A walk in the rain!

This is the latest blog I wrote for our YWAM team...

A walk in the rain. 

It's not just your everyday normal night. It's the end of something. The beginning of something else. It's the night we all think, did we accomplish our goals this year? Or, what will next year bring? It's a time to ponder our lives to this point.

It's New Year's Eve!

 Usually my New Year's have a a lot of snow, are very cold and the icy roads are inevitable. This year however is much different. On the other side of the equator, it's summer in South Africa and has been one of the driest summers here in the past 80 years. The water restrictions and the lack of rain are a constant source of conversation and prayer. 

This New Year's Eve we have spent painting faces, dancing around in circles and making a zoo full of balloon animals. Others enjoyed blowing bubbles for the pleasure of children popping them.  Tonight we celebrate New Year's Eve with over 100 orphan children at LIV Village.  Tonight we are putting on a "crazy noise party" to celebrate and thank our Father in heaven for everything we have. 

Tonight I see joy in children's eyes. Children who have lost everything and yet they are so thankful for what they do have. They are thankful for the new families and homes they have found here at LIV. They are thankful for food to eat. They are thankful for people that love them. 

Tonight I  leave the party to the sound of fireworks and cheers, and something else. I hear the sound of rain. The long prayed for rains pour down on me as I walk home. I'm soaking wet, and enjoying every moment. 

Yes, I'm reflective this New Year's Eve, I'm reflective on all in this world I've taken for granted. With a heart full of praise, I start to thank my God for all he has done for me, but most of all I thank him for the children right here and for the rain pouring down on my face!

What are you thankful for this New Year's Eve?