Impact Africa Missions Discovery: Debrief

Hey family all over the world!

So I have returned from my internship with Impact Africa, and I'm exhausted. I want to be honest here, it was a really tough month for me. I was trying to convince myself that I was happy to be there but I wasn't. Instead of happily going where God asked me to be. I dragged my feet and went with a bad attitude. Basically told God, I'm here, I've listened, but I'm going to be happy about it.

I felt like my attitude was fine during ministry but as soon as we were done in the communities my sassy and sarcastic self would return. Ever look at yourself and just say, ick. I didn't like myself but I wasn't doing much to change it.

The Team

Ya, this lasted for the first week and a half till I decided I was done and asked God for my Joy back. He brought me to Colossians 1:9-13 specifically verse 10 "so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Ya was so not doing that but I wanted to be "fully pleasing to him" = attitude change

Kaya Sands

Despite a rough start, I did have a good time. I got to witness people being healed and people giving their lives to Jesus. 

Most of the month was spent walking through the communities, talking to people and sharing Jesus. I got to pray with a few women who wanted to give their lives to Jesus and got to see God heal aches and pains as we prayed. I loved getting invited into shacks and hearing people's story. They want to share so badly but very few people want to listen.

I think one of my favourite parts of doing shack to shack ministry is watching God "allow people to hear truth" for the first time. We didn't say anything special or have any special prayers but it's the work of the Holy Spirit moving in people's hearts.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Romans 1:19

In Zandspruit Praying for Thabiso

Praying for Michelle and her Son

  We did a kids program which I had done before in a different capacity. It was super intimidating because we all got roles and mine was the gospel. I had to show a water and oil illustration about our sin and God, then review the Gospel, and lead a prayer at the end.  Talk about an embarrassing moment when the first time we put on the program I got the microphone and totally blanked on the story of Jesus. I don't remember what I said but apparently it turned out okay lol. After that, I prepared what I was going to say. Funny how much better things go when you actually plan ahead. It was really cool to hear a new curriculum and get some ideas for some 'potentials' backs at Refilwe.

First Day Kids Club

Last day Kids Club

I had a special moment in Diepsloot. We were walking around and we saw a women carrying a little baby. She let me hold Bryan, who was only 2 months old. Holding him in the middle of the squatter camp I had a moment in my heart of " this is what I'm good at and this is what I love." It was a conformation moment of being at the baby house. Isn't it a great feeling to know what your doing is right!?
   

Bryan

I could just continue typing about the things I learned, all the little moments and amazingly cool things that happened however, my blog post would be incredibly long. So one last thing I want to share then I'll close it up.

I love discipleship. I really enjoy getting to speak truth into teenagers lives, share my testimony and help figure out life together. A lot of the girls were much younger than me so it was cool to get to connect with the girls in my cabin.  On that note, I want to give a shout-out to Dilcia. She is a missionary in Nicaragua and someone I know I will be forever friends with. I honestly don't know if I would have made it the whole month without her. We discussed life, testimonies, shared laughs, encouraged one another and got extremely honest. We were able to process our days together since our views were a bit different from the rest already being in ministry full time. It was amazing to learn from her years of wisdom in life and in sharing Jesus. Watching this women share the gospel was amazing and inspiring.

Dilica and I at the Lion Park

Dilica Sharing Jesus

Night Safari!

Thank you to everyone who made this journey happen. Through helping me fund this project, all the prayers and those who sent words of encouragement during the internship. Even though it was extremely hard, it was SO worth it. I feel like I learned a lot about my Heavenly Father, myself and How to Share my faith.  I don't think I would have learned all these things if I would have stayed Home.

