Six years ago, I had
no idea that you could use buckets for everything.
Bath-taking, food-serving, dish-washing, house-cleaning,
rat-trapping, water balloon-storing, laundry-doing, foot-washing, and even an
indoor, night-toilet when life so calls for one.
Disclaimer: NOT the same
bucket for everything. Let’s not be gross.
Four years ago, I watched malnourished, 2-year-old legs walk
too far to get a plate of food his body just couldn’t take in. Pre-school aged family
members showed him how to dip his fistful of food in his juice to soak the food
so it would slide right through his revolting throat.
I didn’t know his name or where he had come from, but I
heard the Savior speak. “This little one
has a King David anointing on his life. He’s just a little shepherd boy right
now.”
I knew I would need a
bucket.
I came back with a bucket, heated water, soap, a soft towel,
a new outfit and lotion to anoint and clothe the little king-to-be. He took a
bucket bath fit for a king in the back of a truck, and I spoke out his
anointing as I rubbed his skin with lotion.
 |
| Kevin straight out of the bucket. Here's the full story. |
That was the beginning of Kevin and a new way of living in and for
the Family of God, right there with that family. (Side note: Kevin is CRAZY. This story is not made up of Hallmark moments. It’s sticky and full of questionable smells.
Pray for that little wild-man, leader-king. He’s basically the Tasmanian Devil.)
That baby in that
bucket was the beginning of a life lived without bucket lists, and a life lived
with full buckets.
A few days ago, I sat in Kevin’s yard with his whole family
and a bag of fruit. His mom and I remembered all the bucket moments we’ve had
together while the kids piled into one for scream-laughing and bath time. Cakes
and cornbread, Christmas Eves together, babies born, family deaths, a new home,
church worship, countless hospital visits, and a thousand moments in between.
Years of buckets, and buckets of memories.
While two babies sat on a bucket to dry in the sun, and while
Kevin just continued to be Kevin, I shared with Mama Charity that my life is
changing.
-THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT-
This year, I am
joining my life with a man and his ministry. Chris is the Country Director
for Children’s Cup South Africa, and we believe we were made to work
together.
 |
| The very beginning |
I will no longer be a
part of the ministry at Ten Thousand Homes.
God is expanding my
capacity for living out the love story of His Family in the context of a new
family. Here is my blog with a little more back-story about our family, and
HERE is Chris’ version of our story. I think he’s pretty wonderful.
Chris and I will be buying a home in the same town that I
live in now and serving local communities as part of Children's Cup South Africa. We believe God will do
even greater things through us together than we could do on our own.
My time at Ten Thousand Homes has been transforming,
beautiful, and I am overwhelmingly grateful for the family I have here. We’ve
danced, and we’ve cried as we have said our goodbyes. And we have been full.
 |
| Telling Busi in Dwaleni that I would be leaving TTH |
In the midst of life being turned upside down by a handsome
Tennessee man and a beautiful sovereign God, I am full. Not just full for the future, but full today. Every moment counts
in this lifetime, whether they are moments of tears, dancing or turning.
 |
| Pamela celebrating a new life with me in Mbonisweni |
No matter what your
bucket is needed for in this moment, use it. Use it fully.
God is pouring Himself out for His Family, one bucketful at
a time.
All we have to do is
be there, together, every time He asks us to bring the bucket.
Thank you for being a part of my life, one story at a time.
Thank you for joining me through prayer, support and for stepping into each
bucket moment with me. I hope you will continue the journey with us into
greater things ahead. If you would like to know more about Children’s Cup, my
story with Chris, or to join in this story at a greater capacity, please email
me at kacychaffin@gmail.com!
