official last post from this side: coming your way just now. :)
to my stateside friends, you'll be happy to know i'm headed your way. will be back in the country 8am Eastern on the 17th. will get home sometime that evening. to my Africa friends, i miss you already! so much of my heart is staying with you.
just finishing up debrief in the HOT country, and flying out tomorrow 5:30 our time (8 hour time difference) feeling a lot of different things, a different emotion for leaving and coming home. it's crazy. anywho, i love you all beyond belief and i'll have much more to say very soon.

<3

cheerio,
Sarah

just a quick note to say camp was AMAZING. God is so good! :) many new brothers and sisters in Christ. yay. :D i am flying to TZ tomorrow afternoon @ 3pm our time; having a hard time-too many goodbyes! but i'll be alright. just remember me in your prayers. i love y'all. see you soon!

last '"words"

a picture's worth a thousand...

wild.

kfc.

jump.

hillsong.

camel.

joburg.

thanksgiving.

6 December 2008
10:30 am
Joburg

Good morning! :) It’s one of my last few days here; we are leaving for youth camp on Monday, which I am very excited about. :D It has been a crazy and eventful last few weeks; I am sorry to not have written in a while, it’s just been busy. I’ll write more stories and put up tons of pictures once I’m home. But for now, I’ll say a little before I sign off from this side.
The past three weeks or so have held quite a lot for us. We’ve visited the apartheid museum, had a sleepover with nine (extra) girls in our apartment, seen Hillsong in Pretoria, visited with locals, worked youth fundraisers, had an African Thanksgiving, gone shopping at the market, seen an informal township, and continued our usual ministry. :) phew. Quite a lot, eh? I cannot believe I will be home in about a week and a half! I’ve been a big ball of emotion lately; I am excited to be home and see everyone, but also overwhelmingly sad to be leaving this place I have come to love so much. Anyone who has spent this kind of time overseas will understand what I mean; it’s hard. But, I am so thankful to God for not only this opportunity, but all He has done in and through me. His work has rearranged my world; not only how I see my world, but myself as well. And I love Him more all the time for it. I wish I could put it into adequate words, but my mumbled praise will have to do. I have learned more than I thought possible in the past four months, and this is a never-ending journey! My Saviour and Lord is holding me in His hand all the way, no matter where I am. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” (Psalm 27:1, NLT) His word has spoken more to me in these days than ever before! I have been a child of the King for over a decade, but have never experienced His love and grace and mercy the way I do now. One thing is sure, I will appreciate this Christmas more than ever before, because I have experienced Christ anew in my heart.
I want to thank you all for your tremendous love and support these past months. I love you more than you know, and praise God for who you are in my life. I can’t wait to see you face to face, and hug your necks. :) Please continue to pray for me as I finish out my term with youth camp and debrief, and fly home on the 16th and 17th. I will have much to tell when we next meet. Again, I love you and thank you. You’ve been such a gift and blessing to me in this time, and I hope to be just as much to you in the days to come. Until I see you, may the Lord bless you and keep you.

Cheerio,
Sarah

P.S. Happy birthday Lauren! I love you girl. <3

hello!
:) wish i had time to write lots; i will before the week is over. but at the moment, i am headed to thanksgiving potluck at the Baptist mission. :D anywho, have a great weekend and i'll talk to you later! to my church folks: i wrote a new prayer letter. it'll be out sunday. :)
<3 love y'all!
Sarah

just wanted to say hi since i haven't written in a while. :) will write more early next week.
love you guys! <3

LMCO

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good evening. :)
it's summer in johannesburg! sunny and hot. not quite the same as november in NC, eh? :) ah, i hope you are all splendid and keeping warm. only four weeks left, i can't believe it. i love you all and will write more soon, i promise. for now, please continue to pray for youth camp preparations and that i would know how to pray. later, friends.
cheers,
Sarah

Psalm 42:10

one last thing-
i posted new pictures from vacation. :) link # 3.

love you all. <3
Sarah

beautiful.

good afternoon from johannesburg! :)

hope you've all had a wonderful week so far. we are definitely in the home stretch; i will be home in less than five weeks! i cannot believe it is mid-November already; where did the time go? i am really feeling the crunch; it's a wild emotional ride at the moment. anyway, i'll have lots to tell come Christmas. :)

we spent the beginning of this week on holiday, around two hours away from our home. we packed (or squished) seven people and their luggage into an SUV-type thing called a Condor. and off we went. :)

we stayed in a nice little chalet, complete with rain spiders (four inches across, common here) and monkeys wrestling on the roof. :) it was great fun. we went on multiple game drives, both morning and evening, and saw all sorts of wildlife. This included giraffes, all types of antelope (kudu, impala, springbok, steenbok, riverbuck), rhinos, an elephant, hippos, african birds, turtles, and LIONS. :) we got up at 5am both mornings, so i came home and slept half a day. :D it was absolutely amazing! ... but the animals were not the greatest thing God showed me on our trip. to share that, i'll give you a bit of background info.

Pilanesberg National Park is situated in an extinct volcanic crater, and is quite large. i'd venture to say we drove several hundred kilometers through the park, and only saw a small part of all that was there. there are savannas and lakes and forests and mountains; it is beautiful! as i've told some of you, Africa has more of a 'dry and rainy' season than summer and winter, which means we had no rain for two months but now have storms almost daily. these are not quiet rain showers; the electrical storms here are intense! these, added to dry terrain, make it easy for fires to begin and spread quickly. such an incident recently happened at Pilanesberg, as a fire burned through acres of grassland and trees in no time. this was in August, only around three months ago! yet, as quickly as the fire cleared the land, life returned. the burnt land is chock full of nutrients, and the ground is quickly covered in a bright green blanket. but, more astonishing than that are the trees. trees on the grassland are thin and small for the most part, suited to their environment. they're not particularly hardy-looking, they look scrawny! but they are the most awe-inspiring green things i have ever seen. <3
the skinny little trees were black- for the most part. though they had been burned and 'oppressed' and beaten down, they refused to give up. through the black branches, sprouts of green popped out. some even had a whole side that was green! it was amazing. i took several pictures, so have a look at one.

the moral of the story is: God can restore anything. No matter how much something (or someone) has been hurt and abused and rejected and persecuted, God can bring her back to glory. what a wonderful God we serve. <3

alright, well it's nearly time for Friday night youth. i hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and i will write more soon. :)

to end, the words of Isaiah:

“Pay attention, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done this wondrous thing. Shout for joy, O depths of the earth! Break into song, O mountains and forests and every tree! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob and is glorified in Israel. This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer and Creator: “I am the Lord, who made all things. I alone stretched out the heavens. Who was with me when I made the earth? I expose the false prophets as liars and make fools of fortune-tellers. I cause the wise to give bad advice, thus proving them to be fools. But I carry out the predictions of my prophets! By them I say to Jerusalem, ‘People will live here again,’ and to the towns of Judah, ‘You will be rebuilt; I will restore all your ruins!’ (chapter 44, verses 21-26)

This is what the Lord says to his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again. This is what the Lord says: “I will go before you and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. (chapter 45, verses 1-3)

:)

just a quick note to say i won't write again till late next week, as we'll be out of town. :) have a great weekend!

