On the weekend, somewhere between 500-1000 displaced refugees were moved to a temporary camp about 10 minutes north of where we live.  A few of us went yesterday (Wednesday) to assess the situation and see if we might be able to help or join with others who are doing something.

The place is horrible.  Too many people in too little space.  Various nationalities, no food, no services.

Complicating matters is the fact that the South African government has setup a series of army tents which the people refuse to use.  Several stated to me, “South Africans have done this to us.  The same police who protect us during the day are the ones who are burning our homes at night.  They are all the same.  We don’t trust them.  We will only accept help from the UN.”  The refugees also believe that the government-provided camp is South Africa’s way of rounding them all up and keeping track of them.  Many fear that they would actually be in more danger by staying there.

So, while the government-provided camp sits empty, everyone camps in the mud, with a few tents, in an adjacent field.  They are threatening and attacking those who do stay in the government camps.  There are also rumors of trouble within the refugee camp itself - various political factions from other nations vying for power even here.  The camp is housing people from Somalia, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Angola (and others, but those are the nationalities of people I spoke with yesterday).

I heard on the news this morning that there was trouble in the camp last night and that police were firing rubber bullets - not sure why.  There is also a hunger strike taking place.  Article from today’s news about the camp.

Yesterday, I came home stunned.  Several people told me, “I would rather go home to die than to die here.”  These are people from countries like Somalia that have been at war for years.  And they think that would be a BETTER option.  South Africa, how did it come to this?

Help us God.  Kingdom come.

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On May 10th, 23 CRM staff women travelled from 11 countries around the world for the second of three “Women of Influence” gatherings. This time we met up in Millstatt, Austria at Schloss Heroldeck Castle. Both the time traveling to/thru Austria and my time with God and the other women was AMAZING! The scenery was beautiful and truly sang God’s glory. His gentle hand guided me each day providing abundant opportunity to hear and respond to His voice. His Spirit shaped and rejuvenated my soul!

I was the grateful recipient of the generous hospitality of the CRM worship/logistics team and the castle staff (who prepared and cleaned up after all of our healthy and delicious meals)! The Spirit infused teaching and conversation time with peers and mentors was stimulating and life-giving. It was a refreshing time to step back and reflect with God and others on all the roles I give myself to- child of God, daughter, wife, mom, co-worker, mentor, and friend.

I’ve come home with Kingdom breathed vision and enthusiasm for each of these roles as I continue to move toward necessary balance among them! Some words that endure in my heart and mind since my time in Austria: REST…TRUST…BEAUTY…NURTURE…FAITHFUL LOVE

And, a special THANK YOU to each of you who contributed financially to provide me with this opportunity which will undoubtedly bless and benefit all those I minister to both inside and outside of my home!

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not going to bother sounding pretty, just wanted to pass along an update on how NCSA has been corporately addressing the needs of the refugees here in SA. Many of our people are taking personal action as well:

Much prayer. Together and individually, we give this to God and demand that He respond. He is…

We have invited a friend and his wife (refugees from Zim) to live in one of the rooms at Pangani, at least for a few weeks. Considering how we can make space for others.

Money given to NCSA to help with refugees has been directed to some people building houses for refugees

Several of us are talking to others who are helping refugees - looking for ways to partner & help.

We have money which we are giving to others who are working with refugees to provide food, shelter, etc.

If you would like to contribute financially, we can receive your money and forward to appropriate services and people working to make a difference. If you are interested in helping, email me.

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I stopped drinking at the end of April. At least for a while.

Why?

1. I really felt God was asking me to. Beyond any particular reason or explanation, I’ve had this growing sense that I must.
2. I have sensed that God is wanting to do something significant - in me? through me?  Perhaps this is a bit of physical fast to reinforce the spiritual - a time of preparation
3. I don’t want to miss ANYTHING - good conversation with a friend, opportunity to hear or see God, etc.- because I’ve been drinking. Although I never drink all that much anyway, I’d hate for that to be the reason I miss something
4. Sometimes I look at people who have been drinking (either too much or too often), and wonder, “Am I like that?” Again, don’t think so, but I’d hate for someone to get a wrong impression or be turned off by that
5. A fair amount of our community drinks, and I guess I want to lead the way in moderation in this area.

