Michelle Goette Africa - First Year Missionary

Longing for Repentance

Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am amazed at how time has passed during my time in Africa. Sometimes it seemed so slow. The work was hard and I just missed home, but now that I am looking at my last week in Swaziland I am moved to tears. I can't believe I am going to be leaving the beautiful children that I love so much. This land has become my home and my prayers are for it more than for myself most days. In II Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." His promise is so clear. He wants our hearts. I look at the Squatter camp where I work and see witchcraft, jealousy, abuse, alcoholism, deceit, and more. I cry when I think this is the home in which these beautiful children are growing up. If this stubborn people will simply fall on their knees and repent then there would be hope. I think of the city of Nineveh where God told Jonah to preach repentance. By all human standards they were beyond help. A truly wicked people. Yet, when they heard, they fell on their knees seeking forgiveness of the Lord. Even the king wore sackcloth and sat in ashes. And it delighted the Lord to show them mercy. That is the kind of revival I beg God for here in Swaziland. Please pray with me.

I said that it is my last week in Swaziland. On Friday my team will drive to South Africa for debrief. During that time will be spend time in prayer and preperation for coming home as well as spending some time in a game park just relaxing. I am looking forward to this time as I know the transition from a third world country to America will be challenging. Then on May 15th we will fly out of South Africa. Some of my friends and I are going to spend a few days in Paris on the way home. I will finally land in Atlanta on May 21st where my parents will pick me up. I am excited about seeing family, friends and my church again. However, I won't have long as I will be working at Camp Vesper Point this summer and will be leaving for training camp June 3rd.

Thank you everyone so much for all the prayers and support I have received. Please keep praying. I will be home soon to show off pictures and tell all the stories that simply wouldn't fit onto this blog.

Pictures and Prayer

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thank you for all your prayers and support I have continued to receive while being here. It really means so much. I am trying to upload some pictures right now to share with you but African internet can be difficult sometimes so we'll see how it works. To view them, simply click on "Browse My Photos" on the left of the screne. You can see some of the children that have stolen my heart during these past 4 months.

It's amazing to see everyone on my team grow during our time here. We were all so shy in the beginning, not knowing what to do or how to live in this culture. Now we have all built relationships, found our ministry sites, and even learned a bit of the language. God has been good as he is growing each of our hearts. Sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully, but always faithfully.

I only have a couple more weeks here in Swaziland and then my team will be heading to South Africa for a little debrief before we head home. Please pray for us as our time here is drawing to a close. What I will be praying for is for hunger here in Swaziland. Not in a physical sense. That is already much to common. But in a spiritual sense. The people here know the gospel. They have heard it many times before, but they are not hungry for the God that loves them more than life. Please pray for God to awaken this people to his power and might.

This is Hard

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are times working here in Swaziland that I just look around and think, "This is really hard." I mean, the physical basic needs here are so much bigger than me and the people are so used to hearing the gospel people don't know true love of God that can make them a new creation. It's just hard.

This week I was reading n Matthew and came across the beatitudes. I have read them many times before but they took on new meaning as I read them again. They say,

"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."

I realized that this being hard is part of being a Christian. It is part of a longing for God's kingdom to come and for sin to vanish. It is longing for his holiness to swallow up pain and death. I, along with the rest of creation, await that day in eager expectation. Until then I will strive to be a person that God blesses. A person who is leaning on him for every breath, running this race, proclaiming truth, loving his creation, and praising his perfect name.

I do have a prayer request. We have a Swazi girl named Treasure who is living with the team and goes to ministry with several of the girls to act as a translator. She is 19 and has become a dear friend. A couple weeks ago she became sick and had to have emergency surgery. She is doing much better now and we are so thankful we were able to take her to a nice clinic and love her as the child of God she is. However, now we have a large medical bill that her family would never be able to cover. We as the Church would like to pay it. With the surgery and medicine we are still about $1, 500 short. If you would like to give even a very small amount, please give a check to my parents who would then be able to pass it along to me. Thank you so much.

Under Attack

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Squatter Camp community that Kristin and I work in is called Magnwanini Manzini. It is a dark and wounded community. I Peter 5:8 says that the devil is prowling like a lion looking for someone to devour. Well, in Magnwanini, it looks like he is feasting. Alcoholism plagues almost every household. Deceit and jealousy are a way of life. The closest thing the men have to a job is going across the street to the dump and scavenging through the rubbish looking for something to eat. The women are largely prostitutes and the children are far from loved. Most kids go to the dump as well where many are raped, even killed for the chance to eat expired meat. One of the teachers at the carepoint told me she thinks that about 70% of children in that community are sexually abused. Others, including myself, think the number is much higher, and sexual abuse in this country pretty much grantees AIDS. Satan has a dark grip on this self named "forgotten community."

I don't share these details to make you squirm or to raise funds. I simply want to share the truth about the environment in which I go every day. I hold children, apply band-aids, stir pap and beans, kiss their heads, and pray. But many days I feel so helpless. I become filled with doubts and feel completely defeated. I feel like I can't stand in front of a group children who live in these circumstances and proclaim that God has the power to protect and provide. I feel inadequate to talk about the faithful God who stands for justice and loves the little children. I get so discouraged that sometimes I just want to call it quits.

Everyday I help dish the afternoon meal to about 100 children at the carepoint. For a couple days I noticed that we had only about half as many people coming so I asked a teacher what why she thought so few children where coming. She claimed that she didn't know but after a couple minutes she said in the wisdom and discernment I have come to respect and rely upon, "I think there is a dark cloud over this place. I think it is spiritual." That's when I realized that the doubts and defeat I had been filling my life where spiritual a spiritual attack as well. The lion, the devil, is still hungry and wants darkness to stay in that place. I was ignorant to think that he would allow us to bring in the light of the world without a battle.

I came home and repented for believing the lies of the enemy over the voice of my Father. I admitted to God that I couldn't stand up against the devil's lion like attacks by myself and asked for help. Then I went to Ephesians 6 and received the gift God had so mercifully given us - the armor of God. I know most of us have talked about the armor of God in a VBS or sunday school where children have gotten dressed up in plastic armor to take a picture to hang on the frig but now I needed God's help for real. I slowly looked at each piece and put on the armor in a real way. First I put on the belt of truth. I decided to hold onto a few key truths that were hard to believe in the face of such darkness. God is merciful and faithful. God has a plan. He is just and loving. I was resolved to not doubt things that I knew where true just because I didn't understand them in this context at this particular moment of time. Then the body armor of God's righteousness. I love how the thing that protects my heart is God's righteousness and not my own. I need to rely on his protection and his holiness. Next was shoes of peace that come from the Good News. There is peace in knowing that the battle is already over and victory is already won. I am not anxiously awaiting the outcome. When Jesus said, "It is finished," he wasn't lying. Then came the shield of faith. I looked at my faith and realized that if that was my shield then it had many holes in it. I repented and asked God for a new shield. that in his mercy he might strengthen my faith. Salvation has a helmet brought comfort as I realized that I am saved. I am safe. God has me in his might hand and will not let me go. The last piece is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Praise him that he does not send us into the world empty handed. I don't have to hide and wait it to pass like a storm. I am a mighty warrior for his kingdom with his Spirit working through his Word.

