April 5th I received a call from one of my students telling me that there was an accident. Three of my students along with a local South African friend were driving in a car from Port Elizabeth to Jeffreys Bay for the day. They only made it as far as Greenbushes. The tire on the car blew out and the car flipped over twice. My immediate reaction was to get in the car and start driving. The Jeffreys Bay leaders, two of my best friends, and I were in Port Alfred for the weekend. Frantically we packed are things and jumped in the van. Words could not even come out of our mouths. I phoned the office back in the states, so that they were aware. Death was never even a thought in my mind. During the two-hour drive phones were ringing like crazy with updates and questions. For a short period we lost service in our phones. The first call I received after being out for a few minutes, was from one of my co-leaders. Sarah Buller died in the hospital that afternoon, within two hours of the accident. I felt frozen, thinking that she was joking. Could this really be happening? Did she really just die?
The next few hours and days were a blur. I began to hate the ring of my phone anticipating more bad news. At home we had nine very broken students and three very lost leaders. How can a family truly recover from something like this? This is a loss like no other.
Sarah was supposed to turn nineteen Wednesday April 8, three days after the accident. She was only eighteen years old and she came to Africa to serve the Lord. On her birthday we had a memorial to remember who Sarah was, and she blessed our lives and the lives of others. One of the students shared about what Sarah meant to him. Of the many things he shared he remembered how as a team we just read the book "Don't Waste Your Life". He atated that Sarah didn't waste hers. How many of us will die, and others around us will know without a doubt that we didn't waste our lives?
Dwight and Peggy Buller have been the two people that have given me the strength in this situation to continue to trust and praise the Lord. Sarah's parents are like no one I have ever met. Their hearts are larger than any of ours. So large that just a few years ago they adopted four children from Guatemala, while they already had five of their own. After the death of their oldest daughter they were checking to make sure that Sarah's team and family in Port Elizabeth were doing okay. In this time I am learning to praise Him in the storm, because Dwight and Peggy can do it. I am so thankful to have had the privilege of meeting the Bullers only a few weeks earlier when they came to visit Sarah.
Sarah is a girl that I will never forget. Her impact was great while she was here in Africa. One afternoon after the accident three of us leaders stopped by one of Sarah's ministries called Isithembiso. It is a transition home for babies and toddlers who have been abused and abandoned. Agnus is the main caretaker of these children. There was a bond that had formed between Sarah and Agnus. Sarah was not a girl of many words, but Agnus felt her presence. When we broke the news to Agnus that afternoon she could barely hold herself together. Her tears made me so proud of the way that Sarah reached out to Agnus. Agnus camed to South Africa about a year ago, from Zimbabwe to make money for her family, and her daughter. She lives at Isithembiso with the babies and does not have a life out of the home. Volunteers come in and out of the home and most of them want to hold the cute babies, but Sarah reached out to Agnus and she touched her heart. In Sarah's quiet way she knew how to reach peoples hearts. She reached mine and I am blessed to have been a part of her last year on this earth.
"So,
whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1
CORINTHIANS 10:31This is a verse
that runs through the minds of many believers of Christ.We hear versions of it in sermons,
songs, and discussions.Is this a
verse that we actually follow?In
everything we do, do we bring glory to God?EVERYTHING.I
don't think we have to go into the definition of that word.It's rather large.
As
a team we have been reading "Don't Waste Your Life" written by John Piper.John Piper emphasizes how everything we
do should bring glory to God.In
all that we do we should be bringing glory to God.As human beings it is almost impossible for us to always
follow God in all that we do, and the reason is that we are selfish.Our nature tells us that we deserve to
have a nice house, a big family, money, a comfortable life, a fashionable car,
etc., basically "the American Dream".A lot of our struggle to completely follow the Lord comes from our
desire to be liked or wanted by people.I like how Piper puts it in his book, "You may not be sure that you want
your life to make a difference. Maybe you don't care very much whether you make
a lasting difference for the sake of something great. You just want people to
like you. If people would just like being around you, you'd be satisfied. Or if
you could just have a good job with a good wife, or husband, and a couple of
good kids and a nice car and long weekends and a few good friends, a fun
retirement, and a quick and easy death, and no hell-if you could have all that
(even without God)-you would be satisfied. That is a tragedy in the making. A
wasted life."I don't want to
waste my life and I want to glorify God in all that I do.But I know that each day I have to wake
up and remind of self of what Jesus did for me by dying on the cross for my
sins, and I have to remember that God placed me on this earth for one
purpose.That purpose is to bring
glory to Him!In Psalm 19 David
wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his
handiwork".God has created this
earth to remind me how amazing he is.He has created the smallest snails in the ocean to the galaxies.Each day I look out the window, which
gives me no excuse to not be reminded of how magnificent he is, and he deserves
all the glory.
