I taught the last class of my LaunchPad term yesterday. It's hard to believe only graduation is left but I wanted to share what happened yesterday because it was awesome.
I have taught the course Ordinary Day with Jesus with my fellow interns Kaylen and Katie and a staff member here, Cassie. The course teaches students how to live in Jesus' name and to experience God in every moment of their days and lives.
A few weeks ago I realized that after learning all this it would not be effective if the students did not have a chance to accept Christ. How can you live in Jesus' name if your not a christian? I asked Cassie and the others if it would be OK if after the last lesson we could share the gospel and give them an opportunity to live their life for Jesus. Of course, they agreed and as we decided roles for the lesson I was given the role to share the gospel.
For the week before the lesson I was excited but very nervous. I had shared the gospel and talked about Christianity a decent amount in my life but never in a class setting and I had never done a real "alter call" talk before. I prayed a crazy amount about it.
During the class while I waited for the girls to go through their teaching I appeared so agitated Kaylen asked "are you mad at me?" When I said no she asked asked, "Are you mad at someone?" It was kind of funny because I can't really express how I felt but I knew I couldn't go up with a scowl on my face. So I took a deep breath and went and let the truth speak.
I shared the Gospel and when I gave the kids a chance to choose to follow Christ around 10 kids raised their hands (I didn't take an exact count but there were about 20 kids total there that day.) I led them in a prayer and that was what happened.
It often is easy for me to be cynical about things like group salvations but with this situation I have no doubt about the student's sincerity. I have been able to teach these kids for 10 weeks and to see them excited to soak in everything we have been teaching. The kids who raised their hands were ready and understood what they were doing.
Reflecting on the whole situation I realize that this is what its all about. It's not about me growing, or learning, or even enjoying myself. It is about God being glorified by bringing people to himself. I had nothing to do with this term of LaunchPad, it was all God. I was just blessed to experience and see it as it happened.
Amen.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Staying Sharp
God has a funny sense of humor.
For example, in my experience whenever I start thinking that the task is done or the hard work is behind me, a new challenge or task pops up.
I remember when I was a counselor at my summer camp in the summer of 2004. It was my first summer as a head counselor and by the last week I was ready to go into cruise control to finish up. The last week I had a camper with ADD, glasses and hearing aids. Needless to say my last week was as busy and challenging as the rest.
In regards to this year I have done a lot. Specifically I have helped bind and collate thousands of curriculum for ministry programs. I will admit entering the last few months it has been tempting to look past all that is left to do and think about the end of this year. Its not as if I am homesick or I think it will be easy to return home from here but the thoughts and conversations come up. And then God enters the picture.
Last week we learned that the printer who did our Summit Curriculum for this year in America would not be doing it for 2009. Therefore we have to print everything on the base and collate and bind them ourselves. 5,000 copies, 74 pages.
We started this week and it should go quicker since all the interns are taking part. While it was a bit of a surprise I don't begrudge it. I'm still an intern and there is still really important things to do here.
In any case this task is a nice reminder that God, not myself, is in control.
For example, in my experience whenever I start thinking that the task is done or the hard work is behind me, a new challenge or task pops up.
I remember when I was a counselor at my summer camp in the summer of 2004. It was my first summer as a head counselor and by the last week I was ready to go into cruise control to finish up. The last week I had a camper with ADD, glasses and hearing aids. Needless to say my last week was as busy and challenging as the rest.
In regards to this year I have done a lot. Specifically I have helped bind and collate thousands of curriculum for ministry programs. I will admit entering the last few months it has been tempting to look past all that is left to do and think about the end of this year. Its not as if I am homesick or I think it will be easy to return home from here but the thoughts and conversations come up. And then God enters the picture.
Last week we learned that the printer who did our Summit Curriculum for this year in America would not be doing it for 2009. Therefore we have to print everything on the base and collate and bind them ourselves. 5,000 copies, 74 pages.
We started this week and it should go quicker since all the interns are taking part. While it was a bit of a surprise I don't begrudge it. I'm still an intern and there is still really important things to do here.
In any case this task is a nice reminder that God, not myself, is in control.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Discovering Podcasts
Before coming to South Africa and meeting the interns I had no idea what podcasts really were. Sure I had heard the term but had never bothered to look into them or what they were. When I get here I find out that many of my fellow interns uses podcasts to download sermons and many other things. Moreover, ALL podcasts are FREE.
