Simple

Someone told me today, “You are just simple.”

It caused me a few rapid eye blinks and a shake of the head before I could ask for further explanation. The idea caught me off guard.

"With you, it’s simple. You are determined to make the most of it. You know you are here doing what God has called you to do. You don’t make a big deal of it. You do it. You enjoy it. It’s simple.”

Guess it is just that simple: I love God. I love Africa.

Happiness is......

Fingerless gloves on a cold but relaxing Sunday afternoon

Putting a 20 year old class to use

8th grade, age 13, I took a calligraphy class that I absolutely loved. It came in really handy this weekend as I wrote each individual student name on their very own completion certificate. I have loved working with these 350 students this year throughout our Leadership Days and am so excited to see how God continues to work in their lives, molding them into the next generation leaders. I am excited to hand out the certificates on Monday at our final Leadership Day of 2008. I have gotten to pray over each name as I write them, praying for them as they lead this country into the future. God is working in the lives of these learners!

2 years in Africa!

It has been 2 years today since I first touched African soil. It is now a part of me. It is now my home. I couldn't be here and do what I do if it weren't for all the people praying for me and supporting me through letters, e-mails, and especially your finances. Thank you for joining me on God's call to fulfill His great commission! A snapshot of the last 2 years......

Prayer in School

I loved passing out our Save Sex books in the Qwa Qwa intermediate schools to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, 'cause I got to hear PRAYER in SCHOOL!

In the hands of students

I have had an awesome time delivering our incredible Save Sex books over the past couple of weeks. The students are so excited to see the colorful books and to claim one as their own. They open it right up, anxious to see what is inside. I have even gotten to teach a bit as we pass them out, going over the chapter titles and what they think will be inside as well as our purpose for writing it just for them! I love the real touch of the students. It has been incredible to be part of such an event – from the dream of this curriculum, to the countless hours of writing, editing, formatting, and then getting it directly to the students we wrote it for! God is going to do great things through this curriculum! Awesome!

Shout out to the binding crew!

Before I can tell you how much the Leadership Summit kids are loving their new colorful Save Sex books for this term, I have to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to the binding crew! Yes, binding crew. Five of our interns (Shout out to: Crystal, Jace, Jody, Katie M, and Matt P), worked all day, everyday, for 2 weeks binding the books together. Box upon box was unloaded, whole punched, bound, and put back into the box. Time and time again, over and over again. Tiring? Boring? Perhaps, but these interns had the best attitudes ever! Each day a new found treat, encouraging note, gold star, was placed at their work station to help them along their way. Their faces would light up and the smiles continued throughout the day. However, it wasn’t the special treats that were getting them through the day, there was more. There was a drive and a passion to reach the students in Qwa Qwa through this material that they were working so hard on. They knew God’s Kingdom would expand as He reigned true throughout the lessons inside. Matt described it this way in his blog:


“Every time I bind a book I’m giving a high school student a chance to learn how to make choices that will change their life. Every time I bind a book I’m helping a young person avoid AIDS. Every time I bind a book I am not behind-the-scenes, I am on the front lines of the battle to help change the continent for the better. God has privileged me with this work. Far be it from me to say that God was wrong in putting this task before me. Here’s to an Africa that is not just a stereotype, but an Africa where people are strong, healthy, Godly, and completely sold out to Jesus Christ.”

Every time I went in to “pep them up” I left feeling “pepped up” myself feeling energized by their diligence, awesome attitudes, joyful spirits, and servant hearts. Thousands of lives will be changed for the tiresome work they endured. Thanks guys for all your awesome, hard work!

On a Mission

I spent a lot of time with mission teams during our winter months. I learned a lot and saw God through them. God used them in great and mighty ways while they were here….including speaking to me. I’d love to send you my August newsletter which tells you more about being "on a mission." Just e-mail me a request: jennlaughs@juno.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Perhaps you want to come on a missions trip? I have more information about that too! Talk to you soon!

Labor Day?

While you were all enjoying your day off, extending the weekend to 3 days, Happy Labor Day by the way, I was back in full throttle mode ……

6:30 am: experiencing 17 degree Fahrenheit weather (checked it here on Accuweather) – getting up to 63 degrees by afternoon – deciding what to wear was more than a quick 10 second decision!

7:53 am: bakkie won’t start – too cold – burrrrr. Wait, wait, be patient.....

8:05 am: Monday morning staff meeting. Straight to hot water to make myself a cup of tea – yummm

9:35 am: Group discussion on our self development video’s “Bait of Satan” by John Bevere about offence. Boy, I have learned a lot in this series.

10:05 am: load more Save Sex books into the bakkie loaded and headed for Qwa Qwa

11:00 am: Coach leader meeting

12:00 pm: Coach meeting

1:30 pm: Leadership Summit class at Mmakwane begins

2:00 pm: Deliver Save Sex books to Mapeka school

2:30 pm: Deliver Save Sex books to Mabela school

3:00 pm: Back to Mmakwane to pick up coaches and have some individual meetings

4:45 pm: Naledi Church to pick up Abram who is teaching Launch Pad class – kids pouring out – what a great turn out!

5:45 pm: Petrol stop: Shell out R600. (nearly $100.00 and it wasn’t even full!)

6:30 pm: Back at base, Amanda and Abram are safe and secure in their houses.

6:45 pm: Quick thrive e-mail check

7:30 pm: Chauffer Kelly and Rebecca around as the “Spring Day” war against the boys has begun. Laughter, water, and schemes!

8:30 pm: Watching NASCAR!! with my popcorn dinner

10:00 pm: More water and “Spring Day” excitement

11:00 pm: “So you think you can dance?” …..how do they get their bodies to move like that?

12:00 am: post an update

12:30 am: good night – it has been a long hard day!

Hope you had a restful Labor day!