Time to listen!

So hello everyone! It's valentines day and to make nice with the girls here us guys bought them flowers and left them outside their rooms. It was a smash hit, they loved them. So at least we'll be on their good side for a little while. Make sure that you show some love to that special person in your life today!

So this past weekend to bring an end to our orientation we had a day of silence/solitude. It was a day to reflect on what God was doing in our hearts as we had been exploring and understanding culture, community, and ourselves. It was a little strange for me, because as most people know I like to talk! I started the day off not really being sure what to expect. I did some reading and some chores around the house, but in the evening God really started to speak. I spent some time in prayer in one of our garden on my favorite bench just asking God about all the things I had experienced. The main thing on my heart was how I had been going through these ups and downs of homesickness. It was just like God calmed me and told me it would be ok. The next day I woke up and I couldn't wait to see the people here in the community. Not just because I couldn't talk for a whole day, but because I actually missed them. For me that changed the whole dynamic of living here. It's finally starting to feel like home.

Some of the things that you experience when you go overseas for an extended period of time can't necessarily be avoided. Things like homesickness, culture shock, loneliness, these are all unavoidable. But it gives God the opportunity to speak into your life. My biggest problem coming over here was the thought that I'll have my sad moments leaving everyone in the states and then when I come here everything will be ok. God shattered that pride in my life and has been teaching me that sometimes it's not about avoiding these issues but trusting Him to pull me through. What a lesson it has been!

One thing I realized after all this time is that I haven't really introduced all the people I'm sharing my life with. You've seen pictures but you don't really know who they are. So, lets get to it.

From left to right:
Amanda Beam, Laura Wardrip, Some Guy, Kellie Laurson, Mariah Cocke,
Jody Thomas, Roger Saner

These are all of the apprentices that I will be with for the next year. They have quickly moved from strangers to friends, and hopefully by the end of the year I can consider them family. Together we will learn what it means to be community, the good, the bad, and the goofy picture takers (that means you Roger).

So as I said last time this week we have moved into the Listening posture. This means taking time to understand what it means to listen to God, the culture, and those closest to us. We are continuing to listen to God through practicing lent. We have a devotional written by CRM staff that we are using to facilitate. It has been amazing how each day, each scripture and each meditation has been so pertinent to what we are doing. If you want to join in on what we are doing just follow this link and you can have the devotionals sent straight to your email. I know lent has already started but I think that it would be worthwhile for anyone to read these devotionals.

Another thing is going and listening to local ministries and NGO's to hear about what they are doing here in Pretoria to make a difference. One ministry we have been to and we are going to get a chance next week to get more in depth with is called Tshwane Leadership Foundation (TLF). Their goal is to work with churches and communities for urban transformation. Some of the outreaches that they have are focused on are poverty, child prostitution, women in crisis, homelessness and street kids, advocacy on womens issues, AIDS/HIV outreach and so much more.

Another NGO that we will be checking out is called Tutela, which is a center for children ages 0-17 who, under the governments child care act have no where else to turn. They are cared for but are still in need of love and spiritual guidance because there simply aren't enough workers here to help. This was evident even when I called them to try and schedule a time where we could come in and meet the staff and work with the kids and they were too busy to talk.

Sometimes when I look around at even the little bit that we have been exposed to I wonder how I could even make a difference. There is so much need and so much hurt that I can't imagine being able to make a real difference. The truth is that only the love of Christ can make a real impact and we have to be obediant to do what we can when we can. Please be praying for us in this time of listening that God directs each one of us to the area of ministry that we can be most effective in and also the area where we feel most challenged and our unique abilities and personalities are being used.

So until next time I love you all and keep in touch! I know some people have emailed me and I just haven't had a chance to get back to you but I promise that each and every one will be returned!