THE PASTOR

Hey Bloggers, It’s Mike. We just finished off an amazing 1^st week with the kids here at bridges and now we are excitedly anticipating the arrival of the kids from the Sweet Home Township for our weekend OVC Bible Camp! Yesterday the most amazing thing happened to me. God revealed himself to me in a way I have never experienced before in my life. Leading up to the trip I was having a rough time because I began to question if I was really meant to go on the trip. At times I was feeling sad and discouraged and began to become overwhelmed with thoughts of worthlessness and just plain did not feel good enough to be going on this trip. After our first day we all met up to debrief and Claire asked us if any of us had discovered our purpose on this trip. I remember thinking that I might never find a purpose for why God called me to this trip. So all week each of us were chosen to teach a topic to the different grades of kids here at Bridges in order to prepare them for their upcoming school year and give them tools for life. Chelsea and myself were chosen to teach leadership and more specifically the topics of goal setting and Spiritual Gifts. Wednesday we began teaching on the topic of Spiritual gifts. This consisted of us explaining Spiritual Gifts to the kids, reading to them 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, and having them take a spiritual gifts test to figure out what personal spiritual gifts God had blessed them with. The first grade we began to teach to was the 11^th and 12^th graders. As the lesson was drawing to a close a thought popped into my head (later I knew it was from God), but I thought what good is it to teach these kids about spiritual gifts and helping them figure out their gifts, if we don’t explain to them the importance of using these gifts to serve God and do his will. I remembered the Parable of The Talents in Matthew Chapter 25, where Jesus told the story of a master and the talents he gives to his three servants. After that class, we began teaching the importance of using the talents God has given us to serve him by utilizing the parable from Matthew to every class. The week had been going great, but we both had been wondering if anything we had been teaching the kids had been getting through or effecting them in anyway. So, Thursday night one of the kids Ayanda, who found out one of his talents was preaching, felt called by God to speak in front of the kids. Chelsea and I were both astonished as he began preaching because he chose to make his first sermon about the Parable of the Talents from Matthew. As he exercised his preaching talent and the passion that emanated from his lips and the way God spoke through him to his peers and classmates, was enough to put the whole room on the verge of tears and excitement. By the time he was done the whole room was cheering. I became overwhelmed with pure joy that God had used me to change Ayandas life and now he was encouraging his classmates to use the Talents God had given them as well and not to waste them as so many Christians often do. I finally realized Gods purpose for me being on this trip and I immediately ran outside to the Soccer field fell to my knees and worshiped my Father! This has been the best experience of my life and to know that we are actually making a difference in these kid’s lives has opened my heart and filled me with an ineffable amount of joy! If you could pray that we continue to make a difference in the next week and that God fills us up with the power and the energy of the Holy Spirit that would be Amazing! We have all been stretched very thin with the long days and we would really appreciate as much love and support as possible. Also, if you could thank God for all the great things and blessings he has poured down on us throughout this trip, that would also be amazing!

Love, Mike

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-14

What an amazing thing God has promised us!! It has been such an important verse for us to keep in mind this past week. In our time here at Bridges, and also throughout life, it’s easy to forget that ultimately, we are not in control. It has been such a wonderful experience to really have to let go here and rely on God and have faith that what his plans for us here in Africa are, are so much bigger than we could ever imagine!!

Our days here have been filled with many blessings. It has been great to connect with the kids on a personal and spiritual level. It is such an eye opener to learn about their stories and past and hear how they came to know the Lord. Even through all of the hardships and unimaginable things these kids have been through, God has just completely restored their sprits. There faith is something I can’t even begin to explain! Their love and commitment to God exudes from their pores!

Last night was a night I will never forget! We had girl’s night. We danced all night long, painted each other’s nails and made friendship bracelets. We were all in our element! I don’t remember the last time I felt this free to just go wild and be a total girl! We talked about God, boys, family and friends…you name it we covered it. It was a great reminder that these girls are just crazy teenagers with the same hopes and the same issues that we all had to deal with at one time.

While the girls were in the house, all the guys got a chance to hang out in the shed. We played pool, listened to music, and kicked the soccer ball around. God really blessed our time. Hanging out together without an agenda or objective other than just being available really opened the doors for some meaningful discussions that went on late into the evening.

They kids really seem to be responding well to the classes we’ve put together to prepare them for the upcoming year. We’ve reviewed the benefits of positive character traits, shared practical tools to improve the quality of their study time, demonstrated and practiced healthy conflict resolution, and discussed what it means to be true leader.

We are excited about what God has in store for our team, the kids, and Sweet Home as we persevere and continue to seek His plan and purpose for our time here. Please pray that we continue to exercise faith and obedience as our comfort zones are challenged so that we may be confident that nothing was held back and ultimately that God was glorified.

Blessings,

Chelsea and Alan

DAY ACTIVITIES

Hey blog followers! It's Allison. We had another busy day of teaching classes, conducting team building activities, and having a movie night where we watched Despicable Me. The kids absolutely loved it. Hearing their laughter is priceless. Will and Makenzie are here to share some more specific experiences they had today...

