Remembering Bernadette, the friend You gave

"Father God,

Thank You for the time you gave me on this earth with my dear friend Bernadette. She was a precious gift from You. Today (November 3rd) she would have turned 37 years old. You blessed her with 36 precious years of life and she became special to so many people. Her belief in You was evident and she taught me many things. She taught me that people appreciate it when you take interest in the details of their lives. Bernadette was so good at that. She frequently asked me about how things were going and brought up things I was surprised she recalled. She shared God’s love and care with me. She listened to my joys and sorrows. She gave encouragement and even loving correction. She is a true sister in Christ. One day we will rejoice together in Your presence, God, for all eternity. I look forward to dancing around the throne with her!

Thank You for allowing me the opportunity to be there with her during her time in hospice. I praise You for Your perfect timing… even though I had planned to be in Swaziland, Africa for missions work at that time You arranged it for me to be with Bernadette during the last months of her life on earth. What an honor and privilege. You are good Lord and Your love endures forever!

Love Your daughter,

Kylee"

"Time seems to be flying by! This weekend I'll have been in Africa for1 month already. I want to share some pics with you so you can get anidea of some of my surroundings. I hope to share more soon. (Pics are not easy to upload here so someone from the USA is posting this forme:)"

This is my new home, currently living at the girls halfway house onHawane Farm, the orphan care center

another one of my house

Some of the other volunteers and I currently serving in the ministry -one from Scotland & 2 from Canada

Hawane Farm, the orphan care center I stay in

Landscape of Hawane

A precious boy & I (he was abandoned and left tolive w/ the dogs, he was rescued & is now living with the ministry,he's doing very well and can now walk!)

This is the newest member of Hawane Farm

I’ve made it to Swaziland, Africa and I’ve been adjusting to life here once again. Having spent 5 months here previously seems to be helping me to get back into the swing of things. Driving on the other side of the road (left side) and sitting on the other side of the car (right side), living on a farm with 50 orphaned children, attending a wonderful church - Potter’s Wheel Church, and working with many new (and some familiar) ministry staff and volunteers are beginning to become familiar. Even waking up at 5am to teenagers already cleaning the house and singing is starting to seem normal. :)

I’m settling into my home, the girls halfway house, on Hawane Farm. Both teenage orphaned girls who are being cared for by the ministry and young adult female Teen Challenge Life Skills School students live with me. My role is to care for them, provide discipline when needed, provide mentoring and counseling, and oversee the daily living tasks of the house. So far it’s been great and the girls are nice to work with. Many of them have such heartbreaking backgrounds and amazing testimonies of what God has done in their lives. It’s a joy to be with them.

A new 11-year-old boy, Bandile, has arrived on Hawane Farm (part of Lighthouse Care Centre & Challenge Ministries) to be cared for here. He was referred to us by the teacher of the pre-school on the Hawane CLC church property and worked out through social welfare. This boy is a double orphan as both of his parents have died from AIDS. This precious boy is HIV positive, has cerebral palsy, is developmentally challenged and he does not regularly speak. He was being cared for by his 77-year-old grandmother who is going blind and was struggling to give him his tablets to treat HIV. Bandile came to us last week malnourished and, though he is 11, he is the size of a 7-year-old boy. He is able to walk, though not normally. So far he is adjusting well to being on the farm and around all the other children, including Mandhla, a 12-year-old boy who also has cerebral palsy. They have become instant friends and brothers as they live in the same house. So, this Bandile is almost always smiling and playing with the other children. He is attending the home school here on Hawane Farm which is being taught by a long-term missionary from England.

I’m reminded of God our Creator. Psalm 139:13-14,15,16- says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place…. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

God has created each one of us. He has such an exquisite plan for every life. I am just so thankful that part of God’s plan for Bandile was to bring him here to be with us in the ministry. What a joy to see these abused and abandoned children rescued and brought into a loving environment where they are fed physically and spiritually!

Over the past few months people have generously donated to me various prizes, suggesting I hold a raffle to raise support for my long-term missions assignment to Swaziland, Africa. I look forward to returning to bring God's hope to this nation that has the highest rate of HIV infection in the world. My prayer is that this nation predicted to become extinct by 2020 due to the AIDS pandemic will instead live to declare the works of the Lord! It will be a miracle.

In Matthew 25 we learn that what we do to the least of these we do to Christ. How will we as the church and as individuals respond to all the orphans and widows of the world, even to those left behind on the continent of Africa? What an opportunity we have to serve God! We can be His vessel to bring His love, Truth, hope and peace to a broken and hurting world. Through prayer, giving or going we can partner with God to see Him transform nations. "For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." (Isaiah 61:11)


Tickets are being sold at $1 a piece or 6 for $5. If you're interested please contact me via email KyleeMalhotra@gmail.com or on fb. Each ticket has a stub with a # on it. All the stubs will be kept for the drawing. If your # is a winner I will contact you to arrange getting you your prize(s). (Most can be mailed) Winners need not be present to win. Winners will be posted to fb and my blog (www.rememberinggodspromises.blogspot.com) on June 21st.

