Whoa! It's December already! Does that make anyone else freak out just a LITTLE!? I can't believe I have been at the MLC for almost 4 weeks already. It has flown by! Thanksgiving here was wonderful. The worship service was phenomenal. It was great to actually go to a worship service on Thanksgiving Day. It really helps you to remember exactly what we are to be most thankful for. I know people were praying for me, because I really expected to be sad about not being at home, but God was good to me, and my spirits were high all day. Guys, I even watched a little football - aren't you proud of me!? :-D Friday in DC was pretty cool. My group definitely spent a lot of time figuring out the metro system. Man, it takes forever to get from one place to the next! We ate at an Ethiopian Restaurant (it was African... though not South African). The restaurant was called Dukems, and I got Dukem Tibs (Lamb). I wish I could explain the whole ordeal, but it's hard in words. We had no utensils to eat with... just this really thin bread that you tear and pick up the meat and vegetable with. It was quite delicious! We really didn't get to talk to anybody in DC, which was a little disappointing to be honest. But a lot of people from the MLC talked to people and shared about Christ, so thank you for praying!
Right now I can't think about much accept for this crazy though.... MY BROTHER IS GETTING MARRIED NEXT SATURDAY!? Yeah, that's exciting, but a little weird. hehe I'm happy to be going home for a short visit though. It will be a nice break from VA.
Well, that's about it for now... sala kahle! (bye!)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Thursday, November 27, 2003
For those of you who couldn't open my letter... here's the info in plain text format... not as pretty, but same stuff!
SAWUBONA!
(Hello, in Zulu)
What’s new for Bonnie Sue?
Hello from FPO at the MLC of the IMB of the SBC in RVA! For all of you who have no clue what I said… I said, “Hello from Field Personnel Orientation at the Missionary Learning Center of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Rockville, Virginia!” If there is one thing we learn here, it is A LOT of acronyms! But really, I have learned so much more than acronyms. There is no way I can put in this letter how much I have learned the past 3 weeks. My brain has been on overdrive the entire time! We have learned about church planting movements, and how God is radically bringing people to know Him, and people are starting new churches all over the place. It has been awesome to hear about how God is working all over the world! We also had some great teachings on spiritual warfare. The president of the IMB, Jerry Rankin, did the teaching, and I could have listened to him teach about so much more than he did. This week has been great too. I have officially been here for half of the time already—I can’t believe it! Monday we had the greatest speaker so far. He spoke about anthropology, which doesn’t sound interesting…. but it was great! He had been to Southern Africa, and knew so much about the area. Monday night he took some of the Journeymen out for coffee and was very candid with us. It was great to hear such a smart man talk about where I am going. And he even helped me start learning Zulu! There are three “clicking” sounds in Zulu, and they are really fun to make! This Thursday we are having a special Thanksgiving service, and then the MLC is preparing a special Thanksgiving meal for us. It won’t be the same as dinner with family, but my friends here are great, and their families aren’t here either, so we will share it together! Friday we are going to Washington DC to minister there. We will be practicing “cold-evangelism” to people we meet. I am very excited about that!
Life at the MLC
So you know how I live… I’ll try to explain! I have 2 apartment mates, and they are both going to the Southern African region (one to South Africa, and one to Botswana). We have an apartment to ourselves. Then we share a “quad” with 3 other apartments. In our quad there are 3 families. One is a young couple with a baby boy, Benjamin. There is also a family with 2 kids, Jasmine and Sami. The other couple is an elderly couple. It’s like a whole family! I have been able to baby sit a couple kids here at MLC, and I have LOVED being able to serve others by playing with kids!! There are about 100 people here at MLC, about 20 of which are journeymen. The other journeymen here are wonderful, and we spend almost all of our spare time together. I’d be lost without them! God has been SO good to me!
PLEASE PRAY!
*Pray for those here without family during Thanksgiving.
*Pray for God-appointed
opportunities to share the Gospel in DC!
*Pray for me to have discipline to get all my work done!
*Pray that God will continue to give me a passion for the people in South
Africa.
*Pray that I will not get so busy that I leave God out of my life!
PRAISE THE LORD!!!
-God has been so faithful in giving me great friends here who understand me!
-I am beginning to learn, and actually remember, some phrases in Zulu!
