This week was a reality check . . . difficult, humbling . . . . but, bringing joy in the end.
We admitted a very sick young lady. Very sick- with only a 6 year old to care for her at home.
We brought her in, fed her, got her cleaned up and in warm clothes, tucked into a comfy bed and got wounds cleaned and bandaged.
What was my thanks? She rolls her eyes at me and turns her head away every time I try to speak to her. She does the same to Kyle. (A dear Zulu friend confirmed my suspicions and said it was because of the color of my skin)
Bummer!
It was such a huge let down that I couldn't shake the feeling the whole week. I guess I was mad, frustrated that for some reason she didn't like me! How dare she not appreciate the care we are giving. What a waste of my time!
But, very quickly a few Bible verses came to mind . . . . I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." When my work is done for the Lord, it is not in vain, even if she doesn't like me. We still have the opportunity to show her the love of Christ through our actions.
May God work in her life through our compassionate actions. May it truly change her life even if she doesn't let me way a word!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
TUESDAY
A typical day . . . well nothing is really typical, but this one is close :)
Up a little before 6am to exercise and spend some time in the Word.
Get the kids started with school at 7:30
Off to the grocery store with Natalie at 7:45 (Kyle is at home)
I get home, pick back up with the schooling and Kyle heads out to pick up a patient about 8:45
Kyle comes back at 10:30, I head into the Care Home at 11 to do the admission and check in with the other patients
Back to the house, then Kyle goes into the Care Home to do Bible study and chat with the new patient (and pick up some donations)- I fix lunch, keep school moving forward and sew some sheets for the Care Home
About 4:30pm, things slow down a bit :) Soup is simmering on the stove, the girls are outside playing and Kyle is catching up on emails.
Mondays and Wednesdays get a bit crazy with running the girls back and forth to rhythmic gymnastics and Bible study at our home in the evening.
Up a little before 6am to exercise and spend some time in the Word.
Get the kids started with school at 7:30
Off to the grocery store with Natalie at 7:45 (Kyle is at home)
I get home, pick back up with the schooling and Kyle heads out to pick up a patient about 8:45
Kyle comes back at 10:30, I head into the Care Home at 11 to do the admission and check in with the other patients
Back to the house, then Kyle goes into the Care Home to do Bible study and chat with the new patient (and pick up some donations)- I fix lunch, keep school moving forward and sew some sheets for the Care Home
About 4:30pm, things slow down a bit :) Soup is simmering on the stove, the girls are outside playing and Kyle is catching up on emails.
Mondays and Wednesdays get a bit crazy with running the girls back and forth to rhythmic gymnastics and Bible study at our home in the evening.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
FOOD
25 boxes of food stacked in our garage! Food that can be used at the Care Home, given to patients when they leave and handed out as need arises. What a blessing. It was provided through a ministry in Durban, South Africa.
Now . . . . we just have to figure out what all of it is . . . . the packaging is in a different language :)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
SECONDARY MINISTRY
Do you ever fall into something that you never expected doing . . . and find yourself loving it?
After evaluating 2011, Kyle and I realized that we had hosted people in our home over 14 different times that year. From one person staying for one night, to families, to large groups, to people staying several months.
And absolutely loved it. Loved planning large meals, trips to the game park (elephant attacks), ministry opportunities and most of all, hearing over and over again how God is working in and through people.
Our kids love having people through the home. It has really helped them stay connected to American culture and gives a very clear purpose to their ministry here in South Africa.
This year has already had a busy start. Patty was living with us through the middle of Feb. Then came two guys ministering in the schools for a week, then a college team of 18; 5 of them stayed in our home, but we organized much of their time up here and many days had the whole team camped out here :)
Who is next? My in-laws arrive tomorrow, 3 students come in June/July, and I just got a phone message from my brother that they might be over July-ish.
Anybody else want to come? Church missions trips, family missions trips . . . . .
After evaluating 2011, Kyle and I realized that we had hosted people in our home over 14 different times that year. From one person staying for one night, to families, to large groups, to people staying several months.
