Gratitude

Nichole Nordeman
Gratitude:

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please ...

------------

Grateful for being on this mission to South Africa but having a hard time enduring all the tough things that come with it. Asking God to send some rain for refreshment & peace & continue to provide just enough - no more, no less!


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Reminder

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
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HIV education

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Follow Me

A friend sent this to me & it made me laugh. Hope you chuckle too!

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Youth Fridays

Each Friday night I'm in Capricorn with our Youth. As I've mentioned before, we no longer have a youth minister; therefore my friend Meagan and I have stepped in to fill the gap. The gap is being filled but the glue is getting looser. I'm overwhelmed with this task (on top of Living Hope work) and I'd love for our church to have a youth minister... FAST! Please pray with me as we seek God's hand in sending us a strong, male youth minister.

We're going through the book: The Seven Checkpoints. Here are some topics we've covered lately.

Authenticity: Is your faith real? We did a blind taste-test of high-quality junk food to cheap-off-brand foods that are comparable. Pictured above are the products: chocolate, chips, soda. Each contestant tasted the two versions of their product and each contestant could taste the difference in quality of the product. The challenge and message was, "Are you real or are you faking it?"

This lesson was also paired with a short intro on Spiritual Disciplines. If you really want to 'get real' you've got to put practice into it. You've got to walk the talk! We left them with some tool and also had them practice a 'Bible Study Method' in small groups. We're trying not to just equip but also guide them in practicing these tools!

Last week we talked about the importance of Sexual Purity. These teens get a lot of 'abstinence talks' in this area due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic; however, they're usually given statistics not Biblical reasons why you should remain pure ... and honestly, it's not about HIV, it's about obedience to the Lord, protecting your heart and emotions. I was hard on the girls this night. I'm tired of everyone beating up on the boys because they're visually driven. I'm ready for the girls to take responsibility for being the helpers God's created them to be - helping guys stay pure by the girls dressing appropriately, treating the guys with respect, building the guys up verbally and spiritually. In this culture especially, we see men mistreating women/girls all the time; we've got to rebuild the concept of 'family' and 'respect.' Gender-roles are all too skew here. Bottom line: Purity isn't about "how far is too far" - it's about "how pure can I be?" - body, soul and spirit!

Pray for Youth Fridays!

r12

The Life Skill Educators are currently doing some intense Biblical training on Friday mornings. We're doing an overview of the Bible - now focusing on a survey of the Old Testament AND a course I've been super impressed with called r12 (a whole study on Romans 12) http://r12online.livingontheedge.org/index.php . Here's what I love: our LSEs get to sit in small groups and share through guided questions. We're having deep, spiritual conversation not just work-related-task-talks!

One of the questions last week was, "How would you describe your spiritual growth over the last five years? When did you grow the most? When have you struggled?"

Two of the LSEs in my group said that they hit a spiritual growth-spurt when coming to work at Living Hope. They were clearly already Believers, but Living Hope and the ministry opportunities given to them have launched their faith and spiritual action to new heights! I was so proud to watch and listen these LSEs process the impact Living Hope has had on them personally. Living Hope is transforming their clients, communities, and staff!

Looking forward to more discussion time with the LSEs! We're growing together!

"Why are they crying?"

My little 4 year old Capricorn friend, Mia, comes to church with me each week. A few Sundays ago during the 'response-time', lots of people came up to the front asking for prayer. Many were moved to tears - crying because they were desperate for God to do something in their life. Mia was on my hip, tightly holding on when she whispered in my ear, "Why are they crying?" I said, "They're speaking to God asking Him to help them." She thought about that for a second and said, "I want to cry."
Clever girl! In her sweet, innocent way, she understood 'speaking to God.' Little ones are sponges - especially when observing the Body-of-Christ in action! Beautiful! God is teaching me MUCH through the children of Capricorn, especially Mia!

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Baby Dedication at CCC

Sweet babies were dedicated this past Sunday! It was nice to see moms holding their babies - its often that the moms throw the responsibility of raising their children upon the grandmother and we see grandmothers dedicating the child in church, but all of these babies had moms holding them, committing them to the Lord & asking the church to participate in the spiritual upbringing of their children! I was also filled with joy to have a father represented in this process here in Capricorn.

Beautiful progress! Brought tears to my eyes!

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some prayer requests

On Fridays, all the Life Skills Educators come together for training. This is the one day we're all together and we try to take advantage of that and hear what's going on in the other branches. This particular Friday (6 May) a LOT came up during our debrief. I wanted to pass along these stories so that you can get an idea of what's going on in ministry in South Africa and also request your prayers for these communities.

