July 2017 Update

Hi All :)

It's been a while since I posted here, but here is an update on what's happening with my visa.

My volunteer visa that I submitted last month was denied; however, after speaking with a lawyer, I decided to appeal the decision, as we believe it was wrongly denied. The appeal is sent to Home Affairs in South Africa for a decision, so at this point I'm not sure when I will hear back. 

I was originally scheduled to arrive back in South Africa today, but for the moment I am still in America. My lawyer has a Plan B which we will be a waiver process where we apply directly to home affairs in South Africa for a waiver. Basically they will advise on what type of visa I should apply for and will waive certain requirements that I don't meet. 

While it is not an ideal situation, God has shown His faithfulness in many ways. 1.) Leading me to an amazing lawyer who loves the Lord and believes in the work of The Hidden Place. 2.) Allowing this to happen at a time of year when I have the time to deal with it, and it doesn't overlap with a camp. 3.) The airline working with me and giving me a flight credit which I can use whenever things get sorted out, instead of losing my flight or having to change it to a date that may or may not be the correct one. 

During the last month, God has truly given me such a sense of peace and confirmation over my calling to South Africa. I truly believe that He will work all of this out for His glory and good, and I will be back in South Africa with a visa in His timing. This season has not been an easy one, but He is teaching me so much. 

A friend of mine sent me a messaged yesterday that said this-"Where you are is not who you are." 
It's easy to feel like this situation defines me. Like the season I have been in for the past year is who I am. But it isn't. I am a child of God, and He is reminding me every day of how that defines me. 

Many of you have asked how this will affect The Hidden Place. We have no intentions or plans of stopping the ministries of The Hidden Place. Camps will go on as planned. The hope is that I will have a visa long before October, but if not, I will go back in on a 90 day visa, have camp, and then continue with this battle. 

Thank you so much for your continued support during this season. Your prayers and interest mean so much to me. Please continue to pray that God would make a way and that His plan would prevail in this situation. Pray for the ministries I am involved with in South Africa and that I would be able to do as much as I can from this side of the globe. 

Courtney 

Camp #6--Rooted

Camp #6. 
It’s hard to know where to begin sharing about it. It was different from other camps, and yet similar. Camp number six was filled with new experiences, but with the same kids. It was our first time ever bringing back a group of past campers. It was so incredible seeing the kids again, and seeing how they have grown physically and spiritually. 
While it may have looked quite similar from the outside, so many of the inner workings of Camp #6 were different. We had the largest group of kids ever at 82, and the largest group of volunteers ever at 30. The team we had with us was phenomenal. They were keen to help in any and every way. With such a large team, I was able to spend more time connecting with the kids and leaders, which I was so thankful for.

Our theme for this camp was Rooted. Since most of the kids that came to camp had given their lives to Christ at a past camp, we wanted to take the opportunity to dive into the Word with our kids. Through looking at Colossians 2:6-8, along with many other passages, we were able to share with the kids what it means to be rooted in Christ—to walk in Him and bear fruit and share the gospel with others. 

In the build up for camp, as well as at camp itself, we heard so many stories of how the gospel impacted the lives of the kids. Ten of the kids that came to camp were from a community centre in Tembisa, one of the local townships. These kids, after hearing the gospel at camp a few years ago, went and shared with more kids in their community. The group of kids made copies of their devotion books from camp and were leading bible studies with other kids who didn’t know Christ. 

I have moments where I wonder if what we do is enough. When you see so many needs around you, you feel like you should be doing more. And we should be. However, it is amazing to see that God is using The Hidden Place to touch the lives of kids, who are in turn touching the lives of other. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it all. Thank you all for the continued support and encouragement. 

I believe that God has great things in store for The Hidden Place in the coming months and years. I believe He is going to take us to new places and open doors for us to do new things. Please join me in praying that we would be open to where He is leading us and listen to His direction and guidance. 

Timing

Hi everyone--

The past few months have been filled with highs and lows. As many of you know, we have been raising money to purchase a piece of land in the township of Alexandra, which is where many of the kids we work with live. In July, after two years of searching, we put an offer in on a piece of land. The excitement was overwhelming--the dream God placed in my heart a few years ago was finally being fulfilled. However, a few weeks later we realised that there were some issues with the purchase. Long story short, it looked like the deal was going to fall through. It was honestly heartbreaking. I felt so many different emotions in those unknown months. A couple of weeks ago, I heard final word that the deal had fallen through. I didn't understand why God had brought us here just to tell us no.