<3

this side of the world. :)

hi again! :) early updating this week; it's only friday! hope you all are fantastic. i wanted to write a bit about life on my continent, since i haven't done that in a while. so here goes, have fun. :D

life has been busy and crazy here lately, but wonderful! :) God is absolutely rocking my world, and changing my life in the most amazing ways. two young girls have accepted Christ at our orphanage, which is a huge praise! :D please pray for them as they begin their walk with Jesus; that they would find Him more all the time. we have been consumed with work for the Lord, :) preparing for youth camp and engaging the community more all the time. i am so looking forward to camp; you'll be sure to have me talk your ear off about that. :) continue to pray for fundraising and prep work with the youth; we have multiple events coming up soon, and that is what much of our time is filled with. the next several weeks are going to be a blur; we have a million things on our schedule. we are taking a holiday next week, Monday to Wednesday, to visit a game park (:D) and relax a bit before everything ramps up. pray for our safety and for good fellowship with my team.

another awesome thing God is doing in our lives is wrapped up in a wonderful new friend of mine: Stacie. :) Stacie is here on a two-year program, after already spending two years in Botswana, Africa after college. she is amazing; and we love her. <3 God is using her as a light here, as well as a coordinator for our program in the entire region. she's a pretty awe-inspiring person. please begin to pray for her now, and continue as time goes on. i know she's going to do great things.



as i said before, God is teaching me and changing me every day. i wish i could just pour out what He is showing me; hopefully, i will be able to in the future. i have never experienced His love and faithfulness the way i am now; i will not come home the same person i was when i left in August. i literally cannot put it into words, i will just have to display it as best i can. :)

to close, i'm adding a few scriptures and a song or two that have spoken to my heart recently. i love you all, and am praying for you with all my heart. keep seeking our King. <3

In You
MercyMe
I put my hope in You.
I lay my life in palm of Your hand.
I'm constantly drawn to You, Lord-
In ways I cannot comprehend.

It's the Creator, calling the created.
The Maker, beckoning the made.
The bride, finding what she's always waited for-
When we find ourselves, that day.

In You- the hungry feast at the table.
the blind frozen, find colors in their view.
the lame will dance, they'll dance for they are able.
and the weary find rest,
oh, the weary find rest, in You.

It's no secret, that we don't belong here.
Those set apart by the grace of You.
And we look for the day, when we go to a place,
Where the old becomes brand new...

In You- the hungry feast at the table.
the blind frozen, find colors in their view.
the lame will dance, they'll dance for they are able.
and the weary find rest,
oh, we will find rest, in You.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. I John 4:4 (NLT)

"Yours is the Kingdom. Yours is the Power. Yours is the Glory. Forever!" Chris Tomlin

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11-14

God of Ages
Hillsong

God of ages! Bringing glory here!
You are good, You are good.
Son of righteousness, You are all I see;
With all my heart.

Giver of life, hope for the lost is in You!
All of the earth, shines with Your light, Your glory.

You are the God who lives, You are the God who heals!
You are my hope; my everything.
You brought salvation to us; offered Your peace to the world.
You are my Lord, my everything.

In Your promise, and Your faithfulness,
I will trust all my days.
King forever; great in majesty.
Be glorified!

Giver of life, hope for the lost is in You!
All of the earth, shines with Your light, Your glory.

You are the God who lives, You are the God who heals!
You are my hope; my everything.
You brought salvation to us; offered Your peace to the world.
You are my Lord, my everything.

I'll trust in You, I'll trust in You,
I'll trust in You with all my heart. <3

culture day. <3 18 october.

the little guy, Mubonga, was just baptized this past Sunday. :)

hello again. :)

ice skating in Africa. <3



a call to the nations: Greg style. :)

never mind. :D

okay, since africa's internet doesn't like me today, we'll be waiting for the rest of my updates. :) i love you all. talk to you soon.

happy tuesday! :)

hello again. hope all is splendid where you are. :) i'm going to post videos now; new pictures are already up. might write more if time allows. :D
have fun! <3

hello again. :)

sawbona. :D (that's hello in Zulu)
hope you've all had a splendid week. mine has been crazy, and busy! again, i have nothing written beforehand, and today's post will be even shorter than last week. i'm sorry. :D i'll do better whenever my life calms down, which may be never. :) for now, the ministry is looking basically the same, and so are the prayer requests. i have just over seven weeks left here; i can't believe the time has gone so fast. i am looking forward to being home and seeing everyone, but i am getting really sad about leaving here, too.
okay, well, i will talk to you all soon! love you.
Sarah

just one last bit to say i wrote a new prayer update. :) if you'd like a copy, email me and i'll send you one next chance i get.
have a great week!
<3 you,
Sarah

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Currently listening:

Light of the World
Watermark

Giver of creation, bringer of salvation
Word of God, eternal life
Praise the Son of God
Promised One of Heaven
To bring us to your Kingdom
Rescued us from darkness
Praise the Son of God

Jesus, light of the world
Shine on us, shine on us
Word of life, spoken for love
Breathe on us, breathe on us
Light of the world, King Jesus

Darkness will obey your voice
Weakness will in you rejoice
You have bound the broken heart
Praise the Son of God
Jesus
You have shown your father's heart
And to us you will impart
The holiness of all you are
Praise the Son of God

Shine, breathe, live through us
Shine, breathe, live through us
Shine, breathe, live through us
Shine, breathe, live through us

God's beating heart, live through us
Light of the world, King Jesus
King Jesus, shine on us, shine on us

Your Grace is Enough
Matt Maher

Great is your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters into mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember your people
Remember your children
Remember your promise, oh God

Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough for me.

Great is your love and justice God.
You use the weak to lead the strong.
You lead us in the song of your salvation
And all your people sing along.

So remember your people.
Remember your children.
Remember your promise, oh God.

