Can We Stay Forever?!
(Thursday, March 23rd, 2006)

That is, of course, if our loved ones can be with us! The morning started out bittersweet…our last day to walk the kids to school. Then, it was Work, Work, Work! While Wendy and Becky finished painting the rec hall with used motor oil (getting more on themselves than the walls) Mike, Ryan, Brian and Nick did some manly work…digging trenches. We have been working on getting a house ready for the missionaries when they come to visit. So, the trenches we are digging are for the power and water pipes. It is amazing what you find when you dig…old trash piles, rocks, more rocks, etc.

After working hard, Brian came up with a great idea. We decided to take Richard and 3 of the older boys out to dinner for being so kind to us while we were here. Richard is the caretaker of these boys (Zamani-18, Kenaini-14, and Melusi-13) and they also helped us with the work projects on their time off from school. While Richard and the boys had to run some errands first, we decided to grab a taxi and head to Thokozizo for some souvenir shopping. In the short 4-mile taxi ride, Nick was in a conversation with a local Zulu man. Through faith and encouragement through some letters he had received, Nick was talking to this man about not having sex with his girlfriend and to wait until he is married! This is just one example of how the Lord is giving everyone amazing power to step out of his or her comfort zone!

After looking at local crafts and jewelry, we sat down to eat. For 2 of the boys, it was only their 2nd time in a restaurant! Our hearts were filled with joy as they looked over the menu with excitement about what they were going to eat-and boy did they eat! Not only did they finish their meals, but ate our leftovers and had dessert! It painted an amazing picture about the things we take for granted in the states. Remember, these boys are in high school and are unfamiliar with eating in a restaurant. The fellowship with the boys was great. I know we have said this before, but their hearts are so innocent and pure. We laugh at the silliest and most simple things with them, but during this time our Lord is bonding us together even closer as brothers and sisters in Christ.

After the meal, the conversation of music came up. We began to ask about the type of music they like to listen to. Kenaini said that he loved Gospel, while Melusi stated he liked rap. Through the conversation, it was brought up that it might be ok to listen to both. IMMEDIATELY after hearing this, Kenaini shot back. He grabbed the salt and sugar, and asked us if we thought these items could be used together to eat. He told us that when you mix gospel and rap together (he was talking about rap with bad words in it, like 50 cent), it tasted bad just like salt and sugar do together. This is a man of God! An object lesson seconds after hearing something?! WE WERE BLOWN AWAY! AMEN!

Tomorrow we are going back to one of the high schools to play some worship music! Tomorrow is going to be another great day!

* submitted by the team