Taylor Family Missions

Hekel

2009-06-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

One of the projects we've been able to begin and sustain in the TB Hospital is a crochet (Hekel) project where the women make tote bags using plastic yarn ('plarn') . The patients have been able to make bags and then some of our American guests buy them at a fair trade price. win-win.

Cathy

2009-06-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

my friend's abode

2009-06-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

One of my closest friends here, Cathy, lives in one of the government flats here. It is about 500 square feet, one bedroom, a living room and a small kitchen w/ a toilet. There are 11 people living in overcrowded conditions: normal for Paarl East. No hot water and electricity only a week or two out of the month. YET, Cathy is one of the greatest servants that I know. She has two HIV positive foster children, her invalid bed-ridden mother in law, her alcoholic mother and her own children that she provides for and takes care of, PKUS she volunteers at Sonstraal TB Hospital with me once a week and care-takes 7 families whose parents are HIV positive and very ill. In my book, this is what Jesus looks like. He looks like Cathy. She never complains, never asks for anything and rarely has a tired expression. I am amazed at this woman. She is my hero.

my fam

2009-06-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

After being here nearly two years the thing I miss the most is of course my family.....and Mexican food. In that order....most of the time.

Been a While

2009-06-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

My apologies to all of you who check the blog regularly. Confessions of a computer hacker: Facebook is just easier. I started posting my photographs and keeping up with some of my old students via Facebook. Tylyn recently told me to either resurrect my blog or put it to bed. So, for the sake of Russ and Ann, Catherine, Cathy, Gogo and several others who don't have Facebook, I'll give the heimlich to the old blog site and see if there's a little life left in it.

The past couple months have been very busy, packed with ministry. Because January lies dormant in this country waiting for February before anything begins (follows the school year), the last 4 months have been a whirlwind of activity. I had the blessing of having my dear friend from Northern California come and serve along side of me for 3 months. God taught me a lot about myself during this time. Primarily, that I am wired to partner in ministry. I can do nearly anything on my own, movies, eat out, shopping, sitting in nature, church, etc. but when it comes to serving in the communities I am energized when serving alongside somebody else. Maybe it's the teacher in me that wants to share discoveries, or maybe it's the need to constantly debrief, whatever the case, I am grateful for the many many visitors that God has sent my way over the past two years.

lunchin' with the sistahood!

2008-11-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

Yolanda, Pinky, Sam and I enjoy a dinner together at La Romantica. Pinky is the 'daughter' of Gary and Marnelle Helling and Yolanda will be our newest room-mate in 2 days. We can't wait! She's awesome, has a great sense of humor, is highly dramatic and LOVES to do dishes...okay...not the last part. :)

Am I in a city?

2008-11-11T11:42:00.001-08:00

Third World Country? Developing Country? First world? Honestly, every person you talk to will give you a different answer. Along with India and Brazil, South Africa tops the records for the greatest disparity between the rich and the poor. Along the coast, first world. a few miles away, grossly impoverished squatter camps. We have the pleasure (?) of experiencing this cultural whiplash every day in the Paarl Valley. The cows in front of my car were blocking the road as I was leaving our black township, Mbekweni. They take their sweet time...just like the people and everything else in this country.

My tired bakkie!!!

2008-10-08T08:56:00.001-07:00

Only 3 days into our mission's outreach to Rundu, Namibia, my car pooped out. Praise God, it ended up only being a radiator problem, but it meant we had to hire a car for the next couple of weeks. Bad news, it wasn't in the budget. Good news, car hire is cheap in Africa. We continued on our journey in the heat and humidity and made Rundu without missing a beat. While there we taught in the government high school (their life skills classes), held an after school club at the local Christian school, did various 'devotional' gigs and worked in the villages. We showed the 'Jesus film' in the village one evening. It was so cool. The film was showed in english and then a guy translated it into the local tribal language...it was one of the highlights of the trip. Then Yolanda shared her testimony as local Shebeen owners (bar) and the local chief heckled and tried to derail us. But they all settled down, God removed obstacles, and, working with a local missionary to the villagers, we were able to minister out in the middle of the desert.

massive boabab!!!!

2008-10-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

N'Kwazi Preschool

2008-10-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

In Rundu, Namibia, we had multiple opportunities to bring hope and good news, but the preschool was a definite favorite! How can you resist the little ones who are faithfully attending preschool to learn English. By the time the children are in 4th grade they are taught exclusively in English in the government schools, but the children in the villages stand little chance of learning English before they are 10 so they are put back into 1st grade while their english speaking peers move ahead. The drop out rate gets progressively worse. So the Valerie and Wynan, the owners of the N'Kwazi Lodge, have opened a couple of preschools for village children to ensure that when they finally get to a government school they will be equipped for moving up with their class. Their dream is to start 30 more preschools in the next few years. Currently they are using America's ACSI Christian Curriculum. It seems to be working for them!