And then a couple of days later, my estate agent called me with news. The owner of the land right beside the first one was willing to sell! After putting in an offer, we found out a few days later that it had been accepted. We paid the deposit on Monday, so it seems that we finally have a home for The Hidden Place!

The last few months and years haven't always been the easiest. I've always known that the dream for the Hidden Place wasn't just camp. The camps were always designed to be the springboard for discipleship and relationship with kids and families in the townships we work in. The vision has always been much bigger than 2 camps a year. And now, that vision is beginning to become a reality.

The next few months hold lots of unknowns. The process is really just beginning. First of all, we have to raise the remainder of the money that is needed to buy the land. Then, we have to clear the land and level the land and put up fencing. Only then can we begin to build the centre that I hope will greatly impact the community. It's an exciting time, but it's also a scary time. The truth is, I feel in over my head. But I'm pretty sure that's a good thing. It is in moments of discomfort and unknowns that faith is developed. That relationship is developed.

I ask that you will come alongside the hidden place and join us on this amazing journey. You can join us by contributing financially to the purchase of the land and the ministry that we will continue to be involved in during this process. You can support us by praying and spreading the word. I believe that God truly has something great in store. He is faithful. And His timing is perfect. 

Greater Things to Come

The news that I’ve been longing to hear came today--the offer to purchase on the land in Alex was signed today! I’ve been reading through newsletters and blogs from the past year and a bit, remembering the journey that has brought us here. So many hopeful moments, meetings, and land viewings--so many times that I got my hopes up just to be let down. And all the while, God knew the exact piece of land that was right for us. And He has finally led us to it.

Today brought lots of excitement, as well as some fear and anxiety. The desire for a place to grow the vision of the Hidden Place from has been a deep rooted one. One that I am thrilled to be watching come to fruition. However, today also comes with a new set of challenges. The first of which, is raising the necessary funds to secure the land. We need close to $100,000 in the next 2 months, and the truth is, those numbers really overwhelm me.

While I could continue with the list of challenges that will come, I’m fighting myself to do so. I’m doing my very best to take this one step at a time. The vision of The Hidden Place is an exciting one. One that goes far beyond 2 camps a year. It is a vision that desires to reach the children and families of Alexandra and other townships in Johannesburg with the gospel, and journeying with them on their walk with Christ. I believe that God has awesome things in store for this ministry. Things that are far greater than I initially imagined. And buying land is just a step in the process.

I am asking that you will partner with us, and prayerfully considering donating in order to help us purchase this land. It is a big dream, but one that I feel is from God. One that He is orchestrating step by step. If you would like to donate, you can go to www.thehiddenplace.org and click on the pay-pal link OR you can make checks out to The Hidden Place and mail them to 26575 Johnson Ln. Toney, AL 35773. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to making the dream of purchasing land for a center in the township a reality.

We appreciate you all so much. And we can’t wait to see what God is going to do.

the way you should go

If you know much about the Hidden Place, I would assume that you know where that name comes from. Two nights ago, as I was experiencing such anxiety around decisions that needed to be made, I felt led back to the verse where this all began. Psalm 32:7--"You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble. You surround me with shouts of deliverance."

And then my eyes drifted to what comes next, if I'm honest, I had never really paid much attention to the next verse. But in that moment, I couldn't have imagined words any more perfect. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

I still can't figure out why I'm shocked when God speaks. But for some reason, I am. And on Tuesday night I was reminded that while I may not know all the answers, or even get a yes or no from God, I can be sure of one thing--His eye is always on me. He will instruct me, and if not with audible voice, than with the voices of those around me. He is a good Father, and He never leaves us on our own.

Today was a special day. Today I put in an offer on a piece of land in Alex--the place that has my heart, the place that feels more like home every time I go. It was a day that I've been longing for and dreaming of. You see, this has always been the dream. It was never just to have camps. It was always for something much more than that. The dream is to journey with children as they walk out their faith with Christ--their true hiding place. And if this offer is accepted, that dream will finally have a home.