This process was simple and didn't take a lot of time but made a world of difference. I have been rescued into the Kingdom of Light and I intend to live that way. Every day I enter into ministry I will be praying on the armor. I invite you to join me. See where you can stand strong in your life.

My ministry partner, Kristin Lampen, posted a great blog about the expectations we put on God and how so many times we actually expect too little of a glorious God that made the entire universe. To read it, check out her blog at kristinlampen.myadventures.org.

Pray, Moses, Pray

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of the things I love to do at the carepoint is help to cook. The cooks are all volunteers and work so hard. They love the support and have taught me a couple SiSwati words so they can tell me what to do in their own language. They all ask me if I will cook for my mother when I get home. I tell them yes because we don't have pap and beans in America. The trick will just be finding maze mill in the US.

One of the cooks really challenged my time here. She talked to me about how it's hard for her to make ends meet because her husband died and she has three children. She asked me to pay her children's school fees. She explained, "I pray every night that God would make you my angel. You are just one person here but it's like when the nation of Israel was in Egypt. God sent just one person: Moses. But Moses did not leave the people in Egypt, don't leave us here."

I stood in shock trying to grasp what she had just challenged me with. The need is so great and I'm leaving in May. I was overwhelmed and thought there is no way I can be her Moses. But then I realized, Moses didn't do that much. God did. I told her, "When the people of Israel were hungry, Moses didn't have anything to give them. He prayed and God gave them food. When the Israelites where thirsty, Moses didn't have anything to give them to drink. He prayed and God gave them water. I do not have the money to give you but I can pray and my God can provide." I realized this is a dangerous promise to make in the midst of such poverty but I do believe that God is powerful and merciful. If this cook trusted in God then he can provide. We prayed together and it was beautiful - both of us pouring our hearts out to God in complete dependence because neither one of us had the answer.

I realized that prayer is how Moses guided a nation. There were times that God was ready to wipe out the entire people group and then Moses prayed and God had mercy. There is so much tragedy and heartache that I can do nothing about. I simply much pray and beg for God's grace and power. Please join me as I pray for this community. Pray for Rosa, a five year old refugee from Mozambique who comes to us with scares on her back because of the beatings she receives at home. Pray for Skhumbuzo, a 7 year old boy who's dad is in prison for trying to kill his mother. Pray for Donelle, a 9 year old girl who is a prostitute to get food. Pray for Zenzi, a 5 year old girl who is HIV positive. Pray for Angel, a 8 year old girl who's parents have died so she along with all her cousins live with her grandmother where there is simply not enough to go around. Pray for Timbokosi, a 4 year old boy who is being sexually abused. Pray for Nobile, a 7 year old girl whose leg is badly hurt but her family cannot afford to go to the doctor. The list can go on. There is so much need here. I can do nothing but hold these children and pray.

The teacher at the carepoint, Treasure, was talking to me about the children and simply said, "Without Christ, there is no hope." I agree. I agree.

Waiting and Serving

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. Isaiah 30:18

Throughout my time in Africa I have hoped and prayed that God would do so much. I wanted to see the lame walk, the hungry be fed, the abused set free, and entire communities to receive hope. I go everyday to the squatter camp and do anything I can to help at the carepoint there to create a safe and healthy place for children to come, learn, eat, play, and be loved. All this sounds wonderful but sometimes it is hard because Kristin and I go everyday and many times we do not see the results of our labors. Children still go home to bad situations, people still go across the street to the dump because they are hungry, and the lame are still not walking.

I started to get frustrated. I prayed, "God, I have confidence that you are with me and want me to be here in Swaziland. Why aren't you showing up in mighty ways? Why haven't we seen you move? You say you are a consuming fire. Why are you not consuming this place?" The Holy Spirit then reminded me of a scripture that I hadn't thought of in a while. He spoke to me from Isaiah 40:31, "Just wait on me and I will renew your strength. You will sore on wings like eagles." I felt he was just telling me to wait. To wait in faith that he is there and will work. It's just a matter of his timing. I started to look up scriptures that talked about waiting on the Lord and realized that the Bible is full of this concept. From testimonies to desperate cries, there are so many who have found that it is essential to wait upon the Lord. We are even instructed to wait in eager expectation for the Lord.

So this is what I am doing - or at least trying to do. I am waiting on the Lord in his wisdom and justice to come to the rescue of this community that I have grown to love so much. And I trust he will.

Since doing that he has opened up doors to meet needs in real ways. One day last week there were a lot of kids missing from the carepoint. We were told that they had all gone across the street to the city dump because a truck had coming bringing expired meat. The children never get meat so to them this was a real treat. We were appalled however that children were sorting through waste to get expired meat. We knew we couldn't solve this problem, but we desperately wanted to do something. We figured, Jesus had massive feedings (from five loaves and two fish) so why can't we. Kristin and I went to the store with our leader, Kate, and bought enough bread, cheese, meat, chips, oranges, and candy to feed 400 people. A small number campared to Jesus' 5000 but it was a start. Our entire team then worked to make these sack lunches and then piled in the van and went to the squatter camp.

When we got there, we just went around the community gathering children and brought them up to the carepoint. We played with them and sang songs. Then we were able to share the gospel through a translator and helped them make small crosses out of popsicle sticks. I don't know if anyone believed that day but I do know that God promises that his word will never go out and return void. Then we started to hand out the food. The kids were excited and were able to take some home to their families. We then started to walk around handing out the food. Some took lunches to the dump for the men who are there everyday trying to find something to live off of. It was such an amazing then to bless the people in that way. They were so thankful for the food. I told some men who were especially greatful that I was doing this because Jesus loves them and wants them to have enough to eat. I love Jesus and want to love the people he loves. The man rejoiced with me and replied, "I too love Jesus. Yes, I love him too much!"

Fatih and Prayer

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello everyone. Thank you for all the comments I have been getting lately. It is so encouraging to see how Swaziland is impacting so many people. This small kingdom has changed my heart and it seems to be doing the same to many back home. Praise God.

This past week my team was challenged with the question, "What would someone in your circumstances do if they were absolutely confident that God was with them?" I have known since I was little that God is with me and he will never leave me but I realized that so many times I do not live like it. I pray safe prayers and try not to challenge too much. How would I live if I was confident, not just had the knowledge, but was confident that God is with me everywhere I go and in everything I do? What about you? Living in the states, would you be living any differently? It's something definitely worth thinking about and praying through.

I don't have very much to post today but I do have some important things I need the church to be praying for. Some of the textile factories in Swaziland have not been paying their workers and so the workers went on strike. The factories then just fired them all saying they could get anyone to work there. The public transportation workers, which are the backbone of Swaziland considering everyone here takes public, went on strike for the textile workers and started to riot. It only lasted one day and then they went back to work saying that if the demands weren't met by the 28^th they would strike and riot again. Everyone I talk to says if it comes to that it will be worse this time. My team and I have been safe and will continue to be careful. None of us will be going into town on Friday just to be safe. Please pray for this small restless nation. Many people are angry with the government and for good reason. It is so corrupt and the people are realizing it. Pray that agreements will be met without violence and that there might be both progress and peace. Pray that God might use these events to move this country to him in a powerful way. Thank you so much.

