Monday Maddness...

Today we're headed home...we'll have a short stop off in Port Elizabeth to check out an African Market...then it's Port Elizabeth...Johannesburg...DC...Atlanta...Please pray for safe travels!!!

We don't want to leave...but can't wait to share our stories when we get home!

XoXo,
Becca, Matt & Rich

Sunday Service...

Sunday was our final full day in Africa - hard to believe our time here has come to an end so quickly. We know we've all made fast friends.

Today we went to the church that partners w/ Ithemba. Gavin and Lindsay were honored along with Rhea...they announced the upcoming completion of the safe house.

I think the best part of this day was the worship. I always love it when you get to watch another culture embrace this art...we started w/ Come Now is the Time to Worship - an old favorite of mine...and then jumped in to some Tomlin, Hillsong and Redman...mixed in with some songs in Afrikans. It was awesome.

The pastor spoke on leadership and the importance of empowering the next generation leaders...it was a new concept for them to consider...which was thought provoking in it's own right. I have been around this type of thinking for so longer, it was good to be reminded that some people don't naturally see the importance of legacy leadership, intentional apprenticeship, and empowerment of good ideas...failing forward if you have to do so.

My prayer is that the leaders of this church will embrace the opportunity they have to change the culture in Jeffreys Bay by serving one another regardless of which township one lives in...that is my hope...that they will embrace and continue to empower others to meet the needs - both financial and education - of the kids at Ithemba and the township they live in.

Matthew 5:
¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Shine,
Becca, Matt & Rich...

Lions, Giraffes & Tigers...Oh boy!

Today was a fun day - to rest, relax and process all that we saw this week...and of course to take in some of the local atmosphere...and all things Africa :)

The boys got up early and headed out to catch the "best waves" and then came back in time to pick the girls up and head downtown for a fabulous brunch at inFoods...the best coffee in town. We then trekked out to a Lion Park and drove through "the wild."

It was super cool - we will definitely have to post some pics. I think the Lions and the Giraffes were crowd favorites, but we also saw a baboon, wildebeest, warthogs, tigers, and zebras, springboks & deers w/ stripes (not sure what those were.) Some of us even braved the lion pen and played with the animals (supervised of course...so fun!) However the funniest site is fitting 8 of us in a hatchback wagon...we definitely look like a clown car :)

We ended the day we a great Greek inspired dinner and a good conversation. We have definitely all made new lifelong friends on this journey.

Tomorrow we will head to church to worship with our new South African friends.

Til tomorrow...

Becca, Matt & Rich

Least of These...

Friends,

Our time at Ithemba is coming to a close - but as a group we have decided this is not "goodbye"...instead it's a "til next time."

Our time here has been truly life-changing. I don't think any of us will walk into a Target, or grocery or department store, or even our own home with the same eyes we came with...there has definitely been an internal shift - a change of mindset. I hope that when we find ourselves wrestling with contentment, we now have a name and a face of someone we've met that is currently living with so much less and has a joy and peace that is contagious.

We started the day as we have many others - playing with kids - just lovin' on them, playing beauty parlor, pool, kicking the ball, throwing football, hula hoops, etc...but something was definitely special about today knowing it would be our last...bittersweet. I spent most of my time playing with Asum, Mary & Lisacahze - they are some of the ones that have captured my heart. Unfortunately, it was too wet to do our fun day/field day - so we left the toys w/ the teachers to do when it warms up. After we put the kids down for nap time, we headed over to SuperTubes to watch the waves roll in and pick up some lunch.

After lunch, we headed back over to Ithemba to play games and say our goodbyes. A couple of the boys, Simphiwe and his cousin, gave us a tour of the township where they live. (The city is divided into three - the whites, the coloreds, and the blacks.) They live in the black community which is the poorest of the three. I can't begin to put into words what we saw. As we walked, we handed out sandwiches we had made to the kids we met and I prayed alot as we walked the area. I know our God is good and He is Sovereign, but sights like today still wreck my heart with questions of mercy and justice. I think the hardest part was knowing that Precious, an orphaned HIV positive kid that goes to Ithemba, was running into one of the shanties we walked by. I just wanted to scream out her name, scoop her up, and take her home. (I will post a pic of her later that will melt your heart.) Leaving her behind was hard.

