Archive for the ‘Africa’ Category
Saturday, July 24th, 2010
I want to share one of best moments of the trip so far, a moment I won’t ever forget. One of the amazing things about the Kingdom of God is that you are united with, and adopted into, the most diverse family on the planet. Let me just describe one of my family members this summer.
Ojera Jenaro works with New Song of Grace (NSOG), the small organization I am working with for the summer. Ojera is his Acholi name and Jenaro is his ‘Christian’ name. He has no last name because his village, Paicho, is so small, people don’t need last names. Everyone knows each other, and his family has lived there at least three generations. He knows enough slow, thoughtful English to communicate most work-related issues, but he is not fluent. He is gentle, kind, has much integrity, and knows virtually everyone in Paicho, but he has very few ‘work skills’ as we would understand them. He volunteered for NSOG for two years before he was finally hired when a financial supporter took on the responsibility to faithfully pay his monthly salary. He’s never used a computer before in his life. He’s about 46 years old, married, and takes care of his six kids and two orphaned nephews.
This summer, it is my privilege and honor to teach Jenaro how to use a computer, access e-mail and put student interview information online so it can be shared with related organizations. We practiced turning on and off the computer a few times. Then I showed him how to connect to the internet, open Gmail, and enter his logon and password.
To help him understand what e-mail was, I showed him a letter my mother had sent me, and explained the similarities between e-mail and ‘snail’ mail. He knew what a snail was and exactly how slow it moved – lol! My mother had enclosed a beautiful poem in her letter to me, and I used this poem to explain what an attachment was.
We practiced opening his e-mail account a few times, from the beginning. Then we started reading the emails that had already been sent to his email address. One was a group e-mail to friends and co-workers who were now 8,000 miles away. We read this e-mail, and I showed him how to reply-to-all, and watched him very slowly type a single sentence: “hello i am very excited to learn the computer.”
Then he turns to me and says, “I am so blessed. I see now that my life can be so big. I never thought I would learn this [computer]. I am so grateful that you are not a jealous person [i.e. possessive of your own knowledge and skills] but you have sacrificed to show me these things.”
As he said this to me, II Corinthians 3:2, 3 came to mind:
“You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
As I talked to Jenaro about letters and messages, I realized that God had written messages on Jenaro’s heart which could be easily read – his clear integrity, his gentle spirit and diligence, all of which God had used to bring him to that table, in front of that computer.
I thought about all that God had written on my own heart, and wondered what messages He was trying to send through my life. I reflected on how He had brought me to that table, in front of that computer. How He had carried me through four of the most difficult months I had ever willingly endured the last time I was in Uganda. It was sheer, nerve-wracked obedience and an undeniable call that had brought me back again. And thank God that He had.
This time, life in Gulu feels normal, it makes sense to me, I understand how things work and why. I can communicate, drive around, and be an asset to NSOG. It was purely the grace of God who gave me the courage to come back and try again. And it is a testimony to the perfect love of God who called me – not to suffer, as was my fear – but to abundant joy, to the simple beauty of a profoundly grateful and redeemed life, and eyes that see Him a little more clearly.
“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit.” (II Corinthians 3:4-6)
What message is He sending through you? How is He showing you how big your life can be? What has He written on your heart, and called you to do?
As my mother sends me encouraging, loving poems that cross miles, oceans and weeks to reach me, our perfect Heavenly Father sends encouraging, loving messages that cross centuries, cultures and languages to reach us…
“As you come to him,
a living stone
rejected by men
but in the sight of God
chosen,
precious,
you yourselves like living stones
are being built up
as a spiritual house,
to be a holy priesthood,
to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…
for whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
(I Peter 2:4-6)
Posted by Natalie in Africa, MESH, Uganda, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
  (We are “FOOLS” for Christ sake… 1 Cor 4:10)
As you can see, this beautiful cabbage patch in Swaziland, it was in a secret place way down in the valley, about a mile down. This cabbage patch spoke to me so clearly. It was in a secret place away from the other garden’s secretly growing, away from eyes, Psalm 91:1 My Lord is challenging me to move upward and onward…and pull away from the noise of the world…(I hear him.)
It seems so many are falling all around me, it is the sign of the times, but it doesn’t make it easy. It is half year break-down here at Hands@Work, it gets tough from now until December, many teams are coming in to work with me in Clau-Clau, Siyathuthuka, Joy, Bushbuckbridge, big teams of fourteen. My visits are going well. I prayed for a man who was having demon’s keep him up all night anoint him and his room, and prayed. I really enjoy the work and God breaks my heart, for what breaks his, it’s not always easy but it keeps me humble. Can’t believe it’s July, missing my family and grandchildren, but soon, very soon I will be home. Much LOVE to all. Stand firm on the ROCK that doesn’t roll.
Sandy or GoGo
Prayer – to stay focused, keep my eyes on Jesus. Finish the race.
