rollin' with the homies

mama and babies

cape point.

meet matthew, i'll be stealing him.

Another week has begun in the Africa of South. Just sitting downstairs with the housemates laughing about the days events. This week I started work at Living Hope’s homeless shelter, Living Grace. Homeless people and I mesh really well I think the reasoning behind this is because A. my hair (people can sometimes mistake it for a homeless person,) and B. because I’m crazy, and accept them as they are. Deal with it. Anywayz: so I work with 3 other of my housemates along with the couple who run the joint, Joan and John they are in their 70’s and super feisty. Joan marches around barking orders and John mans the front desk as “security” and by security I mean playing solitaire, sweet man.

We have devotional and breakfast in the morning where about 25 ‘homies’ attend, and then in the afternoons for lunch and devotional we have 50. The people rock and are so grateful. Haven’t had much of a chance to hear many testimonies, but I’ve got 3 weeks so I’ll keep ya posted.

In the afternoons I do kid’s club back in the O.V. woo woo. Being in this community has been so amazing, the kids are amazing but I think the best part are the leaders (the ones who lead holiday and kids clubs) Auntie Julie (my superior) is in charge of the OV community for living hope, and she is amazing. At first it was really hard to get close to many of the leaders because I am here for such a short amount of time, it’s hard for them to open up and let an outsider in, but these people have become my family. Auntie Julie and I have become especially close and she has been such an amazing picture of God’s faithfulness and love.

When Auntie Julie was 11 she was in a horrible accident and lost one of her legs, her father was a drug dealer, murderer and alcoholic and because of her accident her strong faith and positive attitude led her father to Christ. Through such tragic circumstance comes God’s perfect plan. It amazes me daily to see her profess this truth, this woman has devoted her life to the children of this community, and let me tell you, my past month here has been mental; I can't fathom years of this work, this woman has God on her side that’s for darn sure. Her attitude has been such an inspiration, and God seeps from her smile and presence. The closer it comes to my departure the more I realize what a family I have made here.

Cheers! -Carlisle

Ps. I saw killer whales this weekend. coolness.

Hebrews 4:12- 13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.