Makora Magic

2008-10-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

On Safari (Swahili for 'journey') in Botswana, after the outreach. We took a cruise around the Okavango Delta in makora's; hollowed out wooden canoes propelled by pole-carrying native. Sam rode with Josh, while Bec and I followed about 6 other MCM duos. It's pretty amazing to know that hippo's and pythons are below you somewhere and you're floating only 3 inches above the water level. We took a little hike on the island and, although we could see elephants across the way and spotted lion paw prints, mostly we just examined differing dung...

"It smells in this truck."

2008-10-08T08:23:00.001-07:00

Our trip was the equivalent of driving from Seattle to Florida...only a quarter of it was on dirt roads (way off-roading) and crammed 5 per bakkie in the cabs. Consequently, we became quite familiar with one another...as if we weren't already! :) Sam and Yolanda are fast friends forever...even though Sam looks only mildly enthusiastic in this photo.

Girl's High Rocks Lukhanyo

2008-07-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

Girl's High Rock Lukhanyo!

2008-07-02T13:09:00.001-07:00

Last week a group of strong, devoted young women from Girl's High, joined our discipleship team as we ministered in Mbekweni.
I was so impressed by not only their preparation and their boldness, but they were sincerely merciful and tender hearted. Most of the girl's had never been into the Township , although they only live a few miles from it. Their overwhelming response to serving the children was sheer joy! The big question as we drove home in their GH Combie- "when can we do this again?" - The youth, the balladeers and artisits...world changers.

Blessed Efforts!

2008-07-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

Coastline Community Church- check out the garden that you cleared the weeds, rocks, boulders, tree stumps and garbage out of in 110 degree weather (+ humidity). Your labor was not in vain! The community have planted a garden and the vegetables are coming up like crazy! Come back any time, guys...there are few who have worked as diligently as you all did!

Sontraal fun

2008-07-02T12:51:00.001-07:00

Thanks Crosswinds church for the craft supplies that you left with us. They truly are the gift that keeps on giving! I've also done a cotton ball/lamb sheet with the little ones there. :) The women at Sonstraal continue to stream in and out of the Hospital. I've been blessed to add Nthombienkosi, a Xhosa friend from my South Africa WOW group, to my Thursday visits. So now we have all three languages represented which has been a blessing as we pray together and minister to the women's emotional needs.

Sam and The Band (is their haha name)

2008-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Photo's all courtesy of Jesse's web site where I ripped them from....Thanks Jesse! :)...I had...uh....camera problems....

Camp was a success!

2008-06-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

While the rest of South Africa was buzzing and writhing under the fear and confusion of Xenophobic attacks and retaliations, Monte Christo Ministries was holding it's first ever multi-cultural youth Leadership Camp. We took 85 students from Mbekweni (Xhosa), Paarl East (colored) and Central Paarl (white Afrikaans) to our farm about an hour and a half away. Literally, we drove through mob scenes in order to pick the teenagers up from our partnering community centers. MCM has been in the communities long enough to establish a pretty good reputation so even while driving through streets lined (and filled) with confused mama's, angry youth or little ones just enjoying the energy of the scene, we felt safe and were allowed passage. Sometimes you can see God's angels part the waters.

The camp was sweet and exciting. Diverse in more ways than language. We erected several big army tents and held our meetings out in a field, generally in the pouring cool rain. Jesse, Joey and Sam lead worship (Joe/bass and Sam/drums). Quentin did the teaching...making all of the appropriate adjustments as we realized after the first evening that probably half of the kids there were not believer's in relationship with the Creator. About 25 students ended up making first time commitments and another dozen or more made a significant decision to move closer towards a Christ-centered life.

We divided the students up so that they bunked/ate/ sat interracially. They never balked. I love teens, they are so open, so willing for others to get to know them better. Azusa Pacific University (sans Jenna :( ) had a short term team here and they were very helpful in implementing the program that the MCM Interns had designed. We've had about 5 students show interest in coming alongside MCM's discipleship programs in the communities and helping with our Bible studies/soup.

Yes, it's true, we had to come home on Sunday, back to a valley in the middle of political and civil unrest, but we did what we could to broaden their views of their 'brother in Christ' and trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in their lives even as we go our own ways.

Thanks to all of you who prayed feverishly for the success of our camp, including those MCM Staff members who fasted and prayed in shifts for the two weeks before the camp...we had enough left over in that prayer account to sustain us through the refugee crisis as well! :)

Monte Christo Leadership Camp May 23-25,08

2008-06-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

Sam and his posse....