Posted by Nathan in MESH, Sandy, South Africa, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
As I prepare to take my fourth sojourn into Acholiland, I’ve been doing much reflecting on my prior journeys into northern Uganda. I see each of the three past trips as my desire to “step out of the boat” and follow Jesus (see Matthew 14:28-33). Each time it took courage, and each time I did a little bit of both walking on water and drowning ☺.
After going to Uganda the first two times, it was no longer a real scary risk, my “boat” had gotten a little bigger, and I now decided to live in Uganda for four months, as another attempt to step out of the boat into unfamiliar territory. This fourth time, living in Uganda is not as big a deal, and I now have the opportunity to go without a team, by myself, and work with a smaller organization.
As I visualized each of these times that I stepped out of the boat and tried to walk on the water, I realized that there really was no boat, there was no water. There never had been. The whole time, there was only Christ, the solid Rock beneath it all, wherever I stepped…
A few weeks later, a young woman expressed some very familiar fears, of not necessarily even wanting to hear the voice of God, because she was afraid of what He would ask of her. I fully understood her fear that God would definitely ask her to get out of the boat, and might even ask her to walk on water! And who wants to do that, really? It’s so not possible.
When does anyone really believe it’s possible to raise all the money you need? Who believes they’ll be able to deal with the culture shock, the language barrier, and all the travel details? Who believes their family will really understand? Who honestly believes they can overcome every obstacle and barrier? I don’t.
Luckily for us, these are not the things we’re called to believe in. I understand now that God doesn’t ask us to walk on water. He asks us to get out of our boat, to obey His call, and have trust in our Rock, Jesus Christ, who is steadfast, who never changes, who never leaves us, and who says, “Come, follow Me.”
So what are we afraid of, really? Are we afraid that God is going to ask us to do impossible things? He’s not. He’s only asking us to stand firm, to trust Him, and to step out, one step at a time. He has even promised us a lamp unto our feet, not to illuminate the entire journey to the finish line, but just our feet, one step at a time (Psalm 119:105).
Peter did get out of the boat, and while his eyes were on Christ, he was standing firmly. But when the strong winds came, his faith wavered. When he thought that God expected him to walk on water, he knew he couldn’t do it and he began to sink.
And that will happen every time. When you focus on some impossible demands that you don’t think you can do, you’ll drown every time. It’s much simpler than that. Just trust, obey, step out, and stand on the Rock that upholds the universe (Hebrews 1:3), the Rock that is before, behind, and even under all things, holding it all together (Col 1:17). God does the rest. He really does.
 Sunrise on the Nile - Uganda, Africa
Tags: Uganda
Posted by Natalie in MESH, Uganda, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Cal-tab family
As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country. Prov 25:25
Back to South Africa safe and sound Praise the God
Swaziland was a gift from God. So very beautiful and so different from South Africa. I did home based care and walked three and four miles to each homestead, i would visit at least six people a day. God kept my legs strong it is very hilly.
A few short stories….
……Visited many little children at one homestead. One of the children was badly burned on top of his legs, we sang Jesus loves you… and all their little faces lit up. I can see people just longing for a touch of love.
…..John a broken man, yet a smile on his face to be visited and have someone listen to him. He lost his leg and can’t walk and I asked him what he would like me to pray for. He said for his son and family to prosper, and at that point he fell apart sobbing so i embraced him and held him for a long time….. again unselfish prayer, and I am humbled thank you church for all your prayer. I really feel them.
Prayer:- Please for the World Cup that is here, our orphans are at risk, human trafficking
“in His hands”
Love Sandy
Posted by Nathan in Africa, MESH, Sandy, South Africa, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
Wonderful time playing with children this week as the schools are closed and the children are home when we visit. Taught them Frank’s Jesu cheer and sang “Deep, Deep, Down, Down”. Played catch with a ball made out of plastic bags; played “piggies” with their toes; made a hop scotch board in the sand with a stick and taught them how to play; lots of hugs and kisses. The children are so very beautiful. In the midst of all this, there were some very sad situations. At one home there was a little 11 yr. old girl who was HIV positive. I was told by Lindeni (child care worker) that she was being shunned by her family, who didn’t even want to treat her medically. The little girl was so sad, but seemed somewhat happier after hugs and prayer. At another house we visited there was a tiny, beautiful 10 yr. old girl holding a baby cousin, who must have weighed as much as she did. The little one was starting to doze off on her shoulder. The 10 yr. old had been raped the week before by her father. When asked, she told us her father was in jail. Lindeni tried to encourage her to be strong and tell the police the truth so he would stay in jail and not hurt her again. The poor little thing didn’t even seem very traumatized. Lindeni said it was not the first time. She told me of another little girl in another community she works in where a similar situation existed and that little girl was told she would never be able to have children. So much prayer is needed for the power of the Holy Spirit to penetrate the hearts of the people.