Today I've been reminded that this dream is so much bigger than me. In my mind, it can become overwhelming. It presents many questions which are difficult to answer at the moment, and many hurdles that will have to be jumped over one by one. It isn't a quick easy process, so as I sit and wait for the answer to the offer, all I know to do is pray.

At the moment, I'm sitting in my house surrounded by candles. Often times the power being out annoys me, but tonight, I am thankful for the quiet. I'm thankful for the time to think and to dream, to seek and to thank.

Today is just the beginning. If the answer is yes, the next few months will be filled with more steps and decisions than my mind can process. We will need more support than ever--emotionally, spiritually, and financially. But I have no doubt that God will provide more than I could ever imagine as He always does. So here is to instruction, here is to counsel, and here is to God never leave us on our own. 

inbetween

I will admit, it has been more difficult than usual to find the correct words for this blog. Words that I felt to be true and honest. The truth is, this week is one of the hardest for me. After the excitement of camp and having people around, the silence of this week is often deafening. It is in this week when I ask myself lots of questions--what is the next step for The Hidden Place? Where is God leading us? What more does He have for us to do? It's a week filled with prayer, a week filled with emotions, and a week filled with longing--a longing for this, and my life to make a true difference for His Kingdom.

The theme for camp #4 was "Not Home Yet"--which was birthed from a personal place. You see, as much as the last 6 months have been filled with excitement and joy in my own life, the lives of people around me seem to have been filled with pain and tragedy. I found myself broken over the loss of people in the community where I was raised. And not only that, but broken for the people who loved them. I've been broken over accidents and illnesses which affected the children in Alex which I have come to know and love. It's seems like all around me people are hurting. In those moments of brokenness, God reminded me that the only true hope we have as people is found in Him and a life with Him. "Not Home Yet" sought to be about how as believers we do not belong in this world, which is why we often experience pain and loss and hurt and loneliness. God had something different in mind, a world where we could walk in perfect communion with Him, but we messed that up in the garden. And nothing has been the same since.

With that being said, I didn't want it to be an "accept Jesus so you can get to heaven" kind of deal. You see, if heaven just for the sake of heaven is the goal, we've got it wrong. Our hearts should desire heaven because of the presence of God. The fact that we will get to one day sit around His throne in awe of Him, singing praises to Him without distraction--that is what I wanted these kids to know. And I can tell you, it was amazing to see. To see kids asking questions and wanting Jesus--not just what He could give them, was incredible.

Here is my personal struggle--the inbetween. I'm incredibly thankful for the promise of being at home with God one day. However, I have to remember that I'm here for a reason. You see, I have the opportunity to experience God now. I have the opportunity to talk with Him and love Him and live for Him now--that isn't something I have to wait for. But more than than, I've been commanded to love like Jesus loved. To care for the orphans and the widows, to make His name known to people who have never heard it. I've been commanded (not asked) to love my neighbour as myself, no matter who that neighbour happens to be.

You see, as Christians we can't just walk through this world longing for our future home. We must walk through it differently than other people--making the most of every day, and experiencing God now. Let us not get caught up in either extreme; rather, let us live in the in-between, living for God today, experiencing God today, loving people today, while clinging to the promise of our future home with Him.

Cook Book :)

Hello Everyone :)

Here we are just 2 weeks away from camp, and we have some very exciting news! The Hidden Place will be publishing a cookbook! The cookbook will be compiled of recipes from people like you, and will be sold to help raise money for The Hidden Place!

We would love to have you share your favorite recipes with us, and there are a few ways you can do that!

1.) You can go to www.fundcraft.com and use the WEB ID: 419-15CT to access the recipe center--just enter the WEB ID in the top right corner, no password necessary, and click login-here. When the page comes up, click on Short/Cut online and you will be brought to a page where you can type out your recipe! There is even a Traditional South African recipe section, so all my South African friends please join in the fun!

2.)  Holly and Michelle will be giving out forms at Wooley Spring, First Baptist Tanner, and Mars Hill Baptist--so if you are not comfortable using the website, you can submit your recipe this way.

The deadline to submit recipes is April 10th--so please make sure you get yours in before then! And please pass the word on so that we can get lots of people involved!

Thanks so much for your support and a HUGE thank you to Holly Tiemann and Michelle Richardson for heading up this project!