Today I saw this at the kids program:
It was a beautiful reminder that we're leaving something behind here, and I hope that it's not just T-Shirts. In case you don't know -- this is the T-Shirt from last year's trip. Tomorrow we hand out this year's version.This is the line that kids waited in for an hour to get into the kids program:
And then, today I saw what we want to leave here. The crafts and the face paint are super fun, but all of those things will fade away. A relationship with the King of Kings will not. Today a little boy named Caraba came and got me in the middle of the organized chaos and took me to a table where 10 of his friends were sitting. He said, "Now, we pray for you -- what do you want prayer for?" I named a few things as the boys piled their hands on top of mine and prayed for me in Sutu, Zulu, and then English. I've never been prayed for in 3 different languages before. It was FANTASTIC!
Here are the boys praying for me:
Lastly, this is Nalntala, my buddy for the week:
We had a great day just paling around at the kids program. She has the funniest laugh of any human being I have ever heard. We've had a fantastic time hanging out for the past two weeks. She was one of the very first kids I met at the Nelmaphious branch last Sunday. If this whole week was just to make her feel special, then it was all worth it.Here we are -- the last work day is tomorrow. I can honestly say that I don't regret a minute of this trip. I have been wiser and more discerning the second time around. I have spent my time on what really matters to me, to our partnership with Charity and Faith, and building into my team. Thank you all for supporting me in this time -- one work day left to go!
6 comments:
Your South African friends seem so sweet. I hope to meet them someday. I want to hear lots more stories about all the people you met when you get back.
P.S.: I'm afraid we won't be home the day you get back, but hopefully we can see you Sunday or Monday. WE MISS THE PETERS!!!
Oh my goodness, Rachel. I just spent the last hour reading through your entire trip so far. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Praise God for the amazing time that you have had there...and praise Him for giving you such a neat gift with words! Thank you for sharing your trip in words and photographs. I am encouraged, inspired, and filled with hope for the people of South Africa. May God continue to bless you richly for your obedience!!
Auntie R.
You have quite a charmed life! Thank you for sharing your pictures with me (and all these other people). You and Uncle AP are in our prayers.
BRR!OOO (That's an Eskimo Kiss:)
Rachel,
A vocation, as Fred Buechner describes it, is “Where your great joy meets the world’s great need.” It seems you have found at least that! If it isn't too much trouble...(here is where I will really show my liturgical nerdy-ness) sneak a picture of the table, the font (bowl, creek, cup, etc.), and the cross... preferably with people around them. Also, if you could bring back (record) anything that seems uniquely African (prayers, favorite songs, practices)... I would love to learn from our South African sisters and brothers in Christ.
I love you and I am proud of you.
...Now as you leave this place,
May the Living Lord go with you;
may He go behind you to encourage you;
beside you to befriend you in obedient ministry;
above you to watch over you;
beneath you to lift you from your sorrow;
within you to give you the gift of faith and hope and love;
and always before you to show you the way. Amen.
I continue to be so proud of you and APand all your friends. Soak up all that joy the children shine on you and bring it back. We need what these children have to give. Prayers Joy and Love.
Prayers Joy and Love to you and the whole of South Africa.
Mom
welcome home sister. well done! can't wait to have a cry with ya!
XO
Kim
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