Becky's Book Club

I recently finished reading the book One Thing, by Dwayne Roberts. One Thing is about the pursuit of God; living with a fascinated heart that leads to passion for Jesus. I would like to share a passage that really stuck out to me.

Were you able to love me?

Once I was standing before the Lord in prayer, I saw a person from China, a person from Africa, and me.. the bald guy. Jesus looked at the individual from China and said, "In all My sovereign wisdom, My decision was for you to be born and raised in China. With all of the problems, persecution, and discomfort, were you able to love Me?

Then Jesus looked over at the one from Africa and said, "In all My sovereign wisdom, I chose for you to be born in the midst of Africa. It is AIDS-stricken, poor, torn by violence, and oppressed. In the midst of those circumstances, were you able to love Me?

Finally, He turned to look at me. "Dwayne, in all My sovereign wisdom, I chose for you to be born in one of the most affluent societies on the globe - the height of pleasure, entertainment, wealth, and worldly pursuit. In the midst of all those pursuits, were you able to love Me?

Roberts, Dwayne. One Thing. Revelant Books, 2005.

This passage tells me that there are different kinds of obstacles that get in the way of our pursuit of Jesus Christ. The roadblocks are different but the question remains the same, “were you able to love Me?”

In many parts of the world, poverty, disease, and persecution hinder an individual’s relationship with the Lord. (At other times, this may actually drive the pursuit of Christ). However, for me and other Americans, our trials come in the form of material possessions, pleasures, and worldly pursuits. If we have everything we want and need, why bother turning our face to Jesus? What some may refer to as “blessings” (financial security, multitude of possessions, vast opportunities, self sufficiency) may be the very thing that keeps us from an authentic and meaningful relationship with our Creator.

So in reality, when it comes to our spiritual life, we are no better off than someone who lives in a poverty-stricken society filled with disease and corruption; we just face trials of different kinds.

Are you able to love Him?

More Pictures

Shark Cage Diving - Live Footage

My friend, Stacy, downloaded a video clip from our shark cage diving experience (she had a water cam). It's pretty wild. Thought I would post it here for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-XZDG85-uY

DC4K

I just got home from my first Divorce Care for Kids class (DC4K). I'm on such an emotional high right now. I feel like the Lord hand selected me for this particular class, with these specifics children, at this exact time. God is good, God is good!

DC4K is a divorce recovery support group for children ages 5-12 years. I will be leading the group with three other volunteers. We will be working with 8+ children every Monday evening for 2 hours. The course runs for 13 weeks.

Two of the other volunteers are school teachers who have participated in past work such as this. I expect to learn loads from them in regards to childrens' ministry.

I'm also super duper excited about the children. I just love them! They are all so uniquely amazing. I can't believe how well I connected with them tonight. It was almost as though I've known them for years. Maybe it's because I have gone through a similar life experience so I can relate. Or maybe it's because the evening was God orchestrated. Either way, I look forward to spending more time with them in the weeks ahead.

Oddly enough, as I study the material to present to the children I find myself learning so much about my own life. Divorce in my family has caused much pain and separation. Through this course I believe God will start to reveal my own brokenness and bring further restoration to my own life and my family.

Funny how I signed up to help kids, but in return the Lord is doing a number on me! Tricky lil' bugger, isn't He?!?! ;)

Keepin It Real

Alright, it’s time to get real.

I believe God is taking me on a journey of self reflection. I desire to know more of Him and who he has called me to be. In doing so, I begin to understand my desires, my strengths, and my weaknesses. So here I am, bare before you. Nothing to hide.

I think there’s freedom in understanding our faults, accepting them, and then bringing them to the light. It’s only through the light that honesty, healing, and change can occur. So with that said, these are the things that I struggle with, in my past as well as in my present. Perfectionism. Performance. People Pleasing.

We had a bible study last week that really hit home for me. The underlying message was about “being”, not “doing”. The truth is I’m accepted for who I am, not what I do or who I strive to be. I am complete in God’s image and I don’t have to perform for Him. I don’t have to strive for perfection. He loves me in my weaknesses. He loves me in my brokenness. He loves me just the way I am. This is the truth that I want to hold on to. I want to be God pleasing, not man pleasing. I want to be free from the bondage that I put on myself with unrealistic expectations of performance and image. I want to be free from the bondage of trying to meet other people’s expectations. It’s impossible, burdensome, and silly.