I had no idea that such a great source of information on Itunes was free. I was mildly interested but my laptop was busted and the idea of downloading other church's services seemed a bit strange to me. Isn't one sermon a week enough? Why go searching for others?
My laptop returned fixed this month and than in a class I have here I learned that past interns here have used podcasts to download and listen to their own church's sermons every week. That idea intrigued me but I forgot about it until the evening. I was on my laptop about to look at podcasts when it hit me. I can get my own church's sermons!
A quick search confirmed they were there and I quickly subscribed and downloaded the most recent sermon. My church is doing a series on the fruit of the spirit. Not only was the sermon good but it was just great to hear my own pastor's voice again.
I'm headed home soon but it is very comforting to know that no matter where I am I can stay in touch with my home church in the future.
I had no idea that such a great source of information on Itunes was free. I was mildly interested but my laptop was busted and the idea of downloading other church's services seemed a bit strange to me. Isn't one sermon a week enough? Why go searching for others?
My laptop returned fixed this month and than in a class I have here I learned that past interns here have used podcasts to download and listen to their own church's sermons every week. That idea intrigued me but I forgot about it until the evening. I was on my laptop about to look at podcasts when it hit me. I can get my own church's sermons!
A quick search confirmed they were there and I quickly subscribed and downloaded the most recent sermon. My church is doing a series on the fruit of the spirit. Not only was the sermon good but it was just great to hear my own pastor's voice again.
I'm headed home soon but it is very comforting to know that no matter where I am I can stay in touch with my home church in the future.
Monday, October 13, 2008
In Durban
Hi everyone.
I just got back from a long weekend in Durban, one of South Africa's major cities. On the Indian Ocean about 3 hours from Harrismith, it is a pretty amazing city. With a large population of Indian and Muslim people, the diversity is striking wherever you go.
On Thursday we were treated by Neil and Alece to a day at Ushaka Marine World, a pretty cool water park. It wasn't huge but the slides were lots of fun. I also got to swim in the Indian Ocean for the first time in my life.
The main reason we were there though is for the Global Leadership Summit, a Global conference hosted by the Willow Creek Association. Willow Creek is a megachurch in Chicago but it broadcasts the conference to many locations around the world including 3-4 in South Africa. The conference was in a very nice Family Church which was in view of the ocean. We got to hear 8 talks from esteemed Church pastors and leaders including Bill Hybels. The major focus was leadership and I learned a great deal. Conferences always have a way of supremely motivating you to get your act together and do great things. Now my trick is to put the many things I learned into action. The two-day conference was really great to experience by all accounts.
On Sunday we headed home but before we did that we got to hang out at a humongous mall in Durban. It had an arcade, small bowling alley, a multiplex, food court, IMAX theater, and tons of stores. I did not buy too much but I did catch a movie and enjoy myself immensely.
Thrive Africa treats us well here. I am very thankful for all Neil and Alece and the staff do for us. Taking us on this weekend is just the tip of the iceberg of the many ways they support us. It will not be easy to go home come the end of November.
I just got back from a long weekend in Durban, one of South Africa's major cities. On the Indian Ocean about 3 hours from Harrismith, it is a pretty amazing city. With a large population of Indian and Muslim people, the diversity is striking wherever you go.
On Thursday we were treated by Neil and Alece to a day at Ushaka Marine World, a pretty cool water park. It wasn't huge but the slides were lots of fun. I also got to swim in the Indian Ocean for the first time in my life.
The main reason we were there though is for the Global Leadership Summit, a Global conference hosted by the Willow Creek Association. Willow Creek is a megachurch in Chicago but it broadcasts the conference to many locations around the world including 3-4 in South Africa. The conference was in a very nice Family Church which was in view of the ocean. We got to hear 8 talks from esteemed Church pastors and leaders including Bill Hybels. The major focus was leadership and I learned a great deal. Conferences always have a way of supremely motivating you to get your act together and do great things. Now my trick is to put the many things I learned into action. The two-day conference was really great to experience by all accounts.
On Sunday we headed home but before we did that we got to hang out at a humongous mall in Durban. It had an arcade, small bowling alley, a multiplex, food court, IMAX theater, and tons of stores. I did not buy too much but I did catch a movie and enjoy myself immensely.
