World Vision AIDS Experience Tent- Will you be a WORLD CHANGER?

Last Friday, I headed to my church to start setting up for the World Vision AIDS tent Experience. I've spent the last five days volunteering at the tent. It has been an unbelievable experience. Words can't describe how God has used this opportunity to challenge my heart and grow my passion for HIS people in Africa in new ways.

I hope you had the opportunity to experience the AIDS tent for yourself, if you didn't you can visit worldvision.org/experience and go through a virtual tour.

AIDS IS KILLING PEOPLE EVERY DAY, BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS ALSO DESTROYING NATIONS AND COUNTRIES ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

DAILY PEOPLE ARE DYING AND

MILLIONS OF CHILDREN ARE BECOMING ORPHANS DAILY.

THOUGH AIDS IS MORE THAN JUST A DISEASE

IT AFFECTS THE FUTURE OF COUNTRIES IN AFRICA

WITH WHOLE GENERATIONS DYING, NO ONE IS AROUND TO TEACH THE CHILDREN HOW TO PROVIDE, IE. FARMING, HERDING CATTLE, HYIGENE, ETC.

QUESTION:

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE #1 WAY THAT AIDS IS BEING SPREAD?

66% IS BEING SPREAD FROM MOTHER TO CHILD THROUGH BREASTMILK

SURPRISED?!?! I WAS

Though we can change was is ocurring. We have been given the power to do so, through child sponsoring and the purchase of caregiver kits and bikes to transport care

to those dealing with AIDS.

Christians and others have been partnering with WorldVision to become world changers.

Child Sponsorship

87% goes to the child and their community

13% goes to administrative costs

you can have the opportunity to visit your child

Caregiver Kits

providing the basic needs to a person facing AIDS

For more information visit worldvision.org

So are you going to be a world changer? I know I'm going to spend my life striving to be.

News from South Africa

As some of you may know, RIOTS broke out in South Africa about two weeks ago. The poor "black" South Africans are feeling threatened by the poor "black" African foreigners who have entered South Africa. They believe they have brought violence, drugs, and more unemployment to South Africa. Though, it may be partly true.

The true is that violence is occurring within South Africa and that those of people have been displaced from their homes. People who entered South Africa ten years ago or longer because of the violence and civil wars within their own countries and were searching for safety. Now are facing the same obstacles within South Africa.

Please pray for peace within South Africa and reconcilation between the "Africans."

Thank you!


38 days and counting until I depart for South Africa! Still waiting on receive my VISA in my passport. Pray that I will receive it soon without complications.

South Africa Here I Come!

Well that time is approaching us again. I want to first say thank you to each of you, who has decided to support me finanically and pray for me and the ministry God has laid before me.

Each time that I walked the road of fund-raising God sends new people in my life to bless what He is doing in South Africa by providing for me to return.

I am looking forward to this next adventure. I am planning staying at least a year in South Africa. I will be back at the Cape Town branch of YFC. Though the plans will be different this time. I will be living in a place of my own or rooming with someone, but not staying at the volunteer house. I will be assisting Rolf, the director, at the office by assisting with administrative work and then spending time counseling at the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

I am trusting God will be opening up additional doors while I am there. I have about $3,300.00 left to raise for this first year of my two year committment. If you would like to support what God is doing in South Africa, I would ask that you email me or call.

Please keep up to date with the Blog and I'll let everyone know my exact departure date the moment I do. Right now it's working on all the paperwork.

God bless you and may His light shine through everything you do.

Bringing Hope to the People of South Africa

Its the start of another year. With the New Year come those of us who make New Year resolutions to either lose weight, work on being a better friend, or make more time for our family...but who of us truly keep those resolutions.

Then there are those of us who reflect on the previous year and ask how we can make this year better than the last. For my family, this past year wa a year of heartache and hardships. I found myself wondering who would have I gotten through those difficult times without knowning about a Loving Father in Heaven who was there for me every step of the way. The truth is I don't think I would be writing this letter to you, if it wasn't for who God is in my life. God is everything to me! He's the reason that I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and a reason to keep pushing forward.

Though, it makes you wonder how those around us get through those difficult times when they don't know there is a Loving Father in Heaven who is there with His arms open wide waiting patiently to comfort them in their time of need. We can all think of at least one person, if not many who need a touch from our Heavenly Father during their time of heartache or hardship.

