Time is Money

There is a saying that, unfortunately, I think we truly believed. Yes, time can be used to create money and time has worth. But truly, time is something that is totally definite. There is no time tree in the backyard, and though we may get a second job or increase our education to increase our earning power; we all share the same 24/7. Rich or poor, powerful or humble, Eastern or Western, male or female. No matter where you live, or any other condition, we are all gifted with the same 365-24/7. No exceptions! 

So the question becomes - how will we spend it? Serving self or serving others? Performing tasks or uplifting people?

Yes, certain tasks, chores must be accomplished, but not to focus on people - seems almost criminal. 

This is Rejoice, one of our favorite people. A teacher at the crèche, we saw her and picked her up and delivered her to her appointment. Would have been quicker to pass her by, but then...

We still made it to the building site on time. Yeah! Prayers are answered, we have water. Now to get it to the site! But time is taken and fellowship practiced.

When Gogo Zulu, the Gogo for whom we are building the house, and her three orphans... Brings a homemade lunch to those that are building her house. How does this happen? She has nothing? We just delivered emergency food to her one room home this morning. She is dressed to the T, and sees it as her privilege to serve others. This is from God alone - this selfless act that meets the needs of others and lifts them up.

Bongay... we took her shopping last year. Now she and her children have a home and it is time for hugs. What if we all put aside our personal wants and saw all of God's provisions as His belongings? Maybe we would use our blessings - time, talent and treasure to bless others!

You got it! The Gumede brothers' home. Mud shack to concrete block, to plastered and painted inside, plastered outside, to now painted outside. There is something special to come alongside, to suffer with, to fellowship with, to rejoice with... Their parents and eldest brother are buried on the site. Our lives here are but a vapor. Feel the weight of eternity! Feel the urgency! None of us are promised anything. We are criminals crucified between our past and our future. The only gift we have is the present and what we do with it.

Our final ministry of the day was to take a sister and a dear friend to see their loved one in the hospital after being admitted for fits. None of us know when our days are up. We can be Martha's, or we can be Mary's. We can run around being human doings, it we can STOP and worship. Becoming human beings, seeking to Love God and to love our Neighbors. Very simple, very easy. Today is the only day we get... Spend it wisely and celebrate each breath it may be your last!

C.O.P.

Change Of Plans...  One of the many sayings here in South Africa.  Let me share the day and you'll see the C.O.P.

We met Pastor and Mr Kohza (best friend of Pastor that is always there to help) this morning to purchase and deliver food for 12 of the neediest families in Ntshongweni.  Here's Mr Kohza with his awesome Toyota Hilux Truck he bought last December.  Perfect for the job today and he loves it (of course).

We used a different shop today for food and met Neil the Checkout Store Manager and he was very helpful.  He took our list and provided stock people to put together bulk carts of the largest items.  Definitely an adventure but Neil made it easy.  Here's Neil with Pastor and Mr Kohza:

Gogo Ginger and Sma, a local lady from the village that has taken on food shopping monthly for these families as her volunteer ministry.  What a blessing. A modern day widow and her mite- read Jesus parable by clicking this link to know what I mean: (http://bible.com/111/mrk.12.41.niv)

Check out the sign above the meat counter at the market.  "All meats are strictly Halaal", this means in accordance with Muslim Shari'a.  This part of South Africa is heavily Muslim and Hindu.  A great opportunity to share Jesus love.  We talked about what we are doing and how the store serves the community with Habib, one of the store managers.  He told me at the end of the conversation: "There are silver ships, there are gold ships and there is friendship." Then he shook my hand and said he appreciated friendship with me (he says that to everyone).

Then checkout, 

African style grocery loading...

http://youtu.be/-qfh3YS58Wg

When we returned from shopping, these boys helped us load all of the food into the sanctuary and separate it for each family.  It worked out great and it gives these boys a chance to serve in the community in Jesus name.

Then C.O.P...  Pastor received a call from Nobusa Ndlovo saying that her brother Domiso was having siezures and she needed Pastor's help right away.  We loaded into the VW van and headed to her house.  When Pastor and I arrived at the house Domiso was in the middle of a siezure and Pastor and I carried him to the van.  With Pastor, Mr Kohza, Nobusa, Domiso, Ginger, Jessica and me we headed to the hospital in Durban.  Prayer and fast driving in full swing.  The sign at the ER entrance said "Hospital for the poor".  Nobusa knew that this was one of the few hospitals that treats epilepsy.  

