Full of Stories

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!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We're in Africa...

We are still far, far away in Africa. I just wanted to plead for your prayers that we will finish well. That Nathaniel will calm down and be less angry and behave better. That we will stay safe on the road. That our team will continue to seek unity. That the children and teens we will speak to this weekend at the youth events will see and know God as their salvation...