Thoughts...

Here are some things I have been chewing on for a while now...

I think my favorite thing about being here is just getting to sit and hear people's stories. Everyone has a story, both here and back home, and it seems that just about everyone wants someone who will listen. I love to hear about where people come from and what things have happened in their lives to bring them to where they are today. It is also really cool to be able to show people that God also has a story and how they can fit into God's story. Most people have a hard time really understanding how much God does love them and how much He wants to be a part of their story as well. However, it is really amazing to see when people finally do accept God's love for them! They are completely changed by this amazing love that none of us can fully understand!

Last week I went to an AIDS orphanage and spent the day caring for the babies. There were 2 four-month-olds there who they just found out were HIV NEGATIVE!!! This was totally amazing and these babies will probably be adopted!! Also, there was an 11-day-old who was SO precious! He won't be able to be tested for a couple of months because the babies have to be 3 months old to be tested for HIV. I spent most of the day praying that he would not have it. It was really hard to see the other children though, knowing that they will die young because of this disease that was passed to them by their parents. However, I know that my time there just caring for and loving on them will make a difference. I want them to know that God loves them more than anything and that I love them too.

There are so many thing here that are much like home. It is a big city and so much is the same. However, this is still Africa and there are still thousands dying everyday from AIDS. My heart breaks for this place and these people. Why aren't we as the body of Christ doing more for these people? Why is there so much wealth in America while little babies here are dying from preventable diseases? I just can't understand the mindset that we live under. What has gone so wrong in our hearts that we let this happen and then stand by and do virtually NOTHING to help these people? Where are Jesus' hands and feet? How can we sit by and NOT be broken by this? How can I go home in couple of months and resume my normal life while these babies are dying? How can I have been so complacent for so long?

Abiding in Him

Good Morning Friends!!

This has been another week of abiding in the the Lord's grace! We have been busy as usual but enjoying everyday.

My time at St. Vincent School for the Deaf is going well. Last week I was able to spend a good deal of time interacting with the kids. I am starting to understand more and more of what they are saying to me. This week I am going on Tuesday instead of Thursday. Please pray for Kim, the teacher I am working with. She really has a heart for seeing those kids come to know the Lord. Pray that the kids would be able to see the LOVE of Jesus in her life. Also, pray that her Bible studies with them would be fruitful and productive.

I am teaching the kindergarten class at Aurora on Wednesdays and that is going well. I am starting to know the kids a little better and they are starting to warm up to me as well. Although I spend most of the day with the youngest kids, during the break times, the older girls always ask me to tell them stories. I was able to share the Gospel with several of the grade 6 and 7 girls this week. Please pray that they would really come to understand the LOVE that Jesus has for them in a life-changing way.

Friday nights are youth nights at the church. I have really been enjoying my time with the kids and with the youth. This week we are having a big event and I am sharing my testimony. Please pray for me as I prepare for this time. Also, please pray that the Lord would be softening the hearts of the kids so they will be receptive to hearing the good news of Jesus!

Easter weekend, Amanda and I are hoping to go to Cape Town with Faslune and her family. Please pray for us as we make plans for this. We are currently pricing tickets and are hoping to find some that are within our price range. Their family is driving but there isn't room in the car for us. Please pray that we will be able to find cheap tickets.

We are continuing to meet more and more people in the apartment complex and the Lord is giving us amazing opportunities for building relationships with those people. Please keep praying for us to have boldness as we seek to share the love of Jesus with these people.

I am currently looking for jobs for August. Please pray for me as I am doing that. I want to teach where the Lord's wants me to teach.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Please let me know how I can be praying for you as well. I love you and miss you!

Sending my love from Africa,
Nikki Lutes

Just a Quick Note

Hello Friends!

This has been a crazy and hectic week but the Lord has been faithful in answering prayer and flexing His power! Here are a few points to pray over and I will write a more detailed post next week.

- Ministry at the school for the Deaf on Thursday
- Work with the children at the church on Friday
- Teaching the kindergarten class at Aurora on Wednesday
- Ministry within the apartment complex has started really picking up so pray that I would have time to spend with my new friends there and that they would see the love of Jesus through me.
- Please pray against the attacks of the enemy that have been bombarding our team
- Team unity
- Please pray for the relationships that are forming with the other young adults at the church
- My ATM card was lost yesterday and a new one will soon be in the mail. Please pray for it to arrive quickly.
- I am beginning to apply for jobs for the Summer and Fall. Please pray for the Lord's will in both of these things.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! I love and miss you all!

Sending my love from Africa,
Nikki Lutes