July 25th, 2013
In this ceremony, the inmates were taking responsibility for what they had done & publicly apologizing to their victims and to their families. It was intense because most of the inmates haven’t seen their parents in years & there was a lot of hurt & pain from their history. Parents were also apologizing to their sons for exposing them to things that influenced their actions of being in there. That moment was powerful.
You always hear of inmates that turn to Jesus in jail, but to see it with your own eyes, and to hear their stories and public apologies, there was no dry tear in that place. After the ceremony we prayed, had a meal, and sat with the inmate’s who’s family wasn’t there. Going to the prison, made me realize that the inmates are not all evil people, but humans just like me and you that made some wrong choices. They had a horrible background which might have influenced their choices – but we should think of them as God sees them.
Mitchell’s Plain community outreach is becoming one of my favorite projects within HAF. I lead a group of kids each week, and we teach them lessons from self-control, honesty, and forgiveness. I wasn’t sure how the kids were going to respond but they have been very receptive and are growing so much!
Next month, I will be facilitating an early childhood development course called GROW. The vision of GROW is “to equip moms to encourage the kids God has entrusted them with, to reach their God given potential.” As teachers, we can go into the community & classroom and care for & love on each child, however if there is not a balance at home, it can hinder the child’s mental, emotional, and social growth. Although moms want the best for their child, they do not always have the skills & confidence to achieve this goal. We believe that through this course, the moms will receive the knowledge, various tools, and confidence that will help their child to achieve what God has made & purposed them for.
On our intern break last week, one of my closest friends here invited me on holiday with her family to Botlierskop Game reserve on the Garden route which is a 4.5 hr drive from Cape Town. We relaxed under hot blankets, went on a game drive to see the Big 5, drank hot chocolate by the fire, drummed with the locals, fed lunch to the elephants, and did a cat walk with the lions.
God is really spoiling me & taking care of every single detail. It was a holiday of a life – time!
From walking a tiger in Thailand to a white lion in Cape Town!
So far this year has been developing my character, strengthening my faith, and growing me spiritually. Although people are starting to ask me “what are your plans for next year?” My first and only reply is that “my devotion and obedience to God has no time table or limit. I am here to serve until God tells me otherwise.” I am literally doing everything out of His strength, guidance, & His rest.
As I continue walking in His will with this internship, please pray that GROW goes exactly how God wants it to go, that I receive discernment to do what God wants. For creative ideas in our projects, protection over all the interns, and for everything to bring glory to His name because His plans are always perfect and He knows exactly what is best for us.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
God Bless,
Juliette
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