Siyapila (Zulu greeting=We are Alive!)
(Thursday, March 16th)

I’m not sure what day it is, they all seem to blend in to each other. But today we all went Nbongi’s house who is a caregiver for 15 children. She also has a hospice with 5 people who are in the last stages of AIDS. The moment we walked into her mud hut you could feel the presence of God. She is a true living, breathing, walking example of Christ. She truly walks in His footsteps.

At Nbongi’s, we brought over meat and toilet paper. After many hugs and thank you’s, she asked us to stay for 5 hours! She set up a few chairs for us and listened to some worship songs on the accordian played by one of the men who live there. Then, we sang a worship song for her and the children. After ending in prayer, a few of us went into another room to pray with 2 women who were in the last stages of AIDS. Although the women were in much pain, huge smiles were on their face.

Words are too small to even begin to describe what this trip is like. I feel more at home here in Loskop, South Africa then I do in America except for the fact that my wife isn’t here. Life is simple and sweet. The people are loving and warm. The landscape is beauty at it’s best and truly one of God’s fingerprints.

The team has worked together and is growing closer by the hour it seems. On such a trip you get to see the different gifts God has given each person and some newly discovered one’s as well. God is moving in us, among us, and through us. We have been stretched in so many ways for the better.

We have also given out many of the soccer cleats, shinguards, socks and shorts to the orphans. For the past 2 days, as soon as they get home from school, they run to put ALL of their new treasures on! They wear them for the rest of the day and into the night, even at dinner. It is really funny to see some of the little children who are wearing shoe sizes much too big for them…but they are SO happy! Also, the caregivers have been given some “indoor” soccer shoes and have already begun to wear them.

We have to apologize for the lack of Blog entries. We have been experiencing some technical difficulties so we will post when possible. Pray for our strength and endurance. Pray for our compassion and faith. Pray for God’s light to shine in South Africa and His glory to be seen.

*submitted by Ryan