we are awaiting our next flight in the London airport which should leave in about 2 hrs. we are looking forward to seeing you all soon and sharing our exciting stories with you. See you all in about 14 hrs!!!
A
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Last Day
Good morning everyone! This is Becky writing. It's 7:30 on Thursday morning and the sun is rising here over the coastal town of Muizenberg. Later today we plan to go to the refugee camp and hand out our pillows, sleeping bags and coats. After that we're packing and heading home.
It feels weird to know that I'll be home so soon even though most of you that are reading this are thousands of miles away right now. Not that I don't want the comforts of home, but I would rather just stay here. Anyway, please pray for safe and smooth journeying.
Now let me tell you what we've been doing the past couple of days. On Monday morning after the last blog we headed for the farming community. I imagined we would be spending the day playing in the rain and sleeping in a muddy shanty. I'm really glad my assumptions are wrong so often. We came to the Community Center, which is a pretty big building with a stage and curtains in the front. We hung out with the kids there--played basketball, soccer, rugby, and even taught them how to play American football.
That evening, we had a little service where we invited the kids to ask Jesus into their hearts--out of the fifty or so that had come, only a couple knew him. Several times during the songs you could tell they wanted to accept him, but they were too afraid. But God was still working. A handful of the kids accepted Christ and I believe that very significant seeds were planted into their hearts. Our hostess told us that this was the first time missionaries weren't too busy to play with the kids, serving them through something so simple.
That night we spent the night in two cabins on a vineyard property. Our car alarm went off at about four, so loud that it sounded like a siren. The next morning again we played with the kids and left the place for Worcester at about one-twenty. We picked up our iPods there and ran off for Muizenberg.
On the way there, we passed an enormous shanty town stretching for a couple of miles that held about a million people. We also passed the Indian ocean. We couldn't get in because we were cold, we were in a hurry, and there was threat of sharks which nature freaks probably know about.
When we got to the YWAM we unpacked and explored. This place is amazing--it seems like it was a ritzy hotel in the early 1900's. That night we showered, played cards and ate candy.
The next morning, Wednesday, we were told that it was going to be our fun day, and it was awesome. We went to two markets in Capetown and a lot of people from our group went broke there. We drove towards Worcester after that but weren't told why. We stopped for lunch at Wimpy's the fast-food restaraunt (a big thing here, Dad) and that's where we learned we were going on a safari.
How can I describe it except to say very happily that it was a magnificent trip? We saw wildebeest, lions, rhinos, ostriches, springbok, and I know I'm missing some. It was a very interesting combination, though, to watch lions prowling around and then look up and see snow on the mountains so close by. About halfway through, our touring truck got stuck in the mud so we hopped out. It was raining and almost at freezing temperature, but we still had a great time. After that we had pizza at the Worcester mall and drove back to Muizenberg.
That's just a brief description of everything, but I have to finish up now.
I feel like I've learned so much during my stay here, but it's not really something I can write down. God is in this place, and he is working. There are so many broken things here--hearts and homes and lives, and I can't say we've fixed it all but we've made an impact on many. Keep praying for the people here, that God would bless them and use them and love them.
It feels weird to know that I'll be home so soon even though most of you that are reading this are thousands of miles away right now. Not that I don't want the comforts of home, but I would rather just stay here. Anyway, please pray for safe and smooth journeying.
Now let me tell you what we've been doing the past couple of days. On Monday morning after the last blog we headed for the farming community. I imagined we would be spending the day playing in the rain and sleeping in a muddy shanty. I'm really glad my assumptions are wrong so often. We came to the Community Center, which is a pretty big building with a stage and curtains in the front. We hung out with the kids there--played basketball, soccer, rugby, and even taught them how to play American football.
That evening, we had a little service where we invited the kids to ask Jesus into their hearts--out of the fifty or so that had come, only a couple knew him. Several times during the songs you could tell they wanted to accept him, but they were too afraid. But God was still working. A handful of the kids accepted Christ and I believe that very significant seeds were planted into their hearts. Our hostess told us that this was the first time missionaries weren't too busy to play with the kids, serving them through something so simple.
That night we spent the night in two cabins on a vineyard property. Our car alarm went off at about four, so loud that it sounded like a siren. The next morning again we played with the kids and left the place for Worcester at about one-twenty. We picked up our iPods there and ran off for Muizenberg.
On the way there, we passed an enormous shanty town stretching for a couple of miles that held about a million people. We also passed the Indian ocean. We couldn't get in because we were cold, we were in a hurry, and there was threat of sharks which nature freaks probably know about.
When we got to the YWAM we unpacked and explored. This place is amazing--it seems like it was a ritzy hotel in the early 1900's. That night we showered, played cards and ate candy.
The next morning, Wednesday, we were told that it was going to be our fun day, and it was awesome. We went to two markets in Capetown and a lot of people from our group went broke there. We drove towards Worcester after that but weren't told why. We stopped for lunch at Wimpy's the fast-food restaraunt (a big thing here, Dad) and that's where we learned we were going on a safari.
