NEWSLETTER
newsletter archive
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
November 2006
Greetings from South Africa:
It hardly seems possible that November could be here already. It is amazing to think that I have been here in Africa for over four months. As I was reflecting upon the passing of time, I began to think about my time here, thus far. The thought most prominent in my mind is “God is so gracious to me, and He is so good ALL the time!” Truly, I can do nothing but praise God for the many wonderful opportunities He has given me, over the past four months.
The month of October was a busy month, filled with many activities and wonderful opportunities… The month began at a nice, steady pace, but quickly picked up speed. After many days of wondering when Jessie, the Zakariasen’s jack russell, would have her puppies, the wait finally came to an end. On October 7th, Jessie gave birth to seven healthy puppies – five boys and two girls. That same day, the Zakariasen family threw me a nice birthday party, in celebration of my 22nd birthday. The party was complete with decorations, a wonderful meal, cake, and presents. Everyone worked hard to make my birthday very special and memorable.
On October 9th, we all received a reminder of God’s protection and complete sovereignty. Sarah Zakariasen was out running some errands, and was waiting to turn across oncoming traffic. She had her signal on and was waiting for an opening in the stream of cars, when a truck hit her from behind. The car was completely smashed, but Sarah was able to walk away from the accident with only minor injuries. A seemingly insignificant blue barrel was the mechanism that most likely saved Sarah from serious injury. Sarah had been searching for a barrel to use for therapy with Luke, and a friend had recently found one for her. On her way home, Sarah stopped to pick up that blue barrel. Due to the size of the barrel, the only place it would fit in the car was behind Sarah’s seat. When the accident occurred, the blue barrel acted as a rear airbag and cushioned the impact on Sarah’s body. Some may attribute such an event to luck or chance; however, we can rejoice in knowing that we serve a sovereign God who planned and orchestrated every detail of that accident.
Throughout the month of October, we hosted many guests, here at the Zakariasen house. On the 12th, we welcomed Bethany Harrington, a visitor from Minnesota. She has been a tremendous help during her time here, but specifically as we hosted an African pastor’s wives tea and luncheon, on the 14th, along with several other dinner guests, on various days. It has been a true blessing for me to be able to help Sarah prepare the food and the house for all of our guests. I have always enjoyed hosting guests, so it was a special treat for me to be able to participate in that.
Wonderful things have been happening in Kopano Baptist Church, the church the Zakariasen’s started in the village of Gistaldi. On October 22nd, we were blessed to have a record number in attendance – over 70 people. God is continually doing a work among the people in Gistaldi and the surrounding villages. It has been an incredible blessing for me to participate in this ministry, and to worship and praise God alongside such wonderful people. As we praise God for what He has done, we also pray that God would provide an African man to become the pastor of Kopano Baptist Church.
Over the past month, God has definitely been at work in my life. Throughout the course of several sad and difficult events, I was beginning to wonder what God was doing and why He was allowing certain things to happen. However, through spending time in prayer and Bible reading, as well as receiving encouragement from godly friends, I was reminded that God’s timing and plans are perfect. Though a situation may seem to contain no good, God can absolutely use that situation for His glory, and He has a perfect plan and purpose for it all. God never tells us that the Christian life will be easy and free from pain; rather, He tells us that we should expect trial and tribulation. The blessed part is that we do not have to walk alone, through those dark and difficult times – we have a God who walks with us, every step of the way.
As I reflect upon this past month, the words to the song “Rejoice in the Lord” enter my mind – “God never moves without purpose or plan, when trying His servant and molding a man. Give thanks to the Lord, though your testing seems long; in darkness, He giveth a song. O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake. He knoweth the end of each path that I take. For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold.” My prayer is that the Lord will continue to mold me and purify me that I may, one day, come forth as gold.
Serving the Lord in South Africa,
Krista Smith
P.S. For current updates and pictures, please visit my website: www.journeytoafrica.org
Sign-up to receive it via email.
|
|
|
|
