Setting Goals

For the first time in my life I set goals for 2010.  It was a very healthy and helpful process.  I posted them in our office here at home and gave a copy to Sarah and Jenks to hold me accountable.  Here is a bit of a review of them and how things worked out:

2010 Goals

What God wants to do in my Spiritual Walk, Family, Ministry, and Personally

·      Spiritual Walk- getting more in touch with the Power of the Spirit; increase and focus my time of prayer for specific parts of my life; begin a disciplined devotion plan on January 1 that will last all year; continue personal reading; developing my relationship with Michael Jenkins to include more praying and deep sharing.

·      Family- Pursue Sarah’s heart and affection with time together, romance, gifts, and affirming words; support and encourage Sarah’s ministry and goals for the future; engage Kieren in her 2^nd year by reading, playing, and praying; doing my part in our family support raising.

·      Ministry- continue building relationships with 4-8 schools and churches (by July); cast vision of Ubuntu Sports Outreach with as many people as I can; establish Ubuntu S.O. as a non-profit organization (NPO) in South Africa; raise 4x more money in 2010 than in 2009 (about $44,000); continue developing friendships and partnerships with like-minded organizations; strategically use the World Cup to build momentum for Ubuntu; continue to dream of creative revenue streams; support volunteers that work for Ubuntu

·      Personal- drop my weight down to and stay below 200 lbs. by working out hard and eating smart; continue pursuing my soccer training with hopes of advancing to the Vodacom by summer; try to communicate well with friends at home.  

So, how did things go?  Let's break down each area

• Spiritual Walk- definitely explored and was aware of the Holy Spirit more.  Did focus my prayer a bit more but didn't increase enough.  I DID do a devotion EVERY day this year.  It was a great process.  I've read some great books this year (but I should be reading more).  And my relationship with Jenks has certainly grown to include deep sharing & praying .
• Family- Most of the year my relationship with Sarah was as healthy as ever.  I'm proud of the way I've supported her ministry and I know she feels loved by me.  Kieren and I have shared some special moments this year and I've sort of inherited putting to bed duties, so we get to read and hang out during that time.  Finally, I was helpful in support raising.
• Ministry- This is a mix of success & failure.  We built relationships with 7 schools & churches, but need to do a MUCH BETTER job of getting this ministry happening the way we want to.  I've been sharing about Ubuntu with as many people as possible, but want to continue to be authentic in it.  I've done a bit of work on our NPO status, but have a TON more to do.  Definitely didn't raise that level of funds, unfortunately.  We have great relationships with other ministries and churches.  We used the World Cup decently, we've continued to dream up revenue streams, and I supported the volunteers we had here working.
• Personal- This may have been the area of the most success.  Not counting my time in America I was able to keep my weight below 200 pounds once I got it there.  Right now I'm weighing in between 195-197 pounds.  I haven't been this fit since college.  I decided in May to discontinue the attempt to play pro soccer again.  It just didn't make sense for our family or ministry.  And, I guess my friends would have to tell you if I did a good job keeping in touch.  I think I did pretty well.

I just gave you an honest look into my successes and failures of the year.  It's humbling & exciting to see which things I was able to have success with.  I'm going to start a new process to writing my goals for 2011.  On Ron Edmondson's blog he is doing a series helping you write a life plan for the year.  I'm going to use this process to come up with 2011's plans & goals.  I really believe that 2011 will be an exciting year full of stretching and pushing by God.  Big things are on the horizon for my spiritual life, our family, and Ubuntu Sports Outreach.

