http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org Denise Eckert - First Year Missionary en-us Tue, 8 Jul 2008 22:16:02 GMT 30 http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=it-is-better-described-in-pictures http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=it-is-better-described-in-pictures I want to thank everyone who has supported me this last year.  God has done more than I ever could have imagined.  He has taken my dreams and shown that He is even bigger.  Thank you again and again for all the prayers, encouragement and financial donations.    With the love of Christ dD Ephesians 3:7-12 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Althoug Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=babies-baptizing-and-goodbyes http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=babies-baptizing-and-goodbyes     I am proud to announce the birth of Thandoswe Minisi!  She was born on April 29 something am at home by Nozipho.   She is a strong women.  She was in the hospital over the weekend with birth pains.  She looked like she was going to pop.  We went to see her on both Sunday and Monday.   When we were there Monday they were sending her home.   She went home and had the baby early that morning with not much help.  You have to l Sun, 4 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=family-ministry-at-the-market http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=family-ministry-at-the-market Saturdays are the day of family ministry.  It basically means that we all go together usually to one of our internships to do something special.   This Saturday was my family ministry day.  I arose at the crack of dawn lol to start cooking.  We made more than sixty tortillas, Mexican rice, ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, plain yogurt, onions, hot sauce, homemade salsa and cookie bars.   Many many days they would buy we lunch with their offering Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=so-yebogod-healed http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=so-yebogod-healed Make Sackey. Tengetile, Pen man, NonhlanhlaJames 5:15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.On Wednesday we were finishing up the book of James.  As we were singing and worshiping I look up to see a man we call pen man standing in the market.  We met pen man one of the first days as we walked up the mountain behind our house.  He is mentally challenged and loves to draw on scraps with pens. Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=happy-birthday-abbyafrican-style http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=happy-birthday-abbyafrican-style     On Abby's birthday the ladies at the market went all out to bless her and throw her a surprise party.  They went to pick and pay and got 2 cakes, biscuits (cookies), maize puffs (like cheetos), apples, marshmallows, sweeties, and then one lady brought a papaya and some plums.  They got some kold drinks and juice mix.  They each gave her a present.  They made a banner and set up a table and we tied smiley face balloons on the tree. Little One (Taboni) kept tak Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=you-can-see-it-in-their-eyes http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=you-can-see-it-in-their-eyes This week has been crazy full of happenings.  Bible study has been awesome doing chapter four of James.  I can't believe how much the ladies are on fire... I mean honestly... like its crazy, it makes me want to cry in happiness for the work God has done in their hearts.  This last week fruit has been evident every time I interact with the ladies.  They will give encouraging words when things are hard, they don't gossip much any more.  The other day I was asking Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=walking-in-faith-some-more http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=walking-in-faith-some-more Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.  How do you walk by faith in a dry and lonely land?  How do you walk by faith when pain meets you the minute you leave your gate?  God has been challenging my heart in the area of faith again the last couple weeks.  I realize more the meaning of Hebrews 11:13 "All these people died still believing what God had promised them.  They did not receive what was promised them.  They sa Mon, 7 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=carnival-o-yeah-its http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=carnival-o-yeah-its On Saturday our team joined the Manzini FYM team to do a carnival for kids in the rural area. It was so much fun. About 175 kids showed up at the church. Many of these kids didn't speak English very well which always makes things interesting. We said a ton of Buya (come) and Kuhommba (go). We divided the kids into teams with a leader of a certain color. The teams started by going around to different stations. We had balloon hats, face painting, bobbing for apples, health stat Mon, 7 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=stinky-dirty-african-feet http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=stinky-dirty-african-feet John 13:1-17   14 & 15 "And since, I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you.  I tell you the truth slaves are not greater than their master.  Noris the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.   Humbleness.  How do you begin to grasp something that is so contrary to our nature?  