"They just don't care."

"They (the parents) just don't care. This is something heard quite often here. It applies heavily to all the kids living with Sarah and the majority of the kids living in this area. It's especially the case for Kgaugelo. Kgaugelo is the most recent child to come stay at the children's village.He is 12, but looks like he's 9, and is a sponsored child that attends Pfunanane. His home life is awful. His family and the children around him, tease him, laugh at him, and his parents (stepfather and mother)abuse him. When he comes to school, he is so tired that he can't stay awake so he ends up sleeping on the floor of Sarah's classroom for hours on end. Two days ago, he had a fever and wasn't eating. We took him to the doctor found out that he was about to catch bronchitis. After being at the house for two days, he is well and happy. It's a huge change for him, and it still hasn't fully sunk in, but he likes it here. He eats quite a lot, and gets along well with the other children. The children enjoy him being here and take care of him, loving him and providing him with the friends that he's never had. I am thankful and so happy that he is able to stay with us. All he needs now is prayer, love and Jesus in his life.

Lebo and Wendy

Oh, and for those of you following me... while I was writing my most previous post, Lebo and Wendy were sitting here watching me, and they wanted me to mention them in the post, but I forgot. So I'm going to mention them now. Lebo and Wendy are two girls living in the children's village with Sarah. Wendy is 12 and Lebo is 10. Such beautiful, loving and sweet girls. Here are pictures of Lebo and Wendy. (the one with the cake is Lebo and the one hiding behind the plant is Wendy)

Home, at last.

Never have I experienced Matthew 7:7 in such a way as in the last couple of months. It says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." God has been good and gracious to me, Sarah Ogle and Sarah Haver. He has provided so much, more than any of us could have imagined. He provided the money for Sarah and me to come here, and now He has provided the house for Sarah and the children. I cannot believe how fast the neighbors moved out, because we thought we wouldn't get it until the beginning August. We are moving furniture in as I type. There aren't words to describe how happy I am to be back here, in Modjadjiskloof, at Pfunanane and with these precious children. At one point, I didn't think I would be able to come back, and Sarah didn't think she would ever have the house. But because of the prayers from many of you, and because of how merciful and loving our God is, everything came to pass and it was more than we expected.
I've only been here for two days, and already I have seen Jesus work in mighty ways. I cannot wait to see what else He will do.
I love every minute of being here and am beyond thankful for those that supported me and made this trip possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I couldn't be happier.

Pre-Trip Contemplations

It's three days until we (Sarah Haver, Sarah Ogle and I) leave for South Africa. I can only think about how excited I am and about how long I have waited for this trip. I seem to drown in the anticipation of the trip. But amidst all of this craziness, God has been gently reminding me that this is about Him, not me. He gave me the passion for missions, He provided the money, yet I find myself slipping back to my own wants and wanting to fulfill my own happiness. But that's the beauty and majesty of our gracious Father. He takes my hand, and lovingly pulls me back to the reality that this is His trip and He will do with it as He pleases.

Jesus is going to do incredible things at Pfunanane and on this trip. He is already working miracles at Pfunanane, and will continue to do so. Praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness.