There is a wonderful story about these ladies. The one on the right was a true miracle of prayer today. She was being helped by a physical therapist and they could not really find any solutions for her ailment. With prayer and believing, this lady was up walking around raising her arms! She then spread her testimony which resulted in quite a few people asking us to pray for them. Praise the Lord!!
Did we mention that we LOVE these kids? It will be very difficult to say goodbye to them, but we leave knowing we have helped them.
Our construction team finished their project! The over hang and the benches of this building were made by each of these men as they alternated shifts. This is the church's kitchen that feeds certain children 2 meals a day for 5 days a week. Now they can escape the sun and have a place to sit.
Our physical therapy team creates realistic exercises that our patients can do at home to become stronger and healthier.
This sweet baby was one of the 300 patients we saw today. Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Tomorrow we hope for bigger numbers. Our team leader even made an announcement on the local radio about the clinic.
***Saniboni (hello) followers! This is Shannon here! Hasn't Jenny done an excellent job not only keeping the blog updated, but also taking amazing pictures to capture God's work in Badplaas? We are thankful for her talent! I'm writing specfically tonight to thank you for the prayers covering our team. Today I witnessed a man who was given an HIV test that had a positve result. This unfortunately is not uncommon to the clinic. He was very resistant not only to the news, but also to our triage team's offers to pray over him. He even told us to "stop trying to push our Jesus on him" since we offered him pray. Praise the Lord we serve a BIG God who is faithful beyond what we could hope or imagine. Upon sitting at a provider station, the news was shared with him again. Our bus driver, who has been a huge blessing to our team and is very familiar with the culture, came over to speak to him. He talked him down and allowed us to counsel him on the news. This man eventually caved and said, "Ok, I'm tired and just want you to tell me what I need to do to get better." After counseling, education, and a referral to the local clinic, we took one more shot of asking if we could pray for him. To our surprise, but not to God's, he accepted the prayer. We prayed that through this circumstance, he would come to know God as his Healer, His Great Physician, His Savior of his soul! We prayed he would use this situtation to bring glory to his name and reign in his heart. When we were done praying, he smiled and THANKED us for the prayer! Yes, he THANKED us! What a God moment! We serve an awesome, HUGE God. We know everyone has been praying at home that we would serve at a clinic that would eternally change lives. Seeds are being planted and hearts are being changed! Please continue to cover us because we feel it and so do our patients!
We claim this: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Ephesians 3:20-21
Thank you Jenny for keeping us up to date on the happenings of the group. Your photography and blog updates have been exceptional. Keep up the great work..
ReplyDelete300 patients in one day. That is a huge number. Im sure you are seeing an assortment of issues. Thanks for sharing the specific stories of the two patients. We serve a mighty GOD. He is able to crush any barrier that we may face.
Continue to enjoy your trip of service and praise.
Tana... I miss you... I hope you are enjoying yourself and embracing each moment of this experience... BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO TELL ME EVERYTHING... I tell anyone who would listen about the mission in which you are partaking. I love you... Be safe and dont forget to lock your doors... "Somebody might get in!!!" :)
Love,
Dominic
God bless you guys! I've been keeping up with the blog & covering you guys in prayer. I love watching God do more than we could ask or imagine! Great job on the blog & great job with the people you are interacting with. Just remember, you may be the only Jesus some of them ever see! Make your time with each one count. Blessings & favor as you shine the Light in this region. God bless you & each person you encounter! In Christ, Glenn Hair
ReplyDeleteYou guys have all been doing an amazing job! I can not believe how many lives you are able to touch in such a short period. We have been praying for all of you. Addie and Simon say that they miss their Gami!!!!! God bless all of you and we can not wait to hear all about it when you come home. We hope you continue to have a safe journey and are able to reach out to many many more in the days to come. We miss you!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jake, Karen, Adeline, and Simon Noland
Hey all! I'm so excited looking through these pictures and seeing all your familiar faces. I know our Lord is working in and through each of you in order to fulfill His purpose. Thank you all for being so faithful and willing in His calling. It is such a tremendous blessing to call you brothers and sisters in Christ!
ReplyDeleteSpecial shout out to SA 2011 group, viners, PA buddies, and ex-roomies ;). Miss you all so much! I can't wait to hear all your stories!!
Love you, mean it.
