My Four Weeks

My life for the past four weeks has been crazy. I've been to Mozambique twice. I've been privileged to be a volunteer at five Christmas Parties that saw over 5,000 orphaned and vulnerable children have one of their best memories ever. I've been to South Africa twice, to drop off Jordan and to take the youth on a fun day to Badplaas...which is not really a bad place, it's actually quite good! Natural hotsprings, water slides, go karts, etc. I've been to camp across the country in Mlawula Game Reserve. I've helped run a youth absitinence day in the community of Ka Khoza. I've help lead worship at CarePoints, churches and in houses. I've spent myself...because I look into the children's, the poor's, the youth's eyes and I see Jesus. I'm not perfect, I'm in need of Jesus every day. But I know this, I will and strive and empty myself out so that I can serve the least of these...My life is blessed, God is good and with God lives are being changed.


YES I WAS THAT CLOSE, EISH, I CAN SEE AN IRIS

SOME OF THE YOUTH LEADERS FROM THE CAREPOINTS

New House

So before Jordan headed back to the States for the Holidays we moved into a new house. It's a cool pad that will work out great for us boys. Take a look!

What are you living under?

I’ve found out lately that I can often live oblivious to the battle going on around me and in me. People often live under oppression or under attacks and do not even realize it. Today I prayed a simple prayer. I prayed that the spirit of apathy, depression and heaviness to leave in the name of Jesus…yeah, it even sounded a bit weird coming out of my mouth. The crazy truth of it is that after I prayed that I feel a joy that I’ve not experienced in weeks. God tells us that we are in a warzone…yet I often live in such ignorance. To be truly free, to be live as we are intended to live. Do we assume that our depression, our anxiety, our anger, our lust, our discouragement, our fear is normal? Do we live wrapped up in unnecessary chains, de we often live under attack and think everything is normal. No more, no more, no more.

Bayside

Sarah and I had the privilege of hosting a team of nine people from Bayside Community Church. The team was comprised of a group from Bayside's Children's Ministry. We had a blast. The team spent the majority of their time at Ngwane Park CarePoint. They blessed our teachers, cooks and children. Bayside left behind an anticipation and expectation of what God is and will continue to do at Ngwane Park. I know God worked in their hearts and a piece of them was left behind. It was fun hanging out and it was a blessing to see God work through y'all!

I am Back

Hey, so yeah, I have not really used my computer during the month of October. I apologize for the lack of communication. Things have been busy as usual but also I've needed some time away from routine.

I'm excited to get back to bloggin, emailing and all things Tech oriented...I went on a trip to Zimbabwe and was blown away. Our God is a big God and in the midst of such suffering there is such life. The people at Oasis of Life Church in Bulawayo are amazing. God's presence and favor is with them. They've helped plant nine churches in the last year. Their impact is exponential. Their worship is beautiful and true. Their lives are truly a witness to the world. They were to me...Check out some pictures:

ZIMBABWE

Hey, heading to Zimbabwe today with Ben, Mark and Zinty. It should be a fun and eye opening trip for all of us. I'm excited to see Pastor Dixon and his church on their turf. Should be awesome!

Please be praying that we travel safe, thanks!

Quiet

God's been a bit quite lately. It means that I must stay faithful to His word and persevere as I seek Him. Its good, its frustrating but its good. God is with us, sometimes he is quiet in order to build our faith!

Showing some love!

Here are some pictures of the people I get to do life with. I probably do not appreciate them enough or tell them how much I care for them.

Here are some of the Cup girls - they are awesome women of God and Ma' Sistas! Love y'all!


Mark & Kay - What an incredible young couple who love the Lord so much. Such a passion for young people and for God!

lil time away

In Mozambique for a couple days away...waiting on God, resting in God!

...God loves me, God loves me...let me never come to grips with this yet let me receive that transforming love!!

God is with me, God longs for me to spend time with him. Give me some Jesus this day! Working on pictures...

TRUE CAREPOINTS, YES!!