Your Grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your Grace is enough for me

God, I see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me


Something About You
MercyMe

Where, where do I begin?
How do I say what's on my heart with paper and a pen?
How, how can I describe
The God of all the universe and make it right?
I just wonder if it's worth
Painting You with so few words
Oh, with so few words

Still there's something about You
That keeps me in pursuit of who You are
I will spend my days finding ways to praise
The glory and the grace of who You are

Why, why do I even try?
If I could speak the tongue of every man, I'm still tongue-tied
What can I say about You
When everything I have won't do
Oh, it will not do

Still there's something about You
That keeps me in pursuit of who You are
I will spend my days finding ways to praise
The glory and the grace of who You are

As long as life runs through my veins
I will live to praise Your name
And if a hundred years I live
I won't even scratch, I won't even scratch the surface

good evening. :)

WOW. this week got away from me! :D we have been so busy, it is just crazy. i didn't write anything formal this week- i am so sorry. i'll try to come up with something brilliant off the top of my head, but i'm not making any promises. :)

we had a pretty normal schedule this week, nothing too much out of the ordinary. we did get to go to the movies over the weekend, which was a lot of fun. today was our day off, and we had a 'girl's day' which was much needed. :) we had a fantastic brunch at this cute little tea garden, not something i had a concept of before coming here, and will need to explain to my American friends. :) we spent the rest of the day looking through cute little shops and relaxing. it was wonderful. it has been kind of a taxing week, for all of us.

i don't have much fun to post this week, you'll just have to stay tuned for the happy things. :) for now, i am asking that you pray diligently. spiritual attack is real for devoted Christians anywhere, but is felt especially strongly in such a dark place, doing what we are doing. Satan doesn't just hit you in easy ways, either. he attacks you in your most vulnerable, painful places. pray for strength and wisdom and faith for us. pray that i would not seek just to serve God more and know Him more, but that i would love Him more. "with all my mind, soul, heart and strength..." pray for youth camp, coming up in December; it will be here before you know it! i want us to bathe that week in prayer, God is going to do mighty things! pray for our ministry with the youth at Lyndhurst and in our community, pray that we would be led by the Holy Spirit in all we do. pray that we would not ever become discouraged, but would always keep our eyes fixed on our Saviour and King. :)

alright, well i have a prayer letter to write, so i am going to sign off for now. i might post one or two more little things today, we'll see. :) i love you all so much.
<3
cheerio,
Sarah

quick note.

hi you guys! i only have a second, but i have a specific prayer request to give over to you. my teammate Mary received a phone call this morning informing her that her cousin had been killed in an accident. he was only in his mid-thirties and had two small children. please remember Mary as she grieves so far from home, please pray that her family would turn to the only true Comforter, and that God would be glorified in the midst of this tragedy. pray that i would know how to support her and be her family away from home. i love her dearly; she is so special to me. <3

please continue to remember the rest of my team that is traveling. they will return tomorrow. pray for our ministries and that we would keep our eyes fixed on the King whom we serve.

i love and appreciate you all so much, and i am praying for you daily! if you have a moment, drop me a quick email to let me know you are one of my fantastic prayer supporters. my address is listed at right. i'd love to know who each one of you is. :)

have a fantastic rest of the week, and keep seeking our Saviour.

love you always,
Sarah

stories and songs.

hello again. :)

i hope you enjoy 'sarah tv' this week. :D i think it's right awesome myself. :) anyway, i didn't get to write my updates quite as i had planned, but it'll do i reckon. :) i'll write up a formal update and send it to church and through mom maybe next week.

things are pretty much the same here, fantastic. :) half my team is gone at the moment, out of town with the neighbors. it's been a nice, quiet weekend. we learned on thursday that aaron is going home early. he flies out tonight. i don't know the whole story, just that family issues need to be taken care of now. please be in prayer for him as he travels and readjusts. we are sad to see him go, but God is in control, so we know it's all going to be fine.

we are now officially past the half way point: friday was ten weeks since i left home! i can't believe it; the time is just flying by. we had our midterm debrief today. i am so looking forward to how God is going to work in the next two months. :) He is just doing wonderful and amazing things.

continue to be in prayer for our ministry with the youth and in our community. pray for a developing relationship in our complex that could lead to someone being saved. :) pray that we would all continue to grow in love and trust of our Saviour, and that we would glorify Him in all things. pray for youth camp as December quickly approaches. i praise the Lord for my family here and where you are.

new pictures:
link at right :)

i love you all so much. :) talk to you again soon. but first, a few thoughts in song:

With Me
Chris Tomlin

I open my mouth and You speak for me
You move the mountains and roll back the sea

I will not afraid
I will never be ashamed
For You are with me
You are with me

I've seen enough to know
That You're my only hope
I don't want to go
If You're not with me

We open our hands and You reach for us
You are the motion of the universe

My Deliverer
Chris Tomlin

I will wait for You to move
For Your mighty hand to save
When the trouble water rise
You are my hiding place
You are my hiding place

You walls are salvation
Your gates are praise

My Deliverer
My Deliverer
My Deliverer
Is the Lord

Who is like You mighty God
Who can take me from Your hand
As I walk with You in freedom
You're the Rock on which I stand
You're the Rock on which I stand

Here in My Life
Hillsong

i have never walked on water,
felt the waves beneath my feet but
at your Word Lord, i’ll receive Your
faith to walk on oceans deep.

and i remember how You found me.
in that very same place,
all my failings surely would've drowned me-
still You made a way.

You are my freedom!
Jesus, You’re the reason
i’m kneeling again at Your throne.
where would i be without You
here in my life, here in my life?

You have said that all the heavens
sing for joy at one who finds
the way to freedom, truth of Jesus
bought from death into His life.

and i remember how You saw me
through the eyes of Your grace.
and though the cost was Your beloved for me,
still You made a way!

You are my freedom!
Jesus, You’re the reason
i’m kneeling again at Your throne.
where would i be without You
here in my life, here in my life?

You are my freedom!
Jesus, You’re the reason
i’m kneeling again at Your throne.
where would i be without You
here in my life, here in my life?

You are my freedom.
Jesus, You’re the reason.
You are my freedom.
Jesus, You’re the reason!

&, because you asked nicely: hi Lilli. :) i love you, my darling sister.
call me sometime!

fun at youth :)

the guys having a good time:



last night's youth service: (AMAZING!)

saturday nights in johannesburg

this is what we listen to in our flat on the weekends:





:)

more talk of spiders :)

the second spider story, which i never got to tell...

i will just show you. :)

spiders :)

spider #1: (mary & kristin)
spider #2: (trapped by me)

9 October 2008
11:37 pm
Joburg

One of my housemates, who shall remain anonymous, has a knock for making the power go out, for the whole house, at about eleven at night when she plugs in her fan. :) I know, it’s something faulty with the electrical, but it is so funny! We laugh all the way down the stairs to the breaker box; it’s a wonder we don’t break our necks! :D The darkness, however momentary, made me think about the darkness of this world and how Jesus is our everlasting light. :) My awesome Bible dictionary on my computer gave me several verses about this, so I’ll let you read them now. :) Happy times.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”—John 8:12

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of your people.
Luke 2:32

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.—John 12:46

Brilliant, isn’t it? :) Our God is the God of light, of salvation, of mercy and love. He is holy, so holy; but He loved us enough to give up so much for us. What an amazing love. <3>

Glory of Your Name
Christy Nockels

It was in the way You came, as a lowly babe,
that Your glory was displayed.
And it was in the sacrifice of the purest life,
it was in Your Father’s will obeyed…

The perfect Lamb, that was slain,
that bears the glory of Your name.
No other one, no other way for me to see You.
You took my place, You are the way
that bears the glory of Your name.
Yes there’s the glory of Your name.