For the people of South africa, They are surrounded by heartache and hardship on a daily basis. It's easy to forget about them on the other side of the world, but I can't. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ and they ave a right to know about this Loving Father in Heaven who can comfort them and give them a sense of Hope that Only He can do!

God has called us as His servants to go and preach the Good News to all of His people, which include those in our neighborhoods, those we work with, and those half way around the world.

My heart aches for them to know the Hope that comes from having a relationship with our Loving Father. It's hard for me to sit here in the U.S. and not do anything about it. They deserve to know that there is more to this life than the hardships they face daily.

Every day that I am here is a day where I don't get to share God with those in South Africa. For a South African, a day is everything...Every 11 seconds a child becomes an orphan.. Daily children are going to school hungry.. 1 out 5 adults has AIDS...Daily children are burying their parents and learning to survive on their own.. This is what a day means in South Africa.

How can we not be moved to join in what God has called us to do?

Please join me in telling God's children of South Africa about the Hope found in Him, before it's too late and "Our Day" has passed.

Currently, I have about 50% of the first year raised to minister in South Africa. I am trusting God to send 25 people/families to join in supporting me $50 per month towards the Hope in Today for the people in South Africa!

Your Sister in Christ,
Natalie :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

It's amazing at times.. when you reach becoming 30 as I am today! Some people think that's old and I'm thinking my life has a lot of living left to do. Then I look at my friends and see how they've gotten married and having kids. I honestly would have never guessed I would still be single by 30. But I know that I'm doing what God wants me to be... and I can't argue about that.

So, I want to take a minute and reflect......

In my 30 years...
~ graduated college with a degree in Psychology
~ Been to Sicily, Italy, Tunisia, Africa, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland, Germany and Holland
~ Have traveled about 20 states in the US.. MA being my favorite
~ Been on two missions trips
~ have a loving family
~ awesome friends

Overall things have been a blessing in my life... Thank you to all who have contributed.

Love
Natalie

Prayer Request and Update

It's been forever since I was on here, but I thought I should start it up again. The job is going well and God is blessing me during my time there. I currently have 4 clients and possibly 3 more before the end of next week. I'm meeting with the other 3 for the first time next Monday, July 16th.



Also, if anyone comes across this before tomorrow at 4pm. I would ask that you would keep me in your prayers. I am driving to Waupaca to meet with Sally, a woman I met at the Rwanda genocide survival talk I attended a few weeks back. Sally and her family plan on going to South Africa this summer to be part of some missions work in the Durban area. We are meeting to discuss South Africa and also I will be speaking with her Missions Pastor and a few people from her congregation who are interested in South Africa and "feel" a calling on their lives towards South Africa. I'm grateful for this opportunity and ask that God would be present and ordain everything that is discussed.



That's all for now..

Are you Facing your "Giants?"

February 2007

Today, I watched the movie, “Facing the Giants”, it was an awesome movie and I would recommend it for everyone. God has been doing a lot in my life these past days and watching the movie brought some thoughts to mind. In the movie there is a football team who has been losing terribly and this puts the coach’s job on the line. He decides to take a leap of faith and surrenders his team and the season over to God. He teaches the team to look to God and to praise Him when they lose and when they win. God desires to be a part of everything we do and that His word is our weapon against the world. It’s our weapon when we face the “Giants” in life. Throughout the movie, God blesses the team and makes His name known. It’s not only the team who changes but the outlook within the community and the school, when God is put first. I won’t tell you the end of the movie; you’ll have to watch in for yourself. But know our God wins!

In South Africa, they face many “Giants” on a daily basis. Every 11 seconds a child in South Africa becomes an orphan because of AIDS. Within South Africa, one out of five adults’ ages 18-35 has AIDS or is infected with HIV. Weekly children are burying their loved ones and learning to take care of themselves and their siblings, and have the joy of being a child torn out of their hands. These are the “Giants” of South Africa, yet we serve a Mighty God. God spoke to the heart of David, and used him to take down a Giant. David was small in human standards, but he was BIG in God standards (1 Samuel 17). God is waiting at the door, though are you knocking? (Matt. 7:7-8).. Are we willing let Him in to assist with facing our “Giants?”