Look around, Look around

See what’s been done

See what is happening

Look around, Look and see

The beauty, the life

It’s come through me…

- God spoke this to me the other day, pretty cool

Lately, I’ve been able to see the beauty of the CarePoints. At Ngwane Park the other day I just sat back and watched the activity of the CarePoint for about 10 minutes. It was amazing, there was such electric joy filling the property. Certain CarePoints have truly become what we/God intended them to be…ok, they are on their way to become what God intended. The CarePoints are so much more than a building, a plate of food or a classroom. They are a community, they are places of love. The relationships, the joy, the knowledge of God is amazing. The other day I hung out with the youth at Makholweni and it was so cool to see the relationships they had amongst one another. It is so cool to see the true community developed at the CarePoints. There is a genuine love for life at the CarePoints which I’m not so sure is anywhere else in these communities.

Mark, Kay, Jessie, Shelly and I held a volleyball clinic the other day for the girls from Logoba and Zombodze. We had an awesome time together and the girls improved a lot in just two hours. I drove the Lagoba girls back to their CarePoint in a Kombi. The girls were singing the whole ride from Zombodze back to Lagoba. The boys were there to meet the girls and the whole group of them continued to sing, dance and be the embodiment of joy. It was amazing, as I left and drove back to the highway I watched the people walking toward the CarePoint. In their faces I saw this crazy expression on their faces, “what the heck is going on at that CarePoint, why are they so happy, what do they feed them there” It’s so cool to see the joy that only God can bring in these young people. God is establishing his presence at the CarePoints and it is transforming lives.

This spoke to me, this let me know that what we’re doing over here is more than just feeding mouths and continuing the cycle of poverty, death and hopeless. No, no our kids are infected…our kids are infected with amazing hope, that hope that is Jesus!

Sheep

So I was sitting in Pastor Ron's class the other day and we were talking about sheep. God tells us that we are his sheep and he is our Sheppard.

I was then thinking, what if we really grasp this. What if we truly understood that we are sheep.

I wrote down a couple of thoughts...sheep are dumb, sheep belong to a flock, sheep need guidance, sheep need protection, sheep are lost without a Sheppard...hmm, what if we grasp that we really do not have any idea, that we are lost without God, that we are dumb and need guidance. The world can tell us that we know everything, that we have it all together, that we have it all figured out yet God still tells us we are sheep. I think some of the key to believing this is living life. Our best intentions can never bring us true success, the kind that lasts and fills up the depth of your soul. We are sheep...in a way it kind of sucks, we're stupid but in a way it is amazing, it frees us to surrender to the loving hand of our Sheppard. It frees us of having to figure it all out, honestly it kind of frees of the burden that it all depends on us...it reduces life to this...yes I will follow or no I will not...yes I will trust or no I will not...I'm a sheep, I'm dumb and go my own way some times but in my heart I say yes I will follow

Zakhele sporting some shoes!

Hey! I have been able to hang out at my CarePoints lately! We were able to give all the children at Zakhele a pair of shoes. This is huge, these kids usually have a pair of flip flops or shoes that are two sizes to small and thats it. During winter time it is an unbelievable blessing to have shoes that keep your feet warm. Swazis love shoes, the men where the craziest white shoes, animal hair sandals and all other kinds of interesting footwear. So yeah, the CarePoint kids are now rocking some of the best looking shoes in town! Thanks to all who helped provide these children with an unbelievable blessing! Check out the pics of the awesome day.

40 Days

Its back! 40 Days of Prayer for the children of Africa! Are you in? Will you step it up and join with thousands of others to bring about a move of God in the lives of African children? Ask according to His name or His will and it shall be given...let's do this! Check out the website!

Sportin in Swazi

We had a fun day of sports in Manzini with about 200 youth. It was awesome! Football matches, chairball, dancing and dramas filled the day. The one crazy part of the day was trying to feed the 200 youth, this is not like America where kids pack a lunch or even have lunch money. Despite the logistical challenge, we pulled it off well! Praise God, what a day!

Wait, Christmas time???

Samaritan's Purse is an awesome organization that reaches people all over the world. Children's Cup has been privileged with giving out Christmas boxes at our CarePoints. Check out the pics...Christmas in July baby! (Hey, its cold now...)

thoughts

How much do I look at people to only see resources or productivity? How much do I look at a person's perceived effectiveness and then make a value judgment? Do I ever just treat people and value people for being just that, people. The motivations that move me, how impure they can be.

What a weekend 3!

- so after church we headed to the Swaziland national team world cup qualifier against Togo. We didn't get tickets, that didn't stop some people though, they pushed down a fence and ran in...even more amazing is that Swaziland won, they are now on top of their group for world cup qualification. We'll be at the Zambia game!

