kristiapplesauce

Encouragement

It is strange how people are all connected. It surprises me and makes me all warm inside every time somebody comes here - all the way across the world to share in the lives of the South African people. It then shocks and revives me when those same people invest and love us; beyond what they do when they come on a team. We (although we have some friends here) are a little isolated. We work a lot and we spend the majority of our time with the Xhosa people, so we absolutely rely on contact from “home”, even though we are trying our hardest to make our home here. So last year there was this amazing young woman who came by herself. She was trying to find her way and (I think) trying to see where her path was leading her in this maze of serving people. She came with many questions and left with even more. I didn’t get a chance to spend a whole lot of time with her because she actually didn’t come under Oceans of Mercy, but with a partner we have over here…but there were 3 or 4 days in there we hung out. Anyways, since then, we have emailed and she has grown an amazing heart for the S. Africans. She has been praying and loving the people here and I am so encouraged. I have always thought that it takes an army to accomplish what God is doing – and she is one that is making it happen. The other day, we received this package. Inside, there were some goodies for Daniel and I – but also there were gifts for the people we work with as well (school supplies, scarves, vitamins, picture frames....) It was like she reached right into my chest and massaged my heart. So thank you, Friend. Thank you for not only loving me – but for loving the people of South Africa. I don’t know what we would do without supporters (friends) like you!

Peeps

I have been thinking about this whole community thing and how sometimes I wonder if I am just feeling sorry for myself. This morning and all day yesterday when I was thinking though - I was pondering the situation and all the people I love and most of what kept creeping up on me was that I am "surrounded" by amazing people. Seriously, AMAZING people. Most of them don't live here but they are "here". They are here in prayer, they are here in letters and in email. They are here in blogland and in skype. They make their appearance in birthday and christmas cards.They are all around us and I am so honored to know such cool people.  

Friends

My whole life my Mom had taken my sister and I to craft fairs...Art in the park (fart in the park) and I loved seeing all the fabulous hand made wonderfuls people had made. I love hand made anything actually. My favorite though was the quilts. I love love love hand made quilts. I would always look forward to the granny walk of fame where they would all showcase their talent. So I don't know why I never just bought or had one made...but I would always put my name in for the drawing (for a buck) but never won one. Dang it. I guess it's one of those things in my head that it has to be a gift...a hand made quilt. You can't ask for one because it would ruin the sweetness and the beauty of it. At least in my mind. Did I mention how mesmerized and captivated I have been by hand-made quilts? For like years....? Anyways so like a year ago a lady from Kansas City started sending quilts here to pass out to the orphans...you can see and read about some of them here, and when she did my heart swelled because I longed for somebody to send or make me one...for like years and years that has been a desire. But I can't be sad, they were for the orphans...so when we went back to the States last September, the day before we left, I got a package in the mail from a lady in our small group from our home church. Up till now I hadn't told anybody my obsession with quilts or any of this story...low and behold she had made us this quilt and on the back was a patch that said: "Small group friends in Christ made especially for Daniel and Kristi" and then has all their names and the date. So all that to say....

I could say a million things in this post about how people have stood by us and how there is an army of people who have made this year and last a "success" by way of support and love...by sending emails, letters, care packages, phone calls...standing in the gap. Some even flew across the country to be a friend. Some pray, some encourage by coming on a team, some give, some spend time. I could name all the people by name and I know I would miss some but to all, I am thankful. This quilt kind of sums it up for me though. Not because it means more, but because it represents how God uses people to love and encourage us for this amazing journey. So thank you.

Backwards Thanks

So part of our "job" is that we host teams. Last week a group came in on Thanksgiving day and that was perfect for me because we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with Americans who love fiercely. Yay. They were cool and they were here to see what S. Africa was all about. They apologized because they were "ruining" our holiday (for making us work), but really...it was so fabulous that God loves us so much that we got to be around people who understood. Understood that we needed not to fill in all the gaps and we needed not to explain what the holiday was all about. It was just comfortable. So yeah, I have much to be thankful for.

