Hey Everyone,
I would like to just extend thanks as well as apologies for not updating sooner than this. There have been some technical and scheduling problems that have caused the updating process to be much, much longer than I would have liked.
I have to say that my original blog post which I currently have saved is a large update about surroundings, scenery, transition, settling in, exchange and all sorts of visible differences between my home in Canada (or even America), and being here in South Africa.
I will not be posting that today.
I feel as though the whole world we live in is really just a distraction from what is important. God and the people he loves. I am so distracted.
Every afternoon the ministry outreach that I personally am involved in is heading out on foot into the black and colored townships and asking God “Where do you want me to go?” and He directs us. And He does direct us. I already have had incredible encounters that I absolutely would have missed without His leading. Some thing as simple and seemingly random as;
“Go left, grocery store and something about bananas”
Is that just our thoughts or is it God? Trust and Go. Learn to discern the voice of The Lord.
Two Muslim men waited inside ready to talk about Christ, the trinity and it was truly incredible.
There’s much more to say.
There are so many other people. God’s people. Africa’s people. That is really where I want to go with you this time.
What follows is a word for word journal entry from Sept 25th, after I returned home from my house visits that day. I will not edit or alter. It is my intent to give you a window into exactly where I was when God convicted me that this place, trip, mission, ministry, journey, really has nothing to do with exteriors in any way, shape or form. You may not understand all the particulars. This does not matter.
People.
Beautiful People.
Thursday, Sept 25th/08
The people of this city are beautiful. So much of there world is ugly but its much the same ugliness in our own country’s. The African people are full of joy and pain. Peace and aggression. Softness. Brokenness. But beauty shines among them. They invite me into their homes and they shine. God has always been here. I have not. God always will be here and I will not. I so much want to ask God to just fix all the pain. He isn’t going to do that all right now. I don’t truly know why but I do know that He is faithful and that He loves these people and that He has a plan of victory and that in whatever way, He has chosen to include me in that.
The children are just like me. They are afraid. They play as I once did. They smile with beauty. They are with open arms.
What will become of them?
I know so little, Lord help me learn your heart.
He tires of school.
I feel like I’m heading further into the space of how can I leave? What else could be this?
If God says “Leave your home” you must go.
Just as if God says “Go home,” you must go home.
It’s amazing God had done this for me. or that He has included me in this.
May your spirit saturate me so that I drown in your presence.
Do what you will O’ God.
Grace and Peace to you all.
The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17
I am confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living.
Psalm 27:13
proud of you
marinate in Him… soak Him in.
He wants your heart so badly.
see you in His Kingdom with His beautiful children
Blair,
Thank you so much for your writings. Through them, I can see your heart for people and for Christ. Continue to listen, and He will continue to lead in ways you never dreamed.
We are praying for you and for the team –
“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. ” (Eph 3:14-21)
-Mary Sample (Sydney Sample’s mom)
Your heart is so transparent…we have been praying for you daily – praying that God would literally saturate you in Him. So when I read your prayer – I was greatly excited and blessed!!! Continue to walk in Him – listen to Him – and He will use you!!! Even more than you know!!
Missing you!!
Andrea *Paul – Patty and Rachel*
I love the way God is working in your heart.A.W.Tozer said this, “A darkened heart is a far country, for it is not by our feet but by our affections that we leave thee or return to thee”
Keep your heart open and let Him fill you up! He will give you HIS love for all the people. Be encouraged my friend.
Jo-Ann
Blair, I know you have no idea who I am, but I want you to know that what you wrote really got to my heart of hearts. (I have been reading these blogs recently to see what J is up to among the nations, and am soon going to apply for a FYM trip.) Anyway you can be sure that you, your future, your team, those you will love and whatever else comes to mind are and will be lifted up in prayer. Know that you walk and live and breathe in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. I pray you become more aware of the gentleness in His voice when He says, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing…”…because it’s not about you. That’s freedom; that’s rest. Claim it, sister. I pray your focus on Him is strengthened and His glory is increasingly revealed to you – and therefore through you. Continue to focus on Him, no matter what He’s doing through you or around you. You are so incredibly loved.
Your sister,
Brittany DiSalvo
Isaiah 55:5 – Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has endowed you with splendor.
Sister???. Funny.
Thanks Brittany. Really, I mean it. So glad to hear your checking everything out.
Thank you all. I am breathing in all these words.
God bless you all. Today was incredible, I will fill you all in in good time.
Grace and Peace.
Blair.
Hahaha…I thought I was more observant than that. Sorry dude 🙂
Blair,
Enjoyed reading what God is doing in and through you. You’re on the great adventure of walking with Christ. Patty, Rachel and I just returned from India. The most profitable trip yet. Lives were touched including ours. We’re still trying to retrieve our luggage as it never arrived. God provided for us in spite of our minor setback. The girls dressed Indian and the people loved it. We are scheduled to be back in India next September. I know Rachel wants to go back. She really enjoyed the experienced, particularly ministering to the orphan boys. They are currently looking at building a second orphange for girls. We had the privilege of being at the ground breaking cermony. Pray with us that we can be a part of making that a reality. The key for that country is definitely reaching the next generation. It begins with the children. It was deeply moving hearing the boys intercede in prayer. Even though we didn’t know Hindi, their passion and intensity was moving. Later we heard the essence of their prayers and realized that God often uses the weak, the least and the little to teach us all. We remember you in our prayers. You are certainly in our thoughts. It’s amazing how quickly time is moving along. May God continue to enrich you and direct you as you serve him there in South Africa.
A fellow servant in Christ,
Paul
Was driving today and out of nowhere this blog came to mind. Nearly ten years later. Romans 11:33. Job 26:14. Whoa God. Peace to you and yours!