- Jordan and I headed out to Mbekelweni, future sports/camp/intern & CarePoint facility...it is beautiful! We also want to make some mountain bike trails, loads of potential!

Headed back to the house to relax. We had a cookie mix from the States! Check out our African Microwave we use to melt butter! (disclaimer, there are microwaves in Africa, it is just that we don't have one)

What a weekend 2!

Start of the IMVELO Mountain Bike Race - 33Ks

Mantenga Lodge for a late lunch after the race

- At Courageous in Christ Youth, Makholweni...check out Lelo bringing the heat!

What a weekend!

On the way to Generation 2911 Youth with the boys!

At Ngwane Park, Generation 2911 Youth baby!

Camping with Jordan, some bikes and the Mac! nice!

Daniel Mahlalela

- Daniel with Allen Iverson at HPC Mozi

Daniel turned 24 years old this past week. He has a hunger for the things of God! Daniel is technology oriented. He finished a two year computer course and hopes to one day own a business so that he can do and invest in ministry.

Daniel comes from a pretty cool heritage. His father, Joaquim, has worked with Dave Ohlerking (the founder of Children's Cup) for over 20 years. Joaquim works in Mozambique and commutes back to Swaziland to meet with and take care of his family. The family moved to Swaziland back in the early 80's during the civil war in Mozambique.

Daniel has a voice and is quickly becoming an outstanding worship leader. God has good plans for him as he grows into a responsible young man.

Mountain Biking

Had an awesome experience this past Saturday. Jordan and I went out to Mlilwane Game Park for some mountain biking. I just brought Jordan's sweet bike from the United States and I was able to borrow a friend's bike.

What an amazing setting for mountain biking! Jordan an I were chugging up a hill only to see a herd of Wildabeast running across the trail. A bit later we came across a herd of Zebras who were content to just look at us as we passed by them. Finally Jordan and I spent over an hour climbing a mountain. Oxygen deprived we looked out in amazement at how far we came and how beautiful Swaziland is! Then the fun began, Jordan and I raced down the mountain on some single track. Narrowly missing rocks, stumps and trees we made it down the mountain in an exhilarating 10 minutes. One fall each and no real wounds between us I can safely say, we had an awesome day...then that night we were able to sing, play, dance and pray with the youth of Makholweni!

Children's Cup Kids Camp 08'

Check it out, awesome stuff! God is faithful!

God’s Economy vs. Economics

I’m interested in and have been pondering over a couple of things that have to do with my degree in Economics.

God tells us that the sparrows do not worry over food and clothing

Economic theory teaches us about the “law” of scarcity. Scarcity means there is never enough to go around to everyone, we have infinite wants and needs but only finite resources.

How do I reconcile these two different ideas or ideologies? How can there be a God who is Jehovah Jireh (provider) and there be scarcity as evidence by the more than 2 billion people on this planet stuck in poverty.

I have to say that economics as a science is based largely on the principles that we are selfish as human beings. Its accurate and yet somehow I think the economic theories I’ve learned in college are a response or explanation of a broken world. God doesn’t operate in scarcity but we do. Our lack of faith, our spiritual poverty and the way we think (selfishly) make scarcity a reality.

Do I think we need to regulate or redistribute assets from rich to poor…yes and no. To some extent a government can successfully do this through the provision of infrastructure and education to its populace. However, a government seems to fail miserably as it expands its welfare programs. It comes down to a heart and faith issue in both the person in need and the person who is wealthy. You see, often the poor person has something to give but will not…God cannot put more in your hand unless you release what he’s already put there. If people believe that God is in control and truly surrender their money (100%) and time to him then the redistribution of assets and capital will take place outside of government (in the majority of cases) in a more relational context.

Ok, so I’m even confusing myself…see I don’t think government can effectively lift people out of poverty. I think the opportunity should be taken on by people, private programs and churches. The problem is a lot of people say no to taxes but do not say yes to involve themselves and their money in solutions.

So yes scarcity seems to be a reality for most of this world but we must remember that God is above and beyond us. His perception of what’s real and what is truth is beyond what we can see. God has more than enough, he can provide in awesome ways. Remember when it comes to God, Nothing is Impossible!