And it was in Your victory, risen for the world to see
that all who will believe could enter in.
And it was the passionate price, now demanding all my life,
and beating in the chambers of my heart.

The perfect Lamb, that was slain,
that bears the glory of Your name.
No other one, no other way for me to see You.
You took my place, You are the way
that bears the glory of Your name.
Yes there’s the glory of Your name.
The glory of Your name.

And there is nothing in this world
that could take the place of You,
that could take the place of You,
my Jesus.
And there is nothing in this life
that could take the place of
one Life, and one Love, and one Power
to save us all.
And one Hope, and Truth, and one
Glory in it all.
One Glory in it all.

The perfect Lamb, that was slain,
that bears the glory of Your name.
No other one, no other way for me to see You.
You took my place, You are the way
that bears the glory of Your name.
Yes there’s the glory of Your name.
The glory of Your name, Jesus.
The glory, the glory.
The glory of Your name.

Thank you, my Father, for being so glorious and amazing. Thank you for loving me regardless. You are holy and almighty, and You are greatly to be praised. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth there is nothing I desire besides You.” I love you.

happy MONDAY. :)

hi there! :)
so, i wasn't aware we were changing our schedule around this week, so i'm not particularly prepared to do all my updating today. i'm going to run with it, though, so enjoy the spontaneity. :D i do have one update ready, so i'll post that first. then, who knows? :)

have fun!
Sarah

lifted up.

a couple quick prayer requests: :)
1) youth camp: December 8-12
pray for fund raising efforts, and that God would work in the hearts of the youth <3
2)my teammates are traveling out of town in a ministry opportunity this weekend.
pray for safety, and that they would have chances to clearly share Christ. <3
3)that I would have many opportunities to minister to the young girls in my neighborhood
and in the youth at lyndhurst.
4)for continued growth in Christ for all of us here, and that I would be in tune with His heart.

love you all! talk to you next week. <3
Sarah

worth a thousand words.

new pictures! :)

same album as before, look at the end.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2276110&l=1d0bc&id=2734332

love you all!

sarah, in translation.

Hi there!
I was going to write a 'ministry update' this week, but it has been so busy! The prayer requests are basically the same; I'll write a better piece next week. :) For now, I'll write a little about my life. happy times. :D

things i miss most about north carolina:
(not an exhaustive list!)

the people i love! <3
my church
driving
having a dryer
good coffee
wendy's, taco bell, and mazatlan
grey's anatomy
unlimited internet and phone
my bed
sadie, tigger, and the turtle
the radio
fall leaves
dancing with my people

things i love most (or find most interesting) about johannesburg:

friends! :)
cars on the wrong side of the road
warm weather in october
milk tart and sweet chili pretzels and apple juice <3
giraffes!
lyndhurst youth <3
my housemates, and our shenanigans
being closer to God than i have ever been <3
finding out who i am, and what that means
cards and letters and care packages
seeing my babies on thursdays
louie giglio sermons on dvd
life being an adventure, every day!

5 October 2008
12:26 am
Joburg

No matter what our circumstances, what we are facing: God is sovereign. He is in control of every aspect of our lives, no matter where we go or what we follow. He is a beautiful, merciful Saviour and King. Take refuge in the fact that the God of all creation is on your side. :) He is holding you in His wonderful, strong hands, and he will never let you go. I could just go on and on; He is truly magnificent, and deserves all our praise. I will write more of Africa next time; I just had to say a bit of what my Jesus in doing in my heart. <3

Remedy
David Crowder Band

Here we are, here we are.
Broken and used, mistreated, abused.
Here we are.

Here You are, here You are.
The beautiful One, who came like a Son.
Here You are.

So we lift up our voices, and open our hands
to cling to a love we can’t comprehend.
Lift up your voices, and lift up your hands
to sing of the love that has freed us from sin.

He is the One who has saved us.
He is the One who embraced us.
He is the One who has come and is coming again.
He’s the Remedy.

Here we are, here we are.
Bandaged and bruised, awaiting a cure.
Here we are.

Here You are, here You are.
Our beautiful King, bringing relief.
Here You are with us…

So we lift up our voices, and open our hands.
Let go of the things that have kept us from Him…

He is the One who has saved us.
He is the One who forgave us.
He is the One who has come and is coming again.
He’s the Remedy.

Oh, I can’t comprehend. I can’t take it all in.
Never understand such perfect love.
Come from the broken and beat, for the wounded and weak.
Oh, come fall at His feet.
He’s the Remedy. He’s the Remedy!

He is the One who has saved us.
He is the One who forgave us.
He is the One who has come and is coming again.
He’s the Remedy. He’s the Remedy.
He’s the Remedy. He’s the Remedy.
He’s our Saviour.

You are the One who has saved us.
You are the One who forgave us.
You are the One who has come and is coming again.
You are the One who has come and is coming again.
You are the One who has come and is coming again.
You’re the Remedy.

Let us be the remedy…

3 October 2008

11:55 pm

Joburg

My God is faithful! :) Nastya is much, much better tonight. Praise the Lord! Thank you for standing beside me. I am just so grateful. I will write happier musings tomorrow. :) Goodnight.

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1-2

2 October 2008
10:42 pm
Joburg

I was going to start tonight’s post with a lighthearted story, but I instead am asking earnestly, urgently for prayer. Nastya, my ten year old sister in Belarus, is in the hospital with some sort of chest illness, maybe pneumonia. We do not know much about what is going on, just that we love her dearly. Please pray for God’s healing hands on her life, that her mom would be encouraged; just pray for them daily until you hear otherwise. They are so important to my family and all in our church and community; please stand beside us in this time of uncertainty and fear.
I read in John this morning about how the world will bring us trouble, but Jesus has overcome this world. My only hope is in Him, my Saviour and King. I love Him above all and look to Him for shelter and purpose and comfort in all of life’s rolling waves. Continue to pray for us here; I will update on ministry and life this side of the ocean next time I write. Thank you for your continued support and faithfulness. I love you all.

So, come on and sing out.
Let our anthem grow loud.
There is one great love.
There is one great love.
Jesus.

