roomin' with rach

SNAPshot a day: home

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:50:00 +0000

It feels good to be home with loved ones!!

SNAPshot a day: last day in africa

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Spending my last day with dear friends...

Stacie

Ethan

SNAPshot a day: relaxin'

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 30 May 2011 15:12:00 +0000

I treated myself to a massage and pedicure in anticipation of the long 18 hour flight to come.

SNAPshot a day: last sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 29 May 2011 18:15:00 +0000

Today was my last time to worship at Faith Baptist Church. During testimonies, I got up to say goodbye and encourage them with a verse. It was quite difficult and with out fail, I was in tears. But I pray they would see and know the love I have for them in Christ!

This is my prayer for the Church...

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grat you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19

Shony thanking me on behalf of the youth.

The youth fundraising for future events by washing my car.

Philani and Portia invited Sibongile, Lebo, and I over after church for food and fellowship. Can't beat one of my last meals being African... fish, pap and gravy. Notice he is cooking with paraffin as the electricity has been off for days!

Portia and I.

I'm going to miss these faces...

SNAPshot a day: last days

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Spending my last few days with those I love.

SNAPshot a day: andile

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:31:00 +0000

I will miss this sweet girl and her lovely family who took us in.

SNAPshot a day: tears

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:37:00 +0000

In this case, I don't have a picture that speaks a thousand words... but it speaks to me. Koki (right) was a couple months old when I arrived. We just celebrated her 2nd birthday last month. To see the children growing up before my very eyes really shows how much time I have spent here in Africa.

Today, we had a goodbye party. I can't even express to you the joy and sadness I felt all at once as each person got up to share something...

The joy to hear how God has worked in their lives and how I have been able to be a part of that. To be thanked for the work God did through me for I can take no credit. To see where they have come from and where they are going in their relationship with the Lord. To hear how they are encouraging me to continue sharing the Gospel with people in America... Praise God!

The sadness to know I am saying goodbye to some of my best friends. To think that I may never see them this side of heaven... Pray for them to be strengthened in the Lord and continue in the faith!

Tears fell freely as I sat and listened, laughed, hugged and was prayed for by each one. These two years have been the most challenging but the most rewarding. I wouldn't take it back for anything! Thank you Lord!

SNAPshot a day: thulani

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 25 May 2011 20:34:00 +0000

Coffee in our TOMS

Saying goodbye to Thulani Secondary School

SNAPshot a day: appreciation

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:22:00 +0000

Dr. Mary had a time of appreciation for us. They had one boy from grade 6 and one girl from grade 7 thank us personally on behalf of their class. It was so sweet to hear them speak of what we have taught them and how they have loved us being there.

The teacher that we have worked with, Mary, spoke on behalf of the school. They presented us with a framed certificate as well as giving us cake and cold drink. I will truly miss the relationships we have built at this school with both the teachers and learners.

SNAPshot a day: time well spent

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:37:00 +0000

We spent some time with Given today. We had a good time talking about the good times we have had and life in general. We have decided that we need to see him every day until we leave, even if it is for 10 minutes. I will miss his smiling face too much!

This is his beautiful sister.

Who can resist these faces?

SNAPshot a day: traditional

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 22 May 2011 18:38:00 +0000

Traditional African clothes.

Spending some time together after church.

Saying goodbye to a dear family that I have come to love over these past two years.

SNAPshot a day: biscuits

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 21 May 2011 16:33:00 +0000

In South Africa... cookies are called biscuits.

In South Africa... it is just as important to say goodbye as it is to say hello.

We have been baking biscuits, eight batches to be exact, for the students and teachers at the three schools we work with. We will also present a class picture to the principals as a thank you. Goodbyes are hard but necessary. It is tough thinking I may never see these children or adults again. But God is sovereign and brought me here for such a time as this and this time has come to an end. Bittersweet.

