Monday night prayers Feb. 03 2014

My husband gave me a stern look and send me to the computer with the following words: Please go and write that update now. So:

Dis met n hart wat oorloop wat ek vanaand voor julle kom sit. (My heart is overflowing as I come and sit in front of you tonight) 

I went to a very special graduation ceremony last Friday night and in sharing a bit of that night with you I pray you would be left with some of the awe and wonder I felt driving back home. 

I've been sharing and teaching on women' s  health issues with the staff of  a very upclass cafe and training center . This is a Christian NGO that train and employ young women who have been involved in sex trafficking and the sex trade. The percentages of children sold into the sex trade here is staggering and many in this culture don't see it as wrong, it is a privilege to bring in money to your family.

 Upon graduation they receive a diploma in hospitality with a specialty in cake decorating. Then when I say cake decorating I don't mean like we learned when we want to be a bit fancy we drag n fork over the icing, no beautiful creations and works of art. What a privilege to  see the enormous effort put into their growth and healing. Wednesday mornings was the highlight of my week, (Gideon's too as he got a free cupcake every time). They were so eager and open to learn and ask questions.

As each one of these precious women received their diploma they were overcome with emotion. The director had a personal word of encouragement for each of them. I sat there thinking for some this might be the first ever real achievement in their lives and you could see they were standing tall and proud but so humble at the same time. So often the darkness here around us just seems too much  and here and there you see one small candle light  BUT here it looked like God switched on the floodlights chasing out the darkness. 

And then the highlight of the evening for me was when I looked around and saw some of the men in the audience overcome with emotion. I rest my case !

Please continue to pray for Apu and Pro. Anthony, Hannah and Mordegai goes there daily and Apu  is getting more and more exercise but he is scared to sit up. Pro is starting to walk!!  Mordegai bought a walking ring yesterday and he is using it. He has no bladder and bowl control and when he starts to walk this is very embarrassing for him. 

See a movie of Pro walking:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152283927030695

So back to me driving home afterwards, I repented of my heart of stone, pleading for a heart of flesh, believing  again our God is Greater, our God is Higher than any other and to set my eyes on Him not the darkness around us.

Love 

Toinette

Ps from Mordegai

please pray for Anthony , Hannah and me when we ride tomorrow to Kabal Domrey. We will ride by bike. some other friends will join us halfway. Please pray also for the christian couple in Thor Piang rosey. The man cut a tree and it fell on him, injured him pretty badly. I will see tomorrow how he is doing.