Casey

Kieren Milestones

Kieren Joy Prince is loving life right now and soaking up her last days as a one-year-old in many fun ways (she will turn two on January 20th)!  We have a language EXPLOSION in our house and Kieren is talking all the time.  She is putting words together in sentences and is regularly asking questions or making statements.  She LOOOOVES to talk (where did she get that??).  Lately she really likes talking about Dora the Explorer and 'boots' her sidekick, as those were her favorite gifts for Christmas from Abuelita and Papa (my mom and dad).  We talk a lot about food, we 'cook' together in the kitchen, talk about animals, oh and OFTEN talk about her friends and those in our life.  She is very happy and tells us often that she is 'funny.'  She loves to make faces, scream, and run around.  SO FUN!  She climbs and jumps and just loves being a kid.  She is also learning a lot from us and being at school.  She sings 'Twinkle Twinkle" and "Happy Birthday" and then a couple other songs we don't know that she must have learned at school.  She can also count up to twelve now and does that frequently throughout the day.  2010 has been a challenging year in so many ways for Kieren, but I feel like she is brave and strong and full of so much joy!  We are thankful and having a blast every day!

Lots of love,
Sarah

Ministry Moving Ahead

Even though it's a week of 'break' for us, we still have some ministry stuff going on here and there.  One thing that needs to be sorted because of the quickly arriving new year is our worship leadership for Ocean View Methodist Church.  A couple of our leaders decided all of a sudden to step down from positions leading in our worship band, and at the same time we have had some new friends step into ministry at our church.  Andy and Leigh Myers are American missionaries who live here with their one year-old daughter, Norah.  Andy was a worship leader in the States and they both have a passion for youth.  We met them through Hillsong and a great partnership has formed already.  Today Andy and I met with Kyle Woodrow, my senior pastor at Ocean View to talk about Andy's history, our church's history, and our vision ahead.  There are so many details to work out and people that need to 'buy in,' but it's very exciting that so many new things could happen ahead in 2011 for our church.  Andy's heart is really to bring up and train leadership to lead the worship and that is exactly what we need.  I pray that our band would be excited about this new venture and that the church would embrace these new steps!

Norah and Kieren hanging out on the steps of Ocean View Methodist Church

Lots in store for this coming year!!
Sarah

Hanging Out!

It's summer break here in South Africa, and so this week we are doing a lot of family time and hanging out together.  New fun is created every day!

Kieren and Casey hanging outside on a beautiful day.

Kieren with her new Dora the Explorer book and her own MAP!  The things parents get excited about with their kids....

 Sarah and Kieren walking in mom's shoes

 Casey and Kieren enjoying Christmas morning

Kieren is Famous!

Some of you have seen this already on facebook, but this week Kieren was in the Cape Argus newspaper, the main newspaper in Cape Town.  We contacted the fundraising department of the hospital to see if we could share Kieren's story and encourage other families.  They loved the idea and got the newspaper to come to the hospital to do the story.  We got a bunch of a copies on Thursday and I smiled for hours - so proud of my girl and how well she has healed!!

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0ByXLDKBOhmIZZTQ1OWZiYTEtZDhhMS00MWRhLTlkOTktZDBiMGEyZmY1NDRj&hl=en

Lots of love!
Sarah

A Very Prince Christmas

Here are some scenes from the wonderful Prince Christmas in South Africa this year!

Church members gathered at our house after church service enjoying some American pancakes and bacon.  Many of them had their first pancakes yesterday!

Casey with his 'boy's: Keegan, Kyle, Matthew, Andrew, and Joshua

Sarah with her 'girls': Danielle, Jadine, Meagan, Natalie, and Roxie

Danielle making pancakes with Sarah - she was a pro her first time!

Christmas lunch with the Terry family in Ocean View.  They are one of our favorite and closest families in the View - we love them!

Kieren was loving this meal!

Our happy family!

Amy and Robin decorating Christmas cookies (all from America - thanks support team!!)

Dinner in Noordhoek with our friends from America, UK, and Zimbabwe.  Our friends the Traffords hosted us in their beautiful home overlooking the ocean.   

Kieren watching the sun set.  Perfect ending to a perfect day!

Great Thoughts

The Grace and Impatience of Waiting

In our secret yearnings we wait for your coming,

and in our grinding despair we doubt that you will.

And in this privileged place we are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than do we

and by those who despair more deeply than do we.

Look upon your church and its pastors in this season of hope which runs so quickly to fatigue

and in this season of yearning which becomes so easily quarrelsome.

