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.”
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.
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!