2008-05-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

Friendship comes in all shapes, sizes and ages...

2008-05-09T13:24:00.001-07:00

A week ago we had a bunch of kids jump into the back of the bakkie after church and join us at the house for lunch and some crafting. (Shash and Linda- do those wands look familiar? Thanks for the supplies!) I love these girls and they love to be loved!

Sam teaches drums

2008-05-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

Cheslin and Huston, both from Lighthouse family church in Paarl East, came by last Sunday to hang out for a while. Sam gave a few basic drum lessons and they watched a SpongeBob DVD. Simple pleasures.

Joe and his constant companions: mentors, Lubablo and Jesse

2008-05-09T13:17:00.001-07:00

Joe put in some hours working at the coffee shop today. He really enjoyed himself and working alongside Khanya was a kick in the pants. So between Bass guitar, english class, poetry, ‘Rock Band’ and ministry goings ons- he’s a happy, busy boy. He, Luba and Jesse spend plenty of time together and delight in torturing Jenna over the internet and eating spicy chicken.

I'm so lame...

2008-04-30T13:47:00.001-07:00

This is my 3rd attempt to load a larger photo...if you are related to me and your last name is Taylor...and I nursed you at one point...do not log on and tell me how lame I am at this game...I already know that! :) XXOO

Let me try again

2008-04-30T13:39:00.001-07:00

I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMill

2008-04-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

June 7th is gearing up to be an eventful day here in Paarl. The Lukhanyo Community Center in Mbekweni is going to make history by renting the Paarl Town Hall and bringing their youth (and an adult choir) across the great cultural divide to extend a hand of friendship. The organization's only goal is to invite white and colored South Africans in to Mbekweni by coming across the invisible barriers first. What a noble and maverick leadership Lukhanyo has at the helm!
Sidwell and Wellington approached me, on the counsel of an MCM staff member...who now owes me big time...and asked if I would direct the entire effort. Actually they didn't ask. They merely put a deposit down on town hall and then handed me the keys. I love these guys and have the same passion they do for doing cross cultural ministry, so with the help of Andisiwe, Yolanda and Mphati, as well as the Lukhanyo staff and MCM team, we are well on our way to creating a cultural sampler platter using acts from Paarl East (the colored community), Mbekweni and Paarl. White, black and colored...all the colors of God's rainbow.
The photos are of Yolanda and I watching a talent show in the community as we try to narrow down the 6 hour program (typical Xhosa talent show- I love it!) to a 2 hour palatable experience. (I'm the Caucasian in the middle) The girls in school uniforms are 'Sarafina', a dance troupe. They are AMAZING!!!!!
Yes...you are absolutely correct in thinking I'm right in my element!

Xhosa Funeral

2008-04-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

Every weekend you can make a sure bet on two things. Laundry will be hanging between every shack in the community and a half a dozen funeral tents will be erected and filled. A Xhosa funeral is easy to spot. The family puts up a big circus type tent (they actually look like our fumigation tents) and fill the yard with as many chairs as they can come up with and for a week family members from all over South Africa come and eat, drink and make merry, all while paying their respects to the departed and the immediate family.
I was struck this week by the devotion of the Mbekweni community as hundreds of people came out for the funeral of a middle aged woman who had been very active in the neighborhood and a positive influence over youth and local politics. Whether people had a relationship with her or not, they came to the funeral. It's what you do here. When a member of your community falls, you pick each other up. You all feel the effects of someone else's loss. It's really a beautiful quality that demonstrates the African Philosophy 'Ubuntu'...which means 'I am because we are'.

CrossWinds strikes again!

2008-04-20T17:09:00.001-07:00

Hey CrossWinds! You guys rock! Holiday Clubs totaling over 700 kids, hosting and running the women's retreat, helping out at the TB/HIV Hospital, loading up water bottles on the truck, repairing all of the MCM chairs, moving the Taylor's into their new home, worshipping at 2 indigenous churches and countless hours spent encouraging me and making me laugh...ahh ...American humor and wit, how I've missed you. :) I love you all! You can all come back anytime!

So much for the poof....

2008-04-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

Jeanne loves to be pampered, but this was ridiculous. :) She just sat and let the girls run their little dirty hands through her hair, lice and TB be damned! When you are in the presence of such love, such vulnerable need, you throw caution to the wind and allow the Holy Spirit to run the whole show...just the way He likes it. I wasn't sure if Jeanne was going to get back on the plane, so moved was she. Now, if we can only get Eck here...but what would the kids 'fashion' on him? He's completely hairless (a body builder).

Just us girls!

