the Mafu's are Coming, the Mafu's are Coming

With great anticipation - the Mafu's are coming to town. Hooray. We look forward to letting everyone know the reunion date! In the meantime, please continue to pray . . .

** Pray for safe travels for the Mafus as they arrive this weekend.
** Pray for Zomusa and our dear friends in SA as they keep the ministry going while the Mafus are here
** Pray for Sally as she has back surgery next weekend
** Pray for Sharon's mom who continues to struggle with poor health
** Pray for my brother and sister-in-law and nephew who are still in Togo serving the Togolese
** Praise for Adam and his new job at KCC in its mission ministry
** Praise for Sabelo who passed his driving test, and Spha who received all high marks at school

Thanks. Tracy

Cool and Terrifying

Close encounters with a South African Elephant. We were backed up by the elephant for at least a 1/2 mile if not more. He then proceeded to come about 1 foot away from another safari vehicle! As Sarah says on the video - Cool and Terrifying all at the same time.

What we learned . . .

It has been such a priviledge to hear the teams' stories after we returned from eSikhawini. I am truly amazed (I shouldn't be) how God transforms our hearts and minds. He blesses the folks in South Africa and he blesses us equally if not more. For this I am truly grateful. I am going to start a series of posts called "What we learned . . . " that capsulize some of things we learned in preparation, during, and in result of this mission. These posts will be sporadic and in response to the stories that continue to bless my ears - so stay tuned!

What we learned . . .

• God will use us in mysterious ways - in ways that we cannot fathom - if we are willing and open to His call.
• God will use us to touch others' lives - even when we don't realize it.
• We can wallow in tragedy - or we can look heavenward to our merciful God. One of our African friends lost his mother last year, and he said that he would not dwell on his mother's death - rather he would press on towards the goal - to know God and to make Him known.
• God has plans for our lives.

Sunday School at Grace Evangelical

The videos are finally being uploaded to YouTube. I will try to publish a few on the blog site like this one! Play the video and here the sweet sounds of the teenagers at Grace Evangelical spontaneously singing during their Sunday School lesson.

Pray for Cebo's Mom - Update from S.A.

We just heard from the Quarterlife team that is working with Mafu's right now that Cebo's mom (Cebo is a friend, translator, and ACM staff person) has taken a turn for the worse. She is very ill and could really use our prayers. Please join us in prayer for improved health.

[pictured below Spa and Cebo]

On another note, Sabelo passed his dreaded driving test. It is much more complicated than the U.S. test. It is a real blessing for him to be able to help with transportation now.

[pictured below Sabelo - look at that smile!]

God Provided

medline
Originally uploaded by tracysbluehouse

It has been just over a week since our team returned from South Africa. I am always amazed at what God does while we are there - but I am even more perplexed - surprised - and filled to overflowing with what God continues to teach us once we come home.

I was just looking at some of the photos we took and I came across this one in which we had placed all the meds out on the tables to be sorted once again. God provided us an overabundance of medication to provide for the Zulu people. No doubt He would do this - but somewhere back in March when we really started collecting the donations - I doubted. I can see, now, that God not only answered our prayers - but he blessed us beyond measure. It was a tremendous blessing to be able to leave an ample supply for the year ahead - I am certain God will continue to use this to minister to people in a big way.

With the 2007 trip behind us - I will continue to update this blog with the stories that continue to unfold in South Africa and here with our team.