Continue reading »]]> Tuesday, April 24^th

Dearest Friends & Family,

It’s hard to believe that we are about to enter our last clinic day. I am so proud to be part of a team that has truly embraced what it means to have a servant’s heart. This group is consistently cooking on all cylinders! I know we are all on our own personal journey of what this trip has meant to us and we continue to peel back layers of the onion to discover God’s true purpose or lesson He had in mind. I finally got it yesterday.

Instead of working at the pharmacy for yesterday’s clinic I was asked to drive Mercy and the fix it team (Jim, Rich & Bob) to various stores so they could get the items they needed to complete their tasks. Being a high type A personality I feel more comfortable always being in project mode when there’s a lot of things to accomplish. That can be a good and a bad thing. So often my husband tells me to stop and smell the flowers once in awhile. My standard response – Yeah, yeah after I get this done…

This day I learned patience, and taking the opportunity to take in what is around me for once. God has a great sense of humor as He was teaching me this lesson. I ended up going to about 6 different Home Depot type stores. Now, on the surface this doesn’t seem like a big deal – for me I absolutely LOATHE going to these stores. I have nothing of value to offer other than guarding the cart and paying the bill. So during the third store I laughed and prayed “Enough already – message received I get it.” So I took the opportunity to chat up as many people as I could and I had the privilege to talk about the Mafu’s ministry @ ACM. I also got to spend time and fellowship with team members I normally don’t work with and Mercy and I had a few great laughs along the way. (Mercy’s smile and laugh is so infectious it is something I will always carry with me). All in all – a really great day.

Remember I said this team really gets things done – we finished all our prep work for the Mountain clinic early yesterday so we were able to continue our fellowship with a trip to the beach at St. Lucia today.  This beach was well worth the hour drive. Despite being a bit chilly, it was spectacular to watch the waves rolling in on a beach that seemed to go on forever – I have not seen anything quite like it. Thankfully our photographer gurus – Sharon & Deb were busily snapping away so you will see some awesome pictures. I think everyone got some really nice shots today.

We continued on to a South African Crocodile center – what an interesting place. They had crocs at all different development stages and as we walked around the preserve the vegetation was beautiful with a few monkeys swinging from tree to tree. On our way back we stopped at KFC to bring back dinner – thank you Sharon for the break tonightJ. Special thanks to our drivers – Adam & Sharon for getting us all back safe and sound. We had two very diligent team members working on all the fix it jobs around the church and the Mafu’s home while the rest of the team was at the beach. A BIG shout out to Jim and Rich for all their hard work.

As we finished the day with our devotions and prayer the team reflected about how important it is that we finish strong. We have been truly Blessed and we will continue to honor our Father, the Mafu’s, ACM and the people we will serve up on that mountain. Please pray for our safe journey and most of all, pray for the people that have already begun to line up and spend the night outside waiting for our arrival. Word is that 100 people have already started lining up in hopes to be seen tomorrow.

Siyahamba ekukhanyeni kwenkosi (We are marching in the light of God)!

Love you all!

Kelly

Friday, April 27th

Hello dear friends!

Just a quick final note, which is truly insufficient to fill you in on all that we have seen and done in the past few days.  But, it’s late, and we are leaving early tomorrow morning, and all my teammates are in bed (except for Dr. Tice) so, you are left with me and my tired but racing thoughts.

Our last few days here have been a blessing, as has been the entire trip.  We prayed and pondered heavily over Psalm 121 as we left the Mafus’ home and headed up the mountain early on Wednesday morning.  It was a gorgeous day, and God made our paths straight and smooth.  The road up the mountain, which usually causes many bumps and bruises to us and our vehicles, had been recently graded because a special visitor was going to be traveling the same route just after us.  I cannot tell you what a difference that little change made.  We arrived early and took in a most spectacular view.  Folks were waiting in line for us, and after praying with a family that had just lost a daughter, we began our final clinic.  We didn’t see as many patients this time, but those we saw were well taken care of and left with ziploc bags overflowing with medicines.  God continued to bless us as we left the clinic, heading down the mountain in bright daylight which made our travels much easier.  Hluhluwe (the game park) was waiting for us and we ate a delicious dinner before heading to bed.

Thursday we were up early again for a game drive.  The pictures will tell the story better than I ever could, but in short we experienced God’s creatures, great and small, in significant number.  We even saw a lion!!  There were elephants (many elephants), zebras, giraffe, baboons, cape buffalo, kudu, impala, rhinos…..the list goes on.  It was, as always, an interesting transition from all we’ve seen and done in the past week.  Suddenly being so at peace in the wild, surrounded by so much beauty and power.  The day was filled with some shopping and more animal watching.  We ended with some devotions – reminding ourselves that we need to – want to – remember this experience (Deuteronomy 4:9) as we leave this place where God is so present, so tangible, and head back to our lives that are so full of other things.

