I wanted to let all those who have been following my updates on here to know that I have switched over to a new blog page. The new web address is www.megankroeger.blogspot.com
This is the blog I will be using as I continue to pursue Christ and the mission He has called me to. This will be my last post on this page as I have already begun using the new page. So save the new website to your computer and check it for updates periodically.
I love you guys and am blessed to have you journey and partner with me! Continue seeking His face and His will for your life. It truly is a beautiful thing.
I've been thinking about Africa a lot lately, even more so
than usual. I've been thinking about the ways I saw God show up within Jeffreys
Bay and in my own life. I've been thinking about my children- His children. I've
been thinking about the faces, the names, the memories. It's all so weird. This
journey began a year ago yet it seems like a different lifetime that I was in
South Africa. In trying to make sense of all my thoughts, emotions and memories
I stumbled upon a song I had heard a few times before. In really listening to
the words, I couldn't have said it better myself...
"I saw what I saw"
By: Sara Groves
I saw what I saw and I can't forget it
I heard what I heard and I can't go back
I know what I know and I can't deny it
Something on the road, cut me to the soul
Your pain has changed me
Your dream inspires
Your face a memory
Your hope a fire
Your courage asks me what I am made of
And what I know of love
We've done what we've done and we can't erase it
We are what we are and it's more than enough
We have what we have but it's no substitution
Something on the road, touched my very soul
I say what I say with no hesitation
I have what I have and I'm giving it up
I do what I do with deep conviction
Something on the road, changed my world
No words can ever describe the experience I had in South Africa. No words can
ever paint the picture I saw of poverty, disease, and loneliness. The piles of
trash that were ever growing, the glass that lined all of the "streets" in the
township, the absurd amounts of taverns, the women that lived with abusive
boyfriends, the children that couldn't go to school because their parents had
no money for the school fees yet alone the uniforms. It's not fair. It's not
right. Children prostitute themselves to provide money for their siblings that they
end up raising because their parents are dying or have already died of AIDS.
Husbands drown themselves in liquor to take the sting of poverty and sin
away, ultimately diving more into both issues. Wives stay with husbands that
have no concern for them or their children because that is all they have ever
known. Abuse is everywhere: parents beating their children, husbands beating
their wives. You can see the despair on so many faces. It's not fair. It's not
right.
I could go on and on about the depressing sites you will see once entering
the township but that's not where the story ends. God is redeeming each and
every one of these situations. God is using His people around the world to
bring hope. We can all learn from these
situations. We can learn about hopes and dreams and courage. We can learn about
Christ love and grace that is more than enough. We can learn about the body of
Christ as we see it in action bringing hope and healing to His hurting people.
These stories, these situations, these friends are more than just a memory in
my heart and mind. They are what stir me on toward Christ. They are the
reminder that though I am weak and only one, I can make a difference by sharing
the love of Christ. They are who inspire me to never give up and to never stop
hoping. These aren't just stories or situations, these are my friends. These
are those who have captured my heart and changed it forever. Their pain has changed
me, their dream inspires, their face a memory, their hope a fire, their courage
asks me what I am made of and what I know of love.
Today marks one year since this crazy journey began. I thought it would be fitting to post about some of the people that have impacted me the most during this time, those that I lived in community with for 5 months...
Aaryn- Aaryn is one of a kind. She is
firm yet loving. Aaryn was my disciple second semester so I got the opportunity
to get to know her better. She is an amazing woman of God who is not ever
content for mediocrity. She is always striving to go deeper with her
relationship with Christ and push others to do the same. She was there to speak
truth over me and call out the things I needed to change. She loved me for who
I was at that moment but saw who God wanted me to be and pushed me towards that
constantly.
Amber- Amber is so full of wisdom. I don't even know if she
realizes it but the Lord has anointed her to speak His word. Amber is bubbly
and energetic. Her joy and laugh are contagious. She oversaw our ministries and
checked in on us regularly to see what needed to be improved. She was
constantly encouraging us to love more and pray more. God gave her the words to
push us forward when we needed it most.
Andrea- Andrea is one of the sweetest people I have ever
met. She seems quiet at first, but don't be fooled: she has some spunk in her!
Andrea was my bunkmate and was always dropping things behind my bed. It's funny
how you miss that when you have your own room. We always seemed to be on the
same page: especially with sleep schedules. It was great, first to go to bed
and last to wake up. Andrea had a knack for hearing from the Lord. I struggle
to be quiet before God and really hear from Him but she set a great example.
