Rejoicing in the trials

This week hits the one month mark since we left South Africa. In a sense it feels like we have always been here yet every morning I wake up thinking I am still in Hillcrest and it takes me a second to remember that we aren't.

This blog post is a bit of a tough one for me to write because these last two weeks have been incredibly trying for us. I am not the kind of person who moans and likes to let everyone know when we are struggling. But in my very first blog I wrote that this would be a place where I would be honest and open about our journey :) (blush) so yes, its been a very hard week. Pete starts school tomorrow and it seems like everything; including the paw paw; has hit the fan lately. We know where and why its like that... intense opposition means we are obviously doing something right eh?

Rejoice in trials for they are a testing of your faith...

So after a very long and frustrating search, we finally found a Toyota Camry with a relatively "ok" mileage of 130 000 miles...yes miles. (Yup, every car we looked at within out price range had almost 200 000 miles on the clock. Shucks deluxe!)
When we saw this car at the Toyota dealership, it had just come in and we had to make a decision about buying it that afternoon, otherwise it would be taken quickly. The reason why we hesitated was because it was $1000 over our budget. The Rand was not in a good place and we felt a little confused as we had really been praying for a car within our budget but it was proving to be very difficult. At this stage, the more money we spend, the less time we have to live here; and we are really believe we are here to stay for 2 years.
That afternoon I went for a walk and asked God what He had for us and what He wants us to do. I felt Him whisper, "Lisa do you trust Me?" "Yes Lord." "Then spend the money, get the car and I will handle the rest."
GULP, I walked inside and Pete called the dealership.

Three days later Pete noticed the coolant fluid was empty after it had just been filled the day we got the car. So we took the car back and they said they would have a look at it and let us know. Straight after that happened SARS lets us know that they are going to audit our tax return this year. Thanks for that!!
So we had to source all our docs while we are half way across the world!

Then Katie got sick and when she gets sick, she does it properly! As a mother I felt very helpless and worried being out of our usual comfort zones and our usual support systems. We don't know any doctors here and we aren't familiar with the medicines either. We went to a walk in clinic that is for low or no income earners. We aren't medically covered in the USA and we told them we are not allowed to earn money while we are living here and we are living on savings and they allowed us to see a doctor for free (praise God). Turns out our poor child's ear drum was about to burst! The three days after that visit we had to go back to the clinic twice as she had major fevers and an allergic reaction to the medicine they prescribed - she had a rash all over her body and her face and throat was swollen - and Amy got a nasty cold and ear infection too.
Then we got a call from Toyota saying that our car has a blown head gasket and it would cost $3000 to repair! Pete and I looked at each other feeling totally discouraged and exhausted.

Again I say REJOICE!!

NO! Anger rose up in me like a volcano and I refused to let this take our joy, rest and our peace!
We had a family prayer time and we asked God to handle all this because He is our Defender and our Protector; our Healer and our Saviour. HE called us and HE will sustain us because we are HIS and not   ruled by the world and the things of the world. We lifted our heads and chose to rejoice in this time because every morning when we wake up, the enemy gets scared! Yeeehhaaa! I actually want to do flick flacks when I type this. Gods children are victorious in everything.

So yes, that has been our week so far. We wait and see what God does and we will be fine. Little Katie is on the mend in Jesus name and our car will be a blessing and not a curse! We spoke to the salesman and he said he will see what he can do with regards to fixing it.

Thank you to everyone who has held us in prayer and supported us.

I keep hearing the words of my God... "Lisa do you trust Me?" And I do with all my heart....