Monday, June 18, 2007
Friday, June 8, 2007
Prayer requests:
That enough funding would come it to move to the farm soon.
For Ruth’s teenagers, Tazz and Justin, that their hearts would be drawn to God.
For Ruth, that God would refresh her and that she would not lose heart.
For Siya’s medicine, which is being discontinued in the area—we now have to put in a special order, which is quite expensive.
For all the kids, Siya, Simon, Mary, and Jake, that they would continue to be healthy. For Simon, that he would continue to improve his visual-motor speed and that his speech therapy would be effective, so that he can keep us with the other kids his age in school.
For Mel, one of the other volunteers, as she is trying to figure out what to do when she comes back home.
Thanks, all prayer is so much needed and appreciated!
For Ruth’s teenagers, Tazz and Justin, that their hearts would be drawn to God.
For Ruth, that God would refresh her and that she would not lose heart.
For Siya’s medicine, which is being discontinued in the area—we now have to put in a special order, which is quite expensive.
For all the kids, Siya, Simon, Mary, and Jake, that they would continue to be healthy. For Simon, that he would continue to improve his visual-motor speed and that his speech therapy would be effective, so that he can keep us with the other kids his age in school.
For Mel, one of the other volunteers, as she is trying to figure out what to do when she comes back home.
Thanks, all prayer is so much needed and appreciated!
These are a few of my favourite things…
The ocean. The weight of a child on my lap. Giving and getting kisses from the cutest kids in the world. Singing “You are my sunshine” with Mary. Getting mail from home. Pudding night on Thursdays. Making people guess how old I am and where I’m from. Arguing that Canada is different and of course superior to America. Getting calls on my cell phone. The kids telling me how big my muscles are. Being one of the tall people. Top Deck chocolate bars. Sneaking brown sugar packets off the tables at Mugg & Bean. Doing story voices at night. Hearing the kids pray. Teaching the kids what boogers and wedgies and nuggies are. Worshipping at small group. Watching the sunrise as we drive to pick up the kids in the morning. Watching lightning storms. Watching Mel learn to drive stick. Hearing Tata say my name-“Mogon”. Learning to make dinner for ten. Sweet Chili Doritios. Trying unsuccessfully to imitate a South African accent. Making the kids laugh. How the kids love buttoning up and zipping up any shirt they can, even if it’s mine
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Temper temper.
That seems to be the trend with the kids lately, oftentimes more than slightly frustrating, but also pretty hilarious. They all have their own styles and it’s sometimes a struggle to hold back our laughter, which often aggravates them even more.
When Mary has tantrums she gets very sassy. She gives very cold looks with her chin to the floor, and she mutters under her breath that you’re not her friend anymore, before calmly walking out of the room.
Simon on the other hand, who usually saves his tantrums for Mommy, will put on much more of a show. He’ll flap both of his arms in the air like he’s trying to fly, while jumping up and down and jiggling his legs side to side.
Jake pretty much just starts to cry, making him even harder to understand than his normal jumbly speech. He also will threaten to not be our friend, as well as telling us that he’ll push us off the counter and kick us, big words for a small four year old.
Siya is as usual the most vocal, his voice rising to a high whine. He’ll make puppy dog eyes, stick out his lip, and start to bounce up and down looking quite forlorn.
So, what I’ve been learning most lately is patience. Although the kids can really give us a go sometimes, the next second they can be the sweetest kids in the world, showing us exactly why we’ve come to love them each so much. It’s just a matter of hanging in there for the difficult moments, and moving on from there.
When Mary has tantrums she gets very sassy. She gives very cold looks with her chin to the floor, and she mutters under her breath that you’re not her friend anymore, before calmly walking out of the room.
Simon on the other hand, who usually saves his tantrums for Mommy, will put on much more of a show. He’ll flap both of his arms in the air like he’s trying to fly, while jumping up and down and jiggling his legs side to side.
Jake pretty much just starts to cry, making him even harder to understand than his normal jumbly speech. He also will threaten to not be our friend, as well as telling us that he’ll push us off the counter and kick us, big words for a small four year old.
Siya is as usual the most vocal, his voice rising to a high whine. He’ll make puppy dog eyes, stick out his lip, and start to bounce up and down looking quite forlorn.
So, what I’ve been learning most lately is patience. Although the kids can really give us a go sometimes, the next second they can be the sweetest kids in the world, showing us exactly why we’ve come to love them each so much. It’s just a matter of hanging in there for the difficult moments, and moving on from there.
Faith.
I am learning a lot about faith these days, and trying to put it into practice as much as possible.
We just found out that we won’t be receiving as much funding as we were expecting from a certain trust fund, so our plans to move out to a bigger house and begin taking babies again by August are once again up in the air.
But a big and important part about believing in God is believing that He will deliver on His promises. If you don’t believe that, what foundation is there to Christianity? So, we must carry on moving forward, believing that God will deliver on the dream that He has placed in Ruth’s heart.
This is easier said than done when there is no potential funding in sight, and the stress level is often high. But one thing I’ve realized lately is that God is a big God who can and will do amazing things. Persistence in prayer is something I’ve been working on, and I believe that God will come through, because He is a God who saves.
Please keep us in your prayers!
We just found out that we won’t be receiving as much funding as we were expecting from a certain trust fund, so our plans to move out to a bigger house and begin taking babies again by August are once again up in the air.
But a big and important part about believing in God is believing that He will deliver on His promises. If you don’t believe that, what foundation is there to Christianity? So, we must carry on moving forward, believing that God will deliver on the dream that He has placed in Ruth’s heart.
This is easier said than done when there is no potential funding in sight, and the stress level is often high. But one thing I’ve realized lately is that God is a big God who can and will do amazing things. Persistence in prayer is something I’ve been working on, and I believe that God will come through, because He is a God who saves.