Report tonight is that the doctors are going to keep Domiso for a few days to try and figure out a treatment plan.  Blessed that Pastor was equipped to help and that our food shopping was so speedy.

Then, back to Ntshogweni and food delivery.  We started at the Ntombela home.  A group of three older orphan girls and one has two sons.  A joyful house with great need.

The Ngcobo home, two boys who recently lost their mother that we've submitted a grant request for renovating this home.  The young lady pictured is helping care for the youngest.

The Makhoba family that African Orphans  Project is coming in July to build a new home for.  What a blessing!  Beautiful kids.

On the road we saw some stunning views, like this one...

The Nzimand home was filled with love.  Jessica took photos of the herd of kids out front and they couldn't wait to see themselves.

Going back a couple of years ago to Phili, a young lady who was helping nearby orphans with food and care while she had very little herself.  See some before and after shots of her home....

New roof:

Old roof with many holes:

New door and bed:

Old bed in a room without a door:

Pastor and Phili:

Here's Gogo Ginger having fun with Phili's orphans... http://youtu.be/lERwn6g4zzI

Another awesome view on the way to our next home.  This is Ntshongweni butte. The namesake of the village.

The Ngid family, a Gogo with three boys living in this metal structure and an orphan girl that is staying with another family that doesn't treat her so well.  The blocks you see in the foreground are from Gogo taking part of her pension to buy bags of cement for the boys to make these blocks from sand dug up next door.  Wow...  A blessing to be able to provide her food in Jesus name.

We finished today with the Mzobe family. Last years visit was when their new home was built.  What a blessed family in a home full of love.  Here's little Sihle (Zulu Rembrandt) sharing his latest artwork and sharing love with Jessica.

We are all blessed so that we can bless others in Jesus name... "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV. ). ‘Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive. Your widows too can depend on me.’ ” (Jeremiah 49:11 NIV)

Worship & Blackhawks

Happy Sunday. 

We started with Ntshongweni Lutheran Church worship. What a blessing to be with our African family in worship and song.  Part of the verse pastor preached on today, speaking of God's commands to love God and love others was; "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."(Deuteronomy 6:7 NIV). Amazing words for a community where most children are orphans.

After church we helped Sendile, the Blackhawks soccer coach, make it to his game at Woza Moya High School.  Here's coach Sendile with Pastor evaluating the boys play...

Here's some of the action, fitting for all the World Cup attention.  Blackhawks won 2-0.  Here's warm ups

First half play...

Halftime coaching from Sendile's assistant coach who happens to be named Sendile.  He was intense with these boys. What a blessing to have this type of mentoring in Ntshongweni.

2nd half play action

Thanks to Christ Lutheran Church in Phoenix for providing all of the uniforms for these boys.  They looked sharp and played sharp.

We were feeling blessed today to spend a quiet day with our African family.  Tomorrow we head to Pinetown first thing in the morning for emergency food deliveries for 11 families.  We'll have Mr Kohza's Toyota Quantam taxi and our VW van to carry the shoppers and a lot of basic food stuffs.  Then we hope to handle the majority of delivery tomorrow.  Spending some time with each family praying and learning.

Thanks for reading, please pray for justice for orphans and widows everywhere.   God's desire for us is justice for all; "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." (Isaiah 1:17 NIV)

Most Excellent Way

We pulled down the street in front of Ntshongweni Lutheran Church yesterday afternoon and the kids were playing everywhere.  A sunny cool afternoon.  Waves and smiles and a lot of familiar faces.  We had to stop when we saw Sanele Duma.  In our first trip 6 years ago, we met Sanele and his older brother Thanthla and sisters Buchle and Nomfundo.  They were living in their deceased parents home that was in serious disrepair, with all four family members sleeping in the same room.  Here's a photo with Nomfundo from a few trips ago.  She came and asked me to take a photo with her and we brought her a copy to keep.  She's a sweet and I believe faithful young lady.  She passed away two months ago at age 15.  Definitely look forward to seeing her in heaven.

