Hmm... not too much has happened to write about, but I thought I should at least write something so you'd know I'm still alive and kickin'! :) Today I went to college... then I came home and chilled for a while... did a little cleaning. After that I went to the gym, but I didn't stay all that long because I'm not feeling 100%, and after 30 minutes I was pretty tired. At least I went, right? :) I came home then and got comfy. Soon after that my Mom called me and we talked for 2 1/2 hours! We had an awesome conversation, which is pretty typical. :) My Mom understands me better than anyone (except Jesus), so I love chatting with her about everything... little things and big things! She also gave me some homework (writing something for her), so after we talked I got to work on that. And now I'm updating my weblog. That's about all I've done today! I don't have any plans for this weekend... which is nice for a change. Tomorrow I plan on taking it easy. I've started to get a cold, but I refuse to get sick! So I'm going to rest and relax tomorrow. Saturday I go to Durban Deep to play with some kids. Hooray! I hope everyone out there is having a great week - and have a great weekend!
In Him,
Bonnie

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

Here is a picture of Nurse teaching True Love waits. Today we talked about the differences between love and lust. Nurse did basically ALL the teaching today, which was so awesome! Please continue to pray for her!

Here's Gareth and Craig and Rand Leases. Gareth helps teach the Sunday School. Well, they both do usually, but Craig preached today, so Gareth picked up the slack.

Here's Craig and Nurse... seemingly deep in conversation. Craig preached today a Rand Leases... hense the tie. :)

We wanted to take a picture separate from the girls, so here's our boys picture. Oh, and by the way, we live in Durban Deep (not Rand Leases!). Bonnie just started coming and teaching/playing with us last week.

Today we talked about Abraham and how God promised to give him as many children as there are stars in the sky. Then we made our own "starry skies" and were told to think about how WE are children of the promise every time we look up at the sky and see the stars!! Please pray for us to remember that we are God's children and to live in ways that will make Him happy!

Gal 4:27 For it is written: Rejoice, O barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.

Today (Saturday) I went to another soccer day at Rand Leases. They didn't have volleyball this time, but I wasn't too sad about that. That meant that I got to play with my kids the whole time! I absolutely love these kids. I'd venture to say that this is one of my favorite ministries I've been a part of since I've been here. I really think God has been teaching me a lot lately. I ALWAYS seem to be thinking about who I'm gonna marry or when, or why I seem to be nowhere even near marriage!! Last Sunday I randomly saw a verse... "Gal 4:27 For it is written: Rejoice, O barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband." That verse really made me think about all of the children that have come into my life since I have been here... children that have needed love. If I were married, I might not even BE here right now! And if I were married and on the field, my husband (and possibly children) would be my first priority. I wouldn't be able to do whatever I feel like doing, whenever I want to do it! God really has made my children "numerous" during my time here, and I wouldn't change one thing. Also, I just looked at a bunch of pictures that are online from Chris Height's (a friend I grew up with) wedding. Now, usually when I look at things like that, I think "man, why am I not married yet!? This isn't fair!" Well, when I was looking at them, I started thinking about things that have changed since I've been here... Shannon has a baby, Chris Height is married, Candace is dating someone she'll probably marry, Sarah's still dating Aaron and talking about marriage, another friend had a baby, another is getting married... And I thought, "man, if we were to have a class reunion when I get home, everyone BUT me would have someone at their side!" But this time I wasn't sad about that. I followed that thought with, "but I would have the best stories, the best memories, things that no one will ever understand, and no one can outdo. I'd take this over a man ANY day!" How awesome is that? God's changing my heart more and more everyday, and I'm loving every minute of it!!

