Part of the Journey...

Wow, i can't believe it will be exactly a month that i have been in Cape Town,South Africa tomorrow April 15. All i have to say is God has been teaching me so much that i can't wait to tell everyone when i get home. I am not going to sugar coat anything and say that this has been such a magical experience but i can say one thing there is no growth without Pain. Although this past month has probably been one of the most painful months of my life, i am grateful for a God who understands me through it all, that cares for even my little hurts and my little concerns. I am reminded of my absolutely favorite verse Hebrews 4:15-16 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." I am so grateful that the God of the universe understands my weaknesses and that i can approach the throne of grace. WOW, what an amazing God I serve? I feel like Satan has been attacking me non-stop but i have been reminded of  this verse 1 John 4:3-5 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world ". I still praise him through it all because he is worthy and he went to the cross for me and  the wrath of God was poured upon him for my sake and i can go through some pain so that he can be glorified. I honestly just want God to be glorified what ever the circumstances i have to face. I mean, don't get me wrong, i am not always in pain, but every now and then it comes and consumes me and i have to constantly be resting in God truth about "not leaving me nor forsaking me"which is in Hebrews 13:5. It comes and it goes and when it comes, it comes hard so thats why it can be unbearable at times. I have been encouraged by the many facebook messages and notes from some many people. I don't deserve such amazing friends and family and I am sooooooo grateful for each and everyone of you. On another note, i did quite a lot of things with the children last week because they were on holiday and it was quite fun. we went to the mall to play a couple kids games and then we went to the aquarium, then we took a boat around the waterfront area. Ruth (Kurt Malzer's sister) picked me and the children up and took us to the aquarium and the waterfront. I do have to say that the Lord definitely blessed me in meeting up with her family, they are so amazingly sweet. What a blessing they have been to me. Also, i took the children to the park and we hung out and watched some movies at home. At one point last week, we had another mother that is part of this organization come and stay with us and she brought 2 of her 4 children along (the other two were at a camp) and there were 8 children in the house. I made dinner for them one night and it was quite a batch of food i made. hehe. It is always such a pleasure to make food for these children and clean their dishes or do whatever Audrey needs me to do. I find some much Joy and being able to serve the Lord here with Audrey and being able to serve these children. Even when things are hard and painful, that is one of the things that the Lord uses to get me through. but I love these children and Audrey so much and its such a pleasure serving them with the help of my Jesus. I am so grateful that God has placed them in my life. This week has been kinda a chill week because the children went back to school. Everyday, i am just showered with hugs from them. I absolutely love getting hugs from them. Yesterday,we took the boys to the hospital for their monthly check up and it was quite interesting. We got there at 8:30 and left at 12. we did quite a lot of waiting. but when we got done with the doctor we went down to the pharmacy to get all their medication which took quite a while because this is a government funded hospital and there are many there waiting. While we were waiting a man started talking to me randomly and then I got into a conversation with him about the gospel which was super encouraging. He seemed to know the Lord which was cool. I think he saw that i had my Bible in my hand and he just started chatting with me. Throughout this whole conversation the my sweet boys were just playing with my hair, for some reason they are so fascinated with my hair and love making new hairstyles on me.haha, i think it is so funny but hey, i don't mind. My sweet boys are always making my hair look crazy and often getting my hair in big knots but its all good, i don't mind, if they are happy then i can be happy too.hehe. but this experience has been such a good one for me and I am so grateful for all the marvelous things the Lord is teaching me. Also, i have been reminded twice today by two different people that God will not waste this experience. He may be preparing me for something different and bigger. Who knows how God could use this expediences but i pray that in all this he would hide me behind the cross and use me daily. Thanks so much for reading this and feel free to let me know how things are going with you. Another thing, please feel free to let me know if there is anything i can pray for you about because I love to pray for others. blessing in the Lord, Christine