1 October 2008
11:10 pm
Joburg

I awoke this morning to shrieks of fear: my roommates had encountered a ‘tarantula,’ that is a spider of great proportions. After much ado and carrying of kitchen utensils to the upstairs bathroom, I believe the creature met its demise and the girls calmed down enough to stop yelling. :) What a way to greet the morning!
After I wriggled out of my bed/cocoon, quite reluctantly, I noticed the beauty of the day I had just encountered. The sun was shining in through my window, and it was warm, and I heard laughing in the other part of my house. A gift, I thought, this day is a gift from my Father. He loves me, and is greeting me with this wonder. :) That is a way to greet the day!
I must admit that I am, far too often, a complainer. I don’t get things my way, so I like to point out how unhappy I am with the arrangement. I try to be positive, but I fail on a daily basis. If we are being honest, I’d say we all are that way from time to time. More likely, it’s most of the time. We are a race of discontentment; our humanity causes us to always want more, or better, than what we have. The ‘American Dream’ tells us to reach for status, monetary success, prestige, security… fill in the blank. And we won’t be satisfied until we have what we are looking for. But is that what really matters? Really?
Is anything you accomplish in this world, or anything you attain, or achieve, going to last? Forever? Nothing will—except the work and will and purposes of Christ, the eternal and mighty God of creation. John Piper said: “It isn’t you. It’s what you’re gripped with.” Are you gripped by the world, or the One who is holding it in His hands? Galatians 6:14 says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Boast only in the cross. John Piper:“If you boast in the hope of glory, let your boasting in the hope of glory be a boasting in the cross. If you boast in your health, your family, your friends, your tribulations, let your boasting in these things be a boasting in the cross. Bring all other boasting under your boasting in the cross. When Christ died, He purchased for sinners everything they enjoy that is not part of their condemnation. We are sinners all. The only thing we deserve is condemnation. That’s all we deserve. Therefore, every beat of your heart, every word, every movement, every step, every friend, every joy is a blood bought gift which you would NOT have if He had not died. Therefore, if you boast in any of these things, if you glory that you have eyes or hands or friends, then it is a glorying and boasting in the cross, because He bought them for you on the cross. The cross is everything! You would not have anything but judgement if it was not for the cross. God made you, and you are not deserving of anything good from God. If you get anything good, as you do, everyday, then it was bought for you by Jesus.”
That thought hit me square in the face: that everything I have is because Jesus died on the cross. I am learning more all the time what it means to be embodied by the Spirit of God, to live for Him with a passion and to die to self daily. I have by no means mastered anything, but God is surely mastering and teaching me. There is such a difference in just knowing that Jesus is your Saviour and really knowing Him. That’s really the point of it all, coming to know our Lord more. He loves us infintely, and works all things for the good of those who love Him. He is constantly caring for us and seeking us and reaching down to us. He is an amazing and wonderful and all-knowing and sovereign King. He holds everything in His hands; nothing surprises Him. He is just fantastic beyond words. He knows us, and He wants us to know Him and seek Him and follow Him with our whole hearts. It’s about faith and trust and knowing that His plans for you are far greater than anything we had planned for ourselves. He can, and will, do great things in you and through you if you just surrender to Him what He gave you to begin with. A life in His hands is an astounding thing. He fed five thousand with a few loaves and fishes that He blessed with His words and broke with His hands! How much more can He do with you, His beloved, if you give yourself up to Him? It’s all about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour and King.
I love you, my Redeemer and Triumph and Strong Tower. Thank you for taking hold of me every day, and keeping me close to You. You are greatly to be praised!

Only one life,
‘twill soon be past.
Only what’s done
for Christ will last.

27 September 2008

1:12 am

Joburg

Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise from the ends of the earth…
Isaiah 42:10

I have called you by name,
you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1

Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19

Desert Song
Hillsong

This is my prayer in the desert,
when all that’s within me feels dry.
This is my prayer in my hunger and need:
my God is the God who provides.

This is my prayer in the fire,
in weakness or trial or pain:
there is a faith proved of more worth than gold,
so refine me Lord through the flame.

I will bring praise! I will bring praise!
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice! I will declare!
God is my victory, and He is here.

This is my prayer in the battle,
when triumph is still on its way.
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ,
so firm on His promise I’ll stand.

I will bring praise! I will bring praise!
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice! I will declare!
God is my victory, and He is here.

All of my life, in every season,
You are still God.
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship.

I will bring praise! I will bring praise!
No weapon formed against me shall remain.
I will rejoice! I will declare!
God is my victory, and He is here.

This is my prayer in the harvest,
when favour and providence flow.
I know I’m filled to be emptied again;
the seed I’ve received I will sow…

Yet, I am always with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever…
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all Your deeds.
Psalm 73:23-26; 28

Run
Hillsong

You were God from the outset,
powerful and creative.
You who saw us here before You called
all the stars and the earth to existence.

You are God. You are holy.
History is Your story.
You, who was and is,
and forever will be. God we
live for Your glory.

So we will run
all together, our hearts aflame,
with a fire that can’t be tamed.
Our God, all glory to Your name-
Jesus!

You are God. You are freedom.
You’re alive now within us.
You who saw us here before
You conquered the grave,
and delivered on the promise.

So we will run,
all together, our hearts aflame,
with a fire that can’t be tamed.
Our God, all glory to Your name.

We will run.
Our surrender to bring You fame.
Our desire: that You be praised.
Our God, all glory to Your name-
Jesus!

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2

Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to You,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in Your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 61:1-4

O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen You in Your sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory.
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live,
and in Your name I will lift up my hands.
Because You are my help,
I sing in the shadows of Your wings.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:1-4; 7-8

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of His name;
make His praise glorious!
Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds!
So great is Your power
that Your enemies cringe before You.
All the earth bows down to You;
they sing praise to You,
they sing praise to Your name.
Psalm 66:1-4

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

He is Lord
Hillsong

Oh blessed lamb, once slain,
will reign forevermore.
His hands, once bound,
now save.
Our God will never fail.

He is Lord! He is Lord!
Sings my soul, He is the Lord.
And He lives, yes He lives!
I’m alive, ‘cause Jesus lives!

‘Tis at the cross of Christ,
where earth and heaven meet,
where sin is overcome,
to God the victory!

He is Lord! He is Lord!
Sings my soul, He is the Lord.
And He lives, yes He lives!
I’m alive, ‘cause Jesus lives!

And now,
let the earth resound with praise,
for our Saviour God, He reigns!
He is high and lifted up!
Arise, for the King of glory waits.
He is coming back again.
He is coming back again!

Hallelujah, hallelujah.
You are worthy of praise.
He is Lord! He is Lord!
Sings my soul, He is the Lord.
And He lives, yes He lives!
I’m alive, ‘cause Jesus lives!

And now,
let the earth resound with praise,
for our Saviour God, He reigns!
He is high and lifted up!
Arise, for the King of glory waits.
He is coming back again.
He is coming back again!

He is coming back again, He is coming back again.
He is coming back again, He is coming back again.
He is coming back again, He is coming back again.

