Into, Through, and Beyond!

Here we are!! We departed March 3 and arrived March 5 to a very green but chilly South Africa! The weather has proven to get the best of us though, as we are now living with pretty warm and thirst quenching days!!

After being welcomed at the airport by the Fraser’s (Sean decked out in his blue polka-dotted dress and bright red Converse tennis shoes!), we were given a quick tour of Pretoria and then escorted to our new living quarters. Our cozy little home is perfect for our family and we are thankful to Sean and Debbie for all their care in helping us to get settled here.

It’s been about a week since we arrived and our lives have been FILLED with so many new and wonderful experiences! The ministry staff we are involved with (CRM Nieucommunities) has been so inclusive in helping us acclimate to the culture. During this first week, they have provided meals, great conversations, quick cultural lessons, and seem to always be aware of how to make our experience here an impacting one.

Here is the short list of what we’ve experienced so far:

1) A braai (South African barbeque) at Pangani. This is a community outreach.
2) Getting to know the CRM Nieucommunities staff through sharing meals and time together at Pangani (communion and community).
3) Learning how to play Cricket (the big sport of South Africa). That was a lot of fun!
4) Letting our kids make new friends with other kids, dogs, cats (no, not lions!), as well as squeeze in some school work.
5) Learning how to drive on the right side of the car and the left side of the road!
6) Allowing our bodies to catch up on sleep due to travel and time change.

As we step into this adventure, one of the most important things on our hearts and minds has been giving ourselves over to God in ways that stretch our faith, build our character, and bring honor to Jesus. During this season of Lent, our family has decided to give up watching TV. During those times when TV seems like a natural alternative, we are trying to focus more on reading, praying, talking, and spending time together as a family. We are hoping that this will build in us an “others-oriented” mentality.

We’d like to share this great devotional that we reflected upon this past week. It is written by Terry Fike, a CRM staff member:

Psalm 126:1-3
When the Lord restored his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!

When I read portions of Scripture such as this, I can’t help but think of lands, people, countries and nations that do not experience the liberty and prosperity enjoyed by those in the United States. If these words of God are true for Americans, then those same words must be true everywhere and anywhere.

While spending some time in Nairobi, Kenya, I was more than a little taken aback by the overwhelming expanse of the slums on the outskirts of the city. Over one million people inhabit that area, and not a single flushing toilet, kitchen sink or double-door refrigerator is to be found among them. The slum covers several rolling hills in a collage of varying colors consisting of rusted tin roofs, faded cardboard, torn plastic, wood scraps and desparate, dying humanity. There is absolutely nothing there that Americans could identify as normal.

As we drove down the streets and roads of the city and outlying areas, I saw thousands of young men and women idly standing or sitting in small groups with seemingly nothing to do and nowhere to go. I wondered, “Is he living in the fullness of God’s intentions? When does she experience the fullness of joy?” I found myself avoiding eye contact, as though I would somehow be afflicted with something if I did. And, in fact, I was. I was afflicted with despair, confusion, compassion, and an overpowering sense of hopelessness. I asked God, “What amazing thing have You done for them? How many of these, who know You, can sing with David, “The Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”?

In fact, of the believers I met, I have never experienced a people so persecuted by so many, so willing to forgive so much as those in Nairobi. I was in awe of how candidly and openly they spoke of the horrible things that others had perpetrated upon them and their complete willingness to not only forgive but also to bless those who had persecuted them. From my perspective, this is a great thing the Lord has done. He has turned their sorrow into dancing, giving them a garment of praise in place of a spirit of heaviness, and they in deed lift up their voice and sing. I believe they, and millions of others like them thoughout the world, have a much deeper grasp of what Jesus was teaching when He said, “This world is not your home.”

The entire world is looking for the restoration that David promises in this psalm. For the Kingdom of God is written on our hearts. Not only are we desperately seeking restoration, but I also believe God is eagerly seeking to restore. He is not perplexed by the complexity of the issues or enigmas. He is love and has an insatiable appetite to be love in the most unlovable places and to the most unlovable people. Was His passion not spent on all men and women?

What amazing thing has God restored in you and what yet needs restoration?
What would it take for you to be filled with laughter and to sing for joy?

Thanks to all of you for your friendship and love!!!