Her heart is shaped for service and love and it's beautiful.
Ellen: Ellen is full of faith. She knows God has big plans
for her life and she is running after them. She has shown me the example of
unwavering faith I needed to see. Sarah Buller was one of Ellen's best friends
from home and despite this loss Ellen continued to praise God and push forward
without hesitation. I love that about her. She is a great listener and just a
lot of fun to be around. I have a truly amazing friend in her and I couldn't be
more grateful that God placed her in my life. I'm excited to see the journey
God continues to take her on within Africa.
Alexis: Oh Alexis! Alexis has one of the most amazing
laughs, ever. You can't help but smile when you're around her. She has the most
outgoing personality and makes everyone feel comfortable, that is until she
really gets to know you and puts you in uncomfortable positions just for fun.
Alexis was in the same classroom with me at Ithemba so we worked together for
Bible Study all second semester. Her heart to teach the kids about God was so
encouraging. She loved them with everything that she had. We started praying
that God would show up in those times and really give the kids a hunger for Him
and He did. It was an amazing experience to share together and I couldn't have
picked a better partner.
Faith: Faith was given her name for a reason. She believes
in the things most don't see and see's them because of her faith. She and I
worked together with the youth at Deo Doxa and it was a great time of
fellowship. She was always stepping up to the plate to help in whatever way
possible: from leading games to leading small group discussions. Her faith
encouraged me to pray prayers expectantly and really give God the chance to
show up in ways I wouldn't let Him before.
Ashley: Ashley is one of the most real people I know. She
has a huge heart for those that are hurting and you could see it in all of her
actions. Ashley was a constant encouragement to me, always reminding me to lay
all of my burdens at the foot of the cross. Her and I got to work together and
Ithemba first semester and do house visits together second semester. Both of
those ministries contain sweet memories of times together. Ashley was always
bold and willing to speak about her life and the ways God has changed her. She
never held back her past or present heart aches if it would help someone else
out. This was a huge encouragement to me to be more open with my story and
allow God to use it to bring Him glory. It was sweet to see Him do that through
her.
Brittany- B is nothing short of amazing. She was the one to
always keep us laughing. As humorous as B always was, she had a heart that was
broken for those around her. Brittany took the burden of others pain upon herself;
she carried that burden with you. Her heart for the Lord is contagious. She is
so joyful in serving and can make anything and everything a fun task. I love
the times just laying in her bed laughing (especially after she threw me out
unknowingly) or staying up late talking about life. She is going to be an
amazing leader. She is an amazing leader.
Samantha- Sama is my hero, especially with her amazing ninja
skills. Really though, Sama has an amazing amount of patience and love for
children that I desire to have more of. She would have 20+ kids in her class that
would be crazy loud that required a lot of attention and energy yet at the end
of class she would clean the entire classroom. She too has an amazing servant
heart. She sees those that most overlook and pours her time and energy into
loving them and showing them that they are special to Christ and special to
her. She loves with all that she has and it leaves people changed. Sama is my
sister. She always told me how much I reminded her of her sister so I became
her sister during the trip.
Brianna: Sweet Bri. Bri was one of my best friends from
first semester so I was ecstatic about living with her second semester. Bri
always encouraged me whether it was through notes, words, or just time
together. She is truly one of the people who impacted my life the most during
this year. She was a great friend that was always willing to listen, or run
away and get an avalanche with me, especially when I needed it most. She, like
I, was learning a lot about letting others and God love you but she never had a
problem loving others. She loved people like her life depended on it, doing
anything and everything to bring joy and encouragement. Christ shined brightly
through her as she daily served us in many different ways. Bri is a great
friend and I am blessed to have her in my life.
Sydney- Syd encompasses the essence of love. She's got it
figured out. She is sweet-spirited but has a fire deep inside her bones. Her
heart screams out against the injustice and her actions follow close behind.
She is genuine in both word and deed. Sydney is an amazing listener and always
asks the questions that point you back to Christ. Her thinking would be considered
unconventional by most but I think that's because she takes God at His word.
She doesn't water down the truth. She calls it what it is and lives accordingly.
I admire that about her. God uses her to speak His love and truth over everyone
that she meets. She too is a great leader and has so much to offer those
willing to sit and listen.