How lovely is Your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
What joy for those who can live in Your house,
always singing Your praises.
What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
who have sets their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
it will become a place of refreshing springs.
The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
They will continue to grow stronger,
and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
A single day in Your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good things
from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in You.
Psalm 84:1-2; 5-7; 10-12

May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all
the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able,
through His mighty power at work within us,
to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:19-20

happy monday. :)

hello again. :)
first of all, thank you for your prayers! just a few hours after my last post, i received a phone call that Nastya was at home and much better. :D praise the Lord. anyway, i have about two weeks worth of posts to put up, so just keep on reading. love you all!
Sarah

long time, no 'see.' :)

it's friday. you're thinking: "what happened to tuesday?" :) tuesday was full of Bible school planning with the youth; this week as a whole has been crazy busy! it has been fantastic though. i wrote great updates for this week, and then left my laptop at my house. whoops. oh well, right? you'll get two weeks worth of updates on tuesday. i'll post pictures and stuff, too. it'll just be fabulous. :) until then, continue praying for our ministry and for us.

especially remember Nastya, my ten year old Belarussian sister, in your prayers over the next few days. she is in the hospital in Belarus with what they think is pneumonia. we don't know much else, just that we are worried. We love her so much. set aside a time daily to remember her until we hear something else. thank you so much.

i hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and i'll write more tuesday. i love emails and cards and basically anything from you guys, and if you write me i will write back! :)
alrighty, cheerio!
Sarah

"Can't imagine life without You,
cause it's all for You,
yeah it's all for You." <3

23 September 2008
Johannesburg, South Africa

African Ramblings. :)

Hello from Johannesburg! I want to thank you all again for the amazing support coming from that side of the ocean; you have been absolutely fantastic and I love you all so much. :) I have so much to write on and tell, but my time today is limited, so I will just hit the high points! I am blogging every week, so that is the easiest way to keep up with me. Thank you all for the prayers so far; I am feeling much better physically and God is truly doing great things.

My team and I are truly in awe of all that the Lord is doing here. We have each formed relationships that are growing and flourishing. Among the six of us, we are teaching three Sunday discipleship classes. We are doing orphanage ministry weekly and working with the youth on nearly a daily basis. We are so busy; we can’t seem to get everything done! :) What a blessing, to have so much of the Lord’s work to do! I really cannot tell you how much God is working in my midst and in my own life; suffice it to say, I am amazed every single day. I have learned more about my Saviour in the past two months than I have in my entire life. I wish I could just go on and on, but we will save that for another time. :)

We are entering a time of great opportunity: school holidays begin this Friday, September 26 and end October 6. This is a huge time for the youth; it is full of chances for good, and for evil. Please stand with us in prayer. Pray first for the youth: that no one would be arrested or killed in the midst of bad choices. Pray for Christ’s influence in their lives; pray that we, through Him, would minister to them in a mighty way. Pray for the Bible school we will be holding at the orphanage next week. This is an opportunity to make an eternal impact on the children there, as well as a way for the youth to realize their potential in Christ and His ministry. Pray for salvations, in the church and outside, and for great growth in faith. Pray for youth members, who have been sick, even hospitalized. Pray down Satan’s attack in their lives.

Pray for us in this time of great prospect; spiritual warfare steps up greatly in times of heightened work for the Lord. Satan attacks us consistently, but it will be worse in these times. Pray for strength for us, and for a constant sense of God’s presence. Pray for wisdom and courage; just lift us up. We are confident in the Lord’s care, but we are called to stand in the gap for one another.

Pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. Persecution has been heightened in many places, including South Asia and parts of Eastern Africa. Pray for believers, pray for missionaries. Violence and fear are a part of many Christians’ lives, something so many of us cannot even understand. In our security, it is our call to stand in the gap. We are all a part of the body of Christ; we are all one family.

Lastly, continue to pray for the Hands On people all over this part of Africa. There are many of my ‘colleagues’ facing similar and even larger struggles, and I want to ask you to lift them up in a special way. Pray also for my church here, Lyndhurst. Pray that God would continue to work in lives here, and prepare the church for change. Pray that in the midst of political turmoil, people would turn to God. Pray for safety and peace here; pray that the Lord would ultimately be the one in power.

Again, I love you all so much, and I wish I could write more! If you have questions or just want to get a hold of me, feel free to write or email. You’ll get an answer as soon as Africa lets it get to you. :) I praise God for you, my family in Him. Continue doing great work in Him, and relying on Him fully. May His light shine bright in your hearts and lives.

Cheerio,
Sarah Elizabeth

"For I know the plans
I have for you,"
declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you
and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope
and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

20 September

20 September 2008
4:52 pm
Joburg

Love.
God loves me. He is holding me in the palm of His hand. He shows me grace and mercy every single day. He protects me and comforts me, He is truly magnificent. God also loves you. Yes, you. He made a way for you when there was no hope. He wants to be close to you. I’d love to share more with you about His love, and so would He. :) All you have to do is ask.

Urgency.
Can you name five people? Of course you can. You can probably name five hundred, or five thousand! Can you name five friends? Five family members? Five neighbors? What about five lost people? Wait a minute; you’re thinking- that was a quick jump. We got ‘deep’ all of a sudden. Yes, we did. That’s the point. This is not something you beat around the bush about, or something you put off. It’s urgent.
You are in one of two boats. Boat one knows exactly what a lost person is. They understand that a lost person is someone who needs the Shepherd and doesn’t know Him yet. Boat two, you have no idea what I am talking about. Please bear with me; you are the guest of honor. Back to you boat one people- you are reacting in one of two ways. The majority of boat one people the world over are thinking “this is nonsense.” Or something along those lines. They don’t understand why we are having this conversation, or they think it’s silly. Or they just don’t care. I’m not making an observation about you personally, just stating the facts. Two out of three Christians do not care about the souls of the world around them. Did you know that Christianity isn’t the world’s largest faith? Did you know that seventy percent of the world is lost? Did you know that of the thirty percent that isn’t, only ten percent care about the greatest command Christ gave us: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Care about one another. Be concerned that your lost friends are lost. It’s that simple. I’ll get back to you in a minute.
Boat two people, I want you to hear me for a second. God loves you. More than anything. I don’t know what you believe or don’t believe. I don’t know your stories, what you struggle with, what you’ve been through. But He does! He knows who you are- He created you! He wants you to know the peace that comes from knowing Him. He loves you so much, that He sacrificed himself for you, so that your own failures would not condemn you. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And when you realize how much you need Him in your life, He made it so simple for you to come to Him. All it takes a decision to believe that He is who He said He is, and that your hope lies in Him alone. If you want to know more about God’s plan or His grace or who He is, please do not hesitate to ask me. I will help you however I can. I love you, too.
Alright, boat one folks, back to you: this problem is bigger than you realize. You either are sharing Christ or you aren’t. I’ve been in both places. I want you to see the reality of the situation. If you think this isn’t important, you are fooling yourself- and you are building a wall between you and God. You cannot call yourself a Christian and not live like Christ. If He is indwelling in your heart, He will show in your life. It’s not about what you do; it’s about what He does. Faith without works is dead. This is what it’s all about: LOVE. Selflessness. Grace. Forgiveness. Quit judging and thinking they don’t deserve His grace or your time. They don’t deserve God’s grace- and neither did you. You still don’t. You never will. We aren’t capable of righteousness on our own; it is by God’s loving nature we have any hope at all. There is nothing more important than sharing the love we have received. That’s it. What life is about. If you think money or power or your own happiness or anything else is more crucial or pressing, you’re wrong. Don’t listen to what I have to say about it, listen to what the God of all the universe has to say. He saved us. He loves us. ALL OF US. Start seeing your lost coworkers and family members and friends for what they are: lost! Start acting like something is wrong- this is an emergency. Realize that God working through you could be their only hope, and speak and live accordingly. Live out your faith, and see what kind of wholeness you find in the One who gave you existence in the first place. He is in control, and He is the point of everything. It’s not about you and I; we are hopeless on our own. It’s about our Saviour.

