South Africa: Part 2

The Wedding
   
About a year ago, A dear friend, Peggy, went for 3 months to South Africa where she had an incredible adventure. She went without a plan but a heart to meet people and spread the love of Jesus. She traveled into the villages, stayed with a variety of people and experienced both positive and negative aspects of this new culture with such joy.  During this three months, she met a man who was a true worshipper. Her initial attraction to him was due to this passionate love for Jesus she saw in him, and he noticed her as well. By the end of her summer, he had asked her out and they had been getting to know one another.   Before long, they were engaged.

Peggy and Leefa invited me to officiate their wedding ceremony, and I was honored and took very seriously the opportunity. Not knowing exactly what to expect, but having prayerfully considered it, I agreed.

My prayers for this couple are that they would grow in their love, not lean on human understanding, receive grace in abundance, grow as partners on fire for you Jesus, give them confidence and wisdom. I pray protection over them from the prevalent witchcraft in the country.

The wedding was on Saturday, July 29 in the mountains of Ficksburg, which is Free Stste of S Africa near the border of Lesotho. After much discussion and thought, they had mad the decision to have the ceremony in Ficksburg in order to be with Leefa's sick grandmother, mother, and two cousins (12 and 5).  It was simple, but lovely. The mountains behind us and a small lake. Right about sunset we returned to a BBQ celebration which was special, a cake and blessings ceremony. We enjoyed a perfectly clear starry night and it felt as if heaven was in attendance.

South Africa: Part I

     On July 23,   I went on an adventure with Jesus.  I planned to be with my friend who was marrying a S African man, encourage her, officiate her wedding and bring her inspiration and hopefulness and comfort from the Lord.   I hoped to be able to speak whatever necessary in my friend's life and that she would be able to hear what the Lord had to say.  I have such love for her. I began by running to my flight from Kansas City on the 21st, to a delay which caused me to need to stay the night in Atlanta and get to South Africa a day later than planned.   All this delay was not a problem for the Lord, who saw all beforehand. 

On July 24, I got on a plane to South Africa along with about 250 other passengers.  I met a missions team on the way, sat by a girl who works in the Peace Corps in Mozambique and another girl who was traveling to a special seminar for her area of scientific research.  

When I finally arrived on Tuesday evening, July 25, Peggy and Leefa picked me up from the airport and we took a train, a shuttle and another taxi to get to their home in Pretoria, South Africa from Johannesburg.  We stayed up that night until about 4:30 in the morning talking. 

July 26, Wed.  I met the pastor that Leefa had been mentored under in the beginning of his walk with the Lord and whom the Lord used to bring him the good news of salvation.  We had lunch with this pastor and discussed the upcoming wedding details, where we would have the wedding whether their church or in Ficksburg (Free State) where Leefa's mother and grandmother live.  It was an opportunity to really speak into this pastor's life heart to heart about ministry and pour into him.  I am believing great things for the pastor's ministry and believe that God will bring greater things in the years ahead than what was before as he obediently submits to the Lord.  It was a JOY to see how the Lord connected Peggy and Leefa with this pastor and will be neat to see how the Lord allows them to become ministerial partners.  

July 27-30.  The following days blended together very easily as Peggy exposed me to many cultural things and not so common cultural experiences such as eating rock, slugs, and multiple forms of transportation.  It was particularly hilarious when Peggy almost didn't get on the train with Leefa and I and 5 of us had to pull her up into the train so she wouldn't get left behind.  So much cultural adjustment and shock for Peggy right now and I am praying that she will become more comfortable in the next few months with the styles and differences of the people as well as the communication dynamics, learning how to be less direct as we are in our culture.  It was beautiful going with Peggy across the border of S Africa into another country, Lesotho.  The open markets were full of people, lots of straw hats and brooms being sold as well as "rock" this infamous treat to the people that is chock full of vitamins.  Unfortunately we deleted several awesome pictures. There was witchcraft evidence throughout the experience, herbal remedies all over.  During this time (I think on the 27th? We also tasted chicken gizzards on the open market which was very interesting.  We also ate this puffed sweetened corn (reminded me of cereal) and had a staple food item almost every meal called "Pop" which consists of a corn meal type grain that is cooked with water and made stiff to enjoy with other food items.  We also ate alot of ginger. 

Language:  Mesotho.  I learned two phrases  Joa Shua(ng)?  The ng is silent at the back of the throat at the end and the phrase means How are you?     I also learned "Libitu Lahow Oma(n)?" Which means what is your name? 

Most people spoke English.  We stayed for three days with Peggy and Leefa's grandma, mother, and two children Portia and Precious, 12 and 5.  It was very special to play with the children.  

There were people clearly in need in various places throughout.  There were smells of urine, smells in the city and lots of dust.  The people throw trash right on the street instead of trash cans which are somewhat sparse and there were lots of children around of different economic statuses that you could see throughout the town. 

I have so much more to say, but I will write more later.  God is so good.  The wedding was beautiful. I will tell you about the wedding in the next post!   There were also divine appointments throughout the time.  I will put those in part 3.  