THANK YOU for participating in almost $800 being raised towards my missions assignment to Swaziland, Africa!

Some of the prizes....

And the WINNERS are....

* Brian Amlin & Scott Bassman won 4 Movie Passes to Regal Cinemas
* Peggy Shafer, Betty Gress & Laura Bauer won ½ hr massage sessions @
Vandalia Massage Therapy
* Diane Patton & Mildred Vest won 1 hr massage sessions @ Hands Down
Massage & Copeland
* Donyce Montgomery won TX Roadhouse Gift Certificate (dinner for 2)
* Rhea Jeffers won Family Fun Pack- 4 tickets for "Hubble" at Imax,
Wright Patt Air Force Museum
* Janet Neal won Redken Hair Product Gift Basket
* Scott Bassman won Gift Basket from Bob Evans
* Tracie Trim won Gift Certificate for 2 entrees @ Logan’s Roadhouse
(Beavercreek)
* Dave Churchill & Radeen Bookwater won Gift Certificate for Abuelo’s
* Cheryl Mader won Coffee Gift Basket
* Tamika Cook won $25 Gift Certificate to LaRosa’s Pizzeria
* Cheryl Strange won 1 Dozen Doughnuts from Krispy Kreme
* Sue Schroder won CD from Lite 99.9
* Brian Amlin, Bernice Adams, Linda Becker, Sandi Opp, Penny Perkins, Tamika Cook, Melanie Brammer, Dave Churchill, Larry Dunn, Regina Huelskamp, Christina Clark won 1 T-shirt
* Laura Bauer won Car Wash @ Soft Touch Car Wash Systems
* Randy Brown won Complimentary Nutrition & Physical Fitness Consultation
w/ Physical Trainer

* Penny Perkins won GRAND PRIZE: 1 night, Jacuzzi Suite, Hilton Garden Inn, Beavercreek, breakfast for 2 in the morning included (exp. June 2011)


*Grand Prize*

Lots has been going on lately. I'll share some photos to communicate some highlights from the last few weeks....

The weekend of May 1st a friend from CLC Fairfield, my home church, held a Plant Sale fund-raiser and he surprised me by donating all the proceeds to my missions account to help me get back to Africa! $1,050 was raised & this puts me over 100% of my missions cash budget (only a few more monthly pledges left to raise:)! It was such a blessing! Thank you to everyone who participated!

Dave & I at church the day after the sale with some of the remaining plants :)

Spent some family time at my Mom's on Mother's Day. We enjoyed a cookout and of course I always love to see my cousin Natalie's little girl Nadia. In many ways Natalie is more like a sister to me... we're about the same age and we've grown up together.

Nadia & I on Mother's Day (she'll be 1 in July!)

I had the privilege of getting together with these 3 amazing ladies at a local Tim Horton's to catch up on life and what God's doing in Swaziland, Africa. We even got to discuss future plans! :) All 3 of these friends also spent extended stays (3-4 months) in Swaziland over the past year or so. Each one of us desires to go back to serve there.

(Right-Left) Julie, Waheedah, Stacey & I sending a shout out to Swaziland
(these pics were transported by the recent short-term team to our friends there :)

Wednesday May 19th I had the privilege of attending a missions gathering at the Dayton Convention Center for the Assemblies of God Ohio District Council. It was an encouraging, inspiring night with a humorous pastor who shared a message with us on faith. One particular comment that I laughed excessively at was when Pastor Dan explained that he once had a missionary years ago sharing pictures on a slide projector with his church. The missionary said "and this next picture is of my wife and our pet chimpazee - my wife is on the left" HAHA! :)

Missionaries from AG Ohio District (going out all over the world!)
John Wootton, Ohio superintendent introduced & prayed for us

Excited to see so many of missionaries from Ohio up there!
May God raise up more to go out into all the world!

The time for my return to Swaziland grows nearer with each passing day. As I stop to think of all that has occurred during the past few months I'm awestruck by seeing God's hand at work in the details of life. See, I'm learning that my timing is not necessarily God's timing (ok, it usually isn't:). I also see that life isn't about accomplishing a goal - it's about the journey. My original goal was to be back in Africa in September 2009. When I could not go at that time (my missions organization AGWM requires 100% of my budget to be raised before leaving the country) then my hope was to arrive by January 2010. Here's where the "my plan verses God's plan" comes in...

