Jesus Loves Me this I know

For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so.

Over and over those words rang true as I got to hold, cradle, love on, and sing to, two of Jesus’ most precious children. We visited the pediatric ward of the Manapo hospital in Qwa Qwa and got to pray for the little ones lying inside. As we first walked in, I was drawn to a little girl standing up peering over the sides of her barred bed. I asked if I could hold her and we were singing and gazing at each other soon thereafter. Her mom, Maria, shared with me that her daughter, Tepo, was born 3 months early and had been battling with sickness ever since. She has spent most of her living 2 years in the hospital with her mom by her side. Her mom stays, eats, and sleeps with her, day in and day out at the hospital. Tepo doesn't have grandparents to come and stay with her, as they have all passed on. Little Tepo is going to be tested today for the HIV virus.

Maria and I talk, pray, and I share Jesus with her. We cling to HOPE, the meaning of her daughter’s name, knowing that Jesus is our true and only hope, comforting us both through it all. Tepo is now fast asleep in my arms. Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me, oh yes Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

I couldn’t stay away. After I placed precious Tepo in her crib, I went over to a small boy whose legs were wrapped in gauze, crying as he held them. I couldn’t speak his language but that wasn't going to stop me from trying to comfort him. He continued to cry in pain as I picked him up from his tiny bed. I sat in the only chair, a wheelchair, over in the sun of the window, and he snuggled right down in my chest and I began to sing. Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to him belong, they are weak, but He is strong. He quieted down, as I laid my cheek upon his head. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes Jesus loves me, the bible tells me so. All was quiet in the hall and on the ward for just a quick second before the nearly 8 year old boy started to burst into tears yet again. I held him tighter, nestled him down with me, caressed his skin, and began to sing once more. His tears stopped, right on his nose, and I whipped them away, being careful not to let mine fall where his left off. I kept singing, loving on him, touching him, and praying for him. Together we sat curled up on God’s lap as He lavished His love all over us. What a gift. What a precious gift.

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so.

Teachers report

It’s the end of Term 1 and we are gathering testimonies not only from the students and coaches, but the teachers and headmasters as well. I was so encouraged by these teacher testimonies of what is happening in their schools, I just had to share them. God is making a difference in the lives of people which is affecting entire classes and schools. God is at work here in South Africa. Thanks for YOUR support, allowing me to be here, doing what He made me to do.

YOU are making a difference in the lives of people in Qwa Qwa, by supporting me. Look at what YOU are a part of…..

The beginning of LS at our school this year has brought some changes. A positive attitude amongst the students has been instilled. They are able to make wise decisions. They are God fearing people. They respect their educators, coaches, as well as their parents.

By instilling a positive attitude amongst young people by motivating themselves to have a focused mind and treat people at home and at school with respect. By making them choose which is best and good for them and make a wise decision for themselves.

Many problems relating to learners’ attitudes and behavior have reduced. There is also a sense of personal acceptance evident on the learners. Attitudes towards their work have improved very drastically.

What do you get.........

…………when you put 3 fun loving, happy, playful girls in aprons, together in a large kitchen with 3 cups of flour, 3 eggs, 1 tsp salt, and 7 other “cooks”? ……….

**Homemade Fresh Pasta!
**A joyfully made mess
**Laughter
**Brittany’s birthday fun
**Yummy pasta dinner after a full day of driving and navigating to the city
**Memories of cooking and learning with famous South African cook, Debi van Flymen
**A real good time!!

Student Testimonies

God has been working in the lives of students this term!! Here are the stories from the coaches.....

I have a student at Sebabatso his name is Morena, this kid was not listening, he was disturbing other learners, he said there’s no such thing as purpose but now he is completely changed, he is now cooperative and one of the teachers asked how did I handle such kid and I told him it is not me but God himself. I thank God for him.

I have another student at Mabela his name is Retsibile, at first he was disrespecting and I talked to him one day about how he could change his life for a good purpose. And not he is the one who encourages others to attend summit class I’m so proud of him. He has lost some friends because of his changed life.

My learner’s lives have changed and there is a lot of progress in their lives. Some didn’t know that they have potential. And I’m also excited to see how God is doing in our lives especially for our leaders of tomorrow. It’s very encouraging to see my community developed.