It’s easy to serve The Mighty One when things are going smooth in our lives, but when the “Giants” come, we run and hide. I refuse to hide anymore. I refuse to sit here vs. facing those “Giants” in front of me. And I refuse to not be used by God as voice to those who have faced Giants for many years with few picking up their “swords (the Word)” to fight with them. In Hebrews 4:12-13 it states, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints ad marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” God has called me back to His people in South Africa for a two-year term. I’m excited about this opportunity He has placed before me.

What I'm Thinking......

I can't believe that I've been home for slightly over two weeks already. Time flies. My head has been spinning since I got home. It's been great to see friends and spend time with family. I know some people have been wondering on when I'll be talking and sharing pics of my time in South Africa and I'm hoping that day will come soon, but I'm always game to talk about it before then. :)

Others have been asking when I'm heading back to South Africa... and that's where some of my mind spinning is coming from.. This is what I do know... that God broke my heart all over again when I was in South Africa this past trip for His people. I know He told me that He wants me to go back for 2 years. It's wierd to think I was telling God that I wanted some stablitity in my life and stay somewhere for a couple years, assuming it would be here in the states, but God had other plans.. Don't you love His sense of humor?!?!?! I do!

I've been offered three different jobs within YFC-South Africa. Two are in Cape Town, where I have been the past two trips and one is in East London, South Africa.. which is about 12 hours east of Cape Town. I would receive some sort of income, but would still have to raise support to return. The positions are brand-new, so the job descriptions/job prospals are to be written next month by the directors. But in all honesty, I'm not sure it what way God wants me to be going back to South Africa. That's where some of the spinning comes from too. I know that He is control and that He's in the middle of telling me what's going on.. but right now I need to focus and lean on Him. So, that's all I can tell you for now.

Thank you for your support and prayers.. keep those prayers coming...

Have a wonderful and blessed Holiday Season!!!

Love Ya

Thank you, God!

New Horizons

Unless you are willing

to launch out far from the sight

and safety of the shore

into the deep beyond

your present comfort zone,

you will never know what you are capable of becoming

or doing,

nor will you ever discover the new horizons

and greater dreams

your heart is yearning for.

God is continue His work in my life. It's been a hard week staying good-bye to so many people. People that have encouraged, inspired, stretched and blessed my life these past four months. I'm leaving a part of my heart behind, but it's encouraging knowning that I will be returning.

This morning God opened my eyes to see through His. Monday, is trash day at the house, and so the bin was set out for pick-up. Typically, local homeless people in the area, will dig through the trash looking for anything they can recycle or even eat. At times, I feared that I became numb to the site, but today God moved on my heart to bless them. So, I went to my room and grabbed the fruit I had bought the day before and walked across the street, handed them the food and told them God bless you. The two people thanked me in Afrikiaans. And I smiled back. My heart is heavy and yearning for the people here. I never understood how people could live overseas away from their family, but it's been evident that this is my family and God desires for me to see His children through His eyes.

Thank you God for these past four months. For opening my eyes, my heart, my soul and my ears to what you are teaching me. Thank you for molding my heart more into yours with each passing day. I pray that would our desire.

See you all soon.

Love ya!

I hope to maybe get one more entry before things get too hectic for me. But I wanted to share a few more pics with you. :P I hope you enjoy them. The top left pic: is my group (all the yfc volunteers for the past three months). The middle pic: a group pic of me with my GR-R class from Ysterplaat Primary School. I miss the kids terribly. It was so hard to say good-bye to them. The top right pic: is Lion's head, the 12 apostles and part of Table Mountain.. a view from Signal hill. One of the many reasons I love this country and love this city.. it's absolutely beautiful here. The next two pics: As you may know my sister, Stephanie, sent about 30 caps with me to South Africa. The kids in the pic are the farm kids that some of the volunteers spend time with. Most of the kids attend one of the schools that some of the volunteers teach at, Visserhoek. This past Tuesday, I had the privilege of blessing the kids with a hat. It was so cool and so much fun. I wanted you to see where they live and realize they had little or nothing, but they have the best manners of all the kids that I work with. They simply impress me. They were swapping hats back and forth after this pic and posing for more pics. It was so cute. I loved every minute of it! Today, when we went to Visserhoek to pick up the volunteers I saw a lot of the kids and they came running and gave me a big hug and one of them was even wearing a cap. The way they love you is breath-taking. It really makes you think was is truly important and loving these kids is. :) So, thank you Stephanie for all your hard work. I know I was blessed and so were the kids!!!!