Thrive Africa treats us well here. I am very thankful for all Neil and Alece and the staff do for us. Taking us on this weekend is just the tip of the iceberg of the many ways they support us. It will not be easy to go home come the end of November.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Testimonies from Leadership Summit
You may recall that in July I bound 5,000 Leadership Summit books with five other interns. I also said that I would have an indirect impact, never seeing how the students lives were changed. However I got to hand out books to students last month which was awesome.
And now to top that, Jen, the Leadership Summit director here at Thrive, sent the other interns and I testimonies from students. Its only halfway through the term but some of these testimonies are amazing. Here are just a few:
Motaung Mabatho
Leadership Summit helped me a lot because I used to hang with friends who gave bad advises. Living on Purpose and Save Sex helped me because I was a person who did bad things. It taught me that at my young age I should not drink but to save sex until I marry or get married because I will live a safe life and will have kids. I must be a strong teenager and have respect. I want to thank LS for helping me to have a safe life and for your prayers.
Radebe Simangele
I realized that after using the Save Sex book my life changed emotionally, that I can make good decisions for my life and to wait to have sex before getting married. I’m still a virgin and am proud of that. To keep my virginity is to not get involved in relationships. I now know that having sex before marriage is a sin in the eyes of God. I can choose good friends and not use alcohol.
Nhlapo Mantombi
Since the class sessions of LS came to out school and taught us about many things, I know that now I have to save sex for marriage. I don’t have to have sex when I’m still not married. I learned that alcohol and drugs are not right because they will drive me to have sex even though I haven’t drank alcohol or have used drugs before, I know that if I have some I can not control myself if I drink or use drugs because some people might take advantage of me because I’m drunk. It has changed my life because I now will not go to parties, I will not have sex, I will not drink or do drugs. It has changed my life because now I live my life God’s way. I read the Bible and go to church. That’s what I learned from the class of LS and I have learned more than that, I’ve learned so many things.
And now to top that, Jen, the Leadership Summit director here at Thrive, sent the other interns and I testimonies from students. Its only halfway through the term but some of these testimonies are amazing. Here are just a few:
Motaung Mabatho
Leadership Summit helped me a lot because I used to hang with friends who gave bad advises. Living on Purpose and Save Sex helped me because I was a person who did bad things. It taught me that at my young age I should not drink but to save sex until I marry or get married because I will live a safe life and will have kids. I must be a strong teenager and have respect. I want to thank LS for helping me to have a safe life and for your prayers.
Radebe Simangele
I realized that after using the Save Sex book my life changed emotionally, that I can make good decisions for my life and to wait to have sex before getting married. I’m still a virgin and am proud of that. To keep my virginity is to not get involved in relationships. I now know that having sex before marriage is a sin in the eyes of God. I can choose good friends and not use alcohol.
Nhlapo Mantombi
Since the class sessions of LS came to out school and taught us about many things, I know that now I have to save sex for marriage. I don’t have to have sex when I’m still not married. I learned that alcohol and drugs are not right because they will drive me to have sex even though I haven’t drank alcohol or have used drugs before, I know that if I have some I can not control myself if I drink or use drugs because some people might take advantage of me because I’m drunk. It has changed my life because I now will not go to parties, I will not have sex, I will not drink or do drugs. It has changed my life because now I live my life God’s way. I read the Bible and go to church. That’s what I learned from the class of LS and I have learned more than that, I’ve learned so many things.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Harrismith Mountain Race
This morning I took part in the Harrismith Mountain Race. I had been thinking about running this race since arriving here and to finally do it was very cool.
The race was 15k (9.3 miles). It starts in town and stays flat but than you literally climb up (almost 2000 ft. elevation gain) the mountain, run along the flat top for about a mile or so and then run down the mountain and return to where you started.
My goal was 90 minutes which I barely missed, running about 97 minutes and 30 seconds.
I stayed fairly in control the whole time, the distance was just far and the climb required too much walking.
Overall this really was a once in-a-lifetime opportunity and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I have to give props to the Thrive staff and Kaylen who cheered me on awesomely before and at the end of the race. Also props go to Shannon, Crystal, and Katie T. who decided to run the race on a whim and did so very successfully.