Standing on the Bridge to Diepsloot Extension 2

Thanks for Reading,

Whit

June Update

Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire.. jack-frost nipping at your nose..yuletide carols being sung by a choir.. and folks, dressed up like  Eskimos, everybody now, a turkey and some  mistletoe .. helps to make the season bright…
Oh wait, is Christmas not almost here? It feels like it anyway…in any case Christmas Music is always appropriate despite what my father thinks ; ) And since today is my Birthday, I declare that you may listen to Christmas music. Just because its the best lol…….. your welcome. : ) It sure is cold this side and winter is in full swing. I definitely think it will be a much colder winter than last year

Thank you for all the support last month with my mom. My mom is doing okay and transitioning well I believe. I am even in a better head space. I really appreciate God not letting me sit in my own frustrations too long. That following Sunday was a day for restoration with a Celebration Sunday, solid sermon that night and good conversations throughout the whole weekend that were very challenging and encouraging.

Mothers Day Tea with the Girls

LB is getting so big!

J is getting SO Big!!

I am writing super early this month because I leave for my IA (Impact Africa) Internship in 3 days!!!!!!!!!!! Ill be moving about 20 min away from Refilwe to be trained by the IA team for about 3 1/2 weeks (15/6- 10/7).  Ill be joined by 8 girls from all over America. As it gets closer my nerves have really kicked in. I start thinking about all the ways it going to be hard instead of how God can move in my heart.
-How am I going to survive with 8 Girls! ( I get to meet 8 girls who love Jesus and learn how to love and bless them)
-I am going to miss my babies soooo much! ( I get a visit day half way through and they will still be there and love me. I can always call )
-I am going to be put in a lot of uncomfortable situations ( I will be put in situations where I get to rely on my heavenly father and be refined to look a little more like Jesus everyday)

Under all the nerves, I am really excited for this new adventure and It will be cool to tell you in July how silly all my fears were and the cool ways God moved in Diepsloot.

Its been a really slow time here at the house. We still have 2 spots open and so do other baby homes. It is great to think that maybe abandonment is going down? Or I wonder where the babies are being left where they are not being found…

We still have 2 babies that are pending adoptions. We keep hearing these two are next. They are going to be matched. Hopefully they will be gone by _____. Ill I can think about it hopefully they will be with a family by Christmas! 2 more of our babies have entered in a very complicated situation within their adoption process. We need our Heavenly Father to move some big mountains so they can be with a forever family. Lots of prayers please! 

AB got her hair done

K is walking like a Pro

Last week I got to read an update from our first International adoption, S (also known as giggles). He moved to the Netherlands in March 2014. The update was a Year old but all of us at the house crave for any sort of news so we read it with lots smiles and awww’s. Even three months of being with his family he would shout “mama” and “papa” when they would get him out of bed. It makes my heart so happy and that was a whole year ago.

Minnie Mouse and I

K likes sleeping with his feet out lol

 Also this month, on the 19th, I  am celebrating my two year anniversary of being a missionary here in South Africa. I still can’t believe that I can say I am a missionary in South Africa… what?!    I remember having a conversation with a friend, back when I was around 11, about if God asked me to go to Africa i wouldn't mind while she was completely horrified at the idea. I think that might have been a first  glimpse into what God would ask me to do.

I could probably talk for hours about all the things i have learned, all the times I felt like i was on Top of the world and all the times I felt like I was shattered pieces of myself on the floor. The Times that God has literally had to pick me up some mornings and times that God renewed my strength ( Isaiah 40:13).  In December I wrote out some things that I had Learned in the last year and a half about myself, South Africa and My heavenly father called “18 Memories in 18 Months”. Please Check in out! In the last 6 months I definitely could add many more things to that List but, for the length of this blog sake I just want to add just one. I feel like since the beginning of the year God has really been teaching me about John 10. Specifically verses 25-30

²⁵ Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, ²⁶ but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

What I find ironic is someone has asked me twice about this very thing God has been teaching me about this year and I have given the same very lame answer (I don't know why) so here is my redemption answer: ( I hope he reads this!)

