Our Ocean Adventure

When Londiwe and I finished our study on the Book of John, 

we decided to do something fun together.

So we went down to the Indian Ocean.

It is only about a 45 minute drive from my house.

Londiwe does not get to see the ocean very often.

Here in South Africa, alot of families, English and Zulu alike, 

will go down to the beach over the holidays.

Remember, our seasons are opposite of yours,

so Christmastime will be Summertime.

We enjoyed: walking along the shore, picking up seashells, exploring the rocks,

having a picnic lunch, and playing in the sand.

After lunch, we spent time in God's Word, 

sharing what He has been teaching us from our personal devotions.

I turned around at one point and there was Londiwe writting in the sand.

What did she write?

She wrote: 

"Gina and Londiwe are one".

What does that mean?

It means that -

1. She sees us as friends, 

which we are

2. She doesn't see a cultural or ethnic barrier between us, 

which is true

3. She feels that she has grown in the Lord,

 which she has

4. She feels like we are both moving on with the same goal -

 to win others to the Lord and help them grow too,

 which is true!

Londiwe could have written anything in the sand, but she chose to write that.

There it was written in the sand for the whole world to see.

While we were there, I noticed that people would stop and watch us.

I mentioned this to another South African missionary.

She said that they were probably confused or wanted to understand what they saw.

They saw a white American young woman laughing, playing, singing,

 and reading Scripture with a young Zulu woman.

The two of us were thoroughly enjoying ourselves.

Although, South Africa has been free from an apartaid rule for some time now,

it is still very much followed.

It is never common to see a white person in the tribal area.

The Zulu people only work for the whites in their homes and buisnesses.

they work as maids, garden workers, truck drivers, 

store cashiers, cleaning ladies,....

Only on a rare occasion will you see a white person with a Zulu.

This was one of those "rare" (and precious) occassions.

I love the ocean, sand, waves - I was surprised by this wave

 while Londiwe was taking my picture.

For me, it was also a good day to get away and enjoy the sunshine and ocean.

While I was growing up, my family would go to Virginia a few times each year.

As an adult, I cherished those times that we could go to the ocean. 

When I was finishing high school, I wanted to be an oceanographer.

So I began studying, but the Lord got ahold of me 

and led me into ministry instead.

It was such a blessing for both of us to get away

 from the normal surroundings of life

and reflect on all that the Lord taught us from the Book of John.

Thanks you for praying for our Bible Study times.

We are now studying the Book of I John.

We meet every Wednesday from 1:30-4:30/5pm.

A Promise & Blessings

For over a month now one of my dear friends from a church in MD

 has been asking me to come back to visit her church before I leave for the mission field. 

 Her and "the girls" (what I call them) wanted us to all get a chance to spend some time together. 

 Last weekend, I did not have a scheduled meeting,

 so I attended their church (one of my supporting churches).

As I headed out to visit my praying supporters at Hunt Valley Baptist Church in MD, 

I rounded a corner and saw a beautiful rainbow.

God placed that in the sky for each of us that day.

How does God speak to you through a rainbow?

Rainbows always remind me of God's promises.

I asked the Lord, as I drove, "Lord, what promise can I claim from You today?"

The promise that He brought to me was -

Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

"I am with you always"...

What a promise!

He is always with me,

as I make phone calls,

schedule meetings,

drive long distances,

make important, life changing decisions,

choose what to leave behind when packing for the mission field,

and today,

as I drove yet another distance

to attend a church pastored by my old youth pastor,

 attended by dear old friends and new ones...

What promises would He fulfill in my life today?

In my mind, I was going to update my praying friends 

on how my support was coming along,

get to catch up on how my friends are doing,

 and of course spend some quality time with "the Girls".

God had a better plan!

As soon as I got out of the car in the church parking lot, a dear little boy came running to me all excited, because he was getting baptized.

That is exciting!

I was blessed to be able to see, not only him, but 6 others baptized that day!

In the lobby, I found some dear friends to chat with.

