The Sunday Report - April 20, 2008

Greeting in the Name of Our Lord and Savior,

What an awesome day of praise and worship. Since the team was scheduled to lead Sunday School at the two churches, after dinner last night Kate went over the lesson which was to be based on the Parable of the Mustard Seed. The mustard seed is representation of our faith. With God’s continued love and cultivation we can grow into a huge tree of faith. This tree offers us protection, shelter and hope. To demonstrate the story we had props that allowed the children to experience the story in its fullness. We thank Angela as she was our mustard seed and grew into a large tree….being that she is 6’3” she was an amazing as the large tree. The children watched in awe as Angela grew from a ball on the floor to a large tree…she even taped a felt tree to her chest. The children then colored birds to place on the tree, which they loved….way to go Jaime, Cathy, Megan, Sarah, Dr. Tice, Rev Rob and Angela for all your hard work to make sure that we were prepared for the children. Sarah and Dr Tice taught the same lesson at the Esikhawini Church and they did an equally wonderful job.

We then had worship at both churches filled with awesome singing by the church members and choir….it was singing, acapella at times that could out do any American Idol …we also had praise and worship, more singing, praying and testimonies from individual church members thanking GOD for all that he has done………everyone rejoiced. The goodness of GOD is universal and no matter the language, heartfelt praise is a sweet sweet aroma to our Lord and Savior. Rev Rob then preached a uplifting message on God’s love. His text was I John 4: 7-12. God first and foremost gave his Son, Jesus Christ so that we could be reconciled to himself. Secondly, his love continually allows him to forgive our sins and lastly, we are to continu e to spread God’s love by loving one another. Service then ended with us singing and fellowshipping with one another African style. We start with Baba and Mama Mafu and shake hands with each and every person in attendance. It is beautiful to connect with brothers and sisters of Christ.

As we walked back from church, drizzles of rain covered our path…..we had plans to go to the beach today but nature’s will is stronger than ours….we had a thunder storm with plenty of rain….it offered us a wonderful evening of fellowship and rest as we had nothing better to do than stay inside. Cathy, Jaime, Andy, Angela, Kate, Jill, Prasanth and Sarah all played a mean game of hearts and speed solitaire. Brooke, Allie, Norberts, Kristi, Brian, Susan, Danette and Katie all took a siesta……aka as a Sunday afternoon nap……….while Megan, Prasanth, Hilda made dinner- spaghetti, green beans and garlic bread. Megan made a vegetarian spaghetti sauce that was yummy and ran the kitchen like a true chef. Another excellent meal that dashes all hope of any of us losing wei ght on this trip. For dessert, Katie made brownies.mmmmJ We thank Angela, Jaime and Andy for after dinner clean-up. Image cleaning up after 24 people it is a full time job.

The end of the day filled with God’s blessings. To finish the night Kate and Rev Rob shared their verses and life tokens. Kate thanking God for the blessings of her two daughters and how important it is for us all to continue to be good stewards over the earth God has given us. Rev Rob talking about his journey to be “called” to a lifetime of ministry as a pastor. His ministry focus has been on love and how we are to continually share the good news of the kingdom of heaven. That as God’s ambassadors we should strive to become more like Jesus. We thank God for his laboring as a shepherd over God’s people for 40+ years

So, we end the night here as we have an adult/ Family Clinic tomorrow, the last in Esikhawini. We prayed for those that will come to be seen, for our physical strength and that God will heal. We are sure it will be a wonderful day. We just must remember it is his work we do and not our own. Touching lives and being touched.

Many blessings, Norberta and Hilda with the teamJ