-I get more excited about going to South Africa
everyday!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
SAWUBONA!
(Hello, in Zulu)
What’s new for Bonnie Sue?
Hello from FPO at the MLC of the IMB of the SBC in RVA! For all of you who have no clue what I said… I said, “Hello from Field Personnel Orientation at the Missionary Learning Center of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Rockville, Virginia!” If there is one thing we learn here, it is A LOT of acronyms! But really, I have learned so much more than acronyms. There is no way I can put in this letter how much I have learned the past 3 weeks. My brain has been on overdrive the entire time! We have learned about church planting movements, and how God is radically bringing people to know Him, and people are starting new churches all over the place. It has been awesome to hear about how God is working all over the world! We also had some great teachings on spiritual warfare. The president of the IMB, Jerry Rankin, did the teaching, and I could have listened to him teach about so much more than he did. This week has been great too. I have officially been here for half of the time already—I can’t believe it! Monday we had the greatest speaker so far. He spoke about anthropology, which doesn’t sound interesting…. but it was great! He had been to Southern Africa, and knew so much about the area. Monday night he took some of the Journeymen out for coffee and was very candid with us. It was great to hear such a smart man talk about where I am going. And he even helped me start learning Zulu! There are three “clicking” sounds in Zulu, and they are really fun to make! This Thursday we are having a special Thanksgiving service, and then the MLC is preparing a special Thanksgiving meal for us. It won’t be the same as dinner with family, but my friends here are great, and their families aren’t here either, so we will share it together! Friday we are going to Washington DC to minister there. We will be practicing “cold-evangelism” to people we meet. I am very excited about that!
Life at the MLC
So you know how I live… I’ll try to explain! I have 2 apartment mates, and they are both going to the Southern African region (one to South Africa, and one to Botswana). We have an apartment to ourselves. Then we share a “quad” with 3 other apartments. In our quad there are 3 families. One is a young couple with a baby boy, Benjamin. There is also a family with 2 kids, Jasmine and Sami. The other couple is an elderly couple. It’s like a whole family! I have been able to baby sit a couple kids here at MLC, and I have LOVED being able to serve others by playing with kids!! There are about 100 people here at MLC, about 20 of which are journeymen. The other journeymen here are wonderful, and we spend almost all of our spare time together. I’d be lost without them! God has been SO good to me!
PLEASE PRAY!
*Pray for those here without family during Thanksgiving.
*Pray for God-appointed
opportunities to share the Gospel in DC!
*Pray for me to have discipline to get all my work done!
*Pray that God will continue to give me a passion for the people in South
Africa.
*Pray that I will not get so busy that I leave God out of my life!
PRAISE THE LORD!!!
-God has been so faithful in giving me great friends here who understand me!
-I am beginning to learn, and actually remember, some phrases in Zulu!
-I get more excited about going to South Africa
everyday!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Updates:
Crazy news... I tested positive for TB today... yeah, that's strange. They said I've probably been exposed to it at some point, and just have some of it in my system... it won't hurt me now, but many years down the road it could come back to haunt me. So, I may have to take some kind of medicine for about 9 months and then I'll be clear. It's all good...
Prayer request: Friday we are going into Washington DC to practice being in that type of area (lot of different cultures represented). We're going to do things like analyze people, watch them, talk to them, look for things in the city, and mainly witness to people. Please PRAY that God will begin working on people's hearts NOW and that God will use all of us in monumental ways on Friday!!
INVITATION!!!!
Tuesday, December 16th - Commissioning service! This is going to be very special for me, and I would be SO HONORED if people from home came to this!! Email me and ask for details if you are interested! joburgjourneygirl@webmail.co.za
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Crazy news... I tested positive for TB today... yeah, that's strange. They said I've probably been exposed to it at some point, and just have some of it in my system... it won't hurt me now, but many years down the road it could come back to haunt me. So, I may have to take some kind of medicine for about 9 months and then I'll be clear. It's all good...
Prayer request: Friday we are going into Washington DC to practice being in that type of area (lot of different cultures represented). We're going to do things like analyze people, watch them, talk to them, look for things in the city, and mainly witness to people. Please PRAY that God will begin working on people's hearts NOW and that God will use all of us in monumental ways on Friday!!
INVITATION!!!!