God is Alive

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello everyone. I am trying to get back to posting every Monday now but it was good to see how many people read Friday's post about Moses so hopefully this won't be too confusing.

This past week has been good to be back in Swaziland after our prayer retreat in South Africa. We got some good rest and enjoyed some powerful worship but it's nice to be home. Kristin and I have stopped going to Pastor Sambo's church and instead are focusing more of our time at the Carepoint. This week we have helped cook, continued with the Bible Study, played with the kids, and done our best to encourage the workers and missionaries there.

There is a 10 year old girl at the carepoint named Nobile (yes, that name does have a click in it) who loves to practice her English and helps out with the younger kids. On Friday though, she started to complain of stomach pains and said she was suffering. She asked the teacher to do something for her, asked me to do something, and asked me to make the teacher do something, but neither one of us had anything to give her. My first aid kit consists of a Ziploc filled with band-aids, Neosporin, and cotton balls.

So I told her, "I don't have anything to give you but I can pray for you." She thanked me and sat down. I put a hand on her and simply prayed that God would take away the pain so that she could play and learn.

After I was done she turned to the teacher and said something in SiSwati. The teacher then told me, "God has tested your anointing." I was confused but she explained, "Nobile said that the pain is gone and she said, God is alive!'"

I was blown away and all I could say was "Praise Him!" I am so thankful that God showed himself to be real and powerful to all of us that day. It shows that God is listening to our prayers and cares about us. Thank you Jesus!

Baby Moses

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The World Race is another missions group from Adventures in Missions for 21-30 year olds that goes around the world in a year. Right now they are in Swaziland and our groups have been living together and encouraging each other.

A few of them met a woman who is about to die from AIDS but is still trying to help her family. She is too weak to do much but she is trying. When they laid eyes on her tiny baby that she could no longer feed, they knew they had to do something. They asked her if they could take the baby for a few weeks to nurse him back to health and she agreed. The team named him Moses and lavished him with love. I had never seen a baby so small and so loved.

A couple weeks later he got very sick and they had to take him to the hospital. They took turns watching him but needed someone to take the night shift so Elisa and I volunteered. I packed a bag with snacks, my Bible, and a sleeping bag and was off. When we got there, we got a quick briefing on how to give him his medicine and where to get milk and we were on our own. The hospitals here in Swaziland are already rough places. There are so many patients just in one big room and only two nurses. There is no air conditioning and no beds for the moms. Every mom did her best through the night. Some huddled up underneath their child's bed to get some sleep. Some laid on the concrete outside. Some had to hold their child all night so they got no sleep at all. There was probably only 15 seconds the whole night where there wasn't a child crying. It was rough, to say the least. I was thankful I was there with a friend so we could take turns taking care of Moses.

About 4 am, Elisa woke me up for my turn again. She warned me that he was getting worse and needed extra care. I went to him, changed his diaper, wrapped him up and said a prayer. Every couple minutes I would stand up and rub his stomach just the way he liked it. Around 5 am, I noticed that his chest wasn't going up and down any more. I was afraid he wasn't breathing. I picked him up, rubbed his chest and he took a small gasp of air. I was about to panic so I went to get Elisa. She saw what I did and the other mothers around told us to get the nurse. By the time we got back with the nurse, he had stopped breathing. The nurse simply said, "He is gone. I'm sorry. He has died." And she took him away.

I didn't know what to do. I was shocked. I thought he would get some medicine, get better, and the team would continue to love him. There was even a missionary thinking of adoption. But that didn't happen. I looked at his empty bed and started to cry. I gathered his things together while the mothers said, "Nesi, sorry. I thought he would get better." I just replied, "Thank you. I thought he would too."

I thought about not posting this. It is a hard thing to read. But then I decided that it is truth and people need to know the truth. This is the AIDS pandemic. It is not numbers on a page, it is mothers who can no longer feed their babies and babies who die without a chance at live. Moses was one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen and I have hope that he is in heaven dancing before the throne of God. But I also have sorrow because I know that Moses will not be the last one who dies because of AIDS.

Please consider the action you should take concerning AIDS. Maybe you should volunteer, give, go, pray, visit, lead, speak, or something. Just let it be something. Don't read this and say, "Oh, that's sad." Then go on with your day and life. Take some kind of action because there are those whose lives might just depend on it.

All You Need is Love

Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need." Ah, yes: The Beatles. Always count on the Beatles for the deep insights of life. Well, maybe not all the time but in aspect of love being the most important thing, they actually got it right. Paul says in I Corinthians 13:13, "Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love." I have been spending a lot of time in I Corinthians 13 lately. I've been challenged that a true Christian walks in the light and seeks to live fully in the truth. As I have prayed about what that really means, God has been showing me that love is the center piece for all of that. After all, doesn't Jesus say, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' the entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40) Love can be hard though. Really hard. Look at just some of the adjectives that Paul uses to describe it: patient, not proud, not self seeking. Wow. I need God to help me.

Sometimes it is hard to love here in Africa even though that is the very reason I came - as an ambassador of God's love. But when it's a million degrees out, a child poops on me - twice, we aren't given enough time for the Bible study we worked so hard to plan, someone else is on my bed, it's impossible to find a quiet place to be in our house, every Swazi man tries to merry me just so he can get to America... Well, you get the picture. It is hard to pour out some days.

Lately I have been concerned that I have been getting burned out. I just don't know if I can pour out anymore love. I feel completely dry. Sometimes I think if I could just have a few more comforts from home I would be able to cope and pour out more. Just give me a few smoothies, a room of my own, or at least a fan and I would be good to go. Sometimes I think that if I could just communicate with people from home a little more often then I could love better. A quick conversation with my pastor, get advise from my parents, or just spill to my best friend and then I could do it. The list could go on. That's when I found Jeremiah 2:13 which says, "My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me- the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!" Reading this passage was a huge wake up call. I realized that I was trying to be refilled from cisterns that hold no water at all. All the ways I was trying to recharge were good gifts but what I needed was to drink from the Fountain of Living Water. I need to learn how to love from God who is love. (I John 4:16)

I had to ask for forgiveness and then seek to change my actions. Since then I have been doing my best, with the help of the Lord, to drink from the Lord. To allow the joy of the Lord to be my strength. I realize that I cannot love without him. The result? Well, I realize why Jesus promised a helper - we need him. Trying to love without God is like trying to run a marathon in the dessert with no water. But with God, there is joy and peace. It is still a challenge and a struggle some days but there is hope with his help.

Thank you, as always, for your prayers and support. I love getting so many comments from my readers. Thank you. Please pray for my team as we are traveling to South Africa on Thrusday for a prayer reteat until Monday. I am really looking forward to this time to press in close to God and be recharged. Thank you and God bless.

Bible Study

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This past week Kristin and I have had a new opportunity to start teaching Bible Study after school for kids at the care point on Wednesdays and Fridays. The teachers usually do it but after a full day teaching they are tired and Kristin and I are happy to help. Treasure translates for us which is huge because otherwise only the older children would be able to understand. You all know that I love talking in front of groups so you can imagine how much fun I'm having with this.