Today was a very busy day full of lots of learning and fun. It started with our usual team devotion, then we all sang worship songs together, and then we split into our small groups (Katrina and I are in charge of the 11th an 12th graders) and talked about making room for the Holy Spirit in our lives. After teaching two more classes on manners to the kids in the morning, we had a great afternoon playing sports and doing team building activities. The highlight of the day for me was definitely singing worship songs with all the kids in the morning - their voices harmonize so beautifully together, and they seem to take worship so much more seriously than a lot of us do back at home. Although these kids are learning a lot from us, I am beginning to see that we are learning at least as much from them! - Will Phelps

Wow, it is only the 3^rd day here and I am completely overwhelmed by God’s goodness. I am so thankful God is taking us on this adventure with Him. Today was a day filled with worship, classes, team building activities, crafts, and sports. I got to make picture frames with the kids today and it was so much fun to see the kids creativity and how much fun they were truly having. My absolute favorite thing is to hear the kids worship and sing together. I would make the 26 hour plane ride all over again just to hear their voices. They have the most pure, full voices that reach right to your soul and touch you. It truly feels like a piece of heaven and it will forever leave an impression on me.

Myself and the rest of the team are also definitely being taken out of our comfort zone in many ways. One way, is that each of the girls on the team are house parents for 4-6 Academy girls and we live with them in their dorm room. While this is out of our comfort zone, it is the most amazing opportunity to connect with the girls. It breaks my heart to hear some of the stories about my girls lives back in Phillipi, but God has reminded me that I have such an amazing opportunity to really love on these girls and reach out to them right now. If you could pray for our Academy girls and that God would be near to them and show them His truth, grace and love, it would be much appreciated.

Also, please pray that our God would renew our energy and spirits and give us strength and patience.

Love always, Makenzie

DAY 1: MEETING THE KIDS

Today was day 1 of our camp with the Bridges kids, and I have to say it was a long and crazy one but in the best way. The students arrived and I was nervous wondering what the day was going to look and be like. Will they like us, will they understand us just so many unknowns. I was so surprised at how welcoming they were of us and just the joy they had to be here. Throughout the day we had activities from the balloon popping game to soccer and even an acting/film class. It took a little effort but once we got going in an activity they took off and made us laugh and enjoy this time fully. I’m blown away at their lookout on life and how much love they have for one another. Tonight we had a bon fire with s’mores and between all of our team we had a full-blown s’mores factory going. The fire took a little time to get started, we had about 30 mile an hour winds all day but once we did the students gave us all a memory we will never forget. All of them started to sing worship songs in both English and Xhosa while a couple students played the drums.

It was one of the most soul touching events I’ve ever experienced, one that just brings you to tears because you can feel their joy, just pure totally unhindered Joy. I just found myself getting lost in the moment and feeling so blessed to be here with them. We got to dance with them around the fire praising God for his blessings; it’s something I know we will all remember for the rest of our lives. Today started out with nerves and the complete unknown and ended with joy, praise, and friendship. Today was an amazing day; I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Many Blessings Amanda Johnson<3

FINALLY HERE!

After 23 hours of air travel plus another 4 hour layover in London, We have made it here to South Africa! Our team has been through a long journey and definitely shows on our tired faces. However after meeting up with Peter, Matt, & Kristy @ the airport, our energy surge was rejuvenated by the fact that we are all finally here! It was about another 45 minute drive from the airport to the Bridges of Hope Academy in the town of Franschhoek. On the way, we saw beautiful mountains and landscape in the distance but more vividly were the squatter towns and poverty of the people.

Our agenda for today is to get ourselves situated in BOH, unpack, prepare and sort the supplies for the activities and the orientation. We were definitely running on fumes when we went out to dinner. Sunday was another full and challenging day. We were happy to find our beds and recharge for Monday when we will meet the kids for the first time! Please keep praying for us and pray for physical and spiritual strength.

Team arrived safely

We just received a message that the team arrived safely.  It usually takes another day for them to get settled and post a message after their first day.

Sometimes there is information in they daily Bridges Of Hope update.  You can sign up for that here. http://www.bridgesworldwide.org/interact/pray/

Team departed

The team was checked into their flight and has left. Here is a picture just before they went through security.

SOUTH AFRICA 2012: PACKING PARTY

BID US "HAMBANI KAKUHLE" (Go well, Goodbye)

3 DAYS AWAY UNTIL SOUTH AFRICA!!! We are ALL super excited for this opportunity and blessed to have the support of our family, and friends.

On Monday, we had our final team meeting before the trip and the packing party commenced to a frenzy and hit us in rapid realization that we are actually doing this!!! We had a lot of past team members to support us and help launch us off to our own odyssey. South Africa has always been a destination in my bucket list and it wouldn't be fair not to know anything about the country before entering it. Here are a few things I thought you would like to know about this beautiful nation.

If you do not know anything about S.Africa: it is at the bottom tip of the continent where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Population is about 51 million. 80% black, 9% white, 9% colored.
Social and Political structure had been Under the Apartheid law since 1948 till it was repealed by the early 1990's! Former president Nelson Mandela was the first to be elected by a fully representative democratic election. He also diversified the government with multi racial democracy. (See movie INVICTUS 2009 for the cinematic effect. Starring Morgan Freeman & Matt Damon and directed by Clint Eastwood)
South Africa is also the leading nation with 5 million of its population infected by HIV. close to 10% and have thousands of orphaned children wandering the streets without food or shelter.
80% of them have a history of abuse: physical, sexual or emotional. (referenced: Fall, M. (1986). Street children. Street Children, 13, 47- 53.

Please support our team in prayer. Pray that we may find strength in each of us and have God use us with his will and not our own.. Pray that we may adapt well with any obstacles that may be put in our way. Pray that we can find commonality with the kids in BOH and grow to understand them and just love on them. Pray that we have a sound and safe trip. Pray for our families at home. We hope to carry on like the past teams before us spiritual and emotional support to who ever we may come across and also help bring this nation and its needs into light and global awareness. We leave this Friday January 6, 2012. Much Thanks

I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.

Philippians 4:13