How can I describe it except to say very happily that it was a magnificent trip? We saw wildebeest, lions, rhinos, ostriches, springbok, and I know I'm missing some. It was a very interesting combination, though, to watch lions prowling around and then look up and see snow on the mountains so close by. About halfway through, our touring truck got stuck in the mud so we hopped out. It was raining and almost at freezing temperature, but we still had a great time. After that we had pizza at the Worcester mall and drove back to Muizenberg.
That's just a brief description of everything, but I have to finish up now.
I feel like I've learned so much during my stay here, but it's not really something I can write down. God is in this place, and he is working. There are so many broken things here--hearts and homes and lives, and I can't say we've fixed it all but we've made an impact on many. Keep praying for the people here, that God would bless them and use them and love them.
Coming Home
Hey parents I know that an email has gone around about the pick up and we would love to suggest that all parents meet us at the church. We are very much looking forward to seeing you all please keep us in your prayers as we fly tomorrow. It has been a privalage to be a part of your students lives these past almost 3 weeks. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
A
A
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Blog...Mattye Earle
So just as a side note, I will not be able to remember all our experiences and have so many more stories to tell. So I am completely in shock right about now. I didn't exactly expect anything that we have been through. First off I'd like to say that I am making Allen take us back here next year. Thats an order. So I was on the VBC team so that means we get to cordinate and plan crafts, games, activities, lessons, skits, puppet shows etc. and that also means that we got to be around the kids for four days pretty much all day. The kids were completely grateful and absolutely LOVED that we were there and playing with them. Although there was a bit of a communication barrier, I really felt like I connected with them and they responded to every bit of it. I absolutely loved seeing the children so happy and seeing something different about them that we don't always see in the states, and that seemed to be a genuine happiness and gratefulness and the presence of the Lord. Some of the children spoke English so they could translate for those who could only speak Afrikaans or Zorosa (spelling..?). On Friday we had to say goodbye to our children which was the hardest, most heart wrenching experience. I told myself all throughout the week that I wouldn't cry and that my children wouldn't mind us leaving. But Friday. I lost it, our kids chased after the combi's yelling and waving. Then they would ask "Tomorrow?" and we would have to say "No" and their faces dropped. A couple of the English-speaking children would say "Then I will see you in heaven" or "See ya in America!". We clearly impacted those kids' lives and I cannot wait to come back.
I have grown so much in the Lord and am as close as ever to Him. As a team we have grown together and are a little too close. I love everything about this mission so far (haha, so far..) and am so stoked in the Lord and all His works I see. Seeing the people of People's Church (where the band played worship and Allen spoke) worship and love the Lord shocked me, I don't think I've ever seen a body in the Lord worship the way they do. So enthusiastically and reverent to the Lord, I was simply overwhelmed.
We are leaving today (Monday morning) for the farm in Mousinburg (spelling..?). There we will be ministering to young teens living there, then we will leave there tomorrow.
I also can't wait to come home and share Gods works and all our experiences and show the change in us. This is a mission I will never forget.
Thank You all for praying as we can feel Gods presence and your support!!
Love you guys!
~Mattye
I have grown so much in the Lord and am as close as ever to Him. As a team we have grown together and are a little too close. I love everything about this mission so far (haha, so far..) and am so stoked in the Lord and all His works I see. Seeing the people of People's Church (where the band played worship and Allen spoke) worship and love the Lord shocked me, I don't think I've ever seen a body in the Lord worship the way they do. So enthusiastically and reverent to the Lord, I was simply overwhelmed.
We are leaving today (Monday morning) for the farm in Mousinburg (spelling..?). There we will be ministering to young teens living there, then we will leave there tomorrow.
I also can't wait to come home and share Gods works and all our experiences and show the change in us. This is a mission I will never forget.
Thank You all for praying as we can feel Gods presence and your support!!
Love you guys!
~Mattye
Flights coming home!
Cape Town to London Heathrow
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Departure: 8:15 PM
Arrival:06:50 AM +1 day(s)
Airline: British Airways BA058
Change of plane required. Time between flights = 4:35
London Heathrow to San Franscico
Friday, 11 July 2008
Departure:11:25 AM
Arrival: 2:15 PM
Airline: British Airways BA285
Arrival at SCBC at ~ 4:30pm/ will call when we leave the airport!
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Departure: 8:15 PM
Arrival:06:50 AM +1 day(s)
Airline: British Airways BA058
Change of plane required. Time between flights = 4:35
London Heathrow to San Franscico
Friday, 11 July 2008
Departure:11:25 AM
Arrival: 2:15 PM
Airline: British Airways BA285
Arrival at SCBC at ~ 4:30pm/ will call when we leave the airport!
***NEWS UPDATE***
With regards to our decision to move to Robertson:
Robertson is small rural community about 40 minutes from here. Some time back, the base received a request to minister to their youth on a farm up there. Their youth had little direction, as this was the basis for their request.