Yesterday we had a harrowing experience on the huge hill about a mile from ASM. We were coming back from White River when cars approaching us were flashing their lights. Thank God they did, as it slowed the cars behind me. As we turned the bend at the fastest and steepest part of the hill, there was a line up of stopped cars!!!! Crazy drivers were coming on my right AND left. We inched up a little and saw a huge truck near the bottom of the hill completely blocking the road!! The cars approaching us had apparently turned around. We decided to try the same. Thank God for his protection and help. This little car that Sue and Kev lent us was so powerful (and God behind us) that I was able to turn around in the middle of this hill and start up in first gear and advance to 2nd and make it up. Usually one has to have a running start to make it up this hill and we have passed many cars and trucks that do not make it up. We ended up on an incredibly scenic route we had never taken around to Hazyview with a gorgeous rainbow in the sky that touched to the ground in the fields next to us!! It took about an hour but as we approached ASM from the other direction through the townships of Masoyi, we saw the tow truck and busses and cars and taxis coming the other way, so they had just cleared up the accident!! I don’t think I could have sat on that hill for an hour holding the brake waiting for another car to come barreling down behind us!! Thank you Lord so much for all you do for us.
Posted by Frank and Ruth in Africa, South Africa, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
We recently went to the three young moms’ support groups, distributed Bibles and gave some encouragement from the Word. We left them with scriptures to read on their own. The girls, though it doesn’t look like it in the picture, were mostly very appreciative and excited. We have found this past month, that the African people LOVE having their own copies of the Holy Bible.
Posted by Frank and Ruth in Africa, Frank and Ruth, South Africa, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
We went to Emmanuel Press this week and picked up over a dozen cases of Holy Bibles in Zulu. Our intention is to give one to every volunteer in the Masoyi Home Based Care organization. There are over 100 people there. We also want to give one to each of the young mom’s (single teenage girls with babies/children). There are about 30 in that program. The reaction so far has been incredible. You would think we were giving them the best Christmas present they have ever had. I think we actually were in many cases. We are also giving them to patients in the community – in particular those we have led to the Lord (Ruthie has led many) and those who simply do not have one but would love one. Yesterday Ruthie gave one to a lady that she had promised a couple of weeks ago. The lady was jumping for joy. She had told her church that we were going to give her a Holy Bible, but they must have doubted her because she then said that she was going to show it to them and tell them it was proof that God really is here. She also said that next time we visit her she will read us a verse. Hallelujah!
Posted by Frank and Ruth in Africa, Frank and Ruth, South Africa | No Comments »
Thursday, March 4th, 2010
Hi Everyone,
It’s been just over a month since our friends Frank and Ruth Wey moved back to South Africa to resume their care work in the Masoyi community. They have many testimonies of God’s faithfullness, stories of His miracles, and other testimonies of the incredible work that God has already done in their first month back! I’m sure you will be encouraged by their testimony. Please see the attached document below for a full report from Frank and Ruth:
Frank and Ruth Update February 2010
 Frank and Ruth
Posted by Mark in Africa, Frank and Ruth, South Africa | No Comments »
Thursday, March 4th, 2010
This is something I wrote on the last morning of my time in Malawi. For those who have never been to Africa, I hope it gives you a picture. For those who have been here, I hope it reminds you of what this place means to you:
I’m sitting here on the balcony of Kabula Lodge [in Blantyre, Malawi] and I’m just mesmerized by the beauty of what I see. The sun is just breaking over the mountains to the east. To the northwest, off in the distance, are some small hills with low, thick white clouds crawling over them. And just in front of me is the city of Blantyre, with all its early morning life and noise – music, lights, cocks crowing, people at work, horns. I love Africa. I love what it is, what it represents, the people and cultures, the life and resiliency. Just as these clouds attempt to swallow up the hills, there is light breaking forth to the east. This is Africa. Life out of death. Battles that seem insurmountable are conquered. Where there seems to be no hope, the birds are singing a different song. It’s the people of this land that make it Africa. The landscapes, the animals, the skies…they could be called something else, located somewhere else. But in the end, it is the people that make this place Africa.
Posted by Nathan in Malawi | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
We had a great day today. Malawi is called “the warm heart of Africa” and I have definitely sensed that this week…welcoming, caring, beautiful people. We spent our day moving around the city of Blantyre today meeting with various home church leaders and groups. It was so encouraging to see and hear what God is doing.
We did have some very sad news regarding a very good, strong couple that we’ve been working with. I would ask that you please just lift Frank and Maggie up in prayer. They have some serious struggles ahead of them and they need God’s divine healing. They deeply love and serve Christ but were hit with some devastating news yesterday.
I look forward to being home in just a few days. If this unending rain can just stop tonight then our departure flight to Joburg may actually leave in the morning. Apparently its hard to land and take off in an ancient little airplane on a runway that doesn’t have lights because people just steal them:)
Oh, the adventures of Africa…
Posted by Nathan in Malawi | No Comments »
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