God has taught me much over the last few Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=the-good-gifts-from-above-sometimes-come-in-pails http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=the-good-gifts-from-above-sometimes-come-in-pails Easter in America is full of Easter baskets, white chocolate animals, Easter eggs, flowers, chicks and bunnies. Easter in Africa is more about the church services and duty. The Easter season here was met with tons of religious spirit. The Easter season is only exciting for the kids in the fact they don't have school on Friday. At the market four of Nozipho's kids come every day. She has an older girl (10) who lives with her gogo. These kids have become my kids that I love so much. They a Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=aville-what-what http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=aville-what-what Last weekend we went back to South Africa for a short mid semester prayer retreat. It was so good to just relax and be poured into. We got to just sit and have time with Jesus. The best part was getting to see old friends. On Sunday afternoon we went into Atteridgeville (where I ministered last semester)! As we were walking into the main area we saw Ida. Ida is the cousin of Lawraine and Brenda. Ida walked us to their house and knocked (coack coack). They assumed it was just Ida coming o Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=faith http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=faith "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."- Isaiah 55:8-9Sometimes my heart doesn't understand what is going on in Swaziland.  Sometimes I don't get how the depth of poverty, HIV and drunkenness is effecting this country.   Then I remember God has thoughts of these people with love.  God has thoughts that these Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=join-the-awakening-discipleship-missions http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=join-the-awakening-discipleship-missions Awaken to the Adventure Disciples aren't born; they're made. It's a process that takes time, discipline, and God. In reality, it looks more like waking up than attending a class. As part of The Awakening, you can undergo a discipleship program like no other, experiencing four months of intense training in another country to prepare you for the ministry that awaits you for the rest of the year.Join The Awakening Your mornings will be spent in training and your afternoons Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=how-do-you-forgive http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=how-do-you-forgive Galatians 5:13-14 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. What does it look like to be free?  It looks like a servant.  A servant who willingly gives everything for the master IN LOVE.  This week we talked Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=freedom-and-the-hard-questions http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=freedom-and-the-hard-questions "So Christ has truly set us free.  Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Gal. 5:1The bible study has more turned into a church.  So, we have church at noon Tuesday-Friday under the tree in front of the market.  I love watching as people just bring their stool/chair/water container ect.  to sit on and join in the singing.  We are going through the book of Galatians and it is cool to see how freedom is affecting their hearts.I Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=ngisikhuluma-kancane-siswati http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=ngisikhuluma-kancane-siswati Ngisikhuluma kancane siSwati... I only speak a little siSwati! Yet, I am learning tons and tons everyday. I can not believe I have only been here for a little over 3 weeks. I have become more and more a part of the Swazi culture. My ladies who are in my daily bible study teach me siSwati for an hour everyday. It also helps me to be trusted and respected because I am trying to learn the language. A huge difference this week in the bible study was the word of God! Thank you to the family tha Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=the-hard-stuff http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=the-hard-stuff We lost a abandoned baby that lived at the hospital today.  He was not being taken care of by the staff so Melissa and Amber had been waking up at the crack of dawn to go to the hospital to make sure he got food.  He stopped breathing today at 1:47...Amber was right there reading her bible looks up and he wasn't breathing anymore.  He was 3 years old and found about a month ago abandoned in a locked house.  He was the size of an infant...malnutriened...to death...  Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=i-will-give-you-a-good-price-a-good-price http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=i-will-give-you-a-good-price-a-good-price  (the cute kids who's mom is in my bible study got to love Crayola) This week I began my internship.  During my trip to Swaziland in September our team had visited a market we like to call the mile long market.  That day I sat with a Lady named Nonhlanhla Matsebula meaning Lucky.  We talked for forty minuets about Jesus.  It was a deep soul inspiring and joyful time.   Our house ends up being just a quick ride on public to the market.  I went to the marke Sat, 2 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=swaziland http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=swaziland Just a quick note to update you all on my life.  Last Saturday we drove to Swaziland and we finally arrived home.  The house is beautiful and perfect....though we lack electricity and water.  This would be one thing if we were in a rondaval and had a spicket to get water from.  We have had to buy bottled or fill up buckets.  We are praying that the people come today!  Ministry internships are starting to be found.   It is so good to be getting more into a Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=god-grants-blessings-in-the-craziness http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=god-grants-blessings-in-the-craziness Since we are unable to go to Kenya we returned to Alabanza outside of Pretoria to stay till we leave for Swaziland. I WENT TO ATTERIDGEVILLE ON WEDNESDAY! It was so good to be back. We had to take public. We walked a ways down the road till a kumbi came by. All our cubbies are broken down all.  