Masi Community -
. There was a huge fire that burned down lots of homes in Masi just a couple weekends ago. Around 4500 people were displaced and without their (few) worldly possessions - no food, shelter or clothing. Four of our Living Hope staff were personally effected - homes ruined. Living Hope and the surrounding communities rallied around those effected and are busy rebuilding homes, supplying clothing and rebuilding physical lives. It's also been brought to our attention that as in any disaster, the people involved are crying out to God and questioning God's sovereignty and reasoning behind this disaster. Pray for the Believers in this community to bring light to those in grief.

Red Hill Community -
. Many in this community are Xhosa speaking Africans. This culture is NOT known for gang violence, but because of the influence of other cultures they are interacting with, a group of teens have begun a new gang. This small little community has been suddenly put on alert by this surprising turn of events. Life Skill Educators are trying to address the issue and divert attention from this new gang to positive things that are going on in the community. Pray for the enemy's attacks and the growth of teens in this community.
. Hygiene issues are continually a concern for Red Hill. There's no indoor plumbing and multiple families use the same outdoor pipe for water and also share toilets. One of our Life Skill Educators took this past week to teach about the simple act of washing hands before you eat. The children were so excited about this lesson, shared soap around the tap and were seen running up to other children on the street telling them to come wash their hands! Such a small and commonsensical concept in our eyes, but for a community without the convenience of running water - it's a foreign, luxurious idea. Hopefully we're instilling new hygiene ideas for a life-time!

Ocean View -
. Prayers needed to follow-up with children who have recently accepted Christ as their Savior at our Living Hope Camp.
. Specific prayers asked for an 8 year old who is now practically homeless. The dad left the family, the mom has a new boyfriend (whom she's living with) who doesn't want the child living with them - the mom has chosen the boyfriend over her own child and has put the child on the streets. Thankfully we think the grandfather is going to take the child in; however, we're concerned about this child's emotional state and also the physical needs of this 8 year old. Pray for this child - that she knows that she's loved by Christ and that He'll take care of her every need.

Capricorn and Overcome Heights-
. Recently found out that one of our regular Kids Club attendees in Capricorn (9 years old) has TB and is in the hospital for an extended stay. The family can't afford to travel and visit him, therefore he's all alone at the hospital.
. Also, one of our Kids Club members (10 years old with special needs) in Overcome was also hospitalized with TB. The initial reason he went to the doctor was for a persistent, nasty cough; therefore he was tested and concluded he had TB. After being treated in the hospital, it was discovered for that he has HIV as well. This child is now out of the hospital, but has lots of health and future issues to overcome. Pray for his family - that they would pay proper attention to this child and support him physically and emotionally.



 

First Youth Small Group

I'm happy to announce that Capricorn Community Church officially has Youth Small Groups! There are many more youth than there are leaders to lead, so we've divided the youth into 3 small groups & rotate a different group each week. Essentially each group will meet once a month. We'd like to meet with all the groups EVERY week but there aren't enough older ears to listen or heads to prepare. My learned-motto here is: baby steps! I also think that once-a-month meetings for these youth will help them make realistic steps in their walk with Christ. Putting too many expectations and required meetings on these teens have proven to cause them to flee because tasks seem unrealistic or too much of a change. Making changes one small step at a time!

It was nice to be back in small-group action! I miss 'Core Groups' (as we called them at Shades Mountain where I came from). I miss listening to individual needs, speaking truth into individual lives, being deeply involved in the lives of youth. 'Crowd Ministry' was very effective in Christ's ministry on earth, but we see over and over in scripture that discipleship was a great focus of His and Matthew 28:18-20 is Jesus' command to us to also go & make disciples. Such a hard, yet important task.

Pray that Youth Small Groups will help deepen the walks-of-faith of our teens. Pray also that God brings the right people to help us lead & grow these discipleship groups! We're celebrating the initial ignition of these groups but know God has bigger plans ahead!










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one of my favorite parts of working in Capricorn

... cows roaming the streets outside our offices.
First you see children running up & down the streets, next a teen riding a beat-up skate board, then a random cow! You really never know what you're gonna get in this place. Always an adventure.

