Author:
Kristine Magbanua
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Date Posted: 13:41:45 04/21/04 Wed
Dear Friends and Family,
I would just like to let you know briefly how I am doing. I've been sick the past couple of days with the flu so it has been a bit hard with all the ministry. But God is good. There were times taht I really wish I had my mom here to take care of me. But we all have to learn some independence some time! Co-leading was a bit hard at first, trying to find the balance between not being the leader and yet not being a student either. But Arlen has been a good leader and improved communication between the both of us and really imposing my leadership role on the others as weel, both spiritually and practically.
Last week we spent at the All Africa Bible College running through a quick course in preparation for the Life Skills training program. Just brainstorming ideas on how to make the lectures more interactive, etc... It was good to see the other teams as well.
We came to the township of Mpumalanga on Saturday. We're staying at a bakery-turned-to-church. The girls in the pastor's office and the guys in another room. There is only one shower which is in the guys' bathrooms (so we have to post a sign on the door if girls are showering) and there is no hot water. I received the Zulu name "Nobuhle" (pron. Nobuchle) which means beautiful and precious. The Zulu's are thrilled when I speak Zulu with them and even more so that I have learned to respond to my given name.
We went to the church called Here's Life Ministries and were introduced formally there. We sang a song and met the people afterwards.
Monday we handed out flyers in the community. It was so hard because I had the sniffles, starting up a flu, was feeling weak and it was really hot and dusty. Didn't really help. But God is my strength in my weakness.
yesterday we went to a high school in the area. We did a drama called Moby during the assembly (I was told that more or less there were 1000 students gathered there) and Arlen and Kim spoke to them. Arlen shared about the Life Skills Program and shared what we were doing there as a team and Kim gave a testimony. After that we broke up into three teams I was with ben and Anna and we went to classrooms and shared there. Apparently, the Zulus fancy brownskinned, Asian people. I was hugged, smiled at, stared at (well, we all were - it's also not often that they see white people) and asked to sign their shirts. But they all thought I was Chinese. They don't see a lot of Asians I assume. But more awesomely was our times in the classrooms. We each shared our testimonies and I kind of wrap it up by preaching towards the end before we left. I could the spirit move and anoint our tongues as we spoke. It seems that the topics that hit them the most was the Father heart of God and Love.AIDS is the main killer of the Zulu youth because at a young age the sexual promiscuity begins. We shared the difference between real Love (which is God's idea of love that He sent Jesus to earth) and lust - which is selfishness. Also, many grow up without a father because their fathers either abandon them or can never see them if he works at a different locality. We had questions such as "how do I have friendship with God?" and "what made you choose the path of life?" or "do Christians believe in love?" other teams had a girl ask them "what if I want to be a Christian but my friends will make fun of me?" It opened such a door of opportunity with us to share further the love of Christ and the fulfillment and purpose that they can have in life through Him. they were all so interested in the fact that they can have friendship with God. However, we all felt that our main purpose there was to sow seeds. So with my team we just shared with them how they can share the sinner's pray andjust pray that they would seek Christ more for themselves. Some tricky questions were questions about Christianity and ancestor worship. It was an amazing time because they were all so open to receive the gospel. Please pray for those ones who are seriously considering following Christ.
This was all in the morning, in the afternoon we went out again to give out more flyers. Apparently, the main issues here in South Africa are unemployment and AIDS. AIDS is killing the present generation, and unemployment - the others. So with the Life Skills program we are not only helping them spiritually, but also practically. This is only to help them and equip them for finding a job, however, not provide the job itself. But I have heard that many received Christ during these empowerment courses.
I think even Auntie Thelma would be proud to find out that I am learning to cook for 10 people! That's one of my jobs. To ensure that the team is eating, also figuring out a dinner for us. Breakfast and lunch are basic foods such as cereals and bread. It's dinner I have to worry about. I team up with Brianna who is also our accountant about what we can come up with and we just let Arlen know and he gives us the go signal to buy the stuff and to cook the meal.
I think my main challenge is really finding dependency on God during times like these when I am sick, because I have to learn to rise above it. Being away from all the comforts that I know - a comfortable bed instead of the floor. A warm shower instead of a cold one in a not-so-clean bathroom. A mother instead of having to heal myself... so on and so forth. But when i think of all the things that Christ has gone through to prove His love for me, then these things don't seem much of a sacrifice after all, if only to prove to Him that I love Him. It's really laying down the comforts that I know and receive the life that He has for me. He's teaching me that either I follow Him all the way and lay down my life, or not at all. I don't want to be a half-baked Christian. I want to embrace all that He has for me. And if this is what it takes, then I will say "amen, Lord. So be it."
One prayer item I do ask from you. My paternal grandfather in the Philippines is dying of cancer. We don't know when. The hard thing for me will be to go through the grieving process alone. Please pray that I will be able to say "He gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." and to be able to say it with a whole heart.
Please also pray for these:
For protection when we are walking around the community
Good health to continue
Good communication between me (as co-leader) and Arlen as the leader
For team unity to push through constantly
Renewed vision for all of us to received God's heart for this township
That we would all make a difference and an impact in people's lives for God's kingdom
And for His glory to fall and rest upon the township of Mpumalanga
I will try and connect with all of you again next week. Thank you for your continued prayer and support for me and God's will for my life. i will try somehow to let each one of you know how much I appreciate you.
For now, "The Lord bless you and keep you. May He cause His face to shine upon you and may His favor rest on you always."
With love
Your sister in Christ,
Kristine
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