What an awesome day today! We started back at Lilydale Higher Primary School, and as Melissa and I both put it, “we’ve found our groove!” Since during the first term we began talking about being an example (based off of 1 Timothy 4:12) we decided to begin telling stories from the Bible about people who were examples. Today we began with the story of David and Goliath. We narrated the story, but gave the kids the job of acting the story out. It was great! We usually ended up with 5-10 minutes after the drama to explain just how David was an example that we can follow. I really like this way of teaching! The kids who usually are trouble, were either part of the drama, or at least paid attention this time because their friends were up in front of everyone. It was great. I think they will remember more of the lessons this way because they are actually being a part of the teaching. Yay! Chris was a huge help, as he is wonderful with the kids!!! I wish he could stay the whole time! Tomorrow (Wednesday) we go back to Lawley for the after school J-CLUB. This school has a tendency to be someone unorganized when it comes to us, so PLEASE pray that all goes smoothly and that we are able to have CLUB with the kids! Thursday we go back to Diepsloot. Since there are a total of 10 weeks of teaching before the next school break, I’ve decided to teach about the 10 commandments. I’m using a preplanned curriculum called “Safari Club.” I think this will be good for me because I need to learn some structure! Hopefully by using this curriculum during this term, I will learn techniques that I can apply in following terms when I don’t have the luxury of a real curriculum.

Here’s something cool to pray for… the other day I met a lady named Brenda. She is a car washer at Westgate (the local mall). She washed my car, and when I came back afterwards, she was so happy and friendly that we started talking. She is 21 years old, and trying to save enough money to go to nursing school. She says she goes to a “born-again” church, but she also called it a “Universal” church, so I’m not exactly sure what that means. Please pray for Brenda, that she will be learning the truth in church, and that she will be able to save enough money to go to nursing school. Also, please pray that I will have a chance to go see her again! She said she’s always at the same spot, but I’ve been back twice to look for her and haven’t seen her. I just think it would be the coolest thing ever if I could really get to know her. She loves in Dobsonville, which is part of Soweto (I’m pretty sure anyway). Pray that I can get to know her and that she can become a “woman of peace” for me!

Also at the mall (I promise I don’t spend ALL my time there!) today I have an opportunity to speak with a couple ladies at a store called “Secrets.” It’s kind of an “earthy, herbal remedy” kind of place. I was there looking for a candle, but ended up talking to this one lady who works there (her name is Glynn) about churches and worship styles. While we were talking, I said that one thing I have learned is that there are different styles of worship, and that though some churches worship the wrong thing, many Christian churches DO worship God (the right thing) but in different ways. Well, this other lady butted in the conversation and was all huffy that I said that some churches worship the “wrong thing.” She said that there is no wrong thing to worship and I was wrong for saying that there is a “right thing” to worship. She was NOT happy with me! She didn’t stick around long enough for me to share any more… But please pray for the unnamed blonde lady from “Secrets,” that she will see the truth!! Also, the other lady who works there said something about “as long as you believe something you are fine, you just need to find your own truth.” Wow… heard all that before! I really didn’t get to talk to her though, and I don’t know her name either. Glynn seemed like she knew what she was talking about, but bits of what she said seemed questionable. Please pray for Glynn, that she will know the truths of scripture, and that she will be convicted to share those truths with her coworker. Also, I have no reason to go back to that store anytime soon since I’m not into herbal stuff, but I do pass by it a lot. Please pray that God will ordain opportunities for me to visit with Glynn in the future!
Thanks for checking in on me!! Pleas pray for these people I’ve mentioned: Brenda, Glynn, and the other ladies from “Secrets.” Praise God for divine appointments!!

Oh, also, if you don’t mind praying… I feel like I am getting sick. I am having some congestion and sometimes I have a little trouble breathing (nothing too bad, don’t worry). Please pray for my health to remain strong!! Thanks!

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Howzit? Things are well here. I’m still enjoying being on holiday, but don’t worry… next week I get back to the grind! Part of me is ready and excited about going back, but I’m still nervous about teaching. Will that ever go away?? I hope so!

Guys, life has been good the past few days. The past 3 nights, Melissa and I have gone over to the Lechner’s house to fellowship and card playing! It’s been really really fun! OH! I didn’t tell you!! We have a volunteer with us! Well, actually he’s with the Lechner’s, but he’s with us too. :) His name is Chris, and he is 25 years old. He will be here until the beginning of June. He is friends with the Lechners, and he’ll go home when they leave SA for stateside assignment in the US. He’s here to do whatever needs to be done! So yeah, we’re gonna take advantage of that. ;) It’s nice having him here. It’s kind of like having an older brother here! Fun times. :)

Last night was really fun. First of all, we made pizza from scratch – literally! Then, Angie found a recipe online for funnel cakes, and Melissa and I (and Coleson, the eldest Lechner child) decided to make them for dessert. That was quite fun!

Soon we go back to school. Please pray for us as well as the children as we share the Word and Christ’s love with them! Pray also for Chris, that the Lord will use him in mighty ways and that He will give Chris guidance in discerning His plan for Chris’ life! Thanks!


Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Hey Guys! I know… it’s been a while since I’ve last updated this web-log. I guess you’re probably used to that by now. Sorry! Hopefully you’ve gotten (and read!) my April newsletter by now, so I won’t bore you by writing the same stuff here. Well, this is my last week before I start school back. I go back to teaching next Tuesday (April 20th). Part of me is ready to go back, but to be honest, I’ve really enjoyed having time off. Guys, teaching frustrates me so much at times! I really think God is stretching me right now. I really feel like my gifting is with small children, yet for some reason, I am here teaching middle school aged kids. I also struggle a lot with how much scripture to put in my lessons, and what I’m really supposed to teach. I am learning that I am more of a structure person than I ever knew! How I long for a curriculum! haha :) Please pray that God will show me what and how to teach these kids in a way that will help them become closer to the Lord, but will also fit with “life skills” which is what I am supposed to be teaching them! Summit friends… how are you all doing? I haven’t heard from some of you in a long time! I get your mass amounts of listserv emails, so I kind of know some of what you’re up to. I am SO excited to hear about your new commitment to evangelism!! By the time I come home, you’ll be going out everyday! I’m definitely praying for you all in your service to Him!

Did everyone have a good Easter? I certainly did! I was at the Nancefield Baptist Church Easter Camp, which I told you about in my newsletter already. It was so much fun. It seemed very LONG, but it was worth every minute. I have been struggling with whether or not to call this church my “home” lately, for various reasons that would take forever to get into here. When I came here, I did not really look around at churches. For that reason, I feel like I should branch out a little and at least look around and consider other churches. It is hard because I really enjoy being at Nancefield. With the exception of a few silly, middle-school-type rumors, everyone there has accepted me without question and I feel at home. I also love being on the worship team, and that is a ministry I don’t want to give up. But to be sure that this is where God wants me, I am going to be visiting other churches for a little while when I am not needed on the worship team. Please pray that God will continue to give me peace about whatever and wherever He leads me to.

Well, that’s what I am up to right now… not too much. I’m trying to get my life together after being gone for 8 days (AMTM and then camp)! I hope to hear from you soon!


Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81