We went to the cresh and the ladies were like O, putting their hands to their mouth and screaming. They were so surprised. It was so good to see Magdalene and Martha. I missed kissing African women Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=off-to-swaziland-anywhere-you-ask-christ http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=off-to-swaziland-anywhere-you-ask-christ Since the recent happenings in Kenya the decision has been made not to be sent there. It's so so hard on my heart to not be there when the people need it so much. God has been teaching me billions of things about following. As soon as I found out Kenya was a mess my heart broke. I have been fasting and praying for the last 2 weeks like never before. I said that God was going to teach me to intercede in prayer during Holiday. Well, it happened in a different way then I expected. Peace, O how Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=please-join-me-in-fasting-and-praying-for-the-kenyan-violence http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=please-join-me-in-fasting-and-praying-for-the-kenyan-violence Psalm 34:1-10 I will praise the Lord at all times.I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord;let all who are helpless take heart.Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;let us exalt his name together.I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.He freed me from all my fears.Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;he saved me from all my troubles. For Thu, 3 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=free-falling-off-a-cliff http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=free-falling-off-a-cliff  "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faiththat you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=christmas-in-africa http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=christmas-in-africa      Christmas in Africa was amazing.  I watched the sunrise over the ocean, had a large breakfast, I cooked Christmas dinner with all the fixings and even went to church.  Church was really the best part.    I then went to church at Atimba in the township. It made me realize why I am in Africa on Christmas. By this time it was raining, cloudy and grey It was awesome to be out in the township. We went and walked through the mud and creepy drunk men Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=let-us-press-on-to-know-the-lord http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=let-us-press-on-to-know-the-lord Hosea 6:1-3 "Come, let us return to the LORD;   for he has torn us, that he may heal us;   he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.After two days he will revive us;   on the third day he will raise us up,   that we may live before him.Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;   his going out is sure as the dawn;he will come to us as the showers,   as the spring rains that water the earth."  &nbs Fri, 7 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=pictures http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=pictures The Kenya Girls that where at Thanksgiving. We are missing Nicole, Joie and MichelleLorraine, Innocinthia, Lawrain, Brendon (I'm holding) Me and In front BrendaThis is my core group in A-ville. I miss them...I'm holding Innocinthia who as always fell asleep in my arms. Brendon is plauing around and singing next to me. We are on the way to a mall for a last day celebration with the ladies.Atteridgeville Hill on the side of the cresh we work at. I once climbed to the very tip top to pray. It Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=i-was-left-at-the-menlyn-mall http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=i-was-left-at-the-menlyn-mall     God this weekend taught me His character to be truth.  O yes I have known His character for many years.  Yet this weekend He demonstrated the way He is to me by experience.  This experience is so intense that I don't know if my words can describe what Christ taught my heart.  On Saturday I got left at Menlyn Mall.  This is a mall that is larger than almost all the malls I have been to in the states.  This mall is dangerous, big, far from home and Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=thanksgiving-and-moving-to-jefferys-bay http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=thanksgiving-and-moving-to-jefferys-bay AIM Jeffrey's BayPO Box 912Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa 6330 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=learning-to-click http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=learning-to-click November 10th-    God has been teaching me to obey no matter how small or big.  Sometimes He speaks in definitive ways that are easier to understand.  Right now in my life it seems to not be that kind of direction.  God has been leading me with small words, and asking me to step out on faith.  I have been praying and working through getting to India over Holiday.  Right now I sit with out a visa or plane ticket.  I have no idea if God is going to come Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=kenya-here-i-come http://deniseeckert.myadventures.org/?filename=kenya-here-i-come Hi, From AfricaThere is so much to say, so little time to write and a billion ways to say it! God has been at work not only in my own heart but in the heart of my whole team. This weekend we had missionary boot camp :) It was really really beyond reason hard, yet rewarding. Christ came through in everyone of our weaknesses and struggles. God has broken us yet lifted us up. The teams were formed this weekend. I will be going to Kenya next semester. Our team is amazing! We are - Abby, Chelsea, JB, Tue, 6 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT