We walk into the gate at Ithemba and all the little kids run to us. For the next three or so hours we are their jungle gym, their friends, and their teachers. It’s a beautiful thing, to be able to love on those kids. The Lord sent me to this place about two years ago to intern as an FYM. I fell in love with it then. It was always on my mind and heart while I was serving in Georgia. I wondered if I was ever going to see those kids again. If I was ever going to be able to hold them and tell them that the Lord loves them. Or if I was going to be able to play with them. So I consider myself very blessed to be able to be back here with my family at Ithemba.
This morning was my ministry teams first day of putting on and running a program at Ithemba. It is a holiday right now which means that the kids aren’t in school so we are doing a holiday program. My team is teaching them all about the fruits of the spirit. They did great. It reminded me of how I felt my first week at Ithemba. The nervousness. The excitement. But in the end the Lord took care of all of those and that is what happened today. There were a couple of bumps along the way but Ryan, Kayla, Ellen pulled it off.
Oct. 3rd
So today I went to Ithemba the whole time and hung out with the kids and students. It was so good to be back in the run of things. (This week I have been sick some and had errands to do and such so I wasn’t at Ithemba everyday) I played soccer with on of the boys and one of the directors for quite a while. I was tired. But is was so much fun. I think I had forgotten my love for the place and the children. Which shocked me a little. After all this was my home for 9 months not to long ago. And when I left Ithemba back in May of 07 I left part of me there. I had poured all I knew and could into those kids and that place. I had a piece that it was time for me to go but it was still hard.
Coming back has been great. I am able to pick up where I left off and now I have new things to share with them and more work to do. I love it that the Lord has put me in this place again. Yeah it’s hard but it is so good.
Today Mama Queen (one of the ladies that runs the program we work at) gave me a Qhosa name. Lisakhanya. Which means still bright, never changing, the light as not left me. She told me that she gave me this name because I am the same as when I left. At first I wasn’t sure what to think of that. I don’t want to be the same. I want to change and become more like Christ. I want to be a better person. But what she was saying is that the Lords life is still on me I am shining. Which is a huge compliment. So thank you Queen for my new name. I will try to remember it this time.
I am so glad that you are back at with the kids that so missed you the past year. God wants you there and he made it known. That is great that you got a new name. how do you say it. Rebecca you do glow when you talk about the kid here in the states i can’t imagine how bright you are when you are with the kids. hey have fun playing soccer, isn’t it so much fun to play!
what were you sick with?? I am glad to see an update it makes me so happy and breaks up my Saturday which is all studying and small breaks i might be able to watch a movie. i talked to mom yesterday or should i say this morning it was after midnight when we finished talking. hope to talk to you soon, God Bless and much love to you. you are amazing!!
your sis
Awww I know those kids missed you sooo much!! They all asked me when you were coming back…you really made an impact on them..especially Wawa.Reading this makes tears come to my eyes because I want to so badly be back there with them. I pray that God will open the door for me to go back one day! Noomsa gave me a Xhosa name: Cumisa which means smile. I won’t ever forget that…it is something special. Tell them I said hello and I love them all. There will be a card in the mail shortly to them! Have a blessed week…you and your team are in my prayers!
Becca, I can just picture all those kids climbing all over you and how awesome that you are back there with them !! Makes all of those months in the office worthwhile doesnt it !! God is faithful!! I love and miss you . Give my love to all the girls. robin
Hey Becca!! I’m glad to hear that you are doing well and that things in Africa are going goood!! It excites me to hear what God is doing in your life. Praying for you ( =
awww, yay!
Yay for pouring out everything you have and seeing the hand of God in it!
And praise Him that His never changing light shines so brightly through you that you’ve been given a name for it! 😀
HUGS
Becca I am so glad that you are able to be back in JBay doing what the Lord has called you to do. Have fun with all those kids and keep loving on them like you have! I miss you girl and I look forward to more updates! Praying for you every day!