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2021-09-30

Belonging…

I started studying at the beginning of 2021.  Even though I can see the relevance and importance of sociology in the field I am pursuing, my heart lies with psychology.  One of my psychology modules brought my attention to Belonging…

What does belonging mean?  To belong is to be part of a group, with intimate relationships, to be felt understood, recognized and valued.  It is a place where you are known and know others and where you experience meaningful, mutual support.

Have you ever though what create belonging?  Here is four easy steps to create belonging which all of us so desperately need:
1. Be vulnerable.  Spend time on deepening intimacy and open yourself up to others. [Read More…]

2021-03-14

Speak life!

Did you know?  Noah built the ark without seeing any sign of rain, God called Abram, Abraham (father of a multitude) even before he only had one child.  Also did you know?  Moses had to stretch his rod over the sea, before the waters opened up!  
During August 2008 I have also stretched out my hand over the sea.  I declared that we will open a place of safety and I believed that Jaco and I will have many children, as the Lord has promised to us, before.  January 2009 Vessels of Mercy was inaugurated.  On 1 April 2010 we opened our first place of safety in Ikageng.  Up-to-date we have had 65 children in that house.
We have made an offer to purchase a house in town, close to Potchefstroom Hospital.  I believe with all my heart and soul that God will bless us and that we will look after twice as many children in that house.
I declare that Vessels of Mercy will be prosperous, it’s children shall be blessed, my own children and foster children shall be blessed above all peoples and we will possess the promised land as God has promised us in the passed 15 years.  Someone once said: “God’s word in your mouth is just as powerful as God’s word in His mouth!”  Therefor I will continue to speak life!!. [Read More…]

2021-02-26

As surely as the sun rises…

This past week I have been pondering on the faithfulness of God.  At the moment I am extremely excited about the house we are purchasing for Vessels of Mercy.  This made me think of a promise which God gave me a few years back during a worship session.  “As surely as the sun rises in the east, I will come through for you…”, God said directly into my heart.

As I am writing this post I am also looking through my Bible to previous promises such as the one I received in 2006:

“The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.  You will keep them and preserve them, O Lord.” (Ps.12:6,7).  

I just realize, again, how faithful Jesus has been all the years of my life!  Why would He leave me now?  Why would He stop being faithful?  He won’t…it is just a matter of me willing to trust Him.  I need to rest in Him, I need to trust that the purchase of this house will be successful, that He is faithful and that He is who He says He is…Thank you, Jesus!

Trusting and resting in Him,
Susan

2021-02-05

Fostering love, hope and trust is a long term commitment

Yesterday one of our babies that we fostered during the level 5 lock down, last year during April, came to visit.  I never thought that a wild bird would still be tame after seven months that it has been gone!  We raised this little dove since it was a baby still in the nest, for three months after which it was let go.  My son was playing with a bird trap, yesterday, and guess who he has trapped?!  Our little baby!

This made me think of a real life-story I heard from a foster parent a few months ago.

They have been fostering this girls since she was 13 years old.  When she left school she had a hard time adjusting and had many up’s and downs from which she had to be rescued by her foster parents.  Each time they would go and pick her up and bring her back home.  Up to such an extent that they came to a point where they wanted to give up on her.  At this point she met a wonderful man and married him.  They had a baby and he is taking care of them so well.  She has developed into a beautiful young adult and at last she became responsible and a contribution to society.  When I spoke to this foster parent, he just said: “I know now, that they will ALWAYS come back to you.”  This was so encouraging to me. [Read More…]

2021-01-31

Hugging the hedgehog…

My youngest recently got a hedgehog.  What an interesting creature!  When you look at the picture it is a very cute little fellow, but when trying to make friends it is quite another story!

Our little one is still a baby and we have had her for about two months now and we have not yet been able to tame her.  Every evening at 19:00 we wake her up and help her to get use to our smell, our voices and our touch.  My son wants her to get use to him so he would pick her up with a glove.  Since his hands are too small it is very difficult for him to carry her around, as she would fall out of his hands (and we only have one glove!).  As soon as we make sudden movement the little hedgehog will start huffing and puffing and sticking out her quells.  This can hurt quite a bit!

As I was reading another amazing book during this past weekend, I realized that our foster and adoptive children are so much like this cute little thing.  From a distance they are cute and cuddly and one wishes that one could pick it up and bond with it.  But as soon as one tries to connect, they would stick out their quells and start hissing as if they do not want you to touch their hearts. [Read More…]