Wake up to God’s reality, fear not, believe that God will take care of you, free yourself from a scarcity mindset and let your money flow, let your time flow, let your talent flow to the forgotten, the poor, the hurting…in you and through you God’s abundance is alive, its beating with true life, its ready to be unleashed.

Reach n Fuel

Youth Serving it up! Yeah baby...honestly one of my best days in Africa!

Lelo

Lelo Dlamini

Lelo is our energy guy. Lelo’s smile is infectious and he is always ready to have a good time. He is an extremely talented dancer…boy can straight up move…and he’s very skilled at putting together relevant dramas. Lelo has been in ministry for 3 years and plans to continue to reach out to the youth of Swaziland.

Lelo is an orphan, both of his parents died before he finished high school. He can relate, he can encourage and he is a living example of the hope that is in Christ. Pray for Lelo to reproduce himself…there are so many hurting youth and not enough Lelos

JFlo

In Swaziland and in my life things have changed. I went from living by myself to having 5 permanent roommates and a couple of other short term roomies. Over the next couple of days I will introduce you to the people of my life....

...J to the A or Jordan 'JFlo' Flores is from Atlanta, GA. He is an awesome 23 year old guy who was a youth pastor and media man for the Oasis Church before coming over to Swaziland for the year. JFlo is an adrenaline junkie who is in love with God. He's a walking spring of ideas, man has got a new idea every second...love having him around. God is faithful in bringing me a much need single guy to hang out and grow with, check out his blog...

Victoria - The Chicken

So when my friend Rick was here a couple months ago we purchased a chicken from a roadside market. The chicken eventually assumed the name Victoria after it was decided to keep her around for awhile. Victoria usually pumps out about 1 egg a day...well after moving her from a diet of Chicken Feed to Corn Flakes she stopped producing her eggs. We had a talk with her the other day...and now we're seeing eggs everyday!!!


- look closely

Yebo, Celebration Church!

Check out a video that my boy Mark made after a week with Celebration Church from Jacksonville, FL!

We had a great time with the Christian Leadership College guys and girls! Thanks so much for impacting us and impacting a generation of youth Africans!

Mozambique

My interns, Daniel & Lelo, and I headed to Mozambique for the first week of March. Isaac & Carol were in Brazil for two weeks so we helped cover for them. It was Lelo's first time in a country where he did not speak the language. It was cool to see him grow and learn from the experience.

Despite parting with some money, (to the police) we had a good time. We were able to help out with a church service, run a youth program, attend a slammin youth program in Maputo and just help with the ministry at the Nkobe CarePoint.

Check out the pics:

Swazi Youth Outreach 2007

A little video I threw together awhile back, added a couple newer pics. Jordan has a Mac and I look forward to making more videos using it...windows movie maker just doesn't cut i

What- - Pics from Youth

I'm flowing now, high speed internet baby!

Zinclay has a big mouth...winning a banana eating contest...she can sing like crazy too!


The boys busting a move, Jayiva Kahle!

Ghetto White Boy African Style!!!

Yeah, Ghetto Traditional baby! Or more like the Louisiana Boy meets Africa look. Watch out you male models out there....

...at Fikile's daughter's wedding (ok, is that right with the 's?) with Jordan, Michael, Lelo, Daniel, Gugu and Fikile herself. Kind of bad when no one is paying attention to the preacher but instead looking at us...oh well, it was fun! Swazi weddings are notoriously long too so I think everyone enjoyed the entertainment factor we brought. Miss ya Charles!

Lots of updates, lots of things to say

Hey, I'm in Mozambique and therefore have high speed internet. I'm over here for a week making sure things go smoothly while Isaac is gone. I'm excited about having a week to slow down, reflect and plan. The interns are with me getting their first cross cultural experience! Awesome!

I had my good friend Rick come over for a visit. He observed all aspects of what we do at the CarePoints and he hopes to help raise awareness and support back in the States for Children's Cup. I'm excited about how God is going to use him.

While he was here we got out for a little hiking and we did it in style...south african style baby!

Interns

So, been off the internet for awhile. We've switched offices, had 37 woman come through Swaziland and a bunch of other things happen. Life and ministry seems exponential these days which is awesome but I'm reminded of the importance of communicating with my dear friends and family who support my ministry through prayer and financial covering.

I've started it! I finally have some African interns that are living with me and sharing life.