On Wednesday, we talked to the kids about how much God loves them and has a plan for their lives. I drew a picture of a girl and then cut it up into 6 pieces. I told them that I had worked hard on a drawing and if they wanted to see it. They all were so excited. I pulled out just one of the pieces of the picture and asked them if they liked it. They all looked confused because that piece just showed a bit of green and blue. Then I added another piece. They still didn't like it because it didn't make since. Slowly I added the rest of the pieces so they could see the whole picture. Once they saw it, they liked it a lot. I explained to them that many times that is how our lives work. God is making a beautiful picture with our lives but many times we don't understand the little pieces. We have to trust God that he knows what he is doing and is the perfect artist. Kristin then shared the story about how David became King. She talked about how he was the youngest and only a shepard but God still chose him and used him for big things.

I loved doing this Bible Study with them because so many of the kids' lives don't make since right now. Most are abused, hungry, and forgotten. I hurts my heart to see that Zendzi is HIV positive, Rosa is sexually abused, Donelle is a child prostitute, Skhumbizo's father is now in jail for trying to kill his mom, and the list keeps going. Other than at the care point, there is probably no one else who tells them that they are loved and that their life is meant for big things. It is so good to be able to proclaim truth to them, to tell them that the Lord of all creation loves them and wants to make their lives into something beautiful. They don't have to become a tragic statistic. Instead they can be a child of the King. It's something good for me to continue learning as well. I need to trust God with these children. Trust him to save Swaziland and bring light into dark places. God is good and so is his love.

Thank you to all who are praying for me and Swaziland. And thank you for the comments. I love reading them. May God bless you and remind you of his perfect love.

Quick update

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

First of all, thank you so much for all your prayers. I here about how people are praying for me back home and it encourages my heart so much. Thank you. Also, thank you for all the comments on my blog. I love you here from everyone and get encouragement in that way too. Sorry I'm a couple days late posting. We took a day trip to South Africa on Monday which was a lot of fun. I'm glad to be back in Swaziland though.

This week Kristin and I have continued our work in the squatter camp. I love the work there but so many times get overwhelmed with the need. There is so much going on but I just don't know how to help. I simply pray everyday for God to rescue these kids and their community.

Kristin and I are learning how to cook so that we can fill in on Thursday this week. It's interesting trying to learn over an open fire cooking an African meal for about 100 children. Please pray the food is edible tomorrow.

I keep talking about my ministry partner Kristin. She is 20 years old, from Michigan, and I love her. It's great to have a team going in trying to figure things out. If you would like to read her blog, you can do so at Kristinlampen.myadventures.org.

I'm sorry this isn't much but I'm running out of time. I will try to do better next week. May God bless you and give you the joy that is in His Holy Name.

Bible Clubs

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This week has been filled with both victories and frustrations. Kristin and I have started Bible Clubs at Pastor Sambo's church for kids that cannot afford to go to school. We hope to teach them English, the alphabet, numbers, and Bible lessons. I'm glad to be working to reach such an important need, but it sure is hard. The kids don't know any English and are not used to sitting still and paying attention. They are used to white people coming to play, not to teach. We still play and hug but we hope to also accomplish some of our goals. We are getting advice from some teachers in the area which is helpful and are slowly gathering resources such as workbooks used in standard schools, notebooks for the kids, and crayons.

After we get done there, we head up to the care point to help Treasure with anything she needs for us to get done. Sometimes we sort through their store room organizing donations, help the children who are behind in their lessons, prepare lessons for her, or just hang out with the kids.

I have other praises from the week. I think I have found what I will make my home church for while I'm here. It's called Living Waters and it only a 15 minute walk from the house. The service is in English which is such a blessing because the translators are often difficult to understand. They have a projector with the words for the songs and real pews. I feel so spoiled.

On Saturday, our team went out to the rural area to clear some land for a care point for some of the neediest kids in that community. We used machetes and I had a blast. I felt so Africa.

A couple of my friends and I went to meet our neighbors yesterday and had a wonderful time. They are an older couple from South Africa. They came to Swaziland during the apartheid. Because of the color of their skin, they could not own the land that had been in the family for years. They told us a lot of history and shared about their family. It was a wonderful visit.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Please pray for our Bible Clubs. Pray for the children who are absolutely precious. Please pray that I don't fall too much in love with these kids. I want my heart to always belong to Jesus. I want to be in love with him and that love to fuel the love for Africa. Pray that my heart belongs to who died for it. Thank you so much. And may God bless.

I added a couple pictures. If you would like to see them, just click on "Browse My Photos" to the left.

He's got the whole world in His hands

Mon, 4 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Every week I just want to write about the same thing, how much I'm falling in love with the kids here, how much I love Swaziland, and how my heart has been stolen away by this grand adventure I am on. But lately I'm learning that falling in love with such a broken and hurting society hurts too. Kids in the squatter camp will fight and push to sit on my lap and get a hug. At first I wanted to tell them to chill out but then I started to learn their stories. One is sexually abused, the next's mother abandoned her, the next child's father died a week ago, and the stories go on. I love these kids. They have been through so much yet their eyes still shine with the resilient hope that flows from their smiles and laughs.

One precious girl's name is Ayanda, same as my SiSwati name. She is so cute. I had out a first aid kit one day and she showed me sores on her legs. I washed her off and put Neosporin and band-aids on them. I asked some missionaries about them later and they told me she has AIDS. I was shocked that this joyous 7 year old could have AIDS. It broke my heart. I just couldn't process that she had a death sentence on that she was probably born with.

I went running later that night, my favorite way to work out aggression and wrestle through things with God. I kept asking him, "Why does this little girl going to die? Why can I see so much of your beauty here and yet it is dying? I just don't understand! Why does life have to hurt so badly?"

God simply showed me, "Because of sin. It wasn't the way I created it. Sin is why the world hurts so much."

I yelled back, "Then what can I do? How can I help these kids?"

"The answer is not holding together the broken pieces by still sinful hands. The answer to the problem is going back to the root. Sin is a shift of worship from God to you. Fall facedown and worship me."

I wanted to do that, but I was still unwilling. I admitted to God my fear, "But God, if I am bowed down before you, I cannot hold these children. I can't do both."

That's when God truly made his point. "Of course you can't. These kids cannot be your greatest priority. Their hurts cannot be your greatest sorrows. Sin and the fact Christ died on the cross should be. And their smiles should not be your greatest joy. The glory of the one true God should be."

I had to repent that my focus had changed and then simply worship my God. He is so good to me. After all, I am like little Ayanda. I too have a deadly disease - mine is sin. Yet God loves me because that is his character. All I can do is fall facedown and worship with the childlike faith that trusts that he's got the whole world in his hands.