Give us the grace and the impatience to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes,

to the edges of our fingertips.

We do not want our several worlds to end.

Come in your power and come in your weakness in any case and make all things new.

Amen.

_________________________

This prayer is taken from Walter Brueggeman’s Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth. ISBN 0-8006-3460-8.

Seriously, she's amazing!

I know that 99% of the people reading this blog already know this, but my wife is seriously amazing!  Most of you actually read this because of how amazing she is.  But let me just tell you a story of why.
If you look down the blog just a post or two you'll see a video we posted about a Christmas package we received.  We are so excited to have gotten it.  One of the items in the box were two bags of sugar cookie mix, along with frosting and Christmas sprinkles to decorate them.  How awesome is that?!?  Especially here because they don't do warm, soft cookies.  The kids get excited whenever we have them.

I'm mostly thinking that I'm going to get to eat ALL these cookies.  But the first chance she got Sarah started making the cookies so that she can give them away to our friends and the kids around here.  She's already made a bag for Antoine & Mathy (our Congolese friends you've read about here) and Evan & Kerryn Torrance (whose parents attend Grace).  What's wrong with her?!?  Why is she sharing MY cookies with everybody else?  These are special American cookies sent for us to enjoy as we struggle through Christmas without friends & family.  But Sarah doesn't work like that.  She's too giving, selfless, and excited to share to keep them for herself.
So, for anybody that needed a reminder of how amazing Sarah is, there it is!  I seriously love that woman!

Casey

Beautiful Christmas Thoughts...

Hear these beautiful words about Christmas from one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen:

"God came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving towards the house of peace and joy.  This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey.  The God of love who gave us life sent his only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can trust that he walks with us.

The challenge is to let God be who he wants to be.  A part of us clings to our aloneness and does not allow God to touch us where we are most in pain.  Often we hide from him precisely those places in ourselves where we feel guilty, ashamed, confused, and lost.  Thus we do not give him a chance to be with us where we feel most alone.

Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and to let him-whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend-be our companion"

- Henri Nouwen, Gracias

Merry Christmas Newsletter From the Prince Family!

Click HERE for the December Prince Family Newsletter

Image from dreamstime.com

Thank You for our Package

Back To the Hospital But For Good Stuff!

Yesterday we went as a family to the Red Cross Burn Hospital with Kieren, but this time it was our choice and for something great!  We heard recently on the radio that the hospital was doing fundraising for the burn ward and that it was being renovated (MUUUCH needed!) and so I contacted the Hospital Trust that does the fundraising to share Kieren's story.  They loved hearing about it so much that they set up an interview for us with the Cape Argus newspaper (the main paper for Cape Town!)!!  We met with a reporter and photographer along with a woman from the trust yesterday at the hospital in the temporary burn ward.  We shared our story and sweet Kieren (who they have already named 'Princess Kieren') and it was so wonderful.  Kieren wasn't scared at all, and we got to share how our community's love and faith in God got us through such a dark experience.  We got to support the hospital and encourage fundraising as they grow, so they can reach more children and families.  I feel like for me, it was a way to re-claim something very dark and put it in the light - the Light of Christ!  It was exhausting emotionally for me but so rewarding, and the article should be in the paper today - we will share when it is!

Below are some of the pics taken by the Hospital Trust

Lots of love,

Sarah

Prayers for Ntokozo

Hello all!

Now that you have all 'met' Ntokozo through the interview I did with her on our blog (if you haven't seen it, watch below...), I would love for you to be praying for her!  She is in Durban for the holidays, another city in South Africa, and she is spending time with her family - the aunts, uncles, and cousins of her deceased mother and father.  She was really looking forward to this time, especially to share about her son Jacob and how she is growing and changing.  Unfortunately, some of her family has been gossiping about her and now they are even ostracizing her - and during  Christmas!  She has ended up spending more time with friends than family, and feels very lonely.  Today the social workers go to court to work more on the case of her son Jacob, so he can be released form the orphanage where he is living to a foster home near where she goes to high school, and they won't even join her in prayer!  She is discouraged and talking about coming back early, which is fine with us because we really miss her around here.  Kieren is still asking for her 'sissy' and we miss her laughter and joy in our home.  I can't imagine the ways she feels abandoned by her family, especially when she is longing for them to welcome in her new son.  Please be praying for her while she is away!!

