THANKS GIVING AND SO MUCH MORE

Thanks Giving here and gone...

This last week has been one to remember...

Don't worry Grandma I am Journaling all of it!

There are twelve American that got together last Saturday to celebrate our wonderful holiday of eating lots and lots of food "and they say that Americans don't have a culture"(hahaha). I made Aunti Kay's famous cream corn and of course some Apple pie. Everyone brought a dish and we sat down to a wonderful meal. One of the girls had a copy of an old college football game, the weather was cold and rainy, and at one point we saw a rainbow "we are in summer over here so to have a rainy day is a big thing", it all felt so much like Thanks Giving and so the day was made complete. I do wish I could have been home to enjoy some yummyness and family time but God provided quite nicely if I don't say so. There were enough leftovers that each of us could take a plate... hip hip for leftovers!

This week God has shown/taught me to hold strong to him and gave me "1 Cor 10: 13 - God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it., and 2 Cor 12: 9 "but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 

This week I was able to go, with one other, to a house where about eight Muslim women work making necklaces and other jewelry. They work for about two hours and then get a lunch break, where I was able to come in and give a little of my testimony. I felt I was to share about the 1 Cor and 2 Cor verses I had received earlier that day and the journey God has me on. I loved being able to share and connect with these women. To tell them that they have value and they are made in God's image. These women are told they are nothing almost every day by their husbands and so, just getting a moment to express love to them some how made my year. We made necklaces with them after the break and my heart truly went out to one of the women in particular. Her and her family are a produce of Zimaphobia... They are from Zimbabwe where they were running for there lives " the government in Zim is starving its people". So they are running to South Africa where the townships are already over flowing. The South African believe that the Zimbabweans are steeling there jobs "which there are so few to go around to begin with" so Zimaphobia takes place and Zimbabweans are being treated with such mal-contempt. The persecution is out of control and Zimbabweans are being killed. Needless to say the women I made friends will is being sent back to one of the townships where this is taking place. She is scared for herself and here family. If you feel led to, please lift up a quite prayer for all the Zimbabwean refugees.

I will send pictures for the next update and hopefully "one of my new friend", so that you guys can have a picture to go with the story. 

I have to run back to work but I send my love and thank you for your wonderful prayers. God hears them!

Thank mom for the amazing package! I loved every bit of it!

Whits and Tricia, I would love more updates on the office...

short update

Finished Luke and half way through 1 Corinthians.

When I say half way, I mean I have read it 2 1

/2 times and Paul is kicking my butt as normal. 

There has been questions with context and it all comes back to Historical Background. Looking at the passage as if I were in the time it was written and then applying those truths to my life today. 

Thanksgiving is coming up very soon and there are enough Americans here on base that would like to celebrate together, so we will have a nice dinner at one of the leaders homes. There would be to many people to cook for if we made a Thanksgiving dinner for the whole base, even though that would be really cool to do. 

I wind around these parts has been quite intense, and not all that enjoyable to go outside. I hope it lets up in the next week or so.

It looks like I will be sticking around these parts for Christmas. I had thought that I might get to go else where but plans have changed and for all I know it could be for the better. A group of friends are look to rent out a cabin for the two weeks off... so time will only tell. 

I can only download five photos at a time and so I would like to show you a little more of the hike the other day...

Love and Hugs

Lauren-Jean

p.s.

The Photo of a close up shot on the city below, you can see the base. If you follow the river bridge to the left... and follow the bridge as it becomes a street into the city till it then becomes a pizza shape you can find my place. It is sort of like where is Waldo or where is Lauren going to school?

Week in Romans and at the Top!

This week in the life of Lauren!

Well, Life is great and I am loving all that God is showing me. Finished 1st & 2nd Thess, Romans, and now I am working in Luke. The Thessalonians's were enjoiable and Romans was really something... my head is still spinning with all the theology. 

I received a revelation this week that might sound a little silly but none the less it has been quite heavy for me. I went to church last Sunday, down town in the city. A group of the student wanted to checkout the Hillsongs church that just started a couple months ago in Cape Town. While we were on the train heading into town "which took about an hour each way" there were men preaching the "Turn or Burn" theory. As they were ranting and raving, running up and down the train it made me sick to my stomach. The theology they were spitting out sounded nothing like the Jesus I know and love and I would have thrown something at them if my conscience hadn't gotten the best of me... oh ya and the group of students I was with wouldn't have been to happy with me if I had started a fight with a couple crazy men. 