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

What a great night! I must be quick, since it is already 3am, and I must be getting to bed. But I just wanted to quickly write about my evening. Today was a fairl quiet day... I slept in (hooray!), went to the gym, and baked brownies with peanut butter frosting to take to a meeting tonight. The meeting was at Ursula and Louis' house about the ministries at the informal settlements (Rand Leases and Durban Deep). It was such a great meeting! We all bounced ideas off of each other and really got some good feedback about what's going well and what we can do to improve the ministry. It was also nice to just sit around and chat with the people who do this ministry. I've just met some of the people at Durban Deep, since I have only been going to Rand Leases, and it was nice to connect faces with names! God has really put together a great team for this ministry, and I'm so excited to be a part of it! After that a few of us went over to Craig's house to watch a movie and hang out. We ended up staying pretty late and having some awesome conversations about things God has been teaching us. I am really seeing lately that I seem to learn more about God through simple conversations with people than I do in a sermon on Sundays. God rocks my world, and it's cool to talk to others about how He's been rocking their world too!! I am so thankful that God has given me these new friends lately. Having friends is not a common thing for journeymen, but I guess God knew that I would do much better in a place where I can still fellowship with people who have hearts so similar to my own. So much has happened in the past few months to bring me to this point where I know these people and am involved in the ministries I am a part of, and though not all of it was rosy, I am thankful for every moment. I've seen so much this year that struggles bring about the best of times eventually. God is so faithful!

And on that note... I am going to bed! :) Goodnight...
In Him,
Bonnie

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

Have you ever been in such a wonderful season of life that you don't even know how to put it into words?? That's how I've been feeling lately... I'm SO excited about life, and what God is doing in and through me, but I have a hard time explaining that to other people! I guess as long as I know how I feel, it's all good. :) This week had been great so far. Last weekend I went to a Sunday School teacher's conference. It was ok, but definitely geered more for upscale (white) churches, so it didn't help us very much (I went with a group from Rand Leases). Parts of it were good though, so it wasn't a complete waste. I spent a lot of time with the Holiday family last weekend. Friday night I went to Ruth Anne's 12th birthday party... man, those kids are crazy! Sometimes I think I forget what it's like to be 12!! I also went to their house Saturday night to pick up my TV and ended up staying for dinner. Sunday afternoon I went to dinner with them to celebrate Ruth Anne's actual birthday, and then she wanted me to come over and hang out, so I did. She also went to church with me Sunday night which was very cool. Monday afternoon I went over to their house to show Janna Kay my scrapbook page, and then we ended up going to a scrapping store... and then I ended up staying for dinner again! So yeah, I've seen the Holidays a lot lately. :) Sunday morning at Rand Leases was awesome. There were ~46 adults there!!! The church is growing like crazy - God is so good! There were also more kids than usual... enough that next week we're going to take the little kids further away from the big kids because there were so many little ones last week that they distracted the big kids.
Monday was a great day... I picked up Nurse (the teacher from Rand Leases) because she is going to start teaching with me on Mondays and Tuesdays. But when we got to the school, they were about to have a program, so we couldn't teach! It was ok though because we then went and met some of her friends (who are not Christians). Then we went to McDonalds (she had never been before) to look over some of the teaching materials. She was so excited to go toMcDonald's! Can you imagine being 20 and having never been to McDonald's?? On Tuesday we actually did get to teach, and it was so cool to have someone with me who speaks the kids' language! When they didn't quite understand something, she would explain in Zulu... I finally can know that the kids are understanding now!
Today has been a great day too. :) I went to Rand Leases today to play with the kids who have been coming with their parents to the adult Bible study. I had 6 kids today... and I expect more will come next week. They're little kids (who aren't in school yet), so there's a language barrier, but we still had a great time singing some songs they know, dancing to songs they don't know, making a craft, having snack and playing ball. Basically, I am trying to pull out some of the tricks I learned in college about developmental issues and how to work with kids who are way under-developed. It's a challenge for me, but it's a fun one! I am loving these kids more and more every time I see them!!
Well, tomorrow I start back at the Bible College. I'm only taking one class this term, and that is Intro to Biblical Counseling. It should be interesting...
Thanks for checking in on me... I'd love to hear from you too, so send me an email and let me know what you're up to!!
In Him,
Bonnie B.