Friday (today) we journeyed back home by way of a little road side market, and spent the afternoon organizing, packing, and getting ready to come home.  This evening, we headed to the church for a final time of prayer and worship, and then to a church member’s home where we were treated as special guests at a traditional Zulu meal.  I’m pretty sure I tasted ox heart for the first time, and also stiff-pop (a favorite), chicken, steak, rice, pumpkin leaves, and much more.  We sang and prayed with our Zulu brothers and sisters, and tried hard to extend the time we were with them.  And then it was home again to the Mafu’s to finish packing and get some rest.

Thank you for praying with us and for us.  We so very much look forward to seeing you again soon.  We are missing our loved ones terribly, but have also found a new family here in our fellow team members, the Mafus, the interns (Kelly, Colleen and Helen) and in our Zulu friends.  It is hard to say good-bye – hard to put an end to this incredible experience.  And yet we are anxious to leave.  Pray for smooth travels.  We have a VERY short connection time in DC (less than 2 hours to get through customs and make our final flight) and so are praying hard that God’s timing puts us on our scheduled flight to Detroit.

Siyabonga kakhulu kakhulu!!  We thank you, so much, for making this journey with us.  We cannot wait to share more stories and pictures and pieces of this experience with you soon.

Lala kahle (sleep well),

Sarah

Continue reading »]]> Sunday, April 22nd 

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from South Africa!  I hope that this e-mail finds all of you well.  What a week it has been for all of us in South Africa!  It is hard to believe that in such a short period of time our team has accomplished so much…counting and sorting all of the collected meds from the United States, caring for adults and children in three very busy clinics, handling repairs and renovations around the Mafus’ home, and visiting after-school ACM programs.  We have all developed special relationships with the members of the ACM community, who have welcomed us with open arms and hearts.

This morning half of our team got up early to head to Gubethuka for Sunday school and church services.  The other half of the team got some extra sleep and headed across the street to Kwamashesha a little bit later.  Our Sunday school lesson focused on the following two verses:

Genesis 1:27, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God, he created him; male and female he created them.”

Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

The children and teenagers were more than receptive to having us be part of their Sunday services.  Even though the children are learning English in school, the teachers spent the morning translating.  Despite the language barrier, everyone walked away with the same message knowing that God created all of us in his image.  Thanks to Denise, Kristie and the entire team, all of the children had their photo taken, printed, and sent home with them in a custom-made frame which they designed.  They were all excited and full of pride as they showed off their works of art.

The services at both churches were beautiful and the voices are still ringing in our hearts and ears.  Adam gave a powerful sermon with the help of Sabelo leaving a lasting impression as well.  At the conclusion of the service, the entire congregation sang the South African National anthem which was by far the most moving and emotional part of the day for both of us.  It is so hard to express in words the impact that their voices have on us.  They have made us feel like we are part of their family.

We had a restful afternoon.  An attempt was made to get some laundry dried on the line (yes, this is one of Krisite’s jobs), however, God had other plans which resulted in rain (and more wet laundry).  We had a wonderful dinner tonight thanks again to Kelly, and we are getting ready for the week ahead.  Tomorrow we will be having our fourth clinic for the members of the ACM community and heading up to Ingwavuma on Wednesday for our fifth and final clinic.

We can’t thank Mama and Baba Mafu enough for opening up their hearts and home to all of us.  We encourage you to check out the blog posts from the ACM interns, Kelly, Colleen, and Helen at http://www.africachristian.org.  They have posted pictures of the team from this trip so you will see some familiar faces.

In the name of Jesus,

Amy & Kristie Cortis

Monday, April 23rd

Every beginning must come to an end.  Today was our last clinic day here in eSikhawini.  This day was dedicated to serving and treating the ACM staff who have been ministering to the children in this community.  I will say that this was a much lighter day (saw only 40 patients) compared to the previous three when you consider we have been seeing over 150 patients per day.  The team, yet again, pulled together in record’s time and we were done by early afternoon.

On Wednesday we are off to Ingwavuma, up in the mountains, where we will hold our last clinic.  Please pray for our safety getting there and good weather.  Usually the preparation for each clinic takes place the night before or the morning of, but we are extremely driven and motivated here so, as you may have guessed, the vans and meds are all ready to go.  Tomorrow is our free day and it is our hope we can see more of this wonderful place.

