Praise God for all his provisions!  He is and has been and continues to be abundantly faithful to me.

I have been bouncing around quite a bit this month.  I thought I would only be in Vanderbijlpark, but after Siyabonga got sick with pneumonia and a lung infection that landed him in the hospital I went to Klerksdorp for a week to help Kjelsi and Uli with the kids.  Kjelsi and I both ended up getting sick as well that week…lets just say it was a really long week, I’m thankful I could be here to help out, and everyone is doing well and back to health.  Praise God!

Thank you to everyone who prayed for a car…not only did I find a car to buy, but God decided to bless me with it for FREE!!!!!!  An incredible friend gave the car I was going to buy to Siyabonga.  Since he is two, and a few years from driving, my sister and Uli are letting me drive it while I’m here.  Yes, God is faithful and provides every need!!  Don’t be jealous but it’s a 1986 BMW…it’s a sweet ride. J

The guy who owned the car has been living in Cape Town and moved from the country, so I HAD to go to Cape Town to get the car.  Because Zach and Dan came back early from Mozambique the three of us flew down to Cape Town, spent the week down there and road tripped across South Africa with another friend to bring the car back.  I’m not going to tell you a lot about Cape Town, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves and suffice it to say, Cape Town stands as my second favorite place on the earth (that I’ve been to)…incredibly beautiful, lively, diverse and fun.

LCF received a very large donation with the idea that LCF would be able to channel the resources to charities and be able to build relationship with them in order to help them function better.  I will be one of two or three people in LCF primarily responsible for building relationship with these different charities to: a) determine how well they are currently functioning; b) make sure the money and/or resources they receive are being used properly; and c) help determine weak areas in their organization and help them grow in order to function better.   I’m really excited about this opportunity.  I have a lot of learning to do, but am grateful to be able to work with different organizations in this capacity.  I feel very inadequate, but I also am confident that the Lord is walking me thru this and will give me the wisdom, discernment and compassion I need. 

PRAYER REQUESTS…. Praise God for providing my family, friends and myself with health; for providing me with a car; and for His grace that allows us to be apart of His family.  Pray that my time will be protected.; it seems to escape me before I had it to spend.  Pray that the Lord’s vision and desires would be made clear to me.

And you?...What can I be praying about for you?  Please let me know, I would really love to be praying for you.

I really am doing well..  I finally feel somewhat settled and even established here.  I am happy to be and grateful for that. 

I love you guys,

Linds

My new car!!! Complete with sunroof.  Yes we already drove it 14 hours across South Africa...runs like a champ!

Dan and Zach hidden in a sea of children at the promise center in Mozambique...It's almost like Where's Waldo? but WAY easier

Both the boys usually become a human jungle gym as soon as we are with any kids...exhibit A... 

Killing giant spiders that try and take over your house in Moz...don't mess

Zach and Mamma Tootell on their way to Inhaca Island, Moz

Getting to the actual island requires carrying your luggage and wading thru the sea 

SNORKELING!!!

South African sunset

The GIANT waterfall we hiked to after being reunited in South Africa....Shuuuurrraaaa!!

Leaving for Cape Town...Lindsay's luggage (on bottom) vs. 2 BOYS' luggage (on top)....WINNER!!!!!

First trip to McDonalds in 2 whole months...true happiness!

One of the many beautiful views in Cape Town...no words required

Scorpion we saw on one of our hikes

Zach, Dan and our friend Adam loving life

Open Happiness....

Zach and Dan's favorite pastime no matter where we are

Winery we biked thru in Stellenbauch

Cheers!

Thanksgiving = surfing

Enjoying Ethiopian Thanksgiving dinner with our Cape Town friends

Jealousy? 

JEALOUSY? 

"Dan, I want to punch that face off of you." -Zach-

Best milkshake EVER!!!!!

End of our Cape Town trip!

PICTURES!!!!! and Happy Thanksgiving

We know all you really want from us is to see our pictures ;)  so here's a couple, there will be more coming soon from Dan and Zach's time in Mozambique.

