As
preparations for Mozambique continue to move forward, today, I was
reminiscent of my time in South Africa a couple years ago. I'm
looking forward to the lay over time in Johannesburg next month, and
a fresh connection with these precious friends of mine. Again,
appreciation for friends and the love of Christ that unites us, even
over the ocean, warms my heart and prepares it for a new set of
imprints.
The
following is a repost from June 2011. I hope you enjoy.
There
were four babies. Each one looked so real, like a new born
baby. There were three little ones and one larger one.
They had been given to me, to give to some little girls who had no
babydolls.
As
the weeks went by, I had little contact with children, and I was
holding those babies for just the right little girls. Now the
time had come to pack my bags and those babies lay on my bed,
pleading for a mamma to love them.
I
already knew who would receive them, I just didn't know how or when.
I
was chatting with Thuli and Katleho, when the other girls
joined in the warmth of the conversation, and the heater
we were enjoying. I asked them all to stay put in Thuli's
room and went across the hall.
Stacking
the three little babies in my right hand and the larger baby in my
left, I returned to Thuli's room. The squeals of delight and
ooh's and awe's were fun with each girl receiving her
baby. With the larger baby behind my back and Thuli seeing
my empty right hand, her distressed cry of, "Where's
MY baby?" brought a mixure of tears and laughter as I
handed her the last baby.
No
one could know the value of those baby's before that day. I
watched in wonder at these young adult women, loving baby dolls
as if they were real babies. They stroked and kissed and held
them close with a tenderness that melted my heart - again and
again. I had come to love these girls like my own. Wanting
to see them succeed in every area of life and longing to give
them Jesus in a way that would make a difference in
their lives, forever. The longer I watched, the more I knew,
that their imprint on my heart would certainly last forever.
Thuli,
the oldest with a bold, tough exterior - a wounded little girl,
longing for unconditional love, had made Jesus her Lord only weeks
before. Oh, that she will come to know the Lover of her soul and
His delight to give her every desire of her heart.
Itebeng,
quiet, easily misunderstood, having friends around her and yet,
needing a friend. She too, in a fresh relationship
with the Lord will come to know that He is the friend that
sticks closer than a brother. 
Zaneli,
with giggles that are contagious! The girl with a keen
sense of direction and no fear of oncoming traffic! Zaneli
met Jesus recently as well. He will direct her path and she
will not shrink back from anything He has for her.
And
Katleho, my tender-hearted friend to all. Katleho makes great
effort to see that everyone feels loved and accepted. She
meets any need and never asks for anything in return. Her
smile is infectious, her hugs are fabulous and her love for the Lord
is solid. He will keep her in perfect peace as she keeps
her mind stayed on Him.
Truly,
He is the source of life and He has given new life to these four
young women and to this one, not so young woman.
I
returned to the states with a renewed appreciation for the people in
my life. There are many revelations to be taught and
insights to be shared, but, nothing compares to life in Christ shared
with friends, both old and new.
