Hope

I've been thinking about hope a lot lately. God has spoken some things to my heart which are still in my future. God's word is true and God is faithful. I have hope that despite transition, feeling a bit lost, and struggling to find my place that God is in control. I know that we win and that eternal joy awaits me. The picture of the ending helps me push through the present. I've realized I need to embrace God's promises with faith. I know that it will take patience and only hope can help generate the faith and love I need for this journey. God's love brings us to the valley so that we can know the joy of the mountain top. Yet as I travel further through life through more valleys and more mountain tops I begin to realize something. Our joy is in who travels with us. Thank you Emmanuel, God with me, Christ inside of me, Holy Spirt who guides me. I have hope, glory of Christ in me! Freedom!

2005 Journal

Found this journal entry from 2005...kind says what was on my heart before Africa. My time in Swaziland reaffirmed my belief that true change cannot be legislated or argued. Transformation is from God, change happens inside out....let me know your thoughts, enjoy:

3/6/2005 - Journal Entry from Senior Year of College

"Just finished watching motor cycle diaries and I feel struck by the story told. I can't help but feel a connection and affinity for Ernesto 'Che' Guevara and his yearning for a revolution. I am struck with another thought though, that his energy was wasted by trying to fight injustice through social and political channels. I believe that the revolution needs to be God. The only thing that can right this world is God himself. Jesus Christ was a revolutionary of his time and continues to be today. If I ever want to do anything to better the world it is to bring the Good News to the nations. Lord, help me not to get caught in the Villanova and COS bubble. Lord, help me ot be passionate about changing the world, hep me to bring you into the world. God I pray that you change me in a revolutionary way and that your love will overflow out of me into other people. Clear my mind and empty me of all that is unnecessary...then fill me up with your Spirit. Lord, I offer myself as your hands and feet. Ready me to serve you in Africa but also in all the days of my life."

Saying Goodbye

It's tough to say goodbye...it seems like my life is all about goodbyes. The funny thing is that I need this move, I really feel like it is time to move on from Swaziland. I do not know how to explain it but I have peace in my bones about it.

I'll miss people, that is for sure. It's been harder on me to see people's reactions to my moving. I have come to realize that it will affect and impact people. That's tough...I've been through this before but some of the people my moving will affect have not. I know they will be ok but there is no way of explaining...i guess only experience and time can.

Here are some of the faces I am saying goodbye to.

Gcinile

So Karl and I had some visitors this past week. Nhlanhla and Gcinile spent the night at our home after some family problems forced them out of a relatives house for the night. Nhlanhla went to school and left Gcinile in the care of Karl and I. It was an interesting adventure. Karl and I are not schooled in the finer arts of taking care of two year olds. Anyhow, she's a cutie and they've got a bright future ahead of them...i believe that and because our God is faithful!

CLINGING

Lately I've had a lot of people around me lose people that are close to them. I've heard of many struggles and of many heartbreaks. There have been many relatives facing illness and death lately. I guess this is part of growing up and aging. Death is not fun but for those with hope in Christ it is true healing. No more pain, no more tears...

I've been encouraged by Jeremiah 13. It shows that our true purpose is to cling to God. We are meant to cling to God – Jeremiah 13:11 – Listen to God, do not be proud, we are meant to cling to him, he is central, oh that we would make him central.

We are going to face storms in life but we can find peace in Christ. We can cling to God and his loving arms will embrace us. We are but foreigners here on this earth.

40 Days of Prayer 0001

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