As I relate this “life lesson” to my time here in Cape Town, I’d like to focus on “being”, rather than “doing”. Yes, there are work assignments that I’m responsible to fulfill (which I look forward to being a part of). However, I would like to focus my attention on “being” in relationships – with patients in the health care center, with kids in the after school programs, with volunteers that work alongside me, etc. I don’t want to be distracted by the “to do” list that is constantly on my mind. I don’t want to have a hidden agenda of “converting” every random stranger to Christianity. I believe it’s through honest and genuine relationships that the Lord can and will work through me.

I also look forward to “being” in communion with the Lord. To understand what He delights in. To see the completeness of who He is. To know more of Him.

And finally, I look forward to just “being” me.

Red Hill

The past few weeks I've been really focusing my efforts on the Red Hill community. I work alongside two volunteers from the United Kingdom, Chrisie and Emily, as well as Stanton Peterson, who is the Life Skill Educator (LSE) at the Red Hill Kids' Club. Together we minister to the children in the Red Hill community by giving them a meal, sharing a bible story and entertaining them with crafts, activities and sports. Although sharing our love with the children is the number one responsibility, we have also been very actively involved in a community development project. Stanton is the only LSE from Living Hope that works in the Red Hill community at this time (serving over 80 children). His heart is sold out to Red Hill and he has a vision of complete reformation of the land and the people. I've partned with Stanton, Chrisie and Emily to put Stanton's vision on paper in the form of a business/ministry plan. This plan will be shared with local and international partners who are interested in working in the community (by volunteering, donating, researching, etc.) I'm really looking forward to what lies ahead for Red Hill.

I ask for you to join us in prayer as we seek a revival for the people, the land and the church of Red Hill.

Background of Red Hill:

The growth of Red Hill originated about 25 years ago when a man recognized the overwhelming number of people migrating from the Eastern Cape to Simons Town (both areas are located in Cape Town), where they were seeking employment. There was a major need for housing these people in the area closer to Simons Town. This man donated land that he owned, known as Red Hill, and ‘squatter homes’ have been constructed upon it. The continued growth and expansion of the Red Hill township has brought about many urgent needs. Major identifiable socio-economic problems include: poor sanitation (one toilet for five houses, only recently received water from outside tap); malnutrition; unemployment; alcoholism and drug abuse; lack of funds for school uniforms and transport; lack of opportunities for the youth couple with conditions of poverty has led to exposure to sexual activity and stealing; etc. The majority of inhabitant are blacks and colored, and the demographics are varied as whole families reside together.

Blog Update

Thank you to all of you who have been following my blog. It is so humbling and encouraging to have you come alongside of me on this trip.

I just want to take a moment to respond to some of your messages.

First and foremost, thank you sooo much for the comments you've posted and the emails that you've sent me. Honestly, each message is like sunshine to my heart. Thank you! Please know that I looooove recieving your messages but unfortunately my time online is quite limited, so I'm not always able to email you back as soon as I'd like. I hope you understand...

Secondly, I have heard the masses loud and clear and have decided against buying a car here in Cape Town. :: sigh of relief heard amongst the crowd:: That's right, Capetonians will now be safe to enter the city streets.

Finally, many people have asked me to post more pictures. So here you go....

Good-bye Friends

Back row, from left to right: Julie, Chrisie, Brenda, Emily. Front row: Me, Amanda, Kelly, Rob, Danielle.

This past week was bittersweet as I said "good-bye" to five of my teammates and close friends. Amanda, Kelly and Jess (not pictured) returned to the states, while Julie went back to Cananda and Rob home to England. I am forever grateful for the time that I shared with these amazing people. I believe God hand picked each one of us to cross paths at this time in our lives. Here is a glimpse into who they are:

* Amanda - one of my best friends from MN. Honest, bold, kind, and one of the "realest" people you will meet.

* Jess - born and raised in Ecuador. Outgoing, up for anything, amazing public speaker.

* Julie - Deep waters of patience and wisdom. Can talk politics all day long. Men line up for her.

* Rob - Without a doubt, one of the coolest guys that I know. We can barely understand each other (b/c of his English accent and my slang), but my stomach hurts from all of our laughter. Mature, considerate and stylish.

* Kelly - my roommate who is so beautiful inside and out. Fountain of grace and discernment. Poetic wisdom spews from her lips.

Thank you all, for leaving an imprint on my heart!