2008-04-20T16:56:00.001-07:00

The second American team that visited Paarl this year was from my home church, CrossWinds , in Dublin, CA. The team was lead by the beautiful and talented Emily Nelson! Seeing that Jeanne, Cindy and Em are some of my most favorite people ever I had a wonderful time laughing, praying, talking and soaking the glorious friendships that can only be found through the bonds of time. These 3 have helped walk me through the last 3 years and I am here because of their prayers and encouragement. Throw in an atomic BLOM and it's a wild ride (the South African in the green shirt).

Every good and perfect gift....

2008-04-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

Our new living space. Entertainment center courtesy of our landlords, all other furniture courtesy of MCM friends, wall hanging courtesy of Noni and Otto and Gigi bought the rug. So many others have contributed gifts that have helped us set up house, and for that I am deeply grateful. We came to this country with about 20 boxes...most of them books. We knew we were going to have to trust God for everything else and I'm constantly baffled/amazed/smiling at a God who meets our every need and then some! The house is plenty big for visitors...so what are you waiting for? You know you've always wanted to come see what God's doing in South africa. Now is the time!

Sam, Joe and Jesse want to get a monkey...

2008-04-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

My favorite part of the new house...the arboretum. The house is actually two small houses that the were conjoined to form a bigger home. The arboretum was the space between the two houses, so the windows you see are actually bathroom windows. :) Needless to say- this is my favorite part of the whole house. I think I'll just move my bed into the hall and sleep under the trees every night.
And, NO, boys, we will not cage it all in and get a pet monkey. Any pet that throws poop is not allowed in the house...or near the house...

I'm baaaack!!!

2008-04-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

God speaks loud and often in South Africa! That's a saying you hear many times in this country, and I have found it to be very true. The boys and I have been here over 8 months now , and even though we have some routines and many South African friendships, I still feel as though I am in a steep learning curve. I struggle with the languages (there are 4 locally) and I struggle with understanding how and when to help the poor. They are on my door step every day, picking avocados off my tree, digging through my garbage cans and looking in my windows from the sidewalk, hoping to catch my eye in case I'm in a merciful, giving mood. Often times, I politely wave them on, sometimes I firmly wave them away...and then I cry out to the Lord- "Father, I don't know how to do this. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. You say the poor will always be among you, and they are. If I'm not immersed in their community then they come over the river to mine."

I am energized by the cross cultural experiences that MCM has been enjoying lately. We have had some real ground breaking experiences...which I will blog on about later, but for now I can log off and know that my family will stop emailing me telling me to update my blog! :) Love you guys! See you 8 months!

Coastline Community Church makes an impact in Paarl East and Mbekweni!

2008-04-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

What a blessing for the boys and I to have Coastline Community Church from San Diego, CA come for 2 weeks! It was a special joy for me, given the Senior Pastor of their church , James Cristoferson,is an old friend of mine from way way back. James and Kelly and Ty and I did ministry together for about 12 years at North Coast Pres Church in Encinitas. I'd forgotten that James and I are two peas in a pod, so the laugh riot was never ending and the brain waves were all firing on the same circuits! The whole team, which actually came from 3 different churches, was moved by God in a mighty way!

One of the community service projects that the Coastline Team helped with was the painting of the Lukhanyo Community Center. Sidwell, the manager of the center, chose the color scheme...we just painted and worked in the garden! Needless to say. you can see the center now from a long way off! Thanks Coastline for the labor of love!...in 110 degree whether no less!

On Top of Table Mountain

2008-04-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

When the short term teams from the US come and visit, sometimes we tag along and do some sight seeing. One destination that never disappoints is on top of Table Mountain. Sam and Joe and I obviously spend a lot of time together, but they have some good friends in the intern program and Sam has a few buddies in Paarl East. The only hard part for the boys is that , generally speaking, the races tend to stay in their own communities and don't mix it up much. Since the boys made friends with mostly guys in Paarl East and Mbekweni, they don't 'hang' too much, unless it's with Jesse, Lubabalo, Josh or Lungile. Keep praying that we find a church home and that the boys make some new friends.

Sherline was a big hit, as always!

2008-04-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

I had the great blessing of having Sherline Montgomery, one of my dearest friends from California, come and visit for a couple of weeks. We did a load of sight seeing and she was able to accompany me to a couple ministry centers. Being a teacher for 27 years and a children's pastor for 10, Sherline is always a big hit with children, whether she speaks the language or not! Hugs are universal! Thanks Sherline, for traveling half way around the world to come and spend time with us!

Jesse and Lungile disciple at Lukhanyo.