Our community had its faults but God was among us. He filled each room of that house and spurred us on towards love. We are all made for community, made to hold each other up and have accountability, made to love beyond boundaries, and made to work together to fulfill His purpose. Those five months have shown me more about community than I ever knew. Each one of these girls holds a special place in my heart. I'm eternally grateful that I got to spend so much time with them, seeing their heart and seeing God move in and through them. My life hasn't been the same since our community seperated to various areas of the world. But I'm excited about the road God has ahead of each and every one of them. They are all going to change this world, mark my words.
I have been meaning to do this for quite some time now but I
always manage to put it off. I reflect over the past year often, that isn't
the problem. The problem is putting eight months that were full of spiritual warfare,
highs and lows, heartache and ultimate joy, death and everlasting life,
community and personal growth into words is nearly impossible. The eight months
I spent in Africa were some of the most difficult yet most impactful months of
my life. I struggled at times and at times I never wanted to leave. It was a
long journey but one well worth taking. I'm going to try to paint a better
picture of my time in Africa for you so that you can see and glorify God for
the work He has done and is doing.
Dan Rather said it well, "If all difficulties were
known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all."
If I had known the trials that were to come when I set off for Africa, I can
almost promise you I would not have gotten on that plane. I couldn't be more
grateful that I did though...
The first two months were extremely difficult for me. I struggled to find my
place on a team of 41 students and 14 leaders. I battled with culture shock. I
was uncertain of my decision in leaving the life I knew. God was molding me more and more into His daughter,
but it was a difficult and often painful process. I was learning about the
identity I had claimed for years but never really understood. I was learning
about my formulaic life and the areas where I had completely missed the whole
point. There were days I had no idea
what I was doing being in South Africa, but looking back I know God knew and
was preparing me for His purpose. There were some dark days as I tried to work
through all of these things, but those dark days ultimately made His light shine
brighter. It took me seeing, and feeling, the lies and hurt of a broken
identity to see, and feel, the beauty of truly being His beloved daughter. It
took me seeing, and feeling, the loneliness to see, and feel, the loving
embrace of community. It took me seeing, and feeling, the differences in the
culture to see, and feel, the bond of Christ's love that overcomes all
barriers. The first few months were a time of great growth and
realization. There were many times I
wondered if it was worth it but I can say with confidence that every bit of
pain and every tear that came during those months were beyond worth it. I have
been able to see myself more as God sees me and in that I have been able to see
others more as God sees them. I have learned what His love looks likes through
my leaders and teammates that never stopped pouring into me during those
difficult times. They continually spoke Christ's love and truth into my life
and as a result, I have been changed.
The difficulties didn't end after the first few months. However, I was a new
creation with a new strength and confidence to deal with the trials to come.
The next five months will forever be etched into my heart...
I lived in a house with nine other
teammates and two leaders. They showed me Christ's love in daily, tangible
ways. They showed me the Church at its finest form. They became far more than
teammates and friends, they became my family. This family, this Church, forever
changed my life. Sure, we fought at times and got on each other's nerves.
However, those times don't come up when I think about our community. Instead, I
think of the family fast we did or the nights of worship in the back room. I
remember the countless times we would make cookie dough and sit in the living
room eating it out of the bowl, never letting it make its way to the oven. I
remember the nights sitting around the small table playing cards. I remember the
days filled with sweet memories of ministry. I remember the times we spent in
prayer together. I remember our Tuesday/Thursday lunches at the beach. I
remember their names and their hearts like we were just together. I could go on
forever but I will share more about them on the next blog. They are so
important to this journey because they were what kept me going and what
continued to challenge me.
The aspect that changed my heart the most during the last five months of the
trip was the ministry. How do you define ministry? Well, in Africa you define
ministry as love. Sometimes you have nothing else to offer but love. I don't
want to downplay that though because that is the need. The need is love. The need
is Christ and Christ is love. Just as I needed to hear it, see it, and feel it
the first semester of the trip I needed to give it out unconditionally for
others to hear it, see it, and feel it the second semester. I couldn't give
what I didn't clearly know. Sure I knew love before this trip but by no means
is it in the way I know it now. God gave me those first few months to change my
view on love and to feel it in a new way and He gave me those next five months
to pour that same love out onto the community of JBay.
