World AIDS Day.....

Today is World AIDS Day and all over the world people are showing their support by wearing RED ribbons. I don't know if any of you have lost a friend or a loved one to AIDS. I lost my Uncle David to AIDS many years ago. I didn't understand the far reaching effects that the disease would have. I happened at a time in the U.S.A. when people thought it was only the homosexuals who got it. But HIV/AIDS is much more than that. It knows no boundaries affecting people of all ages, gender and nationalities. It is crippling our world.

In 2008 there were 22.4 million people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa, more than two thirds of world's total. In South Africa there were an estimated 5.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS, more than any other country and there are 1.4 million AIDS orphans. I am in a country surrounded by people who are living with HIV and many don't even know it. On this day South Africa's message is three-fold: (1) I am responsible - calling on everyone to know their HIV status, (2) We are responsible - encouraging couples to protect each other and remaining faithful and (3) South Africa is taking responsibility - the government is providing leadership to ensure that every South African can prevent HIV.

So today on World AIDS Day, I first ask that you pray for all of those infected and affected and for God's healing and peace. Go for a HIV test, wear a RED ribbon to show your personal commitment to stopping new HIV infections and to support people living with HIV, talk to family, friends and co-workers about what they can do to stop the spread of HIV and be educated on how to prevent HIV, how to manage it and how to help others cope with it.

Thanksgiving Day

Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he's given Jesus Christ, His Son.....(by Don Moen)

As Thanksgiving Day approached those words keep coming to mind. For the first time I am away from family and friends on Thanksgiving Day. I wondered how I was going to spend the day, would I be alone, would I have turkey, will it be a sad day for me. But God is good and gracious. I will be spending the day with two American missionary families in Pretoria and we will have a traditional Thanksgiving Day. I am very happy for such a wonderful blessing. So today I give thanks to God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon me and for the opportunity to serve Him in South Africa. I give thanks for my family and friends and for all of their love and support, I miss you all very much. I also give thanks for the new friends that I have made here in South Africa and for the families I will be with today.

All praise glory and honor to you my Father in heaven always and forever.

I read a devotion yesterday that was titled "True Thanksgiving". It talked about a man named Horatio Spafford who lost everything including his family and rather than be angry he gave thanks for all that he had left and he wrote the song "It is Well With My Soul." I leave you with this verse and the words to this song..... "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!!!

Needles, thread & bobbins.....

When the team from Phoenix was here a few weeks ago, they gave sewing classes to the ladies in the community. There were about 16 that attended. For the majority of them it was the first time that they used a sewing machine. Linda Funk and Norma aka gogo worked everyday with them. By week's end the ladies had made small bags, aprons and lampshades.

On Wednesday sewing classes resumed. A local lady named Gori will be working with the ladies in the coming months to get their sewing skills refined. There were 12 ladies in the class. Some were new and the others had attended with Linda and gogo. Gori along with Thandeka, a young lady from the community that has a sewing certificate instructed the ladies on how to thread the machines, fill the bobbins and the basics of sewing. By the end of the day they all learned how to make a book cover.

Since some of the ladies were new and still a bit nervous when using the machines so Thandeka and I had a follow up class on Friday. This time when making the book covers they used batting and did a design in the material. They turned out really well. There is a gogo named Regina who is determined to be tops in the class and considering that her vision is not the best, she is leading the way. I had not touched a sewing machine in years, so I had to search my memory banks to remember how to thread the machine, etc. Luckily Thandeka was there. By the end of the day there were needles, thread and bobbins all over the tables as we cleaned up.

It was a wonderful week and the ladies were very excited. Gori was very pleased with how it all turned out. Keep the ladies in your prayers as they progress with their sewing.

Pretoria in Springtime.....

I spent last week in Pretoria and it was wonderful. It was a time to debrief with my supervisor Cindy about how I feel about being here, if I'm adjusting, what challenges I may have, that sort of thing. We talked for a long time about lots of things and it is great to know that I have her support and her friendship. I also got some well needed R & R and caught up on some work.