I cant remember If I heard this in a Sermon, book, blog, or article but it was this idea of hearing God when he talks to us. We can recognize our parents voice from across a crowded room because we spend a lot of time with our parents and we love them. We can pull their voices out from dozens of people. Kind of the same concept with God. If we build a relationship with him and spend time with him (quiet time, prayer, meditation etc.) then we should know Gods voices even from our own desires and thoughts. I can’t tell you how many times I would Pray about something and think I get an answer then have to ask if it really was God or just my own thoughts and ask for conformation. Then ask for conformation 5 more times before I would do it. I was always so envious of people when they would talk about their conversations with God like they were talking on the phone with him and get such clear communication. I felt like God was trying to talk to me but I couldn’t always tell the difference between my Heavenly Father and all the other voices in my head. If I am a child of God than I needed to build that type of relationship to be able to hear his voice from across a crowded room. In the mission field there are lots of voices… I feel like this concept has changed the way I approach my relationship with Jesus and the way I hope it to be. 
I am God’s sheep and He is my Shepherd and I know his voice.

Cindy and I going to share about El Roi

Prayer Requests:

IA internship 15/6-10/7
    - patients
    - open heart
    - energy
    - humbleness
    - basically prayer for everything lol
Future adoptions
for the short term volunteers this summer (or winter depending where you are)
building friendships outside of Refilwe Community
I am quite sick with a virus. Today I am trying to be Brave for Birthday festivities but I am definitely not well. Really would like to be feeling better before Monday.
Would you Please start praying about possibly financially supporting me for next year? I know its 6 months away from now but I think its good to start praying about such things early. Ill be starting new again next year for funds and I could really use your help!

Birthday Present! After 18month they are finally taking away the car I "burned" Really no need for " " because I did...

Trying to Finish the Day and write reports with no Power

Brotherly love

Tiny T

Counted up the Cost..

I'm saying yes to You
And no to my desires
I'll leave myself behind
And follow You

I'll walk the narrow road
'Cause it leads me to You
I'll fall but grace
Will pick me up again

I've counted up the cost
Oh, I've counted up the cost
Yes, I've counted up the cost
And You are worth it

This song basically sums up today for me. I think there is a cost that comes with serving Jesus. I think there is a cost in being a missionary. I think there is a cost to living in South Africa. Sometimes times I don't notice. Sometimes there are things that I think about briefly and wont think about it for a couple more months. Then there are moments like this week where I deeply consider moving back to America. Is Jesus really worth it? 

 Yes, I've counted up the cost
And He is worth it

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 John 16:33

 On Thursday I got a call from home that my Mom’s Drs have decided Not to go through with the last treatment. My mom’s kidney is already shutting down and they think the risks don’t outweigh the possibility that the drug will work. They will taper off her anti-rejection meds this week and let the kidney fail. She is not eligible for another transplant... My mom will have a new Dialysis port put in and mom my will go back on dialysis three times a week probably for the rest of her life. 

I cried most of Thursday

Sat pretty numb on Friday 

and now today feeling a bit hopeless 

 Whitney's Personal Thoughts:

For 15 years we have been fighting, looking towards a hope, and always had something that would be next. And now I just feel like there is nothing will make this better.  I feel discouraged,  defeated, and disappointment. Please don't get me wrong, my mom has 10+ years on dialysis, and I am very thankful for modern medicine, but its going to be really hard on her and my family.

Right now my current mood is I'm bit angry. If i had it my way I would be on a plane to California right now. But I believe that God is much bigger than my feelings and what I want. (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on my own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight Prov 3:5-6)
In order to go home, I would have to pull out of my internship with IA (Impact Africa) and there is no way I could do both, go home and the internship. I feel like God has asked me to be apart of IA but I also want to go home. My biggest fear always, is to be out of God will. So after many conversations with the Lord..

Ive been asked to stay here

Its a Cost.

Am I happy about this. No. Will I do it. Yes. Will I have a better attitude about it in a couple days. Hopefully.

 I am really thankful I serve a loving God who is completely sovereign and whom I can put my  faith in.  I know that he is a good good father. Being apart of God's awesome story here in SA is worth the cost of missing this time with my family. I want to listen, He is worth it 

Ill be heading back to the states in October for a couple weeks. Not too far away. : )

       Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.       

      Finally Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely. whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
      I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have received your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4: 4-13


 

God loves my mom.  God loves my family. and God loves Me. and Repeat

April Update

HI Family all over the World,

So I debated back and forth about writing a blog this month. I already posted my “shout-out” to a very special birthday close to my heart, and it’s been a pretty quiet month anyway….

