Monday, October 20, 2008

My Bottom Line

I heard someone recently say that as Christians we need to be ‘yes’ people. When presented with a problem or a need, our first response should be ‘yes, we can help with that,’ then figure out the details afterwards. Too often our first response is a no, because we are easily overwhelmed by the details, whether that means time or money, two things that occupy an alarmingly large part of the average American mind.

So what is your bottom line? Is it Jesus and His calling on your life or is it your bank account, your peers, or your comfort? What is your first response when God prompts you? All Jesus asks of us is a willing heart. The details I think are safe with Him.

From South Africa


Why am I saying all this? Because I’m struggling so much with it! He keeps speaking to me about control and I find this subject really, really difficult. I’ve always tried to keep the reins of my life grasped firmly in my iron clasp, but lately He has been gently and sometimes not so gently reminding me who is really in control. Frankly, it’s rather irritating, but I know that to live a life of true freedom requires me letting go, so I’m working on it. I’ll keep you updated.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Sweetness

Her name is Sweetness. She is barely three years old and already her eyes reflect the harsh reality that is her life. Orphaned as an infant, Sweetness had been passed around from relative to relative before landing on the doorstep of a widowed uncle. Out of necessity, he is gone most of the day at work, leaving the three year old behind to fend for herself. Infected with AIDS, his death will follow swiftly on the heels of her parents and Sweetness will soon be orphaned for the second time.
When I first started work in Kabokweni, Sweetness was shy and would not approach me willingly. She is too solemn for one so small and often stares at her feet rather than respond when I try to talk to her. Sometimes I pick her up whether she acknowledges me or not and hold her close. She doesn’t fight, but lays passive in my arms and keeps her head down. I feel the hard, roundness of her stomach. She looks like a pregnant toddler, but I know that this is often caused by malnutrition.
Yesterday, I was playing a game with about fifty of the kids. They were being loud and acting more rambunctious than normal, but still for the most part good-natured. There was a lot of noise, that amazing crescendo unique to children and, while I was laughing and yelling along with the rest of them, organizing a game was fast becoming impossible. And in that moment of chaos, I felt tiny arms encircle my leg and a small body pressed itself close to me. This alone was not unusual, but as I glanced down and saw Sweetness, her cheek resting on my thigh her eyes raised to me, I felt near tears. She stayed glued to me the rest of the day and I let her cling all she wanted. Or maybe it was she who let me cling.

From South Africa

Friday, October 10, 2008

Update

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I’ve been so lax lately on communication, but things have been rather busy. Last week, we held the National YWAM South Africa staff conference at our base. For a week, we hosted about two hundred and eighty people most of whom stayed in tents. Our own little ‘Tent City.’ It’s been an intense couple months preparing for the conference and while I can’t say it went off without a hitch, it certainly exceeded my own expectations!

From South Africa


We’ve had this past week off after the tents had been packed up. I left with a couple friends to stay in the Kruger National Park for a few days. It’s been amazing to just relax and take a breather. I’ll keep you all updated on new developments when I get back to work next week.

Love and Blessings,
Brittany