freeeedommmm!

about a week and a half ago, I was relaxing on a lazy, anticipated Saturday morning. It was quiet as usual. Our favorite day of the week. I leaned over to my bed lamp and pulled the string and as one would expect it should have turned on. I pulled it a few more times, yet I found no success in achieving any form on artificial light. We all very quickly realized the power was out. Our power went out a few times before and came back on a few hours later, so why should this time be any different. We weren't worried. Later, I went up to the dining hall and overheard one of our leaders telling some trainees that she suspects that the power lines were stolen - a common theft in South Africa. With surprised looks on our faces we asked when the electricity was expected to be back on. She said there is no way we will know for sure. It could be a few hours to a few days. I then found out all of our hippos (huge barrels of water) run off of electricity so without it, we have running water. Hours past and there was no sign of electricity. We found out that the suspicions were true... someone stole many power lines and 2 transformers. I guess they were willing to get electrocuted... Saturday passed and on sunday we were told not to flush toilets or take showers. I found it pretty funny and saw it as an adventure. Others weren't as happy as I was. If we wanted to flush toilets or take showers, we would have to walk down to the hippos and run the water manually. We then would bring it back up and pour it in the toilet to flush it. Innovative! We finally got out power back Monday Afternoon and running water by Monday Evening. But it was definitely an adventure!

God has been working so much in my life! I have been going through an intensive healing program that takes you through your past and leads you on a journey with Jesus to heal from the hurts and the pains of the past. It has gotten pretty intense this past week. The Lord showed me so much and delivered me from even more bondage! Praise God! At the end of the healing module we actually had a chance to take the sins that the Lord revealed to us and write them down on a piece of paper that looked like a drop of blood.  Then we could literally nail them to the wooden cross. The sound of the nails going through the wood was intoxicating. It brought tears and a smile to my face. :) Then we got to burn them to symbolize that "it is finished" just like Jesus said right before He died on the cross. It was phenomenal! :D Thank you Lord! That alone brought so much freedom! And I feel so free! PRAISE GOD!!! :) 

During my trips at the mall I visited a book shop to find some postcards. The cashier realized  very quickly that my friend and I (who is also from the US) is not from SA. She asked us where we were from and started asking questions and told us a lot about SA. At the end of our conversation, We asked hwere we could find wifi and a good cup of coffee. She directed us to the spot I am sitting right now :) Very casually and jokingly both of the sweet women said "hey, while you're at it, you could buy me a cup." THey were totally kidding and didn't expect anything. WHen I left I saw a great moment to build relationships and bless someone. So when we got to House of Coffees I bought 2 cups of coffee and took it to them. THey were completely stunned and felt very blessed. WHen I came back today, I went back and they were both there. I was able to talk to them a little bit more. THey were very excited to see my friend Jenny and me. I started asking how they were doing and got to listen to their stories of their daily lives. I feel so blessed. I asked them what I can pray for and they were very honest. Hope asked for her son's sickness and finances and Michelle asked for her legs which have been hurting her for quite sometime because she is always on her feet working. I see a God moment in that one alone! So excited to see what God is going to do! ANd I see close relationships building already! We promised we would be back every week to see them and listen to them more! Please br praying for both Michelle and Hope (both south africans) for healing and financial blessings!!!

That is all I have time for now, but I look forward to updating more later! Please email me at bekah.cheely@om.org! I would love to hear how you all are doing!!!

In Christ,

Beks!