perseverance

I have always heard you must be doing something good, if you are feeling beat up. This has been a hard weekend, but one that has developed more perseverance and trust. Friday I received an email letting me know that one of my flight times was changed, which didn't allow me enough time between flights. Since "TIA" (see previous post for definition) all of my other flights had to be changed. So, as of Sunday night I have no flight to Africa. I was EXTREMELY frustrated after the email, but instead of staying frustrated I went to the Word. I was studying the great faith chapter Hebrews 11. I tried to put myself in the people's shoes listed in the chapter and decided that even if I have to build a boat in my yard in the middle of winter, I will get to Beautiful Gate.

The second frustration came today. While I was reading an email from Ray, the director of Beautiful Gate, my computer crashed. After talking with a few different people and realizing this is the second virus it has had in 6 months, I have made the decision that I need a new computer. I don't like this decision, because it means spending money that I don't know where it is going to come from. But the fact is the most "reliable" form of communication I will have in Africa is via the computer (email, Skype, Facebook and the blog) so going without one is not even a choice. When I asked BG what I should bring with me, a laptop was first on the list. So it is a purchase that has to be made.

I was talking with some great friends today about attitude. Usually when things like this happen I like to sit and pout and have a pity party. One of my friends was agreeing with me on how even though we are suppose to praise God when we are facing storms, sometimes sitting on the couch and dwelling on the negative feels better. Her husband was opposite from us. He said things happen for a reason and when something comes up that wasn't planned we should look to see where God is leading. I really want to have his attitude. Having a pity party, might feel good for a time, but is it, really?

Tomorrow as I try to book a new flight route, I am going to praise God for what He wants me to experience. Also as I try to work more hours at work to get some extra money for the computer, I am going to keep my eyes open to what God wants me to see. I am not saying I am no longer going to have pity parties, because sometimes we just need to, what I am saying is I am going to start acknowledging Christ as my King, who reigns over all and trust Him alone.

Contest!!!

Recently I was trying to figure out how to share my adventures in Africa to you blog readers in a way that doesn’t sound like every adult character on Charlie Brown, “wah wah wah wah wah.” I decided to take a friend along to help with the journey. I would like to say this was my idea, but I need to give credit to my friend Karebear Lubbers, who did the same thing on her trip to Uganda and hopefully will publish her stories because they are great. So throughout my 6 months at Lesotho you will hear updates from me and my perspective as well as updates from my friend and the adventures he has been on.

Here is the contest…my friend needs a name. As you can see my friend is a nice fluffy puppy who loves to be cuddled and loved. I am sure my friend will enjoy it’s time with the children at Beautiful Gate, because there will be so many children to love on it.

You can submit your names to my email, christina.terpstra@gmail.com with the subject "name my friend". I will then pick a winner and my friend will have a name. And yes, there will be a prize for the winner.

Tumello

Thanks you all for your prayers and support. I know that moving to another continent isn't going to be easy, but I can't wait. I am at the point where I am tired of planning. I just want to go. I want to be peace at Beautiful Gate. I want to bring joy.

When I was in Lesotho in October I asked my friend Edward, who lives in Lesotho and works at BG, if I could have a Besotho name. I wanted to be apart of Lesotho, the people, the culture. I wanted to belong. For a female, your name changes after you have your first child. After your child is born your name changes to M'e ma... (which means mother of and then your child's name). Since I am not a mom I was curious what my name would be. He came back the next day and named me M'e maTumello. Mother of Faith.

Who knew that that name would cause me to act. Through this whole process I have redefined the word faith. For me faith is living life without knowing the details. Faith is stepping out and acting when God calls you to. It could mean moving to another country to serve. It could mean giving up your shoes for those who don't have them. It could mean fasting from going out to eat and taking that money and giving it to those who need help. It could mean adopting a child. Faith is doing things that make other people say "what?"

I want to encourage you friends, to step, leap, jump into God's plan. It is so freeing. Yes is it stretching and will cause you to sacrifice but in sacrificing you...will...be...blessed.

What's in a name?

tense?

There has been some tense moments this week. Nothing too major that relates to Africa directly, just moments when you look to God and say, "am I really strong enough for this?" I have had 2 conversations with people this week that make we want to scream at the ridiculous things they have said.

Our world, right now is at war and I am fired up!!!! There are babies dying. There are people who have gone days without food or water. There is a family standing over some one's bed as their life support is being shut off. What is the church doing about it? Really?!?!

In my last post I encouraged you all to seek out the part that God has chosen for you to play. What is your role in the family? We all have one. Now do you believe enough to take up that role, to take up your cross and follow God. Do you know that you know, that you know, that you know, that God is who is says He is and will come like He said He will come? My hope is that from now on I can let the tense conversations flow in one ear and out the other. I don't want them to settle in ANY part on my mind, heart or body. I don't want to be distracted from my role. I have a role to play. I believe enough. I am being sent to Africa, and I am going.

Why?

Because God is who is says He is and He will come like He said.

After a drive with my best friend tonight I walked in the house trying to make sense of the week. My friend always has a way of speaking the truth to me, even when I don't want to hear it. I opened the door to the house walked in and started singing a song that I haven't sung in a while. May you be blessed by our great God as you take up your cross and follow HIm alone.

God is bigger than, the air I breathe, the world I leave.

God will save the day and all will say, "My Glorious."