Tears of the Saints
Leeland

There are many prodigal sons.
On our city streets they run,
searching for shelter.
And there are homes, broken down.
Peoples’ hopes have fallen to the ground,
from failures.
This is an emergency.

There are tears from the saints
for the lost and unsaved.
We’re crying for them,
“Come back home.
Come back home.”
And all Your children will stretch
out their hands and
pick up the crippled man.
Father, we will lead them home.
Father, we will lead them home.

There are schools full of hatred.
Even churches have forsaken
love and mercy.
May we see this generation
in its state of desperation
for Your glory.

There are tears from the saints
for the lost and unsaved.
We’re crying for them,
“Come back home.
Come back home.”
And all Your children will stretch
out their hands and
pick up the crippled man.
Father, we will lead them home.
Father, we will lead them home.

Sinner, reach out your hands.
Children, in Christ you stand.
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children, in Christ you stand!

There are tears from the saints
for the lost and unsaved.
We’re crying for them,
“Come back home.
Come back home.”
And all Your children will stretch
out their hands and
pick up the crippled man.
Father, we will lead them home.
Father, we will lead them home.

And all Your children will stretch
out their hands and
pick up the crippled man.
Father, we will lead them home.
Father, we will lead them home.

amazing grace.

happy tuesday! :) it has been a fantastic week here. i am posting one piece i wrote earlier this week, and then a ministry/prayer update. i hope you all are well. :) i love you guys so much. alright, cheerio!

happy day. :)

it is a beautiful Tuesday morning in Joburg, and it has already been an amazing week! :) I spent the majority of last week in bed; bad bug of some sort. I went to the doctor on Friday, and they tested me for malaria- which thankfully came back negative! I started feeling sick that Sunday night and didn't get to feeling better really until this past Sunday. I am doing good now though. :) Don't worry. Thank you to everyone who prayed. Keep praying! :D Anywho, that means I don't have a lot of stories to tell from the past ten days or so. Sorry! My teammates have plenty going on, so praise God, and I am getting right back into the swing of things. I will tell you all about ministry in a minute. :) But first, I want to tell you about my adventures in Africa! :D
Yesterday, we went to the lion park! :D Ahhhh! I cannot express my joy. It was amazing! :D You guys know how much I get excited about things. I took pictures, and I am going to post a video my friend Greg made. It was a fantastic day. We also had South African chinese food for lunch. :) fabulous.

A quick outline of what my ministry (and life) looks like...
Sundays:
discipleship teaching (Sunday school) for 10-12 year olds @ 8:45
worship at 10:15
afternoons: complex ministry, relationship building
Mondays:
day off! (mall, 'field trips', chill time)
Tuesdays:
communication day (debrief with supervisor, email, blog, etc.) from 9am to 4pm
youth recreation time 4:30pm-6:30pm
Wednesdays:
relationship building and complex ministry
meetings (?)
cell group 7:30-9:30pm
Thursdays:
orphanage 9am-4pm
Fridays:
prep/study time; work on lessons, etc.
youth meeting @ 6pm
Saturdays:
all sorts of stuff.

Pray for the orphanage, that the Gospel would impact the workers and the kids. Pray for the Bible school we will be holding there in early October. Pray for the relationships being built in the community and that God would continue to bring us divine appointments. Pray for our strength and wisdom; pray that we would learn more about God every day. Pray for the youth and the struggles that they are facing. Pray for our cell group and discipleship classes. Pray that above all, God's will would be done in our lives. Pray for protection against the evil one's attacks, what we call spiritual warfare. Pray for our families and those we love at home. <3

Alright, you guys. I'm going to bid you goodbye for now. I am praying for you daily, and I love you all so much. Thank you for loving and supporting me. You are truly appreciated. :) God bless you and keep you until we meet again.

In Him,
Sarah

new pictures:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2276110&l=1d0bc&id=2734332

8 September 2008
11:24 pm
Joburg
Ministry & Prayer Updates.

I wish I felt like writing something inspired tonight, but I have been sick again the past two days. I’m okay. :) Just not full of energy. You can pray that I feel better; that would definitely help! Anyway, I want to write a short piece on what we’ve been up to, and how you can join in prayer.

This week was busy and went by quickly! We had cell group and went to the orphanage, did rec time with the youth, taught discipleship, worked at youth night, had fellowship, and spent lots of time in the Word. :) It was a great time; God is teaching me so much, I wish I could put it all into words! If you’d like to know more about anything, let me know. For now, be in prayer for the orphanage; we will be holding VBS there with the help of the youth in early October. This will not be just another Bible School; these kids most likely will not live to see young adulthood, so this is a matter of eternity. Pray for my Sunday discipleship class; pray for our complex- that doors would be opened for ministry. Pray for my team, pray for Lyndhurst. Again, I wish I had more to say, but I’m tired. :) I love emails- so keep ‘em coming! :) Be aware that I only have internet access on Tuesdays, my time, so if replies take a while don’t worry. :) I love and appreciate you all so much. Keep doing great things in His name.
love you always!