On
Monday part of our group went to a men's prison about ten minutes from our
house.Upon entering the doors we
were a little shaky, uncertain of what we were about to encounter.Our friend Cathy Vimpany from Britain
brought us there.Cathy is a bold
lady of about 70, and she loves the Lord with all her heart.Cathy has been ministering to these men
for the past 15 years, and she wants to make sure they all have a chance to
know the Lord.As the eight of us
trailed Cathy through the corridors of the prison, we felt nervous.They brought us to a stone courtyard
full of men in orange jump suits.All we brought with us was a guitar.Sara brought it out and we began to sing.I felt as though we were a traveling
choir worshipping the Lord, but it worked.The men gathered and were excited to worship with us.Cathy is well known amongst theses men
and they respect her to the highest degree.The group kept growing and the dancing began.Here we were a bunch of Americans singing
songs to God with a bunch of men in an African prison.It was one of the most powerful
experiences I have ever had.Tears
came to my eyes as the songs came out.These men need and want God.Their lives in the past were wasted and they don't want to waste the
future.Cathy shared the Word of
God and prayed for the men.We all
moved again as a group and did the same thing two more times.It was powerful.I have been so blessed with the life
that I have been given.It would
be tragedy to not constantly share God's love with people.They deserve to know how much he loves
them, just like these men in the prison deserved it.
I
want to leave you with a story that I shared with my team on Monday.As I read it to them it brought tears
to my eyes.This is the story of a
man names Joseph who used to be a vicious warrior.But God had something else in store for him.After you read it I want you to ask
yourself if you are willing to do what he did?
One
day, Joseph, who was walking along one of these hot, dirty African roads, met
someone who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. Then and there he
accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The power of the Spirit began
transforming his life; he was filled with such excitement and joy that the
first thing he wanted to do was return to his own village and share the same
Good News with the members of his local tribe.Joseph began going from door-to-door, telling everyone he
met about the Cross of Jesus and the salvation it offered, expecting to see
their faces light up the way his had. To his amazement the villagers not only
didn't care, they became violent. The men of the village seized him and held
him to the ground while the women beat him with strands of barbed wire. He was
dragged from the village and left to die alone in the bush.Joseph somehow managed to crawl to a
waterhole, and there, after days of passing in and out of consciousness, found
the strength to get up. He wondered about the hostile reception he had received
from people he had known all his life. He decided he must have left something
out or told the story of Jesus incorrectly. After rehearsing the message he had
first heard, he decided to go back and share his faith once more.Joseph limped into the circle of huts
and began to
proclaim
Jesus. "He died for you, so that you might find forgiveness and come to know
the living God," he pleaded. Again he was grabbed by the men of the village and
held while the women beat him, reopening wounds that had just begun to heal.
Once more they dragged him unconscious from the village and left him to die.To
have survived the first beating was truly remarkable. To live through the
second was a miracle. Again, days later, Joseph awoke in the wilderness,
bruised, scarred-and determined to go back.He returned to the small village and this time, they
attacked him before he had a chance to open his mouth.
As
they flogged him for the third and probably the last time, he again spoke to
them of Jesus Christ, the Lord.Before he passed out, the last thing he saw was that the women who were
beating him began to weep.This
time he awoke in his own bed. The ones who had so severely beaten him were now
trying to save his
life
and nurse him back to health. The entire village had come to Christ.
Why do we always have to be in control? In all of our lives there are things that we just seem to cling to, and are unable to surrender them to the Lord. Some of these things are money, comfort, friends, home, tv, food, etc. We have all decided that we need these things. But who told us that we needed them? Does it say in the bible to cling to the things of this world? In fact the bible tell us the exact opposite, one example is in Luke 12:33, it says: "Sell your possessions and give to the poor." Somewhere along the way we have decided that no longer applied to our lives now. Not only do we try to control the physical things of this world, we try to control our lives. We plan our futures, not God. We decide who we are friends with and how we act with them, not God. We decide what is best for us, not God. How have we become a culture that needs control? Most of us want to make sure our lives have a few bumps as possible, so we limit God. In Crazy Love, Francis Chan writes, " Christians today like to play it safe. We want to put ourselves in situations where we are safe "even if there is no God." But if we truly desire to please God, we cannot live that way. We have to do things that cost us during our life on earth but will be more worth it in eternity." These are the thoughts that are penetrating my thoughts as the base in Port Elizabeth, South Africa is underway.
