January 26 was our 1
year anniversary .The past year has been busy and on one hand it feels like we
have been here for a short time but on the other, it feels like an
eternity.
Usually we measure
success by accomplishments and we have had a few. Let's take a look. One year ago we had 0 animals and all the food
the kids ate was bought from the store. Today we have meat, milk and eggs…one
step further to being as self sufficient as possible. Thanks to all of you who supported Christmas
in July, we were able to purchase goats, rabbits, laying hens and 1 duck. The garden continues to be a challenge but we
were finally able to get a huge mess of green beans. I put a couple bags in the
freezer and the kids loved them. We
planted 2 avocado trees, 1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 tangerine, 1 grapefruit, two
guavas and 1 peach tree. Kalanga planted
about a dozen paw-paw trees along with various fruit trees by the kitchen.
The bible tells us the real measure of success
is the depth of our relationship with God and his people. I have definitely struggled
in this area. Being in a country that
is unfamiliar has brought a lot of insecurity and frustration
that dwells deep inside my heart to the surface. It is said the heart
is the seat of the soul so about a month ago I began to search my heart in earnest
and ask God to show me where I had to change.
'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...' (Proverbs 23:7a KJV)
I had to change or go home. Relationships with
people are difficult and I still believe God finds the people who drive us nuts
and makes us kin to them to teach us love, patience, self control ect…… ; ) I
digress. We have to CHOOSE to remain faithful. Even if my best friend drives me
crazy at times I must choose to remain faithful to our friendship. I must choose
to remain faithful to God and those he has put in leadership over me. I have
started memorizing scripture to keep my mind from dwelling on other things. I
expect 2013 to be a great year. How about you? How was your relationship with
God and his people in 2012? I will pray great “success” for you in 2013.
A new school and library were built. The teachers are very happy. There is plenty of room for the children to learn.
The bible study in Nabukoa has grown into a church plant.
These are baby Christians and it is soooo much fun to worship our Father alongside
them. They are very enthusiastic. Bible studies in Kabanga, women's studies on Tuesday and morning study for our workers are on going.
God gives us an opportunity to minister to the bush kids through Kids Club. Every Saturday around 160 kids come to play games, hear a bible lesson and eat until they are full.
Overall 2012 was a good year. I am closer to God and live by his grace and
mercy daily. I really enjoy working and moving forward but sometimes I need to
STOP, go get the kids and play for awhile.
Please remember these things as you pray. God continues to move in mighty ways and we need our prayer warriors more than ever. NOTHING of God happens without prayer. It will be fun to see how God will provide ALL our needs in 2013.
Some of you think it is great we have left the comforts of
the US to live in the bush in a humanitarian effort to help people much less
fortunate than ourselves. This could not be further from the truth. WE are here
first and foremost to share Christ with as many people as possible. In the call
by Oz Guinness he says we have two callings, our primary calling and a
secondary calling. The primary calling for all who are Christians is the
same….to spread the gospel. Our secondary calling allows us to feed kids and
try to make our community a better place to live…sound familiar? What will you do in 2013 to live your call…or
better yet, what will you allow God to do through you?