On the way back from church we got another one and this time he was talking about Beelzebul having blue eyes and blond hair. Again I had to with strain myself from chucking something at him in order to silence the chaos, a little old man came and sat next to me. Clearly this man had just come from Temple wrapped in his traditional wears. He grabs my bible which was sitting on my lap with my right hand tightly clinching it. I pulled back and silently we play tug-a-war until I relinquish it over, out of curiosity. He pulls back page after page till he came to the book of Isaiah... He pointed to a passage and ask me to have HIM explain the meaning. I asked who do you want to explain? and he responded with pointing to the man running up and down the train wearing a yellow reflectors vest, pounding on a Bible, shouting "Turn or Burn". I sat there think what does this little old man want me to do? Then it all started to click (it takes me a little while to catch-on sometimes, you could say I am not the sharpest tool in the shed), he thought that I was with Mr. Crazy and he wanted an explanation of this passage he was pointing to. I looked at this man with the most interested, dumb-founded, look and sincerely stated that I had never met this man in my life. He responded back "I don't believe you, why do you have this" (shaking my bible). I explained that it was the Sabbath and on Sunday I go to church and almost always bring my Bible. It took about five more minutes of convincing before he agreed that I did not know Mr. Crazy. I just remember saying "you don't have to believe me but I have never seen this man before, the end". 

We talked about Jesus being a profit vs. the Son of God and many other interesting theological questions he had regarding the New Testament and I had over the Koran.  My revelation of Gods love for this man was so overwhelming I wanted to cry. I felt a peace about every moment I spent talking to him and listening to him. A burden and yoke I had placed on myself for "saving lives for the Kingdom of God" was something God had NEVER places on me, but I on my self. The silly idea, of me doing anything for God... but the realization that God does it all... that I can do nothing without him... that it was never me saving people it has always and will always be God moving and doing. If God wishes to use me great! I love it! But as I sat there with this beautiful old man who thought I was speaking heresy, God released me of the burden I had placed on my self. It does not matter how much arguing I can do regarding scripture or convincing that Jesus is the Son of God... It comes from God alone... the realization of who he is... (Romans 1:19)

I hope that I get to see him again just to say hi...

The week was great... I climbed Mount Muizenberg with some of my class mates and that was a workout and a half, if I ever said so. I pulled an all nighter and and headed up the Mount at about 4:30am. One other friend stayed up with me and we finished up work on Romans while making home made bread for the picnic we planed on having at the top of the mount. The pictures are of the hike and the pics that I had downloaded in previous blogs "taken outside my room" are what the hill looks like form some distance. I think I almost threw-up at the top and twisted my ankle on the way down... but it was all worth it. Climbing up in the dark and getting to see the sun rise from the top made every moment completely worth it!

I send my love home and over seas!

P.S. 

To the Vopinek Family you can come visit me anytime there is always a free room and food... but it's no Marriott... sorry :0(

Thanks mom for the Package it really meant a lot! The weather has become quite cold the last couple days so the chocolate and socks have come in handy.

Thanks Court for the update at home... it is much appreciated.

Leah you are a true angel... thanks for the hand written letter and of coarse the support :0) have fun at the LA socials... sorry I can't be there with you, but I am in spirit!

Tricia, I hope you saw my new facebook photo... thanx much and I am expecting an update from you and Whits on the Office really soon...

Renee keep up the hard work at school! miss ya girl!

To all family and friends I send my love!!!!

Sunburn! and all worth it!

There was something I wanted to share the last time I blogged but I didn't get a chance because I sort of went off with what God has been teaching me in class. Better late then never, right? .... anyway.... 

I have quite a lot of opportunities to get involved in the community with ministry's that run out of our base but I have been so busy with school work I haven't been able to step out like I had hoped. Every Sunday morning there is a Sunday Market, walking distance from the school, and it reminds me of the swap-meet at home, just a bit. There are two leaders within the school that have started a ministry that sets up at the market and paints kids faces for free. The cool part is I get to be a little artistic and play with the kids while others talk to the parents as they watch their child get his or her face or arm painted. This opens up great opportunities to tell people about Christ. We have little flyer's that we handout explaining  a little more about our testimonies and who the Lord is, but the real fun is building the relationships within the community. 

