South Africa – Day 3
June 12, 2008
Lord, my heart is aching. I do not understand why I have so much and the families here have so little. At one of the townships we visited today the lady in charge of the SpillClinic (which is an after school program for kids) was telling us about the community. She said families here were so poor that parents would often offer their children cigarettes & beer when they asked for food. She also said that the single apple & glass of milk given to the children at the clinic would often be their only meal of the day. Why did you give me so much? These kids weren’t only starving for food, the were starving for affection. The moment we stepped out of the van they came up to us & grabbed onto our hands and legs. Their little faces lit up when I simply gave them a high five. There were so many of them and only 15 of us! It was so hard to learn their names because there were so many; but I want to desperately to learn their names so they know they are important and important to God. Most of them spoke very little English but that didn’t matter. Within a few minutes we were playing & making up games. They all wanted to be held and they all wanted to be hugged. They were so beautiful and innocent. The reason they live like they do has nothing to do with them. Why do they live like they do? Do the parents have a choice? Why was I put in a place with no worries?
I have a family that overflows with love and affection and I have a father that has bent over backwards to make sure our needs were met. Thank you Lord for blessing me. How could anyone look at the heartache here and then look away? Don’t let me do that. Keep the pictures in my mind. Don’t ever let me take advantage of anything You have blessed me with; my house, my family, friends, church, food, clothes, school, safety, Lord EVERYTHING! Why do I have so much? Lord You have pulled the strings of my heart; now please make my time effective. It may be hard because of the language barrier, but please provide opportunities for me to share the gospel. Loving and playing with these kids is fun but it’s not going to save their souls. Make them understand.
Draw them to You. Let them know You are the ultimate provider & the Father to the fatherless and that Your love is unconditional. We don’t have to beg for Your affection and we don’t have to worry about anything because You promise to provide for us. Lord, there is so much to be done here! Make me sensitive to Your call and Your plan for me. Make me willing, make me able. Please direct my life because I want to live it for You. I want to be a part of Your work. I want to see lives changed & people saved. Use me! Amen.
Hey everyone…
I pray that the journey God has brought me on will cause you to begin one yourself. God is SO BIG and He desires to mold and use each and every one of His children. Be sensitive to His voice and redeem the time! Thank you for all your prayers and support. Please continue to lift up my team and me as we are growing and serving these next 2 weeks. I love and miss you all!
Love,
Micah
Micah,
Wow, how powerful is God’s message and your ministry. We feel so small, but are so happy you had this chance to work with these children. What a difference you all can make, not only in their lives, but in all our lives. We miss your smiling face and sweet soul so much, but can picture you sharing it with the children. Keep up the great work and we’ll see you soon. Love you!
Micah, I hardly know what to say… I am humbled by your passion. God calls me to the same passion even though I am not overseas, but only in Gage, OK. (: I am challenged by you to have a passion for the children of this community – they NEED Jesus too! I love you SO much and am so proud that you are growing in our Lord so much. That your deep, soul desire is to be used by Him. We all miss you and are praying for you daily… constantly. Love, Mom
Micah, what a call to action for all of us! You all are going to make such a difference in those little lives and isn’t God amazing that in pouring us out, we are filled up with his grace and a longing to be more like Him! You are such an inspiration to look around me and take nothing for granted and to look at my students with the goal of their salvation or instruction. Praying for you and the rest, sweetie. Take care!
I dont know what to say after reading that. I do know that it will size you up really quick…I feel so small compared to God right now and I should….my heart aches for the children that yall are working with. I have always been interested in missions but either never had a chance or something come up to prevent me from going… God has really opened my heart through reading this as well as Christins messages and I wish I was there…but I know now that I will have the chance because I sense God pulling me to it…thank you for being open to God and allowing Him to use you
Oh Micah I miss you so much.
I sit here reading this with tears in my eyes, not only because I miss you, but because I know that God is using you all in a great way. My heart aches with pain and happiness. Hearing about the conditions these kids live in gives me sorrow, but I know that they’re getting to hear Gods word and learn his love through you all. I pray for you and your team all the time. You are such a blessing to me and I know you are to those around you. This glimpse into your trip so far just reminds me of how blessed we are and how we don’t deserve anything we have. We need to not only share our physical possesions, but the Hope we have within us.
I can’t wait to hear all your stories when you come back love. 🙂
Dearest Micah: I am filled with thanksgiving to God for you – and praises to Him Who has made you who you are. You are living Micah 6:8. What a wonderful opportunity for you. It reminds me of when I was a new missionary. May God ccontinue to bless you – and make you a blessing. te amo – Grandma
Wow, when I read all that I’m so very convicted about the passion in my life. Your heart for the Lord and His work is such and example to me. I’ve really been praying lately that I wouldn’t just be a sponge that soaks up information, but that I would be someone who really lives out what they believe and looks for opportunites to serve whenever I can. I cant wait to talk to you and I’m praying for you and all those in your group!!! I love you so much!
Micah,
Thank you for putting “things” back into perspective for me! As I read your words I am reminded of my time in Kenya so many years ago. Hold onto what God is doing in you right now. Be totally abandoned to Him while you are there and watch and see what He does in you and to you. God has you there not just for those you come in contact with, but to take you to heights and depths of your very soul you never knew existed. It’s an exhilerating ride that does not come around very often, so soak it all in and allow God to use you in ways you thought were impossible! I can’t wait to see you and talk. I’m so proud of you!
So good to get a glimpse of what life is like in J’Bay. God is using you all in a powerful way, sowing the seeds in those precious children’s hearts. Many prayers and love are being sent your way. Bekah we love you and are looking forward to hearing all about your journey!
Jan