FB: Latest Blog entry - Back...

Yep, I've been quiet, but at last I am ready to post something...

So I'm back. Honestly it hasn't been easy being back. I kinda expected things to be different because I've grown, only to find myself making the same mistakes, falling in the same traps, hurting in the same way, and then getting frustrated and disappointed that this is happening, cause my 6 months away was not an Act yet why am I struggling.

Fortunately sometime between coming home and now, God has been stirring to mind some lessons I learnt the hard way in my 6 months, and now its time to apply it in this environment. Also the meaning of a scripture I never really understood...

Matthew 11:12 (NIV)
12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

Matthew 11:12 (NKJV)
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

...Finally makes sense. I've got to win it here...Even though I've grown and learnt somethings, it's almost like weapons, or tools that I've acquired and now I have got to win it back in my old environment, back where the struggle was. And by force. It doesn't come easy. This was a surprise to me, but as I am now beginning to apply what I learnt it is beginning to get easier...

So what was the major lessons I learnt:

1) Consider it Pure Joy when you face trials of many kinds... Endurance,Joy, Maturity. God matures me through the trials, don't despise the trials, thank God, he wouldnt allow it if he wasn't going to use it to grow me. It doesnt come easy but eventually you get it. Like been struggling with some relationships since being back. Today I finally prayed. Lord I surrender this situation to me, even though it hurts and I can't see a solution, and it seems like things never change, Lord I know you are in control and I choose to trust you, trust that you know more than me, trust that you are in control. And that you will show me the next step, despite what was said, or what happened, the battle is yours Lord.

2) Surrender to God. - covered a bit in point no.1. Stop trying to fix things, understand things, it's tiring, frustrating and can make you sick. Give it to God. Let him do what he does best, Trust Him, If you given it to him, it is in good hands.

3) Serve. You'll find as you do the above God starts to soften your heart to pray even for the people hurting you or see them in a different light. Begin to ask God how you can be a blessing to them, sometimes you may see an opportunity, sometimes the opportunity presents itself to you to help out or do something to the very person who broke your heart. That is a God moment...Serve.

4)Accept. a) Accept yourself,for who God has made you, with strengths and weaknesses...When You can say this is Me and God accepts me and so do I, you stop trying so hard to please others cause you know who you are, and their not liking you doesn't matter so much as before cause you are you. But when you don't accept yourself (or maybe you think you have,but really depend on others opinions alot more), everything others say makes you second guess or question yourself and people pick that up and even hurt you even more. But when you know who you are, you got your power back :) and even just relationships with others are easier cause you're not expecting so much from them (validation, approval,etc)...

b) Also Accept people for who they are...This also helps alot. Once you accept this person, this leader, is like that and thats who they are that is their weakness that is their strength and I accept them for who they are, it becomes easier too to relate and not be so judgemental. People will change on their own time, when God reveals it to them, if you told them once and they're still like that you either accept them or move on, but once you accept them, once you,as someone once preached, see the gold in them and not just the dust, it becomes so much easier. Yes that person swears, lies, gossips, is very rude,hurtful but that is just the dust, they are also there through the tough times, Loving God lots, etc... Hold on to the Gold. and you also not so surprised by the dust, when it comes cause you have accepted that person warts and all. but as long as I'm expecting that person not to have warts, everytime they do something wrong either you take it hard, or you become judgemental. And then you are sinning too.

I've seen when I let the wall up to protect myself from others who have hurt me, after a while I notice I am not having breakthrough with God, because the wall I build holds him out too. I know forgiving and trusting again isn't easy...with God's help you do eventually get there as you realise God is using this trial to strengthen and mature you, as you surrender your life, the situation, your emotions to God,as you pray for and/or serve the people that hurt you and as you accept yourself and them for who God made them... You eventually will get through...

Currently I am finding myself slowly go through this process and it really does get easier to handle. Not immediately even I am far from through, but I know God knows and I know that he is making me a mature, wiser person and a winner and lover of all people. And I know there is the potential inside me to do the right thing so I will get there. By His Grace, with him... Hope you have learnt something from this and if not life may eventually teach you it too :)

Love,
Chandré

FB: Heidelberg Update Part 3

2. At the cross an exchange occurs,because that is where he took up our infirmities,carried our sorrows,his punishment at cross brings us peace,his wounds brings us healing.We need to come to cross,even daily,bring our hurts,offenses,struggles,sicknesses and there find our healing,joy,freedom,grace to forgive.etc.This divine exchange happens at the cross,is 61,Beauty for ashes,oil of joy,instead of mourning.

I'm so glad for this fresh revelation again of the cross,my life,my strength,my solutions are in what Jesus has done for me at the cross,whenever i see a cross now,it encourages me anew.

