Forever We are Changed...

Tonights Blog was written by Paul

We travelled half way around the world to experience God, to see his hand at work, to be his voice to these children here at Bridges Academy.  Each of us came with our own reason, our own need and our own expectations.  As you have read in this blog we have been moved beyond words and humbled more than we ever thought.  We were blessed with an experience that we know was planned by our Lord. 

While here in South Africa we have seen so much, so much poverty,  so much pain,  so many people looking for answers.  I recently read a saying that went something like this…

“I have seen so much poverty and loss in this world that it angers me.  God,  why don’t you do something about it.  God answered:  “I did, I made you.”

So here we are, our last day in South Africa.  Our day began with our last group Devotional.  Today Jared took on this responsibility.   He talked about the start of this team, how uniquely different we all were and why we were chosen.  He reminded us that all of us were led to be here by God to share our talents and the gifts He has given us.  The group is diverse to say the least, talents such as teaching, experience with the horrors of addiction, leading worship, coaching, nursing, and gifts such as a love for children, the ability to listen deeply to our Lord, and the list goes on and on.  He reminded us of our trainings, when we found it difficult to pray together, and how much we have changed over the past two weeks.  How we each were seeking something but we didn’t really know what it was.  He helped us realize that each of us has grown immensely in our relationship with God and our focus on Mission.  We've become more Kingdom focused.  As we reflected on his words each of looked deeply into our hearts, listened intently to God and understood that we have made a difference in these children and they have made a difference in us.  It truly felt like God was pleased, that he was smiling on us this morning!

As we packed our bags and readied ourselves for the inevitable, going home, we each took the time to reflect on why we came and what God has done with us.  Our original goals were to commit to seeing sustainable change and transformation in the township of Sweet Home through the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  So what did God make happen this week…

•            We brought the OVC kids (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) to Bridges of Hope where they stayed with us for a few days.  Together we talked about Jesus, loved these little children, organized games and stories focused on the gospel and witnessed the 12^th grade students here at Bridges pray like we have never witnessed before resulting in a number of these young children having what just may be their first deep experience with God.   He empowered his children, the students of Bridges,  to lead theses orphans to him and touched their hearts. 
•             God provided us with the ability to meet with the CHE’s, a group of men and women dedicated to making changes in their townships, bringing the word of God to their neighbors, conquering addiction and developing systems to support each other, relying on no one but themselves and the grace of our Lord.
•            We fell in love with the staff and students of here.  We found a group of young men and women, from diverse backgrounds where they experienced loss, physical danger and depression developing in to young men and women of God.  Through courses on Spiritual Disciplines to prayer training, basketball to soccer, sharing of our testimonies, and empowering the 12^th graders to spread God’s word to the OVC kids we saw and felt God’s presence.  He is truly at work in this place.

The afternoon here at Bridges was once again full of activity, of bonding, of hugs and goodbyes.  We held our final After School Program for our new family, the kids of Bridges.  The girls met to paint their fingernails, dance, sing and celebrate the week while the boys participated in an intense game of basketball (by the way, the Rock Harbor Team won!).  No matter where we went someone, some child of God, would stop us, individually and in groups, to give us hugs, to hold our hands or just look into our eyes letting us know how much they love us.   We gathered as group at the school, invited by the students to hear some thanks from them for the week.  They shared with us the impact we had  

on them and we did the same.

We met for our final dinner with the students of Bridges tonight where each of us enjoyed some moments with those we have grown so fond of, our new family here in South Africa.   I could see our team sitting with kids they have grown close too,  talking with them about the week,  some were crying others just hugging.  These kids have impacted our hearts, our minds and our prayers.

Soon after dinner we moved to a place known as “The Shed” for a final get-together,  a Talent Show.  We have been secretly practicing our choreographed dance for the past few months getting ready to shock and awe these kids with our talents.  After all, what could these kids bring to the stage.  Well, God had a few surprises for us tonight.  Together we witnessed these students singing with voices of angels, dancing with talents and skills we could only wish we had.  Their voices were perfect, their words amazing.  Tempered by the rhythms from Africa we watched them dance and sing not just to us but directly to God as well.  And then it was our turn, boy did we turn it on.  Together this Rock Harbor Team presented a dance to  a song from “High School Musical” called “We’re All in This Together.”  Although not so smooth the kids loved watching us try to dance.  They laughed, they pointed and they cheered for us as we finished with grace and relief!  A spontaneous line dance started and all the kids joined us on the dance floor to have one last celebration together, one of love, of family all focused on a common interest, the love of our Lord! 

Were back at our temporary home now, laughing and remembering the night, the week the experiences and the love we all found here with the kids of Sweet Home, the CHE’s,  and the students here at Bridges Academy.  Through the guidance of our Lord and our shared love for him WE are FOREVER CHANGED! 

“From what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced, faith is trusting God enough to obey what He has said, and hope is having the confidence that the mission/opportunity He has set upon me will advance His kingdom and bring Him glory.”  - Matt Williams

“It was amazing to see the same students again, picking up right where we left off last year. I loved seeing how God transformed them over the last year and how He transformed the hearts of this team over the last two weeks.” – Chalane Records

“The Spiritual Discipline classes I led and participated in allowed me to have more confidence in ministering God’s word to the kids back at home, at Rock Harbor.” – Lizzie Cisneros

“I went into this not really knowing what to expect.  I came out knowing the love of God, the compassion he has for his children and that the changes he can orchestrate in our hearts are amazing!  I have been moved beyond words and found a new family here in South Africa.” – Paul Morrow

“It was an incredible adventure, to have a small taste of the depth of God’s love for all His children.” – Meredith Joy

“The most incredible people with the purest form of joy, love, and laughter that illuminates the depth and width of the Father’s love.” – Molly Cody

“In our time with the people of South Africa, we have tasted and seen more of God’s love, power, beauty, and wisdom. What a Wonderful Maker!” – Danielle Peterson

“I really felt at home here,  I thought I’d enjoy them but it far exceeded my expectations.  God was good!  And I completely agree with my travel buddy Molly “Mushroom” Cody! – Kathleen Doyle

“The joy of the students here at bridges is astounding, their willingness to learn more about God, to listen and to worship has shown me how amazing the love of God truly is and it is safe to say they have changed my life” – Ray Quinones

So, from the Rock Harbor Team here in South Africa, goodnight and La La Gum Non (sweet dreams in Xhosa).  See you soon!