Another moment that will be forever etched in my mind was Matthew walking up to this cute little boy, laying on his belly with his head propped up on a picnic table bench just staring at us as we walked by - and as soon as he saw Matt's hand out with a sandwich just for him, he's eyes and body perked up and he jumped down and took it and then smiled at Matt and gave him a high five...and then took a big bite. As his sister, it was a very proud moment. The smile on Matt's face was just as precious as the kids...so rewarding to have witnessed it...for that I am grateful.

My Richie Rich moment of the day was watching him with as many kids as could fit in his lap watching cartoons off in the corner with some of the afternoon kids. He was just giggling along with 'em - very cute.

I am not quite sure what to do with all we have seen and heard today. I take comfort in the fact that safe house is almost done and some of the children will have a place to go to and perhaps have a chance at a life of possibilities and choices.

For now, I am just pondering what these verses and hoping God will continue to show us where and how to stand in the gap and do for those who can't do it for themselves.

Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV)

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Micah 6:8 (NIV)

⁸ He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

With grateful hearts,

Becca, Matt & Rich

Thursday...a little delayed...

Hi guys...

Sorry I wasn't able to update the blog yesterday...I was down and out with a mild case of the flu and didn't get a chance to post. I am feeling MUCH better today. However "Londsay" is still battling a major case of the flu mixed with a bacterial infection...so we spent most of yesterday resting while the rest of our team spent the morning at Ithemba and the afternoon assembling the pencil kits we bought for the kids.

As I had closed the previous blog...it was wet, windy, & cold here and we were wondering how the kids were surviving the night. Well, Ithemba was pretty vacant on Thursday. A lot of the kids didn't have dry clothes to wear and usually spend the day after the rain helping their parents get the water out of their house. It's typically a low attendance day. I just can't imagine it. Wait til you see the pics we've taken. There are no words...just heartache...and a longing for justice.

The shining moment that everyone came home talking about was the fact that the car we are riding in died...and so the guys had to push start it with the help of some kids from Ithemba. Finally, a good Samaritan that lived in the township wanted to help them. After trying to help them push start it, he drove back to his house and picked up jumper cables and finally got the guys going. The team was so grateful.

I think that one moment illustrates to me how I wish the world was. What would it look like if we all just took a moment to stop and meet the needs of the person right in front of us? It's so easy to go on with our busy lives and just easier pretend we don't see it for fear of having to get involved in something that may take more of our time, money, energy, effort. Who knows...but if we all just did it - I think the world would be a much better place...and in that simple act of selflessness, we would learn more about ourselves, our God, and humanity in the process.

For not feeling my best...God sure did show me a great lesson. I am thankful for Thursday.

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

Grace and Peace,

Becca, Matt & Rich

PS - Please pray that God will heal Lindsay aka Londsay.

Rainbows...

Hi friends,

Today we are wrapping up another awesome day at Ithemba-one that ended with a beautiful rainbow (we saw a few today) that started in the bay and ended in the township we have been serving in. For me, it was comforting to have God show up in that way-a reminder that He is a Covenant God and He will keep His promises. One day He will wipe every tear we've seen and rejoice in every smile we've encountered. Until that day comes, we count it a blessing to be alongside these children, at this point in time, as our stories are interwoven by a masterful storyteller who knows how it will end.

For me today was a hard day-i am coming down with the flu (a lot of the children have runny noses and a few you can tell are sick)...other teammates are also feeling a little run down-so please keep our health in your thoughts and prayers. On a brighter note, the pharmacy here is great and they were able to give us some good meds and we stayed in tonight and rested.

Aside from the health issues, we still pressed in and had a GREAT day at Ithemba. We awoke earlier this morning than previous days so that we could arrive at Ithemba to feed the kids breakfast which was a treat. When they broke for classroom time, we headed to the mall to buy them some special treats. We decided to do a fun-day/field day for the kids Friday and needed supplies to prepare. As we mentioned yesterday, we've observed some basic needs we have felt the Lord lead us to meet...so we bought "back to school" pencil boxes and filled them with the basics for each child-pencils, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, rulers with stencils, stickers, etc. We can't wait to assemble the gifts and give them to the kids!!!