2008-04-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Jesse and Lungile are busy discipling their small group at the Lukhanyo Community Center in Mbekweni. Jesse is a new edition to our ministry. He joined us in late Jan and is living in the MC House with 4 young adults from Mbekweni and Josh Keen, from California. I'm still writing discipleship lessons for our large group Bible studies and enjoying watching the Interns walk out the program. I'm teaching a couple of mornings a week in the Upper Room; Biblical overview, Boundaries, some Spiritual Formation classes, for now.

After 8 months....we're HOME!

2008-04-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Christmas Morning

2007-12-26T08:41:00.001-08:00

Shash, the boys and I celebrate Christmas in 95 degree weather.

mud vehicles...a hippo and a bakkie...

2007-12-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are thinking, "why are those pictures so small?", the answer is because I am still in Blogger 101. If you know how to make big pictures...congratulations! Pat yourself on the back and buy yourself a round on me!! If these pictures are too small for you see, google up magnifyingglass.com For those of you who think these pictures are just the right size, quit sucking up...I KNOW they're too small!!!

The safari...camping our way across the continent...

2007-12-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

The team at Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Jenna & the fam. Beautiful vistas.

2007-12-26T08:26:00.000-08:00

Lungile and Andisewe help with the sheema. The little ones eat it by the plateful.

2007-12-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Sam the nutty professor...

2007-12-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

The ministry of presence....

2007-12-26T08:06:00.000-08:00

Everyday it wasn't pouring we would play games with the children. Sam and Joe were each involved in a small group.

2007-12-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

Joe helps in the lapa (kitchen) and Luba and I lead a small group...

2007-12-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

The Schoolhouse

2007-12-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

The inside and outside of Mercy Ministries School in Lusaka, Zambia.

2007-12-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

Children taking care of children...

Home at Last!

2007-12-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! The weary sojourners are home! (by the way, did you know that the Swahili word for journey is ‘safari’?) We traveled thousands and thousands of miles, went through multiple border crossings, took a ferry across the great Zambezi River (twice)- which is full of crocodiles and hippos, and the ultimate third world experience. We put up our tents every night in
the dark and mostly in torrential downpours, drove through hundreds
of miles of pot-holed roads, passing through the great Botswana
rainforests where elephants were right at the side of the road. We
dodged donkeys, goats, people, cattle and donkey pulled carts, while negotiating two lane ‘highway’ for over 6,000 miles.
It rained 19 days in a row; thunder, lightening and mud, mud, mud! My four wheel drive bakkie was a God-send! I know it sounds like a disaster, but it was quite wonderful! A true African adventure!

Our destination, Lusaka, Zambia, was wonderful and filled with beautiful people. They were kind, loving and joyful. It was a pleasure to spend a week with a couple hundred children who were waiting for us everyday as we drove the muddy, slippery miles out to Mercy Ministries, a school for orphans. Of the 326 students enrolled in this fees-free school (all education in Africa costs the student) over 200 hundred of them are orphans. Mercy Ministries is an independent Christian school run by a Zambian couple who gave up nearly everything to move to the country and build a facility that would take care of the poorest or the poor. They claim as the back bone of their ministry the verse in James, “Religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep one from becoming polluted by the world.” (1:27) What an deep unspeakable blessing to see who and how God is using all over the world. We need but join Him where He’s already at work!

I will let the photographs speak for themselves, but I do want to mention that we had the opportunity to lead 31 teenagers into a personal understanding of what it means to have Christ be the Lord in your life- God’s people, living in God’s place, under God’s rule. There were probably another 50-100 little ones who made a decision to love Jesus with all their heart, mind, soul and strength that day, but I was busy with the teens…you know me...I love those young adults. The students I spent most of my time with were 4th and 5th graders…however, they were 15, 16 and 17 years old, mostly illiterate having been orphaned at a young age. AIDS and malaria are the primary life stealers in Zambia. School is a privilege that few get to exercise.

As one of the top ten poorest countries in the world, you would expect that the living would be inexpensive and the people would receive an abundance of help from charitable organizations, however, the reverse is true. The cost of living is completely unacceptable and quite formidable for the common laborer. A gallon of gas is 9 dollars (US) and a can of tuna, 4. The rich and the poor are separated by a great divide that can only be crossed by organizations who are willing to spend about 3 or 4 times what it would cost to send field workers into most other countries. The unemployment rate is 76% which makes people desperate, so crime is very high, although we never felt unsafe. Everyday the children in the school eat a corn meal mush called Sheema. It is the only meal they get in a day, unless they make a dinner of mangos that fall off one of the many trees. Dorothy, the director of Mercy Ministries, said that most of the children don’t get meat even once a month. Clearly, malnutrition is a chief contributor to the child mortality rate. (Side note: Isn’t it interesting that the Jews call the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength.”the Shema. It is the foundation of their faith. That which sustains them daily…)

