Orphaned and Vulnerable Children

An amazing opportunity has come up for both Martha and Agnes that would be incredible for them and the children of our OVC projects but would also bring a lot of adjustments that could be very difficult too. At this point nothing has been decided but the opportunity has been presented and we must now sort out the details and pray through the decision. This morning I was encouraged by Isaiah 46:8-11 and am reminded again now that "God's purpose will stand and He will do as He pleases". How awesome is that!

Please join us in prayer for the following:

God's will and purpose for the programs and children of these OVC projects

God's direction for Martha, Agnes, and me(Rebecca)

Godly wisdom and counsel from us to these women & others involved in the decisions

God's favor where we need it

Thank you so much for partnering in prayer with us!

Drakensberg Mountains

School holidays started last week and we took off to the Drakensberg Mountains with Mom and Dad for a week of fishing, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, golf, and whatever else looked fun to do! It was a fantastic week. Mom and Dad sure know how to make the most of our time together and the week was full of memory making.

We rented a cabin for the week with several fishing ponds on the property. On day 1, the boys and Kyla fished while Mom and I drove to a nearby town to grocery shop. Travel to the grocery store was 2 hours. We made sure we only had to go once!

The spectacular view from our bedroom window. The Drakensberg has officially become my favorite place in South Africa.

Day 2 was horseback riding and more fishing. Malachi would have fished the entire trip if possible. He loved every minute!

Matthew's quote for the day: "This is the best day of my life."

Day 3 was hiking in the Royal Natal National Park. Derek stayed back to watch the World Cup Cricket games. We don't TV at home and Derek was thrilled with watching sports for a few days, that is until South Africa lost and he didn't watch another game. Sorry honey:(

This hike was so much fun. The kids hated the paved portion and said it was only a hike when we had to climb over rocks.

Now the boys are happy because it's all rock!

The water was beautiful and freezing!

My mom loves to see the baboons and was disappointed that we weren't surprised by one during our hike. I was quite grateful we only saw them on our way out of the park.

Day 4 was more fishing, sightseeing into a nearby town, and afternoon swimming for the kids.

Kyla Joy taking our picture.

Day 5 was golf for the guys and more hiking for Mom, me and the kids.

Day 6 we took the men back to the waterfall we found.

The boys couldn't stop giggling as they soaked Derek!

More of day 6 was hiking to a cave with Bushman paintings on the wall.

Kyla Joy taking the picture again. This trip was more fun than I could have ever dreamed. Thank You Lord for providing for such an experience for all of us. Thank You for these incredibly blessed moments with our loved ones and these gorgeous mountains you made!

Part of the local family

We are so blessed to live and serve God in Rustenburg. Over the years we have known many wonderful families from around the world who have felt God's call to come here. Several of those have been American missionaries, who like us have been here for quite some time. The families in this photo make up our American family in Rustenburg. They are the people who fight our daily battles and celebrate our victories with us, the people who see firsthand our flawed lives, the aunts and uncles and cousins to our children, and the first people to tell us when Dr. Pepper is being sold in town. We are with different organizations and come from varied denominational backgrounds, but we are brothers and sisters in the Lord and have a genuine love and respect for one another. God has been so good to us with true and deepening relationships in the community we serve but also with bringing these beloved friends to walk with us on this missionary journey.

Am I 15 again?

Took the kids to school. Mom driving my car.

Derek called to say a friend at the traffic department will meet me.

Drove home to get my passport.

Drove to the traffic department and met the manager for the licensing department who said I can convert my TX license if I have a SA ID.

Drove to the bank to draw money for the fees.

Drove to meet our friend's contact at Home Affairs.

Stood in the "Registration of Death" line (not comforting) and learned I need my birth certificate, two ID photos, and original Permanent Residence Permit I received in 2004.

Drove back home to get the forms which were actually were they were supposed to be. Awesome!

Drove to the mall for copies and ID photos. Mom now driving Derek's truck.

Had coffee and breakfast with my mom at the mall. Yeah!!

Drove to GM to meet our partners for Martha's House and Agnes's House where they asked me to resubmit the latest proposals while asking for more money than I did a few weeks ago. Their idea to ask for more money -that's always a good sign!!

Drove back to Home Affairs.

Turned in my forms, first time applications are free (good news), got my fingerprints taken (they've upgraded the soap since last time and it actually worked - more good news), signed the application and was told it could take 1-3 months to get back. (slight groan from me)

Drove back to the Traffic Department but my friend was gone for the day. I'll go back tomorrow. Praying they convert the license with just my receipt of application for ID without the actual ID.

Drove back home.

Tonight we head to Phokeng for the opening ceremony of our children's school which is a resource school to the community. Should be fun!

Life in Africa "The license story"

Discovered today that my drivers license is no longer valid in South Africa because of my status as a permanent resident. Apparently it hasn't been for the last 2 years and therefore I'm not covered by our car insurance. Crazy! God's timing never ceases to amaze me but this time it's cracking me up. My parents arrived in South Africa last Saturday for a six week stay. As visitors their Texas licenses are accepted here by both the traffic department and our insurance. So today, mom drove me around for activities with the kids and a trip to the grocery store. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I cannot believe this is happening, but know having my parents around to drive me was God's way of saying He's got it handled. I'm off to the department tomorrow to see if they will kindly let me apply for the SA license or to sign up for my first lesson and test for my learner's permit.