Blog Peeps

I know there is a lot of buzz around blogland about who you would want to meet in "real-life" and who you have already met but I had two fabulous opportunities while in America to meet some of my blog peeps and I am so thankful! One was just a couple hours on a weekday...but seriously, these people are the most fabulous people ever and we (Dan and I) are so grateful they or we found our way into each others lives. They freakin rock. They are: The Paulo's -Derek and Shannon, Mending her Broken heart - Sam and Brant, Whitesandbaby - Jessica (Aaron her hubs couldn't make it), and then most of their beautiful kids. Seriously it was one of the coolest days of our trip. I love how people come together and are able to share their journeys. Mine is sweeter because of these three families.

Friend

I don't know much about much but I do know that I am a learner. We have been planning this weekend for a while now and as we continue down this path of conversation and stories of our "real" life, I am amazed of how amazing God really is. Cathi just got here from the airport and as she came into our line of sight, I was thrilled to see she looked just like I thought she would. With that black hair and super cute smile. As our conversations roll forward I am realizing that she is completely in the moment and has journeyed here to share her friendship. What a treat! Tam is all encompassing with her love and wisdom. She is fabulous with her life experience and concern for us. She is also lost in thought and when I asked her about it, she told me about her family and the depth that flowed out astounded me. I was lost in this woman's devotion for her children and husband. Mandy. Mandy is a blanket of concern and genuine sweetness for all of us. She is beauty beyond reason. She is tiny - tiny. Like her frame is so little when any of us stand next to her...but her hugs are tight and she transfers her warm and sincere sweetness to you whenever she talks or spends any amount of time with you. I am falling into serious friendship love with these girls. Not that I wasn't already before this meeting thing...but seriously. How great to learn and grow from people that I normally would never ever in a million years know or have a relationship with. Super cool.

skype call with mandy and tam

mttv skype call w/kristiapplesauce from Brent Hodge on Vimeo.

Wisdom in my inbox

I got this the other day in an email:

"The topic of forgiveness is always an interesting one.  There are so many perceptions on what forgiveness looks like and the why behind it.  It’s a topic that fascinates me because our example of what forgiveness looks like is found in Christ.  We are called to forgive because he forgives us.  Unforgiveness keeps us from connecting with God fully.  We hold onto something that is his to handle, but we think that it doesn’t prevent us from fully loving God.  Our relationship with him is why we forgive.  Our trust that he has it under control is most often the motivation.  In return, we are blessed with a peace that can only come from him."

Totally made me think outside of the box that has been keeping me captive. Thanks e-mail buddy..."we hold onto something that is his to handle"...good stuff.

 

Hey thanks!

You know, I have never-ever-ever denied that I am a shallow person. I am such a sucker for mail and contact from home. Like ever. I have never said that I wasn't "that person". Nope...I think that there is nothing quite like love in the form of a letter or box. So the other day when we were both feeling a little crappy and that things here were wearing us down, we trekked to our favorite place and wouldn't you know it? The trusted mailbox had a great big present waiting for us. In it were all kinds of goodies for us. Pancakes and syrup. Gum, goldfish, gatorade, jello, pop-tarts. It was amazing. THEN I looked at the shipping. OMGosh. It was a stinkin huge amount. Then I prayed and felt at peace. God was whispering to me that He was the one loving me through these people and even though it would be "easier" for them to drop some money into our account and we could buy those products when we come home in a few months (I know we never would) it was the effort and joy in the process. The lesson in all of it (to me) was that it isn't the stuff inside (although I totally love getting stuff!) it is rather love behind it all. The stamps and the letter she wrote. The fact that her family was behind it and the stuff they sent was their "favorite things". All those made me feel connected to a community of people whom we are totally disconnected from now that we live here. The fact that they made a trip to the store, boxed it up and mailed it meant the whole world to me. I am so so so thankful and blessed by the love they sent and how God loved me through them.

