Saturday Night-(Jan 17th)

   Today was our first day of intentional ministry. Samantha, Alexis, and I visited Princess today and brought her some fresh fruit and some other food. Every day before we have gone I have tried to bathe it in prayer, never knowing what I am going into. Some days afraid that I might find her lying there...gone. Today she was not doing well at all. She was breathing heavy and was so weak, that she didn't want to get out of bed to go outside. She said her heart and side hurt, and that her legs were aching also. It was beautiful to see her daughter Precious lying asleep next to her. We visited with Princess for a while, and she told us about how much she missed church and wished she could go, but she knew she wouldn't be able to sit that long or get there in any way. Sam and I thought right away that we could just have church right there with her. So we are planning on going tomorrow morning and having church in her house-we will read the bible and sing. She loves to sing! She told us her favorite song is Jesus Loves Me, and then started to sing it. We all joined in with her, around her bed singing Jesus Loves me. Tears streamed down my face and I couldn't imagine anything more beautiful then this- Princess lying in her bed, so sick, but still singing to her Savior. I am excited to see what lies ahead for tomorrow. I also tried to visit my new friend, but she was not home. I am seeking God and his wisdom that I would have the words to speak to her and bring her Jesus at the right time.

Please stay on your knees on behalf of these two ladies.

Hidden In Him,

-ellie

-Wednesday Night(Jan 21st)

     "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure..

    I read this yesterday in my quiet time, and I felt so encouraged! It's so easy to just get into a routine here and just go to Ithemba every day. But as I read this verse about God showing Himself faithful to those that are faithful, it made my spirit quicken and want to haste the time I have here in Africa. This week in discipleship we have been studying Romans, and it's has been encouraging, challenging, and convicting. Today we talked about how we need to wake up and live each day like it was the day of Christ- like His kingdom was coming today. If you really chew on that and let it sink in, it will mess you up. It should change us. How would your life and mine look different if Christ was coming back this very day? Would we share Jesus with our neighbor that we see every day, but have choose to keep putting it off for another day. Would we change the way we speak to our family, spouse, and kids? Would we see the homeless person on the street as a lost soul, instead of a project or a pain to deal with? Oh, how I pray that my life would every day be lived as the day of Christ.

     On Sunday we got to have church with Princess. It was beautiful. I read from John 14- about God preparing a place for us one day and also read a few psalms, then we sang some worship music, and she loved it! My new friend also is so open and is searching! We have started to build a friendship, and I know that God completely has His hand on this.

     We officially started Ithemba today. It was so crazy, but so fun! I have been moved up to the first grade class so that I can stay with my students from last year. We had 60 kids today ranging from age 3-14. I am excited to see what this new year will bring and how God will speak to the kids about His love for them.

•    Please pray that God would grant me discernment, wisdom and I would be attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading in this friendship.

•    Pray that my new friend would truly thirst and hunger for Jesus Christ

•    Pray that the pain Princess is experiencing would leave her body.