Tuesday, December 16th - Commissioning service! This is going to be very special for me, and I would be SO HONORED if people from home came to this!! Email me and ask for details if you are interested! joburgjourneygirl@webmail.co.za
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Sawubona! (Hello in Zulu)
Not TOO much has happened since I last wrote, and this will probably be short (my internet time is dwindling as I get busier and busier!). Friday was another shot day... only 2 more shots to go until I'm finished! This coming week ought to be fun... 3 VERY packed days of sessions and seminars. Then we have Thanksgiving here (I won't be coming home). I am one of 3 people in charge of planning the worship service for Thursday. After the service we'll have a special dinner, and then "family time." Most people here are family people, so they'll be doing stuff together, but us journeymen will be doing something together since we are the only "family" we have around here! Good thing I like them, eh? :)
Prayer answered!! Joshuwa Holiday has his visa and the Holidays are coming home very soon!! Praise the Lord for answered prayer.
Prayer requests for me:
*diligence to get my work done (many of us j-men are still in the college (aka procrastination) mode!
*wisdom to know which information is vital to me and which is not (you HAVE to filter here, there's no way to remember everything)
*discipline in my daily walk with Christ/devotional times
That's about it for now. Goodnight!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Not TOO much has happened since I last wrote, and this will probably be short (my internet time is dwindling as I get busier and busier!). Friday was another shot day... only 2 more shots to go until I'm finished! This coming week ought to be fun... 3 VERY packed days of sessions and seminars. Then we have Thanksgiving here (I won't be coming home). I am one of 3 people in charge of planning the worship service for Thursday. After the service we'll have a special dinner, and then "family time." Most people here are family people, so they'll be doing stuff together, but us journeymen will be doing something together since we are the only "family" we have around here! Good thing I like them, eh? :)
Prayer answered!! Joshuwa Holiday has his visa and the Holidays are coming home very soon!! Praise the Lord for answered prayer.
Prayer requests for me:
*diligence to get my work done (many of us j-men are still in the college (aka procrastination) mode!
*wisdom to know which information is vital to me and which is not (you HAVE to filter here, there's no way to remember everything)
*discipline in my daily walk with Christ/devotional times
That's about it for now. Goodnight!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Wow... I am so full of knowledge, I don't know what to do with myself. Too bad I can't remember half of what I've been filled with!! I tell ya, there's so much incredible information that we get, but it is so much that there's no possible way for me to remember it all. This week we have been learning about spiritual warfare from Jerry Rankin (the IMB president!). Like I said, I've been bombarded with tons of stuff, but I'll share one of the things that has really stuck with me........
Satan loves nothing more than to make me believe that I have certain rights. "I deserve a nice house, I deserve a car and nice clothes, and 3 square meals a day. I deserve good health care, perfect eye sight and straight teeth." Someone show me in the Bible where Jesus says we deserve such things. On the contrary, Jesus calls us to leave these pleasures behind and follow Him. Jesus even says that, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Matt 8:20 or Luke 9:58) In Matthew 16:24, He says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Somehow, "my rights" and "denying myself" don't seem to jive together very well. I have no rights except the freedom that Christ has given me in Himself. This thought has been very humbling to me, and I hope that you will take a few moments to really (yes, really) think about it. What do you have, or hold onto, that you think you "deserve"? Check it with scripture... does God say you deserve it? How many Christians are in this world who have nothing, but still praise the Lord? MANY! Consider yourself blessed to be in such a rich country, but please, don't allow yourself to be deceived into thinking that you (and I mean ME too!!) have earned or deserve any of it.
Now, off of my soap box... :) I got to talk to my Melissa today!! That makes me happy. I just happen to be in the computer lab, on instant messenger when she got on. Oh, if you don't know, Melissa is the journeygirl already in Johannesburg. I am going to be living with her for a year. Anyway, she told me something today that made me SOOOOO happy! The other day, one of her students, Thandekile, asked, "when is my good friend Bonnie coming back?" I met Thankdekile this past summer when I was in Johannesburg and I really clicked with her, but I didn't think she would remember me! She will be moving up to high school next year, so she won't be in my school, but Melissa told her that when I get there, we will try to get in touch with her, and maybe do a Bible study! Please be praying that God will open that door. How perfect of a beginning would that be? I mean really, I get there, and there's a new Bible study just waiting for me. I'll be praying about it, please do the same. The township she lives in is Dhlamini.
