For unto us a child is born!

Ever since last Christmas when the kids at SOZO donned halos, robes or sheets and reenacted the first Christmas, I have been eager for it to be that time of year again.

From the "big" roles of Mary or Gabriel, to the five-year-olds job of being an animal in the stable, everyone knew they had an important part to play in recreating the story of Jesus' birth.  Besides the wise men (three 4th grade boys who already had more then their fair share of candy canes for the night), roles were taken very seriously and lines were delivered with pride.

Other events of the evening included:

"Rudolph Dash" - A relay where some smeared vaseline on the nose is perfect to enable a red nose to stick as the runner races around a cone and back, to give the vaseline-backed nose to the next eager runner in line.

"Christmas Freeze" - With Christmas music blasting (everything from 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' to songs from the Nutcracker), kids had to show off their dance moves and freeze in a creative pose when the music stopped.  Best dancing and most creative poses won prizes.  These kids know how to cut the rug.

Birthday Party for Jesus - Instead of our regular snack at the end of the night, kids entered a room ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  We sang "Happy Birthday", ate red and green chip cupcakes and each of the kids got a present.  The room was bursting with excitement (or sugar-highs) and wrapping paper covered the room.  It was the perfect combination to create contained chaos and I loved every second :)

One of our sheep!

Mary and Joseph

The three prophets

Animals at the manger

SOUTH AFRICA!

Where do I even begin to explain all that I experienced, felt and had revelation about in my almost three weeks in South Africa?  (Especially when I'm not even really sure all that God did while I was there!) So here are a few highlights/thoughts that will help to paint a picture of my time.

* God is at work through incredible groups and individuals all over the globe.  

This is not the first (and hopefully not the last) time that I have seen this in action.  It often looks quite different than it does in the States, but the Truth is the same and it always accompanied by love.  South Africans are good at this one--I was loved EXTREMELY well while I was there.

* Poverty is hard to cope with no matter how many times you've seen it. 

I had the opportunity to go into the townships (slums--see pictures and info about one I visited here) with friends who are involved with ministry there.   It was overwhelming to see all of the needs.  There are major issues with sewage, roads, electricity and clean water--not to mention HIV, education, gangs, prostitution and unemployment.  With over a million people in just one of the many townships there, it can seem fairly bleak.  I was tempted to volunteer for every ministry opportunity that I heard about. :)

Yet there is hope and joy on many faces there - God is moving and making an impact.  I am more convinced then ever in the power of intercession and simple obedience of doing what God has asked of you for that season.  HE holds the entire world in His hands...I am called to love the one in front of me.  (I HIGHLY encourage reading this blog entry by my dear friend, Susanne who was just in the Dominican Republic on an outreach trip and put into words the emotions of seeing more need than can be met.)

* South Africans can sing.

Sorry it's a bit bumpy...we had to dance with them :)

* Though the apartheid is technically over, the effects of it were constantly blaring.  

The racial divides are difficult to take in - but it's impossible to ignore them.  Cape Town has the extremes of wealth and poverty, often on different ends of the same road.  It is uncomfortable and rattles every justice bone in your body.  It should.  I encourage you to read this  (or something) if you are unfamiliar with the apartheid.  

One of my friend's family there was a part of the forced removal.  We were having coffee overlooking a beach one day when she started sharing about the first time she was allowed to go to that beach after the apartheid ended. Conversations like that you don't easily forget. Not to mention the fact that most of the places I went with her we were surrounded by mainly whites only - except for those watching our cars outside.  They have created their own jobs by doing this and can expect the equivalent of 25 cents for each parked car they watch through tips.  

I realize the more I travel, the more I love the diversity of the people God has created.  I cannot even imagine what it will be like to all worship Him together in our native languages - all as one. 

* I love God's creativity in the Cape Town landscape (and the wildlife there - no lions, giraffes or elephants this time...gives a good reason to go back!) I put in other pictures here too...click here to see them in a larger format.

* Obedience brings JOY.