Lots of love,
Sarah

Family Pic!

Weekend Update

Hello everyone!

Today's update will be a little fuzzy as I think we are passing a stomach bug around the Prince home, but until late last night we had a GREAT weekend again!  The weekend started a bit on Thursday because it was a national holiday in South Africa.  We worked in the morning, but then had a big braai with our friends in our Hillsong Connect Group at the beach.  It's a fun group of missionaries, South Africans, and lots of kids - and now the kids are really becoming friends - too cute!

Friday was Casey's birthday and so HIS wish was to get out of town with his girls for the entire day - how sweet is that?!?  The day started with a little hiccup because our car was broken into AGAIN, and the back left window was smashed but nothing taken.  We worked out some details, and borrowed our friend Michael' Jenkins' red sports car for the day - which turned out to be such a fun blessing!  We just started to drive along the west coast of South Africa for the day and stopped along the way.  It is a beautiful country and we feel so privileged to be here.  We ended the evening in a town called Langenbaan and had dinner at a seafood restaurant overlooking the beach as the sun set.

Kieren had her first calamari and we all had a blast together.  We finished with a walk on the beach and drove our (beautiful and fast and fun) car home late at night.  I tell you what, we were a different family by the end of that day.  It is so special to have time away and get refreshed!

Saturday we woke up and had a slow down around the house, Casey went for a (CRAZY mountain) run with some guy friends and Kieren and I went to the gym.  Then in the afternoon we took Kieren, picked up some friends, and met a group of friends and families at Kirstenbosch, a botanical garden with an outdoor concert theater, for a night of Christmas Carols with candlelight.  We had a great picnic, the kids ran around and played (Kieren ate for 3 straight hours), and then sung along to our favorite Christmas songs.  Such a special way to celebrate.

Sunday morning we had church at Ocean View Methodist which is always a blast.  Kieren is revealing her new obsession, which is her 'boyfriend' Dante, a 2 year old boy at our church.  She has a thing....  We rested during the morning, and then I took my women to lunch (post below) and Casey hung with Kiers.  Then we went to Hillsong Church in the evening for their annual 'Christmas Spectacular.'  This is a fun, family event with a music, acting, video, and dancing.  It was fun and sweet and Kieren's highlight was CERTAINLY when Dora the Explorer showed up to help the main character of the play.  She had a blast and we continue to be so thankful for our great church.  We finished the night with a Mexican food dinner with our new American missionary friends Andy and Leigh Myers, and their daughter Norah (see their blog at www.reachingcapetown.com).  They are helping us out at Ocean View Methodist - Andy plays in the band and Leigh is going to help lead with the women's ministry this coming year.  Fun to get more people involved in our beloved View!

Monday now, and for 'some reason' my body is exhausted and rebelling against me :)  Looking forward to getting the last details ready for Christmas this coming weekend and resting a bit as ministry is slowing down for a bit.  Guess I found some energy to say 'a few' words... now... must...rest....

Lots of love,
Sarah

Time With My Ladies

On Sunday afternoon we had a great celebration, as I took 22 ladies from Ocean View out to a Christmas celebration lunch.  We have been together for one year now, and it's been an incredible journey together.  When we shared together on Thursday night reflecting on the year, many of us said that this group was one of the highlights, and I have to agree.  We have all grown and changed and God has done huge things in our hearts.  Together.  It was a special lunch together and it just makes me SO excited about what God is going to do next year!  The sky is the limit!!

Love,
Sarah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY!

Today we are celebrating the 25th birthday of Casey Prince (...for the 7th time...)!  Casey loves many things in life, but getting older is not one of them....

