The Creation of Man

This week's Choose to Wait Girls club was an absolute blast! We talked about the creation of man. We talked about how God created the stars, the plants and animals and all the rest of creation. Then we read the verses in Genesis Chapter one and learned about the details of creation - beginning on the first day, through day six. Something very different occurred on day six. God said, "Let us make man in our own image." Wow! It's a very fascinating lesson. We gave each girl some play dough and had a play dough man contest. They each "created" a man and you can see from the pictures that we had fun with that.

Remember these are teenage girls who never had a cradle full of dolls to play with, or a closet packed with toys when they were 3 and 4 years old. They made their own playtime with rocks and sticks, and the boys wrap plastic grocery bags together to form a soccer ball. Play dough is fun for them!

Highs and Lows

The pictures above are of one of the construction projects we have begun. We are digging a trench in preparation of building a security wall. The work is not easy because there are a lot of rocks but the work is a little easier because we have been getting a lot of rain which is softening the gound.

I cannot believe that February is almost over. At times it feels like we just got here and at other times it feels as if we have been here several years.

I am sitting here typing this blog and I have a heavy heart. My day had started out really good and was going just fine and then. Let me backup a little and give you some history. Everyday our office starts out our day with prayer. We pray for each other, for special needs and for the ministry. Today we were praying for all the children and the workers in the children's homes we have.

After prayer I went into the office to make some phone calls and to catch up on my emails. The morning was wonderful. I got caught up on all my emails and made all the phone calls that needed to be made so I was feeling really good. I then went to lunch and was looking forward to the afternoon because I was going to get to do some construction. No phones, no computers and no meetings.

Well half way through the construction project (building shelves) I was interupted and was told about an employee issue. I have eight guys working for me on two other construction projects. Well three of the guys that are working for me stole some stuff from us. They got caught and I now have to work out what I am going to do.

My heart is heavy because these are good guys and they work hard. I can not imagine what was going through their minds. I sent them home and told them to think and pray about what they did and that I would talk to them tomorrow. What will I do keeps running through my head and then I think ...what does God want me to do. This is the part of ministry that is not fun.

Life here is not easy but it does not make it right for people to steal from each other. I am learning more and more that it will be the love of Jesus that makes a change here. In fact it is His love that makes a difference everywhere in the world. The results of not loving as Jesus has loved us are everywhere and affect everyone.

I cannot make a person change but I am praying that my example and my testimony will make a difference in these men's lives. I know that God is at work, I just need to make sure I am working where He wants me to work.

On a different note we are rejoicing and thanking God because our work permits have finally come through. We knew that it was all in God's hands and we were trusting and praying that we would get approved. We now have two year work permits thanks to the Namibian government. This has removed the fear that we would have to return home. Now we can focus on the work He has for us.

Please pray with us for the men and what the Lord would have me do and give God praise for our work permits.

More pictures....

Attention Animal Lovers!

This is for YOU! We just returned from a trip to Cape Town, South Africa and we had a grrrr--reat time with good friends, Rodney & Beth Stramel. Much to our delight we had several animal encounters as we toured along. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Isn’t our God an amazing creator? Look carefully at the penguins pictures and you’ll see baby penguins being protected under the belly of several. So fascinating! The “wild” hair picture is just for laughs. It was extremely windy! I lost my cap several times…. Seriously.

Choose to Wait Training

Friday night and Saturday our home hosted a level one Choose to Wait training. I set up my computer and projector in the front room, added some borrowed tables and chairs and did my thing. Susanna helped me set up, prepare lunch on Saturday, and tea and coffee both days. We had 12 in attendance. Several were our own Christ’s Hope volunteers serving at one of our orphan homes, and several others were local educators from primary and secondary schools. All expressed an interest to use the materials and pass on the message of CtW. Even though it was a very long weekend, it was extremely rewarding. I plan to conduct other level ones in other areas, and a one-week level two training in May. And the teacher building process has begun!

Girls Only!

We had a successful start to the Girls discipleship group Wednesday. There were 15 girls and two leaders. Myself and a gifted young woman from Holland, Annelies. She’s a nurse and is pictured with a few girls. (Hint: she’s the only blond in the group).

The girls seemed to hang on every word that was spoken by Annelies. We are beginning our group with some good ole sex education, since it’s just not done at home or in schools here. We made our own curriculum, including some diagrams of male and female anatomy. Our theme is “Love.” We gave “love notes” to everyone who arrived on time. The idea is to promote caring for one another and good behavior yields rewards. There will be a “love shop” at the end of each month where they can redeem their “love notes.”

Of course we served chips and cool drink which was swallowed up in a flash. We really didn’t expect to have so many girls interested in coming because we are making it clear that it is a serious group and they will be stretched in many ways. So we were pleasantly surprised when 11 girls signed an agreement that they will abide by the guidelines of the club. Keep a prayin!