I'm still having tons of fun here at training. The other journeymen here rock, and I love ALL of them!! God has orchestrated so many wonderful relationships already. My roommates are so special to me, and I am very happy that they are in the same region as me, so that means we will get to see each other at least once a year (if not more!). I got to babysit twice this week. Two little precious babies! Well, toddlers really. One child here, Nathan, has gripped my heart strings. He is my house church leaders' son (Dr. Eitel's grandson!) and I LOVE him so much. He is the sweetest baby (he's 13 months old) and he gives the best hugs a child can give. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of him online soon so you can see him. They are going to Kenya, so some of the Summit people going on that mission trip in January will get to see my baby! :) I'm a tad jealous!
Well, Heather, my roommate and I are off to Wal-Mart soon. Yay for chances to get off campus! Love you all!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Satan loves nothing more than to make me believe that I have certain rights. "I deserve a nice house, I deserve a car and nice clothes, and 3 square meals a day. I deserve good health care, perfect eye sight and straight teeth." Someone show me in the Bible where Jesus says we deserve such things. On the contrary, Jesus calls us to leave these pleasures behind and follow Him. Jesus even says that, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Matt 8:20 or Luke 9:58) In Matthew 16:24, He says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Somehow, "my rights" and "denying myself" don't seem to jive together very well. I have no rights except the freedom that Christ has given me in Himself. This thought has been very humbling to me, and I hope that you will take a few moments to really (yes, really) think about it. What do you have, or hold onto, that you think you "deserve"? Check it with scripture... does God say you deserve it? How many Christians are in this world who have nothing, but still praise the Lord? MANY! Consider yourself blessed to be in such a rich country, but please, don't allow yourself to be deceived into thinking that you (and I mean ME too!!) have earned or deserve any of it.
Now, off of my soap box... :) I got to talk to my Melissa today!! That makes me happy. I just happen to be in the computer lab, on instant messenger when she got on. Oh, if you don't know, Melissa is the journeygirl already in Johannesburg. I am going to be living with her for a year. Anyway, she told me something today that made me SOOOOO happy! The other day, one of her students, Thandekile, asked, "when is my good friend Bonnie coming back?" I met Thankdekile this past summer when I was in Johannesburg and I really clicked with her, but I didn't think she would remember me! She will be moving up to high school next year, so she won't be in my school, but Melissa told her that when I get there, we will try to get in touch with her, and maybe do a Bible study! Please be praying that God will open that door. How perfect of a beginning would that be? I mean really, I get there, and there's a new Bible study just waiting for me. I'll be praying about it, please do the same. The township she lives in is Dhlamini.
I'm still having tons of fun here at training. The other journeymen here rock, and I love ALL of them!! God has orchestrated so many wonderful relationships already. My roommates are so special to me, and I am very happy that they are in the same region as me, so that means we will get to see each other at least once a year (if not more!). I got to babysit twice this week. Two little precious babies! Well, toddlers really. One child here, Nathan, has gripped my heart strings. He is my house church leaders' son (Dr. Eitel's grandson!) and I LOVE him so much. He is the sweetest baby (he's 13 months old) and he gives the best hugs a child can give. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of him online soon so you can see him. They are going to Kenya, so some of the Summit people going on that mission trip in January will get to see my baby! :) I'm a tad jealous!
Well, Heather, my roommate and I are off to Wal-Mart soon. Yay for chances to get off campus! Love you all!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Saturday, November 15, 2003
Guess it's been a little while since I've updated this weblog. Sorry about that! So... what have I been up to? Well, yesterday (Friday) was the first of 3 immunization clinics and I got 2 shots (polio and hep A). I'll get a total of 6 before I leave. They don't feel wonderful, but at least I won't get polio, right!? :) This past week at MLC (missionary learning center) we learned all about CPMs (Church Planting Movements - they are ALL about some abbreviations here). That was cool, and even though it's not the exact model I'll be using in South Africa, I have learned a lot.