David Platt tells us that there are 160,000,000 orphans in the world.  Right in everybody's backyard and across the earth.  An unimaginable number and an enormous opportunity.  Jessica asked the group last night what happens to an orphan when they are sick and pass away alone?

We miss her terribly...  Then we talk to Sanele about his future.  He's about to graduate high school and told us he's worried about some of his finals (Jessica offers tutoring this week).  Sanele is the young man that essentially recited the book of Daniel story to us a couple of trips ago.  I brought up the idea of Sanele going to seminary to become a pastor (mfundisi in Zulu).  Sanele pushed out his chest and said; "I would love to work for God."  Out of adversity comes blessing.  Amen. 

Here's Sanele with Jessica yesterday...

Pastor Thwala spends the time between our visits being a good shepherd.  He learns of the people in Ntshongweni with the greatest need and prayerfully considers how to assist in "the most excellent way".  We met last night and reviewed Pastors plan for the week to make this happen.  Reminding ourselves that Jesus brother James tells us; "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. " (James 1:27 NIV)

One of our opportunities is to serve Gogo Zulu and her three orphans that she cares for.

This week we'll be ensuring that the building materials are arrived and ready and the site is prepared for their new home.  Then our local builder Johannes will get to work mixing a cement floor, setting concrete block, doors, windows and a roof for this family.  Here's their current home:

As we get to know more about these boys, we'll let you know throughout the week.

Please pray for the 160,000,000 orphans across the world and that they know their Father in heaven.

By Prayer Alone

Ever test God? Ever ask for a sign?

Well, though I don't make a habit of it, I will confess to you now that I have done it at least 4 times.

• Time #1 - I was driving to the Y in Oviedo, Fl. A new Christian, I was praying in my car and my Bible was in the front passenger seat. Maybe I shouldn't say praying, more like complaining. Trying to fit in at church and make a difference was starting to drive me a little crazy. A little, nagging voice said, "See! This is why you stayed away from church for your entire life! It is politics and bureaucracy, just like you thought!"So at the red light on Red Bug Lake Road, I opened my Bible and got this Word from God -

  

  Yup! That is the date that I added at the red light - another confession!

  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Gal 6:9-10 Ok, so... 

• Time #2 - I was a $20 in the plate person.

It has always bugged me that I get little envelopes with my number on them. Though I understand for accounting that this is a good thing, I did not trust the human church with my money. My money - how silly! During the pruning and the growth, God took His time with me on this and through the years I have become a first fruits type of gal. Though the small, nagging voice has hounded me many a time, the Holy Spirit has proven true and given me the encouragement needed when tempted to listen. A huge step came when a Pastor spoke this Word over me one Sunday - "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:7-10 Test me in this! He said it! And I now believe it!

• Time #3 - This test happens a lot... Should we go to Africa? "Yes!" Says the Lord. "But, I want a new bathroom!" Says me... Really!!!!  "Not sure I have the money for the trip."Says me. "You will if you put off the new bathroom to go and visit people who have NO bathroom." Says the Lord.

  

  Yes! That is my 1962 Mint Chip original - Hey! It works! And now 7 months later, we have the funds for a
  re-do:)

  Another time I was prompted to buy a ticket., and make a commitment. "Just do it." Says the Lord. I just did it, and within two days a refund from an insurance mistake arrived at our home for the exact amount of the airfare and a dinner to go with it. "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

• Time #4 - Recently read, "Dr. Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secrets."

  

  Read it! This is one amazing book! You won't be sorry!

He was a missionary to inland China in the mid 1800's. He NEVER asked for funding, and never incurred debt. He simply prayed for funds, workers and the country of China. George Mueller was a contemporary of his who lived in England. He ran an orphanage, and NEVER asked for funding. Mr. Mueller actually supported Dr. Taylor's ministry through praying for specific missionaries and funds. After receiving them he would mail them to Dr. Taylor. I figured, if it worked for them, maybe it would work for us. No door offering, and no asking. Just prayer, and God has mightily provided for all the work we will do. AMAZING! He has heard the prayers of the orphan and the widow and has provided for their needs. 

Well, I confess all of the above. Writing this has given me more encouragement that God is true to His Word, and His promises. I hope it has done the same for you! Feel free to confess your testing below, but personally it scares me a little, so I am going to try and not make a habit of it. 

That is why they call it FAITH!