Not for Sale

An lobolo was offered for me today, nobody has ever asked to buy me before. Guess there really is a first time for everything! A lobolo is an endowment made from a husband to the brides family. It’s a long process of negotiating and raising funds. Immediately when I realized what was happening, I thought about my father. No matter the offer, I know for a fact that my father would never sell me.

 For many families, daughters are looked at as more an a asset than a family member. Daughters are meant to be cherished, not sold. I spoke to my girls about this last week and I pray that it really sinks into their minds. The only one that can minister to these girls is the Holy Spirit. I can tell them a hundred times that God loves them, and that they are beautiful daughters of the most high King, but if your own father is willing to sell you for a couple thousand Rand and a few chickens, it doesn’t leave you feeling real loved. I fully know that I’m not qualified to speak to these girls. However, I know someone that is qualified because he experienced it all – the sting of rejection, the slap of betrayal, the soreness of abuse, and the pain of being denied. Jesus. He voluntarily experienced it first so that we would never walk alone again. 

This is what Princess Shine is all about – realizing and accepting an identity in Christ instead of the world. Today, another lady emailed me to say that she will decorate all the tables at the banquet. A couple more messaged me about where to bring dress donations and yet another asking where more help is required. I’ve been very impressed with the support from the community. I knew before planning Princess Shine that it would require lots of donations and support from individuals and organizations outside of CATCH. It’s been a (for the most part) mirthful process in planning this event, and I have only God to thank for the blessings he has laid along this brick pathway.

We had 103 children running around CATCH today for Gospel Club. They made cards for someone special in their life – many of them made cards for Mama Sue (the Executive Director of CATCH) which I thought was wonderful. I went for a long run… which felt amazing after resting my ankle for the past two months! This weekend I’m planning to run in a “park run”, which is a weekly run along a course over sandy, rocky and tarred terrain. I’m beginning to enter into a “faze of haze” because my time in SA is winding down quickly. Although, my returning flight consumes two days of traveling, so I’ll have plenty of time to process all my thoughts. I cannot wait for my Mom to experience South Africa, she will arrive in one week! Yippee!

This weekend is a stacked with birthdays, a few of the staff from CATCH and my brothers. Tj turns 24! I was just thinking today, when will we ever just accept the fact that life is short? Unless your prepared to sit in front of a large clock and watch the minute hand tick, tick, tick away… this life is going to only move faster and faster like a merry- go- round. Although not exactly, because merry-go-rounds make me sick.

“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” Matthew 6:34

xoxo