Keeping My Ears and my Knees to the Ground

Happy Easter We Have Reason To Live Because He Does!

My South African Paska

Have a little sit down, grab a left over paska that's slightly dried yet salvageable with enough icing, and enjoy a little South African update... So the answer is yes indeed...after I bore my little heart on my sleeve and proclaimed my affections for this new man in my life in my online love story, yes indeed I have been prancing and dancing in love down the streets of Muizenberg! We have some incredible mutual friends here that have been so supportive and celebrate this announcement sometimes with even more joy and gusto then we do!

Really, the community that has grown around me here continues to bless and care for me. As I have booked my tickets homewards for a visit in July, I've been taking a look back at what has already overgrow together like the early stages of a new garden, and I am filled with gratefulness. There has been a slow and exciting South African settling in my spirit and that feels good, and at the same time an aftertaste of longing for a slice of my mama's apple pie in her sunny kitchen endures deep down inside as home will always be my home. Yet the reality of what we must accept sometimes for the sake of what Jesus believes is best for us, though painful, is indeed where we will find our true lives, green and flourishing.  Though with a little bit of soul settling beginning...apart from my location remaining here in South Africa, change is on the horizon!

Can you hear the Hallelujah? My First Handel's Messiah

An Easter Dinner extraordinaire with beloved friends all around

Firstly we may officially have to move out of our beloved Hansen Street house in a month as it is potentially being sold by the owners. Re-location options...so far nil. So we shall see what could be even better plans that the Lord has up his sleeve to surprise us with I suppose if this is the case.

Nothing like enjoying a kfc picnic with Mawande's Mama and sista

My Scape staff celebrating our 3rd Anniversary with a waffle breakfast!

How couldnt an auntie, no matter what her day looked like, grin automatically coming home to this joy popping out of my window?

Furthermore, I am officially coming up to my initial commitment with Scape Home and though I will still be potentially working in conjunction with this ministry, as I have been keeping my ear to the ground to catch what Jesus is showing me for my next season, it seems my role will substantially change. Forgive me for my vagueness of the following explanation, but things are just simply not fully in place yet and I will surely clarify as they are fully fleshed out. I would just really appreciate prayer and support in this as it comes together, hence updating you about this before the picture is complete.

 It is yet to be given structure and definition but through my time with Scape, my heart to pursue more training and experience specifically in the counseling realm of things has been surfacing more and more. Building relationships with these women has been remarkable but I feel I'm being lead to start back at the beginning, back to the prevention side of things, back to working with the broken family structures many of our girls come from originally. Its an obvious fact that the vulnerability of a child to become involved in trafficking or any other destructive lifestyle sky rockets when the family unit is severed. I feel God has been using this experience in the safe house to stir my desire to work more closely with the local people and families of South Africa.

Roll Kuchen perfection with my Reimer Sista!

Beautiful new family of mine at Mawande's church

So the first steps towards this will be taking God up on a local counseling training opportunity He has literally spoken confirmation open for me to join before it had even crossed my mind. About a week previous God had spoken into the heart of brilliant counseling ministry leader here in Muizenberg, about multiplying their ministry by training up and coming leaders in this field. So once again as this is solidified I will update you but just know that once again, as Jesus has done in so many of your lives, He really does answer and open the way for those who seek Him. He really is that good, Im just learning grace continues to have nothing to do with what we do or don't do, just sheer Jesus being that beautiful and good to us when we call upon his faithful name.

In conclusion my dear wonderFULL family and friends, have a musical treat and listen to Oceans by Hillsong right now by plunking that into Youtube... come on I believe in your technical skills...even you Dad! The lyrics go as follows...

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

A peaceful mountain stroll to celebrate my 29th year of Life!

And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Lets keep on following Jesus, there is no one like Him, he alone really fills our deepest hopes for healing and dreams forgotten, and brings them back to life when we thought they were long gone...He has risen indeed!
 I love you all.

Charlene