So it's either Lakhula or Lakhuwa but seeing how I don't think any of you speak Sutu it doesn't really matter. That's what the kids at the cresh yell when we pull up every day- it means white person.

Ok wow a lot has happened this week. Well not really but it feels like it. So I'll start from the top.

I have been praying about how to talk to Cynthia about what God has been putting on my heart for her. These past couple of weeks her and I have become good friends, I go and see her everyday and just kind of hang out. I really have been praying for boldness from the Lord and to have a sense of urgency and just to speak Truth. So I really felt on Monday that I just needed to go and talk to Cynthia, so I did. I asked her about her church (she wears a uniform to church, it's a white robe and it has a blue cord- it's not the ZCC but another one) I asked why she wears the uniform and she didn't know, really I am just curious about the church and what they believe. So I just started talking about how God desires a relationship with us. She talked about how when she prays she asks God for help and to fulfill needs. I asked her how she would feel if when Matepelo (her daughter) is older all she ever talked to Cynthia about was help or "I need." Cynthia said that she would hate that, that she wants Matepelo to talk to her about her life. Then we talked about how in that way and even more God wants a relationship with her. He desires us to talk about the innermost parts of our life. We also talked about the beautiful romantic side of God and the Song of Songs. Cynthia has a horrible outlook on men and I can't say I blame her seeing what she sees in Eskom. We talked about how God wants to in a sense be our husband and we as the church are the bride or Christ. I felt like God was telling me to take her to Song of Songs when He says "Like a lily among the thorns is my darling among the maidens," and other parts where God speaks beautiful poetry to us.I am praying that she begins to understand the many aspects of God and sees the beautiful personal relationship that He desires. That our relationship with Him isn't about uniforms or looking, acting, doing certain things and going through certain rituals, our relationship with Him is just that a relationship. Like a Best Friend, a Husband, a Father and a King we can come to God with any and everything and He loves and desires us beyond our understanding. I'm praying that she will just continue to be curious about the Word. She doesn't have a Bible, we're getting one this weekend, she reads Sutu so it's a matter of finding a Sutu Bible.

Wow this is getting long- sorry.

Continuing: Yesterday (wed) I really felt that the Lord wanted us to go to Alan's house and talk to his parents- so we did. Nelly, his mother, was free and his dad was cleaning out the oil on their generator. Carol, one of the ladies at Alabanza, had given Nelly a copy of the New Testament. We asked Nelly if she had any questions, she had told us she had been reading out of it. The copy that Carol gave her was like a study Bible for African teenagers, so it had a huge intro and a lot of it was about abstinence. Nelly had just started reading at the beginning of the book, so she had read the intro. We showed her where Matthew started and just started showing her different parts. I felt called to Eph 4:1-6 which talks about the calling God has placed on our life. We talked about how God has a calling for her life and how to answer it. We then dove into the whole one body, one Spirit and how my church in America is the same church as the one in Eskom because we are connected in one Father. Her baby, Gelly, (sp?) had a string around his belly and neck that represent the ancestors protecting him from evil spirits. We showed her how in Deuteronomy 18:10 it says not to consult the dead (and a whole list of other stuff) and how in Christ we have been given authority over evil spirits. We talked to her about spiritual warfare and how in Jesus' name we have power and authority. Now I don't want to think we were freaking her out with spiritual warfare way to early. People here have a totally different outlook on spiritual stuff. They believe that there are spirits, good and bad and that ancestors and sangomas can protect them. Spiritual warfare isn't bigger or more over here, just more prevalent and acknowledged. We talked about how there is one Spirit we should ever be involved with, the Holy Spirit. I asked her to pray about taking the string off the baby because of the stronghold it gives the kingdom of darkness. I thought that maybe we would come back tomorrow and talk about it, instead she went directly into her house and cut them off. How awesome is that? God was just moving through that conversation. I really feel like He is going to use Nelly's amazing hunger for Him to touch and move her family. Pray for that family and that God will move in Robert's life and bring an awesome man of God into his life.

Sorry that this is getting long, real quick. We are having a church service on Monday in Eskom and so far half of Eskom has said they will come, we are just praying that they will come. Please be in prayer for this service that God will move.

Fun story: Today I went back to Nelly's and she was braiding someone's hair so I helped her braid and we just talked, getting to know each other, it was a lot of fun and relaxing. But cool thing: I learned how to tie a baby on my back with a blanket, ya sweet I know. So I walked around with her to get some petroleum carry Gelly on my back and everyone was just laughing- it was pretty funny. I can just imagine myself in MANY years when I have kids walking around the grocery store with a baby tied by a blanket on my back- haha.

I'm still deciding where I will be next semester. I know the Lord will make it clear when it needs to be. I'm just relying on His peace to calm the anxiety I have about my location, I know I will be in either Kenya or Swaziland. Please pray for clarity and for the rest of my team that we will just seek God's will above all else.

Prayer requests:

-Cynthia, Nelly, Robert, Refilwe (pray for healing!) and all the other beautiful people of Eskom! That the Lord will continue to move.

-For Mama Jenetti, she is worn out from her work at the cresh. She is such and encouragement in my life and I love seeing her and laughing with her everyday day.

-The church service, that doors will be opened and people that have seen the white people walking around will be curious about why we're there.

-My d-group leader Heather had to fly home because of an illness, so healing and God's hand in that situation.

-Safety is a continued issue. The Lord has protected us and I know that His will is always good. We are just growing comfortable and just need to remember that we are in South Africa and it's not always safe and to just be on guard. Nothing new has happened, but we have received warnings and just need to be wise. Pray and praise that the Lord keeps us safe.

-The Lord continues to give me energy and strength. I never want to not rely on Him. I'm learning that when I try to go off my own strength I don't make it anywhere. Thank you so much for praying for me, I can't tell how much it means. Thank you for your continued support and just outpour of love. I LOVE getting e-mails and comments and hearing what is going on at home. So send me an e-mail or you may receive an official African butt kicking.

Thank you all of you for your continued support. The Lord is teaching me so many things and revealing Himself in ways I never thought of. I love and miss you guys!!!!!

Chelsea :)