1973
I am eleven years old in Ndola, Zambia. My parents are missionaries, and my sister and I attend the Dominican Convent: the best school for girls in my city. I have a friend named Norene. She is pretty and skinny, something I longed to be even as a child. On Saturday mornings I go to her house to hang out before our matinee cinema. We walk downtown and pay twenty ngwee to view the one movie offered. Besides Norene having a sister and hosting club meetings at her house with neighboring boys, I have few memories of her.
2011
I am older than I want to say. Norene and I are now Facebook friends. Reunited after almost forty years, I know little of her except she loves the Lord and has a heart for those in need. She is involved in organizations that feed the homeless and help the women of South Africa. Norene lives outside of Johannesburg.
Now
I have a daughter. She is young still; only seventeen. She is going on a mission trip to Kenya in August and, when her team flies home to California, Adele is flying to South Africa. After spending a week with her grandmother, she will be staying with Nolene and participating in her life and work.
I am entrusting my daughter to a stranger. Am I uneasy? Not really. For the Lord laid this on both my heart and the heart of Norene. My daughter is young, but mature. I am praying God will work through this stranger, to touch my daughter’s heart and help her in her search for God’s will for her life. And I pray my daughter will help this stranger recognize what an important role she plays in the Kingdom of God.
I just hope she does not fall in love with a South African and decides to never comes home!
What a neat story! I hope she has a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is amazing! My daughter went on her first mission trip last summer at 17 to India with Royal Servants. She is in the Lord's hands and there's no better place to be!
ReplyDelete~Mimi
I will be praying for you both.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like something that was always in the plan and was meant to be, what a story!! She is a stranger, yet not, you both share such memories of a time long past...
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that she will fall in love with South Africa, however, I know that whatever (or where ever) He leads her...He will make it work for the good of her and YOU. :) I am praying for you with every fiber of me.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is rather a full circle moment. It is good to know that there is someone there who will watch over Adele. She is a beautiful young lady and what a great experience it will be. God's blessings on you all. Tammy
ReplyDeleteShanda, your daughter is coming to South Africa. What are the chances that she can meet another stranger? - I will like to meet her and also see what Norene does in her organization. I live about 200km from Johannesburg. You can email me at pthulo17@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteps! I'm afraid she will fall in love with South Africa and go back with beautiful stories ...
Oh Shanda, what an amazing story and a wonderful opportunity for your daughter! God will do amazing things in her life while she is on this journey; a spiritual experience she will have to remember her whole life. :)
ReplyDeleteGod's blessings to you both! :)
Denise
What a wonderful story Shanda! I'm so excited for your daughter! Praying God use her in a mighty way in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a God plan indeed. May she have safe travels.
ReplyDeleteThis is a surrender of yourself to His Guidance. Shanda, your daughter is in the best hands possible...HIS! This new trip for your lovely daughter is only the beginning of Our Lord's plans for her life. You have done well my friend in standing back and seeing how Our Lord's love for your daughter is manifested in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteMay this trip be an opening, an awareness that He does orchestrate everything and how blessed we are He Does!!!
Blessings to you today Shanda,
Maria
What a neat cycle. I hope she has a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteSawa you on blog hop, now following you via google and network blogs. What a lovely post, I am sure your daughter will really enjoy herself. Karima x www.karimascrafts.com
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is beautiful!! May God bless her tremendously on this trip!!
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda - if she comes to Cape Town she is more than welcome to bunk with us. My daughter actually looks very similar to her and she's 18. I'm sure that God's hand is on her and if she does meet a South African, well, in general they are hard working and have a great sense of humour! And maybe she'll drag him home with her?
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
She's going to love South Africa! What an awesome summer. She's very lucky.
ReplyDeletehttp://homesandbabies.blogspot.com
Awesome, I will be praying for your daughter. She is going to be alright, she in the capable hands of Jesus:)
ReplyDeleteMy *baby* boy (21) just flew off to SW Asia for 5 months. I know he went with God, following God's plan, doing the things God has called him to do. Still hard to let go some times. And I told him he is not allowed to marry some Himalayan farmer's daughter! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a step! Best wishes to her! I found your blog from VoiceBoks and looking forward to reading more of your blogs.
ReplyDeletehttp://sjkatigbak.blogspot.com/
Hi Shanda! Thanks for stopping at my place--nice to meet you and learn of your heart for missions. My best friend's daughter did an internship in Kenya several summers ago--the safest place for them to be is in following the Lord's call. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written! Amazing how the Lord works...
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is beautiful, just like her mother!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful story, it's almost like coming full circle.
Hallelujah :) I'll pray your daughter be abundantly blessed & well protected! My son's leaving me in less than 24 hours & I have great peace about it :) Thank you for praying for me & encouraging me!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I'm not entrusting mine to a stanger but she is getting married in October of this year. My girls are going to public school after always being homeschooled, and my son is joining the Army. Changes are hard but I also am entrusting my children into the Heavenly Father's care. God bless. Love your blog. Come visit mine one day soon.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a special mom! I don't think Adele will ever live far from you :) xxx
ReplyDeleteHello everyone - I am the lady that Shanda sent her daughter to - hey Shanda you spelt my name incorrectly.....ha ha. We are loving having her with us in South Africa and I am afraid that I do think that she has fallen in love a little. I will let Shanda fill you in with the details when she gets back from visiting me as well in October. How mighty is our God - I remember so well the impact that Shanda, Robin and her parents had on my life - and I was amazed that this family travelled around the world as missionaries. For years I wanted to become a missionary. Instead God led me to a man who I married and have 4 children but I am still serving the Lord - however serving at home. South Africa is one of the forgotten countries by so many mission trips - we have dire need in our country. Think of us next time you planning a mission trip. God Bless all of the readers from South Africa.
ReplyDeleteUm well the last comment came true. I am so happy and so privillaged to be a part of yours and adeles lives. I love you guys forever!!!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is 17, I cannot yet see her off. It's a blessing you know your daughter. My daughter is an immature 17 and not quite ready. But I pray and fast for that day to see her off in peace. Blessings to you all!
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