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

Howzit!? Sorry it’s been a few days since I last updated this thing! I’ve been having an absolutely wonderful week. On Monday I started teaching True Love Waits, and besides a few unruly boys, it went very well!! I absolutely love teaching this material because it’s something I feel very strongly/passionate about. I so want these kids to hear and truly believe this message. The presentation will either finish up next week or the next. I definitely have been able to see some students reactions to some of the info they’re learning, and I’m liking what I’m seeing. If you want more detail, email me, I’d be happy to elaborate (but right now I’m tired and going to bed soon!). I also taught TLW in my Tuesday school and it also went well. Girls Club didn’t happen this week… I went, but when I got there the kids were gone! Apparently they’d been let out early so the teachers could have a meeting… welcome to South Africa. :) Wednesday I went to the Lechner’s house to watch the kids… and then I ended up spending the night. This morning I went to a scrap-booking shop to look at stuff (Angie and Janna Kay both scrap book and I was interested). I ended up staying there for 2 hours learning some very basic “how-to.” I was then so excited that I went back to Angie’s to show her my page, and then ended up staying with them the rest of the afternoon and into the evening! I’m sure they were glad to get rid of me tonight! haha Well, now I’m home, hanging out with my kitties and going through my South Africa photos to find good ones for my scrap-book… I’ve heard this is an addicting hobby… uh oh! :) Good night from South Africa!!
:)
Bonnie
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

I’m back in Jo’burg after an AMAZING trip to Durban. Durban is absolutely gorgeous. It’s so much more peaceful and relaxed than big-city Joburg. I don’t realize how stressful Joburg is until I get out of it for a while!! I stayed with the Hesches, an IMB family who work in Durban. Their 24 year old daughter is here visiting for a while (she was also my roommate at AMTM), so we were roomies again for a few days! She has lived in Durban before and knew about places to go and things to do. I arrived in Durban around 4:30 Thursday evening. I went to watch Roger (the Dad) play basketball, and then Sarah and I stayed and ran the table for the next game. I got to be the person who pushed stop and start on the timer - how exciting! Haha The next day Sarah and I went to a couple shopping places, Victoria Street Market and uShaka marine world. I didn’t buy all that much, but it was cool to see the differences. Victoria Street Market had a lot more Indian shops (as in people from India) than Joburg, as Durban is much more populated by Indians than Joburg is. Later that afternoon Roger, Sarah, Jared (Sarah’s brother), and I went to the Pavillion (a huge mall) and went bowling. I finally learned how to coordinate steps with releasing the ball! I still scored pretty low, but I was doing better than I used to. Why has no one ever shown me this before?? :) Friday night we went out to dinner with a missionary family who happened to be down from Zimbabwe, and they paid for dinner! (very nice!) Then Sarah, Jared, Jonathan (a journeyman who works in Durban) and I went to the beach for a little while just to hang out. It was a nice night to walk around the beach front! Saturday I went with Meg (the Mom) to watch a True Love Waits demonstration. Afterward Meg taught me how to do the presentation, and I’m going to start teaching True Love Waits in my schools!! I’m SO excited about this new opportunity! After that, we all went to the beach to basically hang out and do a lot of nothing. Man, that was NICE! I love doing nothing, especially in Durban. :) Later we went home and made pizza. After that Jonathan came over and we all played cards for a while. We were all being QUITE silly, and I have to admit that it’s been a while since I’ve really been silly. It’s so nice to hang out with people who actually understand you!! I didn’t want to come back to Joburg today. I mean, I like it here, but vacationing is so nice. I know it’s time to get back to work though. God didn’t put me here to vacation! My cat, Oreo, hasn’t left my side since I got home (she’s sleeping on my lap now). I think that between being gone for AMTM and then leaving again for Durban, she thinks I’ve abandoned her. But no more abandoning. I’m settling in Joburg for a while now. :) Well, it’s almost time for me to be going to team prayer. I’m so tired from driving today!! Thanks so much for checking in on me!
Love ya,
Bonnie
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

New pictures online from the Summit team's visit! Check em out!!