What an incredible man, friend, father, and husband Casey is!  We are excited to get AWAY today and drive and explore north of Cape Town.  Family time!

Send Casey some love on facebook or email!

Love,
Sarah

Get to Know Ntokozo

Sarah and Ntokozo made a video together that will help you to get to know our new family member:

A Little Fun with Kieren

Some people may not be interested, but if you LOVE Kieren you will ADORE this!

Digital Nativity

Check out this video, pretty interesting.

Special Night Out!

Tuesday night we were able to celebrate Christmas with a fun group of friends.  We are a fun mix of Americans, Zimbabweans, and South Africans, all living, working, and serving in this great county.  One of the couples planned the entire beautiful night, as it was catered and decorated to the nines!  It's special to just get dressed up, and we had a great night talking, eating, and laughing with our wonderful friends.  We totally lost track of time and got home very late - a rare happening for these parents.  Good times!

Kieren and Sarah saying a last goodbye before some time with friends

The happy couple ready for a night out!

Happy Granny getting a night with her baby.  They always have a great time too!

Perspective

Yesterday was a CRAZY day - seriously - around here with Christmas and the 'end of the year' (because the school year just ended and it's 'summer' holidays) there seem to be a MILLION things going on!  With one car for our family, sometimes I feel like a shuttle service this week (hello moms, I know you hear me on this one) but luckily all the things we are involved in are so excited and life-giving.  Amidst the chaos of yesterday, I stopped by my friend Bernadette Terry as  she was hosting a Christmas party for the HIV support group that we lead together, with our friend Naomi.  We were snacking away and chatting by the 'braai' (barbecue) as our hosts were making a 'potkie' which is a South African traditional dish, like a stew, but made in a big cast iron pot over a fire.  SO YUM.  Yesterday was one of those days, however, where my conversations with these women, who are living lives with HIV, really stopped me in my tracks and touched my heart deeply.  When we are together for gatherings like that, we are laughing and talking and eating and we are all equal.  But the moment they walk out of that home, they are sick, ostracized, ignored, looked down upon, and living lives of struggle every single moment.  They are mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends, and definitely have their own issues in life, but are so brave and beautiful.  They humble me and give me a new perspective on the ABUNDANCE of blessings I have in my life.  There is so much to be thankful for, and they make me want to live my life in a way that honors them and our friendship.  It's a challenge to love them because they make bad choices that hurt themselves, their bodies, and their families.  But really, we ALL do that.  We ALL need grace and a great God.  So we do life together, none of us perfect, all on the journey. 

Perspective.

Love,
Sarah

Launch of Something Great!

Antoine and Mathy Musemena with their kids Onesie and Christ

I have shared many times about my great Congolese friends Antoine and Mathy.  2010 has been an excruciating year as they lost their 10 day old daughter, Lauren, who died suddenly at their home.  Even in the face of tragedy, this amazing family has continued to follow God and have been working on a plan to move back to the Democratic of Congo to start a ministry.  They feel that the time has come and plan to move there January 2011!  I will be so saddened to have these friends so far, but couldn't be more proud of what they are doing for God.  They have just launched their new website (below) for their ministry Good Shepard.  Check it out and if you are able, please support them in prayers or donation.  They are going to do incredible things!

http://www.goodshepherd.org.za/get-involved.htm

Love from the US

In this world there are many ways that people give and receive love.  There is a Christian book called 'The Five Love Languages' and it's about these ways.  One of them is 'gifts' and some people feel loved when they receive gifts - they don't have to be big or extraordinary, just something meaningful.  

I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

SO IS MY MOM.

We like holidays and sharing our love with each other!  We received a package yesterday from her (and I'm sure my dad helped... in spirit) and it was filled with little Christmas gift!  I am so excited!!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

You too could love the Princes's!

