Faithful God

Two weeks ago at pre-marital counseling I had a small crying spell about needing friends here and a group of people who I can confide in, be challenged and encouraged by, and who can pour into me as much as I can pour into them. It is difficult when there is so much need around you and you are constantly giving and giving without having those who are giving to you as well. We prayed and asked God to provide those friends and those people who Sandile and I would feel comfortable with together...not me walking into HIS friendship group or him walking into mine, but to have people who are our friends as a couple. 6 days later my friend Rachel from Australia told us she wanted to start a Bible study at her place and wanted us to come. Rachel lives with two other Aussie girls and they are all here volunteering. Two of them are dating Zulu guys and their main social and peer groups are with Zulus. So we went to check it out last Wednesday night and it was so amazing to see God moving from the every beginning. We started with Me, Sandile, Rachel, and Muzi (a Zulu guy who is close friends with them all) Rachels roommate Liv was finishing her dinner in the same room but was not planning on staying. We started and opened up the floor by sharing a bit about our lives and walks with God and where we are at this point. It is amazing how when one opens up their heart it draws people in... Liv did not move from where she was sitting until we were finished and she even shared with us where she was at and what she was struggling with. About halfway in Rachels other Roommie Katie came in with her boyfriend Mqo and sat with us as they ate their dinner. We filled them in on what we were doing and welcomed them to stay. They did and they both shared! This is not a group where we are all on the same page with God. Some of us are going strong, some are investigating, some are just discovering God and what it means to live for Christ, and some have not been living for God, but are coming back. I love it. It is challenging, real, and authentic. People have real questions and real struggles and are not afraid to voice them. We are discussing with no judgement and trying to wrestle with the hard things of life and God. Last night we had another friend come to check it out (a Sutu guy)and it was just amazing to see the openess amongst a group of people who do not know each other well, and who are mixed in every way- culturally, gender, race, background, etc...but all being united through Christ. We had an awesome time of prayer at the end that ended in spontaneous singing (another thing I lOVE about Zulu's :)- they dont follow a "program"' when it comes to God! Sandile and I are both excited at what God is doing and how he led all of us together and how he is already -within two weeks- moving in this group of people!! Praise God for his faithfulness!