Harvest Party
 It has been so exciting these past couple of weeks working with the coaches. They finished the curriculum, but most exciting was that the last chapter was on having a new life in Christ. Our testimony times, during our meetings, usually last 5 minutes, but recently I didn't want to stop after 40 minutes. Each person had a story to share of how a student stopped smoking, decided to no longer practice homosexuality, or made the decision to wait until marriage to have sex. The room was electric as they were sharing. One right after another and then back again. I haven't ever seem them like they were. Joseph (pictured above) shared how he had the opportunity to lead some students to Christ! God has definitely moved this year.
I'm gonna miss them! Labels: Life, Memories, Spiritual
Ripe Harvest
I was so overwhelmed on Monday. I can't fully describe how it felt to see so much growth displayed. I've heard it takes two years before you begin to really reap the harvest of ministry and I completely agree. These past couple of months, I have seen so much fruit come from what I've been pouring my heart out to harvest. It seemed to happen over night. All of a sudden the coaches are showing leadership, passion, devotion, problem solving skills, responsibility and taking ownership of what they do.
I start to cry thinking about how much they have grown. Drops of hope and excitement accompany my tears, for I know that they will change many more lives and grow much deeper in Christ. Tears of astonishment soak my pillow at the thought that God used me, someone that has no experience in management or teaching, to change the lives of 16 adults. But despite the goodness, there are also tears of loss. I won't be a part of everything that God does in and through them next year and I feel like I'm missing out on one of the greatest stories going on in my time.
Over all, I cry tears of joy. The excitement of seeing their eyes light up when they share how God works through them or the passion that bubbles from their speech is more rewarding than anything I have experienced so far. I am privileged to have taken part of their cultivating process.Labels: Coaches, Dreams, Happiness, Memories, Spiritual
Toaster Issues
Having four people making dinner at the same problem poses some problems. Especially when the only two of the four burners work when the oven is on. But I guess our biggest issue is the toaster. Where to plug it in? We found a solution, although it may not be the safest!
Labels: Humor, Life, Memories
Christmas
I love Christmas. I'd easily say it is my favorite holiday. I love the cold, snow, hot chocolate, fire places, decorations, trees, lights, music, stories, presents, wrapping paper, bows, food, wassle, family, parties, I could go on, but I'll spare you. With it being so cold, it confuses me. I think that Christmas is just around the corner, when in fact there are still many months until it comes. Even though it is so far away, I'm listening to Christmas music today!Labels: Happiness, Memories
Why I Am Here.
 My heart sunk as Matthew, a coach, explained that he was leaving Leadership Summit. I was excited for the wonderful job opportunity that God had opened for him, but sad to see him leave. Before he left he wrote how much his time with us meant to him:
"When I first came to Thrive Africa in 2007, I only happened to know half of the things I now know about the kingdom of God and his ways. Even though I was already a born again Christian, the truth remains that I couldn't pursue spiritual excellence as I should have until Thrive Africa Leadership Summit featured in my life with a greater contribution in my spiritual growth, by making what was previously just a part time concern to me to now and most recently be a full time concern. For what I could only be able to do sparingly (during my spare time) I was now with Thrive Africa LS doing it all the time. And it felt good! As incomplete and spiritually lacking as I was when I arrived here, Thrive Africa LS became a path which lead me to my spiritual maturity. What can I know compare or refer to Thrive Africa as? It's like a filling station... and we are like vehicles. It has been filling me." As he explained the impact that Leadership Summit had on him, God confirmed again and again that this is why I am here. Labels: Coaches, Leadership, Memories
Joyful Glee
Hospital ministry isn't one of my favorite things to do, but this last Thursday it was incredible: I began talking with this older woman and she was there because her arthritis was getting pretty bad. Here hands and feet were fairly crumpled together. So I started talking about how Jesus healed people when He was on Earth and how He has given us authority over sickness. Then I was prompted to begin talking about heaven and how there is no sickness in heaven and no pain and how wonderful a place that will be when we get there. God then reminded me about the Lord's Prayer and how Jesus prayed for God's will in heaven to be on Earth. And so we began to pray and I physically straightened out her hand in mine and began to pray that God's will would be here on Earth. After praying and thanking God for the healing He was bringing, she started moving her hand around and wiggling her feet and then started "dancing" in bed. It was a glorious sight. I told her that I knew that she was going to walk out of there the next day and was so happy for her. I turned to leave and she grabbed me by my arm and said, "Touch here," motioning with her hand to her thighs and knees. I places my hands on both legs and said something like, "It is by God's authority that you are healed and only by Him. It is by His power and He has touched you." I had no idea where those words came from, but they were said. It was beyond a glorious event. Her face glowed and excitement and thankfulness poured out of her. I will never forget it.