From an ER physician’s perspective, where I see many patients who demand the latest and greatest and it is nearly impossible to look in children’s ears/throats without a battle or a bargain, the Zulu people are much more grateful and contained.  Who would have imagined that basic medications such as Motrin and Benadryl were worth standing in line for since 2am as these people have? It is almost a breath of fresh air to be in the company of such grateful human beings who enjoy nothing but simplicity and have thirst for serving God and his children.We have less than a week to go until we see all of you, our loved ones.  As sad as it is, time does fly when one takes pleasure in his/her daily activities as we have.  Please continue to have us in your thoughts and prayers as all of you are in ours.

Salani kahle and see you soon.

Anna

Our Doctors - Amy, Nhlakanipho, Sharon & Anna

Continue reading »]]> Friday, April 20th

Another gorgeous day in South Africa!!  Mama Mafu, Helen, Kelly R. (intern), Kelly M., Stacey, Melissa, Deb, Steffanie, Anna and Sabelo with his best friend Phumlani bringing up the rear got up at 5:30 am to walk/run to the ocean.  The sunrise was beautiful.  There is no clinic today – we have a day off.

Helen and Kelly R. made pancakes – excellent!  After breakfast, Rich joined the African young men, Manzini and Vusi who were already working to finish the garage roof, while the rest of us cleaned house.  Twenty-five people can make quite an impact, especially tracking in mud from the rains yesterday.   The team worked well together and the place looks great. Of course our motivation was that we were all excited to go to the mall and grocery store with lunch out.  Bob and Isaiah had errands to run like trying to get a new tire for the jeep and getting the dash lights working.  Not every place has an American tire, but they were finally able to find one.  Isaiah is so excited.  They met us at the mall for lunch.

After coming back home to Mama and Baba Mafu’s, we joined together with members of the congregation to pray for a mama and her family at her home, as she is very ill.  Again we are so overwhelmed and blessed as more than 20 of us sat around her living room singing the beautiful Zulu hymns, hearing Isaiah preach and give words of truth and encouragement to the mama.  It is so moving, even though we don’t understand most of what is being said.  Mercy and Isaiah have a huge ministry here. They are meeting needs of people from early morning until late into the evening.  It doesn’t appear that they value taking any days off, as there are prayer services 3 nights a week, and two Sunday morning services at two different locations, people who come here for prayer and much more.  They are passionate about the work of the Lord and a wonderful example for the rest of us.

Dinner was very yummy thanks to Denise, Adam, and Jim.  We have had wonderful meals including lots of fresh avocados.

Devotions are always very special times as we are challenged by God’s Word – and it seems to be just the right Word for the day and its needs.  This is (was) the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

We have already been gone for a week.  Time is going so fast.  Please pray for a couple of our members who are not feeling so well tonight.  We have already seen God answer prayer in so many ways, and continue to trust Him for His great wisdom, power, and plans for us.  Pray for our kid’s clinic tomorrow, and for sunshine, so we can have them outdoors playing games until or after they are seen.  We are praying for our loved ones at home, and I know some are really missing special people.  We know and feel that you are praying for us – keep it up.

THANK YOU!!!

Sue

Saturday, April 21st

Sanibona!  We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Tonight, we are tired.  Very tired.  But we rejoice in the knowledge that our Lord has been with us, has strengthened us and has helped us to finish the race today.  And what a race it was.

Today, we held our children’s clinic.  As some of you know, the entire ministry of ACM is teaching the children about the love and mercy and grace and hope found in Jesus Christ.  ACM reaches about 1800 children each week through before-school prayer and after-school Bible study, as well as two services each Sunday.  God has blessed us this trip in that our team has been able to experience many of these parts of the ministry, and they have all touched us deeply.  It will be hard for us to express to you all that we have seen and heard and experienced these two weeks.  Bear with us.  We will try.  But our time here is so rich and full that there are, at times, hardly words.

By God’s grace, at the clinic today we were able to see about 382 of the ACM children in the clinic.   The day started with Deb and Kelly filling two vans with children (and when I say they were full I mean they were FULL) singing their way to our clinic with such joy and enthusiasm it could hardly be contained.  Once they arrived at the clinic they were met with some Americans who were equally full of enthusiasm, namely Adam, Bob, and Denise.  We came equipped with jump ropes, and beach balls, kick balls and bubbles, Frisbees and several games.  The kids and Americans played for quite a while before we sang and prayed and started the clinic.  Patience is something these kids learn very early.  For almost eight hours kids moved through the clinic, seeing nurses and doctors and getting meds from the pharmacy.  And they never once complained.

