1. FOOD. Food just makes people happy, but good food can make people ecstatic. We shared dinner tonight with our new group as we are getting to know one another and everyone brought stuff to share. Michael Jenkins and his sister Rose, who are our hosts, made some great pita sandwiches and brownie dessert. It was divine. And fun.
2. DIVERSITY. It was such a great mix of people, which was a huge part of our hearts in starting this - and we always love a mix! There were married, singles, parents, Zimbabweans, Coloureds, Americans, kids, South Africans, and even a Mexican :) We had three of our friends from Ocean View there and that was my favorite mix. Everyone totally interacted as we ate and it was a great fellowship.
3. CONNECTING. It is the name of the group, but we all really got to do it last night. A good number of us are friends that connect when we can, but this is an intentional place to REALLY share our lives. It was great to be together under that purpose, it made me feel even closer already to people I've known for a while.
4. CARE. One of my main goals personally for the group is to care for our members. That means celebrating birthdays, coordinating food and transport so we can all be there and fed (I gotta have my snacks), and just checking in with the major things happening with one another. I had a great and much needed conversation with a friend updating me on some major things happening in her family that need immediate prayer. Also, another friend just finished a huge work project that is a new venture for her, so we could celebrate that together. We need care, ALL OF US, and I hope that continues to be a focus of the group
5. WORD. Michael Jenkins shared a short message with him about some thoughts that have been on his heart and mind. He shared from Matthew 13:
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
It is a familiar passage to all of us, but he really challenged us by a few words in this passage. One that really hit me was the JOY that the man had when he found the ultimate treasure. He gladly sold all that he had to obtain the true treasure and all else in his life paled in comparison to what he had found. Do we find this same joy in the treasure of Jesus Christ in our own lives? It was great food for thought, and something I am still chewing on this morning. I am so excited to be with this new community and gather around the Word of God as it challenges our lives in new ways.
Exciting stuff to come!
Lots of love,
Sarah
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