Chelsea Geyer First Year Missionary - Adventures In Missions

Hello again friends!

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well, I currently find myself in a dorm room in Nyack, Ny. It's been a while since I posted anything. Why, might you ask, am I posting somethings now? Great question.

I am currently planning on heading back to Swaziland over the summer for about one to two months. The time I'm there depends on a couple of things. A fellow teammate, Tessa, is going as well plus her roommate. God has put Swaziland on Tessa's heart with a little bit of a longer term in mind. She is going for a couple of weeks to kind of scope out what things are going to look like. I am going to support her but also return to the places I worked at before. God has put a couple things on my heart, the biggest one being the love of Jesus. To be honest I don't have this amazingly mapped out plan and details. I know I want to go back to my school and see what a Bible study type thing might look like and then spend days at SACRO, the center for underprivilged kids. Beyond that I am resting in His peace and have a feeling that He has something over there that I'm not expecting, who knows. Who needs plans when we have prayer anyways? (So easy to say, catchy too, but really really really hard to walk in)

But I am not going with AIM, so instead of blogs, I'll be sending e-mail updates to everyone. I am really in need of a prayer backing. Not that anyone is ever not in need of a prayer backing, but I'm asking for your knees.

Please pray for safety, that God will give all of us guidance, that He will send someone to come the time Tessa isn't there and that He will move in mighty might ways in Swaziland.

Please pray for the people, pray for a cure to AIDS, pray for homes for orphans, pray for food for the people, pray that God's love trancends all the confusion around religion and faith. Pray that the Love of Jesus reigns.

Please send me your e-mail and I'll put you on the update list. My financial goal for this trip is $2000, if you feel called to help with that, I would love that. Send me an e-mail and I can send you the address, because I'm not going with AIM, it's different.

Really though, I need your knees. Send me an e-mail so I can keep you updated

You can push Contact me on this page or e-mail:

Livin4himdaily@msn.com

And I'm home..again!

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hola amigos!

Peru? It was awesome. We lived in a town called Musho, but our minsitry was in Tumpa. These people are hungry! I literally had one person ask for us to share the gospel then another man yelled out of his house for us to come and teach him how to pray. I mean really? That's totally a God thing. The man that asked us to teach him how to pray was Alfredo. The next day we visited him again and he and his son came to know the Lord!

There was also a lady named Hacoba (sp?) Her hands and feet shook and we think she might have had Parkinsons. Anyway, we sat with her for hours, praying over her body and just showing her the love of Jesus. She didn't speak Spanish, she spoke Quechewa, the local langauge, so our verbal communication was limited. But God is bigger than words. :)

As a team we did countless dramas, a VBS and many services with the local church. For me building relationships with the team and the pastor's family was the highlight. Being able to watch the students grow and watch God move in mighty ways through them was a blessing. God taught me so much about His Spirit and stepping into Him to reach the students.

Some of the funny, or not so funny highlights were eating guinea pig, cow intestine and more food than several thanksgivings combined. We lived at the base of Huscaran, the tallest mountain in Peru and second tallest in the Andes mountains. It was beautiful!! I'll try and get some pictures up.

Thank you all for your continued support! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your prayers!

What is up next: I'm going to Metro State College for a semester, then the plan is to go to Nyack college in New York in January. Nyack is a Christian school that has an awesome emphasis on missions. I can't wait! I'm planning on majoring in Secondary Education and English and add in International Studies somewhere.

For now I'm living at home and on the job hunt. If you know of any job or ministry opportunities, let me know!!!

What God has been showing me:

It's so easy to dive in when I'm on a trip and in community. But bringing that home is a new challenge. He's given me a heart for the people in Denver and shown me my mission field on campus. He's asked me the question "How radical are you willing to be?" So I've given Him months and my plans, but what about the little things. What about the movies I watch or how I spend my time. These little changes are the hardest. He's asking me to look at my life and revamp it so that everything glorifies His kingdom. How do I treat my family, am I loving them, encouraging them and serving them the same way I served my teams? God's asking for more. He's asking me to walk down the narrower path. To keep my eyes fervently on the kingdom and His will. Worries about jobs, school and ministry too often consume my brain, but He has never failed. He has already provided opportuinities and doors are opening. He is faithful. I have no reason to not trust Him and every reason in the world to completely surrender it all to Him. He is God and He is beautiful!

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

Training Camp!!!

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I'm the land of humidity, funny accents and more green than I've seen in a while. Training camp is in Gainesville, GA and I have spent the past two days with some amazing people and co-leaders. The students come in tomorrow. God is definitely at work and I can't wait for the students to come and join in. These past days we've been doing a lot of logisitics learning about how to manage a budget and what to do if you're student gets eaten by a wild animal. Well, the second one is a little exaggerated and we're not really learning or worried about that.

I have learned a little bit more about Musho though. We'll be living at about 10,000 feet in the mountains. My Denver heritage will hopefully help with that. Pray against alititude sickness and dehydration please! But yes, we will be working with Pastor Pedro, living in a church and loving on the people. Specifics... don't quite know that yet. But check the other blog (link in the blog below) and find out about what's happening.

I'm so excited for the students to come and to get into Peru and eat guinea pigs! Thank you again for all of support and I'll blog again when I can.

Peace!!! or Adios!!!

Chelsea

Sanibonani to Hola!

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It's Friday, I leave for Georgia to meet up with my Peru team on Monday. Have I packed or even pulled out my suitcase? Have I done the necessary laundry? Does God ever let go? The answer to all of those questions is NO!!!!

I am getting more and more pumped about the trip to Peru. God ordained a conversation with a friend and being able to speak truth into her life made me psyched to see God in the lives of of team members. We will be in Musho, Peru serving with Pastor Pedro (Peter). I know that God is going to do amazing things and I can't wait.

But, I have a huge favor to ask of you-Partnership.

Please pray for this trip! Please go before the cross and fight on behalf of my team. Pray for the leadership team- Jason Beard, Teresa White and I. Pray that we will be Spirit led and dependant. That God will form us together in close community and that we can support each other.

Pray for unity on the team. Pray that as a body we come together and search out God's vision for Musho.

Pray for our mouths. Not only against gossip and dissension, but that God will use us to speak truth into each other's lives, the lives of the people and that our mouths most of all bring glory to His name.

Pray for protection against the enemies' attacks. God has work for us to do and satan will try to stop us. Please pray against him!

Prayer is strong, mighty and the best weapon we have. Please join with me in ministry and community. Thank You!

Here is a list of all students, please be in prayer for them that God moves in and through them:

Sarah Potter

Sarah Hargan

Molly Mueth

Chanelle McWilliams

Allison Peal

Meghan Smith

Liana Whipple

Kyle Hinn

Barton Girdwood

BreAnne Allen

Adrian Barrera

This past month at home as been a blessing, a challenge and definitely a growth experience. God is crazy with how much He can do in a month. He's teaching what it means to daily walk. I feel like my semester in South Africa I was leaping. In Swaziland God said constant, daily walks. He's teaching me to live in the Spirit moment by moment, day by day. It's different here. I have to stay focused and really fight for time alone and intimacy with Him. We live in a really busy world, quiet doesn't come easy. But when I do fight, God shows up and He moves. It also amazes me how He chooses to use us even when we're not always looking for ministry. He's so great and beautiful, I can't get enough!

Thank you for being part of my community and going to the cross and fighting on my and my team's behalf. Having a prayer covering and ministry patnership from all of you is a blessing. If there's anyway I can be praying for you- holler! I won't have a lot of internet access in Peru but we will post updates (the link is on the bottom). Thanks again!

Blog link for Peru- if I can update this one, I will, but no promises:

http://08pe0626amb1.myadventures.org/

Home!

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

That's where I'm at! I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a while. After Swaziland I spent a few days in France and got home on the 21st. My head is still spinning between jet lag, seeing everyone and having so many more clothes to choose from. Seriously, I walked into my closet and it was like I had been shopping without spending any money- brilliant! So, home. Being home is such a blessing but is hard at the same time. Ya, there's the usual culture shock, the "we spend so much and they have nothing." That's definitely happening. There's the rushed feeling from leaving a culture that doesn't know the concept of time and coming into one that abuses it. There's missing my team and the people I grew to love in Swaziland. All that is present, but don't get me wrong seeing my family and friends is awesome. But God being God, He's challenging me.

