Home For The Holidays

My first Christmas away from home, and it took a while before I could get into the Christmas spirit. With it being a warmer climate and all it just didn’t feel quite like the Christmas I know. The cold winter air sweeping across my face, mittens, scarves, walking through the mall and seeing all of the Christmas decorations and displays, driving around town looking at all of the houses beaming with christmas lights, decorated trees, Christmas parties, and snow. It’s amazing how much you hate it when you live in it, but how much you miss it when you are gone.

Here it is hot and sunny and the Africans just don’t do Christmas quite like we do, which made it even more difficult. I was doing just fine up until last week when it dawned on me that I would not be home for the holidays. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without your family and your traditions, so being without both I was determined to make Christmas here just like home. I was bound and determined to put up a tree, and cook a traditional Christmas dinner, and with the help of my good friend Tom, I was able to pull it off.

On Christmas Eve Charlene and I went up to the Corbin’s. Ed read the Christmas story, we opened gifts, Sonja made some amazing food, and we watched the American classic “A Christmas Story”. I was blessed that they opened up their home to me.

I never really realized how much work goes into preparing a Holiday dinner. I was only preparing for three, so I thought, “This shouldn’t take long at all”. Ha! Yeah right! I woke up on Christmas morning at 8:00 am and cooked all day. We had appetizers of stuffed mushrooms (no where near as good as April Hohimers!) and fruit with fruit dip. Then for the main course we had turkey, yes I cooked my first turkey ever, and I must say it was wonderful, good ‘ol green bean casserole, my mom’s sage stuffing, and cranberry sauce. So, Mom, my hat goes off to you for making every Holiday dinner, you make it seem so easy!

Robinson's Chicken Spice Commercial

Wow! This has been an interesting week. About a week ago we received a call from a man who had been out to our farm several months ago to take some photos of our barn. He was interested in using our barn to shoot a commercial Robinsons Chicken Spice. After visiting our facility they decided that this was the best location for their shoot.

On Monday morning a crew came out to take apart the barn and start preparing for the shoot. On Tuesday the entire crew arrived to begin shooting the commercial. The commercial is about a farmer and his wife who are trying to set the mood in the barn for their chickens to reproduce more. They even wanted a shot with our tractor in so Boetie (one of the ground workers) is going to be in the commercial. He was so excited! They had him in wardrobe and everything!

It was very exciting to sit and watch how they do everything, and the director and crew were all very nice and polite. They have even logged our site for future commercials. You can view the commercial on www.velocityfilms.com. Just look for the Robertsons Chicken Spice commercial.

Jackson's Ridge Bush Babies

Jackson’s Ridge baby shelter is a transitional home for babies who are either going into foster care or are being adopted. Right now we have 7 babies in the shelter all under the age of 3. Two of which have been with us for almost a year. Our prayer over the past month has been that God would place each of these children in forever homes. We all know how prayer works, sometimes His answer is very slow, and other times He answers before we can even finish our prayer. Sure enough yesterday morning we received a call that 5 of the 7 babies will be placed in homes in January!!! How exciting, one will even have home for Christmas!

Kids Blast 2007

This weekend I was able to experience my first JR conference. It was actually the first kids conference in JR history. In the past they have trained CM ministers and workers. However this weekend we asked pastors to bring their sharpest kids to a conference just for them where they can learn techniques to minister to their friends and in their home church. We went with a christmas theme , so they could all go home and practice and duplicate what they have learned for their annual Christmas programs.

On Friday night after they all arrived we had our orientation service. During he altar call we anointed and prayed over all the kids. We then had the kids go and pray over the leaders that brought them. It was a very powerful time.

On Saturday the kids were split up in to groups and they attended classes where they learned, ballooning, mop and broom puppets, paper cutting, human video, and God rod’s. After the kids went through all their sessions we had a ministry showcase service where the kids were able to perform what they had learned.

All in all it was a great weekend, with a great response. The kids loved their time here, and we enjoyed training another generation to minister to kids.

Going Dutch

As I sat in the airport in Chicago watching all the different people I was reminded yet again how awesome God is. He has created so many different people who live miles apart, speak different languages and experience different cultures, yet he loves us all the same.

At 3:30 pm I boarded Dutch airlines KLM to begin an 8 hour flight to Amsterdam. When I got to my seat I was greated by the lady who was to be sitting next to me. She is originally from Amsterdam, but lives in the States now. She asked me where I was going and what I was doing there. After I replied I then asked her the same question. She is traveling back home to help take care of her sister who has stage 3 stomach cancer. After talking to her for a bit I was able to pray with her. Her spiritual beliefs are in white witchcraft, but she is open to a variety of different religious beliefs. I know that in the short flight she wasn’t going to change her view on things, but I believe it was a seed planting opportunity.

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing to do. I’m not the type of person who does the long drawn out emotional goodbyes. I prefer to just say see ya later then head out on my merry way. But saying goodbye to my family today was hard, and yes I will have to admit I did cry once I got through the terminal to my gate. I love my family. My parents are amazing people who I admire greatly and whose strength, determination, and good work ethic I am taking with me. I know this isn’t easy for them so as you think of them, please say a little prayer.

And to everyone I may have not seen before I left. GOODBYE!

Finally Approved

WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!! It is finally here. After 9 months of fund raising we have raised all that is needed for for me to be able to leave. So, here I am just a few more steps closer to South Africa. Right now I am waiting to hear the official OK from the financial review board, and should be getting that early next week. I am also in the process of getting my VISA and once these 2 things are done I will book a flight and be off. Please pray that all of this comes through in record speed. I am looking to be in South Africa before the end of September.