I didn’t believe in myself. I was shy and scared by going in front of the learners, scared the learners didn’t go to listen to me. By the power of God I see everything and anything is possible to my class. When I was teaching I used to feel the whole spirit. I remember one day other learners saying to me, today is like being in church not in school. In my heart I saw God doing good because other learners felt my class is like church.

At Clubview there was a boy named Thsisiso he was so troublesome, naughty and distracting the whole class. Like I have already said prayer was the only thing that helped. The boy was not changed by me but by God. He began to ask questions where he did not understand and began to keep the order in class. Thanks to the Lord.

Changed lives of the Coaches

The coaches have been impacted and learned so much this past term. Their lives are different because of what they have done for the Kingdom of God…….

My life is much more different because of what I have learned, since I now can’t see myself doing anything without asking God’s intervention, I have experienced more and more touch of God’s hand in my life and I have experienced his work through me recently.

My life has completely changed since I learned and became a coach. So many things has happened and I thank God for being part of this ministry.

I can say I am a changed person because I learned to many things from the interns when they were teaching love, sex and relationships. I started to forgive others, to have integrity, to be trustworthy and to treat everyone on the same basis and to love others as I love myself.

My life is different now because of the things that I’ve learned. If you build a good relationship with others and communicating properly your life will be easy because you will know where to go during hard times.

Firstly, I have learned to work with other people especially coaches. I learned to accept each and every one of them the way he/she is as they are, I also learned to be patient and to accept everything that comes from anyone, whatever it is good or bad. I also learned to forgive others.

I am so proud!

I am oh so proud of our coaches! I am so proud of their striving effort to push themselves further, to go beyond what they thought they could do. I am so proud of the way they have persevered through happy, sad, frustrating, and all those in between moments. I am so proud that they themselves have become better teachers in the last 10 weeks. I am so proud that they have looked, and gone, beyond the veil to reach more people for Christ. I am so proud to watch them beam with growing confidence as we meet with each one, giving them specific ways in which we have seen them improve. I am so proud to hear them not take the credit for what has been accomplished, but that God gave them the strength and energy; without Him none of it would have been possible. I am so proud to live my life here, in South Africa, working with them.

3,731

The end of Leadership Summit’s first term of 2008 has come to an end. But what an amazing term it has been! The coaches have been so involved in their teaching, making connections and building relationships with students, teachers, and each other. They are adding to God’s Kingdom by the students they are reaching and teaching, sharing with them the love of God and His salvation. God has come to save each and every one of us.

This term, we have accomplished something very remarkable, a feat that has never been done before. The coaches have been learning and practicing how to make goals and relate it personally to their lives. At the beginning of the term, with their goal guidelines and acronyms burned into their memories, they came up with their very own mile marker goal: “85% of students will attend Leadership Summit classes weekly from February 4 until June 6, 2008.”

It is now June 6th and much to the excitement and sheer enjoyment and satisfaction of the coaches, our department, and the Thrive family, THE GOAL HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED!!!! Yes, that’s right; we have printed, handed out, and written names on 3,731 Living on Purpose Graduation Certificates! God is achieving HIS GOAL in us, teaching and reaching thousands of students for HIM!

Alfred's Living on Purpose

These past two weeks have been full of Leadership Summit graduations. The last session with the students is always bitter sweet, the end of an amazing 10 week trek and holding off another seven weeks until we see them again. Alfred, one of our coaches, made up a summary to our Living on Purpose curriculum taught this first term of 2008 using the titles of each lesson. Thought I would share it with you and encourage you to be always LIVING ON PURPOSE.

You need to “Dream Big,” so that you can “Move from Success to Significance,” and so that you can be a “History Maker” in the world. You need to “Listen to Your Heart,” and to “Make Your Dream Become Reality” you’ll have to “Leave the Nest.” It doesn’t matter whether you have something that is holding you back, you’ll have to “Let Go of Limitations.” It doesn’t matter whether you are travelling on the “Rock Roads,” or what, it doesn’t matter which challenges you are facing, but you are going to need “Guidance for the Journey.” After you have done this that’s when you’ll be living a life that has “Prosperity with Purpose,” because you’ll be Living on Purpose.

Happiness is......

Enjoying your 33rd Birthday with friends, yummy food, awesome key lime meringue birthday pie, with laughter, good times and memories that will last a lifetime!