Dance Parties, Tutus, and Good Night Prayers.

This week, my housemate (who is equally sassy and dramatic) and I have had the incredible honor and privilege of watching one of the houses while the Mama is away visiting her family.  The house is the home of seven beautiful girls, each coming with their own bold personality and unique sparkle. From purple and pink dresses, to flower prints and tutu’s, there is no room to doubt that you are in the presence of beautiful girls.

Beautiful girls, who don’t wait for music to have a dance party.

Beautiful girls who are fiercely independent yet incredible gentle.

Beautiful girls with big hearts, who love deeply and joyfully.

Beautiful girls who have filled my heart with their laughter.

Beautiful girls who keep me dreaming.

Next to the daily dance parties, my highlight has been a genuine time of prayer and worship. Last night, we gathered in the lounge, snuggled in our pajama’s and each others arms.  We prayed for restful sleep and dreams from heaven. And we sang thanks to our God and King in English and Siswati.  

The girls slipped off the couches and into bed.

We said our final good nights.

And I smiled as I realized that their sparkle will always be on my heart. 

Cows and Cappuccinos

“How was your morning?” my housemate innocently asked as we sat across from one another, enjoying a warm cappuccino.

“Oh. I had an adventure!” I eagerly responded.  “This morning, when I left to take the dog on a walk, Natalie and Lauren (names changed) asked if they could join me too.  While on our walk we turned the corner of the property to see a herd of cows coming in our direction.  “Um…Natalie….are we going to be ok?” I asked. “Yes”, she responded. So putting my faith in the word of a teenager, we carried on, walking in the direction of cows, as they walked towards us. But as we got closer, the Bull and two females started bucking! The three of us and the dog stopped dead in our tracks. “Natalie. I’m scared”…”ME TOO” she gasped.. “Ok, listen girls. We are going to turn around. We are not going to run. But we are going to jog very quickly with out pumping our arms. Understand? Ready…Go.” So we did just that and when we go to the corner, we turned left, and the cows following behind turned right. We took a huge sigh of relief and then burst out laughing and continued our way home.”

As I finished my story, I took a sip of my drink, and that is when it dawned on me that only in South Africa, where the first and third world meet, could I possibly need to outrun a herd of cows, and later enjoy a cappuccino at a fancy shop in the same day.

South Africa, you’re beautiful and you intrigue me.

Big Brown Eyes

Big Brown Eyes,glistening brighter than a thousand stars in the absence of light.

For it is in the darkness, that we shine the brightest.

Big Brown Eyes, carrying the depth of wisdom from a life plagued with pain.

Yet glowing with the joy of a life lived in gratitude.

Big Brown Eyes, made with purpose, never to be forgotten.

But to be loved into your fullness.

Big Brown Eyes, looking into my blue ones, starring back at yours.

Dreaming of what you are created to do and what you're destined for.

Big Brown Eyes, you have a bright future.

Brighter than a thousand stars in the absence of light…

My time in South Africa has been surreal-to say the least. I am so blessed to be doing what I have dreamt of for the past 5 years, and to be doing it alongside those who have the same dream.  No day has been the same, and that's exactly how I like life to be. I was able to go on a field trip to the petting zoo with the preschool, attend a week long training for foster parents, spend the night taking care of toddlers while a Mama was out, love on my roommate who spent a few days in the hospital, go to Bible school classes, spend an evening with women transitioning out of prostitution, and simply enjoy getting to know the children and families here-which has been my absolute favorite. 

Yesterday I had the joy of attending the church that I went to on outreach while I was here last year. It was absolutely phenomenal to see the changes that have been made in a matter of a year, and it gave me fresh perspective on how all of our lives are changing a day at a time. We typically don't feel like much has changed day by day, but when we look back over a year, we see how far we've come...those day by days quickly add up, and they make great differences.  Anyways, when I went to this church last year they met under a tent, and now they are meeting under half a building. It's a work in progress, but a local man has volunteered to build the structure for free. What a beautiful heart. 

Now, I know what I have to share next is hard to believe. It is something I have witnessed in small doses over the past few years, but yesterday I experienced it in an even greater measure.  I am speaking about miraculous healing.  At the end of church service, we had the honor of doing an altar call-for us, this meant asking anyone to come up who was sick, had physical pain, etc. There were ten people and one by one we got to pray for them. One by one, we asked Jesus to take their pain away. And one by one, they were healed. Every single one of them. Now, I know this is hard to swallow, but these are people that I saw a year ago. Walking with canes. Walking in painful agony. And I saw them again this year in the same condition. And I saw their eyes light up as their backs were straightened, as they were able to bend over, and as they were able to walk without pain for the first time.  I saw deep breaths taken without wheezing. I saw some wild dance moves after a hip was popped back in place. And I saw ten people touched by their Heavenly Father. 

Our God is not a distant God. He is a God moved with compassion, and a God who does what He says He will if you just simply ask and believe... "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick." Matthew 14:14

Much Love,

Sabrina 

South Africa Bound....Again :)

Friends, this is the blog that I will be keeping to update everyone along my journey. For those who do not know, I will be returning to South Africa. Here is a tidbit about why I went previously, and why I am going again. 

For those who have asked about how to give, I have created a paypal account and there is a link on the right side bar of this page. Please ignore my previous gofundme page, as I will be taking that down. I have been so undone by the generosity of those who have given. I am grateful, humbled, and truly blessed. Thank you. Any donations given go directly to me and are used solely for this journey-flights, living expenses, etc.  

PAST
In November of 2010, my heart broke. It broke for orphans, and it broke for the injustice they face. On the day my heart broke, I decided that I would commit myself to fight for the justice of children-especially those without any family. I committed myself to be a voice, and I committed myself to be a momma.  I said "yes" to what I believe to be the call on my life, and through valleys of trial, and triumphant seasons of joy, I have been running towards this call ever since. 