My heart is in Swaziland

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello. I've been in Swaziland for about a week now after a short stay in South Africa and I don't think I have ever been more in love with a place more than this. The children are precious beyond believe and the people are friendly. We have moved into our house and it's so nice to have place to unpack and call home. I have been going with my friend Kristin to the squatter camp everyday. We have been meeting with Pastor Sambo and Treasure, two amazing Swazi Christians, about what they think would be the best for us to do for the four months we will be living here. It's complicated because we don't want to start something, promise the community amazing things, and then nothing to continue after we are gone. Truth be told a lot of it comes down to money. Kids can't go to school and no one in the church there can afford to volunteer to teach them. The church is filled with orphans, children of abuse, and a few poor adults. It's not like there's a offering every week to help the community. It's just frustrating. By simply being born in Swaziland these kids don't have a chance. One of my friends on my team made tee shirts as fund raisers that say, "Where you live shouldn't determine weather you live." I am seeing the painful reality of that statement. Please pray for direction and wisdom as Kristin and I find the best way to love on these kids.

As I learn more of their stories my heart breaks for them. I learn that one of my girls' dad died last week. Another one is sexually abused. Another's mom abondoned her family. One of the girls looked up to me with desperate eyes and asked, "Can I be your baby?" It broke my heart. Please pray for these kids. God asks for people to stand in the gap on other's behalf. I want to be their Moses. Crying out for mercy for this people. Isaiah said "Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch." (Isaiah 62:1)

This coming week two more teams from Adventures in Missions will be arriving. We will all be meeting together for special speakers and worship in the evenings. I am really excited about that opportunity. Please pray for direction and wisdom as our team finds our place in Swaziland. Pray for patience as it takes longer to do things on African time. And please pray for continued health as I serve here. Thank you so much.

Back again on my great adventure!

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me so much during my break. My family, Concord Baptist, Chattanooga Christian School, and others. It was so nice to be home, but I'm glad to be back in South Africa.

The last few days have been spent relxing, catching up with my team mates, and brushing up on my SiSwati. Ngi funa kufundza SiSwati (I want to learn SiSwati). I went to a township where some of my friends worked last semester and it was good to be back in Africa loving on the beautiful children. Tomorrow we will be using public transport to get to Swaziland.

I'm looking forward to this next semester with great expectaions for what the Lord is going to do. My heart's desire is for a holy revolution to take place in Swaziland and my hope is that I will get to take part in it.

All my support has come in for my trip. Praise the Lord! Thank you to everyone who has given and prayed.

Please continue to pray. As I mentionsed above, we are using pulic to get to Swazi because our vehicles are broken down. Some of my friends are flying straight into Swaziland because they could not get an earlier flight to meet us in South Africa so please pray for their safety. I know I want to work in the Squatter Camp with the children that live there, but I'm not sure how that is going to look like so please pray for direction. Some of my team mate are not yet sure where they are going to work so please pray for them as well. Thank you so much.

Several people have asked about sending me letters and such. My address is

Michelle Goette

c/o Julie Anderson

PO Box 5526

Mbabane, Swaziland, Africa

They say that letters and padded envelopes get through fine but because of custom, boxes usually don't make it. I love to get notes of encouragement, drink packets for my water bottle, pictures of people and places back home, clippings form the newspaper or the funnies, or really just anything.

Thank you so much and I'll do my best to keep you posted.

My Break

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

During training camp, almost every morning I would wake up, look over the edge of my bunk, and think, "What have I gotten myself into?" I would start to realize that this entire adventure was much bigger than I was, and all I could do was hold on and pray that I would make it. Well, I am half way through and as I look back I realize that this adventure has been a blessing in the hands of God. I look back and know that this is definitely where I am supposed to be. God is so good to me.

My break has been good but fast. I can't believe that I am already heading back this Monday. I have loved seeing my family, getting to go to my church, and gather resources before heading back. I have gone to see my grandparents in Florida, visited my sister in Birmingham, and went to see East Tennessee State University where I will be going next year. I have had been given the opportunity to speak several times at my old school, Chattanooga Christian School. I have enjoyed the chance to spread awareness and hopefully encourage the students there. They have all been so welcoming of me.

I am excited to return to Africa. I have found that I left part of my heart there. I believe so much more strongly in God's heart for the nations and for this broken land. It is a place of beauty and tradition but so much has come against it. Swaziland has been ravaged by HIV/AIDS and has been hurt by a greedy king. Lack of resources make it difficult for the Swazi Christians who long to follow God in ministering to the widow and orphans. Several woman in South Africa prayed with my team for Africa and taught us a song that they sang from their hearts. They sang, "If you believe and I believe, and together we both pray, The Holy Spirit and will come down, and Africa will be saved." That is the desire of my heart. That the Holy Spirit will come down and Africa will be saved.

Please continue to pray from in the coming months. Whereas last semester consisted of a lot of training and traveling, this coming semester will be more concentrated ministry. I will be in Swaziland the entire time working at the squatter camp with some of the best kids on the planet. My friend, Kristin, and I will be organizing classes for kids that cannot go to school and therefore roam the streets all day. I'm still waiting on the Lord to see what that will look like exactly so please join my in my prayers for guidance. Please continue to pray for my health as well. I thank God that I was extremely healthy last semester and hope that he blesses me in this way once again. Please pray for Treasure, Pastor Sambo, and other Swazis that are working so hard to bring God's kingdom to Swaziland. I also ask for prayer that the last part of my support my come in. I have raised money to cover the first semester plain ticket and the coast of my trip but I am still short $700 for the remain part of my plain ticket second semester. If you would be willing to contribute to my trip, please either click on the "support me" link to the left or talk to my father, Bill Goette. Thank you so much.

Home Sweet Home

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Well, I've been home for a couple weeks now and have a couple more before I go back for another four months. This past semester has been a joy and blessing, so much more than I could ever have expected. I met amazing people and and learned many things. I fell in love with Africa in a way that I don't think will ever leave me. It's been so good to be home to see my family and faith family but I miss Africa and my kids there so I'm looking forward to going back.

My trip home was fairly smooth. I learned that sleeping on marble floors in airports really isn't as bad as it sounds and as long as good movies are playing it doesn't really matter how long the flight is. Being home has been restful but somethings seem a little off. For instance, in America everyone seemed to be driving on the wrong side of the road and wrong side of the car. Money is all the same color here so it is really hard to find the bill I'm looking for in my wallet. Kids are always with their parents and aren't that interested in playing with me. We drive everywhere we go. I'm excepted to shower everyday and wear clothes that are clean and match. And I never realized how many cereal options there are at the local grocery store - I wanted to buy them all. I have slowly adjusted again to American life. I sure that by the time I go back I will be comfortable and have to adjust to Swazi culture again. Ah, the life of a missionary.

I am looking forward to next semester. I leave again on January 14th for Swaziland. Our team has broken into two groups and while one group is going to Kenya, my team and I will (about 15 of us) be serving in Swaziland. I will miss my friends that are going to Kenya but I am excited about getting closer to my team. I'm also excited about staying in one place. Traveling was a lot of fun last semester but staying in one location will make it possible to build relationships and set up more in depth ministries. My friend Kristin and I will be working in the squatter camp with the children that I have fallen in love with.

Well, I have finally uploaded some of pictures. It takes forever to load them in the internet cafe in Africa which is why I only had pictures one time while there. To see them just click on the link "Browse My Photos" to the left under my picture. Then, to see any one of them closer up just click on the picture for a bigger version. I hope they give you a better since of what it's been like.