In Swaziland I learned all these beautiful things about the life we are called to and now Gow is asking, "are you going to live them out?" It's so easy to switch back into a mindset of immediate anger and judgement that I used to live in. A mindset that tells me to hold grudges against people that have "wronged" me or be petty and whiney (sp?) about situations that don't please me. He taught me so much about grace and love and now it's time for me to step into it and love people. There have been several situations in the past days where I wanted to judge or be angry and just unhappy. Then the Lord shoves in my face, "Whose attitude are you called to? Who do you want to reflect?" A life of love and devotion to Him was not a 9 month program. Loving little Swazi kids that don't have any food and are so adorable is easy. You just pick them up and they look at you and you melt. It's a different story here, when people tick me off, how do I respond? The Lord is taking me on a new journey of love and grace. And I mean really, compared to the mercy and grace God has given me, why am I even writing about this?

God's also showing me new things about the Body of Christ. He's really been speaking to me about the whole one body, one Spirit, one faith thing in Ephesians 4. One body. He never said one body per country. The church in Swaziland is the same as the church in America. We are called to live as one body of Christ. There is no "American church." One faith, one body, one church. I really don't have much expect that everyday it blows me away that God is the same and in control everywhere. Being in Swaziland I got to see more of the body and I can't wait to see another part of the body in Peru.

God is great, He's challenging me saying that He's not done stretching me. Praise the Lord! Thank you all again, I'm going to post some more pictures very soon. As for the continuation of this blog, it's continuing. I leave for the Peru trip on June 20th. There is a team blog for that trip, I believe for everyone and as soon as I have that link it will be up here.

I want to thank all of you for partnering with me in this. Along with the theme of a body, thank you for living in it and living in the community where called to. I can not express my appreciation in an adequately. I have been so encouraged by you. Thank you! Oh and I would love to see you while I'm home!

Last week in Paradise!

Sun, 4 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I don't know, calling Swaziland Paradise might be a little bit of a stretch.

What to say? This past week has been one of the most eventful ones in the past 9 months. I can't believe that my FYM trip is winding down and I'll be home in a matter of weeks. But the Lord has given me a peace that this is only the beginning. Looking back at how He's wrecked my life and changed my plans makes my brain hurt.

Change of plans: I am no longer going to the Philippines. I still am going to be a servant leader, but instead of the Philippines, I'll be in the highlands of Peru. I'll be with a group of 15-18 year olds with two other leaders. That's about all I know about it at the current moment. I'm really excited to go to Peru, I know it's going to be a blast.

Youth Retreat: From April 25th to April 28th, JB, Michael and I spent the weekend on a youth retreat. It was a blast! It was weird being a leader on a retreat and planning everything and making sure things were lined up. It was also a little weird being on a Swazi retreat, things run a little differently. Everything was on African time which basically means nothing ever happened on time. In my American mindset the first day brought a little stress, but that soon wore off when I saw that only the white people thought anything was wrong with not being on schedule. I was also the only girl leader and it was such a blessing to get to build and deepen relationships with the girls.

Goodbyes: Goodbyes are sad, they just are. I've already said goodbye to my school, but on Friday I said goodbye to the drop in center I've been at. Michelle has been working there the whole time and I've been going with her whenever I can. The kids there are so precious. I've decided to sponsor two of the girls, Tandeka and Thabsile. They are 8 and9 and have never been to school. Their dad is in a hospital in Manzini with AIDS, they haven't seen him in years. They are staying with their Gogo. The Gogo makes the equivalent of 20 dollars a month, but around 11 of it goes to rent every month. These girls break my heart and it has been a blessing to be able to spend time with them this past week. I took them to buy shoes and socks. We also got some groceries and winter coats so they don't freeze. Here's a praise, between the team and finding people from home all the kids are sponsored for school next year. That's about 13 kids, maybe more, I'm not sure. But praise the LORD!!!!!!

Leaving: Friday we drive out of Swaziland. Argh. I'm going to miss this place. I step on American soil on May 22^nd and am excited for that day, but until then, sadness. We said goodbye to our church this morning and it was such a blessing as they prayed over us and sent us out. After this I am headed home for my last Bible study. Thank you all for your support and partnering with me on this trip. God's been rocking my world and seeing His hand move has changed me. Thank you!

Chelsea Geyer

P.S. I'll post retreat pictures soon along with pictures of Thabsile and Tandeka.

Fires, Narnia and Traditional wear

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello! I hope everything is well back in the States or wherever you find yourself. God is rocking Swaziland. This was my last week with my students. On the last day I went around to each class and talked to them about why I am in Swaziland and prayed over them. I told them that yes, I am here to teach, but mainly to show them about Jesus' love. The sweetest thing ever is that when I was talking, Mildred, the teacher I work with, came in and gave me a Swazi traditional cloth. All the students pitched in and they were really excited when I put it on and looked Swazi. It has the Swazi flag on it, I'll post pictures soon.

We also showed Chronicles of Narnia to the kids. Once to just the fourth graders then to anyone who wanted to see it. They crammed over a hundred kids into a classroom (the size of an American classroom, maybe a little smaller) I have pictures to post soon, but it was awesome. The bell rang so all the kids couldn't finish it, but a few came back. They understood a lot of it and understood the meaning. We talked about the film and did a gospel presentation at the end. It was really cool to see them understand the part when Azlan dies but then also to watch them jump when the wolves pop out.

I can't believe my time is so close to being done, we have 2 weeks left in ministry, our last day is Monday the 5^th. One of my teammates, Tessa, left this weekend and it kind of reminded me that at one point I am going home. I didn't think I would miss this place as much as I now realize I am now going to. Ya, it's pretty with the mountains, but it's the people. They are so open and warm. They welcome you and offer the best they have. The problems in Swaziland are deep. On the surface, it wouldn't seem that bad. Then you start to see glimpses of people's heart and realize that they need healing that only the Father can provide. My heart breaks for these people. Amongst all of the darkness though, I see one of the little kids that brings so much joy and I know that God has given these people a hope and future. They've been told that Swaziland won't exist by 2050 if the AIDS doesn't go down. But when has God ever acknowledged statistics? I know I've said this before. But God is reminding me again and again that He doesn't know the word hopeless.

Prayer Request: We are going on a youth retreat this week. From Friday to Monday, Michael, JB and I will be on Mikele's Mount with about 40 youth, Pastor Raymond and couple other volunteers. I'm so excited to spend this time with the kids and just watch them grow. Please pray that God will rock their world and speak to them.

As for me, my mind is full. Well, part of that is because I've been sick this past week and my nose has been stuffed up like crazy. The other part is God is just good. I'm sad this trip is coming to an end, but I know God has something for me in the Philippines and then later at home. I'm so excited for what He has, a little nervous, but excited. Also, today is Sunday, which means Bible Study is up soon and I love Bible Study because I see Jesus in the girls. Tamara, Zitsile, Luicia, Louisa, Cheila, and Bongiwe, they are some of the funniest girls and I feel so blessed to see God move in them. Please lift them up in your prayers!

Thank you all again! Praise the Lord for what He is doing, has done and will do!

P.S. We had a small house fire this week as a little bit of excitement. Imagine taking a nap and being woken to "There was a fire in the house we're all outside, come on." By the time I woke up the fire was out and after jumping out of bed almost having a heart attack, I realized it wasn't that bad. The house was smoky for a while and the room it was in was black, but it's all good now and no one was hurt (PTL!) I didn't wake up to the screaming or anything and there was no smoke alarm, here you are the smoke alarm. I love living in Africa!

Blog!

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

That was a creative title- I know.

One month left. Whoa. I remember freaking out when I had one month until the trip. Now I have one month until my flight out of Africa, less than a month in Swaziland- the freak out has started. School ends this week, but most of my students live close to me so I'll still see them. But still, I'm sad. Home is quickly approaching and with it a new rush of emotions. I miss home, I'm excited to see my family and friends, but I know that as soon as we say hello and get in the car at the airport every bone inside of me will want to be back here.

Other anxieties are coming up. What am I going to do after the Philippines? What about school, what should I major in, what classes? Am I ever going to come back? What about home, am I going to work, what ministry can I be involved in? My head is swirling. There are all these things I want to do. Praise the Lord though that I have a God that comes and calms me down.