When she grabbed my arm and asked me to touch her legs, I felt like Paul. Not to compare myself to him, because I have nowhere near the same amount of faith that he did. But he would just touch people and they were healed because of the power of God in him. It was as if she knew that there was an authority in me that was greater than sickness and disease. The strange thing though, is that I didn't feel any different. I was just obedient to what God was asking me at the moment. It wasn't until after I left her bed that I was in awe that God had chosen me to be the instrument of His touch. I felt like the 72 disciples did when they were excitedly talking to Jesus after they had just returned from preaching and were sharing how even the demons would obey them. And Jesus agrees with them in excitement and then reminds them that they should rejoice even more that their names are written in the book of life (Luke10:1-24).
Our salvation is so much more important than healing and such a greater reason to rejoice and yet many times I take it for granted. hmmmmLabels: Happiness, Memories, Spiritual
The Lengths I Go for Food
One thing that Africa has taught me is to be creative especially with food. Not only do I ask strange requests like having my own snickers mixed with Wimpy's ice cream, but I spend hours in the kitchen making things that would ordinarily take a few minutes to just drive and pick up. My housemates and I had a rather usual craving for Chinese one time, but this night we went all out, egg rolls and all. Orange chicken, rice (of course), and you can't forget the egg rolls. We home made every part of the egg roll, from shredding the cabbage to hand rolling the homemade dough for the shells. They were delicious. Well worth the effort!
After mastering sushi, egg rolls, orange chicken, calamari, we need to move on to food from a different part of the world. Perhaps we'll try Greek food next. Who knows!Labels: Fun, Life, Memories
God is in the Radio
The greatest possible thing happened to me today. Well, not the greatest, but pretty darn good. Today I went back to the same school that I got stuck in the mud while delivering books. I decided to go a different way, for obvious reasons, and again there was a mud puddle. I wasn't alone this time and Kelly emphatically encouraged me to go through it and so I began.
Just then, like God was cheering me on through the radio, "Chariots of Fire" began blaring through the speakers. I felt empowered and able to drive through any mud puddle that was before me. There was nothing that could stop me from reaching the top of the ever increasing hill. It was glorious! I don't think I could ever have a better driving experience in my life.
Thank you Jesus, for making me laugh, smile, and take on the mud!Labels: Dreams, Friendship, Fun, Humor, Life, Memories, Spiritual
Life As A Rock Star
Last year Brian's Circus came to town, but this year we were treated to an even smaller circus, Dream Catcher. A one ring, 10 man circus complete with two and half hours of pure entertainment. We arrived 20 minutes early therefore receiving front row seats, giving me the opportunity to be pulled up front by a clown that spoke through a whistle. As part of the act, I jammed out on an imaginary keyboard along with a guitarist, drummer, trumpet player, and violinist. I will not easily forget my debut!Labels: Fun, Humor, Life, Memories
Changing Lives
All of the trouble in getting to the schools was well worth it! Having the opportunity to see the student's faces as their new books were passed out was priceless. After each class I became more energized and strengthened for the next. In one day, I had the opportunity to give 2,025 books to students whose lives can be forever changed by the contents of the book and the sacrifice of the coaches teaching it.
The "Break the Silence" curriculum touches on 10 hard topics that are not talked about in schools, churches, or homes. Topics like drugs and alcohol, sex, pornography, self-image, and many more. The classes are designed to provide small group discussion on each topic to help students begin to talk about issues that have never been discussed before. The book then focuses on the truth about each topic taken straight from the Word of God. I am so excited about what God has in store for the students this term.Labels: Coaches, Fun, Life, Memories, Spiritual
Half Way Down and No Way Out
Today was one of those days. It started off good, really good. God woke me up and we had a good time together. I should have known then that I would need a little extra to get through the day. The morning was spent delivering books for our AIDS prevention program. Everything was going relatively stress free. I had to drive to 5 different schools in about a 4 hour time period and drop off 2025 books. I had accomplished 3 of the 5 schools by 1:45 and was headed to my 4 with a smile on my face. The next school, Sebabatso, is situated on top of a hill, quite beautiful when you're up there. Well there aren't any paved roads that take you up there and so I was taking dirt roads, that can hardly be categorized as a road. Well a car was parked on one side so I had to go around it and saw some mud. It didn't look deep, but oh was I wrong. As soon as the front tire when in the mud it sunk half way up the tire. I tried everything I knew to get out of mud: reversing, going forward, putting rocks under the tires, and having people push and pull, but nothing happened. I was stuck. To top it off, the area I was in was fairly remote compared to the other village areas and so no one really spoke English. In my broken Sesotho and their broken English I could barely explain what a little white girl was doing driving books to the school down the road. They were very helpful until they realized I had no money and couldn't pay them for their help. (I had to show them my wallet. Luckily I didn't take any cash today.)