What we like to do in our pastime...blow candy into the air and see who can keep it in the air the longest...I know we have talents

Kiajah visiting my new place

Hanging out with the other American, Adam Burke (one of my brother's best friends), who lives in Cape Town (for a little longer) and was passing thru after climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro 

Just precious...

First day in the hospital with Siyabonga.  He had pneumonia and an infection in his lungs which landed him 2 nights in the hospital. Not fun, but we try and make the best of it.  Thankfully he is recovered and back home.  

My mom, Zach and Dan enjoying an incredible sunset in Mozambique.  They spend their last weekend in Moz on an island with my parents.  This is how they roughed it...

Meanwhile, I was in Klerksdorp playing with Kiajah while Siya was in the hospital.  At least this is what we were doing....

Creation sings the praises of God everyday...don't miss it.  

Reunited with two of my favorites.  I had them over for dinner, then made them cook...I helped...a little. :)

Then we went on a 56 km hike to this beautiful waterfall...maybe it wasn't quite that long 

We just ended our day today helping out at a kids event for 8-13 year olds.  Zach and Dan both took charge of organizing the teams and leading them in a Wii tournament.  

That's all for now friends.  We are off to Cape Town tomorrow to see Adam, do some site seeing/vacationing on the beach and then drive my new car back, which means we get to road trip across South Africa!!!!  Yes, it's going to be incredible and we will have more great pictures to put up next week. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  A friend has recently reminded me that even though I miss you all, I am grateful that I have you to miss.  We are blessed in so many ways.  Thank you for being a light in my life.

Much Love,

Lindsay, Dan and Zach  

Let's be Real

Once upon a time I made plans in my life… and sometimes they happened.  The more I walked along this road called life, the more I noticed the reoccurring pattern that most of my plans got changed right before they were supposed to happen because my best friend God knew a little better.  SO….I got REAL smart, and kept making plans J…once again what I thought I was going to be doing is not the case.  Yes, mom, I am exaggerating, but only a little.  My plans to go to Mozambique and work for a few months are not exactly going to work out.  The job is still happening, but once again it has been delayed until January; however, I’m committed to start working full time with LCF in January so… this is me bummed about not getting to do a sweet job….

 BUT…

Doing just fine because I trust God to use this time for His purposes and KNOWING His plan is best anyway…

 What does that mean for me, Zach and Dan?  Great question…We are in the process of figuring that out.  Most likely, I we will all stay where we are for the month of November.  I did finally hear from the guys.  They sound like they are doing wonderful and God is growing them like crazy.  I still can’t give much more detail about them (sorry), but will give a full report ASAP.  There has been a lot going on for me.  I mostly have been helping other people with different church events, admin work and setting up for events or meetings.. 

In the last two weeks I have gone to a couple different orphanages/children’s homes; one in the city and one in the township.  There is opportunity to get involved with either place, mostly doing leadership development type discipleship/mentoring.  It is overwhelming because a lot of these kids don’t need leadership training (at least how I think of leadership training), they need someone to spend time with them so they really believe they are valuable.  Almost all the kids in both places are there because of court orders which usually means they were pulled out of horribly situations often involving some kind of abuse.  When your innocence, purity and dignity are stolen from you “leadership development” looks slightly different than with an average high school/college student in the states.  The other huge obstacle is the culture and language differences.  I’m not exactly walking into a high school with a pretty good idea of the mindsets and environments these kids grew up in…the thinking is totally different and it takes time and is challenging to learn and understand their perspectives.  I will probably spend a handful of time at these places before January and then really evaluate my time and ability to invest into these places. 

I also met with a lady who is the director of a non-profit that channels money, resources and mentors 72 different charities/non-profits.  She is very knowledgeable and experienced.  The goal is to possibly be able to partner with her organization and mutually benefit one another with some projects we are hoping to be involved with next year.  I can’t say a whole lot about what these projects are yet as they are still in the “discussion” stage, but I’m excited about the possibility and how I may get to be involved. 

