Archive for the ‘Missions’ Category

Africa’s Influence

At the most unexpected times, I find myself shaking my head at the realization that South Africa is the only home my children know.  Sometimes my heart celebrates their unique cross-cultural experiences.  Other times I wonder with internal pause and contemplation about how this will shape their futures.  At all times… it takes trust.  Trust [...]

Tornado Wreckage, His Promises

A tornado hit the Thrive mission base yesterday, but we’re looking past the wreckage and into His promises.  I wrote about it on the Thrive field blog… you can read it here.

Me Right Now

…Literally.  Basketball is playing in the background (which feels really American), but I’m drowning it out with new music I’ve pulled from noisetrade.com- FANTASTIC fair trade music website that I was just introduced to (thanks Marc and Katie). Totally digging Graci Phillips, Tizrah Lemmens, and Joy Williams… among others.
I’m ignoring a forgiveness issue- or trying [...]

From Here to There

I was part of a missionary panel today (gasp, I totally just called myself a missionary) to answer questions about the challenges and opportunities that come with living overseas and being in ministry.  In my answers, I heard my heart describe how being physically distanced from my family is incredibly hard and how I sometimes [...]

Truth in Solitude

I’m on a solitude retreat- 72 hours of only me and God, 4 hours carved out for “external” things that refuel me… and hence, I’m writing.
Months ago, an encouraging word was put on my heart for a friend: Solitude is fertile soil for your heart.  God’s been whispering that back to me since I heeded [...]

My Other Son…

I am so proud of him.
A decade ago  when our (first) season in South Africa came to a close- Thabang was there to help us pack up our things and send us off.  I’ll never forget that final hug and the words he said in broken english as we said goodbye.  Thabang lived on the [...]

This is why…

My scattered posting is evidence of my long hours the past few weeks.  They are hours full of meetings, writing, and answering emails. But they aren’t tiresome hours- they are hours well invested.  Invested in the potential of South Africa. This is why I’m here. This is why I love what I do.
This… is the [...]

Being Salt and Light

I’ve been knee-deep in studying about what it means to be Salt and Light. Why???
…because it’s what we’re called to be.  And I’m going to share it with them.

Made For This

Today, as I’m traveling back to my home in South Africa, and my eyes are likely puffy from tears and my heart tender from tough goodbyes- I’m reminding myself that I was made for this.  I don’t know why- I just know that it’s true- that I was made for South Africa. And  in my [...]

In Their Words…

I’m pretty vocal about my discomfort in being described as a missionary, but the truth is, I love what I do. And every now and again I get to hear in their words about how Thrive Africa is making a difference.  In my role as Interim Director, I’m normally a behind-a-desk administrator but occasionally I [...]