"be still and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10

Hello friends!!

one more incredible week down. Lots of firsts for me... held a python, touched a crocodile, lost a child and watched my first episode of Friends. What a week.

Our driver, Mak, came back from vacation so I filled up the holiday program with fun outings for the kids. We saw Toy Story 3, went to the biggest reptile farm in all of Africa called "pure Venom" and went to the Crocodile Farm. I definitely felt like Jon & Kate + 8 with all of the stares and questions about why two white girls were out with 11 Zulu kids. Although the older kids have been out and about in the area, my little preschoolers have basically only left REhoboth to go to church. They all dressed up in their best clothes (and necklaces and tiaras) for the outings and almost enjoyed the bus ride as much as the actual activity. I loved looking back in the bus and watching them look with wonder at the world around them while jamming out to the kiddie Jesus music blasting from the front. (Thanks Mak!) I've seen kids experience new things before but nothing like these kids who have literally never been out. So ayoba. :) We only had one child go missing for about 5 minutes (definitely didn't help that he is deaf and mute) and one wet her pants. No bad, not too bad. I'll try to get some pics up here next weekend.

The past couple of weeks I've been trying to sort out what I trust, who I trust and why I trust. With some help from a sermon last month and a couple favorite BRH songs, I'm beginning to make some headway. The sermon differentiated who God is verses what He does and what He says. Although it is good and right to have faith in His words and actions, I think that my trust should belong to Him, in who He is. Even without His promises, I should trust Him completely. For example, let's pretend that I lost all of my money so I pray and the next day someone has put an envelope with $1000 at my doorstep. Yay, God has provided for me. So next time the market crashes I pray the same prayer and trust that God will do the same thing again instead of trusting Jehova Jira, the Lord my provider. I trust in what He can do but not that He will provide. Although God is unchanging, I sure am. Why should I expect the same answer to my prayer? Making any sense?

BRH ends each concert singing a song called "I Am." (If you haven't heard it, CD's are still available for $15...) Anyway, it goes through many biblical descriptions of who God is. "I am the root of David, the bright and morning star. I am the light of Judah. I am. I am the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I Am." It seems like scripture has given us so many examples to try and help us understand who God is and why "I Am" is worthy of praise and of our trust.

I've realized that I can easily fall into this rut of using prayer to "get" joy or peace or happiness from life but not from Him, Himself. As I try to prepare for my last month here and my transition home, I'm trying to understand that although my circumstances and surroundings will drastically cahnge, the peace and joy that I have found here cannot be circumstantial. God is not changing so my peace in Him must remain the same even when my life returns to "hectic."

I've been repeating "Jesus I am Resting, Resting" over and over this week:

"Jesus, I am resting, resting int eh joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart. Thou has bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul, for my Thy transforming power Thou hast made me whole.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art, and Thy love, so pure, so changless, satisfies my heart; satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need, compasseth me round with blessings, Thine is love indeed.

Ever lift Thy face upon me as I work and wait for Thee; resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, Earth's dark sahdows flee. Brightness of my Father's glory, sunshine of my Father's face, keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with Thy grace.

Jesus I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart."

Seeya in a month!

Love you and miss you!
-b