Since I've been home I've been overwhelmed by the number of people telling me that they have been praying for me. I felt these prayers last semester and appreciate them more than words can describe. It gives me so much confidence and peace to know that the body of Christ in Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, just to name a few are participating in this trip along side of me. It truly takes everyone in the body to make missions possible. I told Treasure, a woman working in the squatter camp in Swaziland, "One of the best things about me being here is that many of our brothers and sister in America are now praying for you and the rest of the country. Before they didn't know much about this place just I didn't know much about it before I came. Now I can tell them and you have lots of people praying." Thank you so much and I humbly ask that you continue to pray.

Thank You

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Well, my time in Africa is starting to come to a close. I have experienced so much. Learned so much. And my heart is so full of love for God and the people of Africa. Being here has been such a blessing but I am glad that Christmas break is coming. While I haven't been roughing it as much as I thought I would be there are some things I miss. I am looking forward to peanut M&Ms, internet all the time, hymns, smoothies, and sleeping in a room with less than 8 other people.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who has prayed, gave, written, and loved me all the way from America to Africa. I have felt so much support and encouragement from my faith family. I know this blog is short but just know the next time you hear from me will be in person, and I will be giving lots of hugs!

What's in a name?

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

God is so good to me. I have really been enjoying my time here in Jeffery's Bay. It is so pretty and has gotten much warmer since we talked last. I finially got in the ocean yesterday and had a blast. We hung out with some South Africans we met that are here on vacation. It was fun. They then came with us to supper and our worship service. During the day I have been learning about Christian leadership from a special guest speaker. It's been both fun and challenging. Tomorrow we are going to church in a nearby township. I am looking forward to it because worship is always so powerful in African churches.

I don't really have much to report from JBay so I thought I would write about something that God has used in my life to teach me about his love for me.

When we went to Swaziland, our leader told us that once we get to know the Swazi people, they would give us a SiSwati name with a special meaning. Then, instead of going by our English name we could go by our SiSwati name which would be easier for the people to say. Her name means gift. The man who gave it to her said, "You gave yourself to God and he gave you to Swaziland." I thought that was the sweetest thing so I was pretty excited about receiving a name of my own.

The first day we went out to ministry I was hanging out with some kids at a care point, a place were orphans can come to get food. This one girl sat beside me, put her arm around me, and never left. It was so cute. She was nine years old and didn't know any English. She just wanted to sit and be loved. She would just look up at me with these big trusting eyes and follow me where ever I went. We were just sitting and chilling when one of the older girls came around with a sharpie and started to give all the Americans SiSwati names, writing them on their arms. I thought, that's weird because I don't know her at all but I guess it could be fun." She started giving names like love, truth, and strong, depending on the person. When she came to me she simply asked the little girl next to me her name and wrote that on my arm. That's where I got the name Ayanda. I felt honored to be named after such a sweet little kid but later I asked the translater what the name meant and she told me, "Too many children." I thought, ok. I'll just wait for someone I know to rename me something with a cool meaning.

Later I was praying and asking God what he wanted for me, from me, and of me. That's when I felt him tell me, "You are Ayanda to me." That's when I realized all the traits that little girl showed with me, patience, love, and trust, are traits I should be showing with God. I need to be that little girl that just wants to be loved on by him. God is so good. He just wants faith and trust on our part and he will take the rest. Since then I have rested in the fact that he loves me and have strived to give him the childlike faith he desires.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. I love getting comments on my blog and told by my parents that people are praying. I know that it is the prayers of my faith family back home that is getting me through. I am really enjoying JBay, like I said, but I am looking forward to seeing everyone over Christmas. I love you all and am praying for you as well.

Greetings from Jeffery's Bay.

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Wow, much has happened since I blogged last. I'm so sorry I didn't have a chance to post last weekend. I had limitted time at the internet cafe and had to book my flight for next semester.

Since I last posted, my team left Swaziland and came back to South Africa for a big Thanksgiving celebration. It was fun to see peolple I haven't seen in a while but it didn't quite feel like Thanksgiving as I was sitting in shortsleevse feeling hot. But TIA (this is Africa). The food was suprisingly American with excellent Turkey and all that goes into a Thanksgiving feast.

After that, we had day to get backed and ready to drive 14 hours to Jeffery's Bay, South Africa, where I will be for the next 2 weeks. Special speekers are coming and and we will be learning about Christian leadership in the morning and going out to townships to play with kids and visit people in the afternoon. I will have to admit that I feel quite spoiled because the cabins we are staying in are only a block away from the beautiful Indian Ocean. It's a little too cold and windy for me to swim but others on my team have been getting in the water.

As I mentioned, I had to buy my plane ticket for next semester and as I was looking at my account I need to raise a bit more support. I am short about $1,000. If anyone is interesting in giving, you can click on the link on the left side of this page that says, "Support Me!" or you can talk to my parents. Thank you so much.

I'm sorry I don't have too much else to report. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. I love getting comments on my blog from people back home. It's awesome. Thank you and may God bless you.

A forgotten community

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Jesu u ya kutandza! Jesus loves you!

We have been working on learning SiSwati and it has been a slow but fun process. I even have a Swazi name, Ayanda. I am still learning a lot about how to live in Swaziland. Like how to take public transportation, get around the city, where the good places to eat are, and how to gracefully deny the millions of marriage proposals I get everyday from all the Swazi men who want an American wife.

I have continued to work at the squatter camp right outside of Manzini. There is a church in the middle of the community pastored by a man named Jacinto Sambo. I talked to Pastor Sambo about the area and the needs of the people and he said, "It is a forgotten community." It does seem that way. Alcohol is such a big problem among the people there. Then the kids are either orphans or just neglected by parents that don't have any food to give them.

I was looking out over the community thinking of the sickness, sin, and need and prayed, "Oh God, I don't see you here." Immediately he said back to me, "Yes you can. Every time one of these beautiful children smiles, I am there." I do feel so much hope now. I just hold on tight to these kids saying "I love you, I love you, Ngi ya kutandza." Thank God that he has not forgotten this community.

I am still praying about what to do next semester when I will be in Swaziland from January to May. I am thinking about starting clubs for some of the kids that cannot go to school and instead go to the dump and are used by men for food. As I talked to Treasure, the woman who feeds children everyday at the kitchen, about my desire to help and she said to me, "Maybe you are their Moses. Maybe God has sent you here to claim this land for him." The need is big and I am small, but I serve a big God. I know that he is good and just as Pastor Sambo said in faith, "If we stand in the gap, God will be faithful to provide."

Please pray for direction and wisdom as I, along with my team, seek to find my place in Swaziland. Pray for Pastor Sambo, Treasure, and our other amazing African brothers and sisters that are fighting for the Lord in Swaziland. Please pray for our team as we will be returning to South Africa on Wednesday for the remainder of the trip. We are going to Jeffery's Bay on the coast. Thank you so much for your prayers. Knowing I am constantly brought into the presence of my Lord by the prayers of my family is so encouraging. I love you all so much and pray for you often.