Like me, they too were excited that I will be leaving soon for South Africa.

HVBC Missions Wall

One of my favorite young ladies was so excited to see me.

She asked how I was and chatted away to me 

(I believe God will use her in missions one day).

She informed me that they were having a special day in the bus ministry 

and she could not talk long because her mother needed her help.

To make a long story a little shorter,

I ended up helping a little with their bus ministry.

They were doing special breakfast treats for their special program

 and needed help pouring the juice.

What a blessing to have so many kids in one place!

I guess I feel more at home with the children 

and long for my new ministry among the Zulu kids in South Africa.

A great challenge was given from God's Word.

I think 4 kids responded to the invitation.

While my head was bowed, a hand reached up and tapped me on the shoulder,

"Would you come and talk with one of these girls?"

Would I ???  Of course!!!!

I had the priviledge to lead a young lady named Mackenzie to the Lord!

God's promise to be with me was true!

I don't know about you, but whenever I go through the Scriptures, 

while leading a child to Christ,

 I am always praying on the inside- "Lord, please help them 

to understand Your Word and to believe in their heart".

You know, Mackenzie was just so ready.  

She had been coming on the bus for a while now and knew she needed to be saved.

No, she does not understand everything in the Bible,

but she had the faith of a little child (Mt. 18:2-5; 19:13,14).

After Sunday School, I quickly went upstairs 

(a little late because of talking with Mackenzie).

I was blessed to sit in a pew with a new family

 (at least new since I had been there 2 yrs. ago).

It was great to hear Pastor Bottrell preach again and to be in a growing church.

the "Girls" at our picnic lunch

For lunch, "the Girls" and I went out to Oregon Ridge Park

for a picnic lunch.

We had a delicious spread, lots of laughs and blessed fellowship.

They are truly my "sisters".  I love the times we spend together!

Me & "the Girls"

It is always a delight to serve the Lord.

These ladies are also faithful servants at their church.

I guess that is why we like to spend time together, because we have alot in common!

The full outcome of my day was truly unexpected, but I saw the Lord work 

and His promises fulfilled.

Addicted to Youth Ministry

   

For the last 18 years I have had a part in youth ministry.

If you have any part in youth ministry, you know that it has lots of drama.

Some days you love working with teens,

 and other days you never want to see another teen again.

Oh, the DRAMA!!!

My favorite years during my experience in youth ministry

were those that I served with this faithful group of interns.

(this picture is over 5 years old)

They were "my kids"!!!

We lived on the campground together,

 played together, worked hard together,

played harder together, sang together,

laughed together, cried together,

did devotions together,...

Those were the days!!!

When you work with teens, you wonder,

"how many will continue to serve the Lord?"

God only requires us to be faithful to His ministry.
It is not our responsibility to make anyone do anything.


I am happy to say that most of the teens
in that picture are serving the Lord!


Today, there is one in particular that I want to tell you about.
His name is Steve.

Steve has a great family.  

His dad works with the youth at their church in New Jersey.  

Like his dad, Steve also has a burden for youth ministry.  

He feels God leading him to be a youth pastor one day.

Steve has a great relationship with God, his parents, his pastor, and is involved in ministry.  God is certainly  using all of his years 

of hard work and service to prepare him for future ministry.

This Wednesday, I was asked to speak to their youth group.

There were between 65-70 in attendance, with some visitors.

As I began to speak, more teens came in.  It was standing room only.

What a thrilling experience.

As I spoke, the teens watched and listened intently 

to descriptions of my ministry in South Africa and an object lesson 

(which I will share with you in the near future).

I saw Steve again this evening.  

He told me with tears in his eyes just how blessed he was.

This evening at the camp chapel was a special testimony time called 

"Share the Gift".

It is a time when the staff, interns and campers get a chance to share with each other how they accepted the "gift" of salvation and how God has changed thier lives.

Steve was taken back at how many of his past campers

shared that they were saved in his cabin.

