South Dakota to South Africa
South Dakota to South Africa News from missionary Emily Goddard Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod September 2013
My godson, his grandma, and me just an hour after he was born
A Moment in the Word “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
On the 28th of August my best friend became a mommy. An hour after Dakalo Lefa was born I had the privilege to hold him in my arms and call him my godson. Rewind one year and I was just meeting my friend for the first time. In less than a month we’d become great friends. Her family became my family-away-from-home. This friend of mine hasn’t had an easy life and throughout the time I’ve known her things haven’t always looked bright. In January my friend got pregnant and despite all I could do to persuade her not to, she was coaxed into having an abortion. For weeks afterwards she suffered terribly from depression. She didn’t want to eat, didn’t want to move, and didn’t want to talk to anyone. By February she was so sick she decided to visit the doctor. I remember when she called to tell me what the doctor said. My transport was just dropping me at home afterschool when I answered the phone. I burst into tears—scaring everyone around me—when I heard, “Emily, the doctor says I’m 5 weeks pregnant.” And then she started living again. I knew instantly God had given her a second chance—He could see her suffering from making a decision she couldn’t forgive herself for. Now she has a 1 month-old, beautiful baby boy: Dakalo (happiness) Lefa (my inheritance). I have seen God working miracles in my friend’s life, but she has not. She turned away from God as a child when a series of bad events happened to her. I’m asking you to pray for this amazing young woman, that through the work of the Holy Spirit she may know the One who has walked with her all the days of her life.
Prayer Requests: -Thanksgiving for my friend and prayers that the Holy Spirit would lead her to our Savior -That Baby Lefa would be baptized -For the continued safety of LCMS missionaries in Kenya -Thanksgiving for the abundance of blessings God has put in my life
Nicole, Kristin, and I completed our first 5k race at a Colour Run in Johannesburg
Took a trip to Lesotho and discovered some of God’s most beautiful landscapes! Here I am standing in the historical house of the first king of the country (the grandfather of their current king).
Become a Supporter: To support me you can: 1. Go to lcms.org/goddard and click the “give now” button 2. Make checks out to: LCMS And send to: Mission Central 40718 Highway E16 Mapleton, IA 51034-7105 Write “Goddard Support” in the memo line
This year our annual school trip took us to the Apartheid Museum, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, an animal park, and a waterpark! Here I am with my group outside Mandela’s former house.
Visit My Blog: www.missionteacher.blogspot.com
My godson, his grandma, and me just an hour after he was born
A Moment in the Word “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
On the 28th of August my best friend became a mommy. An hour after Dakalo Lefa was born I had the privilege to hold him in my arms and call him my godson. Rewind one year and I was just meeting my friend for the first time. In less than a month we’d become great friends. Her family became my family-away-from-home. This friend of mine hasn’t had an easy life and throughout the time I’ve known her things haven’t always looked bright. In January my friend got pregnant and despite all I could do to persuade her not to, she was coaxed into having an abortion. For weeks afterwards she suffered terribly from depression. She didn’t want to eat, didn’t want to move, and didn’t want to talk to anyone. By February she was so sick she decided to visit the doctor. I remember when she called to tell me what the doctor said. My transport was just dropping me at home afterschool when I answered the phone. I burst into tears—scaring everyone around me—when I heard, “Emily, the doctor says I’m 5 weeks pregnant.” And then she started living again. I knew instantly God had given her a second chance—He could see her suffering from making a decision she couldn’t forgive herself for. Now she has a 1 month-old, beautiful baby boy: Dakalo (happiness) Lefa (my inheritance). I have seen God working miracles in my friend’s life, but she has not. She turned away from God as a child when a series of bad events happened to her. I’m asking you to pray for this amazing young woman, that through the work of the Holy Spirit she may know the One who has walked with her all the days of her life.
Prayer Requests: -Thanksgiving for my friend and prayers that the Holy Spirit would lead her to our Savior -That Baby Lefa would be baptized -For the continued safety of LCMS missionaries in Kenya -Thanksgiving for the abundance of blessings God has put in my life
Nicole, Kristin, and I completed our first 5k race at a Colour Run in Johannesburg
Took a trip to Lesotho and discovered some of God’s most beautiful landscapes! Here I am standing in the historical house of the first king of the country (the grandfather of their current king).
Become a Supporter: To support me you can: 1. Go to lcms.org/goddard and click the “give now” button 2. Make checks out to: LCMS And send to: Mission Central 40718 Highway E16 Mapleton, IA 51034-7105 Write “Goddard Support” in the memo line
This year our annual school trip took us to the Apartheid Museum, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, an animal park, and a waterpark! Here I am with my group outside Mandela’s former house.
Visit My Blog: www.missionteacher.blogspot.com
