Beat The Drum

Originally posted on 10/18/08

I don't know how to explain everything that went on this week but I'm going to try. We went to Somerset East to do an AIDS awareness program called Beat the Drum. It was overwhelming, intense, emotional, challenging, stretching but overall good. I taught a class with one other volunteer at the Johnson highschool. We were in grade 11 with 31 "learners". We started off on Friday with training and continued that through Sunday. This was really good for our team becasue it gave us oppurtunities to really just talk about our struggles and pasts. The intensity of those first few days carried on through the rest of the week.

Monday we showed the film and then began facilitating discussions. At frist the class was quiet but the more time we spent with them the more they opened up. We had boxes for the students to write letters to a character in the film named Francis. They wrote in those at the end of the first lesson and their letters broke my heart. They anonymously disclosed information about sex, AIDS, alcohol, drugs, abuse, family issues and rape. Each one of those 31 learners had a story to tell that had so much brokenness in it. It was a struggle to try and read these and find adequate words to say to offer them advice and healing. In this, God really just spoke truth in my own life as He gave me words to speak over them. I wrote this letter from God to read over them as the answer to all the questions because really there is no other answer. As I wrote it I realized how much God is reading that over me daily and how much I need to hear it...

Dear Beloved,

You are fearfully and wonderfull made, perfect in my sight. I made you for a purpose, with a plan to prosper you and give you hope and a future. I know that isn't always easy to see but that's why you need to trust me. If I know the numbers of hair on your head surely I know your needs and desires. Allow me to work on your heart. It may be scary but I'm holding your hand as you walk through it. I'm going to be by your side the entire time so don't fear. In order to heal your wounds I need you to trust me with your heart. I don't wan tto harm you, no I want to do the exact opposite! I want to change what the world meant for bad back into good. The devil wants you to believe that I've placed you in these situations for a reason but it's a lie. I only allow my children to make their own decisions. I've given them my word as a guide but many have turnedfrom that. Their disobedience is causing many to hurt. I'm sorry that they have you, I truelly am. My heart breaks at the pain you're going through. I know it's hard and I know it hurts but I will give you peace. Just give it over to me, I want to carry your burdens. I experienced the pain of the cross so that I could save you from this pain. I understand what it is that you feel. I know exactly what you're going through. Stay strong and push through because there is hope. My love and grace is enough. You just need to lay your hurt, anger, and frustrations at the foot of the cross. My arms are outstretched wide to embrace you. Let me put your heart back together, let me redeem this situation, allow me to heal you. It's not going to be easy, I know, but trust me through the process. I will show you what true love looks like, I will fill you with peace, and you will reclaim hope. I'm going to use this for good. You can help others, you can stand for what is right. I'm teaching you and loving you so that you can go and do the same. You have my power in you and with that you can change the world! Be a light in this dark place. Don't let the devil win this battle in your life. I've equipped you, now you must fight through this. You may lose a battle or two along the way, anger may sometimes get the best of you, the pain may sometimes seem overwhelming, but take heart for I have already been victorious. In the end, the devil will be exactly where he belongs and you will see and taste my glory with me in heaven. You are loved in a way you can't understand. Live like my prince and princesses. Live in freedom, walk in the light! I have all of you pain, hurt, and dreams for something better in the palm of my hands. Just know I have soemthing better planned for you Beloved. I love you more than you can imagine so just hang in there. The day of healing and redemption will come soon enough.

So ya, I don't know how to describe what came from this week but so many came to Christ. Over 100 people recieved Jesus as their Lord and Savior and many made decisions to abstain and choose a new life. Just keep praying for students as they begin to live in these decisions. I will update more about what happened soon.

Past Week

Originally posted on 10/4/08

Life here in Africa is really hard. I knew it would be challenging and I knew there would be pain surrounding us but it's harder than I imagined. It's hard to hear people's stories and see their hurt. A lot of the team has been praying for their hearts to become like God's and I'm realizing how scary of a prayer that is. He is beginning to develop that in our team and it hurts. We're being broken for His people but at the sam etime it's nothing in comparison to the pain God feels.

It's been hard to wrap my head around what my role is in these situations. God is teaching me that I'm inadequate. That's not a good feeling but I need to be there. I need to know that I'm inadequate and only God can do something to bring them peace. I'm just a tool He is choosing to use, by myself I'm completly inadequate.

God's already doing things through my team. Babies that aren't being fed or cared for have found a safe place to grow. Healing has been seen. God is using us to love on kids. He's directed us to those who need prayer and encouragement. These oppurtunities are hard but God has never called us to an easy life or ministry. I'm just fighting through the hurt in their lives and how it relates to our team. God is going to use that hurt though. I don't know exactly what that looks like but I'm trusting in Him.

Prayer Needs:

Monica- A women I met at ministry that is dealing with a lot of hard situations of abuse from her husband that is constantly drinking. She also drinks, I think as a way to not think of the pain. God def put us in her path for a reason and I'm hoping for more oppurtunities to keep ministering to her

Cethemba- An 8yr old little boy that has lost many family members to AIDS. He doesn't know much about God but I was given the oppurtunity to speak some truth into His life. I'm hoping that I will somehow see him again and teach him more about what the cross is. He needs peace and direction in his life and that is exactly what the cross is.

