South Africa Week 2 (2/11/17-2/19/17)
Week 2
Day 9 Saturday
Today we had a baby shower for Ana, one of the members of our
church, who is having twin girls. She and her husband, Isaac, are a part of the
small Mexican/Central American population of LHC. We had a piñata, Mexican
food, and even played a game where you had to match Spanish words to their
English meaning. I hope Ana was blessed and that we made her feel at home!
Also, be praying for her, as twins Isabella and Tamara are due to arrive very
soon!
It has been a long and busy Saturday. In the evening, Uncle
Randy and Auntie Susan went out with Karlien and Andre for dinner, so Ben and
Kara came over and watched a movie with the younger kids while Julia helped
edit my blog!
We had an unexpected surprise while all of the adults were away!
Some missionaries from Swaziland showed up. None of us had known that they were
coming to stay the night, and Auntie Susan had forgotten they were coming!
Julia and I scrambled around trying to get a place ready to sleep. I’m glad I
was there; otherwise I think Julia might have died. Hahaha.
Day 10-Sunday
This morning was nice and relaxing. I have been reading a book
called "Listen Love Repeat" by Karen Enham. It is all about learning
to go out of your way to do something nice for someone else.
We talked about prayer again today at church. We talked about
how God instructed us to pray and he starts by calling God ‘Father.’ One quote
by John Owen really struck me. He says, " The greatest sorrow and burden
you can lay on the father, the greatest unkindness you can do to him is not to
believe that he loves you." I could go on for a long time about how much I
learned: instead, you should just go listen to it for yourself! https://t.co/rJNXZIjAli
After church I went to help take care of kids while the adults
were doing Biblical Counseling/Ministry training.
Day 13- Wednesday
I got to go to the Muphamuzi Baby Home today! There are only 3 babies living at the baby home currently. Baby Z was at the Baby Home when I came in June, and he has grown so much in the last 8 months! When I arrived they quickly put me to work: keeping the babies occupied while lunch was being prepared.
Mama Patricia has been working at the baby home for as long as I
can remember. She often says how much she has enjoyed seeing me grow up through
the years. :)
While most of the babies were down for a nap, I played with baby
T who is currently being fostered by the house parents of the Baby Home. I hope
to go to the Baby Home for a few hours once or twice a week while Uncle Randy
works on projects.
On the way home, Uncle Randy and I went to a store called Fruit
Stop. They sell fresh fruits and veggies, milk, eggs, and other foods. They
even have juice on tap!
Also, my mom is the sweetest! She sent me a package of things
with the new intern, Erika, who just arrived! It felt wonderful to know that
people back home have been thinking about me! :)
Day 14-Thursday
It has been a pretty regular Thursday. One of the things I
did differently was going to the New Testament Survey class taught by Pastor
Josh Mack. He talked about what occurred between the end of the Old Testament
and the beginning of the New Testament. I will be attending this class every
other Thursday night. I will try to include some of my notes each
week. Tomorrow I will be going to another class Systematic Theology
taught by Alan Lester.
400 years between the Old and New Testaments. What happened? What does it matter? At the end of the Old Testament the Medo-Persians were in charge. Israel has been running away from God's promises. Assyria took Israel into exile about 700 years before Christ. A. The Babylonian Period (606-539 BC)Israel renounced idolatry Language Changed from predominantly Hebrew to Aramaic B. The Persian Period (539-331 BC)Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Haggai, Malachi, IsaiahThe Old Testament was completed at this time.C. The Greek Period Aristotle was Alexander the Great's tutor and he influenced his view of the World. Alexander wanted to Hellenize the known world. Greek became the Canon language. The Pharisees wanted to keep with Gods law when everyone was becoming Greek. Daniel 10 is a prophecy about Antiochus. Antiochus sold the High priest hood to a guy named Jason who was of the right heritage to be a priest. Some other guy offered to pay Antiochus a higher sum of money than Jason did so he became Priest instead. The Jews got really mad because the new guy wasn't of the right heritage. D. Jewish Self-Rule (167-63 BC) Judas Maccabaeus started a successful rebellion. Hanukkah began at this time. There was only enough oil to burn the lamp in the temple for one day, but miraculously it burned for 8! E. The Hasmoneans (135-63 BC)Evil Kings ruled so horribly that the people wanted to be ruled by Rome instead!F. The Roman Period (63 BC-AD 70)The Sanhedrin consisted of 70 men, leaders of Israel who mad discussions. Herod was given power over Galilee. He built many beautiful things and helped to expand the Temple. The siege of Jerusalem 66-70 AD was a brutal time. There was a huge amount of tension People were looking for the Messiah. There was a spirit of Expectancy.
Day 16-Saturday
Saturdays are family days. In the morning, I did another
Instagram live. Then Julia and I went to the store to buy Cambria a birthday
gift, because her birthday party was later that day. After we got home, we
enjoyed a delicious breakfast of pancakes.
We also took the dogs to a local dog park.
When we got home, I was able to show some videos of Speechless
with some of the Clark kids. Everyone here has been begging me to bring
Speechless to them! All my Speechless peeps: we better get on it! HAHA! :)
Day 17-Sunday
Sundays are one of my favorite days! Tonight there was
an all-church meeting at our house. I helped with childcare as per the norm. It
was another long and busy day but God is good and his mercies are new every
morning! EVEN Monday mornings! :) I think about you all daily and
have been praying that God would encourage and bless people through my
words.
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