Now the great thing about Pretoria especially in Springtime are the Jakarander trees. The streets are lined with them and they have beautiful purple flowers. Just looking down the streets all you can see are rows and rows of purple. Absolutely amazing! There are Jakaranders in Hillcrest, but they are scattered here and there. I got to spend time with one of the other missionaries as well. It was a good trip. I got back to Hillcrest Saturday afternoon. Yes, Saturday was Halloween. It's not that big of a thing here in South Africa like it is in the U.S. I pray that everyone had a safe time trick-or-treating. Have a few pieces of candy for me.

A day to relax....

Today I had the opportunity to relax and get caught up on emails and downloading pictures, updating software, you name it. All the things that I couldn't do because I didn't have internet access at home. It is so amazing to finally have it. Oh the simple pleasures of life.

It was a bit overcast and I sat in the living room looking out the window at the hills with a light mist falling, God spoke to me. I heard what has become a very important scripture in my life. Pastor Arnie used it as he blessed me during my installation. It reads...I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth - Psalm 121:1-2 It fit the mood as I spent some time with God during my morning devotion. Days like this are so important. God knew that I needed it and like always his timing is always perfect.

Home away from home...

Last week the team from Phoenix arrived and it was nice to greet them all at the airport. There were many familiar faces and some new ones. They came just at the right time, as I continue to get settled here in South Africa I was surrounded by a reminder of home. On Sunday I was installed as a missionary to Ntshongweni by Pastor Arnie and I was surrounded by the team and Pastor Thwala, Pastor Erickson, Pastor Arnie, Pastor Schroder and Pastor Thompson. I was filled with so much joy and I knew that God was there, I could feel it. Afterwards there was fellowship with folks from the community, Phoenix Lutheran Church, Westville Lutheran Church and many friends that were made from previous trips. What an amazing day, I will never forget it.

The week was filled with many things. Finishing Margaret's house was top priority. The team brought sewing machines and Linda F. and Norma taught sewing to about 16 of the ladies in the community. They were thrilled and enjoyed making aprons, lamp shades and bags. Some of the ladies held pre-school in the Center of Compassion. On Monday there were only a few children but by Friday many came and it was bustling with activity. It gave a great snapshot of what the creche (nursery school) will look like once it is opened. Heidi and Lisa did a wonderful job adding special touches to the Center of Compassion. Pastor Thwala asked if they could paint a scripture on the wall and he chose "God is Love." Carpentry tools were purchased to help teach the men in the community. The week went by quickly and on Friday the house was dedicated to Margaret and she was presented a Bible that the team signed. Unfortunately the house was not finished, all it needs is the roof and that should be completed this week. So Margaret will have a moving day very soon.

The weekend came and the team headed to the Victoria Street Market for some quick shopping before heading up to St. Lucia. When we arrived in St. Lucia our first event was a boat trip on the estuary where we saw birds and lots of hippos. It was amazing how many they were and they were quite playful, so we got lots of great photos. The next day we headed to the first game reserve founded in the 1800's. We has a 6.5hr game drive ahead of us and we were all excited to see the animals. So what did we see....hmmmmm We saw elephants, zebra, giraffe, impala, nyala, wildebeest, warthog, cape buffalo, rhino. Unfortunately we did not see the lion or leopard. Maybe next time. It was a wonderful week and it was hard to say good-bye to the team. I know that God called me here to South Africa to do his work and to be his hands and feet. So that is where my focus must be. God will give me all that I need and I will continue to trust him.

To my family and friends I love you and miss you. Thank you for the prayers.

Sala kahle

Getting settled....

I can't believe that I have been here for a little over 2 months now. I suppose it's okay to say that South Africa is my home for the next 2 years. I don't feel separated from my family and friends due to being able to email them and text them. Once I get al settled in my apartment and hooked up with the internet I can Skype. The wonders of technology and how it keeps people together when they are mile apart.

It was great meeting the team from PA during their time here building a house for Margaret. I know that she is very happy. I am expecting a team from AZ very soon and looking forward to seeing many friends. God is good.