SNAPshot a day: grade seven

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Philani came to speak to our grade 7 Life Orientation class at Dr. Mary. He shared his testimony with the children. It is always so encouraging to see Africans sharing with Africans. Pray these children would realize their need for Christ and accept Him as Lord.

group shot

SNAPshot a day: grade six

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 19 May 2011 19:37:00 +0000

Today we said goodbye to our grade 6 Life Orientation class at Dr. Mary Primary School.

SNAPshot a day: let the packing begin

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 18 May 2011 20:16:00 +0000

To keep or not to keep... that is the question!

SNAPshot a day: first goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:12:00 +0000

This is the first goodbye of many...

I have been at Hector Pieterson for three years of grade 7 girls. One girl asked me today, when will I be back to teach the next grade 7s. It is hard to say goodbye to this school...

...to the deputy principal I have come to love...

...and to the girls.

Pray. Pray for these girls to understand the importance of waiting till marriage to have sex. Pray they would choose to live according to God's standards which is for our good. Pray they would accept Christ as Lord and dedicate their lives to Him alone.

SNAPshot a day: after school

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:37:00 +0000

We headed to the playground after school to love on some children. We brought out a soccer ball and the children came running. We then brought out the camera for some pictures.

love their picture being taken

lori telling the story of Jesus life, death, and resurrection

praying

given passing out hacky sacks

and because i love children...

SNAPshot a day: worship

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 14 May 2011 22:59:00 +0000

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

Faith Baptist Church, Snake Park, Soweto

Sunday School

Youth

Please pray for members of Faith Baptist to grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord and to step up in leadership. Pray for children and youth of the church to grow up in the wisdom of the Lord. Pray that Snake Park would be transformed by Christ!

SNAPshot a day: prayer request

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 14 May 2011 17:12:00 +0000

Meet Lebo & Sibongile parents of Kabelo & Tshegofatso

They both love God so much! And it has truly been a blessing to be a part of their lives, especially as I have discipled Sibongile. They have specifically asked for prayers for their family...

They are currently living in a shack with no water and limited electricity. They are asking that you please pray for God to provide a more suitable living arrangement. They are seeking God's will for them as a family. Pray for Lebo and Sibongile as they raise their children up to fear the Lord.

their home

inside

kitchen

living room

bedroom

closet

office

outhouse

SNAPshot a day: resurrection eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:47:00 +0000

Easter is past but it is never too late to share the story of Jesus' resurrection. Pray for these kids to understand what Jesus did and put their trust in Him.

trying to put objects in order

good friends

SNAPshot a day: come little children

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:51:00 +0000

We spent the afternoon at a creche singing songs, playing games and teaching about creation. The children also sang for us. Then we just spent time with them...

say cheese

brings me way back to the good ole days

group shot

teachers

SNAPshot a day: silly

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:56:00 +0000

Recite a Bible verse for a silly band.

SNAPshot a day: homelessness

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:09:00 +0000

Sipho is a son, nephew, uncle and the brother of Sibongile. Sipho is living on the streets. We drove around downtown trying to find him. When we did, it was really hard for Sibongile to see her own brother living this way. It was hard for me to see her crying and so upset. We took Sipho to KFC for a meal.

One disturbing thing I can't get off my mind was when a KFC employee came up to Sipho and asked what he was doing in there. Sibongile responded by saying it was her brother and he was with us. That just breaks my heart.

Another thing was the stares... I'm used to being stared at because I'm white but this was different. People were looking at Sipho and wondering what he was doing with us. It just reminds me of Jesus... he touched the diseased, let the children come to him, and ate with sinners.

I want to be less like the world who judges and more like Jesus who loves!

SNAPshot a day: road trip

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:14:00 +0000

We headed to Sibongile's hometown which is located two and a half hours outside of Joburg.

welcome to standerton

beautiful african landscape

sibongile with family

homemade car

many shacks

baby got back

babas sitting

school children

SNAPshot a day: omama

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 08 May 2011 17:12:00 +0000

At church, youth sang a song in dedication to omama for mother's day.

These particular youth have been faithful in coming to church ever since I came, two years ago. It has been encouraging to see them grow up in the Lord. Pray they would grow in their relationship with the Lord. Pray they would seek His guidance and wisdom in all decisions.