School: Sorry this is so jumbled. School is over this week- sad. After this Carrie and I will be running a tutoring program for three weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays and then the other days I'll split between a drop in center for needy kids and an orphanage. I'm going to miss my kids like crazy. We've been leading the choir lately and they are frustrating the snot out of me, but I still love them.

I'm sorry this blog is all over the place. There isn't a whole lot that's new. I feel like there should be, but there's not. Things really are going well. God is moving in the school and on the team and I love it. I love seeing Him in the eyes of the people. Prayer requests: For the students. That they'll know why I'm here and who sent me, that they'll forget me and see Jesus.

New pictures up!

peace!

Bonginkosi's story

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This is a story about one of my 15 year old 7th grade students. I gave them a mini writing contest to be sent to America and my high school newspaper. This is what Bonginkosi handed me:

HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is a dangerous disease that can affect everyone. This disease is a fatal disease but can be controlled.

AIDS affects black people and white people. It affects poor or rich people, fat or thin people. It affects you whether you are a Christian, Swazi, Zulu, Xhosas, Hindus, Rastafarians, Muslim, Mozambican, Sothos or Tswana.

AIDS affects me as well my auntie, who was working in Matsapha Spinex Factory. She was a likeable woman and honest. She use to help poor children in the community by paying their school fees, buying food and clothes for them. Everyone in the community use to respect her.

She was the person who was looking after my grandfather and my grandmother the most. My father looked after my grandfather and grandmother but not as much as my auntie. My uncle did look after them but not all the time, like my auntie use to. She was the most important person to my grandparents.

She use to have more than one boyfriend and she did not use to use a condom when she was having sex with her boyfriends. On nights she use to leave home with her boyfriends to big hotels which are too expensive. On weekends she use to visit one of her boyfriends.

One day she became sick and just got sicker and sicker. She did not know what was making her to be sick. She visited the clinic many times but she became sicker and sicker. Than my grandparents sent her to a traditional doctor. He gave her some medicine and said she must find a boy who will cut her with a razor blade and put the medicine in her. They chose me as the boy. I did it but I did not like it. She became better for a week but then her sickness returned and I became sick as well. Her and I visited the health center for check- up. We found that we were both HIV positive. They counseled us and they gave us some tablets and I take them even today.

When I heard that I was positive, I was afraid. I was thinking that I was going to die, I cried and cried. But they told me that I would not die. After that my auntie became sick and got sicker again and she died. But me I am healthy and I am alive and life goes on.

So AIDS kills. It kills our parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, sisters and brothers. But life still goes on.

*Bonginkosi - (Bong-ko-zee) The "in" is almost silent.

*Zulu, Xhosa(click-osa), Tswane (tis-wa-na), Sothos (Sue-toos)- different tribes in South Africa.

*Matsapha Spinex Factory- Matsapha (Mot-sa-pa) is a town and the Spinex Factory is where she worked.

*traditional doctor- also known as a sangoma. They tell people to cut themselves in order to pour the medicine into them.

*AIDS can only be prolonged, not controlled. They give out free ARVs, but their immune system failing is inevitable.

There's a picture of Bonginkosi in my picture files.

Update!!!

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello again! Every time I sit down to blog I have the same debate about what to blog about and then something comes to mind. So here we go.

Library/ school: The library is up and kicking, nothing new since my last blog. The kids are really becoming interested and can't believe that they can take home books for free. On Friday, Grade 6 invaded the library and I checked out over 20 books. Going 0-20 is really exciting. Alright so I have a massive and I mean massive praise. Last Wednesday a lot of the kids were kicked out of school because they weren't able to pay their school fees. Carrie, the other girl working at the school with me, took a huge step of faith and said that she would raise the money for all of them, which is over $4,000. She told me and I didn't exactly know what to say. But she sent some e-mails and her mom spread the word and already (since Thursday) they've raised all of it and we are trying to build a school fees fund. It's absolutely amazing to me. First of all, Carrie taking that step is huge and I just praise the Lord that she did it because I think if God had told me to do that, I don't know what I would do. Also, I mean the Lord provides. If these kids aren't in school, they are on the street. The other thing is 1^st term exams start this week and if they hadn't been able to come back they would've missed exams and had to start the whole year over. To be in school is a huge privilege for them and it's hard to see kids that can't go because their parents don't have the money and the choice is education or food. Praise the Lord that He is providing. We were praying for the kids and God really laid on my heart that we are here this year for a reason. He just reminded me that nothing is random, but that He has a plan for these kids and He blessed us enough to make us a part of it. Praise the Lord!

International Church and youth group: This last Sunday, Michael, J.B. and I went to Big Bend with the youth ministry team to minister to a church there. Big Bend is about two hours away from our house and in the middle of nowhere Swaziland. It was a really small church, but you could tell that the people that were there truly had a heart for the Kingdom. Plus it was awesome to spend that time with the youth group kids. I'm going to miss them like crazy. We have a retreat coming up with the youth. We're going on April 25^th-28^th, please be in prayer that God will move on the trip. I'm really excited and it's going to be a lot of fun.

This trip is flying by, I mean I really feel like it grew wings and is headed out of here. The school term ends on April 18^th, which means that's when my teaching is over. I'll still see most of the kids because they all live right next to me and know where I live, but it's still sad. Thank you again for all of your prayers!

Prayer requests:

-Praise the Lord for what He's doing at Ezulwini Catholic Primary School. He truly has a grasp on the lives of every kid.

-Please pray for our team that we'll continue to pursue Christ with everything and that we'll finish strong.

God is Good!

Future plans!

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So the plan for this summer is to be a leader on a trip to the Philippines. The Ambassador Program is another ministry AIM offers, that sends out teams of 15-18 year olds all over the world. This upcoming summer two other leaders and I will be leading a team to the Philippines. I'll be in charge of the cooking and cleaning, and will also be ministering with the team, but my main role will be to support the students and pour into them so that they can pour into the people. The plan is to leave around June 21^st for a training camp in Georgia and then fly out as a team for the Philippines until July 26th.

I'm really excited and nervous, but every time nerves come up, God reminds me that He's going to enable me and that He's got me. I'm excited to play a different role on a team. I've been a participant on a lot of teams and knowing how much the leaders impacted my life makes me excited to be able to impact others. The nervous part is doing the behind the scenes thing and cooking. I'm a pro at crepes, soup and Easy mac. The three of which I don't think will sustain a team for four weeks. But then God reminds me that if He can save a nation, He can help me cook ( I don't know which one is more of a miracle.) Beyond all that, I can't wait to meet the team and pour into them. I know that this is what God has for me over the summer.

I would love to have your support on this trip. God shows me over and over the importance of having a prayer backing. Please pray for the other leaders and me, that we completely rely on Him and for the team, that the Lord will give us a heart for the people of the Philippines. Pray that the Lord will lead us and direct us to those whose hearts are ready to hear His word. Also, please pray about possibly supporting me financially. As a leader the trip costs $2000 plus airfare to Georgia and travel insurance which comes out to about $2500. I know that this is what the Lord has for me and that He will provide. Thank you for the support you have already given me enabling me to be here in Swaziland. I am seeing God move and I am so excited to see Him alive in the Philippines.

Ok so that's all. I know I say "thank you again," at the end of almost every blog, but I mean it. I really appreciate the support I get from home, it's so encouraging to get an e-mail or a comment from people. It brightens my day! Peace!

How to support me:

Mail to:

Adventures In Missions, Inc.

P.O. Box 534470

Atlanta , GA 30353-4470

Write any checks out to AIM, earmarked Chelsea Geyer

Or on my blog click "Support me"

Thank you!

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of all your righteousness, of your salvation all day long though I know not its measure." Ps. 71:14-15

Ps. 18

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ps. 18 (well excerpts, it's a long one)

"I love you, O Lord my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

The cords of the grave ^[b] coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called to the LORD;
       I cried to my God for help.
       From his temple he heard my voice;
       my cry came before him, into his ears.

The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.

Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.

He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.

He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.

He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him
the dark rain clouds of the sky.

Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.

17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.

18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.

19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me

25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

26 to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

27 You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.

29 With your help I can advance against a troop ^[d] ;
with my God I can scale a wall.

30 As for God, his way is perfect;
       the word of the LORD is flawless.
       He is a shield
       for all who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?

