Child Like Faith

Its hard to believe but I have been in Cape Town now over a week!  I feel as though I have done and seen so many things already.  So I have picked out 3 highlights so far that I want to share!

Sunday morning - in Masiphumelele we had a celebration for Okuhle's baptism.  A friend of mine named Nceba, lives in Masi and has has been discipling Okuhle the past couple months.  Just recently he has made the decisions to be baptized!  So after a house church gathering we took an overflowing carload of us went down to the Fish Hoek beach where Nceba and I baptized Okuhle in the ocean.  After we worshipped on the beach and prayed over him a blessing!  

Tuesday Morning – We were rained out last week, but God’s plan was revealed this week!  We needed a trailer to haul pallets last week, but we were rained out.  When we were about to pay to rent the trailer this week, a member from All Nations already rented one so we didn't have to pay to rent one ourselves!  We hauled in and then carried 20 wooden pallets for Masibeke's and Simbonise's house .  These boys are in our Vulnerable Children program and live in the Wetlands of Masi.  The Wetlands in short summary, is the poorest and most dangerous part of  Masi.  The best way to describe it would be a maze of tin shacks that all share walls or are extremely close. (One pallet at your side to wide at some parts)  The floor of their house needed to be raised because every time it rains their house floods.  Now with the pallets they are free from water damage every rain! 

Tuesday Afternoon – Kids club was amazing. Whitney and I were running a little behind but that didn’t stop kids club from starting!  As we walked in, the kids had already started  worshipping.  They were singing joyfully “There is no one like Jesus” in Xhosa! A moment in life l never forget – this exploded my world view of a child like faith and joy.  The laughter and singing was  The rest of kids club my ears, nose, face were tugged in every direction possible all while having two or more kids lying on me at all times.  The children were fascinated by touching me, being held, and me simply being present.   As I was holding the kids I couldn't help but think - shouldn’t we be the same with our Heavenly father?

Childlike faith sees the world as exciting and adventurous; worth pursuing our faith and seeking opportunities to honor God and override our complacent attitude as "adults" with experiences of been there, done that.

My Tangible Takeaway

My entire life I thought that having empathy was good.  Well, more or less you are a good person if you express your empathy within your comfort level. 

When the stakes are as high as they are – Eternity. Can we truly empathize without  advocating? Empathy sends a card or expresses feelings.  Advocating is a call action.  Concern is the evil of anguish when you have to opportunity to advocate.   Concern empathizes - Anguish acts. What anguishes you? Are you willing to advocate for it? 

1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 

Prayer Needs

Health

Safety

Favor & Influence

This is Africa – TIA moment.

Going to a movie for 13.50 Rand. Less than two dollars.

Blessings brothers and sisters:)