I am struck by that more than ever as I stepped out in faith to go on this trip as I believed God was asking me to go that obedience brings joy.  I am more refreshed, alive, free and at peace than I have been in awhile.  I am also eager to see what He is asking of me next, here in Tacoma. (But if you hand me a ticket, I will quickly jump on a plane back there to visit again...hopefully to other countries in Africa too next time!)

waiting, waiting, waiting..............SUDDENLY!

Sometimes in my life (actually more like often in my life), God gives me a promise and then tells me to wait.  Sometimes my waiting looks like me asking (pleading!) Him over and over again in prayer for the promise.  Sometimes it looks like me trying to figure out a way to make it happen.  Other times it looks like me pushing it deep inside for awhile because I am worn out of trying to make it happen. I just can't muster up another prayer at that moment and it feels easier to have it "out of sight, out of mind."

Recently though, God has brought me such peace over a few specific promises from Him.  He has been doing a deep work of contentment and trust in my life that I am so grateful for.  So much so, that I am at complete peace if the promises never come to pass.  Really.

I wish I could say that I have believed this all along.  Or that it was an easy revelation without cost.  But that would be far from true.

I can say, though, that for the last several months, I have been so deeply thankful for my life.  For all of the struggles and hardships (because of what they have produced).  For all of the promises left yet to be fulfilled.  But mostly for my God who is so big, so strong, so incredible, so completely fulfilling.  He really IS good, all of the time.  He is enough, period.  And having this most recent revelation and believing this truth has brought more freedom and peace than any fulfilled promise could.

He is still in the business of answering promises, however.  And guess what?  He just answered one of mine.

On Sunday, I am headed to Africa for two and a half weeks--eek!!!  I got my ticket a week ago (yes, no typo there, really just a week ago) after God made it VERY clear that it was time.  So my waiting has turned into suddenly :) and I only have to wait a couple more days to get my feet on that land.

If you're wondering what I'll be doing there, you may have to wait for the next post.  I still do not fully know. I'll be lucky to have time to pack before I leave!!  I just know He said to go and I'm going :) My friends are there, waiting for me and ready to show me around.  I also get to see a really incredible ministry, The Warehouse, which ministers in the Townships (South African slums).

And although this is sudden, I really have known for years that I would be going...I just didn't know the date and time!

Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land...

Psalm 37:34

Harvest Carnival!

Over 250 people from the Hilltop Community came out for this year's Harvest Carnival.

There were games, popcorn, a dance contest, face painting, a jumpy castle and candy (of course)!  We also did a cupcake walk for the first time that was a huge hit.

I love this event as it provides a unique opportunity to interact with the community and I always have great conversations with a few of my SOZO Kids parents.  It is also a fun way to partner with other local churches in the area and further relationships.  And, I'll admit, I love it because I get to dress up :)

Middle school celebration!

On Saturday, we took a van full of new 6th graders from Hilltop up to Family Fun Center for the afternoon.  Many of these  kids have been attending Sozo Kids for several years and are now venturing in to the crazy world of middle school.  We had the opportunity to share some pointers on how to stay close to God while in middle school and we are so excited to see these future leaders GROW!

YFC SUMMER CAMP!

Tacoma YFC @ Canyons from Tacoma YFC on Vimeo.

218 kids, 75 adults, 5 buses, 10 mini vans and 1 semi-truck full of bags...all came from Tacoma to YFC Summer Camp in Oregon.  Catch a glimpse of some of our memories!

Perseverance!

The "Sassy" Crew

I took a few of my girls to Canyons as Work Crew.  Some have known the Lord for a few years, one, "Destiny," just got saved last November.  She has changed so much in the past several months and truly loves the Lord and desires to serve Him.  There are many areas of her life that God has been bringing into alignment with His desires including getting her back into school (she had dropped out), restoring her relationship with her mom (who had kicked her out of the house) and her forgiving her father (for his drug addiction).  It has been an incredible transformation to watch.

God has been teaching Destiny about perseverance and being on Work Crew at Canyons was the perfect next step for her.  When life has gotten difficult, all she has known to do is to quit (i.e. dropping out of school).  Work Crew is like stepping into a full time job, getting you up early and keeping you out late (without a paycheck motivating you to keep going when you'd rather not!)  Destiny has never had a job and this definitely pressed her.