Amanda
Hi Dan! We are celebrating grandma's birthday today and missing you. It is great to be able to follow the happenings of your trip through photos and updates! We are continually praying for you, your team and the wonderful people you are ministering to. We are all excited to see you soon. Keep living the dream!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, John, Beth, Jason, Kari, Kelli and Derek
P.S. Suni says hi : )
Hey there buddies in South Africa! So exciting to read Jenny's amazing entries and see her beautiful pictures of you doing the Lord's work. I'm a little disturbed at the pictures of my friends with animal blood on their faces, but the rest I'm pretty stoked about. :) I hope you're finding the inspiration to sustain you through each challenge presented and know you are being showered in prayers and love from home. Be safe but be bold in your faith- it's the only true and lasting thing you are actually offering people.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Kim Sudheimer
PS: Hurry back. Amanda played drums at group tonight...
So awesome to hear how God is working through y'all! I have been keeping the team in my thoughts and prayers throughout the week. Garrett, Dylan says, "Daddy, please come home soon so mommy will stop feeding me peas!!!" Haha, he had peas for the first time today and liked them!! Maybe y'all can eat those together too!!! I think he's saving his crawling until you get home. :) We miss you like crazy and love you tons!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Tana, please tell Shannon "Thank you" for her latest update :)
ReplyDeleteI am touched by the lives you and your teammates are transforming through God's love. I see you've had a plethora of "God Moments" through out this journey, what a blessing! I am sooo proud of yall and I thank you for inspiring me.
Tana, my prayer is that you continue to experience God's love on a deeper level! I pray that your soul is renewed and replenished, and your faith enhanced exponentially! I can't wait to hear your stories and praise reports... I miss my friend and love you dearly! Send my "hello" to Mykenzi too! I am inspired and amazed by you both!
Love ya,
Tiera
Hey Shan and Sarah!
ReplyDeleteDad and I just want you to know that reading about the amazing things that you and your team are doing with God's help is the highlight of our day! It is amazing how many people's lives you are able to change in so few days through healing and introducing God into their lives.
We'll continue to pray for you every day and pray for your safe return. We are so happy that you are out making a difference, but we can't wait for your return!
Miss you!
Maddie
We continue to be amazed by the blog! What a blessing it was to see the team all together on prayer mountain. We could see the peace that passes all understanding on the faces of everybody. Clearly, God is working bigtime! Who cannot be touched by the pictures of the children. Ya'll are making a huge difference in their lives that will last in their hearts when ya'll leave. How amazingly humbling to read the story about the man who received his HIV results...and what a blessing for ya'll to be there with him to comfort him.
ReplyDeleteHow extremely touched we were to see the two of you close up, Bryan and Jordan working with patients half way around the world..Bryan a God call since the 8th grade and Jordan through the gentle leadership of God. We are SO proud of you and of Elise too. All the answer to prayers.
Please pray for someone back home and his family who need your prayers, Spencer Hampton who was air flown to Duke this morning with cerebral hemorrhaging.
God is SO good and he knows all. No matter how far away the three of ya'll are, Bryan, Jordan and Elise, he is right beside each of us. We continue to pray as all of you bless others.
Love, Mom and Dad
We continue to be amazed by the blog! What a blessing it was to see the team all together on prayer mountain. We could see the peace that passes all understanding on the faces of everybody. Clearly, God is working bigtime! Who cannot be touched by the pictures of the children. Ya'll are making a huge difference in their lives that will last in their hearts when ya'll leave. How amazingly humbling to read the story about the man who received his HIV results...and what a blessing for ya'll to be there with him to comfort him.
ReplyDeleteHow extremely touched we were to see the two of you close up, Bryan and Jordan working with patients half way around the world..Bryan a God call since the 8th grade and Jordan through the gentle leadership of God. We are SO proud of you and of Elise too. All the answer to prayers.
Please pray for someone back home and his family who need your prayers, Spencer Hampton who was air flown to Duke this morning with cerebral hemorrhaging.
God is SO good and he knows all. No matter how far away the three of ya'll are, Bryan, Jordan and Elise, he is right beside each of us. We continue to pray as all of you bless others.
Love, Mom and Dad
We continue to pray for you and thank God for the wonderful services that you all are providing. You are doing an AWESOME job in touching so many lives in different ways. We pray for your safe return.
ReplyDeleteTana, we miss you and are looking forward to seeing you next week.
Love, Mama and Daddy
As all who leave comments, the collective prayers of all of us are continuously with you. May GOD's Intimate Fellowship continue to bless all of you. Through you, may The HOLY SPIRIT reflect the kindness of GOD, so those who experience HIS Kindness will desire a personal relationship with HIM. GODspeed to all of you.