While waiting in line, they read books with Denise and Joyce and were entertained and loved on by Stacey, Melissa and Alysia.  Our incredible nurses Deb, Sue and Karen (and nurse in training Stacey), cleaned out lots of ears, and provided tender care to each child receiving treatment, and every time I looked over they were giving a warm smile and a gentle touch.  The pharmacy got a little overwhelmed at times, with all the waiting children, but everyone stepped up to the challenge and Steffanie, Jen, Sarah, Kristie and Bob spent time with each child explaining the medicines and passing out stickers.  Our docs once again provided excellent care to each child, and Sharon, Amy and Anna even chipped in to help out in the pharmacy after they were done.  Adam prayed for every child that came through the clinic, personally and with great attention.  He also prayed for each of the team members as we began our marathon day, and we could all feel God’s power carrying us through.  At some point throughout the day, each child was fed a jelly sandwich hand-made by Jim!  Then, as the sun set, the last kids headed home with Rich and Deb, Kelly and Adam driving them home.

As we sat around the Mafus’ home this evening, reflecting on what we saw and did today, reminded of how much Jesus loves the little children, and how blessed we were to be able to love them today as well, we thanked God for the strength and wisdom and joy he provided us today.  And we look forward to tomorrow when we are going to worship again with our Zulu brothers and sisters.  In fact, we’re going to lead the Sunday School lesson.  I’ll let the writer of tomorrow’s e-mail tell you about that. Pray for us as we seek to teach the ACM children a little bit about how God has made them each for a unique purpose, with special gifts and talents, and how each is wonderful and beautiful in His sight.  Just as are we.

Thank you, all, for your prayers.  We feel them, and they sustain us.  Thank you for your love and support – it keeps us going.  We miss you, and love you, and pray for you daily.  And we look forward to trying to share this experience with you when we return home.   But for now, we have one week left of this incredible journey.  And we cannot wait to see what God has planned!

Lala kahle (sleep well),

Sarah (for the team)

Continue reading »]]> Wednesday,  April 18th

Today was our first clinic. We woke up very early and thought we were as excited as the people in the community until we got to the clinic site and saw just how excited they were. There was no anticipating the relieved, grateful and eager faces. At this clinic we were expecting to see 150 people. However, with people lining up at 2:00am the night before, the numbers quickly added up. By the time we arrived at 7:30am the quota of 150 was met.

The morning was spent quickly turning a church into a clinic before 9am. Seven stations were set up. The first was registration where two Zulu women would document the patients’ name, age and gender in their chart. Next each patient sat with a nurse and got their vital signs taken and documented. After that they were ushered to the doctors stations, where our doctors, through the use of Zulu translators, diagnosed the major complaints. Once orders were written patients moved to the nursing station where they received any immediate treatment that was needed. If they were prescribed glasses, then they were directed to the glasses station where, also though a translator and with the use of a non-language specific chart, patients were fitted to the right pair of glasses for them. From there they went to the pharmacy where the medications the doctors prescribed were filled and the directions were clearly described through Zulu translators.  Lastly, we had a prayer circle.  Adam and a few ACM staff facilitated a prayer for each individual patient, focused on their needs.

After we had completely broken down the clinic area and transformed it back into a place of worship, we had time to reflect on and talk about our experience.  Every expectation was exceeded.  Even though we were all exhausted, we had a strange combination of affirmation, respect, and humility.  I came on this trip thinking we would be giving people the medical attention they needed.  However, after our first clinic, I realized what we are really giving them is hope in Jesus.  Our presence here doesn’t help people because of our medications.  We help people because we were brought here by God.

Dr. Sharon Tice, Dr. Anna, and Dr. Amy graciously sat with 20 times as many patients as they would normally see.  The doctors made sure that, even though they were tired, the very last patient received the same quality of care as the very first. I can’t count how many times Denise had people laughing while she was helping to take their blood pressure.  She and I (Stacey) were the first people from our group that the patients met with and she did a great job of bringing them joy. Melissa and the interns, Colleen, Kelly and Helen, were in charge of traffic flow.  They made sure every station was moving smoothly.  They also made sure each patient had the peace of mind in knowing their next direction. Our nurses included Karen, Deb, and Sue.  I also helped at this station.  These ladies were phenomenal.  Not only did they employ compassion and teaching, but they also treated in a timely manor.  They were very thorough.  Even when the tasks were as tedious as ear washes. Joyce and Alysia were in charge of glasses.  They had the difficult task of determining which power would help the patient the best, while catering to their cosmetic preferences.  The pharmacy had the most people because no patient left empty handed.  Sarah, Jennifer, Steffanie, Kristie, and Kelly carefully filled every prescription and provided careful instructions for use and dosage.  They even included labels printed in Zulu.  Adam’s job was not one I envied.  I don’t know if I could have been as emotionally and spiritually strong as he was.  He heard the prayers of each patient and I know it weighed heavy on his heart.  However, the sense of hope he instilled into the people was well worth it.