Lelo Dlamini has mad dance and drama skills after spending 3 years with Youth for Christ. He has a passion for reaching young people in a relevant way using multiple mediums. He is a footballer and always excited about life. Oh, and by the way he is an orphan as well...kind of cool that God turns around pain in his life to minister to thousands of other orphans.

Daniel Mahlalela is a quiet soul who is on an intense quest to know and seek the face of God. He is an excellent singer and an aspiring bass player. He is heavily involved with the youth in his Church and is the son of Joaquim Mahlalela who has helped plant Children's Cup in Mozambique. Daniel is baller and he has a healthy respect for Michael Jordan which is always a good quality...did I mention I grew up in Chicago...Da Bulls!

God is doing some cool things, I'm excited about this year!

Isaac n Carol

Check out Isaac and Carol's blog to see what's happening in Mozambique. I've been over there about once a month since I've been back. Love Mozi and love the Williams. Big prawns, beautiful beaches and a ballin Church+CarePoint ministry!

~Isaac claiming to know what fruit this tree will produce

Youth Leaders Retreat

K, Sorry for the lack of updates. Two weeks ago I hosted a youth leaders retreat. It was an awesome time away with 13 of the youth leaders we have at the CarePoints. We spent the night at the Youth with a Mission house.

The retreat was all about laying the foundation with this first group of leaders. It’s awesome to see the energy and enthusiasm of the young people and young leaders. We talked about studying the bible, their identity in Christ and servant leadership. As much as the stuff we talked about was important it was also important for me to establish deeper relationships with these young people. God’s been reminding me a lot how important relationships are and so I made it an emphasis that we had fun together and share some of who we are with one another.

This is a capable group of leaders, pray that we can establish something great, something that changes lives, something that honors God!

Commmunity

~ this is a long introspective blog, its good but long...

I want to reflect a little bit on the main things that God spoke to me in 2007. The main thing that sticks out is that faith is lived out in community and with other people. I have moved a lot in my life so I have an ability/tendency/weakness to be able to do life by myself pretty well. I’ve been to movies by myself, I’ve eaten in restaurants by myself and explored the world by myself… “table for one please”, these things scare other people but I’ve found a contentment in being alone…I’m thinking I went from contentment to comfortable and God now needs to rock me out of my comfort. Its tough though because when its just me I get to decide, order, do whatever I want to do but when you are with others you sacrifice, sometimes I wonder is the trade-off worth it. God then reminded me my life isn’t about me, it’s a selfless journey of unconditional love for the sake of His Name.

God really challenged me to seek out community this year and with people that I wouldn’t naturally seek community with. It has been a challenge and there have been a lot of times when I’ve retreated to my solitary ways. Maybe its because I’m American, maybe its because I’m a young single twenty something or maybe its because I’m in Africa as a missionary but there is this underlying tendency in me to associate needing people as a weakness. I’ve discovered in the last year, well I guess I always knew in my soul, that people are a source of strength. Donald Miller puts it like this in his book Blue Like Jazz, “Other people keep our souls alive, just like food and water does with our body.” I’m learning to expose my need for people and flat out ask for friendships. I’m learning to initiate community.

My friend Joy Parker ministered to me a lot this year. Joy loves people. Joy loves annoying, selfish, awkward people. She likes everyone with no agenda. Often those hard/difficult/awkward people turn into awesome people who while still maybe different are great…they reflect God in their unique personalities and open there arms to new people.

My friend Elias in college befriended a weird guy from the University of Washington. This guy said the most inappropriate things all of the time and constantly talked about how horrible life was. He was miserable to be around. Elias was Jesus to him, when everyone else, including to some degree me, pushed this guy even more into isolation, weirdness and desperation…Elias reached out beyond reason going the 2^nd mile to rescue him from self destruction caused by the catalyst arrows of society’s and my own judgment.

The point is that community is messy but it is sacred. It is difficult but it contains true blessings. It is an area of ministry and it acts as ministry to our souls. We need others, we need to be needed, and we can’t go far unless we go together. I’m unlearning that strength is not needing people and I pray that 2008 is full of friendships, community and selfless love. God let me be interrupted from the efficiency of myself and my ways.

…again God reminded me that I often look for community and miss it. I think it looks a certain way with a certain gender, age or group of people. I’m looking for this Patrick Construct of community meanwhile I miss the community God has placed right in front of me…God is still speaking to me on this.