One step at a time, one page at a time.

As I sit overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from my patio in Cape Town, South Africa, I am reflecting on the past three months that Ian and I have been on sabbatical. It seems that our time has been broken into segments that naturally occurred. First we had time to focus on our family (Beck’s birth and Chloe’s move to Dubai). Then we had time to focus on rest, and then restoration was added to that. Next was a time to focus on fun in Florida followed by a time to get together with friends of Heart for Africa to talk about the future of our 400+ children. 

We are spending our last 2+ weeks in Cape Town, South Africa, where we overlook the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy more local seafood and farm to table fresh food. I don’t think we have eaten anything processed since we got here, and it has been glorious. They say that Africa can really get under your skin, and never leaves your heart, and that is very true. That is why we wanted to finish our time of rest on African soil, enjoying the beauty of the land and the people.

While this time of rest has been rejuvenating and wonderful, it has also given us time to continue to pray about the future for our children and Project Canaan. There are days that this assignment is overwhelming and the questions of “what happens in the future” are daunting and never-ending. But we know that the Lord has a plan, and that He did not rescue these children from pit latrines, riverbeds or garbage dumps to abandon them when they are older. 

We are working on plans for the Project Canaan Academy High School, which starts in January 2025 (!), but it must be designed with the end in mind. What will our children do after high school? How many will actually be able to finish high school? Where will they get jobs in a country with 70%+ unemployment? Where will they live? All of these things spin through our heads on a daily basis, until we have to turn it off and remind each other that God has a plan, and His plans are perfect. We are not to worry or be afraid. We are only to listen, obey and do whatever we are told to do next.  

Ian often tells the story that God has only given us one page at a time, because if He HAD told us that we would be parents to 417 children (with more coming) and be employers of 450 people, we likely would have run to the closet and hidden, frozen by our own fears. Instead, He has been gracious in giving us only the details that we need, when we need them. He has sent the people to advise, partner with, volunteer or work with us just when we needed them, and then redirects them when their season is finished. We are grateful for every person He has brought to be a part of this great adventure.

As we prepare to head back to work on May 6th we need to continue reminding each other to take one step at a time, turn one page at a time, and trust Him in all things. He will provide the funds for the high school, in His time. He will send the high school headmaster, teachers, counselors and coaches, all in His time. 

Matthew 25:25-26 says: 

Maybe you needed that reminder today too.

Janine