Full Time Elevate in Africa

Hey guys the full time Elevate interns are in Africa for a couple of weeks. They are helping Issac & Carol Williams facilitate the official launch of the Healing Place Church Mozambique Campus. They are going to bring a lot of encouragement, energy and Passion to the Children's Cup team in Africa. God will also rock their worlds as he gives them the opportunity to serve those he cares for deeply.

Check out the Elevate Team Blog. It'll track their adventures, God moments, reflections and reactions to life and ministry in Africa. Pray for them, pray that God uses them and that they open their hearts to what God wants to speak to them. Pray for Isaac as he hosts them. Pray for the community of Nkobe...they now have a CarePoint and a HPC Church. Pray that kids from that community will be loved and nutured to a point where God will use them mightly.

Here is a google earth image of Nkobe, Mozambique - Its a bit old, but there still isn't a lot out there. Yes you have to hit the sand road and keep going!!!!

Tired

I've been sick the past week. It's been rough because I've had to work a lot. I feel like the physical sickness has revealed to me a bigger battle that is swirling around me. I feel like there is spiritual battle going on in my life...just feel like there are lots of sicknesses and things that the devil is throwing at me lately. Doubt, discouragement, worry and loneliness kind of shoved in my face. I had the chance to really be silent before the Lord the other day and he showed up in a beautiful way. He really is more precious than silver or gold. I do feel tired but I serve a God that is for me, who has walked through trials and understands my weakness. I will trust in him..."strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord".

I'm heading out West on a fundraising trip this upcoming Monday. Please pray that God opens doors and goes before me. I'm about 3/5 of the way to the total amount I need to fundraise. Pray that God sends financial and prayer partners my way...pray that God helps me share the vision in an authentic and clear way. Pray that I would not falter but that I'd go to the living water! Let me know how you guys are doing! (please send me your email address if you are interested in getting email updates, patrick@childrenscup.org)

Obedience, America, Walking in love...

" Most of us are educated way beyond our level of obedience. We don't need more information. We need more transformation. We need to stop explaining what people already understand. A little less explanation. A lot more exhortation. " - Mark Batterson

Mark came and spoke at Healing Place Church a couple of weeks ago. He seems to be able to find a timeless truth in any situation or subject. I love when God uses creative guys like Mark to bring the simple message of the cross. I also love and am convicted by the above quote. Let's make our faith practical...it seems like I've struggled to do that here in the States. It was what my life was in Swaziland -showing the love of Christ- but I feel stuck sometimes back here in the States.

ok, comments time: What are some ways you've been able to show the love of Christ recently? Please respond, I desperately want to know of ways to practically walk out our faith in 21st century America.

Some cool pics

I was sifting through some of my Africa pictures and found these two cool hiking pictures. Africa is a beautiful, frustrating, joyful and raging land.

~Charles on a very large rock

~Hiking just outside of Swaziland in South Africa

Chicago

God is faithful...I just got back from a short trip to Chicago. I was able to meet with the Missions board at South Park Church. It was a great meeting and they decided to partner with me in reaching out to a largely orphaned generation in Southern Africa.

I was also able to hang out with my Uncle Greg, Aunt Judy, Cousin Steve and his fiance Emilie. Check out Steve's blog as he chronicles his life and his journey towards marriage.



One more thing, I woke up the day after I arrived in Chicago to snow....snow....snow after Easter, and that is why I'm not sure if I'll ever live that far north again.

Ping Pong

Ping Pong is a great game. I must confess that I am a pretty spectacular player. Check out in the picture below what happens when my friend Rich tries to challenge me. Intimidation, Chameleon like deception coupled with Ninja backhands and a devestating forehand put Rich on the floor!!!

--well ok, Rich beat me like 7 times in a row but I swear he's half Asian...funny pic though

Walk-a-thon

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to head down to Gonzales, LA for a Walk-a-thon organized by some ladies from Household of Faith Church. Lita & Annette came to Swaziland last November to invest in the lives of our CarePoint cooks. They were inspired by the work that Children's Cup is doing and they have mobilized their church, no I mean they really mobilized their church. Miss Lita & Miss Annette both have a huge passion to help the hurting children of Africa. God has annointed them to gather resources for new projects in Zimbabwe. They easily broke their $10,000 goal for the fundraiser.

Dave & Jean Ohlerking with Miss Lita & Miss Annette


- The crowd/walkers