He was so blessed to hear how they had grown in the Lord.

After he left, I thought how blessed I was to be able to hear him explain to me how he was so overwhelmed with being used by the Lord in others' lives.  How blessed each and everyone of us are.

Like me, he is addicted to youth ministry.  

18 years in youth ministry and counting!

Take a look at some of the youth that 

I will get to work with when I finally get to South Africa -

(Me and Londiwe)

(Friday Kids' Club)

(Young Ladies Bible Study)

Already, I can say, "I have no greater joy
than to hear that my children walk in truth.  III John 1:4".
May the Lord bless  each of us (who serve in Youth Ministry)
with many years of blessings.

Kid's Thanksgiving Craft

Every year in our 4&5 yr. old Master's Club class, we teach the children about the first Thanksgiving.  It is a great chance to explain to the children how God takes care of His people.  We tell them how God went before the pilgrims and allowed Squanto to learn the English language.  I am sure that this was a time in his life where it didn't seem that God was there to take care of him.  Later God greatly used that indian's knowledge of English to preserve His people who wanted to freely worship Him.  What a powerful lesson to the children that God WILL take care of you!

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 Ps 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

For the Thanksgiving week, 

we always have a special craft for the kids to make and take home.  

This year I found an idea on line and changed it alot to make it my own.  Here is what we did.

Each child made this Thanksgiving set  of spoon puppets to take home.  

As they made each puppet, 

we talked about the part that each character played in the first Thanksgiving.

To prepare for the craft, I designed a headpiece and outfit for each spoon puppet, 

and a band to sit around our clementine turkey.

I used these four Stampin Up paper punches 

and differant colors of Stampin Up cardstock to create thier head pieces and outfits.

I made the headpieces and outfits ahead of time.

In class each child placed the pieces on thier spoons with a glue dot. 

The teachers secured thier pieces on the back with a piece of clear tape.

Then each child drew a face on each of thier spoon puppets.

SQUANTO

PILGRIM MAN

PILGRIM LADY

For the turkey, I cut a 1 x 8 1/2 in. paper strip and taped it in a circle that would hold a clementine (our 4&5 yr. olds love when I take clementines to class).

I handcut the head and beak of the turkey, 

but the tail feathers are punched from Stampin Up's Scalop Oval Punch.  

To attach the feathers, we put a strip of double-sided sticky tape

on the back and allowed the kids to pick & place thier own feathers.

We then secured the feathers with a piece of clear tape over top.

The children thoroughly enjoyed making thier own pilgrims, indian, and turkey.

Each made plans to take them home to tell the 

First Thanksgiving story to thier families on Thanksgiving Day.

It is such a blessed thing to instill in a small child the character of giving thanks!

A Missions Conference Tradition

It has been my tradition for a few years to have a sleepover for teen girls on the Thursday night of Missions Conference. Of course the amount of girls is limited since I drive a pick-up truck. This year I asked another single lady to come. Rachel and her mom helped me to bring the girls home for the sleepover. The first 7 girls I invited were the ones who got to come (sorry to those of you who couldn't come because of lack of space, we will have to plan on doing something together soon).
After settling in, we usually have a campfire and snacks. This year it had rained all day, so this was our campfire.

We roasted hot dogs & marshmallows over the stove tops. It proved to be quite an experience, especially when the cheese inside a hot dog would make the flames spark and grow higher. The girls all brought delicious home-made desserts (Moms, you did a great job with teaching your daughters to bake! Yummy!!!). We also had coffee, hot cocoa, and hot cider to help us stay up to play games.

Game time was so much fun! You really get to know alot about people by playing games. We played: Bop-It, Maffia, 4-on-the-Couch, Apples to Apples, Pit, Dutch Blitz, and of course Silly-Slidding-Sock Races.

As you can see, socks are not just beautiful footwear, but also make great attire for a very competative sport (which took place around 3am).