People can't believe that we are doing this for free! They just don't know how much we truly enjoy it. I got a nice sunburn but it was all worth it. I had offered to help the two leaders take some of the stuff down to the market with them, but I had planned to head off to church straight after... but as the kids started to role in I couldn't resist getting my hands dirty "literally" and getting involved. It was so fruitful I can't wait to do it next Sunday. Maybe this time I will wear sunscreen. 

The pictures are some of my friends/class mates... Renee is the one in class (color coding the bible "homework") she is from South Africa, Johannesburg and has become one of my close friends here at school "don't worry Reree you are my one and only Renee". Micheal "Mich" is in the picture with me and she is one amazing South African, from Derby. She is a staff for another school and "Tricia you would love her she is a Friend's addict just like someone else I know." The last picture is of Tanyse making fun of my height and she is from Zimbabwe, Harare. She is an introvert and yet when you pull it out of her she can be a little crazy "which reminds me of another YWAMer I know... Whits..." Anywho... These are great girls and the Lord has truly blessed me here in Muizenberg, but no one could ever replace you guys at home. I hope you know that.  

Side note...

I aced my first test! Hip Hip

Love and miss you all soooo much!  

Oh.... Mark

WOW... where to begin. 

So I am loving what I am learning but it becomes a little overwhelming at times. Please pray for me... I have been getting some crazy headaches lately. More like migraines. I think it has to do with the way I sit in class. I just finished Mark this week and because it was my first Narrative I was not sure how I would really take it. There are sixteen chapters in Mark and that makes it the largest book I have done. Still learning a lot about the people of the time and what it would have been like to live among the Pharisees and Sadducee in the time of Jesus. These leaders in Judaism were willing to go to extreme measures to make sure the Law of Mosses was kept. Now that I feel I have a deeper understanding of how zealous they were and the passion "good or bad" behind them believing they were doing right, I can identify in a truly more grounded way. I am studding the book of Acts at the moment and looking closer at the missionary journeys of Paul. This man, once a Zealot Pharisee, became the most influential apostle of all time. I felt that I knew a lot about Paul, but now I feel like I am meeting a new man when I read of his stories. A man that persecuted the Jew that followed Christ teachings. Trying to wipe them off the face of the earth. BUT, God being the amazing God that He is, uses Paul to bring the word to the Gentiles. Paul was a Pharisee! In his culture he referred to Gentiles (none Jew) as Dogs. A Pharisee would not associate himself with a Gentile. This would make them unclean and ultimately this would be defiling. This was the man that led the stoning of Stephen (who was proclaiming that the word is not meant for Jews alone but for Gentiles as well)! But God uses this very man to reach the non Jew. In Acts 9 God states that "Go, for he is an instrument who I have chosen to bring my name before the Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." When I read this it was as if I was reading if for the first time. There was nothing Paul did to be chosen by God but he was chosen and Paul's testimony was based on God's Grace... and that it was by no means by "works" Paul did to deserve to be chosen or set apart. Now it was never easy or safe for Paul after he gave his life to God it was quite the opposite, but the life as a Christ Follower is not going to be roses. Paul went through persecution after persecution and imprisonment, stoning(the act of having stones throw at you until you die) which he survives and yet he proclaimed the word of God despite. He was eventually Beheaded. Paul lived in a time of Roman rule. The Emperor Nero! If you have time you should google Nero... This was one crazy man. He was obsessed with suicide, so much so he would invite his dinner guest to commit suicide in-front of him after they ate. Or burn Christians as tiki-torches for the dinner-party. Anyway.... 

I tend to get a little excited about what I am learning.

On an happier note there was a Kite festival this weekend and I took a picture of it from my balcony and form the other side of the balcony you have mic's studying like a good student. Not the greatest shots but still cool. A picture of me at the back of the school. You can see my room to the far right at the very top. A picture of the classroom! Then there is another pic. of Micky and I hanging in the backyard of the school after lunch. Micky has decided to save wounded pigeons that fly onto our balcony. I see them as a heath hazard more then a pet so she has convinced one of the other SBS students "Jeremiah" to take care of them on his balcony. They are nursing these "rats of the sky" back to health while their comrades are waking me up every morning before it is a Godly hour to rise. Anyway this is a little side note of craziness happening in my neck of the woods. 

