Down by the Sea...

Wow, such an incredible week.  We left Krugersdorp on the 13th for Durban.  Durban, South Africa has the highest population of Indians outside of India.  When we arrived, we were divided up into pairs and went to various homes of the church members.  What an experience!  I was a bit concerned about what I would eat since I cannot eat curry.  On the way to the house, we (Denise and I) let our host know of my inability.  Neera was wonderful about it though, she made sure that she had “English food” that I could eat.  Of course, it seemed like every time we turned around she was trying to feed us something.  Neither of us are big breakfast eaters, but it took a while to get Neera to understand that.  I felt bad, but I just couldn’t force the food down my throat.    I did learn that Butternut squash is pretty good though.  (At least the way she prepared it.) 

All in all, we had an incredibly busy week as well.  Of the eight days, we were in ministry six.  The second Saturday, we were a part of the Bible School’s morning session and traveled to Ulundi and had a service that night.  The various services were incredible.  We all had some part in at least one service.  The worship we experienced in each church was very different, but they were all awesome.  In the Indian church it was very modern and upbeat.  In the Zulu churches, it was also fairly contemporary but we couldn’t understand a lot of it since they were singing in Zulu.  The dancing though.... Oh, the dancing!  It was absolutely incredible!  Don't be surprised if I come home with a few new moves.  (I promise not to kick my foot up over my head in church though.  I just don't think I can go there.)

We did so many things while we were in Durban and Zululand.  We did lots of ministry and had lots of fun too.  

I could keep going, but I really need to get finished packing for Europe.  

I love you all and I do miss you, even though I'm having the time of my life here.

"Do not those who plot evil go astray?  But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness."

Prov. 14:22

Special Prayer Request

This one will be short and sweet, I promise! 


Shortly after the students began to arrive, a missionary family from Zambia came to stay in one of the apartments, the Becker family.  Their purpose was to get their Land Rover repaired.  Though the Becker's are independent missionaries, they have a good relationship with the PH missionaries here.  (Quite the example of missionaries creating their own families away from home if you ask me.)  While they were here, Beth wanted to see a doctor to have a lump she had found in her breast checked out.  Unfortunately, the diagnosis was not good.  She has breast cancer.  Beth, Dave, and their youngest son, Scott began a tumultuous ride they didn't bargain for.  Rather than my trying to get all the details straight, you can read Beth's story at her Caring Bridge site.  We have all become quite fond of the Becker family and will certainly miss them when we return and they are not here.  
Beth had her first round of chemo this past Wednesday and so far she is doing great!  Please help us pray that this will be the trend for Beth.  She's got a long road ahead of her, and we are praying that God will perform a miracle.  

Thanks for your prayers!

Eeessshhh! I didn't realize it had been so long....

As much as I had hoped that time would not fly by, it has.  The past two weeks have been wonderful.  Week before last, we had the opportunity to hear from the OMC's from Asia and Europe/Middle East.  The Board's (Asia) and the Cave's (Europe & Middle East) told of all the wonderful things that are happening in their regions, as well as the many needs.  I can honestly say that my eyes were opened to the many needs in Europe.  It can be hard to see Europe as a mission field rather than a vacation destination, but it is quickly becoming a very difficult mission field because of their Post-Christian mentality.  (See Bob, I did learn something!)  
We were truly blessed to hear of their many experiences.  They were very honest with us and let us know very quickly that we should expect difficulties when we first go out into the field.  Carol Cave told of their "initiation" into missions in Haiti many years ago. Sandra told us of when they first went to Japan with three daughters in tow.  My admiration for these women went even higher after hearing the stories of the things they have endured for the Call.
Over the weekend, we went to MonteVillage, a shopping center that is designed to look like an old Italian Village.  This also happened to be the venue for the South African Tennis tournament.  After seeing a movie, Larissa, Montana, and I went looking for supper.  We ate at The Gourmet Garage.  Boy, were our taste buds serviced!  The burgers were absolutely incredible.  On Sunday, we went to the church in Eldorado Park.  The pastor, Reggie Thomas, is one of the national leaders in this area.  We have now been to a white church, black churches, and a colored church.  No, that's not a derogatory term either.  In South Africa, the coloreds are typically people of mixed race.  
This past week, we have been to a cultural village, government hospital, and an orphanage.  On Monday, we went to the Lesedi cultural experience.  At Lesedi, we were able to "visit" five different villages of South Africa.  We visited Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa, Pedi, and Nbedele villages.  We had the opportunity to also view more tribal dances.  I don't think I could ever tire of seeing them kick their feed up above their heads.  
Our classes this week have centered around medical missions.  Our teachers this week were Dr. Terrence and Martha Ann Carey.  Dr. Carey currently has a practice in Tulsa, OK but will be joining the ranks of IPHC missionaries soon.  We had classes on malaria, HIV/AIDS, parasites, as well as what is needed when considering a short-term medical mission trip.  In conjunction with our classes, we had two field trips.  Our first was on Wednesday, we went to the pediatric oncology unit of a local government hospital.  That trip was both an incredible blessing as well as incredibly heart breaking.  
Our group split into two groups when we got there, one going to the ward of children under the age of seven and the other to the ward for older children.  I,  of course, went to the younger group.  It seemed like every time my heart broke, there was something else that warmed it.  Part of me doesn't want to tell too many of my stories because I know I'll be sharing some of these when I come home.  I'll choose two, one heart breaking and one heart warming.
First, the heart breaking story.  One of the little girls, Agnes, wasn't too sure what to think of us white folk walking in.  I soon found out that she was only 16 months old, the same as my niece Ruthanne.  That alone broke my heart.  At first it seemed that she was merely unsure of us, but the longer we stuck around we soon found out that she was terrified of us.  At the mission where she had been before coming to the hospital, the only white people she saw were those who were coming to bring treatment - in her mind, they were bringing pain.  I ached to pick her up and love on her just as I would Ruthanne, but she wouldn't let me get close enough to touch her.  
Now, for a heart warming story.  Lizzie, who was around two years old, stayed in her crib the entire time we were there.  She was hooked up to three IVs, one of which was an infusion of blood.  Initially, she didn't respond much.  She began to come around when Donald, the Do-Do came to visit though.  (For those who don't know, Donald is one of my newer puppets.  He's a bit of an odd bird.)  Lizzie became quite animated with Donald.  It was wonderful to see her smile and hear her laughter.
On Thursday, we had our other field trip.  This time we went to an orphanage in Pretoria.  This orphanage is run by the Sisters of Charity, a part of the Catholic order that Mother Teresa was a part of.  This orphanage is home to 68-69 children/young adults.  They have some who are severely mentally retarded; some of these have been there as long as this orphanage has been open, 21 years.  18 of the children there have AIDS.  Some of the children are there simply as a product of parents who have died of AIDS.  The children range from 2 week old twins to a few who are in their early twenties.  I've been asked if I was afraid to touch or pick up the children.  Not in the least, you simply need to be informed and cautious.  I was more than happy to hold babies the whole time we were there.  Dr. Carey picked up Ronnie, a 4 year old boy who has hydrocephalus.  Again, we were tremendously blessed by our time with those children.  We were able to shower love upon them.
So, that brings me up to date.  We will be leaving in the morning for Durban, SA.  We will spend a few days down there and then go on to Kwa-Zulu Natal.  We will be staying with various families who are members of our churches in the area.  Please pray that we will be a blessing rather than a burden to our hosts.  Also, please pray that my host will be understanding when I tell them I cannot eat curry.  Apparently, there is something in curry that I am either extremely sensitive to or allergic to.  


Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7