God is working in this Place!

This picture was taking at Agape 3. Children ages 5 and 6. They all call me 'Lisa' because for some reason no one can pronounce Alissa, and Lissa turns into Lisa. So I have learned to answer to most "L" names. =]

This is Ayanda. She was my little follower when I was at Agape 2. No matter where I went she was right there with me...holding my hand, sitting next to me, or sitting on my lap. She saw me the day after and came running up to me and gave me the biggest hug ever! She is such a happy little girl!!!!

We had the opportunity to help out at Kids Club on a Friday night, ages 6-12 years. We danced, worshiped, played games, and had a message. It was all in Afrikanas so I actually had no clue what was going on, but listening to people pray in another language is so powerful. Any who, afterwards I went up to this little girl who was off by herself and said, "Hello, vat is ya naam?" Her name is Maliska. She was the sweetest thing and was so excited that I came up to her. We didn't talk much, but I held her in my arms and that made her so happy! She ended up being on the same bus that took us back to our cabin and she got so excited when I hopped on the bus! She scooted over and patted the seat next to her with a huge smile on her face! The whole way home she kept her hand on my knee and I put my arm around her! She was full of smiles the whole way...it was so cute! 

Agape!!!

This is Clayton. He lives in the Asiphe` House where children with severe physical and mental disabilities live. He is also blind, but he gets where he wants to go and loves to cling to you, hug you, and laugh with you! So full of life...he is such a JOY!

South Africa =]

   After 36 hours of travel time, and 21 hours in a plane...we are safe and sound in AFRICA!!!
  
   I LOVE IT HERE! Africa is so beautiful! Mountains are all around us and I got to touch the Indian Ocean! The children are so adorable! They make me so happy...even though some can hardly speak English...they constently grab my hands and drag me around. I have gotten tackled! It's sad how as soon as they see me they trust me and want hugs and kisses and to be played with. Their stories are so sad, but they carry such happiness around.
   We are living right by the slums, and in person, looking at their homes the pain you feel cuts deeper than any picture could ever show. How can "I'm broke" or "I'm hungery" roll off my lips when they have nothing but a few boards and a piece of tin as a roof. It's winter here, and at night is when it gets cold...so many people have no blankets and I have comforters at my house in the states that are stored away...It has just been very eye opening.
   Gerrit and Ami have been wonderful to us. I have met 2 of their 3 biological children, and their 7 adopted children. We have so much fun with their family! We taught the kids the game signs and it has been are ritual the past couple of nights to walk over to their house and play the game with them. They know English well, the thing that makes it difficult are their accents...it takes some getting use to.
   After this week, the next 3 weeks the children have their winter break, so we will have the opportunity to go into the slums and to the hospital. Megan also wants to go to the Villiage of Hope for a day. All is well and great here in Grawbou!!! I look forward to sharing my whole expierence with you when I return! Until then...I will post a blog hopefully within the next week!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
With love, Alissa Rene

1 DAY a.k.a. TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! =]

Thank you letters are being sent. Everything is packed. The Team is getting together at 4 tonight. Early bedtime. Up at 3am and on our way to Chicago at 4am! I feel like it won't hit me until I have been over an ocean for nine hours! So ExCiTeD!!!

This is my last blog post in the states! Next blog post will be from South Africa!!!!!!!!!!! =]
I am not sure how often Internet access with be available but every chance I get I will update my blog!

For my parents: I love you Mom and Dad so very much! Thank you for showing me God's love all the way threw my childhood, and even now. Thank you for letting me follow my dream, and God's plan to Africa...your support has made all the difference. I don't know what I would do without you!! This trip is going to be life changing for me...but don't worry, your baby girl can handle it...The LORD is ALWAYS with me.

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!!!
With Love, Alissa Rene

2 DAYSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We leave Wednesday morning! I am so excited!!!! Eeek!! Got all my packing to do today and Tuesday! Thank the Lord for Space Saver Bags! Please lift the Team up in your prayers as we travel Wednesday and Thursday. God has already been doing great things for this team and we haven't even left yet!

I can not believe it's almost time for AFRICA!

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine!
With love, Alissa Rene

10 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is so hard to believe just how fast departure day is approaching! I started the countdown at 77 and thought it would take forever, but it is flying by! My excitement keeps increasing, and so far, I have not felt anxious towards the trip. The ONLY thing that has crossed my mind is how I do not want head lice...obviously it won't prevent me loving on these children, but it's just something I have had a couple times and the thought of it makes me itchy!

I have recently quit my job and moved home with my parents. I worked at a Nursing Facility and the last week there I couldn't tell you how many of my residents cried when they found out my last day was at the end of the week. But there is one story that I want to share: One of my residents and I had this amazing relationship and we always talked about the Lord and how awesome He is. I would always share stories with her, and she would tell me all about the mission work she did. The night before my last, she asked me to come to her room on my lunch break. After talking for a little bit she asked if she could anoint me and pray over me. I have never had that done. As she put the oil on my head she began to pray! It was such a blessing and I felt so up lifted, she brought tears to my eyes. She gave me a card and she thanked me for my friendship, but she will never know how much she has blessed me and encouraged me!

To set my heart in flames, Yesterday I started reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. (If you haven't read this book I encourage you to do so!) The first time I read it, it changed my perspective greatly and got me so fired up for the Lord! I thought the week and a half prior to leaving would be a good time to reread the book.

3 Favorite points in chapter one:

• Don't get so wrapped up in life that you don't have time to stop and think...Right now we are standing on a ball thats spinning thousands of miles per hour and we just wake up and say "Oh yeah just another day." But it's not just another day, there is nothing normal about it! This could be the greatest day of your life! Stop and Think..
• Whatever God's reasons for such diversity, creativity, and sophistication in the universe, on earth, and in our own bodies, the point of it all is His glory. God's art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He is like. Read Psalm 19:1-4. This is why we are called to worship Him. His art, His handiwork, and His creation all echo the truth that He is glorious. There is no other like Him.
• To say that God is holy is to say that He is set apart, distinct from us. And because of His set apart-ness, there is no way we can ever fathom all of who He is. To the Jews, saying something three times demonstrated its perfection, so to call God "Holy, Holy, Holy" is to say that He is perfectly set apart, with nothing and no one to compare Him to. That is what it means to be holy. 

There are so many point in this book that brings me such joy that I have to burst and share God's amazing-ness with those around me! I don't know for sure how God is going to use me while I am there in South Africa, but what I do know is that I can feel it in my heart, I can tell that God is preparing me, and it is going to be incredible!

Please keep Team Africa in your prayers!

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine,

With Love, Alissa Rene