Stretching

Greetings once again from South Africa. As the adventure continues, the Zambia team is being stretched in many ways.

We are being stretched physically as we all try to overcome jet lag and extreme tiredness. Our two days of "rest" prior to leaving for Zambia have been packed with activities from dawn until after dusk. Yet, no one has gotten sick! Yesterday we drove several hours to Pilanesburg game park and saw some of God's amazing creations - rhino, giraffe, elephant, baboon, implala, kudu and many others. However, despite Taylor's watchful eagle eye we did not see any lions. Last night we attended the Bible College class here on AFnet grounds.

We are being stretched emotionally. We saw absolute suffering, sickness, poverty and despair today in Shoshanguve - an township about 1/2 hour outside of Pretoria. We visited the Tsakelani Orphan Center (completed with donations from Twin Lakes Church's Santa Cruz Cares) and had the privilege of meeting with Pastor Jack and hearing his insight and heart for the people. We also visited AFnet's newest orphan center and were treated to an impromptu serenade by a group of orphan children. We also visited a hospice and spoke with the sister (nurse) in charge there and learned more about the governmental issues impacting AIDS treatment. The hospice team then took us to the bedside of a man dying of AIDS where we had the privilege of praying for him. Our next stop was the "home" of five of the orphan children that attend the AFnet Orphan Center. They were living in the one room shack shown above with their aunt and all they had to eat was a small portion of cornmeal cooking over an open fire outside. Johan said that these children had never seen a white person before - and suddenly nine of us shown up in a van at their house. It was a unanimous decision by the entire team to leave our lunches we had packed behind for them. The wheels are also spinning by Johan (and us) to see about improving their living situation. The most amazing thing about all these encounters was meeting the children and talking to them and seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter in the midst of abject poverty.

We are being stretched relationally as eight women are living together in close quarters - in each other's company for 24/7. As we get to know each other better and have new experiences together, God is working to form a cohesive team. We've had no melt downs and no whining!

We are being stretched spiritually as we prepare to speak to the women at the conference. We all want to be culturally relevant and impactful and sensitive to these women. We all want this to be more about building relationships and sharing God's love than just "giving a talk." Each of us is experiencing our own fears about how God will use us. Johan has been encouraging to us and I think we have been encouraging each other as well.

We leave tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. to fly to Lusaka, Zambia. We will be staying with US missionaries in Lusaka for the night. On Thursday we drive 12 hours (on bad roads we are told) to Mansa. On Friday the conference will begin. We so appreciate your comments on the blog and your prayers - especially the prayers!