I AM FINALLY ABLE TO WRTIE SOMETHING AGAIN AFTER TWO VERY LONG WEEKS. I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH A DEEP RESPIRATORY COUGH. AFTER A ROUND OF ANTIBIOTICS THAT DIDN'T TOUCH ME, AND A WEEK OF FEELING PRETTY MISERABLE, I AM NOW IN VICTORIA FALLS FOR SOME MUCH NEEDED REST.
LAST WEEK WAS AMAZING, I WAS ABLE TO SEE MOST OF MY DESTINY KIDS FROM LAST YEAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW. AS SOON AS THEY STEPPED OFF OF THE BUS, THEY BEGAN YELLING "AUNTIE STEPHANIE, AUNTIE STEPHANIE." IT SO WARMS MY HEART TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DISCIPLING THEM. I HAD A FEW NEW KIDS, WHICH PRESENTED MORE OF A CHALLENGE. THE GIRLS ARE GROWING UP INTO YOUNG LADIES, AND WITH THAT GROWTH COMES A NEW SET OF SPIRITUAL NEEDS.
THE THEME THIS YEAR IS POWERFUL, AND IT IS EVEN MORE POWERFUL WHEN YOU HAVE TO TEACH IT TO 15 KIDS. I DEFINITELY LOVED TEACHING THEM HOW TO BE LOVED, ACCEPTED, SECURE, SIGNIFICANT AND FREE IN JESUS CHRIST. THEY ARE SUCH SIMPLE AND POWERFUL TRUTHS. I HAVE DEFINITELY MISSED HAVING A SMALL GROUP OF MY OWN. TO TALK TO EACH OF THE KIDS ONE ON ONE AND TO FIND OUT THEIR STORIES IS ALWAYS HEART BREAKING AND SAD. THE JOY ON THEIR FACES AT THE END OF THE DAY MAKES EVERY TEAR WORTH IT. BECAUSE THE LORD HAS SENT ME AND MY PARTNER ETHEL, THESE CHILDREN KNOW THEY ARE LOVED.
MY PARTNER THIS YEAR WAS NOT PAUL (MY PARTNER FROM THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS). MY NEW PARTNER'S NAME IS ETHEL AND SHE HAS A GENTLE AND SWEET SPIRIT ABOUT HER. WE ARE TWO PEAS IN A POD. EVERY MORNING WE WOULD SING AND PRAY TOGETHER. THE REAL CHALLENGE CAME THE FIRST DAY WHEN ALL OF THE KIDS WERE ASKING ME, "WHERE IS UNCLE PAUL, WHERE IS UNCLE PAUL?" IT TOOK THEM A COUPLE OF DAYS TO ADJUST TO ETHEL, BUT IN THE END THEY LOVED HER.
THERE IS FAR TOO MUCH TO WRITE HERE ABOUT THE STORIES I WITNESSED BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL MESSAGE WE HAVE EVER GIVEN. SATAN IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT OUR WORK HERE AND THERE ARE MANY OBSTACLES IN THE WAY. THE FACILITY THAT WE ARE AT HAS DOUBLE BOOKED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS FORCING US TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS. WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A NEW FACILITY FOR THE SECOND HALF, SO PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR THAT. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO WRITE MORE FAITHFULLY FROM HERE ON OUT.
1 comment:
Hey Stephers!
I just did a big catch up reading on your blogs. I'm so glad that your body is healing and that you've gotten your strength back. I am so excited to see all of your pictures!!!!
Two of mine and Ryan's friends arrive on the 21st. Their names are Katrina Preston and Julie Neis and are from Watermark in Dallas. I've told them to look for you.
Just wanted to say hello. We miss you!
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