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South African Update

“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter to me…I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.” Ps. 61

Does South Africa count as the end of the earth? I have been three weeks here and find each day that I must cling to the Rock of my salvation, trusting in His shelter alone. It looks like I will be staying in South Africa for a couple months. In a couple weeks I will be doing an internship with a ministry called “Turn the Tide for Children”. I will travel with a missionary named Charlotte to various infant homes and orphanages for about six weeks. At the end of that time I will either reside at one of the places we visit, or go to Namibia. Though I am still moving about, the time when I can actually put my clothes in a dresser is in sight, and that is a good feeling.

How am I doing? I am learning. A lot. Very quickly. It often crosses my mind to just catch the next plane home and forget about all this. It’s not the work or the people, it’s feeling as though I am at the uttermost part of the earth, and I’m there alone. But it is also when I am in this state that I read the Psalms and my soul longs for God, for the comfort that must only come from Him because there is nowhere else to receive it. This is also forcing me to take one day at a time, to not even think about next year, month, week, or day – today is the day that the Lord has made for me to walk in, and it is the only day I can think about without being overwhelmed. But this is good, it is a trial and it is hard, but it is good. In that I am stripped of my own strength the works of God are made manifest and my temporal insecurity is overshadowed by my eternal security which is in our heavenly Father and Creator.

I would ask you to continue to pray for me and the ministry that God is opening up around me. I find so much encouragement knowing that your prayers follow me through these times, thank you for your faithfulness in them. I am excited to see how much one pair of hands can be used for the Kingdom, and am grateful for the blessings I see every day amidst the trials. Our God is truly the Ruler of the Universe and the Comforter of the Needy, praise be to Him alone.

“Let your eyes look straight ahead and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.” Prov. 4:25

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This past week we travelled into Northern Namibia, on the border of Zambia and Angola, to a place named Katima Mulilo. There is an orphanage there that I had made contact with and am looking at working at. They have fifty-four orphaned children and only four missionary workers to care for the children, who range from a couple months old to fourteen. It was a good trip, though quick (a day and a half), I ate Ostrich and Oryx, and camped near the Zambezi River.

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Muse on the Loire
As I walked down the beach to the Loire River I wondered whether the river was made to fit the beauty of the rocks on the shore or the other way around. I have never seen such an assortment of interesting rocks. I picked up three, one for each of my young siblings – each one somehow reminding me of their characters. I don’t know if I can send them now because I accidently put them through the wash and they were thrown out. But the river can’t be so easily discarded – it will last for a long time yet. When the castle that now seems to protect the river and fortify it is in a rubbish pile or someone’s cottage wall – the Loire will run by, peaceful as ever. The bridge ahead pretends to be it’s frame, but it is merely decor compared to the Handmade bed that the river forever rests upon.
My uncle is a birdwatcher and as his quietly excited hand points here and there I see the striking blue streak of the King Fisher dart away. The sun’s last rays spread grasping over the stillness. But the water doesn’t move for it, not even a budge. The rays cannot even penetrate that expanse, rather they are returned in exact form. So precise that the object and the copy are self-reflecting, its a wonder which is the original. Strangely, I am convicted. How willing the water is to exemplify the image of the sun: unashamed, unabashed, unreserved. Where the sky meets the water I cannot tell, I know they are separate but right now they are bonded together. In the same manner, from that Holy side the water flowed with the blood, mingled but separate, showing not their own glory, but the splendour of their Origin. And this is the Son from which I came and through His cleansing flow reborn, became a mirror of the Rays. But how oft the peace which holds this river still is absent from my soul! How oft that radiating glory finds no imitation in the works of my hands. How oft that perfect Image is marred when reflected on my countenance.
As I rowed nearer the shore the current quickened and I realized that here too the wind would blow and disturb the quiet. Tumults would come and cloud that face that now so clearly shines – but it will always go to its rest in peace. That is what I must do, knowing that troubles will muddy the reflection but also being assured that the One Who stirs the winds with His finger also holds me in the palm of His hand. Thus schooled by the Loire, I learn to surrender and rest each day and each night as the horrors of this world whirl around me.
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Romania
Pic 1: Gorgettia (18) and Nicoleta (15) local Christians (or “Repenters” as their called)
Pic 2: Just a wooden work cart

3: Stale bread that the children put on the bike to eat later

4: Jonathan with my hospital girl “Pina” (look at Romanian update for story)

5: Jaela, a gypsy girl

6: Jaela and her street friends

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July 15, 2004

We were able to talk to Nicole at length this morning. She sounds very well, and she is in good health. She is now in South Africa waiting for God to lead her to her next mission. There are 7 orphanages which are possible candidates to work with over the next year. Five of these are in South Africa and two are in Namibia. She has asked that we pray:
1.) For clarity with Alan Mezger in planning and selecting an orphanage, and
2.) When, how and with whom, to travel to Namibia.

We appreciate your prayers and support for our dear daughter. May God richly bless you and graciously keep you.

Chrystal

July 16, 2005

We arrived safely in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday morning. Now that I am here we are trusting that the Lord will make abundantly clear where I am to be. There are some different options for orphanages in both South Africa and Namibia, but as it is the weekend we must wait until Monday to make any contacts. Please keep Alan and I in your prayers as we travel a great deal in the next week, but primarily for wisdom in my decision. I talked to my family last night, and it was wonderful – family is a wonderfully blessed thing.