The Bible instructs the older ladies to teach younger ladies about godliness (Titus 2). My desire is to be a blessing to those young ladies by providing a time where they can get together and enjoy eachother's company, talk about what the Lord is teaching them during Missions Conference, and maybe the Lord could use me to encourage them on in spiritual things.

The Bible also tells us that when you invest time in others by trying to be a blessing and encouragement in thier lives, you will also be blessed and encouraged. I thank the Lord for the great teen girls we have at our church. My prayer is that God will use each of them in a wonderful way!

Christ's Example of Time

Ec 3:1-8,11,17 "To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

Some people wonder - "What does a missionary on deputation do when they are not at a church meeting?" Of course everyone knows that some of our time is taken in Bible study, prayer, planning and preparing for those meetings.
A sufficant amount of time is also spent on the road. The last 4 weeks I have been averaging about 13 hrs. of driving per week(since I have been traveling to closer destinations lately, like- Baltimore, MD; Exmore, VA; Wysox, PA,...).
Lately, you have seen the posts of me spending time with people. This is exactly what a missionary does. When I get to South Africa, I will be making time for Bible study, prayer, planning and preparing for ministry, as well as, making time to spend with the people around me.
Jesus Christ left us a great example of this. He spent lots of time with His disciples. They went fishing, walked by the sea, had a picnic, but mostly they talked about God. Thier discussion - God's promises, His plan for our lives, pleasing Him, bringing others to Him,... These discussions are the same that I get to have everyday as I spend time with those around me.
Ask yourself- Who are my disciples? Do I talk to my family, friends, and acquaintances about the things of God? What am I doing to further His kingdom? The people around us need to know that we truly care about them because of Christ. Take time to spend with people around you. They will see God's love for them through your genuine love for them, because of Christ in you.
Lately, I have noticed the lack of joy in others around me, both in unbelievers and the saved. We all go through times in our lives that are hard. You don't know how the Lord could use your kind words, pat on the back, cone of icecream, or walk in the park to minister to someone who just needs to be ministered to.
May we, as Christians, not get so wrapped up in the busyness of this world that we do not take the time to follow Christ's example in this area.

Traveling with a Friend

Two weekends ago, I had the blessing of taking a friend with me to visit some churches in VA. Melanie served with me at the camp ministry for about a year before going off to Bible College. Now she is home and was able to go with me to VA.

Melanie and I spent time together exploring the coast. We enjoyed watching the seagulls (even though they tried to steal our lunch).

We explored the tidal pools and I laughed as Melanie tried to catch the fiddler crabs.

We visited Assateague & Chincoteague, VA where I used to go every summer on family vacation. The wild ponies grazed along the road where we drove.

The lighthouse was great and took forever to climb, but was worth it when you got out on the landing and saw the view.

We really enjoyed exploring God's creation and are thankful for the time we could spend together. I was also blessed to be able to share a testimony at both of the churches we attended. One of those churches has already scheduled me for a meeting! Praise the Lord!

Training Time

Recently, a young lady from my church asked if she could intern with me for 40 hours before the school year starts. You see, she is a senior this year. For her senior class project, her homeschool organization has asked the students to intern with someone in a field that they would like to be in one day. She hopes that the Lord would use her as a missionary. In faith, Evangeline sent in her paperwork asking her public homeschool group for permission to intern with a missionary. We had set specific goals and purposes for what we had hoped to accomplish. The school approved her internship with me.