While we were at the clinic, Bob, Jim and Rich went with two of the ACM staff members to Empembeni to “Cash World” to purchase materials to replace the garage roof at the Mafu’s home.  When they returned to the Mafu residence, they worked diligently to tear down the old roof and also replaced half of it.  They were very busy and got a lot more done then we were anticipating.

Love,

Melissa and Stacey

Thursday, April 19th

Today was our second clinic day.  It was held at the church across the street from the Mafu’s home.  Again, people had been waiting for us all night.  It was raining all day so we tried to keep people as dry as possible.  Our group is so organized and so hard working that we see a large quantity of patients and still have time to look into their eyes, attempt to pronounce their names, and help to ease their pain.  This trip is a much about expressing kindness as it is about medicine.  Yes, the people are happy they are getting medicine, but they really appreciate the care and the focus on Christ.

Even though this was only our second clinic, things ran incredibly smoothly.  Every person understood their role, which allowed us to see even more people.  Instead of seeing the projected 150 people, we saw 172.  Mercy Mafu knows the community very well.  She knows who really needs to see us, so even if they don’t make it in the first 150 people in line, she makes sure they receive the attention they need.   The clinic had the same basic structure with the stations.  It’s amazing how resilient a group of people can be after waiting since 4:30 in the morning in the rain and cold, some under the tent, some not.  They were filled with prayer and greeted us with genuine smiles.  The appreciation in their eyes as they left the pharmacy with their medications, was beyond words.  This true gratitude for the things we so easily take for granted was an eye opening experience for all of us.

The sense of community here is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.  Children do not have one mother.  They are raised by the community.  The people here have a sense of responsibility for each other.  They put everyone else before themselves.  This is something that is very hard to find in the States; a lesson for us.  In just the few days since arriving, I have learned a new level of respect.  You don’t just respect the people you know or the people you think deserve it.  You respect every individual because they are all made in the image and likeness of God.  This is something that is constantly on the minds of the people here and is often easily forgotten back home.  It is very refreshing to feel so loved by people I don’t know; definitely a feeling worth flying halfway around the world for.

Things went unbelievably well today, and we even finished early.  We had the rest of the night to relax while Denise played soccer with the little boys.  She brought them a new soccer ball and they had a blast.

Since I have gotten here, I have gotten to know so many incredible people.  Jen and I have a lot in common because we both miss our families very much.  It’s nice to be able to talk about them before bed.  My buddy is Melissa.  I believe she’s my buddy for a reason.  Every time I start to feel uncomfortable, unsure, or begin to miss home, she says something to make me laugh or put me at ease.  She has a heart that I am envious of.  I also envy the relationship that Amy and Kristie have.  You can tell how appreciative Amy is for having a mother who supports her like Kristie does and Kristie is just beaming with pride for her daughter.  I hope to one day make my parents as proud of me as Kristie is of Amy.  I was able to spend some time with Sue in the clinics.  She knows I’m in nursing school and has really taken on the role of teaching me.  She includes me in every situation and has really made me feel comfortable in the setting.  Kelly gets up early everyday to run.  Her dedication has inspired me.  I like to go with her, but have a hard time keeping up.  This group works so well together and you can tell by the efficiency of the clinics.  I look forward to spending more time with each individual.

Love,

Stacey

Continue reading »]]> The medical team arrived from the United States on the 15th, and we are so busy! Here are the past few updates they’ve sent out:

Sunday, April 15th
Here we go! Our first full day was spent shaking off jet lag. We started the day attending a small church with our Zulu friends. The music, and the voices raised in songs of praise were more beautiful that I can describe on paper. They could be heard down the road and even the language barrier didn’t diminish the joy, praise, love and hope felt in the words they sang. We introduced ourselves and were greeted with warm smiles and hugs from some of the children. Some of the same children saw us off, smiling and waving their arms while chasing our van out of the driveway. We went to a second church service near the Mafu’s, (who we’re staying with) and again were awestruck by the music and sense of hope and joy we witnessed there.

The afternoon was spent at the Indian Ocean near Richard’s Bay. We relaxed and visited with each other, walked the beach, body surfed, watched the haze roll in and witnessed a beautiful sunset. We are in AFRICA! We are in AFRICA! And we were reminded of that when we had to slow down for monkeys crossing the road.

The day ended with reflection on the verse in John 16:33. Jesus says, “here on earth we will have trials and sorrows.” We’ve all had experience with this at some point, but it’s not the end of the story. Jesus goes on to say, “Take heart for I have overcome the world.” We experienced the hope in this verse in the voices, smiles and joy we witnessed and were a part of this morning. In the midst of this life, peace comes in the person of Jesus. As we embark on the work ahead of us, we are relying on this Peace to do the healing and bring hope.