Last Sunday we started meeting in out HCPs (House Church Practicums). MANY people here are going to places where they literally can't meet in a "church" building because of government, finances, or a number of reasons. So, we have house churches here. It's very cool. We are a group of 4 journeymen and 3 families (with a total of 5 kids ranging from age 11 months to 13 years). We meet Tuesday-Friday every morning and then for a longer time on Sunday, and our times together are great. This is a group that I can be real and open with. I'm going to miss them all when we leave! Hey, Summit people... this is cool... my HCP leaders are Dr. Eitel's son-in-law and daughter, and they know some of you guys! How cool is that? It has been so wonderful to have someone to talk to about home who knows what home is like!
Last night I got to go have dinner with my regional director's family, the other missionaries going to that region, and some other South Africa missionaries who were here at MLC for a stateside conference. It was so nice to talk to experienced missionaries and get their advice!
These past couple weeks have been an emotional and spiritual up and down over and over again. One day I feel great, the next I wonder how God could call someone like ME into His service. But then I realize that God knows what He's doing, and HE alone has called me and put me here at MLC to learn and then in SA to be His servant (well, to be His servant EVERY day). Sometimes I see these other Journeymen or other missionaries in general, and think, "man, they know so much more than I do. How can I be a good missionary like THEM?" But God so gently reminds me that all I need to know is Him. "When I came to you, I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus and Him crucified." 1 Cor. 2:1-2 If Paul determined not to know anything, then I don't have to know everything either. Praise the Lord! Christ is enough for me. And I need to stop comparing myself to other people... God made me the way He wants me to be! :) So, that's what's been going on in my mind lately.
Let me know what you're up to too! :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Last Sunday we started meeting in out HCPs (House Church Practicums). MANY people here are going to places where they literally can't meet in a "church" building because of government, finances, or a number of reasons. So, we have house churches here. It's very cool. We are a group of 4 journeymen and 3 families (with a total of 5 kids ranging from age 11 months to 13 years). We meet Tuesday-Friday every morning and then for a longer time on Sunday, and our times together are great. This is a group that I can be real and open with. I'm going to miss them all when we leave! Hey, Summit people... this is cool... my HCP leaders are Dr. Eitel's son-in-law and daughter, and they know some of you guys! How cool is that? It has been so wonderful to have someone to talk to about home who knows what home is like!
Last night I got to go have dinner with my regional director's family, the other missionaries going to that region, and some other South Africa missionaries who were here at MLC for a stateside conference. It was so nice to talk to experienced missionaries and get their advice!
These past couple weeks have been an emotional and spiritual up and down over and over again. One day I feel great, the next I wonder how God could call someone like ME into His service. But then I realize that God knows what He's doing, and HE alone has called me and put me here at MLC to learn and then in SA to be His servant (well, to be His servant EVERY day). Sometimes I see these other Journeymen or other missionaries in general, and think, "man, they know so much more than I do. How can I be a good missionary like THEM?" But God so gently reminds me that all I need to know is Him. "When I came to you, I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus and Him crucified." 1 Cor. 2:1-2 If Paul determined not to know anything, then I don't have to know everything either. Praise the Lord! Christ is enough for me. And I need to stop comparing myself to other people... God made me the way He wants me to be! :) So, that's what's been going on in my mind lately.
Let me know what you're up to too! :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
First things first: PRAYER REQUEST FROM THE FIELD!
My team leader and his family (whom many of you guys know), the Holidays, are running into major problems. They are supposed to come home for their stateside assignment in December. They also recently adopted their little boy, Joshuwa. They are having major problems with getting Joshuwa's Visa, and what it boils down to is that they're having an important meeting this coming Monday, and if they don't get his Visa, they're not coming home for another year. PRAY specifically that God would work for His glory in this meeting on MONDAY. Perhaps God wants them to stay, and if this be the case, pray that the Holiday family will be accepting of God's will and timing. Pray for peace and understanding that only Jesus Christ can give them.
As for me, I'm having a great time here. Today we had our first regional team time, when we met with our Southern Africa region leader and his wife and they gave us some information and just some preparatory stuff.
Today we also began talking about the persecution that comes along with being a Christian in many countries, and I don't mean like "she doesn't like me because I won't party with her." I mean torture and death and the like. It's not a pretty picture, though God warns us about it ALL through the Bible. The persecuted Church is the growing Church!
