South Africa?

orphan - a child who has lost both parents through death, a person or thing that is without protective affiliation, sponsorship.

I've have been feeling quite a pull on my heart for the last 9 months to go on a mission trip overseas. It's been quite a journey trying to figure out exactly where it is God wants to use me. I've also felt a heavy pull on my heart for orphans. Those of you who know me well, also know that 9 months ago, this new passion erupted in my heart for the parentless children... I have no idea why these 'new' passions have entered my life... but I know they came from God.

I got our newsletter email yesterday from my church about the upcoming global mission trips for 2009. As I read about each of them and pondered the time of year they would be taking place there was one that kept ringing clearer than the others...South Africa.

Next July for 10 days there's a team going to South Africa to work at an orphans camp. Basically they're going to love on these kids that have been left behind due to the HIV/AIDS virus that their parents have deceased from.

In the last 24 hours, there have been 5 instances where Africa has been mentioned/brought to my attention, from various sources. Are they coincidence?

1. Yesterday in our email staff newsletter, there was mention of our World Drumming Class and how they collected school supplies and materials to donate to an education center in Botswana, Africa. They have been raising money to ship these materials overseas and just reached their goal. The materials are on their way! ; )

2. I opened and read the email from my church, mentioning the mission trip to South Africa.

3. Last night I was prepping my materials for Chapter 8 that my kids are reading in class today from our novel. I decided I wanted to find an online video clip that would be an awesome attention grabber to show in the beginning to hook these kids and motivate them to uncover the events from that chapter. We learn more about a new character that has just been introduced (a talking parrot), that gives the final clue to the solve the mystery. Here's the catch, he's an Africa Grey Parrot. I was able to find a really cool clip of this kind of bird from google video. The kids have loved it by the way! ; )

4. A student walked in this morning and asked me if the last day of school is a half day. First of all, I found it hilarious that he's already thinking about that--but who isn't right? ; ) We looked it up and he teased me that I still have to be here the rest of that Thursday as well as the next day on Friday. I laughed and told him that it's okay though, because I'll probably be catching a plane to get outta here the very next day on Saturday. The following convo took place:

"Oh yeah? Where you going?"
"Doesn't really matter too much where I'm going does it? It just matters that I'll be gone!" (winking at student)
"Haha, true. You'll probably go to Africa or something like that!"
"Haha! That's really funny that you say that...I'm actually thinking about going next July..."
"Really!? That's cool! For what?"
"A mission trip--to go work at an orphanage camp!"
"That's awesome!"

5. The email staff newsletters that we get everyday includes a section called "This Day in History" and today's made mention of today's date in 1967 the 1st human heart transplant took place in Cape Town, South Africa.

6. In my 7th Hour class, a student was sharing about an experience he had on vacation and meant to say Arkansas, but Africa came out instead. These two A words that are locations are nothing alike, at least that I'm aware of. But he could also still have Africa on the brain from first hour when we talked about the parrot. Hmm...

Is this getting weird or what?

I don't know what this means. I know that trip is expensive, but I also know that there are financial alternatives, ways to raise the money, as well as individuals and companies that volunteer to sponsor these trips.

Please pray for me and with me for guidance and wisdom in contemplating this trip...

image courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:LocationSouthAfrica.svg

**Edit**

There have been 4 more occurrences within the last 48 hours of this posting...

my table

table - a group of persons at a table, as for a meal, game, or business transaction.


So I met up with the friend from middle school last night and we got into a pretty thought-provoking conversation about the different friends in each of our lives. I had already been thinking about the relationships I have with each of my friends and how some of those are changing and evolving--in different directions--some good, some just...different.

I began to realize that I realistically don't have the capacity of time nor energy to maintain all of these friendships on a healthy consistent level. I decided that it was time for me sit down and really think about a select few that were worth spending and investing the precious time, I've been given on this earth, into. I knew that I had a pretty good idea, but I needed to actually sit down and put it on paper. As I was talking about this idea of only focusing on a select few, my friend added the most clear and concrete analogy of "the individuals you'd want seated at your table..."

As we began to unpack that idea, we related it to Jesus and His 12 disciples and how those were His lifemates and best friends. They walked His life road with Him and ate with Him at His table. He knew He was dying...and called those 12 friends around His table one last time. He wanted that night, His last meal, spent with those friends... how powerful is that?

I got together with another friend tonight--and this friendship is definitely one that is evolving in a mind boggling way! God sent her to me and me to her and it gets more insane, and evident that God's hand is in it, the more time we spend together. I began to share with her about the previous conversation about the 'table' and significance it held even in Jesus' life and she added a few more spins to the analogy. One: Is there a significance in the number 12? Should we think of 12 friends for our own tables? And two: Do you not only have friends at your table, but some in your living room, back porch, and front porch with the door locked?

We began to explore this idea by pulling out paper, pens, and our cell phones with our contact lists. We built our "Big 12" lists right there in that moment. Surprisingly, it didn't take either one of us very long. There's definitely added emotions when you put them down on paper...it becomes more significant...feels more real...and solidifies exactly where you stand in each of those relationships.

By putting these 12 names down on paper, I began to build a mental image of even where I'd want everyone seated. I knew that my top 6 would sit the closest to me--I sit in the middle with 2 on each side and 2 in front. But also realizing that my table would not be complete if any of the 12 were missing. It felt very eye-opening, comforting, and relieving to concrete the individuals that I knew I now wanted to invest the rest of myself into before I leave this place. You also realize where these people stand in your lives, what levels those relationships are on, and you're okay and comfortable with them.

Too often we spread ourselves too thin or wear ourselves out trying to please everyone else and their needs, that we forget about ourselves, what we want, and what our needs are...

I love the above definition of 'table', and how it specifies three possible areas of your life:
1. meal-nurturing, caring for, hunger-satisfied
2. games-team, fun, laughter, pleasure
3. business-big life decisions, overcoming obstacles, life struggles

To my "Big 12": (you know who you are)
I just wanted you to know that you are part of my "Big 12" and I couldn't imagine my life without your friendship and support in it--and I don't want to. You mean the world to me, and I want you to know that when it comes to 'us'...I'm all in.

I love you...always.

photo courtesy of www.trade-cube.co.za/12SeaterFern1mx3m.jpg