God bless and Siyabonga (we thank you)

Deb and the team

Monday, April 16th
Sawubona!

It’s Monday evening here in Zulu land (about 11:00 p.m. our time), and God is good.  We’ve had a very long day of hard work beginning at 8:00 a.m. counting thousands of pills into prescriptions for each person we are going to see in the clinics we are holding on the 18th and 19th.  We worked all day and through the evening, later enjoying some barbeque and fellowship time.

Some of our team enjoyed visiting the after-school Bible study with Isaiah and Mercy Mafu where the children brought much joy.  Later, some went with the Mafu’s to the home of a sick friend in the community to surround her with God’s love and prayer.  God is close to us here taking care of our needs and preparing us for what is to come.

Fear and trepidation have been on the minds of some as we stretch ourselves and become acclimated to being so far away from our loved ones and far from the most simple things such as daily routines that provide us with comfort and a sense of “home.”  Please pray for us as we listen for God and His direction.  Please pray for the wonderful Zulu people here who have so much joy—they truly bless us with their presence.

Salani Kahle,

Alysia (for the Team)

Dr. Tice, Mama Nzima, and Mama Mafu

Tuesday, April 17th
I brought an old journal I wrote a number of years ago with me here in South Africa. In it I wrote my prayers to God. One recurring theme I can sum up as, “Dear Lord, I want to reach out to those in need, not wait for them to come to me. I want to laugh and live fully for you.” It took a lot of pruning, but bit by bit God has answered this prayer.  This place of the Mafu’s is full of laughter and life. We are so blessed to be able to come into their home and share their ministry to their community and our global community from the inside view. This is a special, special place.

Today we counted pills again and we went to the after school bible study in yet another section of the city that ACM ministers to.  Alysia, Adam, Deb, Jennifer and Rich went with Kelly (the intern)  in one van. Jim, Staciey, Denise, Karen and I (Steffanie) went with Sharon, Mama Mafu, Manzini, Elizabeth, and Ntethelelo in another van. It’s a bumpy ride and Sharon is a wild driver.  1st thing you notice is a sea of beautiful sweet little heads and faces, lots of big smiles, inquisitive looks, a few not so sure if I can trust you looks that soon melted to smiling eyes. Then as I start to look a little closer and I see the need in the details…..

I wish you could hear them sing…they are in NO way shy. One girl starts the song calling out loudly in an amazing voice for such a small child which leads to the rest of the group singing in almost a round harmony with different melodies all at the same time. Every individual part weaves together and sounds perfect.

I can’t wait for our 1st clinic tomorrow! We leave the Mafu’s at 6:30 a.m. to set up the clinic. We stopped for gas on the way home and a young man pulled up to Sharon saying, “I will see you tomorrow!” He went on to say he was picking up many people in his truck to start waiting in line at 2:30 a.m.

Pray for endurance for our doctors, volunteers, and interpreters. 150 patients in one day says it all.

We love you all. Thank you for supporting this mission. We miss you….

Steffanie

More to come – we’ll keep you updated as God continues moving at these clinics.

Continue reading »]]> We had the opportunity to visit Cape Town for a week in the middle of March. It was a fun-filled week of sightseeing and exploring another beautiful part of South Africa. We were blown away by God’s creation; everywhere we looked there was either a mountain or the sparkling blue ocean. We had the most gracious hosts who allowed us to stay in their house and use their car to explore the beautiful city. Bill and Anne Eames are missionaries from Kensington Community Church and have been in Cape Town for almost 8 years. Their ministry African Hope Crafts provides jobs for disadvantaged and HIV positive men and women as jewelry crafters. Through establishing African Hope Trust they have also built two safe houses for children within the Township of Masiphumelele, located five minutes from their home. Check out their website for more info: www.africanhopecrafts.org

Here are some pictures from the trip!

Kelly and Helen at Chapman's peak

Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island

Colleen in front of the entrance to Robben Island

African Hope Crafts store

One of the safe houses in the Masiphumelele Township

Kelly playing with Abenathi, a child from one of the safe houses.

Helen reading nursery rhymes to adorable Lulu and Semphiwe who also live in the safe house.

Colleen standing at Cape Point-the most southern point in Africa.

BABOONS! We saw these guys all over the place.

The cable car we rode in to the top of Table Mountain.

Penguins at the beach in Simon's Town.

Kelly looking at the view of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain.

We are on top of the world....well maybe just Table Mountain!