Beat the Drum- An outreach program we are starting next week that is all about AIDS awareness. We are going to a town called Somerset Cities where we will be living among the locals and pouring into their lives. We are teaching them curriculum based off of the beat the drum movie. The focus is to break the myths that Africans have about how you get AIDS or how you can get rid of it. We will be have the oppurtunity to speak truth into their lives and just teach them about God's plan for their lives. This is an awesome oppurtunity and I'm exicted to see what God is going to do. Just pray for the funds, we need to raise $2,000 in order to provide for the curriculum, food, and travel. God has already provided for the plans of this trip and I know that He will continue to provide but your prayers are much needed.

Personally, I need strength and just peace. It's been really difficult to be here and see all off the pain around me. I know God wants me here but it's so hard to push through everything.

Ministry

Originally posted on 9/24/08

Monday was our first day of ministry here in JBay. It was exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. I will be working at Ithemba which is an after school type program for kids ages anywhere from 3-15. The young kids are there all day long and the older ones come after school. However, we're learning that school isn't really a place of learning and education for most children. Our role at Ithemba is to just love on the kids and we're going to eventually be leading the lessons, games, crafts, and songs. For now we're just seeing what the ministry is all about and what their main needs are.

As soon as we walked into Ithemba children started jumping on us. The kids were just so excited to see us and play with us. The first thing we did was meet with the director and get a feel for the vision and find out what they want us to do. Afterwards, we went outside and played games with the kids and just let them hang all over us. It was really cool to see just how hugging one kids would brighten their face. A lot of the kids at Ithemba come from families who don't care about them or from households run by their sibling because they lost their parents to AIDS. It's a sad reality in the majority of their lives but that's why we're here.

This is unlike any mission experiencs I've had because it's all about building relationships adn showing the love of Christ thorugh that. A lot of the kids know about Christ but they don't have many people showing them the love and hope of Christ. They lack the hope found in the relationship because most of the people around them are hopeless and speak that into their lives. Ithemba is just a place of hope and refuge for the kids. The 3-5 leaders that run the place are amazing and speak truth into their lives daily. They just love these kids and want to keep them off the streets. It's encouraging to see them pour into them but I know that they are burnt out and tired, they need help. They have anywhere from 60-120 kids and there is ussually 3-5 adults to care for them. It's not a good ratio, so they're excited about the help.

I don't know exactly what my role looks like yet, other than to just love on them, smile, make them laugh and just be there. I was able to help teach them math yesterday which was good but hard to see how far behind they are. The more time we spend at the minsitry the more I'll be able to see what God wants me to do. For now, I'm just there to love like Christ and be a light in the darkness.
I'm hoping to build relationships with both the older and younder kids but the group I'm working directly with is the older group, ages 10 and up. God has given me a heart for the older kids and I'm looking forward to learning about their stories and being a mentor to them.

I just ask that you'll continue to pray for the children. It's a struggle to have conversations right now because of the language barrier but I'm trying to learn. God can overcome anything so I know that this won't hold us back from minstering. Just pray that Christ will recieve glory in all things...

More to come later about more ministry oppurtunities. Just know that God is working in JBay and your prayers are being answered.

We're Here!

Originally posted on 9/18/08

I just wanted to do a quick update to let everyone know that our team has arrived safely in Jeffreys Bay. The team has already united in a way no one really expected. We are getting to know each other and getting used to the area. We've already met a lot of the ministry coordinators and seen where we will be serving. Everyone is really excited to get started but we don't acctually start until Monday. Keep praying for the people we are going to meet, that their hearts will be ready for what God wants to do through this team. Thank you for all of your support and continual prayers. I miss and love you guys and will update when the ministries begin!!

Less Than 10 Days!

Originally posted on 8/29/08

God has continued to show me that this is where He wants me and that when I follow Him He will provide. Very shortly after I posted my last blog all of the concerns were washed away. I prayed for a miracle in the area of support and God did just that, within one day of the post the support was raised. That goes to show just how BIG our God is and how amazing my Church is! God used the loving and willing members of Arlington to bless this ministry. So much was given that people had to be turned away, Praise God!!!! I just want to thank everyone who has supported me so far in this ministry and continues to support me. Without your prayers and financial gifts this trip wouldn't be possible. God is going to do some amazing things, He already has. I can't thank you all enough for the way you've alliowed God to use you to bless my life and encourage me. May God pour out His blessing on you!

The trip is less than 10 days away and as it gets closer, my nerves begin to rise. I just ask that you will continue to pray for me and my team as we are leaping into the uncertainity of what is to come. Pray for strength, good health, and spiritual growth and keep those that we are going to meet in your prayers as well. Prayer truelly is one of our most powerful weapons against the attacks Satan is going to try. Your prayers play an important role in the difference that is going to be made in the lives of many!

I also wanted to give you an overview of what my trip will look like and also the address that you can use to mail letters...