32 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.

33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.

34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great

46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!

47 He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,

48 who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.

Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD;
I will sing praises to your name.

He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.''

God thunders from on high for us. He parts the heavens and lifts us out of all the muck of life and redeems us. This Psalm has been rocking my face off for a while, I just marvel at how the Lord hears, cares and thunders for His people. Lately, He's reminded me at how He does this for the Swazi children. He hears their cries and parts the heavens. He is their refuge; He hears their cries when no one else does. Amongst all of the darkness here, God shines a bright light and it's beautiful! I want to sit in that light! My God is great! He gives us the ability to scale walls, fight armies and do the unthinkable. Praise the Lord!

The best day with the cutest kids!

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Our leader Cassie has been working in Swaziland for about 2 years now. She used to live in the rural area and while she was living there she met these six amazing kids. Donzela, Nonthandazo, Tulile, Bonginkosi, Bongile, and Mcebo. They are so precious! On Monday she brought all of them to our house, and then Melissa and I tagged along with all of them to Milwane. Milwane is a game reserve that mainly has deer creatures, warhogs, zebra and ostriches. There are also crocodiles and hippos, but those are rare. When we saw an animal, the kids freaked. I mean pushing and crawling over each other to get to the window. Then they would yell "Zebra, buya!" which means "Zebra, come!" You would think that Swazi kids would not be as excited, but they were. For me it was more fun to watch them freaking out about the animals then seeing the animals.

While we were at the game park we got them some ice cream (should've seen their faces) and then some chips to feed the turtles. There is this window where you can look over the river and there was a croc just sitting out on the bank with his mouth open and they got a kick out of it. I was really hoping he would eat something, but we were out of luck.

After the game park we took them out to KFC. Now you may ask why KFC, well first you'll probably ask if there is actually a KFC in Africa, but my friend, let me tell you. KFC is like the social cool spot. It's ridiculous. We were stared at ridiculously because I mean 3 white girls with 6 black kids makes a statement. It was such a blessing to me to be able to help bless them. They live in a rural area so for them to be able to go somewhere past their school is big. It was just beautiful to be able to spend a day with them, they are so precious and you can definitely see Jesus in all of them.

I just wanted to share this quick story with you. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. My camera died so all of the pictures are on Cassie's camera. Please lift up these little ones, that God will continue to put people like Cassie in their life to build them up. Pray that they are always drawn closer and closer to Him. Thanks!

Precious children in a world that doesn't see it

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"Swaziland!" That's been my phrase this week. The library is going really well, we're finding books and I just feel blessed. God keeps on bringing up opportunities and connections that are completely random, but huge! For one, one of the families at my church sells children books and happens to have a bunch of used books they are selling for less. Also, Kate Howry, the leader for the other team, her Babe (Bah-bay) or Swazi dad works for Macmillan, a big publishing company and might be getting us the hook up. The kids are checking out books like crazy and I just really see God's hand in all of this, praise the Lord!

Back to the top: Why have I been exclaiming Swaziland? It's been my phrase of frustration. I spent Monday with six precious children and I see a couple hundred every day. Then I hear about how they are being treated and I get infuriated. You hear about corruption, abuse or people stealing money from organizations and it's just argh!! It's also in the government. It's hard to see a king with 13 some odd wives and 70+ kids who's loaded and spending ridiculous amounts of money, but then kids are going hungry and spend all day doing nothing because they can't afford food or school. God has given me a big heart for these kids and I just wish that they could see how precious they are. Then, why can't so many adults see that these children are gifts. Every time I want to stage a protest God calms my heart. He reminds me that He is bigger than all the injustice, not just in Swaziland, but all over. He hasn't forgotten about these kids, and some say the people that are hurting them will answer to God, it's not my job. I praise the Lord I have Him to rely on.

I love it here. I love my kids and my heart is burning for them. It's hard to think how short my time is. God is really showing me a lot about living for Him. My biggest fear right now is going home and living like I used to you. I want to be just as on fire for His people in Colorado as I am here. I want Him to show me the precious children that are going to change my life in Colorado like the ones here.

Prayer Requests:

-There is some racial cleansing going on where we lived in South Africa. South Africans are killing all the immigrants. Please pray that God will put his hand of safety over it and that He will calm their anger.

-For my students, that their school fees will come in so they can keep coming to school. Many of them were sent home this week, but they are coming back.

-For the team, just that we finish strong!

-Praise the Lord! He's been working through the school and youth group like a mighty wind and it's awesome!

Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. I really appreciate it!

Malibongwe!

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

That's Praise the Lord in Siwati!

Hello! Life in Swaziland is life in Swaziland as usual. It's getting colder, which means we've stopped sweating and might start wearing long pants! The team is good, life is good and Swaziland is just as beautiful as ever.

This past weekend we went into South Africa for a prayer retreat and just to be rejuvenated and refreshed. It was great, God showed up and it really helped us refocus and just reconnect. Plus!!!!! And this is a BIG plus, we were able to visit past ministry sites, which means that I was able to go to Eskom and see Alan and my other friends there. (Eskom is the squatter camp I worked in for the majority of last semester.) When I saw Alan, he ran up to me and gave me a big hug and we were able to hang out the rest of the day. I was also able to see his mother, Nelly and although I didn't get to talk to her a whole lot, it was just encouraging to see her. I also saw Chazile and Sedzani, two other kids I was close to and then some of the cresh (preschool) kids. It was awesome. When we were leaving Chazile organized all the kids to set up a blockade on the street in front of our car. It was hilarious and made me cry. I just praise God that He let me see them.

Library: We went in this past Saturday and set up the library! We cleaned out a room that used to be a tuck shop and built some shelves. Our shelf building was very T.I.A. (This is Africa) and very "Well, it's close enough to level" They hold and I'm very proud of our carpenter skills. : ) I'm still on the search for books, as they do not come as easily as in the States. If you're interested in sponsoring some books, shoot me an e-mail! The other nice thing about Swaziland is the exchange rate and the lower cost of things. I'm really excited about this and a lot of kids are as well, which makes me even more excited. Please pray that the Lord just puts a drive in the teachers and the students, also that He sends me some organizational skills for this. There are pictures up if you click on "See my beautiful pics."

God: God has been showing me a lot about fully stepping into the calling He has given me. I know He has us in Swaziland for a reason. He has just put that on my heart and seeking that out with everything I have, seeking Him with everything I have. Not just in Swaziland, but even when I'm home or wherever I find myself. Everything happens for a reason. God calls us to things and places we never imagined. The funny thing is I never felt called to Swaziland. The first time I came here, I had a feeling I would come back, but not now, not to Ezulwini for sure. I felt called to Kenya and still do, God had other plans. It's just crazy and I don't want to leave here thinking, "what if." There are two other things He's been shoving onto my heart. That it's not just me that's called to something more here, it's my team. As a Body we're called to step in and pursue Him. The other thing is that it's nothing I do, which is a relief and a pain. It means that it's not up to my incompetent self, but also that I have to completely trust that God knows what He's doing and that I can't do it on my own. This seems like such basic stuff, but I'm learning that it's one thing to have the Sunday school answer, and a whole other thing to live it out and step into your calling. "Be still and know that I am God," right?

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support! There are more pictures up, i will post some pics of the library soon. The internet is on Africa time-slow. Peace!

To blog or not to blog

Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To blog or not to blog, that is not the question, what to blog is the question. This week has been fairly similar to the past ones. I taught at my school, although this week I've found non-beating way of discipline: pushups. Oh ya. I'm starting to feel like I'm getting to know the kids and connecting with them. I'm super excited about the library. The 6^th graders and 7^th graders are coming up asking for books to the point where I'm running out of books to pass out, which is a great problem. God is really opening doors there in just random ways. Talking to the teachers, students and all the Gogos (grandmas) and parents, God is moving!

Working with the youth group is bringing up challenges and joys. The kids are a lot of fun and it's nice to go and hang out with them. The challenge is simply learning how to rely on God 100%, I've got nothing for them without Him. They're just like American teenagers, same problems, same issues, just different country. I'm hearing me saying a lot of what my youth leaders said to me. Please pray a hunger for the cross over these kids. God has such great plans for them and so many of them really want to press in and grow. It's really encouraging to see the strength in them while hearing their story.

