We went to a cool restaurant where I was promised giraffe. Figure out the title :'(
What is rich? How do you define being rich? It's so much more than money. In fact, the more I see, the less of a part I think money plays. We did some prayer walking on Sunday, June 29 at Mamelodi. I was sitting and praying that the kids would find who they are in Christ. As I sat there, God whispered to me, "Don't you see who they are? They are my rich and blessed children." And then it hit me: these kids are richer than I am in all honesty. No, they might never leave the township. But who says that means they're poor in God's eyes? These kids have the most faith and love that I've ever seen in my entire life. Isn't that what truly makes us rich? I hope one day to become rich like them. I'm working on it.
Camp has been amazing!! I loved our team last week: I learned SO much from them! Then there's the kids. OH MY! I can't put everything because it'd be too long. I"ll stick with a few short stories. One boy, Tshego, is so starved for love it breaks my heart. He gets there first thing in the morning and follows the buses out in the afternoons. He just runs up to me and lets me hug him for forever! Then, after 2 days he became comfortable with me and I had to yell at him all the time. He's like Calvin in Calvin and Hobbes (thanks Elise).
My kids at Mamelodi named me. I'm called to Africa, so I need an African name. It's Karabo, which means "Answer". Fitting huh?
Last Thursday was the gospel presentation day at Mamelodi. One of my boys from my group in 2006 was in my group again. When I asked what we have to do to get to Heaven, he said "Walk on Jesus." That's exactly what I said 2 years ago. That blessed my heart so much!! I just know that these kids I'm working with are a part of something huge! A nameless, faceless generation that will change nations.
Sunday, July 6, the first team left. They were here for a week, but I became so close to them. They were from Georgia and Alabama. It was a big group, but I feel like I got to know just about everyone (if you're reading, holla!) I'd been praying that God would bring people into my life that had my heart that I could connect with. Our God truly is a Father that knows what we need. My Abba blessed me this past week! I don't have room to write out what they each meant to me this week. I got to be a little sister to some incredible girls!
It amazes me how the Spirit binds together believers. I feel like I said goodbye to family! Praise God that I'll see them again! If not on earth, I'll have them over to my mansion on the flipside.
The youth group's intern, Audra, and I got pretty close. We were talking Saturday night and I told her to read Isaiah 61. She actually ended up reading chapter 41, and we both knew it was the Spirit that lead her to that chapter instead. So I decided to read it as well after they left Sunday afternoon.
I've been struggling with a lot of things while I've been here. The first is what happens when we leave. When we're gone, who's going to care for these precious children? On Friday, God gave me Psalm 146. Then He gave me Isaiah 41.17. "The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the Lord, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them." It's not up to us. Not to me!! I'm not their answer, HE IS! They're thirsty, and the Living Water is all satisfying. When we leave, He doesn't. He will forever keep them. I love the way the Father loves His children!
Isaiah 41.18 speaks to another big struggle. When you hear of someone going on a mission trip, and especially Africa, your mind goes immediately to a mountaintop experience. Mine does. If I was to be honest, I expected to be on the mountaintop. But God had other plans. He's taken me into the valley and walking me through that. But like Isaiah 41.18 says, valleys don't have to be a desert. God gives us streams in the desert! As much as I would love to be on the mountaintop, I wouldn't ever trade this time. God is teaching me so much! About Himself and myself. SO I encourage you if you're in the valley, don't let it be dead! Draw near to Christ because He loves you! He wants to use this time to bring you closer to Himself.
Enjoy the valley. It's worth it.
5 comments:
Hi Karabo! I may still call you Aly! :) AWESOME insights and sharing. . . can't wait to hear more when you get home!! You made me think of the part of our backyard we've always called 'the valley'. . . yet it is the greenest area of our entire property. The grass grows the tallest and thickest there, and the soil is best there. It gets the most sun but also the most water, as water flows down the middle of it from up on our hill. Interesting in light of what God has shown you!!
See you soon, and I love you!!!
Mom
Gee, Karabo, I’m so sorry you didn’t get to try giraffe. Hmm. It probably tastes like chicken, so you’re all good. :-)
The “walk on Jesus” quote must relate to a “4 Spiritual Laws” –type presentation. I love it, but most of all I love the depth of the impact you and the '06 team clearly made in that kid’s life! I’d love it if God could show us, after our life has run it’s course, all the ripples our lives helped generate.
As excited as I am for the impact on his and the other kids’ lives, however, I am so excited about the ripples your months working there will make in your own life! I know you’re probably dealing with some mixed emotions as your time to return approaches. I know you are ABSOLUTELY where you are supposed to be right now. I also know, however, that this chapter is drawing to a close. I know you’d never dig your foot in and stick your lip out at God and tell Him, “No! I want to stay here cuz I don’t want this to end.” ;-) Instead, be encouraged, because I am just as convinced that His anointing will be on you in the next chapter!
Love you and can’t wait to see you! Pray you have/had a spectacular birthday. You know my favorite verses – “Don’t you know? He doesn’t get tired (of us) and He gives might and strength!” (Isa 40:28-29 PWP (Papa Walker Paraphrase))
hey aly!
just wanted to let you know that i was thinking about ya today and wanted to let you know that i've been praying for you. sounds like God is definitely producing fruit in you! that's exciting! much love from b-town!
clay
Aly/Karabo, you astound me. And the things you've written about discovering are simply fabulous. And the crazy thing is -- God's been walking me through many of the same things, about my identity and value according to His accounting system, not the world's. How awesome for you to truly "get" that now instead of waiting till you're my age?! (Which is practically as old as dirt ... truly old as dirt would be the era for your dad *wink*)
I love you and continue to pray for you!
Is your health better, by the way? I didn't see an update, so pray that means the ick is over.
Hugs from all of us!
Aunt Twy and Clan
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