Last night the journeymen had a really fun "event." We all had to go on a scavenger hunt in Richmond, VA (where not many of us are from!!). Oh man, it was so so so much fun. I was in a car where none of us knew where we were going, so we had all kinds of fun stopping at random places to ask for directions! The journeymen are such a blessing to me. I miss my friends at home VERY VERY much. So I know that God has given me friends here to somewhat fill the void that I have by not being at home. God's cool like that! =D Soon there will be some new picture on my photo album of the fun we had last night. :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
My team leader and his family (whom many of you guys know), the Holidays, are running into major problems. They are supposed to come home for their stateside assignment in December. They also recently adopted their little boy, Joshuwa. They are having major problems with getting Joshuwa's Visa, and what it boils down to is that they're having an important meeting this coming Monday, and if they don't get his Visa, they're not coming home for another year. PRAY specifically that God would work for His glory in this meeting on MONDAY. Perhaps God wants them to stay, and if this be the case, pray that the Holiday family will be accepting of God's will and timing. Pray for peace and understanding that only Jesus Christ can give them.
As for me, I'm having a great time here. Today we had our first regional team time, when we met with our Southern Africa region leader and his wife and they gave us some information and just some preparatory stuff.
Today we also began talking about the persecution that comes along with being a Christian in many countries, and I don't mean like "she doesn't like me because I won't party with her." I mean torture and death and the like. It's not a pretty picture, though God warns us about it ALL through the Bible. The persecuted Church is the growing Church!
Last night the journeymen had a really fun "event." We all had to go on a scavenger hunt in Richmond, VA (where not many of us are from!!). Oh man, it was so so so much fun. I was in a car where none of us knew where we were going, so we had all kinds of fun stopping at random places to ask for directions! The journeymen are such a blessing to me. I miss my friends at home VERY VERY much. So I know that God has given me friends here to somewhat fill the void that I have by not being at home. God's cool like that! =D Soon there will be some new picture on my photo album of the fun we had last night. :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Monday, November 10, 2003
Hey Folks...
Today's focus was all on Church Planting Movements. LOTS of information in a short amount of time!! It's very exciting to see what God is doing in so many countries around the world!! We're busy, and it's hard to learn everything that I feel like we should learn. I'm trying to just glean the best of the info and try not too hard to learn EVERYTHING. My roommates and I have been told not to stress too much about all the information, but rather to focus on building string relationships with the people here. Oh yeah, I don't think I told you guys that I am on the worship team here. VERY exciting... we are in charge of planning and implementing cross-cultural worship experiences. This coming Saturday night we're doing a Spanish service and I get to sing in Spanish. Yay!
That's all for now folks... g'night!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Today's focus was all on Church Planting Movements. LOTS of information in a short amount of time!! It's very exciting to see what God is doing in so many countries around the world!! We're busy, and it's hard to learn everything that I feel like we should learn. I'm trying to just glean the best of the info and try not too hard to learn EVERYTHING. My roommates and I have been told not to stress too much about all the information, but rather to focus on building string relationships with the people here. Oh yeah, I don't think I told you guys that I am on the worship team here. VERY exciting... we are in charge of planning and implementing cross-cultural worship experiences. This coming Saturday night we're doing a Spanish service and I get to sing in Spanish. Yay!
That's all for now folks... g'night!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Saturday, November 08, 2003
Yesterday was the personal retreat. It lasted from 9:45 until 3:45. I chose to spend the time in my room, and started out listening to and singing some praise songs and just meditating on the many different characteristics of God. It was so nice to just stop and be in His presence with no time line or schedule pushing me to hurry it along! Another thing I did was read the book of Nehemiah. One of my pastors has been urging us to read this book, so I finally did! One thing I learned from reading Nehemiah is that when God calls His people to a task, He's going to be the one responsible for making sure it happens! God finishes the work He begins! It was an awesome day, and I realized just how little time I spend with the Lord on any other day - very convicting.
Last night all the journeymen got together again to hang out. I'm getting to be good friends with them... I can't imagine leaving them all in a little over 5 weeks to go to our different parts of the world!!
Today (Saturday) is a free day pretty much. The only thing we have to do is go take a fitness test (grr, I feel like I'm in middle school again). I'm not looking forward to that, but oh well... what must be done, must be done.
