I left my comfy job as an ICU nurse in America to spend 6 months in South Africa working as a volunteer nurse in a longterm HIV/AIDS care center. I have no idea what God has planned for me but this is me sharing my stories and adventures along the way.







Saturday, December 25, 2010

THE GIFT

When I first became a Christian I didn't share it with anyone and I kept it to myself.  Before I knew it I was back to my old life again and God was put off out of mind.  Two years ago I gave my life back to God.  I always think that's funny to say because I have life because of Him.  Who am I to be so kind to give it back to Him.  But you get the point.
This time I was again shy about sharing it and worried what everyone would think.  Sounds ridiculous now.  I am sharing this because recently one of my patients "Bob" came to us because of cancer that was rotting through the floor of his mouth.  We all knew his prognosis was poor but expected him to be able to live a while longer and be able to go home at some point.  Bob had been talked to about his beliefs and we found how he didn't know Jesus.  He said he believed in a "higher power" but not in Jesus.  We thought he had time to find out the truth.  Bob died Sunday.  My heart broke.  I didn't do my part in helping him find the Lord.  I will live with that forever. 
So in sharing that with you all I want to say this loud and clear for all to hear.  There is a higher power and His name is Jesus Christ.  He is my saviour and He rules my life.  I have accepted Him and He has promised me salvation, an eternal life in Heaven with Him one day.  Without Jesus there is eternal life but in eternal pain and darkness in Hell.  I want to share this with anyone listening so that there may be a chance for you as well .  I don't want anymore "Bob's" out there to slip away because I didn't stand  up and tell the "Good News" of Jesus.
Those of you who knew me when know what a crazy messed up person I was.  I drank all I wanted whenever I wanted.  I had relations with men whenever I chose to and without apology.  My life got so crazy I even found myself spending a night in jail.  I knew about Jesus then but I wasn't ready to change my life.  I was too busy being "cool".  Well how cool is it in jail, worried about losing your nursing license which is your livelihood , not knowing what you did the night before and wondering why people are mad at you, waking up the next day wondering who this person is beside you.  Wondering most of all what would happen to me if I died in my sleep.  Where would I spend my eternity.  I knew the answer to that.  Finally through the prayers of my sister who is a believer I went to church with her one night and realized this life wasn't working for me.  I remember saying "okay Lord you win, I can't do this anymore". 
I know that's a bit personal to share but if it helps just one of you then it's worth it.  I built this testimony so I have to share it.  Life doesn't become perfect the second you become a Christian and neither do you.  It still takes work but it's truly the best job I've ever had.  And it comes with instructions: that big book that says "Holy Bible". 
This holiday season take a moment to think about why we really celebrate Christmas.  Can you imagine having a son that you loved so much and knew he would die for a world of people most of whom were full of sin and badness?  Could you let your son die for people like this?  "For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son (John 3:16).  Jesus knew of me.  He knew what bad things I would do and could be capable of doing but He still loved me anyway and died for me.  And for you as well.  He is not far from you.  He's standing right beside of you just waiting for you to accept Him and to ask him to be the saviour over your life. I pray for all of you who don't know the Lord.  I pray that you will let him into your life.  My life is changed in ways I can't do justice to in describing.  The thing I feel most of all is peace.  I can close my eyes at night and know if God grants me another day on Earth then that's great.  But should I not wake up again on this side I will awaken in Paradise.


So that's my gift to all.  I am declaring to all who read this that yes I am a big fat Christian, a Jesus Freak if you will.  I'm proud to say it out loud and am sorry I wasn't before.  I ask that God may continue to bless you all and hope that you find your peace. Have a very Merry Christmas and an amazing new year to come.
Blessings and love from South Africa,
Tracy
P.s: all it takes is a simple prayer to receive Christ.  It goes like this: Lord I give you my sins and I ask you to become Lord and Saviour of my life.  I believed you died for me.  Please be with me and guide my life. 
It's that easy!  Then find yourself a good Bible based church and follow His word.   I'll be praying for you

Thursday, December 9, 2010

I'm dreaming..of a Red Christmas....








There's a line in a song from the 80's called "Do they know it's Christmas?" asking if the children in Africa really know about Christmas.  Well yes they sure do.  And like us it's a time when you get treats only from Father Christmas instead of Santa.                                                                                                       Tuesday I got  to be a part of a Christmas party for the kids in Red Hill township.   Some of my favorite children I might add.  I thought I was just going to go and play but I found my Living Hope friends putting me to work!  It was worth every minute of it.  
 I got to help pass out the Christmas treats to the preschool kids and if you could have see their faces as we gave each of them 3 different gift bags.  Words don't do it justice.  They were so grateful for simple gifts.  One bag contained candy (1lollipop, 5 small pieces of toffee, 2 pieces of taffy like candy, one chocolate, one packet of some candy I don't know and one small pack of Nik Naks(our version of cheetos). The second bag had a wash cloth, a visor, a toothbrush and toothpaste and I think some soap and the third bag was either a Barbie themed toy for girls and a super hero for the boys.  Sounds simple huh?  I thought to myself what an American kid would say if they got that as a gift.These kids acted as if you gave them a Playstation or a Wii.  It was very sweet but sad at the same time.

I liked Christmas as a kid but was sad at times because I knew the stress it put on my mom to have to buy us presents.  I loved Christmas as I got older because I had plenty of money to buy presents for my friends and family.  I dreaded Christmas the last few years as I realized how much it's gotten away from what it's supposed to be about.  I've been guilty of that many times.  This year I realize my greatest gift is the promise of eternal life.  You can't get it on Ebay, you can't get it at the mall, you can't even buy it at Walmart!  But I can tell you where to get it................................

Merry Christmas to you and may God bless you every day of the year and especially on Christmas.  Jesus truly is "the reason for the season".  
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" Matthew 1:21.

Tracy

Friday, December 3, 2010

A PLACE LIKE THIS

It's 5 pm and I have not done a word of charting on a single patient.  In my old work life this would make me stressed and probably stay way past my shift.  Then I remember I left that life for a place like this.

I am sitting outside at 5pm with my feet up on a bench and beginning to chart my patient assessments.  The breeze is blowing and in the background the ladies (carers) I work with are singing to the patients.  Very loudly I might add.  But it is truly one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. For just a moment nothing else matters.  I'm sitting there with a big goofy grin on my face and thinking, I'm in Africa.  God has granted me another day on this earth, I am very happy, I am not stressed and I am working for an amazing organization and feel I am doing some good here.

Today I answered the phone to find the founder of Living Hope, John Thomas, on the other end of the line.  I wish all of you could have the chance to meet him once.  Or actually you better not because he has a way of making you fall in love with Living Hope and you end up a missionary!  He spent the whole conversation thanking me for giving up my life at home and coming here to help them in the Health Care Center.  The thanks actually goes to him because if he had not been given a calling from God this place, this wonderful place and organization would never have happened.  I encourage any of you who haven't read their story please in your spare time go to livinghope.co.za.  It really is an amazing story.  And if you are ever looking for somewhere to donate your funds I can't think of a better place for you to do it.

Today Father Christmas came to visit the patients and gave them goodies.  It was very sweet.  Not matter what age you are, what color you are (you'll see why I say this if the picture downloads) or where you live, Santa Claus or whatever you call him can still bring a smile to your face.
Thank you Lord for this day and thanks to all my supporters out there for helping to make this possible.  I wish you could all experience this with me but for now I'm glad to do it for you!    Luke 1:49 He who is mighty had done great things for me, holy is His name.
Tracy
Tracy