"So Sad to be All Alone in the World..."

Have you ever seen Thourghly Modern Millie? Well, I have...about 7 times and this one line stays stuck in my head....I think of it often when I want to say how sad something is....but, noone but my tour guide buddies know what I am talking about. Arggg

So Sad to be leaving South Africa. I will miss my new friends. It is offically my last night here. We are in Johannesburg again, spending the last night in a hotel near the airport. We will go to the market tomorrow, where I will get a few last items and then it is off to the airport. You may wonder what I have really done here in South Africa...I mean most "short term" mission trips are full of a flurry of activity and statistics about salvations and healings. While I have heard many testamonies of salvations and healings, I was not on the front lines this year. I say that not of a sad heart, but of a very content one. There are good things about being older and one of those is KNOWING yourself and others (including God) a little better. I know for example that God is in control...I know that I serve Him not to receive His love, but to GIVE HIM my love. So, I came to South Africa to serve Ashley and give her the chance to be on the front lines...which she was. I came here to serve Niel and Alece and I did...by working on spreadsheets, calling safari parks, writing letters, riding with a team on a bus, leading a night with the outreach staff, making salad, giving massages, making dinner, etc That was my missions trip... much like I want to live my life. I know that God has called me "For Such a Time as This" and that he has equipped me to serve Him, by serving His people. I love that. I mean I really love it. The older I get, the more I love to serve. Don't get me wrong, it is not all altruistic...I mean I do get a high from helping and serving people...from seeing smiley faces and relieving stress.

So, as I leave South Africa I have a feeling that I will be back very soon...that this will become home to me and I will be used to help change a nation!

To all my new friends....thank you and I love you! See you all soon....

Auntie Char :)