Thanks to those who are emailing me - I really appreciate you taking time to keep in touch!! :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Last night all the journeymen got together again to hang out. I'm getting to be good friends with them... I can't imagine leaving them all in a little over 5 weeks to go to our different parts of the world!!
Today (Saturday) is a free day pretty much. The only thing we have to do is go take a fitness test (grr, I feel like I'm in middle school again). I'm not looking forward to that, but oh well... what must be done, must be done.
Thanks to those who are emailing me - I really appreciate you taking time to keep in touch!! :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Quote from the day's studies:
" Your call will get you to the mission field, but prayer will keep you there."
Today was our first full day, though still not too bad/stressful. We've had a few sessions that focused on our prayer lives and how important our daily walks with Christ are. Truths I've heard tons, but always need to hear more of! They emphasized just how hard it is and will be for us to remain diligent, even when we're tired, and multiple people warned us that it seems like we experience more temptation away from home than we would on a regular basis here... great.... Please pray that as I get tired here (which probably will happen eventually) that I will not waver in my commitment to the Lord. Tomorrow (Friday) from 10am till 3:45pm we are having a "quiet retreat" which is a time to simply get alone with God for an extended amount of time. Pray that I will learn to slow down and listen to God, something I very much need to learn.
So funny story... =)
This morning I decided to finally use my cute little one-cup coffee maker that Mom and Dad gave me before coming up here. I bought a can of coffee, splenda, and creamer the other night, and this morning I was so ready to try this new toy out. (Trust me, I was needing my coffee!) So, I open up the plastic lid, expecting there to be a metal pull-tab lid to take off, but nooo, it was a solid metal lid. This kind of lid requires a can-opener, and guess what we are NOT given in this apartment... You guessed it... no can opener anywhere. So here I am, sleepy, and wanting my coffee, and not being able to get into the can. I stop and think... my roomies are still asleep... can't ask them what to do... I venture into the kitchen to see what I can find, and I found a BIG knife. So, I carry the knife back to my room and proceed to saw a hole in the top of this can, just big enough to get a spoon in so I can get my coffee. Inventive, eh? I figure it's a lesson in using what you're given to reach a desired goal. :) Praise the Lord, I got my coffee and it's been a great day since.
I just got back from playing Cranium with some fellow journeymen here are training. There are not many of us here... maybe about 30. Anyway, Summit young-pros, we're much better at playing games that these journeymen. Our group couldn't stay focused long enough to read a card for goodness sakes! You all need to come up here and teach them a thing or two. ;)
Ok, time to get offline and read some more for my book report. Then it's off to bed at a reasonable hour! Love you!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
" Your call will get you to the mission field, but prayer will keep you there."
Today was our first full day, though still not too bad/stressful. We've had a few sessions that focused on our prayer lives and how important our daily walks with Christ are. Truths I've heard tons, but always need to hear more of! They emphasized just how hard it is and will be for us to remain diligent, even when we're tired, and multiple people warned us that it seems like we experience more temptation away from home than we would on a regular basis here... great.... Please pray that as I get tired here (which probably will happen eventually) that I will not waver in my commitment to the Lord. Tomorrow (Friday) from 10am till 3:45pm we are having a "quiet retreat" which is a time to simply get alone with God for an extended amount of time. Pray that I will learn to slow down and listen to God, something I very much need to learn.
So funny story... =)
This morning I decided to finally use my cute little one-cup coffee maker that Mom and Dad gave me before coming up here. I bought a can of coffee, splenda, and creamer the other night, and this morning I was so ready to try this new toy out. (Trust me, I was needing my coffee!) So, I open up the plastic lid, expecting there to be a metal pull-tab lid to take off, but nooo, it was a solid metal lid. This kind of lid requires a can-opener, and guess what we are NOT given in this apartment... You guessed it... no can opener anywhere. So here I am, sleepy, and wanting my coffee, and not being able to get into the can. I stop and think... my roomies are still asleep... can't ask them what to do... I venture into the kitchen to see what I can find, and I found a BIG knife. So, I carry the knife back to my room and proceed to saw a hole in the top of this can, just big enough to get a spoon in so I can get my coffee. Inventive, eh? I figure it's a lesson in using what you're given to reach a desired goal. :) Praise the Lord, I got my coffee and it's been a great day since.