-Then God started showing me just how much has happened this April.

Sometimes Brothers Make good Chairs

The Big boys playing with Rice

First Off, I got to represent El Roi at my Church’s Annual Easter Event in the Local Park.

I really appreciate City Life’s Statement as a church. “Showing the City of Joburg who Jesus is.”  I feel like a church we try to do just that. This one event takes place at the Local park closest to the church. We put on a FREE event for the whole neighborhood to bring their families to.  There was face painting, crafts, egg hunt, bouncy houses, raffle ect. Any donations and food proceeds went directly to the baby house. About 3,000 People came through and R20,000 ($1700) was raised!


It was cool  to be able to step out and represent El Roi on my own for the first time. : )

 I got to Share a bit with one of the new Aunties about what it means to follow Christ. It wasn't a  huge conversation or more than a couple of sentences really, but I was reminded that “Following Jesus” isn't always what I know it to mean.

A huge misconception everywhere, but here in SA too, is Jesus+.

Jesus + Good works
Jesus + Ancestry prayers
Jesus + praying to some founder guy (cult)
Jesus +  a blessing from a priest

And thats just off the top of my head of what I see in the communities out here. Jesus+ anything is not the Grace Gospel in the Bible. Christ offers a Free gift with no + and loves us unconditionally. Nothing we do changes that.

    For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one would scarcely die for a righteous person- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die.— but God shows his love for us in while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are  reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. more than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received reconciliation.  Romans 5:6-11

On April 15th we had our 12th adoption. Little S went to his forever family with a local placement here in SA. I am going to be 100% honest….. I didn't feel confident with this placement. It was my first time that i walked away from am adoption having to ask God, why? I still don’t know why God picked this family for little S. I look forward to hearing how God used S for his glory with his new parents.

Praying with Auntie Cindy Before Meeting his Family

Handsome Little Man

 We got a new baby! Little T was 6 days old when Nicole picked her up. She is now 11 days old.. Very sweet and very cuddly. Its been a long time since we have had a new baby and all of the aunties agreed that we needed a small and cuddly baby quick. None of our big babies are big snugglers lol

Sweet T

Happy Birthday L

Happy Birthday to you!

Prayer Requests:
Thanks for Praying with me for the things that are heavy on my heart.

- My Mom is still the same where she was last time. Just waiting on insurance for approve her last treatment. Hopefully we will know something soon. I am feeling much better about being here in SA. Thank you for praying for my anxious heart.
- I am still raising funds for a Car. I am hoping for Raise $10,000 USD. This will cover cost of the Car, Insurance, Petrol, etc. Every time I ask God about a car he says be still.. So Please pray with me as God’s timing will be perfect.

Princess C and I

- My Little Princess C is very small little girl. At 10 months old she only weights 5.5 Kg (about 11lbs) Her weight gain is starting to level out so the Drs took blood to do some tests. Every where else developmentally she is fantastic but very ity-bity. The mommy in me wants to smother her in kisses and let my heart panic but I’m trying not to. Something I Pray over her every night before bed is for God to give me wisdom and insight on how to care for her the best. Im hoping as an Auntie team that if there is something wrong we will catch it early and its a simple fix.
- Future Adoptions. We found out last week that some of our babies have some complications in their adoption process. That Ultimately means a longer stay at El Roi. I do realize that there are worse places that they could be but I think a forever home is even better.

Helping Auntie Evelyn Sweep

H Monkey Watching

K Monkey Watching

C monkey Watching

A Monkey Watching

A is rocking her outfit

Mud Play

Love this Kid

Really Proud of my brother learning to drive!

My Awesome Little Brother is killing it at Volleyball. He was moved up as a freshman to varsity. Super huge accomplishment! Surpassing his sister in the Volleyball world lol

Happy Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday To My Little Sunshine! 

I can't believe this picture was already from a year ago!   And a year ago I was holding your hand. A year ago I Sent you off to your family. Love you my sweet girl! 

Celebrating in my heart from South Africa! 

☀️🎶you are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me Happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.🎶☀️