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LSE Leadership Training

One of my focuses this year has been Community Leadership Development within the communities we work with through Living Hope. We're hoping to link the work of Living Hope with building up the local church to be equipped for Discipleship and Teen Ministry needs in our communities. As with many things in a large successful organization, there are hundreds of busy-bees doing successful work but the group is often unaware of what each other is doing. This has been the case within the Life Skills department that I work. The Life Skills Educators (LSEs) do a variety of things (schools, preschools, parenting courses, teen ministry), and with an added focus of this Community Leadership Development, the LSEs were unaware of exactly what goes into our efforts. So, this past Thursday and Friday, Meagan and I were given an opportunity to lead the LSEs in the exact training we do in the local churches with youth pastors and rising youth leaders. It was so neat watching the faces of our peers as they learned and were challenged in the importance of Discipleship and Leadership.

I'm really loving teaching and working in the communities here. I think God is going to do big things through this new focus and in building up churches and its leaders!

Alabama storms make South Africa news

Wanted you to know that South Africa is aware & thinking about my Southern US friends & family. Newspapers are covering the recent storms & relief efforts going on in Alabama particularly. May God comfort all those who are picking up their material lives, grieving and beginning afresh. May the Body of Christ come together & minister abundantly - being the hands & feet of Christ to those who are in need.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted!

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It's beginning to look a lot like winter - Ice Skating

During the long Easter break, some friends and I went to an Ice Skating Rink in Cape Town. The weather has been getting chilly and we were so excited about bundling up and going out on the town! The rink was very similar to our US skating rinks. Because we went on a holiday-week, it was crowded, but we managed to have fun and have lots of laughs!

After skating, we went to a favorite take-out place: Golden Dish. I've only been there a few times, but it's a treat when I get to go. I had a Mutton Salome - it's a spicy, filling dish!

I've really enjoyed this break and fun times with my friends!

Tennis anyone?

My tennis days have resurrected - and what symbolism given it was during our long Easter weekend! Meagan and I found a lovely court in St. James (a town close to where we live). You have to call ahead and book the court, pay R20 (about $3 US), and borrow the key from the managing hotel. It's not like US public courts where you just waltz up and play if the court is free. But this court, unlike the Alabama courts I frequented, is by the ocean and in sight of our beautiful mountain-range. What a scene! Fitness and a scenic view!

After an hour on the court, I thought I was going to have to crawl off and be carried to my car. Seriously, I was exhausted. Getting active again is a chore but I'm seeing results and progress. Praise Him!

Good Friday and Easter in South Africa

Good Friday was blessed!

I began the day with a Good Friday Worship Service at Capricorn Community Church. Our congregation was all together, going through the scriptures and thinking about what Christ did for us on the cross. One of our missionary-pastors, Bruce, gave a great reflection on the symbols of the crucifixion.

. Spitting upon Christ during the beatings and crucifixion - Matt 27:26-31 - representing Jesus bearing the dark side of our sin

. The nails - Luke 23:26-34 - forgiveness

. The sign above Jesus - John 19:19-22 - God can use anyone and anything to declare His Truth

. The sponge - John 19:28-30 - Jesus understands all our pain

. Two thieves - Luke 23: 39-43 - Christ lets us choose - life with or without Him

. The darkness - Luke 23:44-49 - tragedy to triumph

It was a great way to remind ourselves that Christ really did think of us and our need for a sacrifice to pay for our sin.

___________

Easter was spent with my adoptive South African family - the Daniels!

After our Sunday Easter Worship Service, Meagan and I joined her family (immediate family, aunts, uncles, grandmother, cousin...) for a family-meal! Normally I'm asked to bring cupcakes. Like I've said before, people don't really bake in their homes, so when people found out I can semi-bake (thanks to American gifts of cake-mix), I'm now the cupcake woman. But this occasion, I asked if I could bring something different. I wanted a little bit of American-Easter this year. So, I made Deviled Eggs and Carrot Souffle (a family Easter favorite). Needless to say, the tastes were a little unusual for my South African family - mixed feelings about the dishes. I didn't really care because I got to have a little taste of America on my favorite holiday!

All-in-all, Easter was great ... full of friends, sweet South African family, food and celebration of our Savior's triumph!

Meagan and Mel at the Daniels home

Deviled Eggs and Carrot Souffle

Auntie Grace dishing our Easter feast!

Carrot Souffle

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/cafeteria-carrot-souffle/Detail.aspx

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots, chopped
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash. To the carrots add melted butter, white sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract and eggs. Mix well and transfer to a 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Deviled Eggs

Ingredients

• Boiled Eggs
• Spicy brown mustard
• Mayo
• Sweet pickles chopped fine
• Paprika

Cut eggs in half.

Take yolk and mix with mayo, mustard and sweet pickles to taste.

Spoon yolk mixture into boiled egg-whites.

Sprinkle tops with paprika