Preached this weekend at Ocean View Methodist - YAY! Every time I preach there I think "I LOVE MY CHURCH!" I really do. After I preached they brought our family to the front of the church and prayed for us and our trip. We are blessed. Thankful.
See my sermon below!
Love
sarah
Or click link here.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Moving Forward
WHEW!
Feeling a bit crazy this morning as we leave TOMORROW for our trip to the United States.
NO it's not a holiday!! But YES I will get tan and fat! Woo hoo!
So excited to see family and friends and MOST OF ALL excited to share all that God has been doing in our midst and ministry. We feel abundantly blessed and filled to the BRIM with what God is doing. Can't WAIT to share it all.
As we pack up and tie up lose ends, I find my heart already getting sad this morning to say goodbye to our home here. I love these people so lives and our hearts are deeply, deeply intertwined with theirs.
Yesterday afternoon I woke up from a nap (hollar at Sunday naps - the BEST) and four women from the Methodist church had made me a home-made card and brought gifts for me. These woman have NOTHING and often don't have money for simple things like electricity and bread. But they wanted to bring ME a gift to thank me for the ways I love and support them.
So humbling.
We had a great day at our SA churches yesterday, and again just thankful for the ways God builds us up in those places.
We are learning. We are growing. We are blessed.
Oh, and we ended the weekend by taking Granny Jacoba out for a birthday dinner (her b-day was Saturday but she was too busy for us!). We took her for fish at Ocean's Basket. We laughed and had the best time.
Family.
love my life.
sarah
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sisters United
This week I got to work on a new initiative that Hillsong is starting on. It's called 'Sisters United' and the goal is to reach women in various township communities to love, mentor, and build up what God is doing there. Hillsong has been busing in small groups of women from townships for big women's events, but we have seen such beauty in the Ocean View community as women unite and grow together we want to help foster it in other areas.
And I get to help with it! YAY for me! What a dream!
So on Tuesday I went to the northern suburbs of Cape Town to an area called Atlantis, a coloured township that was established during apartheid to move the group out of the city of Cape Town. It is HUGE now, overflowing with people, and home to another smaller community called Mamre. Mamre is on the edge of Atlantis, and a farming community made up of coloured folks, and it where I found these incredible women.
An powerful friendship was formed by two woman, a white Afrikaaner named Loretta and a coloured woman named Nolene and they have started to minister together to women in Mamre and Atlantis. I went for one of their weekly women's meeting in a home in Mamre. The area is insane because it's made of small homes and 'wendy homes' similar to what I see in Ocean View, but surrounded by horses, chickens, and farm land. It's actually really beautiful. As the women opened up, I found their hearts to be broken and needy just like the women I minister to in Ocean View. Actually, just like my heart too.
It was a beautiful morning and I got to take some of them home and see their humble homes. There was instant connection and they are ready now to come to Ocean View :) We will continue to build and mentor these women and bring them into the Hillsong Sisterhood family. Beautiful things are ahead.
What a privilege I have to reach out to these amazing women. God is at work.
love
sarah
Friday, June 24, 2011
Giving Back
This week I was so surprised by something. Tuesday night I was hanging around the house, a bunch of kids over playing with Kieren, and preparing dinner, and I had a knock at the door. It was three of my Ocean View women. My first thought was 'uh oh, what did I do??' Turns out I didn't do anything. I wasn't in trouble. My Ocean View women are just going around to all the families in the Methodist church to check in with them and see how they are.
They just wanted to check in with ME and see how our family is doing. And pray for us. That's it. Just wanted to love us.
Humbled once again in this community. The people we have come to serve have time and time again served and loved us so well. There is so much in this incredible community of Ocean View. And so much more to come.
love
sarah
Thursday, June 23, 2011
More Intern Thoughts...
Check out these REALLY cool thoughts from one of our summer interns, Alison Gamble. Love her SO. MUCH.www.love4thesakeoflove.blogspot.com.
Listening
I am taking our wonderful interns through a journey that I call "Look, Listen, Love." It's what God has taught me through living in Ocean View and has become a key piece in my ministry (you are going to hear MUCH MORE about this soon!). So with the interns, we are walking through each of those steps while they are living in the Ocean View community. I wanted to share some of their thoughts with you because they are amazing!
From Christine:
As I go and listen to people from Ocean View there are many tragic stories of drugs, alcohol, violence, apathy, job loss, and the list goes on and on. While these stories were eye opening and difficult to hear, it was something else that stood out to me. In the midst of so much darkness, there is light. In this past week I have had the privilege of talking to several people in the community who are daring to go against the grain and fight for something bigger than most people in the community are willing to settle for. One particular family we talked to, the James family, is doing this everyday. While talking to them about what life is like in the community, I saw that they recognized the problems in the community and the pressures they continually face, and it was clear that they had made a decision to not give in to these pressures. Their stories were inspiring and they are all working in different ways to encourage and strengthen those around them. It was amazing to me that in a world where so much is going wrong, their love for each other, their community, and God was so apparent. It reminded me of Matthew 5:14-16 when it says “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The James family is just one of many lights in Ocean View and they offer hope that this community can transform and live up to their potential.
