Monday, January 31, 2011

Abide in me, and I in you...

God has already began to work here in Cape Town!! It’s such a blessing to be surrounded by amazing people who love the Lord and believe that He is at work! We were given some info about the girls that Michele and I would be working with over the next several weeks! Can I just say that these girls are in some tough places in life! Girls struggling from the affects of rape, abuse, neglect, drugs, alcohol, poverty.. You name it! These girls have very little support of anything positive. Many of them seek out support and the only place to find it for them is gangs! Our girls have been in gangs, dated guys who were in gangs, have parents who have gang participation. As we sat and learned of some of the details of these girls, my heart began to break! I can’t imagine living a life, everyday not knowing what will happen. Will I get beaten today? Will I get raped? It’s sad! These girls are to the point that this is life and they say these things do not phase them! My heart breaks for them! I ask that you began to pray for them! Pray that God would use us for His kingdom! I was thinking in prayer meeting the other day, “God what do I have to offer them?” What can I do for them? He quickly reminded me that I have nothing to offer them of myself! If I go in my strength, I have nothing!! There is no way that I can help them, but IN HIM is when I have something to offer!  Jesus says in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus goes on to say later than when we abide in Him, ask whatever we wish and it will be done for you. God has so reminded me through this whole chapter that when I am abiding in Him that nothing is too big! He can take the biggest of all and simply do what He wants with it! Pray that God would use me in these girls’ lives! Pray that I would be open to His spirit and that He would lead me in the way of His desire!  I have nothing to offer these girls but the gift of restoration and reconciliation through one and only Redeemer, Jesus Christ!

I also ask you to pray that I would consistently be filling myself with God’s word and spirit! Pray that I would not get distracted or lazy! Pray for strength and courage as I begin to work with them!

On Monday or Tuesday, I will be meeting this girls for the first time! Pray that hearts would be open and receptive! Pray that we would have good and easy connections with these girls! That they would be open to meeting us! Pray for excitement! Pray that they would know we are there because we love them, not to acknowledge, once again, that they are in hard places in life, but that they would be excited for what we may bring to them.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!

So long for now from the broken city that God wants to restore!!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Getting there....

It's been a great couple of days here at the Warehouse! Lots and lots of new information and training! We have had many hours of cross-culture training over the last two days! It's so much to take in and process but it's such good information! Pray that I, along with my the others, that we would be able to process and truly apply all the good knowledge that is being poured into us! This staff here has been incredible! They have poured their knowledge and wisdom into us! I am so bless to be in the midst of about 20-25 people who absolutely love the Lord and his commands! Their desire and passion to see the local church become the body of Christ that they should be is so encouraging!! Each and everyone of them have a specific purpose here and they see to it that it is done in a way that honors the Lord! It's such a blessing to be able to serve with and along side of these wonderful people!! It has been a great day today! We have learned alot about the history of Cape Town and South Africa itself! Praise God that some of what was lost has begun to be restored and reconciled! Continue to pray for the people of South Africa and the restoration of their hearts with those of different colors!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Marvelous works of our Loving Lord!!

               The "Lion's Head" of Table Mountain- and yes, we are driving on the left hand side of the road!  :)
                                                                             Beautiful beach that was took a walk on before dinner! This is the Atlantic Ocean- which was ice cold!!

I'm in South Africa

I made it!! It was quite a long trip, but I have arrived!  :) We have had a couple days of just trying to adjust. We are getting there. It's all new and we feel soo unprepared, but asking God for a smooth transition. Thanks for all the prayers and ask that you continue! I will update more later.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Prayer Requests

TOMORROW!!!! is the big day!!!

I can't really explain all the emotions at the moment! I am soo excited but the reality is finally hitting me that I am about to leave the country and all my friends and family for 3 months!  I am more than excited for the opportunity that God has set before me!! Thank you all for your support and encouragement and I pray that you will continue them! 

I do have a few specific things I would love to have your prayers for:
1.) Me, Michelle, Sarah & Erin- names of the 4 going
2.) Safe and uneventful travel for the 4 of us going-  Pensacola>ATL>Amsterdam>Cape Town (Sunday)
3.) My family & friends back home
4.) Easy recovery from jetlag
5.) Our first week of orientation- that we will become easily aware of how things work and adjust quickly
6.) Unity amongst pairs of roomates for the 3 months
7.) Personally, I see potential for the first 2-3 weeks being tough and not having the availiablity to talk to people back home when things are tough. Pray that I would find peace and comfort in my 3 amazing friends going with me, that I would share my heart and be open with them.
8.) That God would use me in remarkable ways!! For HIS glory ALONE!

Thank you again to all who have encouraged and are excited for me!! I love you all!!
Tasha