Eagles Rising Opening Ceremony

Yesterday was the Eagles Rising opening ceremony for this year's new students. It was so great. Below I've attached some clips of the students singing. They are truly amazing. Half the students this year are second year students and half of them are new students that just arrived last week. They had 4 hours to practice for the opening ceremony. So talented!!! I keep thinking there has got to be a way to bring half of them to Texas for a tour at different churches.



And here is Graham Power speaking to the students and encouraging them for the year. He's the guy who started the Global Day of Prayer and he is very involved at Eagles. I know it is special for the students to know that people who hold prominent positions in their country care about them and come out regularly to spend time with them.

Birthday in South Africa

I just had my first birthday since moving to South Africa. I’ve actually had a birthday here before in 2001, but this was my first one since the long-term move here. Thanks to all the lovely people who sent me so many birthday blessings!!!
I had a great day. I had not expected anything for the day. My birthday was the day all the new students arrived at the community program I work with. After they arrived we loaded up in vans and headed 3 hours outside of Cape Town for a wilderness camp. I knew we had a busy day so I have a braai (South African BBQ) planned for Feb. 12.
But I was greatly surprised by all the Eagles Rising students after arriving at the wilderness camp. The students worked to put together a treasure hunt. They had me running around the camp grounds searching for one clue after the next. With each clue was a yummy chocolate. Then, I ended up in the dinning hall with cake and balloons, a small gift, and lots of singing students. What a fun time we had!
God took care of my first birthday here and made it something very wonderful and special! Thanks for all your prayers!
Now, I will have a braai (BBQ) with some friends tomorrow for a final b-day celebration. I love the South African version of a BBQ. For one thing they have really great spices here. They also braai some fantastic meats like lamb and mutton. (I've discovered the best braai in the whole of Cape Town is mutton steaks at the #17 Braai stand in Khayelitshia.) But the very best thing about a braai in South Africa is what they call a bring and braai. That means I've got good coals from a fire, you need to bring your own meat, and we'll cook it up all together. How great is that. Its easy to have a braai any time because everyone has to bring their own meat. Plus, typically, people also contribute salads and drinks for the braai, also. So tomorrow all I need to have is a fire going and my own meat. Fantastic.