Sarah

6 September 2008
11:10 pm
Joburg
Radical Faith.
I went to the movies tonight. Yes, in Africa. :) I had a great time, but I realized that even something so simple is different in my new life here. I also realized just how different life is here; I mean, I obviously realized some of that earlier. It’s just it is being revealed in new ways all the time. It’s not about better or worse; it’s just different. The same way no two people are just alike, my life is different in this new place than it was in my old one. I struggled very much with the lack of the familiar; I have lived in the same place all my life before now. I felt so safe, so comfortable. And that’s all wonderful, but my life isn’t meant for just comfortable. I told someone in my first week in Joburg: my faith doesn’t even feel the same to me. That really bothered me; I thought, “Isn’t God supposed to be constant?” Of course He is. He is constant, He never leaves, never fails. He has been with me every single step of the way; on my fifteen hour flight where I threw up five times, to my terrifying first few nights at orientation, to moving to another new place with all sorts of brand new things. He is with me; He is holding me in His hands. He loves me with a passion undying, just the way He loves every one of you! What I am trying to say is, I have realized things are different. Things are bigger; bigger than just me, bigger than what I can take hold of. But they are not too big for my God. He knows every person in the movie theater tonight, everyone on the roads, everyone in every gated house I passed. He also knows, and loves, everyone in Africa and North Carolina and Albemarle and Belarus and every place in the entire world. He is working everywhere. He is working in me with every passing moment. He is working in homes and schools and workplaces and churches and nations. He is always aware and always caring. It’s different because it’s bigger than me. Bigger than my world, bigger than what we, as humans, can do. It’s His. The world is a mess because we made it that way. God made it beautiful, and the problems are our fault. But, because He is amazing, He is working every day to fix what we destroy. He is healing broken lives, changing everything. We aren’t capable of making it better. We can’t do a thing without Him. But through Him, absolutely nothing is impossible! Mark 11:24 says: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and you will!” Our God is just astounding; He listens to us and comforts us and holds us in His hands. Things are different here. Things are different everywhere. There are seven billion people on the earth, searching for purpose. There is only one Saviour, perfectly and totally sufficient for all of them! He feels different to me here because everything feels different here. I am out of my box; I don’t know anything at all, except Him. He knows that. He took my world and made it bigger and said “look and see. This is the scheme of things. You’re a part of it. So is everyone else here. I am going to do great things.”
Hillsong:
The same power that conquered the grave
lives in me, lives in me.
Your love, that rescued the earth,
lives in me, lives in me!
I feel like I’m rambling. :) What I am trying to say is, God is transforming the way I see the world. My faith is different here- it’s bigger! I need to look outside where I’ve been living and see what else is going on. God is great and mighty and He is at work. What a blessing to be beside Him in ministry! I just am so encouraged to see what He is doing. He is truly great and the more He reveals of Himself to me, the more in awe I am. The faith I had just isn’t enough. What I need, what God wants, and what the world needs to see is faith that steps outside the soft cocoon we live in. Stepping out on the waves to where Christ is standing can be terrifying, but it is so worth it. His presence with me is more real than I have ever experienced, because I am realizing I am nothing without Him; I am relying on Him, trusting Him for everything. We think we have it all under control, that we can keep on existing as though nothing is wrong in the world. But we are not in control. He is, always. We need to stop putting our trust in ourselves and our security and start understanding that it’s about Him, not us. We owe everything to our Father and Lord; we wouldn’t have that cocoon if it wasn’t for Him. We owe Him that much, to see the world for what it is: to see lostness for what it is. To realize that it’s all bigger.
Radical faith takes a radical step, but it doesn’t have to be halfway around the world. It could be just across the hall or down the street. Or on your knees. I pray that Christ’s glory and grace and mercy and beauty and awesomeness would just rain down on you. That there’s no mistaking Him for anything else. That you’ll know you were meant to love Him and worship Him and understand His love for you, and the whole world. That you would understand what radical faith looks and feels like. He is amazing; we are just amazingly loved.
Sorry if that was terrible and disjointed; it is almost one in the morning. :) Love you all. Let me know how I can be praying for you. Hope you can see the work of God clearly in your life and my own. It’s not about me; He is just fantastic beyond words. :) Goodnight!
Hillsong thought:
Your grace is enough, more than I need.
At Your word I will believe.
I wait for You, draw near again.
Let Your spirit make me new.
I will fall at Your feet,
I will fall at Your feet,
and I will worship You here.
Your presence in me;
Jesus light the way
by the power of Your word.
I am restored, I am redeemed.
By Your spirit, I am free.
I will fall at Your feet,
I will fall at Your feet,
and I will worship You here.
Freely You gave it all for us.
Surrendered Your life upon that cross!
Great is Your love, poured out for all.
This is our God!
Lifted on high from death to life,
forever our God is glorified!
Servant and King, rescued the world.
This is our God!
I will fall at Your feet,
I will fall at Your feet,
and I will worship You here.
I will fall at Your feet,
I will fall at Your feet,
and I will worship You here.

6 September 2008
2:20 pm
Joburg
With Everything
Hillsong

Open our eyes to see the things
that make Your heart cry.
To be the church that You
would desire; Your light to be seen.
Break down our pride, and all the
walls we’ve built up inside.
Our earthly crowns and all our desires,
we lay at Your feet.

Let hope rise,
and darkness tremble
in Your holy light.
Every eye will see-
Jesus, our God,
great, and mighty,
to be praised!

God of all days,
glorious in all of Your ways!
Oh, the majesty of
Your wonder and grace,
in the light of Your name.

Let hope rise,
and darkness tremble
in Your holy light.
Every eye will see-
Jesus, our God,
great, and mighty,
to be praised!

With everything,
with everything-
we will shout for Your glory!
With everything,
with everything-
we will shout forth Your praise.

Our hearts, they cry-
be glorified!
Be lifted high, above all names!
For You, our King,
with everything,
we will shout forth Your praise!

With everything,
with everything-
we will shout for Your glory!
With everything,
with everything-
we will shout forth Your praise!

4 September 2008
11:05 pm
Joburg
Worship.

I want to share with you a point someone shared with me during the past five weeks: Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is the ultimate goal, not missions! We (all of us!) were created to love God and be loved by Him, to live for Him, to worship Him. Because we are fallen, God has to reach down and bring us back to Him. He allows us to share in His work by sending us out to share His love. On that note, we, as God’s children, are all called to shine for Him. You made have heard it before, but it’s the truth- if you are saved by grace, you are called to share that. You, as a follower of Christ, are a missionary. It does not matter where you are, who you are. What your job title is. If you are a teacher, a nurse, a stay at home mom, a police officer, whatever- God put you there, He will use you if you let him. It’s not about us. Alone, we are completely incapable of achieving anything eternal. But through Him, we can do anything. Nothing is impossible! Rejoice in that. He loved us enough to give up His son on the cross, and He loves us so immensely that He touches our lives everyday and allows us to touch the world for His sake. :) What an amazing reason to be joyful!

On my heart right now is my ministry. Please be in prayer not so much for me as for what God is doing in my midst. Pray for my part in teaching Sunday morning discipleship for preteen girls, pray for those living near me, pray for the orphanage. Pray that God would be glorified. He is great and He is rocking my world every moment. I am absolutely in awe of what He can do and is doing, and I just love Him so much. I am not doing anything worth praising, but He sure is!

to close, a thought from Hillsong- their music is encouraging and inspiring me. you’ll probably hear more from them on here soon. :)

I have decided, I have resolved, to wait upon You Lord.

My Rock and Redeemer, Shield and Reward-

I’ll wait upon You, Lord.

As surely as the sun will rise, You’ll come to us,

Certain as the dawn appears-

You’ll come! Let your glory fall as You respond to us.

Spirit rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again.

You’ll come, You’ll come!

We are not shaken, we are not moved.

We wait upon You, Lord.

Mighty Deliverer, Triumph and Truth!

We wait upon You, Lord.

As surely as the sun will rise, You’ll come to us,

Certain as the dawn appears-

You’ll come! Let your glory fall as You respond to us.

Spirit rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again.

You’ll come, You’ll come!

Chains be broken…

Lives be healed…

Eyes be opened…

Christ is revealed!

You’ll come! Let your glory fall as You respond to us.

Spirit rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again. You’ll come!

You’ll come! Let your glory fall as You respond to us.

Spirit rain, flood into our thirsty heart again.

You’ll come! You’ll come!