:)

Tuesday Thoughts

Sarah decided she would LET me blog for once (wink, wink) so here are some of my thoughts from this weekend and the Elite Christmas Clinics that Ubuntu Sports Outreach has been hosting.
Sarah mentioned this but Sunday night at Hillsong was pretty incredible.  Leaving the house, I wasn't all that expectant that God was going to do much, but by the time we arrived I knew that I needed to get prepared.  As the service moved towards the "Anointing" period, the Asst. Pastor, Jon Norman, came and prayed over Jenks and then me and Sarah.  He prayed some specific things that we've also been praying for and really spoke truth over us.  After that, since we are Connect Group Leaders, we were sent out to pray for others.  It was such a privilege to anoint people with oil and pray for them.  It's amazing the things that God would lead you to pray.  As that was finishing, the lead pastor, Phil, stopped the whole thing to share some specific thoughts with me and Sarah.  Yes, in a room of over 1,500 people he spoke to just us, in front of everyone.  He spoke a lot out the ways that God is stretching us and preparing us for ministry that is even bigger than we have experienced before.  He spoke specifically to me about not deferring to Sarah in ministry but to own my specific gifts.  It was just so humbling for God to choose us for him to speak to in that way.  He's definitely right about God stretching us.  It happened during the 5 weeks of having Ntokozo living with us.  It happens everyday living in this community.  And it's happening right now with our attempts to move forward with Ubuntu.
The clinics we've been having over the last 2 weeks have been stretching my faith, my patience, and my understanding of these communities.  We've now completed 5 of the 6 sessions and the results have been varied.  We've had a few really talented players, and some really bad ones.  We've had some that work really hard, and some that are quite lazy.  We've had some kids that are respectful and do the right thing, and some that just want to goof off.  So all of that has been stretching.  Last week we struggled to get kids involved from Masiphumelele, the black township near us.  I'm still not sure totally what the answer is there, but we need to think more strategically about how to get those kids involved.  We are also continuing to learn how to best communicate information and who the people are that we can trust to do things for us.  It's all been quite positive, but I wish I didn't always have so much to learn!!  When will I start to know it all?!?! (And not just in my own mind!)  Now we're wrestling with which kids to invite into the program.  There are a few talented kids with questionable attitudes, do we take the risk?  There are some kids that aren't great players, but have great athletic ability, do we trust that we can teach them how to play?  It's quite an interesting process and we have a lot of big decisions to make over the next month or so.
So, that's some of what has been going on my heart & head.

Casey

Weekend Update

Hey everyone!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!  I made the mistake of going to the 'shops' as they call the stores on Saturday - a Toys R Us to be exact - and I was reminded of the FURY and DETERMINATION of shoppers during this season.  It was crazy, but I'm sure it paled in comparison to the chaos at your stores!  We had a great weekend here, but the Prince home was relatively quiet, which was exactly my goal.  We made a family dinner and hung out together Friday night.  Saturday morning, Casey had a long run with some guys and then he and Michael went to Hillsong's new building to help continue the cleaning and set-up.  I elected to stay behind and run a few errands with Kieren and Ntokozo.  I found myself longing to cherish every minute with Ntokozo knowing she was leaving for Durban to visit family for a month on Monday morning!  We visited my Congolese friends Antoine and Mathy and it was so nice to spend time with them catching up and hear of their hopes and PLAN to move to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the end of January 2011!  They are ready for the next chapter of their lives in serving their people there and are working to get that accomplished soon!  I will miss them so much but more am happy and proud that they are following their passion and call.  Saturday afternoon we hung out a bit and then Casey went off to celebrate one of our friend's birthday with a boys' night.  When I was up with Kieren at 2am he was STILL not back, so needless to say they had a memorable night.  It was good for all the boys.  Ntokozo and I hung out and just rested.  Sunday morning we had church at Ocean View which was great, until our friend Charmaine came and scolded Casey who was still at home in his pajamas!  We have a hilarious group of people at our church.  We really just hung out together and helped Ntokozo pack and prepare for Durban all day Sunday, and then left in the afternoon to go to Hillsong for church.  They had an 'annointing' service, where they anointed every single person with oil, a marker of God's presence and blessing for the coming year.  It was an incredibly powerful night for Casey and I, as we were prayed over by a few people and even given some wisdom and encouragement from the head pastor, Phil Dooley.  We are in the right place and SO THANKFUL (trite words) for this church and their support of us.  Then we finished the night with a 'family' dinner with Casey and I, Kieren, Ntokozo, and Michael Jenkins at a Mexican restaurant we all love.  Perfect weekend.  I tried to soak up all the moments with our 'daughter.'  Please pray for her as she travels for a WHOLE DAY on a bus to see her family.  We are excited for them to see how she is growing up and becoming an incredible woman - we have even seen it in a month.

