Well, we've returned from our journey to South Africa. We are full of stories, pictures, prayers, and praises. We have new eyes for issues and concerns we've never had faces for. For example - we now know personally the children who are suffering from hunger and the women who cook soup for hundreds of these little ones on a daily basis. And now we've met and been blessed by many others who worship the same God - in their own passionate and lively way!
It was a difficult time for us to parent well and minister to other needy folks, too. Nathaniel was unhappy and upset about everything while we were there and it was difficult to help him with his overwhelming emotions. Honestly, I felt very ineffective and like a failure as I tried to do all things well. But I typically feel that way at home, too. God is working on us, and I do not enjoy His discipline, but trust that through God's workmanship Tom, my children's, and my heart will be changed and our reflection of His glory will be made more perfect through these trials and parenting challenges. We did learn a lot, see a lot, and experienced "real life missions with our kids" (which we've not done before).
South Africa is place of extremes - whites & blacks, wealth & poverty, mountains & plains, violence & peace, donkey-drawn-carts & BMWs, deserts & oceans, modern conveniences & earthen huts, huge elephants & tiny bee-eater birds. I hope you will see that in the pictures and be moved to prayer or to ask questions about how you may be involved, too. You know, a blog is meant to be interactive, so please comment!
By the way, the music in the photo show is titled "Two Weeks in Africa" by Caedmon's Call...check out the lyrics - how appropriate!
1 comment:
> Honestly, I felt very ineffective.
Really a bad feeling and I also suffer it a lot sometimes.
In SA I've thought how the situation can be changed... And I thought that even If I will give everything, that I have, I will hardy even manage to feed 2 little township for a month. And how much are there townships in Cape Town and in all South Africa.
Creating working places/positions is better. But how much of them can I manage to create?
And it was a really good thoughts to understand how mighty is God, and that I need to ask him for mercy...
And I also believe that no matter how difficult is the situation, if you get support, understanding, encouragement, if you feel love, then you can even be happy, have joy!!!
And therefore I was glad to see every single smile on the face. If I've brought happiness even to a single guy, even to 1 minute -- it's a great achievement. And it means that my presence in SA wasn't in vain. If I've managed to make somebody believe that he if precious, that he can become an excellent fellow, that he can have a good life -- then it's even better.
And what do I want to say. Can you please remember (recall): How do you feel if somebody helped you, encouraged you, brought some fun? Can you say then, that he did too little?
I remember lots of guys that changed my life and I appreciate them. And I believe this feel everybody, whose life I've changed :). Can you please try to think about it yourself? Hope it will help.
Andrei.
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