Would love your thoughts!
26 August 2010
Words + Deeds
Got a recommendation on this article from my dear friend MK. Thought it was worth posting myself as it relates to what I battle each day on the mission field- the practice of evangelism and meeting physical needs:
home from a long 2 weeks in Durban...
Wanted to let you know that I've arrived back to my home in Cape Town, South Africa from our long journey to Durban/Shelly Beach/Margate/Midlands. I've got LOADS of photos and amazing stories to tell. Give me a few days and I'll blog some more!
08 August 2010
If only...
This is a video the Living Hope Teens Team put together in order to recruit local community mentors for our teens that have committed to Wait4Me, our abstinence program. Thought you'd like to see my friends and Teens Team Coworkers ...
07 August 2010
Pray for Meagan and Melanie- to Margate we go!
My dear friend Meagan and I have been given the opportunity to go to Margate, South Africa (right outside of Durban- east coast South Africa) to visit, study under and serve missionaries, Steve and Cala Flippo. The Flippos have been doing teen ministry in South Africa for years. I met them at our missions conference at Shades Mountain over a year ago.
Please pray:
. for our travel - leaving 10 Aug, returning 25 Aug.
. for our ears and hearts to be sensitive to God's voice.
. for ministry to happen out of our weaknesses
. for Meagan as this is her first flight and mission trip outside of Cape Town
. for the Kingdom of God to be glorified
. that we're able to serve and encourage the Flippos
. that we'd learn about teens ministry in other parts of South Africa and bring our findings to Living Hope!
Cape Town to Margate (Durban)
Meagan:
One of the most passionate, talented, servant hearted, mission-minded, selfless women I know! Her heart for youth and experience serving in the local church and in her community is brilliant. God has set her apart for great ministry ahead- one to the nations and one that's bigger than I can fathom.
When she prays, I cry.
When we talk about ministry and what God is doing in the communities we work in, I'm encouraged.
When we hangout, I'm at peace and relax.
She's been a God-send for me personally. Her sweet family has welcomed me into their space and treats me like one of their own! Meagan has ushered me into the Coloured Cape Town Culture and been my guide! Pray for Meagan specifically over the next few weeks as she's out of her comfort zone and seeing ministry in a new light. Pray that God will speak to her about her future ministry and His plans!
05 August 2010
Holiday Club Sports Celebration
Final day of Holiday Club: 9 July 2010
Living Hope hosted a HUGE sports and 'fun festival' for all those who attended Holiday Club in one of the local communities. This was an EVENT and took so many hands and heads to put together. There were HUNDREDS of children/teens involved in sports competition (Netball and Soccer) that day- with other stations to keep the groups busy between game-times! It was a lovely way to end our 4 weeks of Holiday Club time together!
'Under 15' Capricorn Netball Team
' Under 17' Capricorn Netball Team
Games galore: Relays, Ultimate Frisbee, Dance, Chalk Artist...
Netball Courts: My Capricorn Girls won 2nd and 3rd in 2 of the age divisions!
Side-Lines Support
One of my favorite parts of my OLD job at Shades Mountain Baptist Church was being able to attend the sporting games of our youth. I'd gather basketball, football, volleyball schedules and map out how to make at least one game of each team where our youth were involved. I NEVER expected that aspect of my former life to bleed into my life in South Africa.
My sweet friend, Shanice (16 years old, attends Capricorn Community Church and Living Hope Teen Club), showed me her Netball skills during our World Cup Holiday Clubs. Each afternoon during the Holiday Club, we'd teach the boys Soccer skills and let them compete in casual matches while the girls did Netball drills and played friendly games. Shanice, being one of our oldest Club attendees, stepped up and coached, ran drills, and taught ME how to play Netball (similar, yet very different than my native sport of Basketball).
I casually mentioned to Shanice that I'd love to see her play a game with her school. Shanice attends a school far from Capricorn. She takes a taxi to school each day and her school fees are paid for through a scholarship. She's a bright young girl and is getting a challenging education because of this scholarship!
One day during Club, Shanice shyly came up to me, tugged on my jacket and said, "Mel, you know how you said to tell you when I was playing Netball? Well, I have a game tomorrow... could you come?" I grinned so wide as I saw how timid she was to ask me to attend. I said, "Shanice, it would be an honor!" So, that next day, I went to Capricorn to pick up one of Shanice's friends and my dear friend, Melanie (whom you've seen lots of pictures of already), and we went to Shanice's Netball game! Before we arrived, we stopped at the BP petrol station and got some snack and bottled water for our viewing party! Melanie was wide eyed in the BP when I told her she could pick out anything she wanted to eat and drink. She said, "really?" I said, "Yes, just pick something for you and for Shanice!" Seeing both of them appreciate the small gesture of a packet of chips and a drink was humbling!
When we arrived to the school, Shanice was surprised to see us. She smiled so big and gave me a big hug. As we talked, she told me that her parents have never been able to come see her play (because of distance, home responsibilities with other children, and their work schedules). We were quite possibly the first supporters and fans she'd ever had at her games. That made me so sad, yet so thankful God had crossed our paths so that we could give her confidence and show her that she was loved and important! As you can guess, I was loud and embarrassed Shanice on a few occasions. She'd say, "Mel, calm down." or "Mel, please!" I'd just laugh and say, "Shanice, I love you, I'm going to cheer for you, and embarrassment comes with the territory!" She just laughed! I'm so thankful to Shades Mountain and my experience in Girls Ministry to know how important Side-Lines-Support can be to a young girl. The presence of those you love (and that love you)- at an event where you're on display- is a big deal to a girls' confidence.
Shanice is a special young lady. The Lord is going to do amazing things with her life. Keep her in your prayers!
Train to Cape Town... with 40 children
Remembering the fun of the World Cup... just for a minute:
During Holiday Club, one of the visiting teams (from Cape Town) helping Capricorn Community with the Living Hope Holiday Club had a fun (maybe crazy) idea. They offered to take all of our Holiday Club children on the train to Cape Town! The city (especially on game day) was hopping! There were vendors, bands, artists, activities... an overwhelming display of patriotism! Since our Capricorn Community kids rarely get the chance to leave Capricorn, we loaded them up in cars, took them to the train station and had an adventure out!
The story in photos below:
All aboard!
Melanie's group on the train!
Hand in hand- as not to get lost.
Main attraction: water fountain.
Took them to the biggest McDonalds I've seen in Cape Town. All were treated to a burger and a few hot chips (fries).
We were EXHAUSTED after our short adventure down town. Of all 12 chaperons that went, I was the only one that 'lost' two children. As soon as we got off the train near Capricorn, it began to rain. My children ran off without me. I assumed they were following the crowd with everyone else in our group, but I was wrong. They'd taken another route- I gathered a few adults to walk the streets with me to find them. When I finally found them ducked under an awning trying to stay dry, I hugged them and then gave them a good 'talkin' to.' We all arrived back in Capricorn safely!
Allowing these children to take part in the World Cup by being down-town, seeing the sights, feeling the vibe, and treating them to an adventure they didn't expect was so much fun!
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