I knew it would be especially challenging when, in the snack shop ("Sassy"), she got assigned to taking orders and running the register for the week.  Now for someone who has had difficulty in school (specifically math especially) this was a daunting task. With limited training, she was quickly slammed with a line that went on seemingly forever and had to in a split second remember which cup went with what (float verses the shake, etc), what the flavor abbreviations were (ice creams, italian sodas, fountain drinks, coffee syrups, etc.) as she wrote it on the cups and then added their names.  Then to key it in correctly, after having looked up the cost and remembering to give correct change after the 6th grader on the other side dumped wadded up, soggy (because they had been at the pool) cash on the counter...that is unless they had a tab, which required a whole additional procedure.  Then imagine kids changing their minds, questions being asked from others down the line and an overall pressure of a line 30 deep.  It was overwhelming to say the least (I can say this it true because I was on the other register!)

At the end of the night, she had to count her till.  I remember looking over at her the first night across the snack shop and tears were coming down her cheeks as she heard the news that her till was off...and not just by a dollar or two.  She was frustrated at herself, frustrated at the job she had been assigned and really shut down.  After some hugs, reminders that this was her first day and she was learning something new she had never done before and the sheer fact that she was getting to go to bed soon, she settled down a little.

The next day, I had been praying for her, knowing that she was dealing with failure and had to return to the place that she had failed.  I was shocked that when I asked how she felt about the register she said that she did not like it, but wanted to go back to it again!  I am pretty sure she was ten times more nervous this time, but she went back.  I wish I could say that the lines got shorter as the week went on, but they did the opposite...got REALLY long and we were told we had the busiest week that the snack shop manager has ever seen!  I also wish I could say that she was never off on her till again...although one day she was only off by $2 (which we celebrated!!)  What I can say, though, is she was faced with failure day after day and kept on getting back on the horse.  I'm not sure many would have had the character to do that.

Perseverance is one of the most difficult things for many of the youth that we work with.  If they fail or even think there is a possibility they could fail, they more often than not give up.  It has been the focus of many prayers and the subject of many Bible studies.  Destiny may have no idea the magnitude of her victory at camp.  Sure, she had some cash register victory, but she had victory that will propel her massively forward in all areas of her life.  In her trial, she looked to Jesus, and He gave her the strength to go back, again and again.  These are the lessons that cannot be taught, but must be experienced.  I am so proud of her!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Heb 12:1-2a.

learning to make espresso!

Sprite with passion fruit flavoring was super popular!

Making a "Big Muddy" (like a Blizzard)

Rewarded at the end of a long shift :)

victory is sweet.

SOZOFEST 2011

kids aged 8 to 48 playing 3 on 3 basketball in the streets

freshly painted faces sporting spiderman, rainbows and flags

bare footed kids running relays in the field

nail polish spread out on tables as girls create intricate designs

water balloons

jumpy toys

break dancing

balloon animals, swords, hats...

oobleck, origami, friendship bracelets

fun photo booth

hundreds of hot dogs

dunk contests while Gospel music blasts

testimonies shared standing on top of a chair, sharing what Jesus has done

sunshine turns to rain...teens only multiply

hearts softened for the One who loves them

SOZOFEST 2011

SOZO Kids Graduation & SOZO Xtreme!

Our tradition at SOZO Kids is to present a Student Bible to each "graduating" 5th grader who is moving on to middle school.  Some of these kids we have known since they were 8 years old!  We had 10 graduated who were able to come be apart of the celebration lat Friday.

A few of the middle school leaders were there to share about fun things they can be a part of in the fall and had an opportunity to meet the graduates.

As part of the celebration, we had SOZO Xtreme perform their feats of strength while sharing principles about following God.  Kids were captivated and loved every minute of it...right down to being sprayed with soda after the guys smashed the cans on their heads!

The "helicopter"

Blowing up a hot water bottle!

The exploded water bottle!

Teaching one of our graduates to rip a phone book

Bending a steel bar

We finished off the night with a yummy cake--a must for all graduation parties!

I cannot believe that they will enter the world of middle school in two short months. Praise God for our middle school team who are ready to take them in and continue to walk with them.

Our graduates!