I spent Christmas in a very snowy England. It was so lovely to be home, to see my family, to spend time with precious friends, to eat my mum's home-cooked food, to have all the conveniences that you take for granted in the Western world like decent supermarkets and central heating.
Then nearly a week ago it was time to pack my bags and leave again. No matter how settled I was when I left Clarens, it's always so hard to say goodbye. It's at those moments that I really feel I'm counting the cost of following God's will for my life. When I realised that I hadn't actually said goodbye in person to my Nan or my nephew and niece it was heartbreaking. I'm holding back the tears now as I write. Next time I see Mary, one of my best friends, she'll no longer be a Sloman but a Hairs as she's marrying Dan in May and I can't be there. I missed Tally's wedding last year, I can't believe that now I have to miss another really special day. But that's the sacrifice that I have to make to live here.
I'd like to say that as soon as I was back in Clarens those feelings faded, but actually this time they haven't. Yet. So far I still feel caught between the two worlds that make up my life and not sure which one I prefer to live in. But it's only been a few days and the fact that it's rained incessantly since I got back doesn't help. I know that I'll get back into the swing of things and before I know it time will be flying past as usual.
I have been enjoying seeing all the Mapheo kids again - they were soooooo excited to see us all this week. It's been the long school holidays here, so they haven't had Mapheo for 6 weeks which is a very long time when you're 8. Youth was fantastic on Saturday evening - there was an outreach during the day to encourage people to come as it was the first meeting of 2010. Over 85 young people came, and 30 were saved! We're starting a new Christians course with them next week and will then put them into home cells. Church this week was also great, after the usual vibrant praise and worship the kids church team took over the sermon section with a drama. All the kids stayed in and sat captivated at the front as the drama unfolded. It was a brilliant ploy to show what they do in kids church and ask for more helpers.
Hopefully the rain will let up in the next couple of days so that I can actually do some washing :-)
Monday, 25 January 2010
A roundup of 2009....
Well we're already nearly a month into 2010 and I still haven't sat down and written a roundup of 2009, so here goes....
2009 was a year that was full of adventures for me, adventures in cross-cultural mission and adventures in faith. As I look back in some ways I can't believe that I've managed what I've done - it really is a testimony of living by the strength and grace of Christ. Those who know me well, know that I could never in a million years be doing this in my own strength. I'm one of 4 children, and I'm the daughter that my Mum always imagined would stay close to home. But here I am, living 6000 miles away from home, and for the most part loving it!
2009 saw me face some incredibly tough situations both personally and in the work that I'm doing. I went to traditional African funerals complete with ancestral worship, a precious family left without saying goodbye, I have dealt with some awfully sad situations with the children I visit, I've had tick bite fever, the list could go on and on.
Through all the difficult times I've never once been tempted to give up and go home. Sometimes the sacrifice can feel so huge, but serving God in this community is so clearly His plan for my life right now. And He's shaping me so much by being here. I've learnt so much of God's faithfulness this year. His grace truly is enough for every circumstance.
And there have been far more fun times to outweigh the tough ones. I've had amazing times playing with the kids at Mapheo, or just generally in the street; I've had the privilege of being at the wedding of Mathandela and Melittah; I've been on 20s camps African style; I've organised chilli eating competitions with hilarious results; I've had visitors so been able to do some touristy things; I've driven a 2-wheel drive on a mountain that's only supposed to be attempted by a 4x4; I've had endless amounts of people over to my little flat; I've become an honourary aunty to baby Daniel; I've been able to worship African style every Sunday; I've stood really close to a wild giraffe; again the list could go on an on.
So 2009 was an adventure, full of 'character building' experiences! And at the moment I have no idea what plans God has for me in 2010 but I'm sure that the adventure of faith will continue :-)
2009 was a year that was full of adventures for me, adventures in cross-cultural mission and adventures in faith. As I look back in some ways I can't believe that I've managed what I've done - it really is a testimony of living by the strength and grace of Christ. Those who know me well, know that I could never in a million years be doing this in my own strength. I'm one of 4 children, and I'm the daughter that my Mum always imagined would stay close to home. But here I am, living 6000 miles away from home, and for the most part loving it!
2009 saw me face some incredibly tough situations both personally and in the work that I'm doing. I went to traditional African funerals complete with ancestral worship, a precious family left without saying goodbye, I have dealt with some awfully sad situations with the children I visit, I've had tick bite fever, the list could go on and on.
Through all the difficult times I've never once been tempted to give up and go home. Sometimes the sacrifice can feel so huge, but serving God in this community is so clearly His plan for my life right now. And He's shaping me so much by being here. I've learnt so much of God's faithfulness this year. His grace truly is enough for every circumstance.
And there have been far more fun times to outweigh the tough ones. I've had amazing times playing with the kids at Mapheo, or just generally in the street; I've had the privilege of being at the wedding of Mathandela and Melittah; I've been on 20s camps African style; I've organised chilli eating competitions with hilarious results; I've had visitors so been able to do some touristy things; I've driven a 2-wheel drive on a mountain that's only supposed to be attempted by a 4x4; I've had endless amounts of people over to my little flat; I've become an honourary aunty to baby Daniel; I've been able to worship African style every Sunday; I've stood really close to a wild giraffe; again the list could go on an on.
So 2009 was an adventure, full of 'character building' experiences! And at the moment I have no idea what plans God has for me in 2010 but I'm sure that the adventure of faith will continue :-)
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