*Training camp is from September 8th to September 15th, in Gainesville, GA at AIM's headquarters.

*We fly out on Sept. 15th and arrive in Jbay on Sept. 16th.

*We will all return on May 15th, 2009.

*My team consists of 41 people, including myself.

*I have 10 leaders.

*My team will be mainly working with Ithemba and Joshua's Project, in ministering to orphans and troubled children.

September to December: The Awakening:

Training camp: one week packed full of team building exercises, training, and orientation. We will be sleeping in cabins or tents, using portable toilets, etc. We will be roughing it!

Time alone with God: we have this every morning at the same time as everyone else.

One-on-one discipleship: I will be linked with someone who will help grow me up as a leader and a follower of Christ. They will be the same gender as me. I can expect a lot of prayer and accountability out of this. This relationship is alot about being honest about anything and everything. It is going to teach me alot of trust!

Large group discipleship: These are every morning. During this we go deeper into what it means to be a follower of Christ. We will have different discussions, teachings, worship, journaling, and praying with one another. Basically, we are seeking the Lord together!

Team Discipleship: Once a week we meet in smaller groups, our teams. We will go through different studies together. And this gives us an opportunity to grow closer as a team, as we will be working fairly close together.

Outreach ministry: Every afternoon I will be involved in ministry with my team. This will give us an opportunity to be involved hands on with people. These will vary from anything toworking with children in day care to doing street evangelism or working with a church.

Blogging: I will be blogging about once a week, depending on the internet access we will have. This is to talk about what I have learned and to keep updates posted for supporters, family, and friends. Stay updated by checking on here for updates!

Team Activity: Once a week, my team will have a dinner and a time of hang out just to have fun and relax together. It is supposed to be a restful break from the rest of the hectic week.

January to May: Outreach

Internship: 25-30 hours a week we will be involved in a specific ministry. My ministry focus is a prayerful choice. In most cases, we will choose from the ministry options already established. In most locations, people will be using public transportation to get around, which will usually require a lot of walking and living like the locals and the people we will be ministering to. We will still have team discipleship and group activities. I will still be blogging once a week. The only thing I won't be doing is having one-on-one discipleship.

Megan Kroeger
PO Box 921
Jeffreys Bay, 6330, South Africa

Support Update

Originally posted on 8/15/08

The time for me to leave for Africa is quickly approaching. My team will be meeting in Georgia for training camp in just 24 days. We will spend a week there getting to know each other, physically and spiritually preparing for the 9 months in Jeffrey's Bay. As the time gets closer, my excitement (and nerves) continues to grow. I know that God has such big things in store for this trip and I can't wait to join Him in the work He is already doing in South Africa. However, before I leave I must have 60% of my funds for this trip in my account and 40% in pledges. At the moment I have $2,100 in my account and $1,300 in pledges which leaves me $3,600 short of what I need. Without the funds in my account, I will not be able to leave with my group. I know that this is where God wants me so I know that He will take care of all my needs. I just ask that you will allow Him to use you in this ministry. Your gifts will go directly towards my trip which covers living costs and the ministry tools needed to help the orphans, widows, and AID patients we will be working with. God is at work in South Africa and I ask that you would prayerfully consider joining with me in ministering to the people Christ himself would have ministered to. If you're interested you can click the support me link on the left side of this page or e-mail me to get the form you can mail in by clicking the contact me link on the left side of the page. Thank you for allowing God to use you to meet the needs of those that are hurting in South Africa.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27

Moving Into Action

Originally posted on 8/7/08

I spent last week with my Church and many other Churches from around the US in Buffalo, New York. We went with an organization called World Changers. This is my favorite trip of all the trips we go on every year. It's just an amazing opportunity to share your faith by serving.

The one thing I love most about the organization is that it puts the focus of missions exactly where it needs to be. As Christians, we so often lose sight of the greatest commandment. John 13:34-35 says "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." We are called to share our faith through love. People should know what we believe by how we love one another.

During the week, we are put on different crews assigned to homes in the area that need work. We show our love for Christ by giving of our time and money to work on someone's house that can't afford it. You can only imagine the reactions you get to telling someone you paid to roof someone's house for a week. It shocks people to hear that someone would pay to do work for someone else and as a Christian that worries me. This is exactly what we should be doing, people shouldn't be shocked by the actions we do in love. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others. Christ has showed us love so that we may show others. As the Church, we should be doing more. We should be living our faith out daily by loving and serving others. It's about so much more than going to Church, singing the right songs, even saying the right words to people. It's about being the Church, worshiping with our lives, and loving beyond what words can do.

We learned a song in Buffalo that has become my prayer for not only myself but the Church...
God of Justice, Savior to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

We must go
Live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward, keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord

God has filled us up and continues to fill us up so that we may go. We should be constantly pouring our love, blessings and being into others. It's an everyday, everyway thing. We need to start acting upon what we believe and what we sing. Do we live life like our chains our gone? Do we live life like God is our King? Do we live life like were pressed but not crushed? Do we live life like He reigns? How can we expect others to know God and love God, if we don't love them enough to tell them with our wordsand our actions?