I had one young tag along friend nearly every day. It was a 15 year old girl named Justina. She was an orphan and spent most of her time working in the fields to try to earn some money for her grandmother, with whom she lived. Have you ever eaten Chinese food and about an hour later you’re so thirsty for water you could turn a hose on and just gulp like you’ll never get a drink again? That was Justina, only she craved hugs…loving touch. A constant similarity among orphaned children, and is it any wonder; they can not get enough love. Smiles, hugs, ruffled hair, high fives, kisses, or just holding hands, the children at Mercy Ministries School were thirsty! But don’t mistake their hunger and need for physical touch as a billboard for depression. These children were beautiful and full of life, evidenced in their singing, dancing and laughing. I was fed by Justina everyday. Friendship, love and laughter; that’s a steady diet I could get used to!

The MCM/Rock team functioned together beautifully! There were 23 of us (4 were under the age of 10) and not a whiner in the midst! Sam and Joe made some great friends over the past 3 weeks and solidified friendships that had already taken root. They both took part leading small groups plus Joe took a teaching element one day and Sam was in charge of the younger children’s games with Abbi, another team member. I was constantly amazed as I watched the boys work clearly within their areas of God given strength; Sam in one on one relationships, talking deeply and richly with individual younger children, and Joe with the oldest kids, or the adults working for the ministry, hanging out, shooting the breeze.

Trip Highlight: Watching our young team members rise to the occasion and step up to the plate to share God’s love in a completely foreign community, language barrier and all. I am so proud of our team kids!
Trip challenge: Jenna had to fly home about a week before our trip ended. She was Sam and Joe’s best friend here and saying goodbye was emotional and hard. They miss her GREATLY! (as do I). ‘Good-bye’ seems to be our middle name lately…Jehovah knows.

Finally- THANK YOU for the prayers! We had a safe journey, my car still runs (although it’s going in for a bit of work), God blessed the ministry efforts and we are different for having gone. Your prayers sustained me through the exhaustion of the drive, the frustrations of inefficient governments and the bleary-eyed early mornings after another stormy night in a tent (that’s right- we slept in tents 18 of the 20 nights…in the rain…but for those of you who know me, the rain and tent camping are 2 of my favorite things so I was in heaven…just tired.)

New prayer request: I came home to a broken computer and the internet is, ONCE AGAIN, down. Thank God for Tom and Patty who live a few doors down and whose internet is working just fine! Tylyn is trying, long distance, to work me through the computer issues.

Dec. 23rd was about 98 degrees here. Hot and humid! Marsha Harmon (my old ministry partner and spiritual twin, from San Diego) is visiting for a few days so we put up a tree, did some baking and tried to create some holiday cheer…we were successful…but it still seems weird to be drinking lemonade and fanning myself on the back porch as the boys are watching Chevy Chases’ Christmas Vacation with the indoor fans at full power! Christmas in Africa is an upside down experience. Commercailism is incredibly low. Everybody goes to church on Christmas morning and it’s easier to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Still, there’s no Christmas like a Christmas spent with your family… next year…next year. ☺

On the Road Again

2007-11-29T09:07:00.000-08:00

Friday, Nov. 30, the boys and I leave for Zambia. We're accustomed to long road trips and have been pining for the asphalt, so a four day trip 'into Africa' (as the South Africans say) will be a welcome holiday expedition. We're traveling to Lusaka (google up a map!) and will be working at a World Vision school for orphans for 7 days and then we'll travel back home via Chobe National Park in Botswana (google).
Prayer requests:
Safety as we travel.
No 'big game encounters' closer than 50 meters.
no shortage of breath mints and deodorant.
but really..........
pray for an indelible experience that changes us for ever towards greater Kingdom encounters!

I love you all. I'll be off the radar for 3 weeks. Tylyn, Bethany and Travis...take care of one another! Family: take care of Tylyn, Bethany and Travis. Friends: ditto family. XXOO

JEHOVAH KNOWS!!!!

I forgot to attach this photo below. :) techno meh

2007-11-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

That ain't no turkey!

2007-11-24T08:11:00.000-08:00

Look closer. That is a delicacy in this neck of the woods; pig's head. Now, I've heard tale that people eat everything including the 'oink', but being a vegetarian, this was a sight I could have lived without.
No, this was not our Thanksgiving dinner. This was Jenna's 20th birthday dinner, a great celebratory feast prepared by Nosipho, Mqokeleli's wife. You bet Jenna ate some! Saying 'no thank you' is not an option!

I think I have...uh...an appointment, yeah, that's it, an appointment on my birthday. Sorry I won't be able to make the other white meat shindig.