I could tell you
countless stories of situations most would consider hopeless. I could tell you
numerous situations where I remember my heart breaking. My heart literally hurt
for the people of Jeffreys Bay. My heart still hurts for the people of Jeffreys
Bay. But I promise you there is hope. There is hope, there is hope, there is
hope! You see it at Ithemba in the kids who come daily that desire to learn
more about God. You see it in the ladies that continue to take in more children
than they have room or money for because they know what will happen to them if
they don't. You see it in the women speaking out about their abusive
boyfriends. You see it in the women choosing to spend time studying God's word.
You see it all around if your eyes are open to it. I saw it in my children. I
saw it in the bible study we did as they began to really ask questions and
think about the things we talked about. I saw it in my students as they took
leadership within Ithemba and cared for the younger kids. I saw it in a
specific student that was eager to learn new things in order to better his
chances of breaking the hold of poverty. There is hope, there is hope, there is
hope! There are people in Jeffreys Bay that are changing the world. They are
living out their calling of making disciples, caring for the orphans and looking
after the widows. Their faith shown daily through their actions greatly
challenged me and continues to do so. They have changed my life. I go to sleep often thinking about them and
praying for them. I dream about my kids and the men and women they will become.
I miss them and long to see them again because they are Christ. They are Christ
to each other and they are Christ to the dying community around them. They are "the
least of these" that seem to offer more and more of themselves and everything
that they have. My life will never be the same because of the kids God gave me
time to spend with. Alelutho, Shawn, Candi, Jeidre, Lompi, Caitlyn, Marayna,
Laikin: These children all have a portion of my heart and these only name a few.
Then there are the ladies that work at Ithemba: Lusanda, Queen, and Nomsa. I
love these women far more than words can express. Especially Nomsa, as I got to
spend hours with her daily. Nomsa is a dear friend that continues to capture my
heart through every conversation. This woman is so in love with Jesus and so
crazy that you can't help but love her. I wish each one of you could meet her,
you would forever be changed.
These are the joys that came with second semester but I would be kidding myself
if I said it was all good and easy after the first few months. There were many
trials that came: from being mugged, experiencing the joy of being pepper
sprayed, letting a best friend leave, to the hardest of all: the loss of a dear
friend, Sarah Buller. When asked what had the most impact on me during my time
in Africa, my answer is always Buller. She was one of my roommates first
semester and we shared many sweet times together. Sarah is love. Sarah is joy.
Sarah was an amazing friend and an amazing warrior for Christ. It would take me
pages upon pages to try to describe her adequately. She had such a huge impact
on our team, Jeffreys Bay, and Port Elizabeth. She knew her purpose and she was
living it out daily. On April 5th,
Sarah Buller was killed in a car accident. April 5th forever changed
mine, and my teammates, lives. We lost far more than a teammate; we lost a dear
friend and sister in Christ. We struggled to understand why this would happen.
It was a long, difficult struggle but our answer was Christ. It was the only
answer. It was all Sarah was living for, so her death ultimately led us closer to
Him. It was harder than words will ever do justice. There were many tears, and
continue to be even now. But the beauty of it all is that there is no power in
death. Satan had no power in Sarah's death. Sarah is now exactly where she
desired to be most: praising her Heavenly Father, the King of kings and Lord of
lords. Christ has victory in all situations and we saw that clearly in Buller's
death. I will never forget the difference she made on Jeffreys Bay for Him and
I will never forget the difference she made in my life, pushing me closer and
closer to Christ.
Difficulties will come. They will often seem like barriers that are too tall to
climb. Don't shrink in fear of the trials, for that is where the most growth
happens. That is where your faith becomes real. That is where the power of
Christ is evident. There is hope, there is hope, there is hope. There is hope
in death. There is hope for the life that seems to difficult to live. There is
hope for the children who are going to bed without having eaten a meal tonight.
There is hope for the American going to bed over indulged and living a life outside
of God's will. There is hope, there is hope, there is hope.
God wrecked me this year. He wrecked my life for the ordinary. He ruined the
picture I had in my head of what my life was supposed to look like. And to be honest,
it was one of the hardest years of my life. But I would never change it. It's
been a struggle being back home and trying to find my place here. There have
been many days where I didn't want to face life in America. God is slowly, yet
continually, showing me small glimpses of His plan for my life. I'm excited to
say that this year in Africa was only the beginning of the plans He has for me.