Another thing I have learnt by experience in heidelberg is seeing God come thru financially thru faithfulness in the little.In this two weeks I have received R1595 in various ways,and just for those who've given,u have no idea the timing.One night after a rebuke to team about finances and paying when we have, I prayed just before goin to bed God!I'm sorry 4 my unfaithfulness with money in past,but really don't have money,and have no idea where goin to get money,cause not goin to ask mom for more...My frustration,led to prayer,and next morn when woke up checked mail and found an e.mail from a canadian friend wanting to bless me.Timing,wow.once we did some fundraising,two of us for those who know the egg fundraiser,we made r200,in complex we staying at,no capital,it works.When i walked in my phone rang,my mom.I shared what i needed to tell her,but didn't mention airtime or money.She then asks me if i need.What a surprise.Then last night the cherry on cake.I have decided when get money to not hold on but pay outreach debt and trust God for needs,so basically may just buy air time as nb for me to connect with home,sponsors,etc. And tithe,but rest normally goes straight,although tempted to buy myself just one snack,or something,but this past week said no!cause wanna be faithful and win spirit of poverty in my life,eg. More debt back home. So i decide to pray God pls bless me with a cold drink or somethin,but...see update 4...

FB: Heidelberg Update Part 2

Ministry wise,first week as said before was office work,and friday helped at 2 creches.i worked with 3-4 year olds, hence learning zulu/slang words like Haibo(No),Shoota Mina(take a photo of me),Woza lapha(Come here),Cama(wee wee,as in I want to wee wee),besides playing with kids,singing,etc.my main role was taking about 30 kids to bathroom.Learnt Cama when little boys tryin to run in,during girls time,and when i say haibo,they shout Cama.Definitely fun day,but i don't think i could do that everyday as a profession...all of us slept after that session.

Week 2 held schools ministry in Vosloorus/Boksburg and door to door in a location,and area near new life church,where Sis Lucy,pastor's wife and ex principal arranged ministry for us.We went to schools where windows so broken,yet kids lean out over broken glass to scream at us.At another school two highschools shared one building.Ministry in school was a blessing as kids listened attentively,had eyes wide open in plays,laughed and really listened during encouragements.I in particular encouraged them to have a real genuine friendship with God,not settle for less or what is point of christianity?really kids were a blessing to us too.was thinking at home some ideas for schools when home as kids are same everywhere,but because they don't get an opportunity to meet and mix with kids accross cultures judge on what they see and still maybe ignorant about.so have some ideas around creating platforms for them to meet and embrace eachother, In evening Maria did sessions with us which was trully transforming,and the cross has new meaning for me.We had to meditate on Isaiah 53 and Is61:1-4 and hear what God is speaking to us as individuals about it.and in conclusion learnt 1. The cross holds forgiveness for the murderer(because Jesus took his place,stood in gap but also healing for family that was hurt by murder. Both oppressor and oppressed only set free at cross,because there he bore our transgression and his wounds bring our peace and healing.

See part 3 next note

FB Update: Some things I've been learning this week

this week our speaker is a Venezuelan Jew who is the base director of YWAM amsterdam...which is also the city with the highest multiculturalness (if that is word)




the topic is about hearing God's heart for the nations,how he loves multiculturalness...diversity, etc.etc...



one good biblical story that raps up this is that in gen 1,abraham, isaac and jacob were told to that God is making covenant with thier nation and thru them all the nations will be blessed. Joseph comes on the scene and after a long series of events he is second in command to Pharoah..this leads to him deciding on a certain territory being for priests and everyone else became slaves...and as u know in Exodus, the israelites are in slaveery from Egypt... Moral of the story, God hears, calls restores you and puts u in a position, not for yourself but to transform the nation, Joseph didnt enquire of the lord and led to making a decision which caused the israelites later to suffer...



anyway just found our speakers website and laughing cause he is as funny in writing as in reality... http://www.benners.net/



anyway just some quotes so far from the session:



Advise for the rich, Pick up your cross, give away your riches, live to bless and empower others.

Advice for the poor. Arise. Shine. Get out of your situation, trust God for greater things, but when you get to the top.... Pick up your cross again... The cycle repeats itself



When rebuking people, remember you are withdrawing from their emotional bank account...And unless you are also encouraging them which is making deposits you may leave them in a negative which then may lead to them disrespecting your leadership...



Anybody can look but not everyone can see.When you see , you will see the treasures of nations...



"The Kingdom of God is not about tolerating differences, but embracing diversity".



Do not marry a man who has no vision (he can have no money but a dream, and still make it) - Without vision the people perish, Passivity is a passport to the cemetry.



True leaders always allow his ceiling to be the floor of his children.



I love the story when he told about teaching in Norway/Denmark? and came in class and told them "What are you expecting? An anointed men, look here" Lays his hands on them, nothing happens Says something nothing happens. A clever man? "I have dyslexia...etc etc" etc. etc... Whatever you were expecting all I have to my name is God is my Father and I am his son, and no one can take that away from me! He is my papa!"



Now you know the real meaning of God's name and the meaning is God is our Father/Papa! :)



Trusting in the supernatural in the sense that trusting our behaviour is going to align with what we believe