Please keep us in your prayers!
Destiny harvest.
That’s what the church I’ve been attending here is called. It’s quite the church, I must say. I’ve experienced many new things there, some weird, some wonderful.
My favourite things about the church are the amazing worship, how centered the messages are around the Word of God straight from the Bible, and how open and welcoming the people are at the church. You can’t go 2 minutes alone without being approached by someone, young or old, who will engage you in conversation.
What was especially new for me though, was the prophesying and although more rare, the speaking in tongues. It’s what you’d call a very charismatic church I think. I’ve never been exposed to that before, and I must admit that I was quite wary. But after thinking about it a lot and praying about it a lot, I’m ok with it. It’s definitely different from past churches I’ve attended, but tongues and prophesy are both in the Bible, and seeing how well the pastor knows the Word and how all of the people in the church are so keen to live out their faith, I don’t see anything phony or false about it. Not every service is prophesying though. Sunday mornings are normal church with a teaching and stuff. Then Sunday evenings are more focused on worship and a shorter message, and then prayer and prophesy. Also, they meet every morning of the week for prayer!
They also have amazing cell groups, which meet once a week in someone’s home. I was so amazed at the first one I attended. They open with worship, which consists of them putting in a Hillsongs CD and singing along to about 6-8 songs. But not just singing, full out worshiping, in a little apartment living room. It was really cool; no pretense at all, everyone just found their own spot, we cranked up the tunes, and let loose. They then discuss the message from Sunday morning and share prayer requests. What struck me the most was their openness and honesty with each other, and how on fire they were to actually live out what they were talking about. Very cool.
So anyways, that’s the church I’ve been going to. It’s pretty new and exciting, and I’ve met a lot of cool people. I feel that I’ve been learning a lot and I hope that trend continues, and that I am able to apply it to my life in real ways.
My favourite things about the church are the amazing worship, how centered the messages are around the Word of God straight from the Bible, and how open and welcoming the people are at the church. You can’t go 2 minutes alone without being approached by someone, young or old, who will engage you in conversation.
What was especially new for me though, was the prophesying and although more rare, the speaking in tongues. It’s what you’d call a very charismatic church I think. I’ve never been exposed to that before, and I must admit that I was quite wary. But after thinking about it a lot and praying about it a lot, I’m ok with it. It’s definitely different from past churches I’ve attended, but tongues and prophesy are both in the Bible, and seeing how well the pastor knows the Word and how all of the people in the church are so keen to live out their faith, I don’t see anything phony or false about it. Not every service is prophesying though. Sunday mornings are normal church with a teaching and stuff. Then Sunday evenings are more focused on worship and a shorter message, and then prayer and prophesy. Also, they meet every morning of the week for prayer!
They also have amazing cell groups, which meet once a week in someone’s home. I was so amazed at the first one I attended. They open with worship, which consists of them putting in a Hillsongs CD and singing along to about 6-8 songs. But not just singing, full out worshiping, in a little apartment living room. It was really cool; no pretense at all, everyone just found their own spot, we cranked up the tunes, and let loose. They then discuss the message from Sunday morning and share prayer requests. What struck me the most was their openness and honesty with each other, and how on fire they were to actually live out what they were talking about. Very cool.
So anyways, that’s the church I’ve been going to. It’s pretty new and exciting, and I’ve met a lot of cool people. I feel that I’ve been learning a lot and I hope that trend continues, and that I am able to apply it to my life in real ways.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
I've arrived:
Well, a week ago that is :) I haven't gotten a moment to do a blog yet, and this one might be short, but a longer one is in the works.
So, Sinakekele is an amazing place! The children are full of energy and always have something to say, naughty or nice. Ruth, the woman who founded and runs Sinakekele is such an inspiration, so faithful and persistent. The other volunteers, Cindee and Mel, and a ton of fun, very welcoming!
Durban, South Africa, is a beautiful place, with friendly people and a great view of the Indian Ocean! Even though it's becoming winter here, the days are still sunny and warm, and I think I may be starting a slow tan :)
A typical day at Sinakekele starts by picking up Ruth and the kids in the morning. Ruth gets delivered to work, a 45 min. drive, and the kids get taken to preschool. They are fetched just past lunch, and come home where the little onew nap, and we do structured activities in the afternoon, working on improving for school. Then it's bathtime and dinnertime, then story and bed.
It seems so simple written out like that, but it involves a lot more, including hospital trips, occupational therapy, grocery shopping, tantrums, and more!
Well, I'm out of time for now, but hopefully soon I can write more about each of the lovely and spirited children, and a bit about what I've learned so far about God and about myself as well.
So, Sinakekele is an amazing place! The children are full of energy and always have something to say, naughty or nice. Ruth, the woman who founded and runs Sinakekele is such an inspiration, so faithful and persistent. The other volunteers, Cindee and Mel, and a ton of fun, very welcoming!
Durban, South Africa, is a beautiful place, with friendly people and a great view of the Indian Ocean! Even though it's becoming winter here, the days are still sunny and warm, and I think I may be starting a slow tan :)
A typical day at Sinakekele starts by picking up Ruth and the kids in the morning. Ruth gets delivered to work, a 45 min. drive, and the kids get taken to preschool. They are fetched just past lunch, and come home where the little onew nap, and we do structured activities in the afternoon, working on improving for school. Then it's bathtime and dinnertime, then story and bed.
It seems so simple written out like that, but it involves a lot more, including hospital trips, occupational therapy, grocery shopping, tantrums, and more!
Well, I'm out of time for now, but hopefully soon I can write more about each of the lovely and spirited children, and a bit about what I've learned so far about God and about myself as well.
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