It really has been quite and adventure and a blessing being the first AIM team in PE. God has really revealed to me that it is all out of my hands and I have to let him control everything here. I am one to make sure that all is done to perfection. Upon arriving in PE it was apparent that only God could make this semester perfect and not me. I have seen his glory and power in only a few short weeks here. Doors were opened for ministry locations with very little search. People really greeted us with open arms and provided all that we needed all because God is on our side.
When we arrived at the PE house almost four weeks ago all we brought with us were beds and one fridge for fifteen people. One afternoon we sent the students out to meet our neighbors through a game called bigger and better. Each team had a paper clip, their objective was to meet the neighbors and trade the paper clip for something bigger or better. Our expectation was that the neighbors and students would have a good laugh from the things that they were trading. Little to our surprise God had more in store. At the end of the day the students came home with things for the house that we did not have. People began to ask what were some things that we needed in the house. From the neighbors to generous people at Lighthouse Family Church we now have couches, tables, a fridge, a microwave, a hot pot, a toaster, curtains and of course the skate board. I was blown away by the way that God provided just when we needed.
As the students have begun to split into their ministries I can see that God orchestrated this team in his perfect image, and I can't stop feeling the joy from this blessing. God is in control.
My new address is:
Chelsea Short
19 Trichardt
Parsons Hill
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
6001
Growing up in America there are so many things that we take for granted. I have come to realize this as Africa has become a second home to me. Transportation is a huge privilege for any one that has it. My family owns two very nice vehicles that allow us to go where we want, when we want. There are times when it seemed hectic to coordinate two vehicles with six people, but now I see it as two vehicles as more than enough. In Ocean View, one of the townships in Jeffreys Bay, that mode of transportation that people use is walking. For many the fee to take the bus, or as it is called here "the taxi" is too much for people to spare. As I look at my life I think of all the times I complained if I had to walk home from a friends house or school. Would I have complained if I didn't have a choice? Would I have complained if walking was how I traveled everywhere? Would I have complained if I knew the money I used for the bus meant I couldn't eat later?
These past few weeks we have been studying "Searching for God Know's What" by Donald Miller. As the book came to an end we challenged the students to look at their view of the world and how it has been changed since coming to Africa. I was greatly impacted by one of the girls and the words that she had to share. She reflected back to America and how coming from there she felt so blessed. God has really blessed the people in America by all that he has provided for us. She felt that the way in America was really the only way and she pitied the people of other countries. After living in Africa for a few months she began to wonder, "Are we really blessed in America?" We have all that we need, but we are never happy. People here have nothing compared to us, but they are so blessed in the Lord. The people here need God, the people in America don't need God. She then played a song by Chris Tomlin that brought me to tears. Here are the lyrics:
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
My heart was broken to see that God is so visible here in Africa, but not in America. I also really have felt blessed by the Lord lately in bringing me to Africa. He has taught me lessons I never could have learned staying in America. Jeffreys Bay has become my home over this past year. But as it has become my home I am always reminded of how blessed I am to have a family that truly loves me and wants me. As the Christmas season is coming, I keep thinking about my family and how I will be away from them. In America this is a time for families to come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christmas is coming that we anticipate, and look forward to all year long. As my heart yearns to be home for Christmas to be with my family, I am excited as to what God will reveal to me in a place where the holiday is not so commercialized. It will be back to the basics. I know that I will long for Christmas carols, snow, and fellowship with my family. But God is the God of this city Jeffreys Bay as well as he is the God of America.
If you think of me and would like to send me some Christmas wishes, I will eagerly await them. The address is:
Adventures in Missions
Attention: Chelsea Short
PO Box 921
Jeffreys Bay
South Africa
6330
About two weeks ago our team spent a week fasting and praying. I was really focusing on the location that I would be going on outreach next semester, and the students that I would be leading. I saw the Lord answer prayers in awesome ways and really give many of the students' glimpses of hope. Towards the end of the week one of the students felt she needed to pray for healing over another students. In her obedience and excitement she immediately went and prayed over this other student. The following day the girl who was prayed over felt the Lord telling her that she was healed. Praise and glory was immediately given to the Lord, this was unbelievable. The smiles were unstoppable! As the day went on the same student who received the healing started to feel the symptoms again, signaling that she was not actually healed. I watched as this whole chain of events went on, and doubts in the Lord arose. I realized that this was still an awesome opportunity to praise the Lord. It reminds me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel.