ReplyDeleteLove you all, Ros Thornthwaite
Hi Anthony and Jessica-
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess things are winding down for you and your team. I know you have been a blessing in many ways to the people you have touched all week. I pray that your team has not only been a blessing to the people in South Africa but that you have all had a spiritual renewal as you have allowed God to use your hands, your eyes, your hearts to be a blessing to others.
I am on a train headed north to celebrate Mother's Day. I am in the very last car - sort of like being in the last car on a roller coaster! This is the bumpiest and swayingess train ride I have ever taken!
Of course Smokie wanted to come with me. When I told her she couldn't come with me this time, she said all bets were off and she was going to get on the cat line with Miho and tell him the same thing! Who knows what they will scheme up!
You all continue to be in my prayers. Be safe and be blessed. Love you both!
Mom
We continue to be amazed by the pictures and stories. We can only imagine the life long affects both medically and spiritually...only God knows. You will continue to be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteRebecca P. - We are looking forward to having you home for a few days when you return. Oreo can hardly wait:) Take lots of pictures!!
(To Phyliss Thornthwaite from Natalie) Mom: I have just caught up on the blog this afternoon and flooded my face with tears (and runny make-up)....along with my office crew, who was also in tears. I have never been more proud and inspired by you. I'm thankful Olive and Gray have such a wonderful legacy ahead of them.
ReplyDeleteI told Dad, out of habit, I've called you a couple of times on my way home from work to chat. I wanted to call you and tell you that Olive is trying to stand-up by herself and Gray's favorite things this week are ice cream with fudge "squirrels" and John's "soupcase" (aka: suitcase).
Miss you much and can't wait to talk to you on Monday. I'm constantly thinking about you
Lot of Love,
Nat
From Natalie again:
ReplyDeleteWhomever is taking pictures is capturing all your experiences there so beautifully. Words don't do justice. Thank you. Also, on behalf of my family, thank you for such a beautiful picture of my mother, Phyliss.
Blessings, Natalie
So exciting to see all you have been doing in the Lord's name. Mark, you certainly have had a range of activities -- from hunting to PT, WOW!! Can't want to hear all the stories first hand. Mom Jones and I are already enjoying the Mother's Day gifts, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLots of love, Mom, Dad, and Mom Jones
Class- When I look at the pictures and follow the blog only one word comes to mind "Amazing"! You now know your worth and it is something that words can not describe. The gift of life is to give and the gift that you are giving speaks highly towards your character and will carry you throughout your life. I am so proud of you all and will keep you all in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMykenzi- This has been the hardest time of my life! There has never been a day that I was unable to speak with you and I pray that there never is again. Mommy is so proud of you, I love you dearly and miss you more than words can describe. See Ya soon Stinky! :)
Love
Mommy, Sammie and Brit Brat
She She and Brooke:
ReplyDeleteWe heart the blog and all the wonderful work you are doing. Photos are fabulous and we enjoy reading what each day brings and the work God is doing with your group. Sophia and Dalton both want to leave y'all messages, so....
Sophia wanted you to know that Dollie is all better and is going to come to Charleston next time with her. She also said she loves Uncle Brook. Sissy, don't worry she added you when I asked her :) Dalton wants to say that he loves you and he has been making traps around the house to catch a Leprechaun. He's going to bring one to Charleston to live with you.
We will continue to pray!!! Love and miss you!!!
Sissy!
Hi Vine Group!! I love all the updates and beautiful photos! I cannot wait to hear all the things God had done this week!! I pray for safety on the rest of your trip and I'll see you all soon :)
ReplyDeleteLove, Tiffany (from Amanda's computer)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWe have all been on this one together guys. Grandma Shirley has been talking to me regularly to hear the updates and shares with all her lady friends at her retirement village. They are all praying and so excited each day to hear what God has done.
ReplyDeleteTonight she called for her update because i forgot to let her know. I always tell her what the pictures are and where i see Jessica or Anthony or Carol working. She giggles and gets so excited. Tonight she began to softly sob as i read the news...saying, "Oooh, That is just soooo wonderful. Carol,...Anthony,...Jessica,....they are going to ...to,...(she was overcome and at a loss for words but i know what she was trying to say. She was trying to say "they will never be the same". Wasn't she? :)
Then she said,...."He knows, He just knows."
She also said,..."I think it would be wonderful if they could give a program here where i live too. They would just love it here. It's so wonderful what God did!
I love you all. Mimi
Mason -
ReplyDeleteFinally figured this thing out with the help of Claire - posted on yesterday's a few minutes ago. Excited for you and this awesome experiene. Praying for the group.
Love you,
Dad and Mom