Unexpected Sabbatical

Well, it has been quite a while since my last blog, but I’m sure many of you know that because of new laws in South Africa, I had to return home to apply for my new VISA. I know  that God is Sovereign and knew I needed this time to rest and refresh. Don’t worry, I’m trusting that God’s going to open doors just at the right time. I was blessed with an opportunity to go away to a cabin, unplugging from everything– except God. My phone didn’t even have a signal. It was such a powerful experience and God spoke directly to me, granting me the assurance I was seeking about my return to South Africa. Enjoy some pictures of the beauty that surrounded me. Such elegant reminders of how creative our God is.

 

While I was going for a "Worship Walk", sometimes singing along, other times just listening,  I stopped to look around during Kari Jobe & Matt Maher's version of "We Exalt Your Name". In the part of the song where they sing "All of creation sings praise", suddenly the winds picked up, causing the tall grass to "sing" and the birds began singing beautifully, adding to the splendor. The thickness of the Holy Spirit's presence in that moment was unlike anything I've ever experience. Peace overwhelmed me in that moment. Peace that God has my life in His Hands.

 

 

 

While I don’t know how long God is planning to use me in SA, I know that He is still calling me to serve His children there. Since my return from the retreat, I’ve had a renewed sense of peace and trust. I don’t find myself stressing, well not too much anyway.

  I’m praying that by the beginning of February I will be able to return to SA. **Please pray for me regarding the hurdles I'm having to jump through for this paperwork. I trust that God will give them to me in just the right moment, but pray that I can be understanding and tobe able to get the paperwork I need to get done as soon as I can.

So you’re probably wondering what I’ve been doing in my time home? I enjoyed showing my South African friend my world here, writing curriculum for Bizweni, and helping coordinate our His Ark Christmas party, along with lots of admin work that has been buried deep on my to-do list. I’ve also been enjoying spending time with family and friends, and reconnecting with some

of the junior high girls I ministered to when I was involved in the youth ministry at my home church.

 

Telling people about what God is doing through me brings such excitement to me, so if your family, small group, or church would like to hear more, I would love to come speak to you!  Please feel free to email me at mihartm87@gmail.com!

I hope that you have a blessed Christmas with your family, remembering that this special season is all about the birth of Jesus and the change of history for us!!! 

I'm feeling blessed that I get to spend another Christmas with these wonderful people I get to call family!