In other news, I'm heading down to Durban, SA tomorrow morning. Hooray for getting out of Jo'burg! I love it here, but it IS nice to get out every once in a while. I'm going to visit with the Hesch family. Their 24 yr old daughter is in town and we were roommates at the conference last week. I'm also going with Meg (Mrs. Hesch) to a True Love Waits demonstration so I can learn how to teach it in my schools in Soweto. Very exciting! Well, I still haven't finished packing, so I'd better get to that... Please do check out my new photos... I don't put them online for my own pleasure! :)
Love,
Bonnie

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

Go Tarheels!!! I’m sure most of you know already, but UNC’s basketball team won the National Championship last night (or for me, this morning at about 5:30am!). I spent the night at the Lechners’ house last night and woke up at 3am to watch the game. I usually am not that concerned with the games, but this one was too important to miss. :) Yesterday I finally had a chance to spend most of the day alone and just relax! I really enjoyed having the team here, but I have to admit that it was nice to have some peace and quiet for a change! But life isn’t really slowing down… rather, it’s picking up a bit! Today I think I’m going to BIMS to spend some time with another journeygirl who’s in from Zambia. Tomorrow I’m going out to Rand Leases in the afternoon to play with some kids – fun fun fun! :) Then sometime on Thursday I’m leaving to go to Durban for the weekend! I’m going to learn how to teach/train True Love Waits, and hang out some with a missionary family down there and see beautiful Durban! Then next week I start teaching again (probably True Love Waits since that’s what I’m learning about!) So, life is pretty exciting here lately! Praise God for good times! :)
Thanks for checking in on me…
Cheers,
Bonnie


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

Hey Everybody! I don't have much time to write right now because I'm about to take the team to Bruma (the local market) to buy souvenirs. I'm so sad that they're leaving tonight! It's going to be hard to say good-bye to all of them. It has been so very cool to see them all again, and get to know some of the people I didn't know very well (or at all) before I left the States 14 months ago. It will make my transition back to life in the US a little bit easier for me now that know people better!
The AMTM was quite nice. I always enjoy spending time with other missionaries and hearing their stories or just hanging out with them while playing games. It's all good. But life is going to get slow and back to normal pretty soon. Well, I can't say it's going to be slow. I get to go back to ministry - hooray!
Ok, time to go shopping.. yee haw...
Bonnie B.

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

I forgot to say this before, but please check out my photo album! I've updated it with a new album called "Rand Leases." This shows the kids I work with on Sunday morning!!

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

Well, this morning I'm off to the conference centre for the missionary meetings. I don't have the b est attitude about going, but I'll work on it! :) It's definitely not the most fun and exciting place to be in the world... lots of information and business matters. But there will be fun times too I'm sure; it's not ALL business! It'll be nice to see the other journeyman too. I can't believe there is only one other journeyman left in this region!! He serves down in Durban, South Africa. There are also times for praise and worship with music and Bible teaching, so I'm sure that will be nice! I'm on the praise and worship team, so keep the team in your prayers this week as we seek to glorify God alone when we make music!! Thanks. :) The conference centre is only about 20 minutes from my flat... exciting for me, eh? hehe I'll be fine though. At least people get to see my home town! I've really enjoyed having my friends here to hang out with. It's so nice to see so many familiar faces. I didn't realize that I knew so many people coming on this team, so that's been a nice surprise. :) Yesterday morning I left them and came back to the church I usually go to on Sunday mornings. Sunday mornings I work with the kids at Rand Leases, an informal settlement behind the dump named Marie Louise. I spoke with Ursulla, the lady who began the dump ministries/church plants, and she might be able to use me in some youth discipleship in one of the other areas! She asked me to pray about it first, and I'd appreciate it if you'd pray with me about that. It sounds exciting, but I've learned not to rush into any decisions quickly just because they seem exciting at the time! Please pray that God would lead me in making this decision as well as ALL decisions that come my way! Well, I should get going... time to pack the car and head out. Thanks for checking in on me. Have a great week!!
Love ya...
Bonnie

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

The team's here!! Actually, they got here yesterday (Friday) morning. Hooray! It's so cool to see them on "my" turf. :) We went to a Cats rugby match last night. We lost, but what's new? I came back to my place last night to finish doing the things I was going to Thursday night but didn't get to since the power was out. I took two Tylenol-PMs to help me sleep (Lauren brought them to me from the States!) and wow, I was knocked out! I'm having trouble waking up this morning, but I'm glad I slept well last night! Now I've got to wake up so I can go back to the East side of Jo'burg to give them team breakfast and then bring them back over to our side of town for shopping for supplies and things like that. Oh... I finally got my mini-ipod that I ordered a little while ago (Lauren brought that to me too - hehe). So I've been busy playing. ;) Alrighty, I'll try to keep you posted about happenings here, but with the team here, and our meetings starting on Monday, I'll be pretty busy. Thanks for checking in on me!
Cheers,
Bonnie