I'm pretty tired at the moment but very happy that I finished well.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Hospital Ministry
This past week on Wednesday afternoon I had the opportunity to visit Manapo Hospital in Qwa Qwa. Normally Thrive takes mission teams here but we got to go for the first time this week. It was so good I wanted to write about it.
First we went to the children's ward. The basic idea is you find a kid to talk to, introduce yourself and pray with them. I went up to a girl named Gladys (English Name) or Dimikatso (Sotho Name). While she had a very soft voice she spoke perfect English. She blew me away with her kindness. She got a kick out of my Sotho name, which is Tshepo (it means hope). We talked some and I prayed over her for healing and protection. Then I was able to give her a beanie baby (we had one for every kid). She loved it and I told her she should give it a name. She thought a minute and asked, "What is your sotho name again?" I told her and instantly she said "Yes, Tshepo, that's his name." She was a great little girl and it was a total pleasure to meet her.
After this me and the other men visited the men's ward. I met a man with a collapsed lung named Lazarus. He spoke great English as well. We had a great conversation about life and family and I was able to read some scripture and pray for him too. He was a cool guy and I think he was happy to have some company though he was definitely in some pain.
This whole year I have been amazed at the kindness of the Basotho people but Gladys totally blew me away. Hospital ministry lasted barely an hour but I left the building on a total high. Too often Christians talk about numbers at the expense of relationships. I know I only had a few minutes with two people but they were not idly spent. It was a total blessing to meet Gladys and Lazarus and my prayer is that God completely heals them and blesses them. I feel much more committed now to work at building relationships with my LaunchPad students because I only have so many more days here. God truly works through relationships more than probably anything else I feel.
First we went to the children's ward. The basic idea is you find a kid to talk to, introduce yourself and pray with them. I went up to a girl named Gladys (English Name) or Dimikatso (Sotho Name). While she had a very soft voice she spoke perfect English. She blew me away with her kindness. She got a kick out of my Sotho name, which is Tshepo (it means hope). We talked some and I prayed over her for healing and protection. Then I was able to give her a beanie baby (we had one for every kid). She loved it and I told her she should give it a name. She thought a minute and asked, "What is your sotho name again?" I told her and instantly she said "Yes, Tshepo, that's his name." She was a great little girl and it was a total pleasure to meet her.
After this me and the other men visited the men's ward. I met a man with a collapsed lung named Lazarus. He spoke great English as well. We had a great conversation about life and family and I was able to read some scripture and pray for him too. He was a cool guy and I think he was happy to have some company though he was definitely in some pain.
This whole year I have been amazed at the kindness of the Basotho people but Gladys totally blew me away. Hospital ministry lasted barely an hour but I left the building on a total high. Too often Christians talk about numbers at the expense of relationships. I know I only had a few minutes with two people but they were not idly spent. It was a total blessing to meet Gladys and Lazarus and my prayer is that God completely heals them and blesses them. I feel much more committed now to work at building relationships with my LaunchPad students because I only have so many more days here. God truly works through relationships more than probably anything else I feel.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
So yah...my Laptop is fixed!
Pretty big news on the technology side of life. My laptop which I received as a gift last Christmas had been broken since the 1st week of March. After two trips to Joberg and trying to fix it when I was home in America it finally made it back to the base today!
It appears to be completely functional and I am very happy to tell you that I am writing this blog entry on my fixed Laptop!
Having it broken for so long was a challenge and I am not sure yet what lessons I have to learn from this but frankly at the moment I just want to be happy some and get set up again on my machine.
I have some blog entries to get written so here is the hopeful schedule for this weekend.
Friday: Hospital Ministry in Qwa Qwa.
Saturday: Recap of my Mountain Race Saturday morning in Harrismith.
Sunday: Testimonies from Leadership Summit Students
Stay tuned and enjoy!
It appears to be completely functional and I am very happy to tell you that I am writing this blog entry on my fixed Laptop!
Having it broken for so long was a challenge and I am not sure yet what lessons I have to learn from this but frankly at the moment I just want to be happy some and get set up again on my machine.
I have some blog entries to get written so here is the hopeful schedule for this weekend.
Friday: Hospital Ministry in Qwa Qwa.
Saturday: Recap of my Mountain Race Saturday morning in Harrismith.
Sunday: Testimonies from Leadership Summit Students
Stay tuned and enjoy!
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