In January my 29-year-old cousin Nathan died suddenly of an accidental overdose. His sister found him and called us immediately. Since we live down the street we arrived at her house quickly. He was the closest person to the older brother I never had and our families were close, visiting together almost weekly or multiple times per month. I'm thankful I was able to be here for my family, to support them and to be present for his funeral. I don't know why God allowed Nathan's life to end so soon but I do know He has a plan. His Word says "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."(Romans 8:28)


My aunt & my cousin Nathan @ Young's Dairy

Later in January my best friend Bernadette was diagnosed with recurrent cervical cancer that had spread to her liver, colon and abdomen. She spent most of February and March in the hospital and later she moved to hospice. She breathed her last breath on this earth and went to be with God in Heaven on Saturday, March 27. It stills seems a little surreal that she's gone. Her friendship has impacted my life in many ways. She will never be forgotten. I'm so thankful that I was given the privilege to be by her side over the last couple months of her life. Though it was not easy I know there's no place I would have rather been. Again, I'm so thankful that I was here in the U.S. during this time. I cannot imagine being overseas, apart from my friend during this time. This is just another testimony of how God's timing is best. He IS in the details of life.

Bernadette & I at the Dayton airport
before I went to Swaziland the 1st time


God's purposes will stand and He will accomplish His will.
"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please... What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." (Isaiah 46:10,11) Even though I don't always understand why certain things happen, I know God is in control and that He is good.

From the waiting room at hospice...

I sit here in awe of God. He is without a doubt in control of all things. I can see His hand in the details of my life. Despite the current circumstances I trust in His plan. My best friend at the age of 36 lays in a semi-comatose state in her room at hospice. Earlier this week she became minimally responsive - keeping her eyes close and rarely speaking.

Just less than two months ago I accompanied her with some family members to her oncologist's office to hear the report of her PET scan. The cancer had returned and this time it had traveled to her colon, abdomen and liver. After this news the remainder of the appointment was a blur. The doctor recommended looking into clinical trials if treatment was desired as chemo was unlikely to work in her case. Surgery was not an option. Shocked and yet sensing God's peace I knew that a new chapter of this journey of life had began.

The last couple months have been challenging for my friend and for all who love her. Shortly after her diagnosis she was admitted to the hospital due to continued problems with her digestive system. She had a bowel obstruction and surgery was required. The surgery didn't go well as they found the cancer was extensive and pervasive and therefore they were unable to remove the obstruction. The surgeon was able to help alliveate the symptoms however. Since her surgery during the last week of January she has been in the hospital and later moved to hospice as her condition progressed.

Her faith in God and perseverance in the face of suffering has touched my heart, solidified my hope of Heaven and and strengthened my spirit. As Christians we know and believe what God's Word says is true - "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) These words speak of Jesus and the eternal life we have in Him when we believe. I'm reminded that every human being will exist for eternity after this earthly life. This crucial decision... whether we believe in God's Son...God's invitation for us to believe in Him and therefore have eternal life determines whether we will exist for eternity enjoying life in Heaven with God or experience eternal death in Hell without God. "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

So, I've been on this journey back to Africa since February 2009 when I returned to the U.S. after a 5 month mission trip to Swaziland. I believe God's called me to full-time missionary work there - to share God's love in this nation predicted to become extinct by 2020 due to the AIDS pandemic.. .children who have been orphaned and women left as widows all due to this devastating disease called AIDS. I continue to trust God's timing for my return and I praise God that I have the privilege to be here for my friend right now.

The call to the mission field... In December 2007 a small group of people, including my senior pastor, traveled to Swaziland, Africa for a 2 week exploratory trip to discover how we as a church could do something about the AIDS pandemic sweeping across Sub-Saharan Africa. During their trip I was constantly praying for the team as God placed a burden on my heart for the people of Swaziland, the country with the highest rate of HIV infection in the world (about 45%). I began looking up information on the internet about AIDS in Africa and before I knew it I was randomly crying... my heart was breaking. Shocked and outraged, I couldn't believe there was such a crisis with so many people dying and I hadn't been aware of the extent... the reality. I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart to prepare to go to Swaziland to serve the people and share hope with those who were desperate for it. After my pastor returned from Africa in late December I went to hear him share about his trip and what the group had experienced. God's divine appointment of the team meeting Pastor Kevin Ward (who is now our ministry partner) was explained. Swaziland was described as a country beautiful in landscape and yet a people devastated by AIDS- overpopulated with orphans left behind. I left church that night overwhelmed with a continued burden for the people of Swaziland and I cried out to God in prayer. I had been asking God "what Your will for my life?" Immediately I felt the Lord impress on my heart "do you have 20 years?" Speechless I thought "if You give me 20 years Lord, yes I have 20 years." The question came again "if it meant the salvation of a nation, do you have 20 years?" My soul and all of my being cried out "yes! yes, I do!" My decision since then has been that I will do what God calls me to do and go where He calls me to go.

In my current challenging situation with my dear friend I see God at work. Even though I would selfishly like for her to stay on this earth I know it may be God's timing for her to go to be with Him in Heaven where she will be better off by far. Whether I'm in Africa or here I have one goal: to love God and to love others. See, when this life is said and done God will proclaim: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Then the righteous ask the Lord when they saw him in all these situations and helped him. God replies "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me." (Matthew 25:34-40) What an opportunity we have to serve God by caring for those in need. Wherever you or I find ourselves we can make a difference.