Oh! Almost forgot this! Both of the boys on our team and one of the boys on the other team are participating in this thing called "Walk the Nation." The Peace Corp is sponsoring it, it's a walk across Swaziland, border-to-border. It's two weeks, 12 miles a day, pretty sweet. They are stopping in towns setting up events about HIV awareness. The people from our team are doing a giant prayer walk. It's pretty cool. Please be praying for the walk!

My team is growing and growing by the hour. I love sitting out in the living room after everyone gets home and just hanging out as a family. Living with 14 people should be harder than this. Don't get me wrong, we have our "Get away from me moments," but on the whole, it's super evident that God formed this team. Please pray that as God continues to me, we as a body will continue to move and press into His will for us.

God has been just rocking my world. There may not be these amazing stories, or moments with fireworks or dramatic scenes with people falling over, but I know that God is here and moving. He's showing Himself in the students, in the beauty of this country and in the small moments. Simple glimpses of His hand guiding me and going before me are everywhere. The fact that His love surpasses what I've done, my inability to love Him in the capacity He deserves, and my shortcomings has bewildered and entranced me. God is good. I mean the idea that He desires to have a deep, intimate relationship with me is so great that I can't come close to comprehending it. God is good!!!!

In Him,

Chelsea

Prayer Requests:

-For God drown the students, the teachers, the youth, my family here and just all of Swaziland in His love!

-For the Walk. That God will move over the prayers spoken all over Swaziland and though the HIV awareness.

-Praise the Lord for moving in ways we never imagined!

Join the Awakening: Discipleship & Missions

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Awaken to the Adventure

Disciples aren't born; they're made. It's a process that takes time, discipline, and God. In reality, it looks more like waking up than attending a class.

As part of The Awakening, you can undergo a discipleship program like no other, experiencing four months of intense training in another country to prepare you for the ministry that awaits you for the rest of the year.

Join The Awakening

Your mornings will be spent in training and your afternoons ministering in local communities, activating what you've learned. In the context of experiential learning, you will be discipled by mentors who want to see you grow deeply in your faith.

You will be part of a community of other individuals who share your passion and desire to come alive in Christ. This time will challenge and stretch you in new ways, and you will never be the same.

Become a part of The Awakening in either Latin America or Africa and discover your role in the kingdom of God.

You were made for greatness, to experience the abundant life and freedom that Jesus promised. As they awaken, current participants are saying:

I don't think that I will ever have such an opportunity to give up all of myself and all of my expectations as I do here. (Emily Tissot, Latin America)

The Bible study has... turned into a church. So, we have church at noon Tuesday-Friday under the tree in front of the market. I love watching as people just bring their stool/chair/water container... and join in the singing. We are going through the book of Galatians, and it is cool to see how freedom is effecting their hearts. (Denise Eckert, Africa)

For more on The Awakening, visit the First-Year Missionary website.

Reading Rainbow here we come

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello Friends! This blog is for the week of Sun. Feb 17^th to now. Let's see This week has been great. I was struggling for a little while with feeling like my heart is here, and this past week has truly confirmed that this is the place God has for me.

Library/School: We're starting a library!!! (Hence the Reading Rainbow) I've been trying to figure out how to help these kids in their writing and just expand their thinking. Their reading is limited to their workbooks that contain maybe a page long story. (Note: This does not reflect all of Swaziland, just my particular school) The Lord really put a desire in my heart to get these kids reading. On Thursday I walked into the school and asked around about books and was lead into the secretary's office. She had shelves of books that weren't being used. Now a lot of these books were donated probably in the 50's and are about Dick and Jane going out to play, but there are some that are really good and perfect for these kids. I was able to send a book home with every seventh grader! Praise the Lord! We found some space in the staff room that will allow the teachers to watch the books. We're looking for the best way to build shelves that fit the needs of the school. We are also going to try and partner with some local churches and host a book drive that will hopefully bring in some more recent books.

Here's where you guys come in. We need help sponsoring the library. It's not going to be that expensive, I mean supplies are cheaper here and it's going to be relatively small, but supplying books is the difficult part. If you would be interested at all in sponsoring the library and financing books and supplies, please just e-mail me (livin4himdaily@msn.com). You can go to the top of this web page and click "Contact Me." Also, please be praying for these students. Pray that God will instill in them a desire to learn and read. I can't tell you the look on some of their faces when I handed them a book. I don't know the total cost yet, because we haven't figured out the best way to shelve the books yet. I will let you all know as soon as I know. Thank you!

Compassion and hopelessness: You think that when you look into the eyes of a child that has a story sadder than any Lifetime movie it would make you cry in an instant, but unfortunately it can be easier than you think to harden your heart. When you hear story after story and statistic after statistic about malnourishment, abuse and HIV/AIDS it's hard not to shut yourself off. I've been almost not allowing my heart to be open because a lot of this stuff stings.

Then lately the devil has been kind of throwing lies at me that the situation with HIV/AIDS here is hopeless and there's no chance for change. I don't know if I've already written this but about 40% of Swaziland is HIV positive and that only includes the people that have been tested. This means that close to 50% are HIV positive. Half the people. If HIV continues to spread at its current rate, the Swazi people will cease to exist by 2050. Now, praise the Lord, in the past couple years the infection rate has been going down because of awareness and activism. Even so this fact is still daunting. I know that HIV is everywhere here, but somehow I thought that I have a super-bubble that means that all the people I interact with and love aren't affected by HIV. Then I stop and think about my students. If they don't have HIV, they know someone who does, and have probably had someone close to them die of it.

It can be really easy to just see hopelessness, but then God steps in. He's given us life, all of us. He's reminding me that He sees hope, a future, beauty and joy in every one of these children. In the midst of some of the most disgusting things of this world, God reigns. He is their future, He is their hope and He loves them more than I could ever understand. God is good!

Wrap up:

-Please pray for this library and the students. I'm so excited to see how God moves through books!

-Please pray that the Lord will continually send His hope and compassion!

-There's this girl named Lindo that has been staying with us for the weekend. She is 6 years old and possibly the cutest thing ever. She's an orphan living with her grandma who is mentally challenged and her aunt. Her home situation is hard and she doesn't always have something to eat. She goes to a dropping center that some of our team is working at, so that is how we know her. Her time with us has been so much fun, probably more fun for us, but she has so much joy. Please just lift her up in prayer and in a covering because we know God has big plans for her.

Thank you again and I pray that God is invading your hearts with His compassion! Peace!

The old run down house

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The boards are hanging off the wall, each by a single rusty nail, four-panel windows covered in grime and rust with plants growing through them and the doors swinging with the wind that blows through the cracks. This old house was once vibrant, filled with happy faces creating memories. Children probably ran through the halls. Maybe while their curls bounced through the corridor their mother stood in the kitchen baking a fresh apple pie. They might have been waiting for their father to come home from work, and perhaps the dog was chewing on the bone curled up on the rug. Who knows. But this house was once filled with life.

Now the floorboards are broken through, the roof allows more sunlight in than shade and the only decorative aspect are nature's design of cobwebs, vines and the remains of animals that once found this as a haven, but have now left it abandoned. The outside however, is the only appearance of existing life. One vine has engrossed the house in a massive overtaking of green branches. Through the windows, around every corner, on every wall, every surface of this desolate house is surrounded by life surging through this vine.

Somehow I think this is how the world should be. A desolate place surrounded by the vine. The vine is life surrounding the lifeless. In a place where emptiness and abandonment echo off the walls, the branches of the vine invade vacancy with vibrancy. Where light shines because of the cracked roof, the vine thrives, where the failure of the house is emphasized, life is emphasized. Where hideousness and appalling features are the only attributes, beauty crawls through the cracks of the boards. The life of the vine brings hope to the hopeless.

I wonder if this is how God sees the world. Where we see desperation, He sees hope. When we think it can't get worse, He sees an army being awakened to its full potential. When we see an old run down house, He sees life.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15: 5

Prime ministers, weddings and the middle of nowhere: yep, I'm in Swaziland.

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It's been a very "Oh ya, I'm in Africa" week. On Friday afternoon, Carrie and I were picking some stuff at a local grocery store and stopped in for some fried rice. Guess who had a hankering for Chinese food the same time we did? The Prime Minister of Swaziland! That's right, as I was biting into a ridiculously cheap spring roll, the P.M. came in. We talked, we took a picture, and we felt like massive tourists for about ten minutes. It was great.