It was very cold.  We left from 95 degrees weather to 65 degree weather there.  It was very cold.
 
Blessings!!! 

Obedience is the best way

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, He loves to show mercy and desires to show himself powerful in saving, not in destroying.    (c.f. Jonah 4:2, Neh. 9:17, 31, Exo. 34:6, Psalms 86:5,15, 103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, Numbers 14:18.)

However, the Lord will destroy all wickedness and no evil or injustice can be found in Him.  It is for injustice and sinful pride and evil that the perfection of this world was destroyed, but it was through Jesus Christ, God's only Son, that this perfection was restored and will be forevermore, praise be to Him.

It is only through Jesus Christ that God the Father of all Creation shows himself merciful, which is his great desire.  His desire is mercy not sacrifice, but that all would be made right and in correct standing.

How many times did God give the Israelites another chance.  Many times.    He said, "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, then will I hear from heaven, and I will heal their land."

 He sacrificed all he had, his very own life in the blood of Jesus Christ, the spotless Son of God.  He was the only to live a sinless life.

The Bible says that "All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved."  This made possible through Jesus.  He saved over 120,000 persons on that day that the people of Ninevah repented from their idolatry and sacrificed to the Father of all Creation, recognizing him.  He caused great injustice to be put to rest through his mercy, but He would have destroyed them, completely, had they not repented.

Our Father believes in his creation. He created us for himself, for his very own, and longs for that possession.  What became accursed was made right when Jesus became the curse for us, but we must believe in Him, forsaking all else.

It is the greatest insult to our Creator when we deny him, and it is a worse injustice than before to despise the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf.  Only God can judge the injustice of those who have rejected him, but do not be one who turns aside instead of giving your all for him.   He deserves our all.

I'm willing

Willing to face rejection, willing to fight the fight of faith,  I'm willing to give up my reputation, willing to put aside fears, I tell doubt to go in Jesus' name, I am led by the Spirit.

Willing to place my deepest desires at the cross, to fight the fight of faith, I shod my feet with the good news of peace, laying down all dissention and picking of the Sword of the Spirit.  Willing to give up pride, to give up propriety and pick up the cross that was given me.

I'm willing,

Willing to say YES, no looking backwards, to forgive, to let go of shame, to let go of pride, and grab ahold of the thing that God has placed in my hands.

I'm willing...willing to take the harder road, to join the journey towards treasure in Him, treasure that can be found nowhere else.  I'm willing to put my heart in His hands.

I'm willing, willing to tread a new path, a different one from those I've previously traveled, willing by the grace of God to commit, for I commit myself wholly to Him who has stamped me upon His heart.  His way, not my own, this is the path I will follow.

I trust Him to mark the trees in the wilderness, leading me through the wild woods and the uncommon trail.  His love to keep me from all harm, from all weeds, from all danger.

I'm willing.  Willing to say Yes. I say YES to Him and to all He has directed.  His guidance forever leading me.

I dare to take this road. I join with him.  I believe, I believe.

 Lord,  I'm willing...Forsaking all others, I have chosen you.  Lead me to your "Yesses"

All of us unto ALL the WORLD

This means,  ... 

We start with who is around us.
   -Offer a kind word to the man on the street corner
  -Bring a cup of coffee to a co-worker going through a tough season
  -Pray for a distressed neighbor, friend, family member.
  -Go out of your way to meet a new person, greet them with a smile and ask about their story.
  -Allow God to shine through you in your day by serving, going above and beyond and being sensitive.

We continue to those outside our normal day to day encounters. Continue because it brings growth, continue because it is God's will that all know Him.
    -Participate in an evangelism event. 
    -Use your gifting to minister in a nursing home. (music, preaching, encouragement, praying, pre-approved gifts, listening ear/being a friend.)
   -Take note of shelters in your area and meet a need of the shelter. 
   -Organize a group to go pray for the sick in an ER, pray and fellowship with people waiting to get into a shelter.
   -Mentor a young person in the faith, encouraging their walk. 
   -Step out in faith in your community, at your church, and be an active participant, not a spectator.

Some will travel out of state or overseas....
     -Bringing a word in its appointed season is rich  Prov 25:11 "like apples of gold set in silver"
     -We must bring the good news given to us by Jesus Christ to all people ... for how will they believe unless they have heard?  Romans 10:14
     -A call will be confirmed and being called, some will just have to go.   

My prayer for all reading this, is that you would take this "ALL" VERY PERSONAL, for I was aiming it at YOU.  My prayer is that you would add your ideas, and act on them.  I also am challenged to step out in faith in my community, knowing it is a fruit that is eternal! 

My personal prayer is that all the world might know Him and that God in his good pleasure would choose to use me.  To use me here...with the clients I work with every day, AND to use me there in another country.  My whole life I have longed for nothing else than to go and I have felt His call. However, now I will live out this calling here, until He should send me again,....

That all may know Jesus Christ.