One Amazing Sunday in Butha Buthe!

Purlacio leading the youth in a worship song at the AFM church in Butha Buthe

The graduates!

Rob, Sharon and I presenting a gift on behalf of Grace to Pastor James and 'Me Matsepo and the AFM Church

Sunday morning came to early and I was doing final prep on my message at 7am.  Sharon made Cory and Paul a splendid breakfast and then we were off to Butha Buthe to Pastor James AFM church.  It was a great house of God full of passionate worshippers singing and dancing and pouring their hearts out to God.  They even mixed in a few English songs for us.  After the music, there was a group of young adults enter the church to celebrate their graduation from university.  Purlacio Rakoti led the celebration and spoke of the strength God has given her to overcome as she is the first AFM foster child to graduate being an orphaned child herself.  She spoke as being one who will fight and conquer against the darkness.  She wrote a song that she later sang with all the youth behind her singing backup and dancing.  It was a very moving and powerful moment because in attendance was all the children from every AFM foster home to inspire them as well.  Before I spoke, Sharon and I along with Rob G. presented the church with a gift from Grace Community. I had the honor of preaching on the life of Elijah and how God enabled him to persevere after his highest high and lowest low in I Kings 19, a message I spoke at Grace in August and the God who whispers to us.  Pastor James translated and then called people forward for prayer ministry as we had the opportunity to pray over those who came forward.  He then asked me to pray for those there who didn’t know Jesus to put their faith in HIM!  After the service we had an authentic African meal prepared by the AFM ladies and were joined by the rest of the Bracelet of Hope team that has just climbed Sebothoane earlier.

After the service I met Elizabeth M who is part of the Leadership Project and they work with HS youth in Butha Buthe. The LP is a mission agency that focuses on discipleship and character development with the youth. They just happen to be running a camp for 80-100 youth later this week and it looks like I will have the opportunity to join them in working with the youth which is very exciting. 

Once again it has been a full day, but so amazing to be here.  We are IN Africa!!

And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  1 Kings 19:12

Thank you LORD for the amazing ways that you speak to us!

Standing with all the foster children and foster moms of the AFM foster homes.