THEN we went to a half Swazi, half American wedding on Sunday. But on our way there, the koombie (public transport) was misinformed as to where our stop was and dropped us off in the middle of nowhere. We walked until someone came to pick us up and caught the end of the wedding, which was basically just a lot of dancing. The Bridal party danced on the platform for a good amount of time. Then they dance down the aisle and it was great!

This week has been like the other weeks. I taught at the school on the weekdays. The students are great and a lot of fun. We're working on writing a plan, a rough draft and then a final draft in essays. Having a ministry at the school is interesting. I know I'm repeating this, but how do I build a relationship with these kids and send them to the foot of the cross while teaching them how to organize their thoughts in a paper? (All of my past English teachers are questioning my ability to organize thoughts in a paper, but I promise I've been working on it.) God's showing me a lot about living the message of the cross and building relationships during lunch.

There's not a whole lot of new stuff going on. My team had a great Valentine's Day; we had a team picnic in our living room. I love living with everyone, it really feels like we are forming into a family and I feel truly blessed. We also went to a local school on Saturday and played any game we could think of and sang any song we could think of with the neighborhood kids. Nothing brings people together like adorable Swazi children playing red light, green light.

Thank you all again for your support. I'm sorry this wasn't a big update, but you make them too long and people start dozing off on the second paragraph, heck, I start dozing off on the second paragraph.

Quick note: God's been showing me a lot about the deepness and our inability to comprehend His love. He kind of made me think, if His love is all the water in the entire world, we're happy splashing around in a landlocked kiddy pool. His love is so deep! He's reminding me that in the hectic or peaceful schedule I find myself in, I need to take just a moment to think about His love. The beautiful thing, when I sit amazed at the way I can't understand the deepness of His love, I've only dipped my toe in to test the temperature.

Prayer Requests: -For my students, the teachers and just the school, that the Holy Spirit will move and continue to open doors.

-For Cheila, Louisa, Bongiwe, Zitsele, (sp?) Luicia, and Tamara- my Bible Study girls. That God will continue to move and open our hearts

-For the junior high Sunday school. That God will lead that group and break through the walls a lot of those kids have built around their hearts.

-For AIM vehicles. The vehicles break downa lot. There's already been one accident and a bunch of cars breaking down. The enemy isn't going to win by trying to take our cars.

-Praise the Lord! He's basically awesome and proves it to us every day by guiding us even when we don't know it.

Make Wakho

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

No that's not make wacko, it's "your mom" (mage waco) in siSwati haha.

Another week has passed by. The weeks go by so quickly here. I write a blog and then it seems like the next day it's time for me to write another one. Ok this week has consisted of teaching 6^th and 7^th graders how to write a paragraph and an essay and trying to figure out to teach about writing, but speak God's truth into their life at the same time. My students are absolutely wonderful. I mean they have their moments and then the days when 2 out of 30 kids turn in their homework, but on a whole the kids are a lot of fun.

School and lies: I'm really sorry if this blog jumps around a lot but I have a lot I want to write about. With the school and teaching and then having a Bible study and youth group I've been feeling a little overwhelmed. Not in that it's too much, but what qualifies me? Lies have been thrown at me that I can't do it, that I don't know how to teach or that I'm not old enough to raise up these girls here. Another component of this week has been breaking through this unseen barrier of doubt and accepting and believing that God has called me and appointed me for this. It doesn't matter that half the time I have no idea what I'm doing, because it's not about me. What matters is that God has a plan for these kids and He wants to invade their life and for some crazy reason He's decided to use me.

I know that God has so much for Ezulwini Catholic Primary. I know that He has put me there to not only teach, but reach into the lives of all these kids and show them that someone (God) has a hope and a plan for their future. I can't even explain how insane some of the stuff is that they write about. Some of their stories really just made my heart hurt.

Facing a hard reality: My team faced a hard reality this week. Some of the girls have been working at the hospital during the week and then we go as a team on Saturdays. The children's ward has become a safe haven for abandoned children. There are several absolutely wonderful kids with mental disabilities that have been abandoned and live at the hospital. There are also a couple of abandoned babies there as well. One of them, Mlumini, we're pretty sure he had AIDS and possibly TB, but he was facing massive malnourishment. He was a funny kid, last Saturday my friend Tessa was holding him and playing with him and I came up and apparently he didn't like me because he just waved me off with his hand, it was pretty funny. This past week he caught a really bad fever, I read his chart, his fever got up to 104 F. The two girls were spending all day with him and I saw him yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon he passed away. I didn't even spend that much time with him, but it just brings a hard reality straight into your face. The two girls mourned for him, but what if they hadn't been there? It just started making me think about all the other orphans that don't have someone to stand next to their bed and that cry for them. I knew that I was going to see AIDS here. Over half the country has HIV/ AIDS, I think it just finally hit us in the face.

The beauty in it all: Last night God showed up. We were singing the song "Our God reigns." And while this harsh reality of dying babies and children that haven't been shown what hope means was hitting me in the face and while the lies that I couldn't do it and thought and cares about home were swarming around me, God gave me a song of freedom. We as a body proclaimed that God reigns over all of this. God reigns over the orphans that don't have anyone at their bedside, He's at their bedside. God reigns over the boys in my class that have been told violence and anger is all there is. God reigns over the girls in my class that have been told their bodies are trash and that they don't mean anything. God reigns over my family, over my team and over every person, thing and stronghold in Swaziland.

Wrap up: Everything is solid here. God is showing up and moving, so please as the body, join us. Proclaim that God reigns over your family. I don't know what's going on in your house or life, but I know that God is bigger than all of it. Cast out the lies and clouds of depression and doubt that like to frequent our world, proclaim the truth and freedom of Christ over all of it.

Prayer request: That God will continue to open doors at my school. My ministry isn't just in the students, but with the teachers, another volunteer and the parents. Please just pray that will reign in their hearts.

-For my team, that we will always come together as the Body and serve Him in and out of our home

-For the girls in my Bible study. That God will move in their lives and that He will raise them up.

-Praise Him! It's so cool to see Him moving here and at a home, praise Him!

I posted some more pictures and am trying to get some videos up!

I'm turning into my mother

Sun, 3 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I'm turning into my mother.

It's started. The process of me slowly becoming like my mother has begun. A lot of you probably know that my mother is a teacher. If you ever forget you will quickly be reminded when you open in conversation with her. If you don't hear a story or something about her school in the first ten or even five minutes of conversation with her, you're talking too much. My family has endured stories told multiple times about her school. Mom, I love you, don't think this is mean. My mom loves her students and when she comes home, she just wants to relay the joy they bring her to everyone else.

This is the problem I have run into. I am now helping the English teacher and I am the Composition teacher of grades 6 and 7 at Ezulwini Catholic Primary school. I came home from my first day and the morphing began. All I could talk about was my students and the school. Suddenly my whole team, whether they liked it or not, was going to know every detail about my school. Then after about a solid 7 minutes of ranting, I paused and realized what I just done. Since that enlightening, I have been trying to make a conscious effort to reverse the process, but I think my efforts may be in vain.

But since this is my blog, you guys are going to hear about my new school, get over it. The school has been the biggest culture shock in Africa so far. For the first three days most of the students just sat in their classrooms while the teachers did who knows what in the lounge. We don't have a headmaster, we are expecting one any day now. The teacher I am working with explained that because not all the students have paid their fees they can't pass out the books and they can't teach yet. According to her, they will get cracking this upcoming week. I couldn't sit in the staff room doing nothing so I started to work with the kids.

The education system here is very, very different from the States. I was trying to help them with their multiplication and unless it was in a line, they way they've memorized it, they didn't know it. A lot of what they learn, including in writing, is imitation. They learn how to produce the end result, but they don't know why or the process of getting there.

Don't get me wrong, these kids are very bright and intelligent, they work hard and pick up on new things quickly. They are also a lot of fun, they love laughing at my pronunciation of their names. You try to remember 60 new names that you've never even heard before and the majority of them have a click or two.