Lastly, my days are winding down and I would ask that you would continue to keep me in your prayers that I find the time to get everything done that I need to complete. Also, I've been in a lot of pain from the car accident and stress lately, pray for healing, so I can make the long flight home without pain. Pray for a safe flight and a great last days. Thank you!

Love ya!!!

I thought I would add some pics... it's been a great four months. God has done some awesome things in my life. I look forward to seeing all of you once I get home... the top pic is my GR-R class and me from Yzterplaat. I'll so miss my kids.. the next pic is four teens from SOS Children's Village, Denzel; my leader, Lucky, Birgit; another volunteer from Germany and me. We went out to the movies and celebrated the end of the school year. We had a great time. The last pic is from the wedding I attended this past weekend. A good friend of mine, Elridge got married.

I will be arriving home on December 7 at 6:10pm in Appleton, assuming all my flights go smooth.. Please continue to keep me in your prayers at my time ends.. For my long flight home.. and for the pain that I'm still suffering from the car accident almost three weeks ago. Thank you!

Less Than Two Weeks

It's been a little bit of whirl-wind experience since I got back to Cape Town. It's been good spending time with the rest of the volunteers. On Tuesday evening, Lucky arrived to spend five days in Cape Town, before I head home. It's been good to have him here. The school year is winding down for us, due to it being year-around school. Classes end next Friday, which seems so soon.
I can't believe that my four months here is coming to an end. It's been a great four months. I've learned so much about myself, and God's plan for my life within South Africa. I don't know all the details yet, but I do know that I am coming back and when I do it will be for about 2 years. Which is a little hard for me, when I told myself that I would never live overseas, but I've learned when you tell God never, He changes it to happening..lol :P But in all honesty this is home.. and I believe that for this season in my life, THIS is where I'm suppose to be.
God has been showering me with His love in mighty ways lately. And I can't help but smile from ear to ear!
Thank you for your prayers and support. I know that because of you, that I can head home knowning God completed what He set aside for this time.
Love Ya!!

It's my first chance to actually update you since I arrived in Jo'burg last week Monday. A lot has occurred since my last update. The flight here was a little rough, but it's been good being here and spending time with Lucky. On Tuesday and Thursday last week, I went to the prison with Lucky and his crew and had a good time, doing lifeskills and team building with the juvenile boys that are awaiting trial. I'm going to miss going to the prison.. Tuesday was my last day there. On Wednesday, I went to Amakahya, which is an YFC orphanage for street children, with the other volunteers here and helped sort donated clothes all day. On Friday, I hung out at the YFC training center and then Friday night i hung out with my friend, Joke'. It was going to be a girl's night... But on our way home from getting the pizza and movie we were waiting to turn right and as the light was red and we were proceeding through.. a drunken driver ran through the red light and hit the rear wheel on the passenger's side of the car. We spun twice before we stopped. I suffered severe whip-lash, but I didn't go to the hospital. I"m doing better by today, but still in pain. Joke' was fine. Because he hit my side, I was hurt the most. It was so scary.. Pls let everyone who has been praying for me that I'm grateful for their prayers. The car was considered totaled.. and Joke' is driving a rental at the moment. On Saturday, the Jo'burg office had a benefit breakfast to raise support for Amakayha, is was very nice. Then in the afternoon we, the Jo'burg international volunteers and Lucky, went to Soweto, which is the biggest township in South Africa and where Lucky and his family lives. He took us to one of Nelson Mandela's houses and the Hector Pieterson Museum, which tells about Soweto's history... Then we went and met his grandparents, friends, and brother. I got to see where he lives too. His friends were very sweet and embraced me with open arms when they found out that I'm Lucky's woman.. and his brother is happy for both of us, which put a smile on my face. I really didn't get to talk with his family because we were with the volunteers, plus that was suppose to happen on Sunday, but it didn't. On of Lucky's friends aunt passed away and the funeral was on Sunday, so I attended the funeral with him in Soweto and then hung out with him and his friends after the funeral till about 5pm. It was a good time in Soweto. It's not a place that typically white will go, actually they will avoid it because they are afraid, but I felt safe during my time there. Actually, Lucky's friends didn't want me to leave Soweto, it was sweet. They want me to come back... and I just might. :P So, that's my time here in a nutshell. Things are still going well between Lucky and me. On Wednesday we went to the Constitution Hill Museum, which was an active prison for males and females, white and non-white until 1983. It is also where all Constitutional matters are conducted. Yesterday, I arrived back home in Cape Town. I'm happy to be back. I've missed the ocean, my girls and everyone else. I hope this msg finds everyone doing well.