The base has quited down quite a bit since the last time I wrote which is really nice. Now there are only three schools in session, instead of six.  Almost half the amount of people! Anyway I have to run back to charting Paul's missionary journeys through "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."Acts 1:8

Much love!

Lauren-Jean

Another week of Amazing

Loving LIFE! 

Finished Galatains (which has been my favorite book so far) and now I am trying to dig into Mark. It is my first Narrative in scripture and a little scary with how much bigger it is then the rest of the books I have done.... all I can say is bring it on ;0)

I went to visit Micky's (my roomie) family this weekend and had the BEST time. Her father is a pilot and I convinced him to take me for a ride next time I come over. Micky's place is about 3omins or so from school and so she plans on making many trips home within the school year. The cool part is that she has extended the invite indefinitely so if I ever want to get away I can go with her. Did I mention that her family ROCKS! They are the most down to earth family and I feel so completely at home in their house. Yes... they love me :0) but who wouldn't... right? Just kidding.. ok maybe not. They mentioned that they were now my surrogate parents, just within a couple hours of meeting me. Did I mention how cool they are! They wined and dinned me the whole weekend. 

So the Base has a DTS (Disciple Training School) that just got back form a portion of their outreach this weekend along with two other DTS's who came in for a special lecher for the whole week! That is 61 extra students on top of the already existing three schools and 80 staff. It is so CRAZY around here right now. Then each one of the schools that just arrived have staff as to boot! There is well over 200 people on the base at one time. God is sooooo Good to have let me get away for the weekend... :0)

So I did a boo boo and forgot my camera at schools so I will have to get some pictures from the other side of town plus some from the air very soon.

Here are some more pics of the School and the Braai last week.

P.S. Thank you all for your posted comments they really me a lot to me!

Talk to you again very soon!

Love,

Lauren-Jean

(the pics are of Micky sleeping while the boy's Braai and then we all celebrate together in the dinning hall. The last pic is of the Ocean from the top of the school.)

Skubalon

Today in studying the book of Philippians... Paul makes some pretty profound statements to the church of Philippi and I thought that I could just share some of the revelation God has been giving me. Working, studying and living in community is not always easy and God likes to use sticky situations to bring us into closer relationship to him and others. Philippians vs 3:14-15 "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you." This also relates to vs 2:5 "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus" The idea of Unity runs throughout the text of Philippians and becoming of the same mind. Thinking as Christ would think and consequently live. I love how Paul can be so poetic with his approach. The way he states that if we think differently about how to live... God will bring clarity. That we are not responsible for the sin in our lives until we are made aware that it is sin. That we are only responsible for that which God reveals to us, but as the Body of Christ we are to be of one mind so that unity flows in the church and out into the world. 

Imagine if we could unite in our families... our cities... imagine if we could unite in our nation. What would that look like? I think we need to stop imagining in these things and believe in them. It has to start somewhere, so I guess I am just asking why not with me? Why not start with you?

Thanks for letting me go off... 

I ask if there was anything that I said that struck a cord with you maybe just pray about it, and if not that's ok too... all things will be made known in there right time.

huggggggssssss and kkkkissssssessss

p.s. the only place of silence in this building is on the roof and sometimes that isn't all that quite but here is a picture of the way up to the top and what it looks like from the roof.

Side note I learned that the word Skubalon in Greek means "poop"... try using it in conversation some time today and let me know how it goes.... ;0)

My Roomies

I know that my room-mates are going to kill me if they ever see this post... but I love these pictures. Vera is from Cameroon and trying to take the camera away from me on our balcony and Monique "Micky" is from South Africa and I have just woken her up from her nap in the sun. I love these ladies. God has truly blessed me with great roomies. 