I don't know details of what is to come but I know that I serve a mighty God
whose heart is for His hurting people. My heart is to be His hands and feet to
those hurting people: to love them unconditionally like He has done for me. I'm
seeking out where He would have me do that but as I wait on His voice and timing;
I'm starting where He has me now. This is my life: it's a rollercoaster but our
God is never-changing. He is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is
the God of hope. Because of Him there is hope, there is hope, there is hope!
Never forget it.
Tuesday was our last day of ministry and now we are busy saying goodbyes and wrapping things up here. It was very hard to say goodbye to everyone that I've grown to love but I know that God has them in His hands and will continue to grow them. I will be leaving on Wednesday at half past 12 and will arrive in DC at 6am on Thursday. From there we will travel to Georgia for a short time of debrief with our team and I will be back in Charlotte on Friday afternoon. I am excited to spend time with my friends and family that I have missed dearly but am struggling to say goodbye. Jeffreys Bay has become my home and my team has become my family. Which leads me to some big news, God has been pressing on my heart that this isn't the end. These relationships are not really over. Some of them are and I have to be okay with that but I'm taking heart in the fact that he has more planned for many of the relationships. I am still praying for clear direction but I know that God is calling me back here. Whether it be a few months, another year, or many years later, I know this isn't a final goodbye. As of right now, with much prayer and thought, I am looking at coming back in January for at least 6 months maybe a year. I have no details at all. God is teaching me to live in faith and trust Him with everythign so I am doing my best to do just that. As He lays more on my heart I will keep you all updated. Please keep my team in your prayers as we say our last goodbyes and wrap things up. And pray for God's direction, leading, and provision as I look to the future and coming back. Thank you all very much for your continual support of what God is doing in my life. I love you all dearly!
I want to start off with an apology. I am sorry I haven't kept up with the blog over the past few weeks. I do want you to know that during this time God has moving among us. Since I last wrote, it has been a rollercoaster ride here in Jeffreys. There have been some great highs but also some of the lowest lows I have had to experience.
I will start with a high- ministry. The 2nd of April was our last day of ministry for a long holiday. It was a Thursday so we had house visits in the morning followed by Ithemba. I remember walking away from that day so encouraged about what God was doing. During house visits, we met one of our regular families neighbor/friend. We sat and played cards for awhile as we talked about life and why we are in Jeffreys. We took that time to get to know her and her heart. She shared about her family and about the community. We talked about the issues that we see on a regular basis. Issues of abuse and alcohol. Issues of loneliness and temptations. We asked them if they wanted to study a passage of the Bible with us and Shamel, the friend that introduced us, said no. This was hard to hear because God has been really working on her heart and stirring a hunger in her for truth. I knew something was wrong so I asked why she wasn't interested. She began pouring out her heart to us and telling her how last night her boyfriend beat her up. She had bruises all over her arms. She then told us that the scar on her face was from a previous time when he stabbed her. My heart broke instantly. What do you say to a women who faces threats to be murdered if she leaves, yet if she stays she endures beatings? We sat there and let her pour out her heart. We sat and listened. We prayed. We spoke truth of God's love for her and how beautiful she is. We could not tell her what to do, that decision was hers. But God allowed us to be there for her and speak truth about His love and mercy. Afterwards, she had to leave but her friend began telling us of her alcohol addiction and how hard it is to quit. My other two teammates listened to her, prayed for her, and spoke truth into her life. During that time, God just told me to pray. So I began praying for the many kids that live in this area. God urged me to pray for protection, but not just physical protection. Protection over their hearts and over their minds. Protection from the stronghold of alcohol they see daily. Protection from the lies Satan will feed them over their parents fighting. I can't tell you the outcome from those prayers or the words spoken to our two friends. All I know is God's word does not return void. I cling to that truth with every word spoken over these woman's lives.
I spent the next few days relaxing and spending time fellowshiping with the other ministry partners in the area. On Sunday, I left for Cape Town to spend time with friends and allow God to rejuvenate me. As we were reaching Cape Town, we received a phone call informing us there had been an accident. 3 of my teammates and a church member from the Port Elizabeth team were in the car. We were stopped at a petrol station so we stayed there for a little while longer and prayed. Assuming everything would be fine and knowing there was nothing else we could do, we kept driving. Within 30 minutes a second call came. Sarah didn't make it. I can't begin to tell you the emotions that ran through my head. Every possible thought was racing through my mind over and over again. We turned around and drove the 7hrs back to Jeffreys Bay. The following week was a week filled with questions, emotions, and darkness. Why God, why Sarah, why now? I was so upset that I didn't know what to do, so I did just that- nothing. This would be where the low was evident.