Time in East London

It's been a whirlwind of experiences since I arrived here in East London. Staying with Mike, the director of YFC-East London and his wife, Zena has been a wonderful experience. They recently changed their garage to a bed and breakfast place, so I'm staying in one of the rooms by myself. I truly feel blessed and spoiled here. I've had more time to spend in God's presence these past two weeks and God has been speaking to me like crazy and it's awesome!Last week, I went to two schools where they are teaching peer education. The first school I went to I was in three classes. We opened it up for the kids to discuss whatever topic, which opened doors for me to share the gospel with them which was awesome. Praise God! The next day at the second school, I got to share with them about living in the US. I love the questions you get.. Kids are funny. Though this past week was an experience I'll never forget. I spent four days and three nights in a rural Xhosa village.Let me set the scene for you.... I staying in a small house made out of cement that had a metal roof, which leaked sometimes when it rained. The bathroom was an outside toliet and there was no running water. We used the rain water to do everything; cooking, cleaning and bathing. They only had a two burner unit for cooking and no oven. I stayed with Zandi, who works for YFC and grew up in the village, but doesn't live there anymore. We stayed with her brother's family. To make a long story somewhat story.. I learned what is truly going on in South Africa. There was probably about 150 houses/shacks in the village. 23 people within the village have AIDS and I'm sure there's more that don't even know they have AIDS. Zandi graduated with 22 people in her class and only three are still alive the rest of passed away from AIDS (Zandi is a little older than me). But the main experience was seeing how people are trapped in bondage in these villages and they are everywhere in South Africa. Zandi, like many South Africans, believe that you can be a Christian and still be a part of the ancestoral traditions. I experienced it first hand as her mom was preparing African beer for a celebration that was happening at the end of the week. The celebration consisted of inviting people from the community to enjoy the beer as they also placed some in the cow pen for the ancestors to enjoy. I got to be near my first witch doctor, who was present for the celebration, but not there for ceremonial purposes. The night before I had gotten a horrible headache that I couldn't shake.. I was under spiritual attack. I was glad that we were leaving that day. My spirit was wrestling the moment I arrived and Zandi shared her views on religion with me. I was respectful to her family during my time there and am grateful for the experience. God spoke to me BIG time after my time there. 2 Chron. 7:14, where it talks about if my people will pray, seek my face, humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and heal their land. That is God's desire for this country. That people will come to know the one true God, realizing they can't worship two. I attended the school in the village for a day and got to spend time time in the gr-r, gr-1 and gr-7 class. I found out that one of the kids in the gr-r class passed away during the time i was on the village. It rained most of the week and she caught the flu and her immune system was too low for her to fight it off and she already was suffering from AIDS. In the end, she didn't make it. My heart broke again. God has used this experience to OPEN my eyes to what is truly going on in the spiritual realm. The headache did pass after Mike, the director from YFC-East London, anointed me with oil and him and his wife, Zena, prayed over me.
These past two weeks have been a great experience for me. On Monday, I leave for Johannesburg, where I'll be spending 10 days there with Lucky. I'll be meeting his family and probably be going back into the prisons where they do team building and lifeskills with the juvenile boys. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. Thank you!
So, what is God saying to you? I'd love to hear. Take Care! Love Ya!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to present the new children on the SOS Children's Village with hats that my sister, Stephanie, made and sent with me to share with the children here in South Africa. The hats are beautiful and it's was awesome to see the smiles on the kids faces when they received them. Within most of the hats there is a cross that was placed inside, to remind the kids how much God loves them. :P
Thanks for blessing them, Stephanie!

Lastest Update.... are you sitting down for this one... ?!?!