During my "run" I found myself in South Africa at a wonderful place called "Michael's Children's Village" which serves under the covering of Iris Ministries.  I found myself here as a student of "Harvest School of Missions" which, with the exception of my school, has always taken place in Pemba, Mozambique.  The switch to South Africa, specifically to Michael's Children's Village, was the best surprise I have ever received in my life. This, my friends, is without exaggeration ;) 

Upon arriving, I was connected with the base directors, and offered the wonderful opportunity to serve with the team! After graduating from missions school, I returned to the states and have been preparing for my upcoming season at Michael's Children's Village. 

PRESENT
I currently have a one way ticket (AHHHH!!!). I have just finished going through my things -donating, organizing, and consolidating.  All I need to do is pack my bags, and show up at the airport.  First, I will be flying to Finland to spend a precious 5 days with one of my lovely housemates from the missions school before we both leave for our separate destinations. 

FUTURE
Right now, I am scheduled to arrive in South Africa on September 2 on a 90 day visa. During my time at Michael's Children's Village, I will be focusing on relationship building with the families and children that live on the base.  How it is set up, is there is a big piece of property with multiple houses on the land-each house has a family in it who are in the process of legally adopting the children. Over time, as the children are adopted and the family structure is strengthened, they are sent out into the community to flourish as their own family unit, under the covering and blessing of Michael's Children’s Village and Iris Ministries.  I will be helping mainly with the children's programing part of the ministry, as well as working with the preschoolers-this will be a great way to get to know the children and build trust with the families and mommas.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have! I will update my blog while I am in South Africa and plan to post it bi-weekly. I will post it as a status but if you would like to have it privately messaged to insure you see it, please let me know. 

I am beyond grateful for everyone who has pushed me to continue running this race! The journey of this dream becoming a reality would not be possible without the love and support of my friends and family. Thank you all! 


With much love, 

Sabrina

"They Call You Sister"

I do not know how to speak the language here. Nor do I understand it. But we have been created to speak a language louder than words.  A language that can surpass all barriers; even cultural.  That language is love, and it is global.

When I am working with the children here, I feel like there is not much I can do. Even if I knew the language, I still would not be able to understand most of them.  All I can do is hug them, and let them cling onto my hands and hang on to my arms. I sing songs over them and they smile.

I like to twirl the girls around and let them feel special, because they are.
I tell them they're beautiful, because they are.
And I tell them they're loved, because they are.

And the babies, they are my favorite. I love to hold them and stare into their eyes.  Just a simple pat on their tiny tummy and a smile is plastered on their face.  Sometimes they even let out a little giggle.  And no matter how small and soft to the ears it may be, a baby laugh always heals the soul.

But what also heals the soul?
To find out that I am being called sister.

These people.  These beautiful people who I cannot speak to, and who I cannot understand, call me sister. So I will continue to sing. I will continue to dance. And I will continue to tell them that they are beautiful and that they are loved....because they are.

Blind Bitty

She cannot see me, but she can feel me.
She cannot see me, but she can hear me.
She cannot see me, but she can take my hand and follow my lead.

She can only experience me by what I reveal to her. By what I let her discover.
I offer her my hands to hold.  I offer her my arms to touch. Her arms drape over my shoulders and her head presses into my neck as I carry her up and down the stairs.

Other times, I sit on the floor with her and watch her play.
She is not wrapped in the comfort of my body, but I am still real.  I am still with her and I am still there.  As she plays I am silent. She cannot hear me.  But I am still real.  I am still with her and I am still there.

Whether she knows it or not, we spent the whole day together. Just me and her.
I offered her my care, and she offered me her trust.

....

I cannot see him, but I can feel him.
I cannot see him, but I can hear him.
I cannot see him, but I can take his hand and follow his lead.

Thank you Bitty.

I made it!

For Blog post:

Hello everyone! I made it to China safely and I am loving it J

Betsy picked me up from the airport on Wednesday. She showed me her university and we went to dinner…my first REAL Chinese food. It was super good! And then yesterday a bunch of her students came to her apartment and cooked Hot Pot.  I learned so much about community from them, and we were only together for a few hours. When they eat meals everyone sits around the same table and you all eat off the same plates on the table. You get a cup of rice to yourself and then you just use your chopsticks to pick up what you want! Every one is reaching over everyone else and putting food into everyone’s bowl of rice! It’s really fun! Some of the girls even let me help! They wanted to show me how to make Hot Pot, so I watched and then they gave me a few tasks.

Something I have been shocked about so far is how similar we all are. We all had dinner and afterward some of Betsy’s students played hacky sack! During the whole night pictures were being taken, just like we do in America. There wasn’t a single awkward moment…except maybe when I bumped my chin on the top of one of the girls head! But we just laughed and apologized to one another for our klutziness.  I really enjoyed myself and it has been so great hanging out with Betsy’s students.  One of their class assignments was to interview another person so I have been that person for about 10 students…some of them even videotaped it! I’m going to say 79 percent of the interview questions are about my love life and romantic opinions.  They ask the questions and Betsy stands back and laughs. And then they interview Betsy and I laugh. It’s quiet the system we got going on.

. 

Here is a list of some things/quotes I have found funny:

-The counters in Betsy's apartment are really short here compared to the counters in America, which makes sense, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it.

-“Your skin is very fair. You must drink milk everyday!”
-Squatty Potty’s. Enough Said.

-There are stray dogs everywhere! Take stray cats in America, multiply it by 5 and you have the streets here. Except the dogs aren’t cute…they are these tiny little straggly things and I want to drop kick them.  What? I said it.

I think I have transitioned in really well and I have felt very comfortable in my time here so far.  I am excited to see what else there is in store for me!