What a life of joy; hope yours feels the same

Love,

Sarah

picture from Tsktsk artwork athttp://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.98908532.jpg.

Book Review by Sarah

"Circles of Dignity" by James Cochrane

In my new quest to fill my brain with lots of great information I have come across a recommended book written by one of the professors in the religion department at the University of Cape Town.  James Cochrane is widely esteemed Christian intellectual in his field and in the country of South Africa and he is working on some incredible ideas.  This is a VERY intellectual book, took me forever to get through, but it was extremely challenging and thought provoking.  Cochrane aims to help theological and church leaders from moving away as the definers of faith and thought in the church and allow people in the church, living out their faith in everyday lives, to define what God in life looks like.  It sounds simple enough, but the history of Christianity and even the church today proves that there can be a disconnect from the church 'leaders' and those living on the ground with God in the every day.  This book looks at expressions and insights of a group of people living in a rural township, a group called Amawoti community and church.  It is very interesting and something that I live out every day in learning among those I serve in the Ocean View township.  We actually ALWAYS have something new to learn and I love what I am learning here in our world these days!

Lots of love,
Sarah

Human Rights Day 2010

Happy Human Rights Day friends!

This is an important day to remember and gain knowledge because the basic human rights of many people in South Africa and all across our beautiful world are threatened or violated every day.  SA is a county suffering from many problems, and there is much room for growth and for people to give one another the dignity they deserve.

You can see a great website about human rights and some of the issues that are the focus of this day at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/HRDay2010.aspx.

Also, here is an incredible and poignant site about human trafficking in South Africa, something that is growing and a huge problem all over the world.  Check it out at http://www.iom.int/Template/southafrica/16-days-of-activism/index.htm#img/16-days-of-activism-01.jpg.

Lots of love,
Sarah

Light of the World

"The Word gave life to everything that was created,

      and his life brought light to everyone.  

The light shines in the darkness,

      and the darkness can never extinguish it."

-John 1:3-4

Christmas is getting closer and closer here in South Africa, and Kieren, Ntokozo and I were able to celebrate on Tuesday night by attending a Christmas Carols night.  It was hosted at one of our Ocean View Methodist leaders' workplaces.  We dragged along a ton of people from the church to spend the evening with us, and I was asked to share a devotional.  As I have been reading and reading and READING about the gospel of John for my upcoming course I will be teaching, the theme of light and dark has been hitting my heart.  John tells us that Jesus came to be the light of the world, and no darkness is ever strong enough to overtake that light.  This Christmas is a different one for sure.  It's our second here in Africa, but last year my parents came to visit the day after Christmas and so we got special time with them.  This year the reality hits hard that we are 'alone' out here with out our beloved family and friends back in the States.  We are making great plans and starting new traditions, but our hearts long for the little things that made up so many Christmas' of our past.  As I think about light, a picture keeps coming in my head, of myself as a child (and even as an adult) laying underneath a Christmas tree that has been strung with little lights.  In the dark, looking up at the lights almost seems magical and there is a special spirit and power of those lights.  It's almost hard to put into words.  The disciple John was trying to describe something, or really someone, that also was indescribable in Jesus Christ.  No word or metaphor could fully capture the power of the Messiah that had come to earth, but something that John evidently loves to come back to is that Jesus is light among all the darkness in our world.  The 'lights' are different this Christmas and for sure, the darkness is stronger than I have ever known or experienced.  Ocean View is a harsh place, a place of violence, drugs, loneliness, hate, and confusion.  And yet John tells me this Christmas that no matter how dark it may get in our community, the light of Jesus Christ is always stronger.  The only reason I can believe this audacious claim is that I am seeing this Light at work all around us, and truly it is real.  Even though there are new traditions, songs, and look to this Christmas, the light is so much more real than it has ever been and I take that light to share and celebrate in a new way this year.  The light truly does overcome the darkness, and I am thankful to live and experience it every day, even in my own heart.