I'm not sure where to start.... so much has happened...I had a great time at the conference in Jo'berg... it was great reconnecting with old friends and meeting new friends. I love being there and worshipping in some other tongue than my own. Here's the big news... are you sitting down for this one??? I met someone... it would take me forever to write you his story... but I'll try to make it as short as Natalie can.. which we know is almost impossible...
His name is Lucky and he's Zulu. Black and ery good looking, hence the pic...He has been working for YFC for the past 4 years in there prison ministry, where him and his group head into two different prison and teach lifeskills to the juvenile boys. He's extremely passionate about the ministry that he is involved with. He's 26 and will be 27 in Jan. But here's the part that has put your daughter/sister thinking...

Lucky's story.... Lucky grew up in a squater's camp the first 20 years of his life.. that means no running water, no electricity and many times he didn't have food to eat, while living in a shack made of metal and newspaper on the walls for insulation. He would wake up very early in the morning to walk 45 minutes to an hour in all conditions to school. For him, education was key and he was determined to finish. At times, food was so little, that he would get something to eat, but his parents would go hungry... He's real dad was never a part of his life, but his step-dad was everything a father is meant to be. He encouraged Lucky in everything he did and always reminded him how important God and family are. His step-dad passed away about 6 years ago, but has forever left footprints in his life... Though, God had other plans for Lucky's life.. He was prophesied over at a young age and was told he would do great things for God's kingdom, but would have to overcome many battles in his life. At the age of 20, his family moved out of the squater's camp and to Soweto, which is a big city south of Jo'berg. The city ranges from nice houses to shacks. It was a huge move for his family, but one they needed to make.. Lucky took me to the squater camp that he grew up in this past Tuesday.. while we were there he talked about how suicide is a weekly thing there and while we were at the conference a lady had hung herself. After school, he had a few side jobs assisting with physical therapy for the elderly people. Then one of his best friends encouraged him to join him in taking a computer class that YFC was offering in their job creation program. It was the door opener for Lucky.. He liked what he saw and decided to apply for a position within YFC. His friend assisted him in writing his CV/resume'. After turning it in, he called to set up an interview but found out that he had already been accepted for the position. He has been with YFC ever since. Our lives are so different, but yet.. I fell a sense of connection to him.

We spent a lot of time together at the conference getting to know each other.. During the conference, twice Lucky and I woke up to go hiking by 5:30am. We would hike the mountain for about 30 minutes and then we would spend time in God's presence and talking about scripture... I loved those mornings, it was so beautiful up there.

Back to my updates....

After the conference... I spent Friday- Sunday with Joke'.. we spent time at her parents place and did some sight-seeing on Saturday... then Mon-Tues.. I spent with Lucky/yfc-Jo'berg... I met Lucky Monday morning and we grabbed a taxi (a big van that the local blacks/colored people use, those taxi drivers can be scary drivers.. and it's something that white people don't use). Then we went to downtown Jo'berg and then caught another taxi to head to the training center where I would be spending the evening, so I could go with him to the prisons on Tuesday. After the second taxi, we arrived at another mall and then walked from there to training center, going through the squater's camp that he lived in. It was hard for me to be in there and see how he lived for most of his life.. I met his nephew, who's about 2 while I was there and several other people. Of course, I felt very white there, but I felt safe with Lucky. Then in the afternoon on Monday, we went to Amakaya, which is an orphanage for street children. In all honesty, I think it's not the best place. Then we just hung out the rest of Monday.. Tuesday we left the training center at 5:45am to walk 30 minutes back to the taxis. From there the taxi took us back to downtown Jo'berg and then we met up with the rest of the group and grabbed another taxi that would take us near the prison. Once we were dropped off, we walked about 30 minutes before we arrived at the prison.. The taxis didn't come any closer to the prison. The prison is huge and it's an all male prison. We went through 10 check points before we got to the area where the boys were. Then we had about a group of 20-30 of them join us in a room where we taught lifeskills.. On Tuesday, we read motivation/thinking stmts and then expanded on the meaning of them.. Lucky pretty much leads the group and had me be a part of teaching too, even though I didn't know that was going to happen until we had already started.. :) I really enjoyed my time there.. and according to Lucky on Thursday when they went back, the boys were asking where I was. The funny part was that some of the boys wanted me just to do the talking, because they liked listening to my accent. :) Then in the afternoon, we went to the international office, so he could take care of some paper work.. Joke' picked me up afterwards.. Joke' and I spent Wednesday doing some sight-seeing in the morning (african museum and market theater) and then I spent the afternoon with Lucky. And then that evening Joke' and I went to the movies and saw The Devil wears Prada, which was a good movie.. Then Thursday I flew back to Cape Town..