I just got back from playing Cranium with some fellow journeymen here are training. There are not many of us here... maybe about 30. Anyway, Summit young-pros, we're much better at playing games that these journeymen. Our group couldn't stay focused long enough to read a card for goodness sakes! You all need to come up here and teach them a thing or two. ;)
Ok, time to get offline and read some more for my book report. Then it's off to bed at a reasonable hour! Love you!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Argh... I tried to post here earlier, but something messed up. Hooray for computers! hehe Anyway... not much has changed since yesterday. Still laid back... although that will change VERY soon! I've started work on a book report. (Look at me, actually starting an assignment the day it was given!) I love my roomies... we're bonding already! Pray that we will grow even closer and be the best of friends these 6 weeks.
So, it's day 2, and I've already figured out how to hook up my laptop to the internet from the apartment. You can see where MY priorities are. haha
I had a little fright today. I talked to a lady about leaving the weekend of my brother's wedding, and she made it sound like I might not be able to go! But alas, it's already been approved. Whew - thank You, Jesus!
Prayer request - I have to choose a team (committee) to be on tomorrow... I'm not sure where God is leading me to invest my time, so pray that He'll grant me clarity in this area. I'll let you know what I end up doing.
Well, thanks for checking in on me. Email me and I'll love you forever!!!!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
So, it's day 2, and I've already figured out how to hook up my laptop to the internet from the apartment. You can see where MY priorities are. haha
I had a little fright today. I talked to a lady about leaving the weekend of my brother's wedding, and she made it sound like I might not be able to go! But alas, it's already been approved. Whew - thank You, Jesus!
Prayer request - I have to choose a team (committee) to be on tomorrow... I'm not sure where God is leading me to invest my time, so pray that He'll grant me clarity in this area. I'll let you know what I end up doing.
Well, thanks for checking in on me. Email me and I'll love you forever!!!!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
I don't have too much time tonight to write, but I'm HERE!! I'm at MLC for training. It's nice so far... although we've not done anything but get situated. I have a room by myself in the apartment! Talk about a blessing. :) My apartment mates seem nice as well. Pray that we get along! I'll write more later, but now we're going to Wal-mart to get things to make the apartment feel a little more friendly. :) Email me if you get a chance!! joburgjourneygirl@webmail.co.za Love you ALL!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Monday, November 03, 2003
Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!!! What a weekend I have had. It has been amazing... an excellent way to leave North Carolina before heading to the missionary learning center in Virginia. Friday was the Fall Festival at The Summit, and it completely rocked! Man, our children's ministry has got to be the best in the triangle... if not the world!! :)
On Saturday, some of the coolest people in the world (yes, the world!) went with me to the NC Zoo to hang out with me "one last time" before I head out to training. That was VERY fun, and I will never forget the memories of my friends doing crazy things at the zoo! Thanks to you amazing folks who were there! You all mean the world to me and you showed me you care by sacrificing your Saturday for me!! I know some of you weren't thrilled about the zoo, but thanks for going anyway. I love you!!
Today has been a great day as well! The highlight was the reception tonight that the Global Impact Team put on for me at The Summit. It was AWESOME! Gosh I love The Summit. Of course, now this makes it even harder to leave because I love people there so much. But I know that my "summiteers" are the people that God has placed in my life to be my earthly support, and God could not have given me a better team to have behind me as I head out on my journey!
I have a long day of packing tomorrow... and then Tuesday morning I'm out of NC for a while! It's finally almost here....
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
On Saturday, some of the coolest people in the world (yes, the world!) went with me to the NC Zoo to hang out with me "one last time" before I head out to training. That was VERY fun, and I will never forget the memories of my friends doing crazy things at the zoo! Thanks to you amazing folks who were there! You all mean the world to me and you showed me you care by sacrificing your Saturday for me!! I know some of you weren't thrilled about the zoo, but thanks for going anyway. I love you!!
Today has been a great day as well! The highlight was the reception tonight that the Global Impact Team put on for me at The Summit. It was AWESOME! Gosh I love The Summit. Of course, now this makes it even harder to leave because I love people there so much. But I know that my "summiteers" are the people that God has placed in my life to be my earthly support, and God could not have given me a better team to have behind me as I head out on my journey!
I have a long day of packing tomorrow... and then Tuesday morning I'm out of NC for a while! It's finally almost here....
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
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