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

Tonight I decided to attend Northcliff’s Tenebrae service. I’d never been to one of these services, so since I didn’t have anything else to do, I decided to go. I kind of knew what to expect, so I wasn’t surprised when I entered the sanctuary and the lights were all dimmed and everyone was fairly quiet. I am sad to say that there weren’t very many other young adults there. Not because I wanted to see them, but because I’ll bet most of them have no idea what they are missing out on. The service was different than anything I’d attended before, but it was quite moving. We sang a few old hymns which all reflected the common theme of the crucifixion. I must admit that it was nice to sing some of the old hymns. It gave me the feeling that some things never change, and for that I am grateful. Coming from one who at one time balked at ritual and tradition, I felt a sense of reverence as we all stood quietly, sang familiar hymns, and recited prayers of confession all in unison. Why has this all left the “modern church?” Must we completely abandon these acts of worship in a cheap attempt to draw a “new” crowd to Christ? (Somehow I don’t think He needs our new and exciting ideas in that matter.) Moving along… The service allowed a time for scripture reading, the Lord’s Supper, singing, a prayer of confession, and time for individual prayer and meditation. At the end of the service, one candle remained lit. One candle to represent the hope of the resurrection that was to come. We left in silence, one at a time, as we each concluded our own time of prayer. Little did I know that though I was walking out, my time of silence and meditation was not finished! As I drove home and got closer to my apartment complex, I noticed that the robots (stop lights) were out. It didn’t take me long to realise that a large space in the distance was completely black, and that space encompassed my apartment. I had all intentions of cleaning my apartment tonight as well as baking some cookies. (Some friends are arriving from the States tomorrow morning.) But with no electricity, it’s kind of difficult to get much done! So, I decided to take a chair outside on my patio. I took my Bible and a flashlight, but I never used them. I simply sat outside, wrapped in a blanket since it’s getting cold!, and sat in silence. Sometimes I prayed, but most of my time was simply spent listening. I listened as different animals made their common sounds around the neighbourhood. I listened as cars rushed around down below and was grateful that the power was off, forcing me to take some time to really stop. I stopped running around and took time to just be. I found it interesting to notice that though all the lights were out, the moon was full tonight, providing me with plenty of light to see everything I needed to see. God is so good and faithful. I am reminded tonight that I so often hurry around to get things done, and I so very rarely take time to be quiet in God’s presence. Tonight I planned to work and do things that were on my list. But God had other plans for me. And as I’ve so often been reminded before, His plans are always best.
Take time to rest in God’s presence this Easter, and always.
God bless,
Bonnie

And by the way, the power’s still not on. :)

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

I'm starting to get pretty excited about my friends coming in just a few days! As we say here in good-ole SA, only THREE more sleeps! Hooray! I can't wait for them to get here. I want them to see my HOME! heehee :) So far I'm having a wonderful break from school. Monday I spent ALL day over at the Lechner's house. Angie and I went grocery shopping. Then after lunch, Angie and I spent a good while singing together. I'm so blessed to be on a team with a guitar playing/singing diva like Angie Lechner!! Though I was sleepy all day (I'll say why in a minute), I had a lot of fun. Of course, we watched American Idol in the evening. :) Then the boys and I played a mean game of scrabble. I finally came home around 11pm and after some emailing, went to sleep! Sleep in in bold there because it is an amazing thing that I actually slept. For the past few weeks I've been having trouble sleeping and I really don't know why. I certainly not stressed at the moment. Anyway, I usually lie away for a few hours before sleeping, and even then I toss and turn. I am so glad I really slept last night though. I hope tonight I sleep well too!! I don't want to be all exhausted and tired when the Summit folks are here. Tonight I went to the movies with some of the young adults from Northcliff. I finally got to see Phantom of the Opera - good movie. Tomorrow night I'm hanging out with the Lechner kids while Charlie and Angie go out on a date. :-) Fun times...
Ok, I hope to be off to dream land now!!
Cheers,
Bonnie B.

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