Loving Swaziland so much

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I am back in Swaziland and absolutely loving it! I believe so much that God has big things for Swaziland. The statistics are bad. According to the UN, the Swazi people should completely die off by the year 2050 because of the AIDS rate here. It is the worst in the world with about two thirds of the people HIV positive. Missionaries have told us that Swaziland is not ready for the harvest because the people are so apathetic to the gospel and seeds have not been planted as long as they have been in Kenya. I think that is completely foolish because Ninevah wasn't ready for the harvest and God completely brought that sinful city to its knees. God must act fast to save these people, and I have faith he will. God usually works through desperate situations and I believe he will do it again.

Last weekend we did an intense time of team building which, when I'm home I would be happy to explain but anything I type here just wouldn't do it justice. Just know that it was one of the hardest things I've done but we are all now alive and well and our team is stronger for surviving. If you want to know more when I get home just ask about my eco park experience.

Because of visa complications we didn't leave South Africa until Thursday, but now my team of 16 is here safe and sound in Swaziland. This is the group I will be living with next semester and we are starting to dive into the ministries here. Right now we are staying on a homestead and I am having a blast. My home has a real grass roof and there are chickens, goats, and cows in the front yard. As I was my hair behind our house I wave to the kids on their way to school. I couldn't be happier. In a few days we might go to the AIM house in the city but I'm enjoying our time on the homestead while I can.

There are several different ministries around the city of Manzini where we are staying. Some are going to the hospital and others are going to a carepoint which is like an informal day care for orphans. I think I'm going to spend most of my time in a squatter camp working with the beautiful children that live there. They are so sweet but most of them are living in intense abuse. My heart just hurts for them but I also have hope because I know my savior can comfort them and strengthen them like no other.

Next week we will be spending more time out in ministry and less time in sessions which I'm excited about but please pray for energy and strength. Also, please pray for me as I learn the language. I am really bad at learning languages but I really want to invest here. I am having a hard time remembering names of the kids because the sounds are so different to me. I would love to show the kids they are valued and loved and calling them by their names would be a good start so please pray for that. Please pray for the children who are abused everyday who live in the squatter camp. They need the perfect Father who will always take care of them.

Thank you for reading these posts and praying for me. It means so much to me that so many people love and support me. It is amazing to see the body of Christ reaching out to Swaziland through me.

As terms of an update, I posted a few weeks ago about the day care at Mamelodi and the need for a new building. God is so good. All the money is raised. I praise God for all who gave and all who prayed. I can barely wait until Thanksgiving when I can go give the money to the women who pour their lives out for those kids and tell them their brothers and sisters in America love them and support them.

Last Week at Mamelodi

Fri, 2 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Well, this was my last week at Mamelodi. After a lot of prayer we found out where we are going next semester. I will be going to Swaziland and I'm so excited about that. This coming Wednesday the Swazi team will be going to Swaziland for two weeks. Then we will come back to South Africa with everyone for a big Thanksgiving celebration. After that, we will all head to Jeffery's Bay, South Africa for two weeks. We will then go back to Alabanza for some debrief and then go home for Christmas.

We have been doing programs with the kids at Mamelodi everyday based on different themes. For the past week however we just threw the themes out the window and stayed with the basics of the gospel. We just wanted these kids to hear clear truth as much as they could before we left. I have loved the opprotunities to proclaim the beauty of the gospel over these kids. The last day we threw them a huge party that was a blast. We did face painting, balloon animals, crafts, dancing, bubbles, and all kinds of stuff. It was great way to end our time there letting know the kids they are loved and valued beyond belief.

God has been teaching me so much about his love and victory over sin. I realize everyday more and more about the freedom that comes in his name. I am so honored to be used by such an amazing God. He is good.

I'm sorry this is short but the internet cafe was packed today and I'm running out of time. I love you all and pray for you constantly. I love getting comments and emails. It's great to hear from home. Thank you for all your support.

Pictures!

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It has been a good and busy week here and I'm glad it's the weekend. Each week I look forward to the chance to get to talk to people back home. Your support means so much to me.

Well, I finally got my camera hooked up here so I wanted to post some pictures. It is taking forever though and here you have to pay for the internet by the hour so I'll just post a few this week and try to do more later. To see them simply click on the link "Browse my Photos" on the left side of this page.

Thank you for your prayers. Please pray as we are all deciding where we are to serve next semester, Kenya or Swaziland. Pray for energy as we pour into the people here. And please continue to pray for safety. Thank you so much. I love all of you.

Mamelodi

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello from across the equator. Thank you so much for all your prayers, emails, comments, and thoughts. I heard that my blog was read in church and I keep hearing about how everyone is praying and I am overwhelmed by the love of people back home. I know that when I embrace a child that I do so with the arms of the church because God has used the church to send me here. Thank you.

This week I have continued to go to the township of Mamelodi (I finally found the correct spelling for it). This week the theme was "I was made by God." We used Colossians 1:16a, "For by Him all things were made, in Heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible." The kids colored pictures of the 7 days of creation, did fingerprints to learn they were each made special, completed puzzles of the memory verse, and other activities. Planning for each day is a big deal but it's worth it. It is so cool to see the kids getting into the songs and games. I see them trusting us more and more each day. From teaching them motions to songs to letting them play with my hair that they are so fascinated with, we are slowly starting to build relationships. Next week our theme will be "I am made to be like Christ." Please pray for our program there. I don't want these kids to just learn cut songs and engage in cool crafts. I pray that God takes out their heart of stone and puts in a heart of flesh. I pray that God gives them the hope and peace that only comes from being adopted into the grace of God.

Something that God has placed on my heart and that I would absolutely love yall to pray for is the condition of the building of the day care at Mamelodi. I work with the school age children in a big tent but the babies and toddlers are in a tiny tin building. The kids are practically on top of each other. I talked to the women who work there and they say it just breaks their hearts because they want to do so much with kids are they just can't because there is no space and they simply don't have the money for a better facility. I am happy the kids are there in a safe place but it also hurts my heart to see how they are just crammed into a room. While I was praying about it I felt like it would be amazing if we could build them a new building. There are enough of us here that we have the man power but it is still a matter of God providing the money. Steve is one of the missionaries who lives at Alabanza (the missionary base where we are staying). He said he has already looked into what it would take about $1000 US. It would completely change the ministry is there was more room. Please pray if this is something you might want to get involved with. Your brothers and sisters of Mamelodi would appreciate your prayers and if you want to give I can certainly get you the information to do so. Just email me at frog7317@comcast.net. I will try to get pictures up soon.

Well, I'm running out of time so I will have to go. I just might get a smoothie today. I am so excited. Thank you again for your prayers. Please leave a comment if you have a minute. Know that my prayers are with yall. Thank you for your support.

Back in South Africa

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

First of all I would like to say it is so encouraging getting comments on my blogs, emails, and facebook messages from people back home. It really shows the body of Christ and how much my Christian family supports me. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Martha. She had a short stay in the hospital but is now completely better. She thanks everyone who lifted her up in prayer.