To be totally honest with you, I was really looking forward to the Mozambique job, so it is pretty disappointing to not get to do it.  Life has been, and continues to be, very uncertain.  I often ask the Lord what I’m really doing here.  I have lots of questions, some out of my general impatience, but some rooted out of really wanting to know and walk in God’s will.  I can’t tell you how strong and for how long I have felt the Lord put big dreams in me; most of which at this point, are broad ideas (hence me in Africa), but the specifics haven’t actually been revealed yet.  As I continue to ask the Lord all my questions, I know that more than anything I don’t want to miss the life God destined me to have.  One of my biggest fears right now is that I will try and take control of my life and miss out on what God really wanted to do with it.  I know whatever it is, is not the conventional life; it’s probably not the safe route; and it most definitely requires a lot of faith. I have to say, I have a lot of faith in God –in His power and ability; but, I have realized I REALLY struggle to have faith in God’s power in me.  So, while I pray for God’s will, I think the Lord is first bringing me to have faith in Him and His power and ability IN ME...

”I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know […] his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…” (Eph 1:18-20). 

We have an Incredible God who has fought and won for us!  In whatever is going on, in your life know that for those who believe your solid ground is:

“him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph 3:20-21) 

Here are the pictures of my apartment I never got up before.  Still working on the decorating...

This is why dieting in this country doesn't work...typical Braii (aka BBQ)

  

Settling In

If anyone has heard from Zach and Dan please send me an update…I feel like a mom whose kids went to college and the next time you hear from them is when they unexpectedly show up at the door for Christmas.  Don’t worry Mrs. Lindor and Howell, I know they are safe and doing fine; however, because of the lack of communication, this post is simply a Lindsay update.  Sorry to all the Dan and Zach fans out there.

The casual month to get settled into my new life in Vanderbijlpark has afforded me quite a lot of time with my sister, her family and now my mom who arrived last week.  I realize if you’ve spent anytime with my family you know we are slightly obsessive about my niece and nephew, but everyday is a joy with them.  They are both an incredible gift who remind me how blessed I am. 

My garden flat (AKA a backyard apartment) is really nice and is in a great location.  I attached some pictures of it below.  It is a new beginning here.  Making the transition of living in a foreign country and going from living with 30 to just myself is hard, to say the least.  The Lord has really taken care of every need, even to the point of sending a 5 year old to come visit me on my loneliest night.  He is abundantly faithful.  As difficult as it is for me to be alone, I’m grateful for the time to pursue the Lord more.  Saying that seems silly and incorrect, as I am well aware that the Lord pursues me far more than I Him, but I’m learning to use this time for intimate and sweet fellowship with Him.  Honestly, if I accomplish nothing, but am able to have a deep and real relationship with Christ then my life will be what it was intended to be. 

There are lots of opportunities to get involved with different things here.  Lately I have been going into Life Christian Foundation’s (LCF) office on a daily basis to help where I can, get to know the people I’ll be working with and get oriented with how everything works.  I’m blessed to be working with some great people.  Come January, I will be helping organize a three-day event called M.I.A. (moving into action), which is basically a gathering of people from all over the world who want to serve.  The goal is to get people to “move into action” for Christ.  There will be representatives from different non-profit and ministries from 20 different African countries (each country south of the equator).  Everyone who comes will be previously connected with one of these organizations or will get connected with an organization at the 3-day event.  We will worship together, go to workshops together and at the end of the three days everyone will go serve at whatever organization they connected with for however long they want.  If this is something you are interested in or know of someone who might be interested in the website is www.mia2012.co.za.  I will also be involved with investigating the possibility of getting Young Life started here.  There are a couple other things in the works, but I’m waiting to see how things develop. 

Please pray for protection over my time with the Lord.  I happen to be easily distracted and I don’t want to lose the time I have been gifted.  I also am in need of a car (or some mode of transportation) starting in January.  Lastly, pray that we would engage the people and projects the Lord really wants us to.  There is great need, but also great opportunity for the church to be the church; however, if we don’t follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, we as the church do more damage than good.  

The longer I am here, the more I have to depend on the Lord for strength, direction and joy.  I am very happy to be here, but it has been difficult yet the Lord has given me lots of strength thru your encouragement.  Thank you, you have no idea how your words have given me courage to follow what the Lord has put in my heart.  It is truly together that we experience more fully who God is (Eph 4). 