Braai in the backyard

So here are some more pictures of the base and my life over here in Muizenberg... We had a welcoming party for the new schools that started this semester and had a large South African Braai "Barbecue" in the backyard. The ladies of the base made the dinning room look all pretty by putting all the students flags up, and the boys were busy out in the back cooking up some hot dogs. The last shot was taken in my class room where the real YWAM tradition came out. Yes, Titus skits appeared in full force and this was taken form my team portraying a true Lazy Glutton. (Titus vs. 1;12)

Update and pic of Base

I am soooo Sorry to all my Family and Friends for not being able to send more pictures and updates on my BLOG. The South African Government owns all the communication lines over here and consequently can charge whatever they like for Internet and phone time. The prices are quite outrageous and to upload pictures cost even more. Well... this sad news does have a happy ending... I think... I believe that I have found away around some of the costs and in turn my hope is to send more regular updates. I will be updating again at the end of the week and hope to continue to do so throughout my stay in South Africa. 

The work is getting a little more manageable now that I sort of understand what I am doing... tehehe... 

Here is a picture of the Base (my home!) and my local grocery store (good old "Checkers"). The selection over here is so much better then in the States. I would have never thought, but I guess this is one of the largest import and export community in the world. Hip hip for me...

much love,

Lauren-Jean

Simon's Town

So I have successfully completed my first week of class... Can I get an "Amen".... anyway it was long but soooo good. After reading  the book of Philemon over and over and over again I feel that I have the book almost to memory. Every little point Paul made would turn over in my head till the passage was going to explode. I really had know idea that there was so much in one letter. Looking back in history and finding that Paul was one of the first every recorded to attempt to abolish slavery. I love being able to really look back in history and have the time to cross referencing that reference. Yes this sounds a little crazy but I am extremely excited by all this new information and can't wait for more. I know that once I come to a book like Isaiah I might be crying. This next week we go through Titus and the "fun" never stops. 

This weekend we went as a class to Simon's Town... This was labeled as compulsory fun. It was really nice to go see a little more of South Africa. Simon's Town in known for their penguins. I really had the desire to bring one back with me to the base and call it Petie... He could live in our base pool and be known as the "Petie the pet pool penguin". Anyway the one I want is closest to me in the picture up top. 

MY ROOM and a little about where I am...

Hey my Family and Friends.... I love it here in Muizenberg, South Africa.

The people are Great. The students range from all over the world. Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, South Africa, Cameru, Canada, of course the U.S.A and the list goes on. The weather is quite cold right now but the South Africans promise that it will warm up soon. As long as my hot water-bottle heater is not far away I will be fine. I share a room with two others and we share the bathroom as well. A bit different form the accommodations in New Zealand. There is one thing that transferred over and that would be that there is once again no isolated heating in the buildings. The beauty is really something, with the mountains to look at when I wake up and the ocean less then a block for my front door... what more could I ask for. Well the ocean is a whole lot colder then the ocean I am used to at home and the whole idea of it being shark infested kind of keeps me out anyway. They have three different flags that they fly at the beach depending on what the "shark watchers" see. Yes they are called "shark watchers"... there are usually two to three people that sit on top of the mountain and watch for sharks (this is quite high tech). A white flag with a red shark in it and sirens going off means that there are sharks in the water "right now", red flag means that there were sharks in the water less then four hours ago, black flag means that they can not see clearly the water is too choppy, and green flag means you are good to go. Needless to say I will be staying out of the water unless there is a cage between the sharks and myself. There are some students who are trying to convince me to go with them some time over the nine months, but I still need to think about that. There is a local place where you can jump in a cage, out in the ocean, and watch great white sharks attack the cage you are suppose to be safely guarded in. 

Classes start Monday and I am getting a little nervous over all of it but I am sure it will all go quite well. I love the students and staff. There are 20 SBS students, 20 DTC students, and 8 CPS students... which makes the school a little crowded. Did I mention that there are 80 staff. Ya 80 of them! Quite a few are married and most of them do not live on base but there are still a lot. I have yet to meet everyone but I still look forward too. 

The pictures to the left are some shots of my room... I hope you like it... it is still a work in progress!

I will talk to you again very soon,

Love Lauren-Jean

My Family and Friends I am off to Muizenberg, South Africa

I have crated this Blog to keep family and friends updated with weekly events happening in my life while I am away in South Africa. 

I hope to send pictures and videos your way every month to give you a little glimpse into the life and studies in Muizenberg, South Africa.

with much love,

Lauren-Jean

9/20/08