A few days thoughts...

May 14th

I have no vision of the future as soon as I return home.  I see beyond the summer though.  I see myself working hard from August to May to graduate with lots to be proud of.  I see myself working after I graduate, or coming back here, or studying.  As for the summer there are so many places I COULD be, a few places I really WANT to be, and then the one big thing I SHOULD be doing and that is working.  For now I must remember to do what I can for now while I am here and from there just remember what Proverbs 27:1 says—“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”  By trying to plan things I am “writing God out of the equation” and after all he has done for me that isn’t fair.  My prayer is this, that whatever happens benefit God’s glorious kingdom and that I can take the love I have gained and learned through loving others here home with me in June.

One thing that has been constantly in my head this week is “Love conquers all” or "Amor onia vincit" as it was when Chaucer wrote it.  I believe this is true and no matter in what context you are talking about if you have love for something you will have the passion and drive to make it happen.  

May15th

Today I went to church in town and when I walked in I was overcome with comfort to be in a church similar to Vintage 21 (where I go in Raleigh) but also with encouragement that there were so many young people in Stellenbosch worshiping together.  It was also confusing and convicting.  I guess those negative feelings came because while many things have given me hope since being here and seeing so many young people in this setting ready to serve Christ is exciting, there is still the largest income gap in the South Africa in Stellenbosch. Left with something for me to think on...

May 16th

The last day at Lynedoch there were many emotions as presentations of videos highlighting a beautiful semester were shared.  Tears filled my eyes several times watching the clips and seeing the photos and also hearing people talk about their time at Lynedoch.  While we were presenting I awaited a phone call that the delivery for playground supplies had arrived.  This was such an awesome reminder that we are really only beginning this kind of work, and that even our work at Lynedoch is only beginning.

May  17^th

I want to blog before my sister and John get here because I know that once a part of home comes to this place it will have an even more different feel.  I don’t know what to expect for their time here as far as what they will get out of it.  I hope that they can be more than tourists and put on lenses of someone who may have been here for longer, as I have.  This may help this understand my love for this country, for Lynedoch, and for the awesome people I have met or fallen in love with.  The people that I love most at home are coming to see where my heart is here—what a blessing.  I see parts of my life coming to this place and so for once I may not just see this as Stellenbosch life and then when I talk to people at home think about it as my “other life.”  Safe travels to all coming here, leaving this place after an awesome semester, or going on adventures!

 ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:37-39