I leave you with this:

            “Everyone is born an original but most die as copies” 

--Abraham Lincoln

I encourage you to be bold enough to let Christ show you who you are and BE that…for the sake of Christ, for the good of this broken world... be the light.  

P.S. Pics are coming...sorry couldn't get them up now

I can't think of a good title so here ya go.......

I would say our first two weeks in South Africa has been a success…We celebrated South Africa’s national Braii day (aka BBQ day) with steaks, sausages and rugby; Dan beat Uli (Lindsay’s brother-in-law) in tennis (don’t tell him we made that public knowledge); Zach and Lindsay both got sick (we are both better now - thank you); Zach and Dan have unintentionally come out dressed in the exact same outfit at least 3 times; we discovered the world’s largest can of mustard (pictured below); and Zach and Dan finally learned how to 2-step from the Africans at church in the township.  So all in all, we are feeling accomplished and ready to come home.  J

I know that sounds like an exhausting schedule, but in our spare time we’ve done some other semi-purposeful things.  Our friend Tertius who is the pastor of Light Church here in Klerksdorp took us along to help with a leadership workshop for 7^th grade middle school kids.  Our time there was really amazing.  We played a few games to break the ice and give some leadership principles, which opened up discussion about what it means to be a leader.  By the end Tertius shared that real leadership is about loving others and the only way we can truly love others is if we know and experience God’s love for us.  How awesome that an hour of talking to 13 year old kids about being leaders at their school could turn into praying with them about knowing Christ’s love for them and giving them the strength to love their classmates and teachers!  It reminds me that we are to take hold of EVERY opportunity we are given to share Christ and His love in this world. 

Zach and Dan had their first experience at a black church.  What an experience!!  My family friend Atwell Mohoto is the pastor of Abundant Life Church in Joberton, which is the township next to Klerksdorp. (side note: a township is the area/city where blacks were forced to live during apartied.  Although technically South Africa is now integrated, the townships are still almost entirely black and where the poorest people live).  Last week Abundant Life had a evangelical crusade in the township that Zach, Dan and I went to.  At the end of the service people where getting prayed for and two guys in wheelchairs stood up!  One of the guys I have met before, I believe he has multiple sclerosis, which he has had since birth.  It was incredible to be there and witness Christ’s power in such a real and tangible way.  May we never doubt how awesome our God is!!! 

Tuesday we spent part of the afternoon at Mother of Mercy, the baby house for abandoned babies and young kids where my sister volunteers.  Currently there are five kids (4 boys and 1 girl) that live there.  The four boys are all 5-6 years old and rambunctious, but sweet boys.  They lack male attention and discipline so for Dan and Zach to be there and spend the afternoon playing was such a joy for them.  There was never a moment where Dan and Zach didn’t have one or two of the boys hanging off them.

The three of us ventured to Vanderbijlpark this weekend.  This is where Life Christian Foundation’s (LCF) headquarters are and where I will be moving in a week  (eventually making it my permanent home in January when I come back from Mozambique).  The guys left from there to Mozambique where they are serving in an orphanage called the Promise Center for the rest of the month.  I don’t get regular contact with them so as I hear from them I’ll try and post updates. 

The plan as of now is to move into my new apartment Monday, spend the rest of the month getting settled with LCF and then off to Mozambique to meet up with the guys and start working with my dad and Techno-Serve.  I’m a little anxious about living by myself after living in house of 30 for the last two years, especially in a new culture where people only speak English when they are talking to you.  It may get a little lonely/I’m going to have to become really good at initiating all kinds of conversation. J   We are having a good time so far.  I’m thankful for the slow start to get more adjusted to life over here. 

Love from the southern hemisphere.  Thanks for the prayers, emails and facebook messages.  J


Blessings,
Lindsay

Giant can of Mustarde...just in case you ever needed to make sandwiches for 5,000

Uncle Dan putting Kiajah to sleep

Playing with kids at Mother of Mercy

Enjoying the beautiful sunset

Lindsay's sister Kjelsi, niece Kaijah (crazy silent 'J's) and nephew Siabonga

Sia and Zach having a laugh during their "business meeting"