"Passionate Clarity"

Allie Here…

We’ve hit the 3-day mark, so bittersweet!  I want to thank you all for keeping up with the blog and continually praying for our team, who is such a family.  This entire trip we have been discussing as a team about short-term mission.  We’ve been sharing about how we don’t always get to see the harvest and sometimes all we can do is plant seeds.  These past two days have been rough for me.  The other day a student came up to me and shared her story with me.  I am not kidding when I say it was heart breaking.  To hear how much these kids go through in their 15 years of life is overwhelming.  I prayed over the student and I felt the Lord in my prayers.  When these students become vulnerable with people and their walls come down, they can become closed off and disconnected.  These past two days my heart has just been breaking for this girl.  Tonight as I told my team/family about my brokenness for this student, Jared prayed a verse over me that really hit my heart.  “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.  They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest”-Psalms 126:6.  I was reminded of a time Bill Dogtruem spoke at Rock Harbor,  he said “God doesn’t leave you in your brokenness, he sits with you and helps you up out of the dirt."  I was reminded of this tonight and just how evident God is in brokenness.  I ask that you all would pray for this student and her beautiful heart, pray that she knows that nothing can separate her from the love of God.

Hey all, it’s Kira!

While sitting and reflecting on the miraculous two weeks that we have spent here at Bridges, a verse came to mind that seemed extremely fitting of the place in which the team is currently sitting: 1 Peter 4:7-10.

 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Today during our morning devotional, Matt spoke to us about staying focused and pushing through any sort of temptation to stray from our focus on God and his work. To quote Matt, he encouraged us to complete our time here with “passionate clarity”.  This was wonderful guidance because through out this trip, I have seen God move through each of us through the power of prayer and God’s clarifying light. Prior to coming on this trip I was often uncomfortable praying, and if I am being honest, rarely felt that I had seen any sort of response from God. Being here however, I have seen prayer after prayer answered, and God’s love heal.  Prayer throughout our trip has been so key to all of our successes.

"Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins."

 The love that has been experienced here from God, my teammates, and the kids has been an indescribable gift. There is such a feeling of camaraderie and devotion to each other that has cultivated the community necessary to allow God to truly work. Today for example, was my birthday, and from the moment I woke up I have been serenaded with love and affection. Tonight when we went down to the school for devotions, I was surprised by a beautiful version of Happy Birthday sung by all of my team and all of the students. And, as if it could get any better, my teammates surprised me with popcorn (because I was craving salt, naturally) and an amazing ZA style birthday cake (props to Molly and Morgan for its’ deliciousness!).  And a special thanks to Ray who sang me his very own version of my favorite Jason Aldean song (since I’ve been missing my country music!)  I could not have asked for a better Birthday away from home!

 "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."  

Today those of us who stayed back at Bridges (Matt, Molly, Morgan, Ray, Ali, Dana, Jared, Danielle, Chalane, and I) decided to clean up the retreat center and do some beautification (weed picking) for the school. It was so encouraging to see how willing and eager everyone was to help in anyway they could!

 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."  

The team here is full of such a diverse group of people, and it has been so awesome seeing all of them use what God has equipped them with to help the people we have come into contact with.   Today, Lindsey, Kathleen, Paul, Meredith, and Lizzie went back into Beautiful Gate to further work with the CHE’s on addiction and possible venues for support. When everyone returned, ASPs were in full swing with Ali leading a Bible verse rap off with Morgan, Ray and myself; Meredith and Lizzie leading a spiritual discipline class on meditation and isolation; Lindsey, Dana, Kathleen and April teaching the kids to bake; and Molly and Matt showing the kid’s what’s up in a few rounds of UNO! We prayed for the seniors Vuyiseka and Sive today as we wish them well in their journey after graduation.  And then to conclude the night, we listned to April move the kids to tears as she shared the story of her walk with God, and the importance in community and faith.

All in all it was a good day down here in ZA! God Bless!