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 12th 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 12th 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!
So, from the Rock Harbor Team here in South Africa, goodnight and La La Gum Non (sweet dreams in Xhosa). See you soon!
How fortunate we are that GOD calls us to partner with HIM in ministry! May GOD continue to bless you and those who you have interacted with these part couple of weeks as you move in different directions. I pray the LORD gives you traveling mercies (and good health) as you journey back to the states; may you find comfort & rest in HIM as you process all that you have experienced! ❤ keira
ReplyDeleteI love reading about your last few days!! I am touched by the way God spoke to each of you through the quotes at the end. Hearing how God worked, how he changed and equipped each one of you is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteComing home is hard!! You are not the same as when you left. Give it time and give it to God. Praying for you all as you come home!
Monica Harter