The teachers are nice as well, it's just a different teaching style that I am getting used to. They do however hit the kids with a stick here. They asked me if I thought I could hit a kid and I just said that it's a very different culture, trying to avoid answering. I really do love going to the school and God has opened a lot of doors to talk about Him in and out of class. The students still aren't used to having a white person around. All the little kids play the game of who is brave enough to go and talk to the white lady. On Friday I went out and sat on the ground under a tree for lunch and all the students were staring and laughing at me and I couldn't figure it out. I mean being white isn't that funny. Then finally one of my students, who is also in the youth group, told me that I was sitting on the dirt and they don't sit on the dirt, they sit on the grass. They thought it was the weirdest thing in the world.

Besides teaching I'm continuing to work with the International Church. One of my teammates, JB and I run the junior high Sunday school and then my high school girls Bible Study starts tonight. We also help with youth group on Friday nights and the student ministry team. I'm starting to build some great relationships with the girls and am really excited for this semester.

This week has been slightly hard just with starting teaching and we've had busy nights, so I'm tired, but I wouldn't change anything. God is really challenging me to seek Him and just press in more and more every day. Oh by the way, it was a no on the Mozambique trip. It's actually good because we have more time to press into the kids here. I'll try to post more pictures as soon as I take them. Thank you again for all your support and prayers. I hope everything is well at home! OH Congratulations Uncle Dale and my soon-to-be Aunt Donna!!!!

Prayer Requests:

That God will continue to build and stretch our team as we grow as a family and do life together

For the kids and teachers at Ezulwini Catholic Primary school, that God will continue to open doors to minister to them and that they will just meet Him in a new way.

For the youth at the International Church, that God will help me build relationships and just pour into them. And also that God will lead their youth pastor, Pastor Raymond, in giving him direction and wisdom.

That God will continue to stretch me an challenge me as He is already doing.

Praise Him!

With love,

Chelsea

Becoming a child, without the diapers

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I was people-watching in DIA before my flight left and a family walked out of the gate and the dad merely walked a couple feet in front of them and the little boy freaked, screaming for his dad. Then there was this little girl just wandering, looking at everything, pointing out interesting new things like "Baby!" or "Plane!" While I was hoping that I wouldn't end up sitting next to these kids, they interested me. What if I were more like a kid? We use this phrase "child-like faith" all the time. In Matthew Jesus tells us that "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (18: 3-4) I've heard that a lot, become humble like children. But to be honest, I've spent 18 years trying not to be like a child, so that phrase doesn't exactly make sense. I understand that I need to humble myself and be innocent and completely trusting with my Father. The way kids just assume you'll always be there, that's the way I need to trust my Father. I get that. But what if humility and trust wasn't all Jesus was talking about?

Don't think this is any new revelation, but have you ever just watched a kid? Probably. What if I was more like that little boy who freaked when his father left? What if I desired my Father so much that I couldn't function without Him? Kids can't really do much on their own besides make a mess. They rely on their parent's for everything. What if I realized that I can't do much on my own besides make a mess and did truly surrender the right to govern my life over to Christ? How different would my life be? My head is swirling because I see this and I want to get to this dependency on Christ, but I have no idea how to get there.

I like depending on myself, it usually screws me over in the end, but for some reason I keep going back to it. Then I fall and Christ picks me up, time and time again. I think this is the idea of a child that God had in His head. I deny His guidance, fall on my butt, but He bends down picks me up, holds me in His arms and says "Now will you let me help you?" The humility to realize that we can't do it, and to accept and gaze upon the beauty of His love and grace, that kind of humility leads to trusting His guidance. Then that trust leads us to dependency upon our Savior. Christ is beautiful. He uses our mistakes to reveal His glory. 2 Cor 12:9- His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Sweet.

P.S. I added pictures of my house here- check them out!!!

Safe and sound in Swazi!

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I'm safe and sound in Swaziland! It's absolutely beautiful here. So I got into South Africa last Sat. There was some bad communication and a friend and I ended up being stuck at the airport, but we found a place to stay and got to Alabanza the next day. It was our mini adventure : ) I arrived in Swaziland last Tuesday and love it here. It was great to see my team and catch up with everyone. There are 14 of us living in a house in Ezulwini, which is kind of a suburb of Mbabane. We're about 30 minutes away from where we were last time in Manzini. Being here and getting to know the community, it's evident that it was God's hand taking us from Kenya and putting us here.

These past couple of days we have been exploring Ezulwini and finding places and ministry to plug into. Yesterday a few of us walked up to a local church, the International Church and it was definitely a God thing. We went back today and are now connected with the youth group. I'm really excited. It looks like I will be leading a small group of high school girls, helping with the junior high sunday school and working with their ministry team helping to mobilize them to go out. This was such a blessing to both us and the church.

For my internship during the day I am still trying to iron out the details. The plan right now is to work at a local primary school (k-7) teaching an English class. Please pray for this as I'm trusting that God will continue to open or close doors.

The big news of the day I guess is that my team and I will be spending about a week and a half in Mozambique working a refugee-type camp. Mozambique is a wartorn country and we don't know a lot but it will probably involve helping to feed the people, build things and just fill needs. It's not 100% for sure but we're about 75%, so I can't wait!

That's the update for now. I don't have much time on the computer. I will try to write more and put up some pictures of this beautiful country on Monday. It was great to see everyone at home, but I love being back! I'm so excited!!!

Have a blessed day!

my address (send me a letter!)

c/o Julie Anderson

Chelsea Geyer Team K

P.O. Box 5526

Mbabane, Swaziland

On my way!

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am sitting in a motel in Seattle, WA awaiting my flight on Friday at noon to Johannesburg. This isn't any motel, oh no, this is a motel that has inspired many scary movies. Well, maybe not really, but I would bet money that Alfred Hitchcock stayed here before making Psycho, ( I think there might be some left over chocolate syrup in the tub from the shower scene.) So it's not that bad (or is it?) but it's a little creepy. This is the first time I've been by myself in a while, a whole new adventure!

Thank you all again for your support, I thought I would drop a note saying I'm safe in Seattle and on my way. I have a real blog coming, but it's a work in progress. My time at home was great, but I'm excited to go back. I'll be spending a couple days in South Africa, then a couple of us are driving to Swaziland. Well, that's the plan right now. Peace!

-Chelsea

Life with God is so much cooler than a magic carpet ride

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Oh ya! You better start jumping because I have some amazing news. British Airways bumped up their date and i got a full refund on my ticket!!! Yes! Praise Him! God is good, I mean like really good, the word good doesn't cut it. He's great! ( now all we need is Tony the Tiger to jump up and say that). Now I have a flight to Johannesburg out on the 18th. But it was way cheaper to fly to Seattle and leave from there, so I'm leaving Denver on the 17th! Then I will fly to Swaziland! Airlines must love people like me.

Now you may ask yourself, can there be more good news?

Oh, there can be, God's that cool.

I just got an e-mail from Dave Gross, the AIM director that's helping us all out, or should I say putting up with our millions of questions (Thanks Dave!). He gave us some information on where we will be living and what we will be doing. Here is said e-mail (I've hightlighted the big stuff, which was a lot) :

"Kenya" FYM team,

We have made arrangements for your team to minister in the Mbabane/Ezulwini area of Swaziland. We have put together a brief description of what the area is like and the ministry opportunities possible there. I appreciate your flexibility and desire to be involved in ministry even though it's not in Kenya.

Mbabane/Ezulwini Area

Mbabane is the capital of Swaziland. It is the Governmental center of the country. It has about 80,000 inhabitants. The US embassy, a full service mall, and the largest government hospital are all located in Mbanane. It is in the higher altitude part of the country with beautiful mountains and greenery everywhere. The climate is cooler than that found in Manzini. ( this is important because hello! I'm from Denver.)

Ezulwini means "Heaven" in siSwati. The Ezulwini valley sits below the city of Mbanane and is in some ways a suburb of the capital. There are tourist amenities in Ezulwini including the countries largest craft market.

The house is located in a new housing development and has good security with a guard, high wall, and electric fence protecting the whole neighborhood. The FYM program in Swaziland was actually housed in this same area beginning 2004 and there are still multiple ministry contacts in the area. The house is less than 2 years old, has 4 bedrooms and will have modern bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Transportation will involve primarily public transport - although the team will have an AIM vehicle as well. Public Transport is a 5-10 minute walk from the house. A "Kombie" ride up the road to Mbabane is about 20 minutes up (and about 10 minutes down!)

