2011 in Review

It is hard to believe that 2011 has come and gone! It was a fast and furious year. It’s crazy to think that I’ve lived in South Africa the WHOLE YEAR of 2011- it truly feels like home to me. Some people on Face Book said that 2011 was the worst/hardest year of their lives. I wouldn’t exactly say that was my situation, though it did prove some challenges and opportunities for growth- some that I jumped to the occasion, some I shrank away in fear; but all the while learning- and for that I am grateful. Here are just a handful of the highlights of the year (in no particular order):

-          Trips- going to London and Estonia to meet up with my dear friends in March and November. Laughs, tears, adventures, shooting the wind, depth of conversations that leaves me in a state of contemplation for days upon end. We also walked (and are walking) the path of grief with Abbey and the passing of her dad, as well as celebrating his life. We vowed to pray every day for the precious Hammond family, even after Steve’s death in 2011. I don’t foresee stopping this habit any time soon. GRATEFUL sums up my friendship with these girls.



Frolicking around London



Romping around Estonia

Also had Jenn and Angie come visit me in South Africa and I was so grateful for such a refreshing time with both visits.

We are the same person!

 


My Angie-girl



The guest house where I spend the majority of my time

- Guesthouse- this was a HUGE under-taking and honestly I have fought (and continue to fight) the enemy’s lies of in adequacy, ability, etc. in accomplishing this feat for 7 months. I still have about 7 weeks to go until my supervisors return. The Lord has proven Himself faithful time and time again. Biggest take-away have been: learning the art of delegation and knowing when to ask for help. My failure to do so is the result of pride. Problem-solving has also been key in coming up with ideas. A lot of the decisions concerning the guest house ended with me- how it should function, in regards to the housekeepers and how to serve our guest most effectively. One thing I am continuing to learn is when to ask for help (ironically) before the melt-down comes. Also, when a lot of tasks need to be accomplished how to balance that with interacting with the guest and serve their needs and hear their stories. To be quite honest, sometimes I chose tasks over guests- not ok. I am grateful for His sanctifying work and for second chances, as well as graciousness on those I was not so gracious with.

-          Bible-reading plan- If I had to nail down what was the biggest influence in my spiritual life it would be this reading plan. I took on the challenge of reading at least 10 chapters a day (if not more) and it has blessed me beyond measure. It is also my hope and prayer that it has also blessed those I interact with as I more readily speak the very words of God as it is lodged in my memory on a day to day basis. J. I. Packer said it best: "If I were the devil, one of my first aims would be to stop folk from digging into the Bible." I whole-heartedly agree- cut off the source of life and you have a withered, dead result. I’ve been a raving fan of this reading plan and have told a lot of people about it (and I haven’t yet, I am telling you now!). Some people have their eyes like that of  saucers when I tell them 10 chapters in one day, but once they start they too agree that they don’t know how they survived on so little of the Word. It’s not for everyone and it is not an end-all, just a means to the realms of consistency.



Daveyton



-          Daveyton- Besides the guest house, this was my main venue of ministry. I mainly taught ESL by going through the gospel of Mark. At the end of this year, I really evaluated if this was the best way to use my time. When I came to the decision that it was not, I am now going to spend the remaining of my time there using “Storying”- a simple, effective and reproducible ev@ng*lism, discipleship and ch*rch-planting strategy utilizing the power of stories in the Bible for oral learners. We are going to use the story set of Creation to Church, which will take up the remainder of the time I have left. To find out more, go here.



Community is a beautiful thing

 

-          New Covenant Baptist Church- finding this fellowship of believers has been sweet indeed for my year of 2011. I wanted to desperately find fellowship of believers outside the company. The result is finding a community that is passionate about the Word, worship & community to the glory of God. I have not only found great teaching from the pastors but also from the members themselves as we “truth” each other. It reminds me of Micaiah said in 1 Kings 22:14 when standing up against Ahab: “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me that I will speak.”

So that sums it up and if you have been reading my blog in 2011, then these handful of things are not a surprise to you, since I have blogged about all these things within the year. What will 2012 behold? Not all that sure but clinging to Psalm 22:5 “To You they trusted and were not disappointed…”  There are a lot of uncertainty of what I will do after I finish my term and head back to the States, but I am choosing to trust and obey, because I “have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood” (1 Peter 1:2). He is worthy and worth my life.