Confidence

Well I am glad to see I have some dedicated followers as I received many personal emails after my last entry about finding a new identity.  It seems I worried a few of you, so for that I apologize.  Thank you for those who shared such kind words with me.  Those emails did provide much needed encouragement.   So now I must share a positive reflection on something that I do have confidence about...... and that would be my DRIVING.  (Big smiley face)

The other day I decided that I had to check out the local McDonalds just to see if it tasted like America’s.  (Good excuse huh?)  I realized that I had mastered driving a manual car while I was eating my fast food with one hand, shifting with the other and trying to steer with my knee.  And guess what... I wasn’t stalling.  Miracles do happen!    I am not saying that was safe and I don’t recommend that... but I had to use this story to show you how much my driving has improved.  

So now I am enjoying driving my little car on the left side of the road, passing cars just for the fun of it.  I imagine myself as Charlize Theron in her Mini Cooper in the “Italian Job”.   Okay, maybe that is stretching a bit, but the point is that I have confidence.  It’s a nice feeling to have in at least one place right now.

On another good note I joined a nice local gym.  For those of you who are supporting me, no worries, this money is coming out of my own personal savings (like any other fun activity).  I realized how much I had missed exercising as my energy level decreased, my mood decreased and my immune system failed me as I got sick.  I somehow thought that being over here, I wouldn’t have to work out and I would be getting my exercise from building shacks, roads, etc.   What I didn’t realize is that the actual building doesn’t happen that often.  It happens only when sponsorship money comes in or groups from different countries come over on Mission Trips with money from their churches to buy the materials to build.   I also believed that somehow my diet would be different and that I would be eating very low fat foods or little of it.   I was WAY wrong on both accounts.  The food over here is delicious and I quickly became a fan of the South African Rusks that one eats with their coffee and tea.  (not so healthy).  

So with that being said, I joined a gym because I am not comfortable walking/running outside alone (and of course I promised my loved ones that I would be careful.)  The gym is very nice and has internet which is how I am keeping up with my emails and blogs.  I find it to be a great stress relief after a long day with the children.   For those of you who are NOT exercising on a regular basis I challenge each and everyone of you to make it part of your daily routine.  We are to treat our body’s as a temple for God.  We need to watch what we put into our bodies and how we mistreat them.  That means none of us should be overindulging in anything... food, sweets, alcohol, tobacco etc.  We also need to be careful what we listen to, what we watch and how it affects our actions.  The devil is quick to get us through the nasty media these days and makes us believe all of these things are okay and normal.  We have all lowered our standards terribly and it affects us negatively everyday.  If you start exercising I promise that you will have more energy, better focus, improved sleep, increased positive mood and over time you will lose weight.  The endorphins you get from exercising are a natural “happy pill” and this will improve your overall relationships with your friends, colleagues, children or spouses.   Start exercising!  Make it a priority.  

Okay, I’m off my soap box.  Can you tell I just got done working out?  

I’m off to camp tomorrow morning.  I will post about my experience this coming weekend upon my return.  Please pray that the children will have an open heart and mind for the sessions we have prepared for them.  We will be discussing very difficult topics like Ancestors, Dating, Trust, Forgiveness, God and the Bible.  Many of these kids have been hurt emotionally and physically.  There is a lot of abuse that happens in these townships so their hearts are hardened.  They have extreme difficulties with trust, forgiveness and even a belief that God exists.   I hope that as leaders God will provide us with the right words and answers to their tough questions.   Will they be open to my words when I have no idea what they have gone through and the pain they have endured?  I have experienced nothing like that in my life.  If anything I will be there to support the other leaders who have grown up in the townships, who speak Xhosa and understand every issue.   I also pray that God opens my own heart and that I may build relationships during this time that will be important for my remaining 5 months. 

Thank you for your prayers.