I hope to be making a trip back to Jo'berg and have shorten my time in East London to two weeks very three.. plus Lucky is talking about coming to Cape Town for five days the end of Nov.

So, that's my life in the past few weeks... lol I know a lot...

Love Natalie :P

Update

The picture is Mavis, a volunteer with Options, and me at U-Buntu. U-Buntu is a house where adoptive babies stay during the 60-day wait period, where mother's can change their mind during this time period. There was about 15 infants the day we went. Most were 5 months old or younger. I wanted to take them all home with me. :P
Things have been going pretty crazy the past week or so. I realized this week that there was a problem with my visa.. but it seems according to home affairs that everything is taken care of. I just need to confirm with a guy from home affairs, who is almost impossible to tract down.
Last weekend one of our vehicles was stolen, luckily we have a tracking device on it and located it within the biggest township within CT in about an hour after it was reported stolen. It took us until Wednesday to get it back.. And then my visa mishap was enough for this week.
I leave for the conference on Sunday and then spend some time in Johannesburg after the conference.. Then I'm back in Cape Town for nine days and then I leave for East London, which is along the east coast about 12 hours from here and will work there for three weeks in YFC doing their peer pressure education within the schools. It will be an exciting time and I know probably a stretching time too. Then when I come back the 12th of November. I have about three weeks left and then I head home.. Craziness..ah... my life is always busy...
Hope to hear from you soon... Love ya!!

Prayer Request

Yesterday I noticed on my passport that they stamped it for only 3 months and overlooked my visa that enables me to be here for 7 months. I'm in the middle of going around and around with Home Affairs to get things sorted out. Please keep me in your prayers. It should be a simple thing, but we have hit a lot of road blocks along the way. God is always present and seems to be testing me. Luckily I saw it before I started traveling around South Africa. I leave for the conference on Sunday, so join in praying it will be solved before then. Thank you for your prayers. They are greatly appreicated. Love ya!

Be Encouraged.....

This morning was a great day! We had a staff mtg as usual, but God moved in a mighty way today... the staff mtg typically starts with a time of worship that I always enjoy.. worshipping God in other languages.. then a time from the Word... which was awesome... We talked about John 2 (water to wine) and how we are vessels for God and need to be fill by him on a daily basis... How the waterpots that were used for the water that became wine, was the same waterpots that we used for feet-washing, just as Christ washed the feet of the disciples, we are to wash the feet of those around us... Then I meet two wonderful woman from the states, who are here from YFC USA and another organization who are dedicated to serve the women and youth of the nations. They are spending time here in South Africa and other Southern African countries, where they are ministering to the youth and especially the women of the nations. Rene, who I met, is a black woman from TN, with a beautiful heart. We started talking during our coffee break from the meeting on how I ended up in South Africa.. then I got to share with her my passion and heart for the women of the nations.. and God opened the door for us to be in contact when I return to the states.. because it's not only passion, but Rene's passion too, and it is also a desire that God is moving among the women she has been in contact with back in the states. Recently, Norma, who was my teacher and dear friend, when I went through the pregnancy counseling training last time, had coffee/lunch together and we were discussing my future.. and I told her my heart.. but many times I'm asked how I'm going to get there.. and I simply answer that I'm not sure, but I'm trusting God. It was awesome to spend time with Rene and see a glimpse of light in the dream God placed in my heart many years ago and to see a new door before me. There is a time and a place and reason for everything.. I truly believe that me and Rene meeting today was one of those moments and so does she. God is so awesome!

I had the wonderful opportunity to pray for three people today within the YFC family this morning.. and it was good to be used by God to not only bless within the projects/programs, but to bless those around me. I know that God has blessed me with a heart of prayer and it was evident today that I need to get back into putting that gift to use. God is revealing Himself in a mighty way today! Praise be to His Name!

I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged. Thank you for everything. I love you!

Top Left : Me at Yzerplaat Primary School, playing with the kids outside (pre-school age)
Top Right: Having fun at the house with the other volunteers
Next Pic: Rota and Me from the primary school
Next Pic: Part of Khayelshia, the biggest town-ship within Cape Town (about a million people live in this township)
Last Pic: Look closely and you might see the whale. :P Whale-watching in Hermanus.