Thanksgiving in South Africa

2007-11-23T00:09:00.000-08:00

The photo is actually from a few weeks ago when Sam, Joe and I had Lubabalo, Becky, Heather and the boys new big sister, Jenna, over for squash and gourd cutting. I was too busy on Thanksgiving day to snap a few pics! Still, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Only four, count them, four turkeys to choose from at the local market. Which would be fine except for the fact that they were all the size of big chickens...with one exception. I put the 21 pound cellophane wrapped, poorly plucked, bird into my 'trolley' and began the search for pumpkin. Which was fruitless, no pun intended. But I did find pumpkin's South African cousin, butternut squash...in baby food jars. 16 Jars later I had enough for 2 pies. Stuffing isn't common here, but bread is, so 4 loaves later, dried and diced, my Stovetop simulation was perfect. Becky (a US intern) made an apple pie and the sweet potato casserole. It was unbelievably delicious! Jibs (the American mom of the Oefinger family) made mountains of mashed potatoes and everybody else brought a little something so we had the American Abundance that spells Thanksgiving!

Sixteen of us gathered together after working in the communities with Hospice, or at the TB/HIV Hospital, serving soup after discipleship or pulling office hours at the MCM Coffee House. We said grace and were eating by 8PM. Sam was blessed to have Madison Spina, the 6th grade daughter of Vince and Didi Spina, keep him company for the evening. 8 year old Mason had a ball with Gage and Jud Oefinger. The Spina's are good friends of one of my dearest friends, Michelle Brinnon; Michelle made some connections and we were blessed to have Americans we had just met on Wednesday join us for serving soup and feasting festivities!

Interesting enough- When we all went around the table to say what we were thankful for, the common theme, other than God's abounding love, was the fact that there was an abundance of food on the table. We had all just come from a community where one meal a day is blessing, even if it's just a bologna and butter sandwich. As each of us reflected on the many reasons we have to be thankful, our gravy stained empty plates were a strong reminder of God's provision, and for that we are most Thankful.

This was my 3rd Thanksgiving day without my best friend, my husband, Ty and the first without my mother in law, Vi, and their first together in 3 years. It was also difficult, no, different , to be away from Tylyn, Bethany and Travis this year. But they were together with their grandpa Jay, and uncle Mark, and then they went over to their Grandma and Grandpa Hixon's in Manteca to be with all of our wonderful family there. So, as lonely as I was for them, Jehovah knows and He holds them in the palm of His hand, cradling them with tender loving care, the 'mother love' of God. As a hen (or turkey if you will) pulls her chicks in under her wing to provide comfort and nurture, like only a mother can.

And I'm thankful for all of the prayer support and financial support from you, my extended spiritual family in America. I miss your laughter and your hugs. We've been out of internet at the house for 4 days now (my family can blow through 3 gigs in a dozen days) which means we can only email sporadically and can't use the Vonage line at all. Ahhhhh.the joys of living in a developing country. :)

2007-11-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

Sam, Joey, Lubabalo and Andisiwe are waiting until the small groups all dismiss before they can begin handing out bologna and butter sandwiches. 'Small Group', by the way, is a misnomer, the kids are split into age groups and range from 150 in a group to 20. Sometimes less, sometimes more. You can pray for our small group leaders who are 15-23 years old and faithfully attend every week, rain or shine! Most of the leaders have only been in relationship with Christ for a year or two themselves.
In the summer Nosipho, Pastor Mqokeleli's wife, begins to make bologna and butter sandwiches because soup is too hot to cook and too hot to serve! The children also enjoy a 'gatorade' type drink. Feeding the children is always organized chaos, yet no child ever complains about what's being served or the size of their portion. They are always grateful, always smiling.

2007-11-12T00:55:00.000-08:00

Two beautiful Xhosa little ones wait in line with 200 other children to get a small portion of soup and a piece of bread. Some children sit down outside the community center and gobble it right down. Others carry it home for the family to share. For many it is the only nutritious meal they've had in days. Continue to pray for MCM's soup manufacturing warehouse where we hope to be producing soup for up to 5,000 children a day beginning in January 2008.