And absolutely loved it. Loved planning large meals, trips to the game park (elephant attacks), ministry opportunities and most of all, hearing over and over again how God is working in and through people.
Our kids love having people through the home. It has really helped them stay connected to American culture and gives a very clear purpose to their ministry here in South Africa.
This year has already had a busy start. Patty was living with us through the middle of Feb. Then came two guys ministering in the schools for a week, then a college team of 18; 5 of them stayed in our home, but we organized much of their time up here and many days had the whole team camped out here :)
Who is next? My in-laws arrive tomorrow, 3 students come in June/July, and I just got a phone message from my brother that they might be over July-ish.
Monday, March 26, 2012
FEELING BETTER?
I wish I had a dime for every question I got about my health these days. But, the outpouring of concern has been an incredible encouragement!
YES- I am feeling better. Incredibly better. It has taken weeks of rest and resisting the urge to clean the house, to come right, but I think I am there.
Having to slow down has had many other benefits.
- My time with the Lord has been very sweet! I've never had something so completely stop me in my tracks and never realized how hard it would be to lay the future in God's hands. When would we start back up the Care Home? When would I be able to play in the yard with the kids? God continued to show me through His Word that His timing is perfect- He had this in His control- He wanted me to take joy in Him.
- My time with the children was very intentional. Ever have those moments where you are only half listening to your kids? Things had gotten so busy in our lives that I fear I was having A LOT of those moments. Not having much energy with mono meant that the interaction I did have with the kids needed to count. We had great conversations and played wonderful games while I rested on the couch.
I can honestly say that God had it planned for my good.
Abby and I even got the chance for a Mother-Daughter date.
YES- I am feeling better. Incredibly better. It has taken weeks of rest and resisting the urge to clean the house, to come right, but I think I am there.
Having to slow down has had many other benefits.
- My time with the Lord has been very sweet! I've never had something so completely stop me in my tracks and never realized how hard it would be to lay the future in God's hands. When would we start back up the Care Home? When would I be able to play in the yard with the kids? God continued to show me through His Word that His timing is perfect- He had this in His control- He wanted me to take joy in Him.
- My time with the children was very intentional. Ever have those moments where you are only half listening to your kids? Things had gotten so busy in our lives that I fear I was having A LOT of those moments. Not having much energy with mono meant that the interaction I did have with the kids needed to count. We had great conversations and played wonderful games while I rested on the couch.
I can honestly say that God had it planned for my good.
Abby and I even got the chance for a Mother-Daughter date.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Certificate Ceremony
Singing, prayer, pictures, certificates, sticky buns and coffee . . . our certificate ceremony. The ladies have been busy studying their training manuals and practicing their skills over the last few months. Each worker had to correctly perform a skill 3 different times for us. Everyone finished their last skills check this week. So, today we presented certificates.
The ladies have done such a good job, not just with their skills, but engaging the patients, showing compassion, and presenting the scriptures to them. Today, while taking a patient home, the worker who was with us told the young lady she would come by to visit next week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This just makes our hearts burst. To see our workers caring in their community even when they aren't at work!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
MONO!
Not exactly what you want to hear the doctor tell you . . . but, good to finally know what is causing the overwhelming fatigue and muscle aches.
My first thought was, "Really God? Right now?"
But, that was quickly replaced with His incredible goodness in the situation . . . .
- we have only one week left with patients in the Care Home before shutting down for the holidays.
- Patti is here with us to continue overseeing the workers
- the week after Christmas we are scheduled to take a vacation in the mountains. Perfect timing for some rest.
God had already provided for the rest that I needed before I could even foresee my incredible need for it!
My first thought was, "Really God? Right now?"
But, that was quickly replaced with His incredible goodness in the situation . . . .
- we have only one week left with patients in the Care Home before shutting down for the holidays.
- Patti is here with us to continue overseeing the workers
- the week after Christmas we are scheduled to take a vacation in the mountains. Perfect timing for some rest.
God had already provided for the rest that I needed before I could even foresee my incredible need for it!
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