Bags of Goods :)

So here we are with all 17 bags-- each of us with only one personal checked bag and the second bag full of school supplies and other donations. We ended up only having to pay for 1 of our checked bags- which was a prayer answered!!!

Here is ALL  of the supplies that we brought in those bags in our lovely, leaky kitchen!!! We got everything out and sorted it out. We will be using some of it at the Kid's Club on Fridays (like a youth group sort of thing) and we will be distributing the rest out to the homes and schools.

Here is a picture of my beloved Catherine. She lives at the Asiphe' House for children with physical and mental disabilities. She has spina bifida, so she is unable to walk, but she is SOOOOO smart. We made bracelets together out of some of the supplies I brought along. I will be bringing more crafts for her to do as she is now on "holiday" or winter break from school. She is the highest functioning child there and it makes me so sad to see that she isn't getting the proper brain stimulation through activities and conversation because none of the other children communicate verbally. 

I love her so much and REALLY want to bring her home with me. 

More to come soon,

Love always  

WE ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eckkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Alas we are here!!! :) :) :)

We hit a few bumps along our travels through the airport, like not knowing that in Jo-berg we had to get our bags off the conveyor to put onto the next plane, so we had to go through the back passages with a worker, waited for a long while and we were afraid that we would miss our flight, but we didn't! I also thought that I had forgotten my meds at home and kinda freaked out at O'Hare. But good news: Rachel found it for me! ;)

Our second flight, that was supposed to be from DC to Jo-Berg, was actually from DC, to Dakar, Senegal, then down to Jo-Berg, so it was a little longer, but I don't really remember much of it because I took those Tylenol PM and slept almost the entire time-- so like 17 hours or so. I woke up to eat, but that was about it. Thanks Kyra for the travel packs of Tylenol PM and thanks to James for the magazines- that I read while I was awake!!!!!

After 21 hours on a plane and 36 hours travel time total, we arrived in Capetown, exhausted, but stoked to finally be here!! We arrived in the night so the girls didn't get a great view, but they are already seeing why I'm in love with this place! :) Sorry Mom, I think Rachy may have caught the Africa fever! :)

Coming back to Grabouw feels like going back home. I know where many of the places are, not all of course, and getting to see familiar faces, especially of my babies, has been absolutely wonderful. We have met a bunch of great people and kids that just melt your heart. We've heard some sad stories. It's so interesting to hear and see how the girls on my team react to seeing the slums for the very first time. It is such a hard thing, but at the same time a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for. Even though our house is freezing and there is a draft through the bathroom (yeah we DO have running water!), we are always reminding each other that it could be worse. We could be outdoors, with only a tin roof or tarp walls. We were blessed that another team left their bedding so we have double while most have none.

We are each taking a turn going to each of the schools this week, as their are 4 schools, and 4 of us. The next three weeks, however, the kids go on winter break. Wish I would have known that in the planning, but their are all kinds of things to do outside of the classes- like spending our days at Asiphe` House- the home for children with special needs. :) We already visited and my little Katherine clung to me---- I can hardly wait to go back!!! I want to bring her back with me soooo badly!!! I will post pictures when I figure out the internet in our house.

It is even harder to see how different things are for kids with special needs here compared to the US. One little boy, named Clayton, ( I met him last time I was here :) ) who lives at Asiphe`, is blind, except for a little bit of light that passes through. He is always clinging to someone, and climbs on you like a monkey. Some of them said he was annoying them and to just put him down and run away. At first it was frustrating that he wanted all of your attention, but then I realized that he probably doesn't get that much attention, because his needs are so small compared to many of the other kiddies. The staff also doesn't have the knowledge or training to understand why he does some of the things he does. He needs some serious oral stimulation- and we need to stimulate his other senses - and I plan to help this little man out. There are also some cognitive issues, but I'm up for the challenge to help this little man out. When I picked him up he stopped squirming and melted in my arms. He just wanted to be held. I also got him to laugh- which one of the other volunteers had never seen happened. He normally walks around with a scowl.

I'm so glad that we are serving a Father that loves us and doesn't put us down and run away when we are needy. I'm sooooo thankful that instead our God picks us up, loves us, and gives us joy.

Look for more postings, more often. I have an internet stick, called a "dungalow" here, so hopefully we will be able to blog more.

All my love <3

RAW

The past 2 weeks have been filled with many emotions as I prepared to return to my babies. Some days have been filled with tears. Other days have been filled with joy (and joyness ;) ) . Someone yesterday described the way I'm feeling as "raw"- and at first I was grossed out, but as I reflected I realized that I am raw, emotionally and spiritually, and that I am ready for God to do some mighty things and to work in some crazy ways. I thank you for all that have helped me through the trials, tears, and joys. You are all such blessings to me!!

WE LEAVE IN 4 HOURS!!!! I know, I know, I should be sleeping, but I'm just too wound!!! I'm going to lay down for 3 1/2 hours, but I have invested in some Tylenol PM for the second leg of our flight- for those of you that were worried about the little amounts of sleep that I have been getting. :)

We fly out of Chicago, to DC then have about a 16 hour flight to Jo-Berg (South Africa) then down to our final destination- Capetown, South Africa!! :)

** Please pray for smooth check-ins, luggage issues/ fees, and connecting flights. Please pray for smooth happy sailing and no grouches in a few hours when Chastity and Nick get here to take us to the airport!

I will post when I can while I am there! All love (comments) are greatly appreciated!!!! :)

Love and miss you all!!!

8 days....well almost 7!!!!! :)

Well folks- time is quickly flying by and departure day is soon upon us!!!! Here's a brief low-down :

~~We are going to meet up as a team the night before, Tuesday, to repack bags and mix in school supplies for the kiddies!!! :)  I will post a total number of bags later! :)

~~ We will be meeting at the Chenoa McDonald's to catch our ride to O'Hare, from some very dear friends, at 4am. If you are feeling crazy, and want to come send us off, feel free!! :) If not, I totally understand!! If I wasn't going to Africa, then I wouldn't be up that early either!!!

~~ We are flying from Chicago to DC, then straight to Johannesburg, South Africa, then taking a short connecting flight to Capetown, where someone from Agape will pick us up and drive us to our location!!!
EEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!  : D

**** Thanks to all of you who have helped  by praying, encouraging, giving supplies, and giving financial support!!!!

*Please pray for us in the final days. Final details with SpreadTruth were set today- which was a big relief!
* Specifically please pray that we can find an automatic car to rent while we are there. I'm stressing about having to drive a stick-shift AND remembering to drive on the other side of the road!!!

Please comment often- the encouragement from dear friends in the States- and all over the world- puts a smile on my face!!!

Love always!!