The thing is, drinking isn’t wrong. But it sure is easily abused. And because this isn’t a black and white issue, it gets a little complicated when it comes to “how much.”

• When exactly has someone had too much too drink?
• When is someone drinking too often?

I often don’t know when it comes to someone else. I’m concerned that too many of us can’t answer these questions for ourselves.

Perhaps a bit of what God wants to teach me is self-control, discernment, and moderation. I don’t anticipate this is a permanent stop, and don’t actually have a plan to end. I guess I’m counting on God indicating it’s ok to drink again as strongly as He told me to stop.

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responding to the crises in Zim, and the resulting influx of refugees here in SA, we are:

• connecting with, learning from, and sharing resources with like-hearted people around us, especially in Pretoria
• helping others understand the reality of these refugees, knowing their stories, knowing their names
• opening our home for refugees
• asking everyone to consider housing refugees - providing safe and caring environments - Church, here’s an opportunity to love
• praying for peace in Zim and for God to care for all of those in need

Join us! This is just the basic idea of what we feel God is saying to us. Please pray for us and the people of Zimbabwe. We all need God’s love and power.

When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

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God, may you pour out your Spirit today in Zimbabwe like you did in Jerusalem all those years ago.

Freedom.  Power.  Fire.  Wind.  Gospel in every tongue. Kingdom coming.

We are your witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

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My friend Andrew just came back from Zim. Here’s a bit of what he experienced.

Note: there are some hard to look at pics. That’s torture.  That’s Zimbabwe.

Pray for Zimbabwe. Pray for us as we feel God is calling us to be involved in different ways.

zimbabwe

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I’ve got a plan for nearly everything.  I guess because I’m full of ideas, fairly capable, and have lots of freedom to put them into action.

The problem is that I’ve got a plan for everything. And in that, I don’t always let God speak, move, act.  I’m not relying on God enough.

So I throw myself at God, asking for help.  Do in me what I can’t.  Use what you’ve gifted me with, but don’t let me take too much control.  Show me where I am weak- where I can’t do it myself - and help me.

I need you God.

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I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the Judgment Day.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of demons,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Amen.

I pray this prayer with fervency today

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I grew up listening to Bob Marley. One of my favourite cds - though not most popular among casual fans - is “Survival.” It’s about Africa, a continent I loved long before i lived here. The song “Zimbabwe” has been on my mind a lot recently. Bob wrote that song in 1979 or so when Robert Mugabe was overthrowing the colonial powers to establish a new, independent, African state. Here are the lyrics:

Every man gotta right
To decide his own destiny
And in this judgment
There is no partiality
So arm in arms: with arms
We will fight this little struggle
Cause that’s the only way
We can overcome our little struggle

Brother you’re right, you’re right
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right
We gonna fight, we’ll have to fight
We gonna fight, fight for our rights

Natty dread it ina Zimbabwe
Set it up ina Zimbabwe
Mash it up ina Zimbabwe
Africans a liberate Zimabwe

No more internal power struggle
We come together to overcome
The little trouble
Soon we’ll find out
Who is the real revolutionary
Cause I don’t want my people
To be contrary

Brother you’re right, you’re right
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right
We’ll have to fight, we gonna fight
We’ll have to fight, fight for our rights

Mash it up ina Zimbabwe
Natty trash it ina Zimbabwe
Africans a liberate Zimbabwe
I an I a liberate Zimbabwe

To divide and rule
Could only tear us a part
In everyman’s chest
There beats a heart
So soon we’ll find out
Who is the real revolutionaries
And I don’t want my people
To be trained by mercenaries

repeats chorus

I wish Bob Marley was alive today. What would he say now? Mugabe has ruined Zimbabwe. He turned his back on the people long ago, and now he continues to torture and oppress the very people who have voted him out of power. Church leaders and rights groups have warned that this could reach genocidal proportions quickly.

So now will we find out who is the real revolutionary?

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