The End of 2010

I started this year on 171st. Street in Manhattan. A good friend drove us up the 60+ blocks to a friend of a friend's apartment. It was a pretty crappy New Years. A lot of local grad students doing mushrooms and smoking pot. Not the classiest of places I've been in my two years of NYC living. Regardless, it was one night. So now one year later, I'm in DC with my best friend getting ready. Tonight's agenda will start with dinner at a Chinese restaurant then on to a Mexican themed bar for the "Mustache Fiesta 2011." I've been reflecting on this past year. It was a really great year for me! I may have started the year in a cramped hazy apartment on the way upper west side with a job that wasn't satisfying, but God has used all of those not-so-ideal environments to grow me. Because the Lord allowed for me to be taken out of that environment, I have been able to go back to Africa and now am able to see with eyes unveiled. I can look at tonight as an opportunity to have fun and love my friends...but most importantly be an example of Christ. I am not going to be consumed by this world. God allowed for me to go through experiences this year so that I can now understand and love others more than before.
I pray that 2011 will be a year to please God. I want my life to reflect his grace and blessings. I don't just want what the world considers 'good' for my life, but I am seeking for God's best. Many thanks to God for a great year of ups and downs. Lots of heartache and disappointment, but much blessing and so many amazing opportunities. He is romancing me in such a deeper way since my trip to Cape Town. It's a beautiful part of my testimony that I could never have imagined. He is great. Living life right now is a gift. So as everyone is searching for someone before midnight, I pray that God would hold me closer. I pray that he takes my hand in preparation for this new year. I'm ready for his adventures to continue.

Cheers to a great 2011!

Be Still

Well I am finally back in East Tennessee and beginning to process my trip. So far it's been really weird being home. First of all, it's cold. It snowed here yesterday which is taking some getting use to after 70-80 degree Cape Town weather!

 

Secondly, little things like having way too many choices are hard to get used to. I've realized that I have too many clothes and shoes because it's taking me way too long to decide on what to wear. Five months ago in NYC, I had the opposite 'problem' of not having enough options. I'm thankful that God is continuing to push me to see beyond the world's wants. With Christmas fast approaching, I am thankful to have time with my family during this season and trying to stay content in the moment. Please be in prayer for those who don't have family to spend the holidays with.
In my spare time I'm reflecting on pictures of South Africa and my new friends there. I truly miss them! I have a feeling it won't be too long before I'm on my back to Africa, other than the trip in Feb. 2011.

The weekend before leaving to come home, I was able to attend the Evangeline Ministries sewing class graduation. It was so fun to see how proud the class was to show off their outfits to friends and family. Evangeline Ministries works to train women with HIV/AIDS to sew. Upon graduating each woman is presented with a sewing machine. It was so beautiful to watch! I will miss seeing each of them on a daily basis. Please lift up my friends in South Africa during the holidays, mainly for safe travels. Many of them travel to the Eastern Cape. Please be praying for protection and joyful time spent with their families this Christmas.

 Trying to be still during the holiday season...and in this season of my life.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10

Goodbye...Until Hello Again

 Well I'm all packed and getting ready to leave in a few hours. I have had an amazing time in Cape Town. I am and will be processing this trip for a while. There are so many people that I have grown to love and hope to stay in contact with. I am thankful that for my brothers and sisters in Christ it is not goodbye, but I know that I will see them again. Parts of this trip have been glimpses of what God has planned for the future. I'm so excited!
Thank you for all the love and support I have received during this time in South Africa. I fully intend on continuing this blog. As this one chapter is ending, God is continuing to reveal the next steps. I hope to be blessed in knowing that each of you will continue to walk this journey with me! I love each of you so much.

My flight gets into NC tomorrow around 9pm. Pray for safe travels. See you soon!

Living Way Farewell

Hello Friends,

Today is my last day with Living Way. God has blessed me so much today and given me gifts I will never forget. The LW staff all went out for a Christmas breakfast. I have been so blessed to have worked with such sweet people. When we got back I stopped by Louis' workroom to give him a picture of us I had printed out. He gave me a picture of him and a letter that absolutely melts my heart. I have been blessed to know him. I will continue to pray for him and his business. Of everyone here, he stole my heart.

Louis

Some other special people here that I have had the opportunity to love and pray for:

Vusi and Tommy

Vusi gave me a wire cross that he made as a goodbye gift. He is truly a special and talented man. I have enjoyed getting to know him. Tommy is care free, fun person. He is always singing and dancing around the campus. These two men have made everyday brighter. They always make sure I'm laughing before leaving their workroom.

Khutsie

Khutsie was one of the workers in the bakery. She is getting married on December 22 and has a 4 year old little girl. She is a vibrant woman with a huge personality! She constantly gave me a hard time for dressing like a boy. I was able to pray with her on many occasions and encourage her to keep focused on God.

*Bakery Update: All the bakers quit on Tuesday because of a change to their pay. The only way to save the business was to base wages on commission instead of a set daily wage. Luckily, Richard has spoken with Khutsie and she is open to coming back. Please continue to be praying for her and the bakery. I was so sad that I was not going to be able to say a proper goodbye to my bakery friends! I have been praying that they would come back before I left. Well they all didn't come back, but this afternoon I heard a knock on the door.

Phumzile

Phumzile had come back to say goodbye. God gave me the most wonderful answer to prayer; I got to say goodbye to one of my friends from the bakery. He came to tell us that he got a job as a salesman with Macro (Bulk goods warehouse..like Sams Club.) It's so beautiful to know that he has a steady job and is able to provide for his family. I cried, happy tears, after he left. It was one of those moments when you feel the presence of God standing with you. He is a hard worker and will do well. I am so thankful for Phumzile. He was always honest and reliable. He asked good questions. I will miss his genuineness.

I knew today would be emotional. It has been one of the most beautiful of days here. I have been changed because of the people here. Richard said that 'farewell' isn't goodbye. When you wish someone farewell, you are wishing them well for the next steps ahead. So even though it's still sad, it's not goodbye.