Continue reading »]]> This morning I was up and ready to go at 7:00am to drive the teachers to morning devotions. Of course, we left about 20 minutes late, cruising along dirt roads, swerving around potholes I memorized a long time ago. I love driving to morning devotions because on the way you see hundreds of kids walking to school in their uniforms, smiling and laughing, or running because they’re late. Since it’s thursday, I drop off Mama Nkomo and Spha to give the devotion at Ncombo’s Primary School, then head with Sabelo to Ndisheni High School, where we rotate giving the devotion each week.

I love Ndisheni. I love the big tree we all stand under each morning. I love the teacher who slipped her arm around me as we walked out and thanked me for sharing the Word. I love how the Principal rambles off his announcements each week but always includes one to tell the kids, “You are SO beautiful”, to which they give themselves a round of applause. I love the boys in the back who are always talking and never listen. I love the way two students in Grade 10 lead the singing with voices that make you wonder how heaven could sound any better. They clap in beats I can’t follow and laugh as they dance, making me wish I had gone to a school where I could start every morning with worship this lovely. This morning, one girl stepped forward to sing an incredible medley of We Lift You Higher and I Need Thee Every Hour, with a voice that would never need a microphone.

It was my week to give the devotion, so I shared on Ephesians 2:8-10, talking about how our good works will not earn us salvation but how our good works are a result of salvation, stemming from a love for God. If there is one thing I’ve realized, it’s that I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it wasn’t flowing from a love for my Savior. Missions can be uncomfortable. There are days when I’d rather stick my head in the dirt than speak in front of another crowd. There are moments when I really can’t drive through one more pothole without wanting to quit everything and start a road-paving company. And I know that if I was supposed to earn God’s love through what I’m doing, I failed long ago. We are not helping with these classes and devotions in order to earn God’s love, rather our daily acts flow out of our love for him. We can only pour our time and energy into ACM because God has poured out his grace on us.

Some days this routine starts to feel normal, and that’s when it hits me – I am so blessed to have this inside view into student life in this small school tucked away in the KwaZulu-Natal countryside. I would never have had this opportunity if I hadn’t followed him here. And I never would have followed him here, if I hadn’t loved him first.

“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.”
John 14:23

Continue reading »]]> I sat yesterday watching fourteen young faces looking up at me and their Bible teacher, Zodwa Hadebe, listening, giggling and willingly choosing to spend an hour of their afternoon in a Bible class. They leaned up against the back of a big, peach colored house, sitting on woven straw mats in whatever clothes they threw on after their school uniforms came off. Two brought Bibles, a few more brought notebooks, but most just brought themselves.

There’s something amazing to me about ACM. There isn’t months of curriculum planning and craft preparations. There are no Bible teaching seminars or detailed outlines of lessons. I think since the three of us interns come from the church we do, all of it seemed a bit, well, simple. Can’t we get some crafts? Can’t we play more games? Is there really no snack? Shouldn’t there be specific scripts and outlines, lessons and details? There is no opposition to those things, just a shortage of resources or manpower. There is no need to bring specific outlines, because these teachers can easily teach the Bible in front of a crowd. Crafts are hard because when you do the math, we’d need enough to do over 1,500 crafts a week. So they sing, they listen, they answer questions and they look up verses if they have a Bible they can bring. The classes are growing because the vision is never lost. With a small mostly part time staff they maintain one simple goal which Mama Mafu summarized to me once as “hope.” All we can do is bring them hope while they are still young by teaching them the Bible and introducing them to Jesus.

Once when Colleen was driving out to a class with Mama Mafu, they passed an area where a large group of kids were playing. Mama Mafu exclaimed she wished she had a teacher to drop off there. Colleen got confused and asked if it was normally a location for a class, but Mama Mafu explained that this how ACM started. They had a group of kids after school with nothing to do and no one to watch them, so someone picked up a Bible and started teaching. It’s that simple. I think at times, especially as Americans, the three of us tend to get caught up in the complicated things – in the production, and in the planning… when maybe, it’s as simple as dropping off a “teacher” (loosely defined as a Christian who loves Jesus and is willing to share that with others) in a field full of kids to tell them about Jesus, and a class is born.