Sonstraal TB/HIV Hospital

2007-11-10T03:17:00.000-08:00

Photo: Some of the kids at the hospital and an American friend who was helping out for a day, Jenny (a friend of Patty's). Sonstraal Hospital is located in Paarl East (the colored community) and is a home for about 100 TB/HIV patients. Some are multi-drug resistant TB patients. They are in a special ward where we are discouraged from going, however, there are a few patients who come from that side to sit with us and see what we're all about. They are supposed to wear face masks, but that's so uncomfortable, offensive and claustrophobic that none do. I completely trust that God has called me to Sonstraal for this season and He will protect me...I mean really, I myself no longer live but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20) and Christ physically loved (that means touching) the sick and diseased. Without a doubt, those who have been in the hospital for months and months have not had human contact, i.e., a hug, for months and months. Having lost Ty 2 1/2 years ago, I know it's like to not get a hug as regularly as I was used to (or needed). Honestly, what would Jesus do? He would hug them. Tylyn's key question- Why would Jesus do it? Answer: Because God is love.
There are about 20 children presently at the hospital. The numbers change every day. Some patients leave because they are ready to go home and continue treatments and meds from the comfort of their homes, others die, and there is always an influx of new patients. The little ones are mostly between one and four years old. Several have a TB/Spinal Meningitis/HIV combination. They are the hardest ones to pass by in the cribs. The others are getting well (God gave children amazing resilience) and love to see us coming.
As do the women. Three colored women from Lighthouse Church in Paarl East , Patty Gay and myself visit the hospital 2x a week for only a couple of hours at a time. The female patients, who at first were skeptical and resistant to hanging out with us, now sit on the stoop waiting before we get there. We craft with them, or play a game and then tie in a Bible lesson and a testimony about God's activity in our lives, as well as encourage them towards good physical and spiritual health. The women speak mostly Afrikaans but they understand a lot of my English, thanks to "The Young and the Restless." A favorite 'soapie' over here. We sing songs and dance a little...well, the volunteers dance...the women mostly watch, tap their feet and sing along.
You may be saying to yourself, 'funny, Laura, I don't remember you ever saying that your intention was to go work in a hospital with women and children'. And you would be right...that was not my intention. However, you will remember me saying that "God is calling me to SA, and although I'll be working with the discipleship programs in Paarl East and Mbekweni, God will tell me what I'm really supposed to be doing once I'm there."
And, yes, I am still working with the discipleship program. Greg Oefinger and I just plotted out our curriculum, events and short term teams strategies (concerning discipleship) for 2008! Developing some young leadership in Paarl East will be the number one priority this year so that when the community center/sports complex and the Butterfly House (an HIV/AIDS day care center) open we will be prepared to staff it with volunteers/disciplers who love God and love others.

passport shot.......

2007-11-09T11:18:00.001-08:00

Hmmmm.......We're traveling to Zambia in a month so we needed to send away our passports to get Visa's. A.) Pray our passports get returned in time. B.) Pray there is no car trouble and we don't get eaten by lions in Chobe National Park in Botswana....no...really.

A New Pet For Travis

2007-11-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

Travis, look what you're getting for Christmas! I'll send him (or her...couldn't quite tell) back with Marsha Harmon (Shashi) who's coming to visit us for Christmas!

2007-11-09T10:45:00.001-08:00

Yeah!!!!! With Sam's help I uploaded a photo! (simple pleasures) Aren't these some stylin' guys. School doesn't start for them for another 2 months but they are ready now. Sometimes they walk around the house in their uniforms and stand up when I enter a room just for the fun of it....really, they're not bored at all. (Just kidding! Joey would not appreciate that comment if he thought for a minute someone might believe it! ) Now I'll try a photo on my own.

MOM BLOG; A CURRENT AFFAIR

2007-11-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

If Ty could see me now...and maybe he does....I'm blogging, honey. Or am I? I suppose I'll have to log off and then try to log back in and see if anything sticks before I break out the celebratory Fresca and congratulate myself. Due to weak internet capabilities and inspired by my cousin-in-law in Texas, I've decided to merge onto the internet highway and putz in the slow lane for a season.

The boys and I are doing great. No kidding. Though, life here is quiet. I suppose I was accustomed to the houseful of the boy's friends and my high school students, the noise of my life. My baby brother dropping in to game with the guys, the mid-night drop in's of Trav's buddies, Bethany knitting (quiet regular ticks...pearl two) in a corner of the living room while Reno circles the dining room table looking and grunting for his lost sheep. Tylyn trying out a latest instrument he found at a thrift shop or composing a long hair sonata. I never took that noise for granted knowing that in an instant it can all change.

And change it did. We hear new noises. Loud talking (I didn't think it was possible to be louder than my home) in the Mbekweni community centers. Pots clanging, kids laughing, dogs barking, clicking , clucking and rolling of 'r's. Different bird calls, wind howling through un-insulated houses, taxi's held together with duct tape rumbling quickly through the crowded streets. I love the new noises, but miss the sounds of my two older boys sparring and laughing.

The sights are also new. The smells. Even the touch, the texture of life here is different. It must change us, slowly, like a retainer worn only at night and only when your mother insists. And the change will make us beautiful, to Him at least.