Ministry opportunities include:

Hospital in Mbabane - men's ward, women's ward, large children's ward.

2 high schools in Mbabane where we have done discipleship and abstinence groups in the past.

Teacher assistants in 2 elementary schools in Ezulwini.

3 vulnerable children care points located in Ezulwini.

English Teacher for a program designed for older kids who are unable to go to school but need English for jobs.

Street ministry in Mbabane.

A Mosque is located on the road behind the neighborhood where the team will live.

Several NGO's are located in Mbabane. With some networking, there may be some ability to help with some of their activities

Now I realize that all this good news is about my trip. But please just see a testament to how God works and moves even in the strangest of ways, like through airline companies. I would love to here about you and your family. Shoot me an e-mail! Go up to "Talk to me" Or "Contact me," not sure which one it is. or you can jsut e-mail me: livin4himdaily@msn.com

Thank you so much for your continued support! Peace!

Please continue to be in prayer for Kenya. Although God may not have me there right now, one day. You cna go to bbc.com and read new articles about what's going on!

or click on these:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7184492.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7181184.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7175694.stm

Life with God is a magic carpet ride. when it's leaving, where it's going, not important.

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It's officially official I am going to Swaziland and my team will join up with ministries there. I'm not really sure what I'll be doing, as soon as I have a better idea, I'll post it. I also don't know when I'll be leaving, hopefully soon. I was supposed to leave on the 14th for Kenya, but that's changing. I don't have a plane ticket to Johannesburg at the moment. I'm having troubles cancelling and trying to refund my Kenya ticket and getting another one. Please pray for favor with the airlines and travelocity in this situation. Not just for me, but other team members that are in the same boat. Also, if you have any clues as to how to manage thiscrazy system we call travelling, let me know. I'm thinking that if I can't figure this ticket thing out, I'll just sneak onto a plane and ride in the luggage compartment. I'm all for new adventures.

do you trust me?

That's where I'm at. I'm not going to lie, finding out that my new destination is Swaziland has been rough. I know in my head that God is sovereign and that He reigns and now He's putting that knowledge into my heart. I can definitely see how He is morphing my heart. I committed to obey and trust God and right now He's holding me to my word. Now if only a cute guy wearing a sweet turban hat would show up at my door...

God is bigger than the boogie man, He's bigger than political uproar and the violence on T.V.

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Yes I decided to soak up the Veggie Tales. I love that song as a reminder that God reigns (even over the boogie man!)

The riots and voilence in Kenya is still going on. Here is what I know in a nutshell:

-The current president Mwai Kibeki was just elected into his secon term. His opponent, Raila Odinga, says that the voting was rigged. The tribes supporting each are now butting heads and people are losing their lives over it. 350 haved died and at least 180,000 people have been displaced (BBC). They are now speaking of full on tribal wars and bringing up reminders of Rwdanda. Let's pray it doesn't get even close to that.

My heart is breaking for these people. Kenya has been known as a peaceful nation admist countries in turmoil . Please pray for the people of Kenya, that God will settle the anger, that he will comfort those whose lives are being affected and that His hand and His name will be seen and proclaimed over Kenya.

As for me and my team. The plan was to leave for Kibera, Kenya on Jan 14^th. Because of safety issues we will be flying to Johannesburg and then either stay where we did before or go to Swaziland. Then when the riots calm down and as it becomes safer, we will fly to Nairobi. God is showing me again and again that His plans are His and He changes plans a lot. I'm praying that the violence dies down and we can go to Kibera as soon as possible, but I know God has something for us in Swaziland or South Africa, wherever we stay. God is soveriegn. This also adds a plane ticket and while it's not a lot, please pray that God provides for the team as His plans for us change.

I've attached some news clips that I have found to be helpful. In reading them, please pray for that people in the pictures. They aren't just faces, or numbers, these people and really all the pictures from around the world that we see, are people that are hurting and just like you and me. Pray that God uses this to bring people closer to Him and that He is glorified in all of this! Thank you!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7168551.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7172103.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7171998.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7169351.stm

Hello!

Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I'm sorry I couldn't think of a better title. I'll work on it for the next blog. So I know I haven't blogged in a while, sorry about that. No cute African children to report on here.

Life at home: has been intersting. I love being here, I absolutely love seeing family and spending time hanging out with friends. It's been really refreshing and just good. But it's bittersweet, because while I'm loving sleeping in my own house, I miss Africa. I miss the people I met, my team and not having to shave. (Kidding on that last one... or am I???.) Honestly, I didn't realize how many distractions I would have here. I mean in South Africa, my life was scheduled out and because our days were busy our time with God was set for 8:30- 9:30 and whenever else at night. Between those times everyone else was diving into the Word and so there weren't big distractions. It has been a struggle for me to find a quiet place and just sit with God. I think that's really what I miss. It's sad though that God had to take me across the world to learn how valuable time with our Creator is.

God has been showing me through all of this frustration that we are called to fight. And if we are going to commit to separate ourselves and focus in on His will, we need to fight against the distractions, worries and craziness of our lives. We don't need to fight to meet Him, He's here waiting for us, that's the beauty of it. So that's what I'm up to I guess, loving being home with my family and friends, and fighting.

Kibera, Kenya: You've probably heard about the political uprise that has erupted in Kenya. It's post-presidential election and needless to say people aren't happy. If you want to hear more about what's going on msnbc has a lot of coverage on it. The big places that are making the headlines are Nairobi and the shantytowns, Kibera. Kibera is where I will be staying, our apartment is about a ten minute walk away. AIM has people in Kibera and they are assessing what's going on. I don't mean to sound like a hippie but you can't always trust the news for the best facts. That is really all I know right now, I'll let you know if I hear anything new. We're not called to live in fear, the people of Kibera need to know that Christ loves them and is bigger than anything else. Please join my team and I in praying for Kibera and Nairobi and praying that God will show up and change this nation for Him. Pray that He will comfort hearts and cast out fear. Pray that He will settle those that are angry and give wisdom. Please just join me in praying for the nation of Kenya, for the city of Nairobi and the slum of Kibera. God reigns over all of this and above all we're called to follow His plan.

Happy New Year, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, mine was basically the coolest Christmas ever being stuck in my house after the snow with my family. No I'm not being sarcastic, we had a lot of fun, there are times when having four siblings comes in handy. Peace!

There's no place like home...

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After walking down the brown dirt road, meeting the Great and Wonderful God and clicking my flip flops three times I landed at home in Colorado. I had a safe but long trip, going from Lion King to Narnia was a little weird though (I'm going to try and soak up the movie analogies). It was hard to say goodbye to my team, but even harder to leave African culture. We were sitting in the Germany airport and saw an African family walk by and we all looked and nudged each other going "African child!!" I'm not experiencing too much culture shock, probably becuase we saw a lot of Afrikaans culture, which is very western. The only shocks I'm having are driving on the right side of the road, taking showers longer than three minutes and with hot water, and since when it is not acceptable to go without doing laundry for three weeks? I love being home right now, but am definitely ready to go to Kenya.

Something that the Lord really placed on my heart before I left S.A. was as much boldness on this mission field as on the last one. I haven't left my ministry, minsitry is life. God really challenged me to speak His name and His deeds without hesitation. To have no fear about "freaking people out." What would I say about what God did if I knew that it would be received the way I wanted it to be? God moved and I need to speak that with confidence. He moved in dreams and visions, He moved in casting out demons and fears, He moved in healing the sick and He moved in ways I'll never understand, but the point is that He moved and He is continuing to move.

I've posted some more pictures and will keep posting them. But here are some of the people that I love and miss from South Africa and I hope that you will continue the pray for them with me.

Chazile! Alan!

Balissa!Mama Jenetti's cresh kids!Julia! She worked in the cresh

the beautiful Mama JenettiSelene! It was encouraging to get to know someone my age

The Kenya team!

Faith!

Samuelkisiwe!

Nonhlanhla

Lord! we lift these brothers and sisters up to you. I pray that you will continue to reach them and captivate their lives. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet them and thank you for the people that helped me get to South Africa. You amaze me and I know that you will never forget these people, that they are so important to you.

What next? I leave on Jan. 14th to go to Kenya. In the meantime I would love to see all of you and get to hear about what is going on in your life. Shoot me an e-mail! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!