So my mind was racing yesterday as I sat with a class of mostly young boys ages 13 or 14, giggling, listening (and yes, at times, farting). My main thought was about back in the United States, where youth ministry forums are meeting and books are being written and rallies, meetings, and retreats are formed to reach this slippery age of Christians. Meanwhile, here, in Esikhawini, a small local ministry is simply dropping off Christians with a Bible, doing all they can with what they have. All I could think was, why didn’t I ever stop to tell a random group of kids about Jesus? Was it fear? Was it the risk of outraged parents or kids who didn’t want to listen? Was it because it was too strange an idea, to tell kids about Jesus detached from an organization or church? Sure, I could invite them to a youth group, ask them to church or talk with their parents. But what if I had just sat down with a group of bored kids after school and shared with them the message of Jesus? It just seems too simple. It was too easy to just live out my life as I chose to, sharing Jesus safely within the confines of organized religion or planned schedules, instead of being strange enough to just teach Jesus first and worry about the consequences later. Isn’t this how the apostles began? Would this work today in the States? I honestly don’t know. I might not have liked it as a thirteen year old Christian. But, for whatever reason, it’s working here. And the vision behind it and the result after is the same for Christians everywhere – Let’s introduce kids to Jesus, then let him do the rest.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

Isaiah 43:18-19

Continue reading »]]> Only sixteen days into the New Year and the only word that comes to mind to describe it so far is JOY. This joy comes from realizing the new wonderful family I have gained. Helen, Kelly and myself have been welcomed and adopted by every member of the Mafu’s family. We have gained an awesome brother Ndumiso, parents (I wish I had a picture of people’s faces in town when Mama Mafu tells people we are her children), aunts, uncles and a ton of cousins! This has been so fun for me, I grew up with only four first cousins who I only got to see a few times a year. I see at least one of our new cousin’s almost everyday! There have been multiple family gatherings this year, New Years, Khwezi’s going away party, and Malusi’s 21st birthday beach outing. The days we spend with our new cousins have been some of the most fun I have had here yet!

Last week Thembeka, Thandeka and Zama, three of our girl cousins spent the night. The next day Mama Mafu found Helen, Kelly and myself sitting alone and she asked why we weren’t with the girls. We were dealing with the irrational 13-year-old feeling of “do they like us? We don’t want to force them to hang out with us”. Luckily Mama Mafu suggested that we all go to the beach for Malusi’s birthday. The moment Baba Mafu came home and handed over the keys to the Jeep and told us we could go (all by our selves) the six of us screamed out of excitement and ran to get our beach gear. We had a wonderful day laughing, swimming, and celebrating Malusi’s birthday!

Sometimes I miss my family; sometimes the language and cultural barriers are frustrating. Thankfully God has a way to distract us from this. He gave us an amazing and loving new family to be apart of while we are here and he turns the language and cultural barriers into hilarious moment that will be some of our best memories from this year. For example trying to explain that yes, putting ice cream into our glass of coke is not crazy and actually delicious.

In Luke Peter says to Jesus “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” I find so much comfort in Jesus’ response. “ Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:28-29

Zama, Thembeka and Malusi dancing at New Years

Continue reading »]]> After two days of much needed rest, I sit here contemplating the massive tasks that face us in the next couple of weeks. ACM classes start up in such a short time and it seems like there is no way we could possibly be ready. I think that’s one big cultural difference that we’re beginning to get used to. Ndumi is always telling us – “South Africa just has a way of pulling things off at the last minute.” Many American’s cringe at the thought of last minute scrambles for success, but maybe Tim Tebow’s infamous fourth quarter comebacks will soften up others to enjoy the process of pulling things together in the nick of time. I think we’re learning that not everything can be controlled, and sometimes the task is just bigger than the hours we have in the day. It’s easy for me to look ahead and trust that it will be pulled off, simply by looking back at what I’ve learned in the past three months.

A few weeks ago, we had our sunday school sleepover from friday to sunday, before waking up monday morning and realizing the leadership workshop was the next day. I was incredibly stressed out, poring through scripture and trying to find something to teach these teens. As I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy, I realized that all I could teach these kids is what God was teaching me in that moment. So I went through scripture and highlighted three different leaders – Moses, Jeremiah and Peter – and their reaction to being called by God. Moses argues with God in Exodus 4, asking him to send someone else, Jeremiah exclaims in Jeremiah 1 that he is too young, and Peter, before even being called, tells Jesus in Luke 5 that he is too sinful to be in the presence of Jesus.

The lesson went alright for the kids, but I definitely think it helped me realize God never calls people based on their own merit, or because of anything they’ve done to earn his call. God calls people in their weakness. He calls people because He has something to say through them, and He only asks them to be willing – not to be eloquent, or old enough or holy enough. I think this sums up the lessons we are learning daily – that God is teaching us, using us in the best possible way, and it isn’t dependent on any of our own talents. I wasn’t ready for that leadership workshop – but the Lord was, and he  used it in his own way.

He seems to be constantly asking us to trust him as events come together. It seems everyday our task list grows longer, but as he taught me with workshops, programs and events, He’s in control of the timing. He has plans for these ACM classes which are coming up, and they will be ready because of Him, not because of our efforts. As I seem to be learning daily, “Time and space are our own limitations, we musn’t impose them on God.” (God’s Smuggler).