It wasn't until Sarah's memorial service that God began pushing me towards healing. I had run for it for the first days afterwards. I ran hard away from it. But as I remembered Sarah's life and friendship the only direction I could go was towards God. I still had questions, I still had many many emotions, but I got a glimpse of hope that day. I knew I had to fight for healing and fight for God's purpose in this situation, and I struggled to do so. It wasn't until we went to Cape Town, as a team- along with our Port Elizabeth friends, that God truly revealed Himself in this situation. Was it easy? No. Did it sting? More than I can put to words. But during the last night we were there, God just spoke clearly to my heart. He brought back all of the characteristics I admired in my friend Sarah. Her listening ear, her gentle spirit, her caring heart, her abounding love, her willingness to forgive, her persistent nature, her willingness to do anything to bring God glory, her words of wisdom and support, her laugh, and God would not let me forget that beautiful smile. The smile that lit up every room she walked in. The smile that brought hope to those she ministered to. The smile that always cheered me up when I walked into our room last semester. All of these things ran through my head, numerous memories that made me smile, laugh and cry. And I just knew God was pushing me towards those things. The fruits of the Spirit that so much of Sarah's life characterized. Sarah was much more than a roommate, or a teammate, she was a beloved friend and an example of what a child of God truly looks like. For that friendship and example, I will forever be grateful. Sarah's life taught me so much about God but her death took those things I saw in her and the things I learned from her and moved them from my head in to my heart. God has been trying to do that with so many things this semester and He used Sarah to help. That last night we sat around and just sang out praises to God. We sang of His love and His greatness, of His light and His hope. And I honestly felt it in my heart. I felt it so much that I couldn't help but smile and cry tears of joy. God is good. No, God is great! There is hope, hope that makes no sense but comes just as we need it most. There is joy in and strength at the foot of the cross but you must first surrender the "happiness" life and the world we live in offers us. I hate it took Sarah's death to open my eyes to these things but I am eternally grateful for her life, friendship, example, and continual impact.
Now I know this only covers a portion of what God has been teaching and the ways that He has been moving but you can be sure that this only scratches at the surface of what He is doing in our hearts and the hearts of those in Jeffreys Bay, Port Elizabeth, and Swazi. Please continue to lift up all of these teams. Pray that God continues to receive glory from everything: life, death, joy, sorrow, laughter, tears, and the goodbyes. Pray that as we finish up our work here that the people we minister to will see Christ and look to Him for their needs. Pray that even though goodbyes sting and are hard that the joy of the Lord will be much greater. Thank you all for your continual support. Your prayers have been felt here, especially in these last few weeks. You have been a great ministry to me and my team. I look forward to telling you more about the things God has done, is doing, and is directing me to in the future. I love you all!
God has been teaching me a lot this week about His love and my response to it. We are reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan and I recommend it to everyone. It's eye-openeing and challenging. I will go into detail about the book and what I have taken away from it on my next post but I feel like this teaching time is what has compelled me and my team to make the most of every oppurtunity, making this a memorable week.
We are starting to really study the Bible with the group of ladies we visit on Tuesday and Thursday morning and you can see the hunger they have. It is amazing to see and even more encouraging that God is giving us oppurtunities to really speak truth into their lives and challenging us with those same truths. Continue to pray that the hunger will grow inside of them and that they will be moved to action by the things they read.
God has also been moving at Ithemba. Kids are opening up and being real with us. I really feel like Jeffreys is hungry for truth. They are craving it, they are just looking in the wrong places. You can even see it in the kids lives and how they have started to really listen when we read the Bible and discuss it. They are asking hard quesitons about what to do in situations and how to live what we talk about out. Something is being stirred up, that is for sure.
I know this is a quick update but I just want you all to know that God is at work here. In my life, in the life of my teammates and in this community! From answering prayers, to guiding and directing us, to giving peace, and breaking hearts, God is working. He made the pouring, and I mean POURING, rain stop so that we could do house visits. He has guided us to other people to visit. He has taught us all about His love and His holiness. He is just pretty amazing... what more can I say?
