A week in review

Blessed.

It's been an eventful week to say the least, but if I could sum it all up in one word, that would be it. It's had it's ups and downs, but God is faithful through it all and has blessed me so richly. Through the classes, through my TTH family, through a crazy ladies night out, through His Word, through a trip to Johannesburg...yes, it's been a wonderful week.

We spent the week discussing healing and liberation, and really focused on loving the nations. I learned more about how God views the nations, and His love for the diversity that we see among them. It really helped me to gain a new perspective on how I view different cultures and gave me a renewed love and appreciation for them. I also saw how my ethnic group, culture, continent, nation, etc. has an influence on how I look at and love others, and without really noticing it those things can cause me to set up prejudices and preconceived ideas. If we want to be a light to the nations and truly love others as God has loved us, we need to lay those things down and ask God to help us to view others through HIS eyes. Quite challenging, yet so freeing!

The normal weekly schedule was disrupted by a quick trip to Johannesburg and Pretoria. Since Ida and I are in need of new passports before leaving for outreach, we had to visit our Embassies to submit our applications. So on Wednesday afternoon we left with two other staff members on a little trip. It's about a 4 hour drive each way, and it amazes me how the landscape can change so quickly. The difference between Johannesburg and White River is about the same as the contrast between the landscape of Colorado and Iowa. One is full of hills and mountains, the other is flat and covered in farmland. Praise the Lord that we were able to get everything submitted, and will hopefully have the passports within 3 weeks or so. It was quite a fun and relaxing trip, but we were ready to be back home by Thursday evening. We were only gone for a day...but we were missing everyone!

I know that this week's update was somewhat short, but it's way past my normal bedtime and I need to get some sleep in before church tomorrow! So now it's time for the weekly load of photos. I'm actually starting off with some pictures from Dwaleni that are a week or two old, and then moving into the activities of the week....

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Last week's Friday small group

Yes...that is what you think it is. A pile of frogs. Frog legs for dinner, anyone?

If I didn't know better...I'd say this was Iowa, not South Africa!!

My first rhino sighting was at...a gas station (they were in a pen)

Reminds me SO much of Colorado!

A beautiful night out with all of the ladies!