Evangeline's first experience was traveling on a Sunday with me. We left extremely early for a 2 1/2 hr. drive to morning service. First stop was a church that I was just visiting. The Lord's timming is great! In Sunday School I was telling the lady next to me about being on deputation for South Africa, when a college guy turned around in front of me and got all excited. He said, "I know missionaries in South Africa!" "Do you know the ..." As usual I prepared to say "No, I am sorry I don't know them". As a missionary you get asked alot "Do you know so-and-so???" and usual I don't know them, but this time was differant. He knew the Kilmers!!!! They had presented thier ministry at his church and the Lord has burdened him to help them. He is now in his second year of Bible College preparing to one day be on the missiona field. It was exciting for me to talk with someone else who loved the Zulu people and the country of South Africa like I do. It was also very encouraging to see that the Lord is raising up a younger generation to continue sharing the light of the Gospel on that dark continent. Please pray for that young man - Steven.
The evening service was at a small church in Princeton, NJ. What a great service! The preaching was just what I needed! It was a blessing to show my dvd presentation to the church and to share a testimony. Evangeline got to see what it was like to share your burden at a church and then to fellowship with them afterward. Some ladies took us out for a meal. We had a great time of laughter and fellowship. I truly felt like I was sharing a meal with sisters.
The next part of Evangeline's internship was the basics of deputation.

Our mornings started at 7:30 am with devotions.

She experienced what every missionary goes through when calling pastors. Evangeline made up a survey about missions and called churches asking pastors to answer the survey and for thier advice for a student that is burdened for missions. Along with calling, her other projects included: reading about and designing a budget, researching South Africa, putting together Bible lessons that teach missions to children, having lunch with our pastoral staff, helping people from the church, designing a letterhead, prayercard, and display board,... I greatly enjoyed my time with Evangeline and hope that she continues to be obedient and sensitive to His leading in her life.

After her personal research on South Africa, Evangeline made a video. you may view her video at this address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5GasBsx2NM .

The Bible instructs the older people to teach the younger. Who are you teaching today?

Blessed by Growth

2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

The Lord has blessed me with the priviledge of going to the mission field with 17 years of experience in youth ministry. My first summer job as a teen was serving the Lord at a Christian camp for inner city youth.
The other weekend, I was pleased to spend some time with some of those kids (who are now college age).

It is such a joy to see them laugh together and encourage one another in thier walk with the Lord.

None of these young men and woman are perfect (neither am I), but it is a true joy to see all that the Lord has done and is doing in thier lives.
3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

PHILADELPHIA: City with the brother that I love!

Every summer, for the last three summers, my brother and I take a trip together. It is never a far or expensive trip, just a trip to spend time away with eachother. We started doing this because I thought about all of those years that I will miss spending time with William when I am in South Africa. He will be all grown up when I return.
For now, William is only 14 years old. He enjoys seeing things he has never seen before and learning about science and history. This year we went to Philadelphia, PA (just about a 2 hr. drive from home).

We visited the Historic District and went into the Constitution Center (where we signed the Constitution).

Later that evening, we walked a few blocks to Philly's Chinatown.

Chinatown was the highlight of our weekend for William. I think he fell asleep repeating over and over "I went to Chinatown, I went to Chinatown,..." If you know William, he has a heart for other people and gets excited to learn about other cultures and places. He really wants to learn Chinese. He took everything in as we walked the streets, visited shops, and ate in one of thier restaurants. I believe that the Lord may be planting a seed for future ministry in his life. He already has a few Chinese friends.

On Saturday, we went to the Franklin Institute Museum.

At every exhibit I marveled at how God has created us and given us so much. We saw how our heart works, how electricity works, a flight room, a train room, and an Egyptian exhibit. Each room showed off our great Creator. As I passed out tracts and looked around, I wondered how many people understood that these were not merely science and history exhibits, but the boasting on our God's all-powerfulness. They too could know personally the One who has made all of this possible.

As William and I were talking the other day about everything we saw on that trip, he said,"Isn't it amazing how the Egyptians believed in so many differant gods and how we believe in the One True God". I was thankful that he had thought things through, not just about the exhibits, but about how God was always there for them, but they failed to trust in Him alone. We talked more about the plagues of Egypt in Exodus and how each of them proved God's power over the Egyptian gods. In conclusion, we became even more burdened for those around us to have salvation and to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I want to encourage everyone who reads this to take the time to spend with your loved ones - James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." My moments with William were precious to me and will remain as memories to carry me through those times in South Africa when I miss my dear little brother. Take advantage of time together with your loved ones, as well as those who need to know Christ.