Arising Hope & Chili Jam

I haven’t posted for almost a whole week now! This past Friday I had some very special speakers come in and speak to my youth that I usually work with. They spoke with boldness and I was overcome with chills several times. One girl from is from Uganda and shared her testimony with them. She didn’t hold any part of her life back from these kids – she shared everything and I could see the walls coming down and the kids were really connected to the courage flowing from this girl. She began by sharing that she was born out of rape, and her mother didn’t want her so she tried to abort. The girl was born and her mother left her on the side of the road. She said, “The enemy tried to end my life many times, but he didn’t succeed”. She spoke out of Psalm 23 explaining that God restores us and leads us in new pathways. She went on, “You see, the enemy is in trouble now. I’m going to use my testimony for good, God has called me to share this redemptive story, God knew that one day I would be standing here and encouraging each and every one of you”. She had the kids stand up if they were born out of similar situations or out of wedlock and almost all of them stood and then we prayed for them. Her name is Hope.

After youth, the other speakers and myself went to a Women’s Conference. Ironically, the theme was Psalm 23 as well. This wasn’t your typical conference where you sit and listen to a speaker. We physically walked through Psalm 23. Each separate room represented a verse throughout the passage. We walked through cleansing, restoration, the giving and receiving of beauty for ashes, the anointing, and celebration of His goodness through dancing, worship and a beautiful banquet to conclude the night. Walking through the event with Hope was such a meaningful experience. She has really lived out this passage and walked through the valley of death, but through Jesus she has claimed her victory over death and is now rejoicing in the magnificent restoration.  

Bonga wrote my name in the sand :) Spelt phonetically

Herein lies my passion to write and share these amazing testimonies. Not to be ashamed of our past or where we have been but to wave it like a banner for all to see how God can heal and restore. He truly does make our paths straight. My heart has really been stirred for Mzamomhle, the informal settlement in which I’ve been working for the past four months. I spoke with a few people from my church and others in the community. It’s been very encouraging to hear them all say something similar – Gods doing something new in the place. Spiritual darkness and blindness is being cast off and hope is arising within this place. This morning, I went for a walk (alongside the ocean!) with a woman from my church. She shared more of the history with Mzamomhle and we prayed for leaders to arise. There is so much symbolism – let Hope arise!!

I also attempted to make chili jam! It turned out more like toffee.

Yesterday at CATCH, we had Bible club and then I went to some friends of mine – American missionaries from Florida – for supper. They are going back to the States one week after I leave, which will be bittersweet in many ways. Mom comes in less than three weeks! 

Cheers!

xoxo