At prayer this morning I really felt God lay it on my heart to ask for prayer from those blog readers out there. I just really felt God urging me to ask y'all to pray for the Cup team...that we'd be unified, full of love, expectant of God's goodness, inspired to make a difference each day, pouring ourselves into our relationship with our Heavenly Father and look at our time here in Swaziland as not about ourselves but about God's glory. Thanks!!!
I've seen God work in amazing ways, yet I feel my faith is so far behind his doings. I know the reality of this is that I have awesome people praying for me and our team over here. Where I can't quite explain how he uses me or the other people here, I know it is through the prayers behind us and he himself, Christ, in front of us. Man, I got to sit and think about how cool that is for awhile. Much love y'all!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
World Cup - ??
So who do you think will win? I'm going with my heritage...at least my last name heritage. I am a Mut of all things European. I really need to sit down one day and find out what percentage of what I am. When I figure that out, I'll post my ethnic backgrounds.
Back to the game...I think my boy Totti will either score or set up a goal. I think Italy will take it 2-1 and hold a slight edge on possesion. Look for Pirlo, Zambrotta & Totti to create offensively and Cannivaro(sp?) and Gatusso to defend expertly.
ITALIA BABY!!!!
Back to the game...I think my boy Totti will either score or set up a goal. I think Italy will take it 2-1 and hold a slight edge on possesion. Look for Pirlo, Zambrotta & Totti to create offensively and Cannivaro(sp?) and Gatusso to defend expertly.
ITALIA BABY!!!!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
HIV Test
About a month ago we arranged for there to be HIV testing at one of our Carepoints. Sitting there as we set up for it I decided that I wanted to be tested as well. Not because I thought I might have been exposed but really just to see what it was like. I figured if I was going to encourage people to get tested, I’d better do it myself and be able to share what the experience would be like. There are a lot of misconceptions of what is involved in an HIV test and I wanted to see for myself what was involved; needles, amount of blood they actually take…you know discover things like that.
What can I say, the experience shook me. I sat there listening to the pre-counseling session in SiSwati…I’m not sure if that made me more nervous or less. He was telling the group about the disease and then explained the options involved after one is found to be positive. So I didn’t really understand what was said…so basically had a lot of time to think before the test. It was crazy the emotions, feelings, doubt, fear that came over me while I waited. The crazy thing is I really had nothing to fear or be worried about but still the experience freaked me out. I then tried to put myself in the shoes of someone who did have something to fear. Imagine sitting there waiting for an HIV test going over in your mind all the people you’ve had sex with…thinking to yourself, I wonder about her, or her…I wonder if its possible…what will my life be like…what will I tell my pastor…what will I tell my family…what will I tell my wife…I was going to get married but…I have kids, do they have it…so much goes through ones head, so much fear…so much doubt. I sat there like that for awhile and it was thick, it was rough, just trying to experience what millions are going through…I think I understand why people do not go for HIV tests here…it is scary and for a lot of them it’s a 50% chance their life will be hit by a freight train….HIV (Charles, came up with that train comparison).
Then something happened inside of me. I realized that for me, or someone like me, a Christian, someone with a relationship with Christ, we have nothing to fear. In Galatians it says that Christ has conquered everything, everywhere…that means disease & death. Jesus Christ is hope even when you are looking death straight in the eyes.
Another realization I had is that by getting an HIV test you get to know where you stand. If you do not go for the test it just means you are ignorant of your status…you either have it or you do not…if you never get a test, the disease will still be there whether you know about it or not. The test does not change anything; it just changes what you can do about your situation.
Here are some pics of me getting my test -
- Yes, I was negative...yes, they double check, and yes I was still negative
What can I say, the experience shook me. I sat there listening to the pre-counseling session in SiSwati…I’m not sure if that made me more nervous or less. He was telling the group about the disease and then explained the options involved after one is found to be positive. So I didn’t really understand what was said…so basically had a lot of time to think before the test. It was crazy the emotions, feelings, doubt, fear that came over me while I waited. The crazy thing is I really had nothing to fear or be worried about but still the experience freaked me out. I then tried to put myself in the shoes of someone who did have something to fear. Imagine sitting there waiting for an HIV test going over in your mind all the people you’ve had sex with…thinking to yourself, I wonder about her, or her…I wonder if its possible…what will my life be like…what will I tell my pastor…what will I tell my family…what will I tell my wife…I was going to get married but…I have kids, do they have it…so much goes through ones head, so much fear…so much doubt. I sat there like that for awhile and it was thick, it was rough, just trying to experience what millions are going through…I think I understand why people do not go for HIV tests here…it is scary and for a lot of them it’s a 50% chance their life will be hit by a freight train….HIV (Charles, came up with that train comparison).
Then something happened inside of me. I realized that for me, or someone like me, a Christian, someone with a relationship with Christ, we have nothing to fear. In Galatians it says that Christ has conquered everything, everywhere…that means disease & death. Jesus Christ is hope even when you are looking death straight in the eyes.
Another realization I had is that by getting an HIV test you get to know where you stand. If you do not go for the test it just means you are ignorant of your status…you either have it or you do not…if you never get a test, the disease will still be there whether you know about it or not. The test does not change anything; it just changes what you can do about your situation.
Here are some pics of me getting my test -
- Yes, I was negative...yes, they double check, and yes I was still negative
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
AIMers
- so yeah, wrote this a long time ago, but figured I’d post it anyway
There has been another AIM Team that has come and left…here are some pics of them. My good friend Kara, a leader for AIM who has been here for 1 and a half years just left. There are 4 of the leaders that are sticking around still and I think one of the girls, Kristy, is coming back at some point. It’s hard to see people go but I thank God for the opportunity to get to know and hang out with these AIMers. God be with you guys as you return home. Pillow Palooza was fun!!
There has been another AIM Team that has come and left…here are some pics of them. My good friend Kara, a leader for AIM who has been here for 1 and a half years just left. There are 4 of the leaders that are sticking around still and I think one of the girls, Kristy, is coming back at some point. It’s hard to see people go but I thank God for the opportunity to get to know and hang out with these AIMers. God be with you guys as you return home. Pillow Palooza was fun!!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Christy & Animals
Christy, a first grade teacher from North Carolina, came to Swaziland a couple of months ago to visit the Carepoints. She’s been a faithful partner of Children’s Cup and been a big time prayer soldier for us. Well she got to help with our teachers during a couple teacher in-service days. It was cool to have a teacher input into our teachers but more especially our education coordinator Queeneth. She is most likely coming back for a year to volunteer with Children’s Cup but that is another discussion all together (check out her blog http://deepthoughtsandrandomramblings.blogspot.com/)…I got to go to a game park with them and I wanted to show y’all some cool pictures of the animals. It’s weird to think of how close these animals & game parks are to where I live. Enjoy the pics:
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Pics from Camp
Haha, flour relay
Oh, no...Swazi Dancers beware
look at the leg extension
Just kids we are able to help smile...worthwhile
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