New Year...

...new prayers, new pain, new joy, new sorrow, Same. Big. Merciful. Graceful. Loving. God! 

It's 6:34 am, 8, January, 2015. The grass is wet from the rain last night, the sky is still overcast, and the birds are chirping their morning songs. In the stillness of the morning, I read my devotions, I write, I cry, I pray. I believe.

My devotions are taken from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Oswalds words can cut like a knife and then heal like a balm. He is known for his personal, intimate, relationship with Christ. They are taking me deeper into the Word of God and stretching me to be my utmost for His Highest. 

I write...I have already emptied one pen since I started my journal on 28, December. A teacher once told me that when you write things down, your brain remembers them better. I'm finding this to be true. There is a determination in me to write every day. Why? Because life happens fast and God does great things, we forget and I don't want to forget. 

I cry...I cry over R. R is one of the ladies that I work with in the community. She began coming to the after school program in July of last year. R is a vibrant woman, full of a strength and resolve to survive. She began to get very transparent and tell us her hurts and how the Holy Spirit was teaching her to forgive those that had hurt her. R is also married to an extremly abusive man, rapist, and pediphile. When he was in prison is when R began to come to church and to the after school program. While he was in prison, is when R began to grow. Now the cause for my tears....he's back. He's back in her house and he's beating her...again. He's back and I'm not sure R's son is safe. He's back and I'm wondering if she will be "allowed" to come to the after school program. He's back....

...and so I pray....

I pray that God will protect R and her son.

I pray that this man will come to know Christ and no longer beat this beautiful woman.

I pray for the kids that will come to the after school program starting on 15, January. 

I pray for the young girls in these communities. That they will know their value.

I pray for life!

I believe...

...that the prayers of righteous man avail much. 

...I believe that God hears and answers prayer. 

...I believe that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that I could ask or think. 

...I believe that God loves me, He loves the people of South Africa, and He loves you.

New Year...new prayers, new pains, new joys, new sorrow...

SAME. BIG. MERCIFUL. GRACEFUL. LOVING. GOD