From Doug:
There are a couple things that stand out in my mind with the people here in Ocean View that I’ve heard. The first is that they are not quick to take the blame for anything. After spending much time with the Ubuntu kids, listening to programs on TV about Cape Town, and from people in Ocean View, they all blame their struggles not on their doing but on the doings of others. That may be partly true because of the apartheid and the prejudice and segregation that still holds strong here, but it has been years since the apartheid ended, and it continues to receive the blame for the lack of change in the more poor communities. The young kids find no fault from their own actions when they’re late to events or aren’t prepared for activities. The blame is put on their parents or on the taxi’s who provide some of the kids transportation, etc. When I compare what I’ve learned from “Looking” at Ocean View to what I’ve “Listened” to here in Ocean View, my desire to see young men rise up to be leaders in the community is desired even more. I don’t see and hear a community who can’t change. Instead, what I see and hear is a community who won’t change.
From Christine:
As I go and listen to people from Ocean View there are many tragic stories of drugs, alcohol, violence, apathy, job loss, and the list goes on and on. While these stories were eye opening and difficult to hear, it was something else that stood out to me. In the midst of so much darkness, there is light. In this past week I have had the privilege of talking to several people in the community who are daring to go against the grain and fight for something bigger than most people in the community are willing to settle for. One particular family we talked to, the James family, is doing this everyday. While talking to them about what life is like in the community, I saw that they recognized the problems in the community and the pressures they continually face, and it was clear that they had made a decision to not give in to these pressures. Their stories were inspiring and they are all working in different ways to encourage and strengthen those around them. It was amazing to me that in a world where so much is going wrong, their love for each other, their community, and God was so apparent. It reminded me of Matthew 5:14-16 when it says “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The James family is just one of many lights in Ocean View and they offer hope that this community can transform and live up to their potential.
From Doug:
There are a couple things that stand out in my mind with the people here in Ocean View that I’ve heard. The first is that they are not quick to take the blame for anything. After spending much time with the Ubuntu kids, listening to programs on TV about Cape Town, and from people in Ocean View, they all blame their struggles not on their doing but on the doings of others. That may be partly true because of the apartheid and the prejudice and segregation that still holds strong here, but it has been years since the apartheid ended, and it continues to receive the blame for the lack of change in the more poor communities. The young kids find no fault from their own actions when they’re late to events or aren’t prepared for activities. The blame is put on their parents or on the taxi’s who provide some of the kids transportation, etc. When I compare what I’ve learned from “Looking” at Ocean View to what I’ve “Listened” to here in Ocean View, my desire to see young men rise up to be leaders in the community is desired even more. I don’t see and hear a community who can’t change. Instead, what I see and hear is a community who won’t change.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Volunteer HERE!
Alison Gamble and I (one of our interns) and I went to a Volunteer Workshop last week to learn how to best utilize people volunteering their time and passion in our organizations. It was an OVERLOAD of information, but GREAT stuff. It really pumped me up for having people work with us here in Africa!
This year God has really uncovered a part of my heart that desires to teach and inspire young people to see God's heart for the last and least in our world. I have LOVED all the people who have visited us in SA and worked with Ubuntu and Ocean View. It's something I want MORE MORE MORE of! So we will continue to position ourselves to be ready for volunteers to come work with Ubuntu and learn from the Ocean View community!
Who is next??
Is it you??
Here are some of the benefits that come from volunteering with Ubuntu and living in Ocean View:
1. Learn about living in a TOWNSHIP in Ocean View
2. Make a difference in the life of others
3. Be exposed to new cultures
4. Learn about soccer ministry
5. Travel!
6. See AFRICA!!
7. Training, skills, and life experience
8. Hang out with the PRINCE FAMILY!
Time for you to make a plan to come to CAPE TOWN!
Here are some of the benefits that come from volunteering with Ubuntu and living in Ocean View:
1. Learn about living in a TOWNSHIP in Ocean View
2. Make a difference in the life of others
3. Be exposed to new cultures
4. Learn about soccer ministry
5. Travel!
6. See AFRICA!!
7. Training, skills, and life experience
8. Hang out with the PRINCE FAMILY!
Time for you to make a plan to come to CAPE TOWN!
love
sarah
Love to the Dads
Happy DAD's DAY to all the Father's out there!
I was brimming with thankfulness yesterday as I celebrated my sweetie who is the BEST DAD to Kieren. He is amazing and fun and the most incredible partner I could ever ask for. We have a blast!
Cute DAD story:
Every night when Casey puts K to bed, they start playing, and wrestling, and jumping, and laughing, and showing off (the interns have been enjoying the show lately), and it takes a good 30 minutes. I can't even try to stop it. They just have so much fun together and Kieren giggles and grins from EAR to EAR every time she sees Casey. What. A. Gift.
