Charles has left us

Charles is heading home today. We’re going to miss him a bunch over here. It’s a sad day but a happy one too. God has called him to Florida and he’s being obedient to that call. I am fully confident that God will work tremendously through him at Bayside Church.

Charles we’ll miss your energy, passion, heart for the lost, love for the orphans, laughs, preaching, friendship, ideas and a whole bunch of other things you brought to the table.

America you’re lucky to have him back. Africa is in his blood and his time here has equipped him to help reawaken a passion for Jesus in the States. Charles, remember the lessons, faces, tears and laughs that the red soil of Africa brought you. Your mission is the same; you’ve just changed time zones. You always like to be on the leading edge of things, maybe we’ll eventually see you out in the Pacific Ocean doing ministry so you can help lead us into a new day, a new dawn of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. God bless bro!

Youth Programs

This past Saturday we had our second youth group at the CarePoints. This year we are trying to establish two youth groups that meet every other week at two of the CarePoints. It was a lot of fun hanging out with the youth. The thing that struck me was how easy it was to keep these kids engaged. The other thing that hit me was just how important showing up is. I think if we can get our hearts before God and consistently show up that lives will be changed.

I am tasked with trying to get a youth program started here in Swaziland. I am still seeking God about what exactly that looks like but so far here is the plan.

1-We hope to eventually establish a youth group at all the CarePoints.
2-We'd like to start a sports program that teaches sports and biblical values.
3-We want to establish a regular skills training program that will help equip the youth.
4-We want to have a part time internship in 2008 for Africans.

Pray for God's wisdom and pray that I hear God on this...

Phephile & Nininnia

I spent yesterday with two precious little girls. I filmed Phephile and Nininnia in an attempt to truly capture their stories. I’m not going to go into details but both girls come from tough to terrible home situations. Volunteer cooks at two CarePoints brought Phephile’s and Nininnia’s situation to Cup’s attention. The girls now live with Miss Peggy, the teacher at our Murray Camp CarePoint. The girls now smile, giggle and talk. They carry a joy that wasn’t there before. They have hope and they know love!

I’m so glad that I get to do this. I am privileged to serve God and witness lives transformed. Check out pictures of these girls who are worth just as much to God as anyone else out there.

~Nininnia is on the left and Phephile is on the right

It’s about love, It’s about obedience, It’s about hope, It’s about justice, It’s about children, It’s about Jesus!!

Invasion 07

Made it to Swaziland and immediately was helping my boy Charles Young with Invasion 07'. Charles had been organizing a youth event with a couple other ministries in Swaziland.

We had some DJs, some inflatable games including a mechanical bull and our friends Spin the Flava come out. A team from Ireland finished off the event with some praise & worship and a short message. It was a good time...check out the pictures and look for an update at Charles & Kristen's blog in the near future.

IN LONDON

I've got a long layover in London...but I sit here excited as every to jump on that plane to South Africa. I'm nervous, excited and full of hope at what the next two years will look like! Check out this quote I pulled from an article awhile back:

"The drugs and test kits worth US$6 million per year, brings the total United States contribution to HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment in Zimbabwe to US$31 million, the two governments said."

- Something that makes me proud to be an American. Zimbabwe's leaders make a bunch of noise about 'the West' yet we still reach out to help them. Very cool, very biblical!

Inside me

I often wonder why God chose me to go to Africa. Why am I called to do this? It might be fear or lack of courage but I often think about how it would be a lot easier to stay in the States. I was raised in America, where independence is mantra but God's called me so far to a life of interdependence. My calling requires me to depend on other people and the church for my food, my clothes, my ability to even do ministry. If I'm honest I hate it but I think some of that might be why God called me to it. It comes down to trust and will I let go of what I can do so that God can do what he does best, the impossible.

I've been blessed with so much, how can I procrastinate or pity my call to Africa. If I really sit back and think about it...I should be running full steam ahead to give all I can to the Jesus who gave me everything. Pray for me, that I might embrace my call, that I might let go of what I think is success.