We also noticed a need for underwear-some kids have accidents and nothing to change in to-so we bought up a nice reserve for the teachers to have on hand. It is so humbling to see the basic needs we take for granted to sometimes go unmet-so we are all so happy to help.

After our trip to the mall we grabbed some lunch and headed back to Ithemba to power wash the fence (Yeah Matt and Ben-it was a HUGE job to do in the cold semi-wet day we had today.) We hope to paint it on Thursday or Friday if the weather cooperates.

While the men were on fence duty, the girls played with the kids and helped finish the canvases that will be for sale.

After wrapping up our day, Lindsay,Katie,Jess and I drove through the township to drop off one of the kids -Timba-at home. Picture dirt roads with wood or metal leaned together (like what you saw in the movie Slumdog Millionaire) and in the "nicer" area 10X20 feet concrete boxes with dirt floors.

As I am hunkering down in my four blankets on this wet, cold & windy night, I can't help but let my mind wander to the kids on that dirt road I drove down just five hours ago-wondering how they will survive the windy, wet, cold night on a dirt floor without the luxury of heat or an extra blanket to keep them warm. Please pray for them.

Ephesians 3:19-21.

In His Grip,
Becca, Matt & Rich

P.S. Rich paid me to say this; Rich won Dutch Blitz and Gavin lost.

Potato Chip, Potato Chip, Crunchy Crunchy...

I love Jesus a bunchy, bunchy. YES - that chant will get stuck in your head. It's what we're all saying as I type this blog...made ya read it tho...didn't it?

As a recap, today has been another amazing adventure...from the guys adventure of sunrise surfing (ask Rich about his stitches) to singing w/ the kids, painting canvases, & meeting some new friends...it's been another incredible day here in Jeffreys Bay.

We started this morning with another devotional Oswald Chambers...what it looks like to walk in His presence day by day, minute by minute. The message quite timely as we look to serve the kids moment by moment. We arrived this morning at Ithemba to the kids sitting at their desks working on their letters and taking their vitamins. We then broke for playtime where you could hear songs of "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes...Father Abraham...If You're Happy and you Know it Clap your Hands"...that quickly transitioned into games like Simon Says & Red Light, Green Light.

Favorite Moments today:

1. Watching Rich do basketball tricks with boys

2. Watching Matt get the kids ready for nap time (see pic)...it's CRAZY - to hear the room go from

a loud roar to a silent whisper in less than a minute

3. The girls put on a show for us that is a traditional African dance to drums...pics to come

4. The most impactful thing we have been chewing on today is how the kids share so easily with one another considering they have NOTHING...especially when it comes to meals outside of Ithemba. Today, during snack time - popsicles were the treat - and it's so fun to watch the kids run around sharing with them not only with their friends at Ithemba, but also with us. It's crazy. How come we have so much trouble SHARING back home when we have so much? And these kids who don't know where their next meal is coming from (outside Ithemba) and they will not only share with their friends, but also the bum on the street peeking his head in. It's truly amazing.

During lunch, we took some time to continue our debrief from thoughts shared yesterday. We were able to identify a few needs we're going to try to meet while we're here: underwear, socks/shoes, pencils, crayons, paper, soccer & basketballs. We also did some brainstorming for LUO fundraising efforts once we're back in the states - if you want to help out...ask us!

After lunch, we started working on the canvases...so FUN!!! (We paint canvases with the kids and then take them back to the states and sell them - for a purchase of $250 you can buy a canvas and sponsor a child for a year - if you're interested in checking them out - they are AWESOME -email info@luo-setfree.org)

Tonight we had a team dinner at a cool pizza joint called 3 Fat Fish....my favorite was the fig, gorgonzola and bacon...we're saying good bye to 4 team members so it was a great send off. Then we came home and hosted some guests from the church for milk tarts and tea before heading off to bed.