With us being here, we were the perfect (and only) opportunity to meet this request since issued. Please understand that my context here on the ground is much different than yours back home.
Our decision to move to Robertson adds ZERO risk or danger to our current mission. If anything, Robertson is a safer context than here in Worcester. The YWAM team we've been ministering with, will be with us in Robertson.
Now having spent sometime here in S. Africa, I feel much more at ease about ministry here (as you should). I would much rather have my own daughter walk the mall here in Worcester than the mall in Santa Cruz any day of the week.
All emergency contact numbers remain the same, and as always, I have my cell phone on me which works here.
Please pray for us, as we will only be in Robertson for a day. This is not much time to reach the hearts of their youth. Our hope is that God will pour His annointing on this divine appointment.
-Allen
Robertson is small rural community about 40 minutes from here. Some time back, the base received a request to minister to their youth on a farm up there. Their youth had little direction, as this was the basis for their request.
With us being here, we were the perfect (and only) opportunity to meet this request since issued. Please understand that my context here on the ground is much different than yours back home.
Our decision to move to Robertson adds ZERO risk or danger to our current mission. If anything, Robertson is a safer context than here in Worcester. The YWAM team we've been ministering with, will be with us in Robertson.
Now having spent sometime here in S. Africa, I feel much more at ease about ministry here (as you should). I would much rather have my own daughter walk the mall here in Worcester than the mall in Santa Cruz any day of the week.
All emergency contact numbers remain the same, and as always, I have my cell phone on me which works here.
Please pray for us, as we will only be in Robertson for a day. This is not much time to reach the hearts of their youth. Our hope is that God will pour His annointing on this divine appointment.
-Allen
Felicia by Tiffany Eiriksson
The first day we went to Avion Park a girl named Felicia glued herself to my side. Everyday for both the morning work on the field and the afternoon VBS she was always with me. There were a handful of other children that spent a lot of time with me as well, but none as much as Felicia. At first she would try to fight off other children who she considered to be competition for my affection and attention- pushing them away and getting mad at them. But I would tell her not to be mean to them and gave them love too, but making sure to pay her attention as well. She would often play with my ring that I wear. It has a cross in the center of a heart on it and I explained to her that it represented how I have Jesus Christ in my heart. The next day she showed up with a ring on the same finger that I wear mine on. The second to the last day of the VBS we sat down after singing a song and there was a boy named Gereldo in front of me who was too short to see over the other childrens heads. Felicia would always sit in my lap every chance she got, but this time she had just sat close beside me and I pulled Gereldo into my lap so that he could sit higher and be able to see. Then later we got up for another song, and when we sat back down Felicia picked up Gereldo and sat him into my lap! This was just one of many examples of the change that Felicia had gone through over the coarse of the week and it was such an encouragement to get to see that change in her!
It was very hard when we had to say goodbye to the children on Friday. There were many crying faces, including mine. But when we left I gave Felicia a bible that I keep in my purse and I just pray that she will treasure it as much as I treasure her because although we went to be a blessing to those children, they were a blessing to us.
I also really feel like God has been stretching me and growing me. Everytime that we have gone into a hospital I feel uneasy not knowing how I am going to be able to help and feeling like whatever I do is going to be uneffective, but God gives me the words to say or the love to pour out and a way to put a smile on someones face and I leave thinking "wow, I didnt think that was possible" and trusting God more because of it.
I thank all of you at home praying for us and want you to know that your prayers are working, because God is doing wonderful things. And you should all be proud of these students- I am. I feel very blessed to get to be here with them and seeing the Lord use them, and them stepping up and just blowing my mind. Every once in a while I just stop what I am doing so I can just watch THEM, they have been so bold, so loving, so completely amazing. All you parents are very lucky to have such great kids.
Mom and Dad I love you! Hope everything is well. See you in about 6 days!~Tiff
It was very hard when we had to say goodbye to the children on Friday. There were many crying faces, including mine. But when we left I gave Felicia a bible that I keep in my purse and I just pray that she will treasure it as much as I treasure her because although we went to be a blessing to those children, they were a blessing to us.
I also really feel like God has been stretching me and growing me. Everytime that we have gone into a hospital I feel uneasy not knowing how I am going to be able to help and feeling like whatever I do is going to be uneffective, but God gives me the words to say or the love to pour out and a way to put a smile on someones face and I leave thinking "wow, I didnt think that was possible" and trusting God more because of it.
I thank all of you at home praying for us and want you to know that your prayers are working, because God is doing wonderful things. And you should all be proud of these students- I am. I feel very blessed to get to be here with them and seeing the Lord use them, and them stepping up and just blowing my mind. Every once in a while I just stop what I am doing so I can just watch THEM, they have been so bold, so loving, so completely amazing. All you parents are very lucky to have such great kids.
Mom and Dad I love you! Hope everything is well. See you in about 6 days!~Tiff
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