Lion's Park: The Beauty of it all, God's Creation



Victoria Falls



"He has made everything beautiful in its time."

-Ecclesiastes 3:11



Lion's Park in Botswana



One of the most enjoyable days thus far, spent at Lion's Park, an amusement-water park here in Botswana. Fun to see, kids splashing, holding on to their parent's hands, walking around on the hot pavement. The joyful cries of young and old as they play in the cool waters. The laughter, the happiness experienced by those involved in the park activities.Beautiful to see indeed, even more delightful to realize the goodness of the Lord, and how He's given us His original creations to enjoy from the ocean waters to water in an amusement park pool; from the sunshine, to the cool breezes on hot summer days. Being here reminds me that, it doesn't matter where we are on earth; whether, in southern Africa experiencing the beauty of massive game reserves habitated by animals only seen in pictures, or the beauty of the Grand Canyon in north America. I'm constantly reminded that He is always with us, its so evident through His creation. I can't help but wonder the beauty we will see once we arrive at Victoria Falls next week, which is known as one of the seven "wonders" of the world. Perhaps considered a wonder because of its indescribable beauty, something that the hands of man did not carve; instead it was created by the Master Designer, God. "Oh how Great is our God!"

Question: You ever hear the saying you should "stop to smell the roses?" Well I encourage you to stop and enjoy the Majesty of God through His BEAUTIFUL creation...you'll be glad you did it!

Precious ones: Botswana's S.O.S Orphanage

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me." -Matthew 18:5

"Teacher! Teacher!," they said with their hands outstretched as we walked into the classroom, full of precious ones. It melted my heart, honestly my eyes watered some.

The principle, Ms. Cathy, shared with us her contribution to the orphanage when she first began. "It was dead when I first came, lifeless," specifically describing the school's condition.She told us about the colorful curtains she sewn and the little things she made to add beauty. As we toured the school, the "lifelessness" she talked about almost seemed non-existent, as the walls were full of vibrant hues of yellow, reds, blues, and browns. Painted murals of happy child-like characters, danced about the building; created by a former S.O.S student, the paintings became my favorite. So next week I begin and I'm so excited to start working with these children, I pray that God will prepare me for the work ahead and that His love will continue to penetrate this orphanage. In fact that was what I felt the most, His love and how  He provides for the needs of these children through various individuals. So I say, let us remember how important children are to God, the orphans, as it says in James...
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." -James 1:27

Please pray for the children of the S.O.S Orphanage in Botswana, that they may come to the knowledge of Him. God bless :-)

Something Changed inside Me

Something changed inside me

Broke wide open all spilled out

Till I had no doubt that something changed

Every word I believed in

Until I felt it in my own heart, in the deepest part,

the healing came.

Something so amazing in a heart so dark and dim

when the walls fall down and the light comes in.

-Sara Groves

I never thought He would have brought me this far. So many open doors, I'm almost overwhelmed.

Tomorrow I will meet with a local pastor to sit in on a meeting about empowering women within the community...I'm so excited for this opportunity because I plan to do my research on the women in Gaborone and their role within the region. It will be interesting to learn about the social woes that impact the "batswana" women. I'm still praying for His continual guidance during my stay here. Its only been a week and I already feel Him changing me; which takes me to my next thought..of completely submitting to Him, regardless of the circumstance. No matter how hard the situation is we must realize that He is still in control...something that I'm continually learning. As some of you may know, I experienced many difficulties before arriving here...I really did not think that I would be here, I had to say "okay Lord this is in Your hands." Yes it was hard but as mentioned in the previous post, He knows us and He knows the end from the miniature to the macro. So finally I say to you why not follow His plan for your life?  As Paul says,

"I appeal to You therefore brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, living and holy and acceptable to God." -Romans 12:1

You see when you completely submit to Him, you will be CHANGED, instead of your will it becomes His.

Allow Him to change you beloved, you'll be amazed...I can truly testify that I'm in awe of what He has done.

Until next time...

Flying: Looking from above

"And not only does He know all things from a comprehensive, macro-perspective, He also knows everything in miniature, down to the tiniest detail." -Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Along the lines of what I was thinking when I peeked through one of the tiny windows of the airplane, on my way to Johannesburg; peering down on what seemed to be like miniature homes and vehicles, thinking how He could know every single detail of our lives, each and every one of us. Knowing about the death of a loved one years ago, the broken relationship with a distant father or the difficult break-up that wounded our hearts. Knowing our thoughts and our intentions, knowing as the psalmist states "our rising up and our sitting down." Before we came He knew us, for He knew us before the beginning of time.
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!"

-Ponder on that, for He cares for you Beloved.

Introduction:

Throughout this blog I want to share with you my journey to Southern Africa and give some encouraging words; particularly sharing the goodness of the Lord and how gracious He is. I'm truly thankful to Him for this opportunity and I pray that you would be inspired as you read. Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions that you may have about my experience, as I would love to share!!
I would like to first say a special thank you to my mother, grandmother and grandfather, my uncle and aunt, and Mr. Thurman Shelton for their financial support and Daniel for all of his help, I really appreciate it!!
Also thank you to all of my family and friends for your unfailing support...I LOVE YOU!!

I will try to write as often as possible...I have so much to share that I don't want to post all right now. But I will throughout my stay here in Africa.