Oops...don't worry we're back!

First off, let me begin with my deepest apologies for not being as diligent with updating this blog as much as I would have liked. With preparations for our Christmas production, getting costumes made, choreographing, power outages, the Christmas show, and our Christmas holiday unfortunately our blog has taken to the bottom of our to-do list. Until now! I'm here with loads to fill you in on.

In late October I was blessed to take part in two separate trips a local village to pass out backpacks and school supplies to the children for Project Juembo. It was a truly rewarding experience, getting to see these beautiful children smile. While I was there two little girls began clinging to me and chatting away in Chichewa. I found out they were twin sisters named Fiona and Fina. They became my companions and little helpers for my remaining time there.

On December 14th we had our Christmas production and what a night it was! All of our 83 ballet students, plus over 300 ABC Christian Academy students, put on a lovely show. Carrie and I both are so proud of our students and loved seeing them perform onstage. May all praise and thanks be unto the Lord for being our strength, the ONLY one who is worthy of our hard work! Carrie and I had the opportunity to perform as well. I hadn't performed since May and it was so refreshing to be back on stage dancing before the Lord.

After our production I hopped on a bus bound for Johannesburg, South Africa. The bus ride turned out to be almost 48 hours long, but I finally made it to a friends home where I stayed for a few nights before getting on another bus to the city of George. There I met up with a friend I met at Ballet Magnificat's summer workshop and her family. During the week of Christmas I went hiking with this family on the Otter Trail along the coast of South Africa. Beautiful, marvelous, gorgeous, and stunning are words that come to mind but even those words cannot accurately describe the views my eyes beheld!

The hike was five days long with each day holding its own little victories and uphill climbs. At the end of each day we arrived at our overnight cabins where we played games and prepared dinner. On Christmas Eve, while eating dinner, we spotted a team of dolphins swimming as the sun was setting. We were able to spend a lot of time on the shore and it was a perfect spot to sit before the Lord and journal. Each day I was blown away by the artistry of our Heavenly Father! The lullaby of the sea, pink and orange sunsets, the differing sounds of birds in the trees, and the feeling of rocks under my sore feet. I am so very grateful to have had spent time and get to know my little South African family. I have only sweet and beautiful memories of my time in South Africa, thanks be to Jesus!

                              My go-to snacks on holiday were these little ones ^^ and rusks with tea.

 

                                   Enjoying an evening chat with my lovely "host nan" in Johannesburg. I am     forever thankful to have met such a strong woman in Christ who encouraged me so much during my time at her home.

So, now it's 2013! We are now on our second week back to classes with some new faces! Carrie and I are now choreographing and preparing for our spring performance in May.

Recently I have been learning quite a bit about true security and peace. Through some recent experiences I am being taken on a new journey of trust and completely leaning on the Lord. Definitely not an easy lesson, but a sweet one nonetheless. This quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer helps express it all:
"There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security. To demand guarantees is to want to protect oneself. Peace means giving oneself completely to God's commandment, wanting no security, but in faith and obedience laying the destiny of the nations down in the hands of Almighty God, not trying to direct it for selfish purposes. Battles are won, not with weapons, but with God. They are won when the way leads to the Cross." 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10

Here is a little bit from Carrie and what the Lord has been teaching her:

"These last few weeks have been humbling. The Lord took me through every area of my life and showed me how He alone was in control and without Him it would all crumble to pieces. I once more have to give up my deepest desires completely to Christ and trust Him to know best and trust I won’t be disappointed in His timing. God doesn’t call us to be happy; He calls us to be holy; to rejoice in the Lord, not in our situations.  Take our queues from Paul, Job, David and Jesus.

                                         "Rejoice in the Lord, again I will say again, Rejoice."

                                                                             Phil. 4:4

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.

                                                                            Luke 22:42

                 "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

                                                                           Job 1:21b

           "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

                                                                           Psalm 20:7

                                       Here are some snapshots from the last few weeks!

                                   Watching "A Christmas Dream" with our third grade class.

       It's rainy season here and it looks like the rain decided to make an appearance in our studio!

                                         Carrie and I performing at the Christmas production.

                                 Smiles from my girls and little surprises make each day special.

 A few prayer points:
*I have been spiritually attacked the past few days and tempted to live in fear. Pray for a continued spirit of courage and know that HE IS GOD!
*Pray for me and Carrie's decision making on where we will be next year and that the Lord's will be our strongest desire.
*Continued financial support as we are looking for plane tickets to return to the States in the summer.
*Blessings over our students as we begin a new semester of working hard unto the Lord through dance.

Updates will not be this spread out again! Thank you for taking the time to lift up our work here in Malawi. May the Lord receive all the glory!

Hugs and love,
Becca