And then there is my own Dad, who is an incredible example of humility, Godliness, and love. He has taught me to be giving, faithful, strong, and to seek Holiness. Each year he gets better and better and I look up to his walk with God.
Who could ask for more?
Love
sarah
Thursday, June 16, 2011
You are Not Alone
I found this incredible organization today when I was reading up about what's going on with To Write Love on Her Arms. They are also amazeballs, but THIS one is pretty epic, I think. I found an organization online called I'm Alive at www.imalive.org. This is what they do:
Delivering The Miracle of Hope and Help
We are poised to create the world’s first virtual crisis center. When it launches it will also be the first crisis center where 100% of the volunteers are trained in crisis intervention. While we are only able to offer services to North America, we hope IMAlive will grow beyond our borders.I think it's beautiful that anyone can go online and get help and someone to listen to in a moment of desperation or crisis. We should know that all of us come to a time where we need help, a hand, something beyond ourselves.
You are not alone! Share this resource with others!
Sarah
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
New Interns
We are growing quite a clan of fun people hanging out in the View with us! Two new interns are now here to work with us, and I want them to introduce themselves!
Hi. I'm Jordan Parker and I'm from Corinth, MS. I am 17 and just graduated high school. In the fall I plan to attend Southern Mississippi University and play football as a kicker/punter. While at Southern I will study polymer science. My dad Gregg, is the youth minister at First Pres. Corinth and also the boys soccer coach for Corinth High School. My mom, Debbie, is a school teacher at the elementery school. My sister Kara is studying dental hygeine and little brother Joel who is ten is just enjoying being the baby of the family. Sports of any kind, that I enjoy, and also good company and just relaxing.
I first heard about Ubuntu and what Casey and Sarah were doing here in Ocean View two years ago at Fun in the Son. I immediately felt compelled and felt the calling to help with their organization. Two of my greatest loves put together: Soccer and missions. I knew that one day I would arrive in Ocean View and do whatever it is that I have been called to do here. Although it didn't happen immediately and as soon as I would have liked I didn't lose hope, with a little help, and now I am finally here!
During my time in Ocean View I want to practice and learn more about the art of serving. 1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." For me that gift is soccer so I believe that through soccer I can ultimately help serve others. Also, while I am here I don't just want to serve but I also want to learn. There are those who need help, but then there are others who have a lot to teach me.
I first heard about Ubuntu and what Casey and Sarah were doing here in Ocean View two years ago at Fun in the Son. I immediately felt compelled and felt the calling to help with their organization. Two of my greatest loves put together: Soccer and missions. I knew that one day I would arrive in Ocean View and do whatever it is that I have been called to do here. Although it didn't happen immediately and as soon as I would have liked I didn't lose hope, with a little help, and now I am finally here!
During my time in Ocean View I want to practice and learn more about the art of serving. 1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." For me that gift is soccer so I believe that through soccer I can ultimately help serve others. Also, while I am here I don't just want to serve but I also want to learn. There are those who need help, but then there are others who have a lot to teach me.
Hi! I’m Christine Gamble and I grew up in Raleigh, NC and went to Grace Community Church. I now go to Wheaton College, which is a great school near Chicago. I’m an Interdisciplinary Studies major, with a combination of economics, anthropology, and geology with a focus on water. I have a heart for rural parts of Africa and want to help with economic development and help ensure that people have access to water, adequate food, and basic health care. I originally came to Africa this summer with a program at my school called Student Ministry Partners. I was supposed to work in Zambia with the Jubilee Centre, an organization focused on community development and empowering local churches, with two other students from Wheaton for two months. Due to some unfortunate and unavoidable interactions between my malaria pills and migraine medicine, my trip in Zambia was cut short. Although it has been easy for me to become frustrated by the circumstances and confused as to why God would bring me all the way here just to have me leave so soon, I know that God is faithful and has a plan, even when I don’t completely understand it.
Instead of going directly home after leaving Zambia I decided to join my sister Alison, who is already working with Casey and Sarah this summer. This summer is already a lot different than what I expected or prepared for, but I am excited for this opportunity to be in Cape Town. While my location has changed, my goals for the summer are more or less the same. I hope to learn about different communities and see how they function. Most importantly, I want to love and humbly serve those around me while also growing in my awareness of God's love for the people of this world.
Stay-cation!
Casey and I took a day off yesterday and created our own 'stay-cation' for ourselves! Actually CASEY did ALL the planning - how cool is he??
We hiked up Chapman's Peak (took us 2 1/2 hours!) then had lunch, went to a movie, had SUSHI (he loves it now! Who is this man??) and stopped by our Hillsong leaders connect group. It was relaxing, long, restful, and full of laughter and great conversation.
Of all the things we are doing to prepare to return for a visit to the US in two weeks, I think yesterday was the most important - REST!!
love
sarah
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