Lord, I am so frustrated and a little overwhelmed by this but Your kindness and care of me cannot be ignored. Please give me favor tomorrow when I need it and grace to handle whatever comes. You are a good God and I love You.

Update from today's meetings

Outstanding day! It's hard to put into words how incredible it was to see what we have dreamed for so long clearly laid out on city plans to reach an entire community. And more amazing to see how we've played a small part it in with Martha's House and Agnes's House. Still much to be decided and prayed through, but such exciting possibilities. Pray for God's will to be done and hearts to be ready for whatever He plans.

Regarding the young woman and the nursing program: We're making slow, steady progress. We've got the right contact involved to set things up and will pray and wait. Expectantly!

Thanks for praying!

Big possibilities

We have an important meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of the orphan care projects and how they might work together with the Royal Bafokeng and the Tapologo Clinic. We're not sure how these meetings will go or what possibilities lie ahead, but we know God is faithful and that He loves these children deeply. We also know His plans far exceed our dreams. We're praying for God's will to unfold and for His wisdom for the key decision makers involved.

One of the girls at Martha's House wants to study nursing. She is an outstanding young woman who can light up any room. She's strong, independent, focused, and entirely lovable. Through a contact with our son's school we might be able to get this young woman enrolled in a nursing program right away. Praying for God's favor, purpose and plan for this young woman's life.

And heaven welcomes her home...

Last week I shared with you about a dear friend who's domestic worker had suddenly taken ill with pneumonia. After one day in the hospital we learned that Lerato also had TB and HIV. It was our hope to move her to the Tapologo Clinic immediately to receive her counseling and treatment course. My friend visited her everyday in the hospital and spent time with the nurses and doctors in charge and everyone was pleased with her progress regarding the pneumonia. Last Friday at 2:30 am Lerato passed away. She was laid to rest this morning surrounded my family and friends. She was 31 years old with a 5 year old son who will now be raised by his grandmother. Lerato was a beautiful, strong, loving woman who left a lasting impact on those who knew her. My friend is struggling with deep grief and is crying out to the Lord for understanding and comfort. There is genuine joy in knowing Lerato's eternal place with Christ but great sadness for a beautiful life lost far too soon. Please pray for Lerato's family and friends has they walk through this process.

Martha and my Mom

After working together for so many years, Martha knows and loves my parents, my aunts, and my sister. They've all visited her on one or more occasions and she gets almost as excited as I do about their visits. The kids at Martha's House are still playing with the marbles from my mom and aunts last trip in 2008.

Yesterday Martha asked how many more days before my parents arrive and hugged me with delight knowing how excited I am. Then she giggled and said "Just four more days and I've got something nice coming." It cracked me up. Keep in mind she didn't ask for anything, she just knows my mom and knows if mom is coming to South Africa, that she's obviously bringing something for Martha. Which of course Mom is.

Foundations

Derek, Mitch, Sarah, Roger, Mary, and Lynette have been spending 6 hours a week for the last month working through a Foundations Course. It's been an amazing experience as they discuss concepts they've known for years as believers but have somewhat lost the ability to adequately express to others. This foundation is exactly what Derek has felt our DTS programs have been lacking and it is our hope that these hours of study will prove to be a tremendous asset to YWAM South Africa and all those we minister to.

Following in line with this, Derek has been asked to rework the course with an emphasis on teens to be used in schools in our region. What an incredible opportunity to reach the young people in our community!!! Biblical foundation is a passion for Derek, but teens... well, that's more of an exercise of faith. He will have a team to work with me (including me - yeah!) but Derek will be the driving force. Please pray for God's anointing on this work and that Derek will have ears to hear God's voice for the material.

Beautiful People

Today I witnessed love shown in such sweet and tender ways and tonight I am in awe of what God can do when we love the one in front of us.

One friend has formed a ladies social club with 7 women whom every month will give R1000 (currently that's about $150) towards a project one of them chooses. R1000 towards any project or charity is a great donation, but R7000 can get a lot done and will be a huge blessing to countless ministries and charities this year. Amazing idea!

Another friend has started collecting donations of cash and products for the specific purpose of providing young women monthly toiletry needs to allow them to play sports without embarrassment. Derek once broke down in the mall as our young orphan girls asked him to buy feminine products and he was struck with the realization of how many months they go without. My friend had the same realization and is now working to make a difference in what seems a small way, but shows such love and compassion.

Two women I met today during a prayer meeting had scrounged their homes looking for any money they could find after hearing of a family nearby that lost their father two years ago and whose mother recently had a stroke. The children have been without food or support and these women, being complete strangers immediately set out to do something about it. After our prayer meeting (where our hostess also scrounged her cupboards pulling out whatever she could give) they were heading to the children's home to give food and see what they could do about helping.

And lastly another sweet friend learned today that her domestic worker (maid) and dear friend Lerato (not her real name) has been diagnosed with TB and HIV. My friend called me and was sobbing as she shared the news in shock and heartache. Where so many people would immediately think of how to dismiss Lerato or find a new maid, my friend was asking what we can do to help her. I phoned Dr. Neil who we worked with at the Lighthouse Shelter and with his help and the Lord's favor tomorrow at the government hospital we can get Lerato moved into the amazing Tapologo clinic to receive her care.

I know this has been a long post, but each of the women I've mentioned are our sisters in the Lord and they have beautifully demonstrated what it means to love the one in front of you. I can just see God cheering His girls on! Thank you Lord for moving in their hearts and for the blessings that will keep trickling down because of the love and kindness shown in these beautiful people of South Africa.