"13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
These three men said that even if God did not save them from the firery furnace they were still not going to bow down to other gods. I could see this in the story of these students. That even though the Lord did not heal her at the moment, she would still not bow down. Our God is good even when he doesn't heal us. And I know that our God is a God of healing, and one day she will be completely healed! Let's praise him until that day, and all the days after.
Last week God sent us to Somerset East South Africa to share with his people about AIDs and abstinence. South Africa has the highest percentage of people who are infected by HIV and AIDS. God sent us to Somerset to shed light on this situation, and to show the people how they can stop it. I spent the week teaching in a high school. We showed the movie Beat the Drum to the students the first day, and every day after was a chance to teach them about HIV and AIDS, and how it is possible for them to abstain from sex. I had the chance to teach with my friend Ricky from Zimbabwe, Pepsi from South Africa, and Sarah from America. Each day we sought the Lord and he gave us the words to speak to these students. There was so much brokenness in their lives that no one knew they could choose to abstain, and actually make it. God broke down some awesome walls in the student's lives, and he gave them a second chance in the ways that they will live their lives. On the last day of the week they had the chance to get tested for AIDS, which was an overwhelming experience of emotion. Awful anticipation, powerful rejoicing, and confusing let downs. God was there for the students who were negative, and the ones who were positive. As a dropped a groups of girls off at their school after their tests, on girl came to the car window and took my hand. She said thank you for bringing us this message. She said they didn't know that AIDS was such a problem and they were excited for the ways theirs lives would change. They told us to keep doing the work we were doing. God rocked my world this week by showing me how much he listens to us and longs to answer our prayers. When prayer becomes our center focus, he is ready and willing to answer. My heart remains in Somerset with the lives that were changed, but I thankful for the light the Lord sent us to shine.
Adventures in Missions is joining with other Jeffrey's Bay, South African organizations, churches and friends to bring Beat the Drum to Somerset East and WE NEED YOUR HELP. Our team will be going from October 12-19.
HISTORY OF BEAT THE DRUM
The horror of so many millions of souls currently under the curse of AIDS has been seen. The movie "Beat the Drum" was the catalyst for our response. A multi-faceted approach was developed that continued with a massive campaign to train young people in AIDS prevention, mobilizing people, volunteers from Africa and the US to break up into teams to go into high schools to train the learners in biblically-based AIDS prevention under a brand new project called, Beat the Drum.
Why Somerset East?
In early 2008 George and Michele Mwanza took a team to Somerset East for outreach. They spent three days prayer walking through the community. Through this prayer walk God introduced them to many influential leaders and opened their eyes to the need for change and growth within this small community. George knew that the town was ready for Beat the Drum it was just getting influential leaders on board. On Friday May 23rd six leaders went to present Beat the Drum to different representatives of schools, businesses, and churches. The response was amazing. God was so evident in that room that day. They are ready for Beat the Drum to happen tomorrow. God is telling us that it's time to move in to Summerset East and open their eyes and hearts to the ways of our Lord.
PRAYER NEEDS:
*Continued prayer is needed for the whole week of community outreach week.
*Families of the community
*Finances
*HIV/AIDS positive people in the community
*Home Visits
*For the volunteers
*Curriculum facilitation
*Lasting impact and real value
*For God's spirit to be poured out on the people attending
*Opening of their eyes to the knowledge and truth with understanding
*The Truth of the Word of God
*For the overall smooth running of our programs
FINANCIAL NEEDS:
Vehicle rental/Gas for transporting teams from J-Bay to Somerset East (100 people/3 hour drive)
Curriculum-Our target is 6,000 books which will cost $.80 a book which equals $4,800.
Any additional food that is not donated by the community
MISSION
To serve the Somerset East Community by bringing primarily the message of abstinence through Beat the Drum project and giving hope through meeting felt needs in the community.
EXPECTATION
To see the movement of God
To see believers, Churches and ministries join hands in unity to serve our community
PURPOSE
To educate on HIV/AIDS
To prevent and STOP HIV/AIDS in the community
To care for our community
If you would like to help go to ...
www.adventures.org/give
and type BTD Summerset in the Staff name Block
Email: Holly at holly@tagandholly.org
We need your support to make this happen! If you have any questions please feel free to email me. chelsea.e.short@gmail.com. When making donations follow the directions above and don't put it into my account! Thank you so much.
