dutch, English, Portuguese, and understood Afrikaans). That is incredible! We’re so jealous and think it would be so cool to raise kids like that.

It is so humbling to admit you only speak English and struggle to repeat even the simplest of words. Sarah was able to use some of her Spanish, which is similar to Portuguese. Sara just stumbled repeatedly and tried to keep a smile and nod handy at all times. She did conquer the morning greeting, “Bon Dia!” for her morning runs.

Getting back to the centre we forgot momentarily that Xhosa was spoken so often. Being immersed in an English-speaking team for the two weeks was a relief in many ways, but we’ll miss being exposed to so many languages (and beautiful ones at that!) when we go back.

Bubbles

If I was a substance I think I may want to be bubbles. Watching them float in the wind, dodging the jumping kids’ hands and faces makes me smile. A lot. For children’s ministry at Mozambique bubbles was a favorite. At first the kids would sit back, shyly watching the foreign object float away. Then as they discovered the popping sensation, they run all over the show. I think it may sound egotistical but the feeling of having a whole pile of kids surrounding you laughing and shouting is one of the most joyful feelings I’ve experienced. My face erupts into uncontrollable smiles and laughter. We both became experts and directing kids to blow bubbles and came out all the sticker.

Fruit In Season

Spending time with children, many who are orphans, is emotionally draining. I go through periods where all I want to do is drop out of school and move to a village and love kids and everyone else around me. Our hearts have been broken in the sorrow or despair in the situation. Now mind you, some of these kids are the most joyful, life-filled kids I’ve ever met. But you can’t help but think of the statistics that are against their survival and being cared for. I want so badly for every child to experience the love and joy that God has for each one of them, but struggle in my limitations of making that possible. As much as I’d like I can’t hug and smile at every kid in the world, or share God’s love with even half of them.

I was reading a verse in Psalm 1:1-3, 6. It talks about the man who delights in the Lord being blessed and is “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season. And whose leaf does not wither-whatever he does prospers…”. The in season part really jumped out at me. A fruit tree has a specific season. It made me think of these mango trees that seemed to mock me daily, as they were not ready to share their delicious fruit with me. You could see the blossoms beginning and could only imagine how amazing and wonderful it will be when they fruit. But right now it is preparing. Soaking up the nutrients, digging deeper with its roots. That is me right now. I need to be preparing for what I am called to do later in life. That by no means I am dead and merely waiting. Like a tree, I’m still purposeful, offering shade and beauty (and we all know I add a loooot of that to the world J) I thank God for being my water and nourishment white I figure out my season and my fruit. My leaves will not wither and I will be refreshed by God’s spiritual water. Watch out for upcoming seasonal fruit.

Bike Loads

Biking was the chosen way of transportation in Mozambique, with one particular black, upright model as most popular. Watching the bikers carry loads of awkward shape and often extreme weight, I was thoroughly impressed. I (Sara) would run every morning before breakfast and saw a lot of bikers on the way to their daily tasks trading, farming, selling, school etc. It made me miss biking a great deal, and it made me super thankful I can bike most places in Madison. A common load on a bike was timber on the back of their bike, extended a good two feet on either side. Sarah and I both tried to catch this feat on camera while we were driving past, but failed miserably.

The final few...

We want to share our experiences in Mozambique with you, but at the moment it is easiest to do it with pictures rather than words. Stories will come later, but for now you can at least see what we did.

1. We heart Moz
2. Group shot... minus Sara
3. Messy group shot with Sara

More Mozambique Pictures

1. We had campfires everynight before and after dinner. We would hang out with some of the boys before they had to go to bed
2. Kaas and Sarah cooked us a huge fiesta dinner on our last night of prawns, tuna steak, pasta bake and salad and the boys joined us for custard
3. Sara and Felix
4. The boys helping us paint after school
5. Some of the kids from a nearby village that we walked to some days to share Bible stories, play games and sing songs

some of the crazy people we've grown to love

1. We like Jess. We think she's crazy. She is crazy.
2. Ian spent two weeks with children on his shoulders. He decided it was his turn.
3. Mama Jenny always knows the right thing to say
4. Ah, Mike at his finest. If you were a booger, Mike, we'd pick you first
5. You are so cool, Lovat

40+ hours in the car... one way

1. Our first stop on the way to Maforga...lunch in Zimbabwe
2. Tall Ian drove a lot
3. We did a lot of standing around the vehicles repacking things while we were in transit... on the way to Mozambique we broke a trailer in South Africa and left it behind... on the way home we left a trailer in Zimbabwe after the wheel pretty much broke off sideways.
4. This is a perfect picture of what we did while we were driving... laughed and zoned
5. 40 hours of driving would make anyone feel like this. Just kidding, she was ill even before we started driving. Although she felt like poo, she did get the comfort hook-up by being able to lay down in the back of the van while everyone else squished 3 across in the bakkies.

Mozambique scenes

1. The wall we painted. First we scraped it, then we painted it, then we fancied it up. We did wonders with only 3 (non-primary) colors of paint.
2. Tree... that's all.
3. Awesome Mozambiquan sunset
4. Inside the prayer hut on the boys' side of Maforga where we prayed, shared stories, sang worship and had fellowship together.
5. Our homes... Sara and I shared the little yellow one and had to deal with a lot of noise coming from the boys' tents every night.

Mozambique pictures #3

1. Sara and I thought it would be a good idea to hand-wash our laundry in the pilas... it was a good idea until all the guys noticed that we are incredible washers and wanted us to clean their clothes as well.
2. Mike and some of the boys at Maforga watching the weekly soccer match. The teachers at the nearby school take on their old students every Sunday.
3. While we were there, 3 of our teammates got baptized in a stream on the grounds of Maforga. It was awesome to witness their baptisms and see the joy their joy from the experience.
4. Sara with the children of the missionary couple at the boys' side of Maforga: Faray and Rueben. They are fluent in 4 languages and became our faithful translators for children's ministry. They both have a lot of spunk and were with the team all the time.
5. Our fearless leaders: Ian in charge, Nicky and Mike

Mozambique pictures #2

1. long story short, Sara got sick. muscle spasms, temperature, no energy, dizzy, headache...all side effects of larium, malaria medication. suggestion: don't take it. Sarah did an awesome job of caring for the sick one. 2. Mike, Sarah, and Manuele (the most joyful, alive boy we've ever met. He has HIV and is often sick, yet has a hope and joy in God that stirs the souls of the people around him) 3. bubbles, bubbles. kids love them and they are so much fun! We did children's ministry up at the village multiple times and they loved blowing bubbles.
4. Kaetu (K-eight-two) (totally wrong spelling) is a nine year old boy who looks much younger. He was a fun bundle. and loved to be held. 5. painting a wall. so much fun. sarah, along with other people on the team, had a great idea of putting handprint leaves on the tree. and ended up having paint all over her skirt and face. gotta love painting. she was shades of blue for awhile.

Mozambique in pictures #1

We had a lot of fun as a team in Mozambique...

1. We miss you!
2. We had a tent party in Gorongoza with lots of food to offset the pig hair and aorta
3. Halfway through our time we got a day off to spend as a team
4. Sara taught the team how to slackline
5. This is just an awesome picture made by a sparkler and some fancy photography