In my last blog I promised to write about the big feeding we had in the squatter camp in Swaziland. Well, it was amazing. We all chipped in a bought a cow to feed everyone and invited anybody we could. The best way I can discribe it is a huge party in a tiny church. There were tons of people overflowing and all so excited to be there. There was music, dancing, laughter, and lots of hugs. There was one little girl who just latched onto me and didn't let go. She is seven years old and just precious. I could tell she just really needed love so I did my best to hold onto her. God really come through because my arms never got tired. Later I learned more of her story. There is a tree line in between the squatter camp and the city dump where little girls go to sell their bodies to get bread or money for food. She is one of these girls. It just broke my heart. So I just held on tight and told her over and over again (even though she doesn't know English) that God loves her because he made her and that I love her too. I prayed over her and asked many of my friends to say a special prayer of protection for her. Please, oh please pray for these girls.

On Monday we all piled into the vans to come back to South Africa. I didn't really want to come back because I really loved Swaziland, but God has been working in my heart and I am loving South Africa as well. This past week I went to Mamalode which is a large township about an hour away from where we live. There is a day care there that we have partnered iwth. I have worked with the 6-10 year olds. We go and put on a program that includes singing, crafts, Bible stories, games, skits, and just play time. Please pray for us as many of the families of these kids rely on witch doctors instead of the grace of God. It is a battle ground. Jesus welcomed the children into his arms while he was here on earth and I know that this is still his heart. Please pray for us as we plan these programs, the translater, the children and their families, and the salvation of the witch doctors.

I have been learning so much and I am so thankful to be here. I am so grateful that the God of the universe chooses to call me his. I am honored for the opprotunity to fight for the heart of my king.

There is no spell check on this computer and my time is about to run out so I have to go. I hope it's readable. I love you all and think about you daily.

Sa Bona from Swaziland

Fri, 5 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello! So much has happened in the past week. Our group is in Swaziland, a small country to the east of South Africa. It is absolutely beautiful with many rolling mountains and the people are stealing my heart.

A typical day starts at 7:30 for prayer. Next is breakfast and morning sessions start at 9. Morning sessions include worship and teaching. This week the focus has been our identity in Christ. A different member of the staff has taught each day and we typically debrief with small groups about what we are learning. Then we quickly grab lunch (PB and J sandwiches everyday) and break up into four groups to go to a location for ministry. From 5-7 we have free time where we can do chores, sleep, shower (if your lucky), read, or just hang out. Then there's super and we end the day with a worship service. This week we have had a special speaker, Gary Black, who is a missionary in Swaziland along with his wife and six boys.

My first day I went to a care point which is a station in the rural areas for kids to come to eat, play, and stay safe. Some are orphans and some just don't have enough to eat at home. The language barrier has been difficult but the kids don't care at all. They just want to be held. I played tag, danced, smiled, and just tried to be Jesus with my actions the best I could. A discipleship team of Swazi youth has risen up to teach the children about God. The travel around to the 9 care points making sure to come once a week. Please pray for provision for food, gas for the stove and more women who can help at the care points.

The next day we went to a squatter camp to help a pastor who planted a church there. Many kids gather at the church as a safe place during the day so we started playing there before going around to the different houses. A translator came with us and helped us talk and pray for the people in th community.

After that, I went to the Manzini Hospital for the next two days. I walked around talking the encouraging the people there. The first day I held a day old baby for a while while chatting to his mother. She didn't know much English but she didn't have any other family so I just tried to stay by her side. Before I left I prayed for her and her baby. The second day I walked into the women's ward and found a woman there who I thought was sleeping. I was going to just keep walking when someone explained to me she had been taken off life support the day before and was dying. She wasn't responsive at all but I just didn't feel right about leaving her to die alone. My friend Kristen and I stayed by her side reading the Bible to her, praying for her, and singing praises to God over her. She saw still alive when we left but I pray that she will soon be able to leave behind the pain of this world and dance with the angels before our Lord.

There is so much more to say and I will have to post about the big feeding we had at the church last night were we slaughtered a cow for the community and had a big party. But for now my time is running out at this internet cafe and so I'll have to wrap things up.

Thank you for everyone who is lifting me up in their prayers. I have been healthy and happy. I have been learning so much and have really been seeing God's heart for Swaziland.
Please continue to pray for:
    safety as we are traveling back to South Africa on Monday
    Martha, a girl on my team, has been sick for the past few days
    the Blacks as the are starting a school and community center for orphans. The ground breaking is on Monday.
    the people of Swaziland to see the true God that is truly the King of Kings

Africa at last!

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I am finally in Africa and I am loving it!

First I spent a week in training camp in the beautiful mountains of Georgia it was such a good time of getting to know my team and getting focused on God before actually hitting the mission field. We had a lot of guest speakers, time for prayer, and team building games.

It took three days to get to South Africa including a long lay over in Germany. Traveling wasn't fun but we got here safe and sound.

We are staying at Alabaza which is kind of like a retreat center. The staff is mostly South Africa with a few America missionaries. Everyone has been so welcoming and loving. The first couple days we focused a lot of culture talks and what ministry would look like. Then we finally got to hit the streets. We broke up into four groups and went to different ministry locations. My group went to a township close to where we are staying. There we talked to people at their houses, held children, conducted a street meeting, and prayed a lot. I had a blast!

We don't have much time to spend on the internet so I am sorry this is so short. I will do my best to write a longer entry later explaining in more detail our work here.

For now please pray for us as we travel to Swaziland tomorrow. We will be there for about a week going to care points, hospitals, and working with children. Swaziland desperately needs the understanding that God not only died for them and wants them to have a new radical life.

Thank you to everyone who has be praying and encouraging me. I feel your love across the ocean and channel that into the people here. I love you all and will write again soon.

Love Surrounds Me

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Last night, my church gave me a reception so that they could say good by and pray for me. I was overwhelmed by the love I felt and encouragement I received. There were cookies, cards, hugs, tears, and prayers. Thank you so much to everyone who came. I will miss my Concord family but I am so grateful that they will be supporting me through prayers.

A lot of people have be asking me if I'm scared. I'm not though. Not at all. I have this peace, and the only way I can explain it is that it comes from God. There are so many unknowns still out there in the way that this trip will flesh out, but I know that this is I am to do right now. Mother Teresa said, "We must leave every project for the future in the hands of an Omnipotent God, because yesterday has gone by, tomorrow is not yet here, and today we have only to know, love, and serve Jesus." I rejoice in this chance to know, love, and serve Jesus in South Africa.

I leave in two days for training camp. My room looks like it exploded because everything I own is in random piles that at one time were very organized. My dad said that tonight he will help me put everything in the suitcases. I don't know if I'm thankful for the help or terrified at the task. I'm a horrible packer and have always thought that packing was punishment for traveling. However, with an amazing opportunity to go to South Africa, I guess I shouldn't complain about something so minor.

Other than that, I guess the next couple days will be cramming in a lot of stuff before I leave. My dad's birthday is tomorrow and I'm excited about that. I love my family so much. I will also be buying last minute things and eating my favorite foods (mainly smoothies and ice cream).

To those reading this from my church or family, thank you for everything and I love you all very much.
To those fyms reading this, I'm looking forward to meeting you and want you to know that my church is praying for our team.