I did eventually get out. Francois came to my rescue! During my hour of waiting to be rescued the schools in the area let out and at one time I think I had about 50-75 students (grades 3-9) surrounding the car all trying to talk to me at once. I felt like a famous actress or something, but a little overwhelming.
I'm going to sleep well tonight!Labels: Humor, Life, Memories
Ouch!
 A couple weeks ago I dropped three cereal bowls on my toe. Although it put me out of comission for a week, my toe won! The doctor had to drill seven holes in it to release the pressure, but I'm back to running and driving again. It still looks purple and I think I'm going to loose my nail, but it does neat tricks when you paint it like changing colors. Luckily it is becoming colder and so I'll won't be wearing open toed shoes for too much longer!Labels: Humor, Life, Memories
It's Home!
 I finally have my car! Isn't she beautiful?!? It is a Nissan Almera, 5 speed, power windows and doors, and 4 tires. God had it all picked out for me. He even saved me $2,000! Isn't He great?! Thank you everyone for all your support that you contributed to my car. I can now go grocery shopping whenever I need to, praise the Lord! I'm so excited about it. Today Kelly, Aimee, and I took it out and played tennis, but it was so great to be able to have the opportunity to take it. I'm looking forward to all the fun memories that I will make with it.Labels: Dreams, Fun, Life, Memories
A Family's Love
 I have the best family ever. Honestly. I am so grateful for the blessing that God has given me. Who has the chance to say that they have grown up in a Godly household with extended family also being Godly role models? I can honestly see the blessings that God pours out on those that follow Him. Yes, we’ve had our share of heartbreak, but He has never left us and has blessed us with family unity and love that I hope to one day replicate.
The passage that says, “I am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” is certainly true (Deut. 5:9-10; also in the Bible six more times, by the way). My grandparents and most likely before them started it and spread the love for God all the way down to me. What an influence my grandparents have been. If they turned from God, it not only would have affected their relationship with God, but mine as well. I love God with all my heart and it is because of them. Thank you guys!
I would rather receive the blessing of a God-fearing family over money, power, or fame any day.Labels: Family, Memories, Spiritual, Vacation
I'll Cry If I Want To!
It's my 24th birthday today! It has been a really good day. I have been looking forward to my birthday all week. Anticipating it and talking about it, probably more than I should. But when I woke up this morning I forgot all about it. It wasn't until I went out to make coffee for my house and Kelly comes bounding down the stairs with my first "Happy Birthday!" I don't know why, but I have always loved my birthday. I guess my family has always made birthdays a big deal. They have created fond memories over the last 24 years. Well I guess less, since I can't really remember my first few.
My birthday was a fun one. I had laughter with friends and family (via cell phone), surprise cake, singing, games, presents, and of course the perfect song stuck in my head all day to top it off: "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to. You would cry too if it happend to you." It may not be the perfect song, but at least it made me smile. I'm looking forward to my next year as a 24 year old. I know that God has something great up His sleeve!!!!Labels: Birthdays, Friendship, Memories
Closet of Memories
 My Great grandmother is a wealth of knowledge and memories. "I never thought I would live this long," she said yesterday as she began to tell stories of when she was growing up. Greatma, as we call her, was born in 1913. She recalls spending nights by the oven to stay warm, riding one horse sleighs to funerals and buggies in warm weather, and taking baths in a laundry tub behind the big stove. Since Christmas is tomorrow she began to tell Christmas stories from long ago. Her favorite memory was of her and her uncle going into the woods and cutting down the family Christmas tree to put up in the parlor. For ornaments, they made cones out of paper and filled them with candy and put lit candles on the tree for Christmas Eve. I always love being able to visit Greatma and I am counting my blessing as I do not know if I will be able to again. She has seen so much and her only complaint is that she cannot see well enough to read the Bible. She is an inspiration to me and has touched so many lives in the past 95 years.
Enjoy your time with family and make memories that will last a lifetime!Labels: Family, Memories, Vacation
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