I have to say we're all running low on energy tonight - and could really use your prayers for good rest, renewed strength, and continued connections with the kids tomorrow.

Walking in His presence,

Becca, Matt & Rich (our adopted brother)

Ithemba...

Wow! I don't think we have words yet for our first day at Ithemba...we are all still processing. So I will try to just highlight some special moments...

First, we started the day with a devo from Utmost for His Highest-actually-we did two. One was focussed on serving, not out of show, but out of obedience...and the second was on seeing God in the process...and trusting Him in the purpose for what ever process we are experiencing-each of us unique. Both were very timely for what we experienced today.
Here are a few of my favorite moments:

1. Arriving at Ithemba and going into the classroom and watching the kids light up and cheer...and then singing "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" spontaneously with my new friends. (Matt was in a separate classroom-but when we came out he said-he knew where I was as soon as the singing started:)

2. Watching Matthew play with the kids-he was their ultimate toy-and they climbed and hung on him all day...it was awesome to watch. For those of you that play kickball with him-watch out-he's got a new team:). See facebook for pics.

3. Seeing Rich get a mohawk and Katie get new braids. The kids here are fascinated with our hair so they play "Beauty Shop" all day long.

4. Touring the safe house-its almost finished. Just internal touches left-we hope to have kids in it in the next month-yeah!!!

With these cheerful thoughts, we are also struggling with the harder ones-like why do the kids and their families have to live like this? How can a good God allow such poverty and misfortune to coexist in such a beautiful place? And why isn't the community here caring better for their own people?

Matthew shed some perspective this morning when he woke up-it was freezing in the room he slept in...but he quickly said, "If I am cold in a house like this-think of those people sleeping in shantys with no heat, food, or blankets. I have no need to complain-I have more than I need."

I wonder how many of us have more than we need and if so, how can we leverage that "more" for the good of those who don't?

So that's a little picture into our time so far and some of the things we're wrestling with. I know God is Sovereign and there is a plan at work...I am just asking him to show me my part in the process.

With much love and gratitude,
Becca

PS-I am updating from my blackberry-so please forgive typos. Also, for pictures, please visit my facebook page:)

Arrival in Jeffreys Bay...

What a long but extremely fun trip it's been...Matt,Rich, Jess, Ben, Kate and me arrived safely to Jo-burg last night after a VERY long flight.

We checked in to the hotel and then dashed out to one of my favorite restaurants-Moya-worth the Google and the visit should you ever find yourself in Jo-burg.. Best steak you'll ever find, the atmosphere amazing and the people super friendly.

This morning we got up and checked out of our 12 hour stay at the Southern Sun hotel and boarded the last leg of our flight to Jeffreys Bay.

Gavin picked us and all our luggage up (yeah it all made it) and we took off for the 45 minute drive from Port Elizabeth to JBay. It is truly beautiful here. (I am updating this blog from my blackberry-so can't post pics now-but check out the photos on facebook.) The Billabong surf tournament just ended but there were a few wind surfers out making a day of it.

We then came back to the house and met the rest of our team and then headed back out for a drive around the city and checked out Ithemba. Tonight was our bonding, rest, and prep nighta - so we cooked in, played games and laughed a lot with some of our new South African friends.

Tomorrow we head out to our first day at Ithemba. We will try to get to an internet cafe and I will upload some pics!

Thanks for all the prayers-we are so excited to meet the kids tomorrow!!!

Night Night,
Becca

Here We Go!!!

Hi!!!

Well, we (Rich, Matt, Kate, Jess & Ben) are in Dulles-safely- about to board our 17 hour flight to Jo-burg:)

So far, so good! Lots of laughter and story-telling. We can't wait to get to Jeffreys Bay and love on the kiddos!


We will send another post when we land!

Cheers,
Becca & Matt

2 Days Away...

Well, I am sitting in a hotel in Chatanooga - just finished up a meeting with Precept Minsitries (http://www.precept.org/) and can't believe that in 48 hours Matt and I will be headed to Africa. Can you believe it???


