All God’s Children

Another glorious morning in South Africa!

Today’s devotional was based on Psalm 97. The Psalmist proclaims many characteristics that describe God. And after thoughtful answers and discussion, we came up with, “God is Always”. Walter reminded of what Caroline Price tells the children (and us). Each day go through the alphabet and describe God with a word for each letter. What a wonderful way to keep ones focus on God. The team was challenged to keep this in mind as we began our last day of service in Cradock.

What an unexpected delight awaited us at the Lidie Moolman’s School for children with special needs.

Lidie is a remarkable young woman who has risen above major challenges in life. With help and encouragement from her family, she now teaches 18 students with learning and physical disabilities.

We were greeted by songs and a skit performed by the students. We then had the morning to just spend time with the children. We colored, played with pipe cleaners and laughed with the children and soon became mesmerized by their unique talents and gifts. What an absolute joy it was to spend such wonderful time with these children of God.

After the Lidie School children went home, we enjoyed lunch with the Tam’s, the mission team from California and the youth who were with us yesterday. Then the controlled chaos began!

The Tam’s (especially Meagan) organized a surprise birthday party for Larry complete with cake, blow up jumpers, toys and snacks. The children from the Amy Bell Centre joined us for the fun and after singing several rousing renditions of “Happy Birthday” they were turned loose to enjoy the party.

During the activities for the children, many of our team were invited to participate in the Friday Youth Bible Study organized by Henriette. They we sat in awe of the lesson led by Estelle.

I mean, wow. She is filled with the gift of the Hoy Spirit. Estelle’s devotional pulled from II Cor. 9, Jeremiah 31, and Luke 9: 1-6. She outlined how all the groups involved in the community of Cradock are full of grace. She said we could have come all the way to South Africa with a full entourage of protection and body guards to keep us safe from harm; instead all we brought was ourselves protected by the all-encompassing grace of God. She also illustrated the power of God’s plan for us by saying of all the millions of possibilities of people that could have come from your parents, you were the one God chose to come into this world and work within His plan. We are the instruments and God is the pianist when we let Him into our lives and accept His grace and mercy, beautiful symphonies spring forth.

As Estelle wrapped up, Abby, one of the young women from California opened up about her life and God’s work within her. Abby was first found in a box on the streets of a city in Ethiopia at the age of two. She was sick, malnourished (4 lbs), with skin issues. The police took her in and placed her in a orphanage not expecting her to live. Abby’s parents came to that orphanage, discovered Abby and took her to the hospital. Doctors ran many tests with the same results, HIV positive. Her father prayed for the healing hand of God and said that if it was within God’s plan to save this girl’s life then the family would take her in and adopt her as their own. Abby miraculously tested HIV negative with a year and she has continued to be HIV negative. Abby said she is here because of the grace of God.

On our way back to the ranch, we stopped by a township school that the Amy Bell Charities and Africa Children’s Schools has helped add five new classrooms. They are almost ready to open, waiting only on the installation of chalkboards.

We arrived back to the ranch and enjoyed a musical ‘send off’ provided by Tam’s. The California team joined us for dinner and we concluded the evening with shared prayer requests. We prayed over the California team, the Teicherts and the Tam family for their ongoing and upcoming ministries. It has been a privilege to share the past ten days with these amazing people.

Here are some ABC’s of our trip:

Amy Bell Charities – Businesses growing faithfully – Caregivers – Devotionals – Estelle’s Bible Study – Finetown – Grace – Henriette and hospitality – Inspirational – Joyful children – Karl and Jenny – Lidie’s School – Mama Florina – Nhlanhla (Zandspruit) – Omnipresent – Po and Queen – Ripples of faith – South African Chinese Covenant Church – Tam Family – Unity – Variety of opportunities – Werner – eXtraordinary team – Youthful – Zanele