I don't always post about all the packages/donations or stuff we get in the mail...but it is seriously so incredible how people have come together to love us that way. It has really made me think about how I encourage (or rather need to encourage) people in my circle and how I love them. It has really opened up my mind to how we are all in need of contact and love. I hope I can pay attention more and do a better job in the future. So thank you Cathi and friends for making our day so special.

*Side note (even though I don't have a picture) when we were driving back into town another package arrived filled with magazines and socks. Yay!!! I am so in awe of you guys!!! Thank you!

In her words...

Almost daily I get an email or a comment by one of my friends who I have never met. These ladies (most of them are ladies) have quick quick jumped right into my life and changed my course. They have sent love and encouragement. They have sent scripture and mail. They have prayed and they have stood by us in ministry. I have not a clue who most of these people are (in person) but through the computer these woman rock my world and this is one example why:


I was reminded of what faith and our own understanding really is in this passage I read. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) If you have a little trouble absorbing the meaning of older English, then look at the same passage in a newer translation: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight." (Proverbs 3:5, NRSV) The whole attitude of faith in God is one of trusting when things make little or no sense to our own way of thinking. As human beings, we have ideas and a certain kind of understanding about how the world should work. Our understanding comes from the ways we happen to perceive things, and from the experiences we have. But only God knows how all things truly work together. If we see a man walking atop a storm-tossed sea, we are shocked and maybe frightened. As we understand the universe, such things are impossible. But nothing is impossible with God, who knows all things and gives accurate meaning and reality to all of life. The perspective that God has is superior to our own. When God says that a thing is true, then we can and should believe it, no matter how impossible or strange it might seem to us. When God calls us to a certain way of life and to a certain path of faith, we need to listen to that call and obey the Lord — even if it makes little or no sense at all to our rational minds. Why? Because God knows what is real and true about human nature, about life on earth, and about eternity itself. The Bible, in many places, encourages us to believe God, to walk by faith, to be true to whatever God is saying — even when the whole world seems to be opposing God's message. The Bible makes it clear that God's ways and thoughts are better than ours. In fact, it says that very thing. Through the ancient prophet Isaiah, God said: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8,9) Does it really matter? But why bother with faith, anyway? Why not just do the best we can to understand and grapple with life? Certainly there must be a reward for those who are willing to fight their way through every obstacle, every difficulty and unsolved problem? If God is watching us, will He not think more highly of us when He sees our grim determination to rage right back at the storm, to take matters into our own hands, and to do whatever we must do to get to the top of the hill? Who needs faith, if we're willing to fight for what we want? Reality isn't always what we might have expected. And the truth is, God does not reward stupidity. There is a place and a time for human ability. I should do whatever is truly in my power to do. I'm able to produce a cup of coffee if I have all the things needed to do so. I'm able to earn a paycheck if my back and legs and hands — and brain — are in reasonable functioning condition. But I can't save my soul from destruction on my own. And I cannot, on my own, find a way to clear my life of sins already committed and from sins that I might commit today or tomorrow. I cannot buy or earn God's favor. All alone, I cannot change my own destiny. But I can choose not to accept a destiny I'm headed toward today. I don't know the way to heaven. So I must follow the One who can take me there. Life as a cup. Think of your life as a cup. God is pouring out His blessings to anyone who will hold their cup under the flow. Unbelief tells us that we should be able to do whatever we want with the cup. After all, it's our cup. And unbelief also tells us that it's too dangerous to go and stand where God tells us to stand, or to hold our cup where God promises that the blessings will flow. But faith listens to God and follows whatever direction He gives. The result of unbelief is an empty cup most of the time. (We may accidentally wander under the flow once in a while.) But the result of faith is a cup that overflows with God's richest blessings — day after day, never ending. Today, when you have a choice to make, take the path of faith instead of the path of unbelief. Commit your ways to the Lord. Trust Him with everything. He will then give you sound wisdom and good instruction for your life. And you will be happier and greatly blessed. As the Bible says: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don't simply rely on your own ability to understand. God has ways of doing things that you cannot see or comprehend. He will take care of the things committed to His care."

-From Jules