Matt and I were kidding around Friday night over dinner and pondered the question...would you have ever thought the two of us would be going to Africa TOGETHER on a MISSION trip??? The answer we both chuckled was NO...but we are so GLAD God had a better plan for us than we would have imagined for ourselves... And so GRATEFUL for the opportunity to go, see, & serve...together.


Jeremiah 32:17 says "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."


I think I will be clinging to that verse a lot - Nothing is too hard for our God - He's in control, He knows what He's doing, and He continues to prove himself trustworthy.


On a side note, I don't know if we told you - but a friend of mine from Austin, Kate Millea (pictured on the right at her Africa fundraiser), will be joining us on this trip (along with 10 others). Kate was one of the first friends I made in Austin after moving there and am so glad she is going! She arrives in Atlanta tomorrow to fly out with our team. Please pray for safe travels for her and feel free to check out the link to her blog in the right hand column.



Thanks for checking out the blog and continuing to lift us up in prayer. Today I am asking God for extreme patience, favor, and to multiply our minutes (aka focus our time - and that we use it wisely - I think we both feel like there so much to do before we go:)

We love you,

Becca & Matt

Safe House

Well, we're counting down the days til our trip...and in all the excitement I can't help but think of the friends supporting Matthew and me on this journey.

We are so grateful for each of you and your partnership with us on this journey.

If you get a moment, be sure to check out the link to the LUO blog (on the right hand side of this post)...and you can read more about the safe houe we mentioned in some of our thank you notes.

As you can see, construction is well underway and we're excited to get there and do some painting and finishing touches to give these orphans a safe place to rest their heads at night.

What an honor to be able to come alongside them and meet this need we so often take for granted in our daily living.

Anyway, if you think of it pray special blessings over this safe house - that it would indeed be a place of safety for the children but will also be a place where they can learn of their Savior.

We can't wait to meet the children and people God has in store for us...praying for them already!

Love,

Becca & Matt

10 Days and Counting...

Hi friends!

Well...it's Tuesday morning and I can't believe that two weeks from today we'll be waking up in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Matt and I are both so excited. There will be six of us flying out together from Atlanta next Friday morning. (12 of us in total on the trip.) Included in the mix is my friend, Kate, from Austin...this is her first trip as well. I think it will be fun to experience the trip through Matt and Kate's eyes.

Today I am praying for Lindsay and Gavin (pictured above)...the co-founders of LUO. If you think of it, lift them up in prayer. Currently they are hosting a team of 23 that has just arrived and will be there for the next week. I know that lots will be accomplished while this group is there...but I also know it's a lot to undertake. So if you think of it...pray for them.

I am also praying for our team's attitudes on the trip - that God will bond our team quickly unifying us and all our gifts in only the way that He can. Since we're coming from all over and haven't had a chance to bond ahead of time - team unity is a big prayer request as well.

I can't wait to see what God does!!!

Let the journey begin...

Becca

From Atlanta, GA to Jeffreys Bay, SA...

So we take off in 11 days and due to tricky travel costs...we're not going direct as we had hoped...sigh.

We'll depart Atlanta, Friday July 17 and fly to Dulles and the jump on a "direct" flight (this direct flight stops for fuel in Dakar) to Johannesburg where we'll spend a night, Saturday July 18th. We'll then jump a plane to Port Elizabeth Sunday morning and arrive in Jeffreys Bay that afternoon to recoup and get ready for the weeks work. Because the flights were hard to come by - we are staying an extra day...yeah!

So - according to wiki...Jeffreys Bay (Afrikaans: Jeffreysbaai) (34°02′S 24°55′E) is a town located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The town is situated just off the N2 Highway, about an hour's drive southwest of Port Elizabeth. Jeffreys Bay is one of the five most famous surfing destinations in the world and hosts the annual Billabong Pro WCT surfing event at Supertubes during July. (It will end the day we arrive...but we hope to see some surfers still riding the waves while we're there.)

Jeffreys has grown from a sleepy little fishing town over the past few years and is one of the fastest expanding town / city in the country.

We are hoping by educating and caring for the future (the children) of JBay that they will be able to overcome the adversity they currently face with the hope and confidence that comes from knowing God.

Thanks for joining us in the journey!

Love,

Becca & Matt