God is moving here in Jeffreys. He always has been but this
week I was able to see it even more clearly. We've had opportunity after opportunity
to speak truth. From talking about ancestral worship during house visits to talking
about forgiveness and grace at Ithemba, truth is being heard and challenging
many.
God is stirring up things in our class at Ithemba, I can just feel it. We were
able to speak boldly during our bible time and talk about the hard things that
happen here in the culture. We talked about rape and murder on Monday and the
kids openly said that it can't be forgiven. That opened doors to really just
talk with them and share our passions. We shared our stories and examples where
God has forgiven us when we didn't deserve it and we shared about examples
where we had to forgive when they didn't deserve it. The kids were sitting
there listening more than I think they have ever before. We were able to share
parts of our lives with them which was really important and God totally used
it. On Tuesday, many of our kids were in a fight on the street against other
students from another school. It was disappointing and discouraging but it
truly was another opportunity to speak on the issue of forgiveness. We talked
about the fight and why and asked them what they thought about forgiveness.
They all agreed that it was important and that in the situation they weren't
being forgiving. I was praying for guidance because I had no idea where to go
from there but Nomsa began speaking and the spirit was leading that
conversation. We told them that we are at Ithemba because we love them and we
want to share the hope that we have with them. We told them that we want to
play and have fun with them, that we want to teach them, but our purpose is to
speak truth and tell them about God. We then went on to explain accountability.
I gave the example of giving them 10 rand and be held accountable means I need
a cash slip for how they spent the 10 rand. They understood so I went on to explain
that is what God does. We hear truth and we hear the Word and we are then held
accountable. He gives us opportunity to live it out and holds us accountable to
our reaction. We told them how much we
love talking about the Bible and answering their questions but unless they
began living it out, we don't need to keep talking about it. It's important to
talk about it but unless there are actions that follow, the talking has no
value. I think it struck the kids pretty hard. It was an intense two days but
you can see that they were all listening
and thinking about it and I'm excited to see how God uses those times and conversations.
Next week has potential to be another intense week with the kids. We are going to
do the Beat the Drum program with our class starting on Monday. We have only
talked about AIDS briefly with them and they had some good questions. We will
start with the movie on Monday and then talk about values on Tuesday and split
up the boys and girls on Wednesday and talk more deeply on issues and then
Thursday talk about questions and commitments. It's going to be a great week
and I think God is going to do big things with this program. I just ask that
you'll be daily praying about the words spoken to them and the images they will
see. Pray that their eyes will be opened to the seriousness of these issues and
that most importantly their heart will be affected.
Thank you so much for your continual support, God is using you!
I mentioned that God has been breaking my heart and showing me more of His ways this week but I want to take time to share the things going on. I found out at the beginning of the week that one of the girls that was in my class last semester at Ithemba was raped. She has been staying in Joburg since before Christmas but is no longer safe there. Her life was threatened if she told anyone, which she eventually did. The man is either in hiding within the town or has escaped but when people found out they went to beat him. Luckily, they believed and supported her but if the man is still within the town her life is in danger. The situation is complicated now because the social workers are involved, as well as the police but it's going to cost around $80 US dollars to bring her back from Joburg to Jeffreys. My team is waiting to find out when we can help but the political aspect of it has to be sorted out first.
Later in the week I was able to talk to a few of the girls from Zimbabwe that are in my class. To give a bit of background the situation in Zim is not good. There have been many people coming from there to stay in South Africa until the political situation settles down. There have been difficulties with communication, medicine, schools and basic necessities for awhile now. Needless to say, those who were able to leave have left. These two girls are actually two of 5 girls staying with their aunt here in Jeffreys until things settle down, which nobody really knows when it will be safe again. They were sharing their hearts and what has been weighing them down, which was a really good opportunity to just encourage them. Neither one of them are able to go to school because their school fees would be $42 US dollars a month per person and there are 5 of them. They both shared with me though that it would really help their family and them if their younger sister was able to go to school. She struggles the most out of their family with her English and it's very important that she learns it. It's something I have begun praying about and would like to ask that you would join me in that. These are two very big needs that have come up just among my class at Ithemba and I'm seeking out the Lord's provision. I would like to get enough funds for at the least the youngest to go to school for 6 months (the rest of the school year here) and be able to bring the other girl back from Joburg. If you would like to be a part of meeting this need, let me know by leaving a comment or writing me an e-mail at mkroege1@gmail.com and I can give you more details.