This week has been packed full. Every day I was busy from sun up to sun down. (Take a deep breath).
      This week at Deo Doxa (the church I attend and minister with), there was a youth conference. People came from near and far. There were probably about 400-500 people there. All young adults from all over the world: South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, USA and many other places. It started on Monday evening and then there were sessions every morning and evening through Thursday. The theme was "Greater Than" (as in: God is Greater than our suffering). It was pretty cool. I must admit, however, after being in Christian school for 13 years and going to most of the youth conferences in Denver and elsewhere, it was a little boring and surface-level. However, the Holy Spirit was present and active and that's the most important part. Worship was probably my favorite part.
     At the last session on Thursday evening they didn't do the usual sermon. Instead they had stations. Each of the stations was very challenging and moving. They had a communion table with bread and grapes (instead of grape juice, it was pretty cool). There was a station with mirrors and it represented how God is greater than Circumstances (I didn't really understand that station). There was a station for Public confession. At this station people would go into a room that was behind the sanctuary and type on the laptop whatever they wanted to confess and it would be displayed on one screen in the sanctuary. Finally, there was the Shower station. I know it sounds weird, but it was really amazing. There were buckets with mud in them and buckets with clean water, and there was a shower. Participants could place the mud on their bodies and wash it off in the clean water buckets or wash it off in the shower.
      My first reaction to the explanation of this station was "Well, I guess I won't do that one." But I was sitting there singing worship songs because the worship band kept playing while all the stations went on. Then Nicole, one of the youth that I work with at Deo Doxa, came up and asked me if I was going to the shower. I said I wasn't planning on it, but if she wanted to, I would do it with her. So we went outside to the shower station. I was a little unsure at first. I didn't know what to do with the mud; but then I rolled up my jeans and took off my sweater and piled on the mud. At first I was just thinking that it was wierd, but then it hit me. This is what I do to myself every day when I sin; this is what happens every time I screw up. I was covered in mud on my legs and my arms and hands and feet. I was filthy. And then Nicole and I walked over to the shower and I went in first. (I was wearing my shirt and jeans, so I had wet clothes the rest of the night). It was really cold water, but it wasn't the cold that shocked to me. It was the truth that God declared to me in that moment. He said, "You're clean." I felt a little ashamed and embarrassed before my Savior, but he simply used that vulnerability of the shower to show me that he Showers his grace and mercy over me every single day. No matter what I do he will always wash me clean. I can never fully explain to you exactly what I felt in my Spirit. All I can tell you is that I stand amazed at what my God did because he loves me. I stood at the station for about twenty minutes just crying and crying. I'm still crying. I'm still trying to sort out these feelings. I praise God for Nichole because without her, I wouldn't have gotten to experience the healing and cleansing that God gives freely. Both of us stood there crying. Then when we finally got a hold of ourselves, we went and took communion. Thank you, Jesus.
     This week was full of awesome experiences. I just have to tell this next story. I thought it was hilarious, so I hope it brings a smile to your face as well. On Tuesday we were at Ithemba as usual and we were all hanging out and having fun with our kids. I saw a little girl, Muketwa, that I hadn't seen in a while so I went to her and picked her up in my arms. Then another girl, Notombi, saw me holding her and wanted me to hold her too. So with Muketwa in one arm, I attempted to pick up Notombi. I got her about half way up when I realized I wasn't going to be able to hold both of them. So I told Notombi that I had to put her down and she refused to accept that answer. She put her ams and legs around my leg and held on for dear life! I was still holding on a little bit, but started to let go of her so she would let go of me. As I did so she began to fall off of my leg very slowly. And with a look of terror on her eyes she looked up at me and said in a sweet weak voice, " I lof yiou." And I lost it. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. She eventually fell that remaining 5 inches from her butt to the ground without injury and I stood her up and told her, "I love you too, Notombi." And she ran off to play some more. These kids always make me smile.... and laugh.
      I hope you enjoyed these stories. There are many more I wish I could tell you but i would need more than this blog page. Thank you for taking the time to hear me out.
      Please pray for a girl on our team, Raelynn. She is having problems with her stomach. This past week she has been having sever stomach pain and has been very week. Please pray for her to get better. The doctors want her to have some tests done if the medicine she is taking doesn't work. If these tests become necessary, she will have to return to the States. Pleas pray for her healing and strength to return to her body. Thank you all for your prayers.
      Have a blessed week.