They that wait upon the Lord...

Since returning from Africa, I've been in a big waiting process.  I'm still living in Lafayette, IN, working as the church receptionist at First Assembly of God.  In March, I will be in Missouri for a week of Candidate Orientation.  June 23-July 11, I will be attending School of Missions.  I'm also becoming an ordained pastor in May at the District Council.  Lots of things are happening, but it is a process.  I am waiting on the Lord knowing that His timing is perfect.  I will just walk in obedience to His calling.

Home from Africa...

It has now been over a month since I came back to the United States.  Life has been very busy.  It's nice to be back home with family and friends.  A peice of my heart will forever remain in Africa though.

I've applied to be a fully-appointed missionary with the Assemblies of God.  This is a long process.  My interviews will not be until March 2008.

Life is full of changes.  I will begin working as the receptionist at First Assembly of God in Lafayette, Indiana on September 4th.  This is a new change because I will not be involved in Master's Commission like I was.  It's hard to let go of something that is very dear to one's heart.  I know that this is what God wants for me though.

God is always doing something new...we just need to be available to follow his voice.

Home in a Month...but Still Working Hard

It's hard to believe that I will be back in the states soon.  My flight arrives at the Indianapolis airport on July 13th at 10:05pm via Boston.  I'm ready to hug all those that I love so much. 

I still have a month in Africa.  I plan to do all that I can do while I'm here.  I want to make the best of the time God has given me.

I have been preaching to lots of youth here in Africa.  The doors are opening for me to speak into their lives.  The week before I leave for the USA, I will spend at Youth Camp.  I am the speaker for one of the evenings.  Pray with me that God would give me a message to speak to them.

Over a week ago, I went to Botswana. I had been under the impression in coming to South Africa that to renew my tourist visa, I just had to cross the border and reenter the country.  A tourist visa only last 90 days.  In March I had entered Swaziland so I thought I needed to leave the country one more time before I returned to America.  When I was at the border crossing, I was told that my visa expired.  I had to pay R1500 (a little more than $200) in fines.  The policy has changed.  I was told that within seven days I would need to report to Home Affairs to extend my stay and pay another R450.  We had to see a supervisor to pay the fines.  He told us that if we crossed back over tomorrow, he would extend my visa another 90 days without a fee.  Therefore, we spent one night in Botswana and crossed the border the next day.  I received my extension without having to pay more money or go to Home Affairs.  Praise the Lord!

I was able to attend a prayer meeting last night.  I love prayer meetings!  Growing up, I attended prayer meetings with my mother.  In those prayer meetings, I experienced God in my life more than any other time.  It's a shame that in America more people don't attend prayer meetings.

The Lord is teaching me that "you are as close to God as you choose to be."  It's our choice of how close we want to be to God.  How much are we willing to pursue him?  What are we willing to give up for him?  Are we willing to turn the T.V. off and just spend time with God?  I've been challenged by some of the Africans here.  They have such a passion for God. 

I pray that you would consider what you can do to become closer to God.  It's your choice. 

Serving Christ Jesus,

Sarah Careins

These children are so easy to love.  A friend of mine, Rachel, sent me a package.  One of the items she sent were star stickers.  I've been giving the children stickers.  They love them so much!

These women are preparing a meal.  At big gatherings, the church women will cook for everyone in huge pots.  These ladies are making pumpkin.  They eat it here as a vegetable.

Impacting Lives...

Last Friday I had the privilege of speaking again at Rusplaas Christian Model School.  As we drove up to the school, children were waving and yelling with excitement.  I opened the car door and was mobbed by children wanting to hug me and hold my hand.  The love they had for us was overwhelming.  Exams are in a few weeks and then they will have a school break so this was my last opportunity to visit the school.  Delight taught the lower grade.  Grace spoke to the middle grades.  For the past three times I have spoken to the upper grades.  I have made many friends with the students.  I have had the opportunity to counsel several after speaking.  This day many of the students brought me cards and letters expressing their thankfulness towards me coming to their school.  It was a wonderful time.  I feel blessed to have been able to minister there. 

One young lady gave me a very special poem that I will treasure.  The very first time I visited this school God gave me the opportunity to speak into her life.  Each time I've come back to visit, we've been able to talk.  She wrote me this poem to say "goodbye" as this was the last time I would see her before I leave for the states.

Remember Me

 I remember the days when tears were striding

down my face when my heart was aching

When there seemed to be no way to escape from the pain

But then God chose you. 

He chose you to come and rescue me.

I remember the day I regained my strength.

The day you prayed for me in the middle of the school.

I felt the presence of God within me.

I felt I was floating.

Thank God he sent you here.

For if you didn't I would still be hurting,

For he helped you chase away the evil spirit.

HALLELUYAH

Written by:  Tumishang Sharlotte

This poem is such an honor to read.  I thank each of you for supporting me to come to Africa.  It was because of your support that Tumishang Sharlotte was able to have this peace.  It is a wonderful experience to impact a life.

The girl to the right of me is the author of the poem.  Each of these young girls wrote nice cards to me.  The school even gave me a farewell speech.  I felt very loved. 

Above is the Kalubi family.  They are teachers at the school were I spoke.  They are originally from the Congo.  God led them to Zambia for a few years and then eventually to South Africa.  They are pastors as well as teachers at the school.  This family is my favorite of all the pastors I've met here in Africa.  They have such a passion to minister and love others no matter what the cost is.

On Mother's Day we attended a church that blessed us in such a great way.  Delight spoke since it was Mother's Day.  At the end of the service, Delight had a gift of a necklace to give every mother.  It was a very special time.  At the end of the service, we were overwhelmed with their generosity.  As missionaries, when we go to churches we don't ask anything from the national church.  If anything we give to them.  This day, however, was different.  This church took up an offering for us.  The church also had many fruit trees so we were given much fruit to take home with us.  We were overwhelmed by their love and generosity.  I know they could use the offerings far more than us.  It would have been an insult to not accept their gifts though.  I pray the Lord will pour out his blessings upon them.

This is the current church building.  They have plans for building a tabernacle.

This is a picture of the open market that is often found near the taxi ranks.

God is blessing my time here.  I praise the Lord for Wayne and Delight Peercy.  They speak highly of me to the pastors here and as a result I've been invited to speak at many churches and schools.  I am overwhelmed by all that the Lord is doing through me to impact lives.

The question everyone is asking..."Will Sarah be returning to Africa?"