When Are You Leaving?

When are you leaving? I have been asked this question for the last 2 weeks and rightly so. I hoped to be in South Africa by now, but I am still here in Arizona. There has been some delay due to a request for an FBI background check. The background check came back to me this past Thursday and was sent to the consulate. It is in their hands now. This has been a lesson in patience and in trusting in God and his timing. I am taking it one day at a time and when the time is right, I will leave for South Africa. I must still have something that I need to do here in Arizona. It has allowed me to spend a little more time with friends and to do some catching up. This verse has brought me comfort during this time of waiting...Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Time for Good-bye's

The time has come to start saying good-bye to family and friends. Today at church was the sending service. I had the opportunity to speak about my ministry in South Africa and to ask for prayers in all four services. The choir sang together one more time and it was wonderful. I have the best church home in the world with such supportive brothers and sisters in Christ. I am glad to go but sad to say good-bye. So I will not say good-bye, instead I will say see you later. I will miss everyone very, very much. God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends and even though it will be hard being away, I know that God will take care of all of us. See you later.

It's time to start packing

The time has finally come to start packing. In a week or two I will be heading to South Africa. A new chapter in my life will begin. There are lots of emotions....sadness, excitement, loss, joy. I am very happy to be blessed with such an opportunity, it is a gift from God. I am sad to leave my family and friends behind and I will carry them in my heart. My last day at the job that I held for 8 years was last Friday and it's been a bit weird. I know that I have a new adventure ahead of me. People have been asking me "are you nervous or scared?" To be honest yes, a little of both. I know that I will be okay and that God will bless me with all that I need to do what he has called me to do. I know that he will be by my side every step of the way.

To all of my family and friends, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love and support. It is very hard to leave you all, but this is something I must do and I know that you understand. Know that I love you all very much. You will be with me during my time in South Africa.

Center for Compassion

The Center for Compassion was the dream of Pastor Senzo Majola before he passed away in May of 2008.  He was called to  pastor the local Lutheran church and to be a part of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project with American partners.  Pastor Majola became a father to most of the children.  His passion for the orphan project grew from his own experience of being orphaned.  Pastor Majola had a dream of having a creche (nursery school) and a community center next to his church.  He was overjoyed to hear that the American volunteers were willing to build this facility.  He wanted a place that the little ones in the community could be cared for during the day and center where the youth and young adults could attend workshops to learn new skills.

Construction for the Center of Compassion began in August of 2008 with volunteers from the United States and South Africa.  Several teams are scheduled to complete the center in 2009. The center is a proper tribute to the life and passion of Pastor Majola.  

During my time in South Africa I will be able to work with the teams as they finish construction and help to get the center up and running.  **Pictured is a team from Love of Christ and Christ Church Lutheran as they continue the block work on the center in October 2008 **   

Closer, closer, closer

Time is flying by and I am getting closer to my departure in July.  There's not much left to do and I don't want to forget anything.  I am very excited to be going but also sad to be leaving my friends and family.  I know that I will have their support and prayers.  I am still in search for a renter for my condo and I pray that God will send the right person.  As for the fundraising, it is going really well.  I am getting closer, closer, closer to my goal.  I have to raise 70% of the first year's total --$2o,102.88.  I only need $4237.88 to reach that goal.  Thanks be to God for all who have generously donated.  I will still be fundraising while in the field and I give all my needs to God.  My mom always says, if God brings you to it, then He will bring you through it.

Sold to the highest bidder!!!

Last weekend the African Orphan Project held it's 2nd annual auction to raise funds to help the orphans.  It took a lot of work, but a hangar was transformed into a wonderful site of people, pictures, music, decorations and items for bid.  The event was attended by 100 plus people who came out in support of the auction.  A big thank you to Bob and Linda Funk for listening to the call of God to do something so powerful.  The auction was also attended by Senator John Shadegg who donated a trip to the capital.  The event was a huge success and almost all of the items were bid on or sold.  **Pictured is one of the beautiful cakes that were sold to the highest bidder.**

Life-Changing Moments

Life-changing moments, have you ever had these moments? I have had several throughout the course of my life.  The one that stands out the most is what I like to call my miracle.  God has called me to be a missionary.  The spark was lit in me a few years ago on the first mission trip I took to Peru.  I didn't know what to expect.  When I got home, I knew that I wanted to do it again.  I surrendered to God and asked him to show me my purpose because "I" didn't know what to do with my life and I felt lost.  God sent me on many trips since then and opened the eyes of my heart to love those who are the least in the world.  He placed a strong desire in my heart to be a missionary.  I prayed for the opportunity to do it for more than a few weeks.  My heart desires to do it for the rest of my life.  I knew that God had to decided when I was ready and his timing is perfect.  I heard God's call and answered it.  I am so excited and overjoyed to serve God this way and in all the ways he asks me to.  Thank you Father for my miracle.