Proud to be a Van Der Merwe

Last night at youth group we talked about missions, and Ruco did the majority of the lesson, because he grew up in a missionary family..he was a "MK"... Missionary Kid. He shared with the youth group about his own calling on his life, which is the verse James 1:27 about ministering to the orphans and widows. He has taken this to mean in his own life, he would like to return to Africa and provide practical needs to orphans in Africa who have lost parents due to AIDS. He is still desiring to get his Masters in International Development so that he can work for a non-profit or NGO overseas in community development and aid.

Lately, I have just been in awe how God has had his hand on us in every step of our dating/engaged and now married relationship. As many of you know, we went through a rough time when we visited Ruco's parents this past December/January in France. We struggled with the decision to get married, despite the fact that we love eachother very much, because our past lives are so essentially different. Ruco grew up living and traveling all over the world. He was born in South Africa, lived in the countries of Namibia, Latvia and now the US. He knows the calling placed on his life. Then there is me, a girl who to this day, has never lived outside of Florida. I have had my whole family around me all my life, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. I am very close to my extended family, and consider my Aunts and grandmother a part of my heart and an intricate part of my being and life. I dont know another life besides staying in the same place, with the same people. While Ruco knows all to well the process of change, moving, and saying good-bye. To me, and to Ruco, the realities of being a married couple were scary, even though I too feel a calling placed on my life to do missions and aid work overseas.

However, last night as Ruco was talking to these kids about his life and how he still desires to pour into the lives of others, I melted. I literally remembered our first talks as a dating couple, and remembered the reason that I fell in love with him. When we got home from youth group, I was feeling so encouraged because it was like my eyes were opened again to the calling God placed on my own life the summer after I graduated high school to missions. But not only that, it was as if God was renewing this calling, and sparking my love for serving overseas. The kids were so excited last night when Ruco told them his friend lives in Namibia and runs an orphanage for AIDS orphans, and we could all donate and send them supplies and gifts. I was almost surprised at their reaction. They all shouted "yea, thats a great idea" and I was so proud of all of them for their excitement.

When we got home, I changed into my PJs and started to do my devotion. Ruco came to bed, and asked me what movie I wanted to watch as our nightly routine. Even though Ruco had seen it 4 or 5 times, he agreed to watch the documentary called "Ghosts of Rwanda" about the Rwandan genocide. I dont think I can get into the way that I felt after watching that movie, but again, it was confirmed to me that I desire more than anything to be overseas, working with people like this. Barefoot little babies who no longer have a mother and father because of AIDS, have never owned a toy in their lives and will play soccer with anything that is round, since they dont even own balls. (Ruco has told me all this by the way.) My heart is for Africa, and I can not WAIT for the day I can land my little feet on that continent! Its just so crazy how I can care so much about people and a place that I have never met. But my husband, who is a part of me, is the Africa that I get to see everyday and wake up to. He is completely selfless. Its just so amazing how Jesus makes the one that is just for you, and knows exactly what you need. He knew what he was doing all along, and is going to continue to guide us in the decisions we make. His hand is over us and our relationship, and that knowledge excites me! He has a hope and future for us and I cant wait to see what it is!! Ok, so for all those who are thinking...gag me now, Im still a newlywed you know!! =)