George is beautiful and that's all I can say. Lily and her brother are absolutely adorable. So is every other kid here!

If you don't have a heart for Africa, then come see where these kids live, hear them sing "Here I am to Worship" and then I'm sure that something in your heart will arise. Compassion, emapthy, joy and love.

There is a such a need all over the world. Maybe it's not Africa for you and hey.. that's absolutely okay. It's great even because if all God's people were all called to one spot then there wouldn't be anyone left to help in that area.
God's Word and love are needed all throughout the world. In your own backyard. We hear many times that we are to be missionaries in our own back yard and sometimes it seems so trite. But hey, after you've been here or anywhere where you see a need, then you can begin to recognize the urgent need in your own town. Like, I can't wait to come back. As must as I'm loving it here, I now realize that there is so much to be done back home! Maybe even just in helping raise people's awareness of how blessed and loved they are by the Creator.

Some days do get rough and you might lose heart, but take heart, Jesus has overcome the world and He told us all that He went through so that we might see that we don't have it so bad off and that yeah, He did overcome it all! There's home. The one place here is called Thembulethu. It means "community of Hope." I think that's how it's spelled. But seriously, we have Someone who has gone through EVERY single thing that we have. He's been tested, tried, stretched, beaten, bruised, mocked, torn down, and then eventually killed. He's been here.
Make and keep Jesus the center focus of your life. Otherwise who's the center?.... you. And to be honest, that's not really cool and it's quite awful. Can you seriously be joyful and full of love when you are the center of all that you think and do? I can testify, it's quite miserable.

Any ways, so as not to bore you... Go in peace and walk in God's Love and don't hold back from giving it out as well.

Jesus' love,
Serena

Oh boy, now it's down to about 5 days. It's crazy! I have not even packed yet or even gotten down any suitcases. Haha, oh well. Tonight is the going away party and then tomorrow's the Tulip Fest. Sunday's Mother's Day and then there goes the whole rest of my couple days left at home.

Last night this one darling girl who is called my sister was crying and sobbing because I was leaving. I didn't know she felt that way. It was precious and made me want to cry too. I'm excited to go though! It will be amazing.

I need to head off though and find some place that can fax internationally.

Even though there are storms in life and you may feel like dying, God knows, Jesus has been here and knows too. Don't give up, keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith! In Him we live and move and have our being! Make a joyful noise! Sing unto the Lord. Praise Him throughout all the earth and the hearts of those who fear the Lord rejoice!

In Christ with His love,
Serena

That's it... I'm out of here in 18 days!!!!!!!!!!! South Africa here I come. And Zambia.  

Guys, I'll be gone for 2 and a half months! How amazing is that?!

I am looking forward to it because of the work with kids, AIDs ministry, and just being there. Also I need a heart adjustment and to find God's purpose. Now most people don't usually travel half way across the world to find purpose but I am looking forward to the adventure.

Jesus Christ will become more of the Love of my life; God more of my Father and Lover of my soul; and I more His child and servant.

It's all for You, it's all for You, I'm letting go, I'm letting go!

18 days is really short but I would really love to see some of you's before that! Call me, text me, come visit, show up at work. Although I'll probably only work this coming week...

Any ways, I need to go...

Blessings, peace and know God has a purpose and a plan!

Jesus' love,
Serena

Yay! We're going to dance tonight. I am so excited! Ah! I just received an e-mail from a lady in South Africa and it seems that things are going to work out even though I have had little faith in the One who has designed all things. It just gets kind of stressful to think that in a month and four days I could possibly be in Africa! Oh my word! It's simply unbelievable. And then for the past few weeks, not knowing what was going on... that too was kind of hard but things are definitely shaping up now.

I am going to ask now for some major prayer support because I am a weak human and fail alot, but I want this time to be to God's glory and all that He desires me to do there.

Thanks!
Jesus' love,
Serena

Today was my first day off from work and will now be my weekly schedule until I go to Africa due to a "budget cut" in the family that I work for. I thoroughly don't mind though. It so far has given me time to do my laundry, write some letters, have a nice long, unrushed quiet time and just enjoy being home for a change.

Here's two portions from The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer.

"We need not fear that in seeking God only we may narrow our lives or restrict the motions of our expanding hearts. The opposite is true. We can well afford to make God our All, to concentrate, to sacrifice the many for the One."

"When the Lord divided Canaan among the tribes of Israel, Levi received no share of the land. God said to him simply, "I am thy part and thine inheritance," and by those words made him richer than all his brethren, richer than all the kings and rajas who have ever lived in the world. And there is a spiritual principle here, a principle still valid for every priest of the Most High God. The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One."

This book has been convicting and inspiring and I've only read the first chapter. I am not totally sure what the rest will bring but if the first chapter is this good... it can only get better.

Do we really hunger after God? Do we really want to know His heart? Do we really take very opportunity to know Him more and whole heartedly dig into His Word and who He is and not just what He can give us?
God wants us. And I'm not saying that in a vain way but think about it... God wants His children to come to Him with their whole lives and not just look for the little blessings or good things He might give them.
Something stated in the book said something like this, when we don't desire all that God has for us but just to meagerly get by and into heaven, it's like sitting at His banquet table but starving. He wants us to know Him more because there is so much more to Him than what we know.

I pray that everyone I know and anyone who reads this will have a desire to seek God more and not settle for anything less than fully coming to Him.

I love you guys and hope you're all doing well and be encouraged in whatever you're going through, God is bigger and He has big plans.

Jesus' love,
Serena