Cockroaches we can adjust to.  Thieves we cannot. Thieves have broken into the YWAM base the past four nights, and robbed our friends a couple of times. The security guard and barbed wire fences are not enough to deter the crime, so some of our guys have taken to night watching!  Please pray that they catch the perpetrator, and that we stay safe.

The thief left his drug paraphernalia in our friends’ house when he was startled. Unfortunately, many young men are addicted to the drug Tik (Crystal meth).  With little to no employment, young men turn to drugs for fulfillment.

Interestingly enough, Alberto just wrote his last paper for his Counseling class on just this thing.  “Father to the Fatherless”  describes God’s heart for the young generation of men who have grown up without fathers in the surrounding communities.

Alberto’s class actually ends next week, so we are looking forward to a break.  We are feeling pretty tired at this point.  It has been a challenging term in many ways: academically, safety-wise, and physically as we search for a house to rent.

Academically, the kids are in the throws of their first semester.  Margaret was unfortunately not happy at the sweet Christian school on base, so she moved to Worcester Primary School, the public school in town. She seems much happier now. Academically though, the South African system is extremely different in content and structure.  All three kids have been having a tough adjustment in this area.

Safety, as I explained above, is a current threat, which has made people on the YWAM base a bit edgy.  Isaac also had his own incident.  Coming home from a school retreat, the luggage door to the bus opened and three bags fell out.  His bag was one of them. The school and bus company are not taking any responsibility, but rather said, “Welcome to South Africa!”  Isaac lost all his camping gear, sneakers, Bible, and everything else needed for a camping weekend (and his retainer!).  Isaac has been taking this loss with extreme grace.

Lastly, our housing search continues. We have applied to rent a number of different houses, but have been rejected from all of them, with no reason provided.  I know God has a plan for us.

Through these challenges, I am reminded again and again of God’s faithfulness to us. We have been tested, and will declare the glory of the Lord.  During Holy Week, we are reminded of God’s ultimate sacrifice to us through the shedding of His Son’s blood. As we kneel before the cross, we focus on Jesus and count everything else as loss. “Lead me to the Cross” by Hillsong is a timely song:

“Lead Me To The Cross”

Savior I come

Quiet my soul remember

Redemption’s hill

Where Your blood was spilled

For my ransom

Everything I once held dear

I count it all as lost

[Chorus:]

Lead me to the cross

Where Your love poured out

Bring me to my knees

Lord I lay me down

Rid me of myself

I belong to You

Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I

Tempted and trialed

Human

The word became flesh

Bore my sin and death

Now you’re risen

Everything I once held dear

I count it all as lost