Lots of love,
Sarah

Family Update!

Hello everyone!

Casey and I went tonight to a beach in Cape Town for a leader's celebration and gathering for Hillsong Church, and seeing so many friends and giving 'updates' on our family, I wanted to make sure all of you are filled in on what is happening in the Prince home.  Everyone is still healthy and it's just nice to be happy and enjoying the days.  It's getting warmer around here, summer has definitely arrived, and we are continuing to make time outside, at the beach, and taking walks.  This city is just beautiful!  It is again strange to be celebrating and preparing for Christmas in summer-weather and climate, but since this is our second Christmas now, I feel a bit more used to it.  I feel like it just means you have to be more intentional about focusing on Christmas and creating 'moments' of celebration.  The holiday season isn't as commercialized here, which means you don't hear and see Christmas things so much, but it allows you the space to focus on what is really important.  On Tuesday night I went with a big group of Ocean View church people to a Christmas Carol night at one of our leader's workplace.  It seemed random, and really was, but it was very lovely to gather with a group of people of different religions and celebrate Christmas, even worshipping and thanking Jesus Christ.  I love my church so much and am thankful that this year they are my 'family' even more.

Ntokozo has had a couple weeks of ups and downs emotionally and I think a lot more is going on in her heart then she can even express.  Last week she was really heartbroken upon learning that her son, Jacob, who is currently living at an orphanage, will not be able to be fostered by a nearby family anytime soon.  She really has a profound and deep love for her son, even though they have spent little time together in his short life, and it's very beautiful.  But this week she was able to go to the orphanage and visit him and then today found out she passed the 9th grade, which is HUGE and one more step towards graduation, HUGELY HUGE!!  I am so proud of her and she was beaming all day; really all week.  She is an emotional girl, but very shy, and struggles to articulate her feelings, so she just shuts down when hurting.  It's an emotional rollercoaster around her sometimes, oh and now I'm talking about me because I feel so strongly for this girl now!  When she breaks, I break too!  With all the court stuff that has been happening I want to go and punch someone's lights out because they are being mean!  It's crazy what this experience is taking ME through, so who knows what she even thinks of this crazy home!  All I know is that I love her very much and really believe in her and feel privileged that God brought her into our lives.  I do notice that I get less accomplished than I did a month ago, but we have found a new balance and we all enjoy it.  Even Kieren is finally bonding with Ntokozo (she is getting OVER being jealous of her...) and they are sweet together. We hear her calling for her 'sissy' throughout the house.

We have a great life.  Full with Christmas, but so, so wonderful.  Love my life.  LML.

Lots of love to you too,
Sarah

Great Movie!!

We had a great family night last weekend and rented a movie I had been looking forward to seeing for a while, but wasn't too sure how my teenager would take it all!  We took the risk anyways and rented 'Skin,' and it was a hit with myself, Casey, and Ntokzo, WOW!  It looked intriguing because it is based on a TRUE story set here in South Africa, and has won some independent film awards.  Race is a huge issue around here, especially being a white family living in a colored township.  This movie brings up deep issues of race, love, family, and the dignity deserved by each person.  I would really recommend this film as you will learn and also be moved!

Love,
Sarah

Ubuntu Clinic Tuesday Pics

The Fields at Fish Hoek Soccer Club

Karl Ostrand, American missionary who will also be working with Ubuntu, beginning training with boys

These boys had a great start and we are eager to see how it all develops this week.  Please be praying for Casey and the Ubuntu team this week!  More updates to come!