Monday, July 25, 2011
More pics from Week 2 and New Ones from Week 3!!! :)
Week 3 Summary
Sorry that things are so delayed, since we've been here for almost 6 weeks, and yet I'm only up to posting about the 3rd week! We never really know when or how much time we will have on the internet, so we post when we can!
Monday (7/5)
Not a very eventful day for us. We returned home from Theresa's house and spent the day in Somerset West waiting for a ride back to Grabouw.
Tuesday (7/6)
Today was Rachel and Nicole's last day to spend with the kids as they left the next day. They spent the day at Asiphe` while Alissa and I spent time at the house with the kids and cleaning up our house. We made special streamers to send them off properly! After the girls came back, Gerrit, Milani, and John took us out into the community to walk among and inside the houses. I've done this before, but the girls hadn't and neither had the British volunteers. Even though I've seen it before and we've been surrounded by it, seeing it so up close and having your eyes open to the reality of it is really hard. As we were walking, Rachel and Nicole were looking for a family to bless with their bedding and to buy some food for. Even though we would love to give to everyone, we were warned that you have to be careful of who you give to, because many of the people will take the gifts and then sell them for drugs. And if they don't sell it, they may be targeted and their house may be broken into to take the gifts. So we sought wise council from the leaders of Agape so we gave to those that will use it appropriately. When we returned from our walk, the power was out, which made it more of a "township" experience. We cooked pancakes on a kerosene burner- in the dark- which provided to be quite an interesting and challenging experience. It gave us a greater appreciation for the electricity when we woke up!
Wednesday (7/7)
After Rachel and Nicole finished packing, we went out with Ami (one of the founders of Agape) and gave out bedding and food items to families. I was blessed to watch it happen, and I know they were blessed as well.
Gideon then drove us to the airport and we ate at our favorite restaurant here in SA called Mugg & Bean. We said our goodbyes and Alissa, Gideon and I returned to Grabouw. It was hard to say goodbye. It hadn't felt like 3 weeks had passed yet. It seemed like we had only arrived! :( They will be missed!!!
Thursday (7/7)
Alissa and I spent the day @ Asiphe`- what a great day!!!! We LOVE being there with the kids, and my Catie Belle is there all day because school is still out for Winter Break. She will go back to school on Monday, which she is happy about, but I'm a little sad that I won't get as much time with her!
Friday (7/8)
We had planned to go to Asiphe`, but our plans were changed, once again! ;) We were asked to help take all the Agape kids to World of Birds in Hout Bay. (Except for the Asiphe` kids). It was fun and interesting, but a little crazy at times. It wasn't near as scary as taking the 91 preschoolers to MonkeyTown! :) We then took the kids to the beach, took off our shoes and walked around in the water collecting shells. We ended our day with ice cream!
Saturday (7/9)
Yesterday, they told us that we were moving from the "cabin" at Agape 4, to the flat attached to the Asiphe` house at Agape 2. So we spent our day repacking and figuring out how to get all of our things and food moved. Moving was stressful, but we had beautiful weather and now we are right next door to Catherine!!! :)
Sunday (7/10)
We went to township church again today. It's always a great experience, but it is hard because they speak Afrikaans for the service and most of the songs. Sometimes things are just lost in translation! We normally have someone sitting next to us translating, which we are grateful for, and we LOVE when they sing a song in English! :)
The weather again today was GORGEOUS!!!! Alissa and I sat outside in t-shirts and shorts and wrote in our journals. It's winter here people!!! That's crazy!!! :)
Monday (7/5)
Not a very eventful day for us. We returned home from Theresa's house and spent the day in Somerset West waiting for a ride back to Grabouw.
Tuesday (7/6)
Today was Rachel and Nicole's last day to spend with the kids as they left the next day. They spent the day at Asiphe` while Alissa and I spent time at the house with the kids and cleaning up our house. We made special streamers to send them off properly! After the girls came back, Gerrit, Milani, and John took us out into the community to walk among and inside the houses. I've done this before, but the girls hadn't and neither had the British volunteers. Even though I've seen it before and we've been surrounded by it, seeing it so up close and having your eyes open to the reality of it is really hard. As we were walking, Rachel and Nicole were looking for a family to bless with their bedding and to buy some food for. Even though we would love to give to everyone, we were warned that you have to be careful of who you give to, because many of the people will take the gifts and then sell them for drugs. And if they don't sell it, they may be targeted and their house may be broken into to take the gifts. So we sought wise council from the leaders of Agape so we gave to those that will use it appropriately. When we returned from our walk, the power was out, which made it more of a "township" experience. We cooked pancakes on a kerosene burner- in the dark- which provided to be quite an interesting and challenging experience. It gave us a greater appreciation for the electricity when we woke up!
Wednesday (7/7)
After Rachel and Nicole finished packing, we went out with Ami (one of the founders of Agape) and gave out bedding and food items to families. I was blessed to watch it happen, and I know they were blessed as well.
Gideon then drove us to the airport and we ate at our favorite restaurant here in SA called Mugg & Bean. We said our goodbyes and Alissa, Gideon and I returned to Grabouw. It was hard to say goodbye. It hadn't felt like 3 weeks had passed yet. It seemed like we had only arrived! :( They will be missed!!!
Thursday (7/7)
Alissa and I spent the day @ Asiphe`- what a great day!!!! We LOVE being there with the kids, and my Catie Belle is there all day because school is still out for Winter Break. She will go back to school on Monday, which she is happy about, but I'm a little sad that I won't get as much time with her!
Friday (7/8)
We had planned to go to Asiphe`, but our plans were changed, once again! ;) We were asked to help take all the Agape kids to World of Birds in Hout Bay. (Except for the Asiphe` kids). It was fun and interesting, but a little crazy at times. It wasn't near as scary as taking the 91 preschoolers to MonkeyTown! :) We then took the kids to the beach, took off our shoes and walked around in the water collecting shells. We ended our day with ice cream!
Saturday (7/9)
Yesterday, they told us that we were moving from the "cabin" at Agape 4, to the flat attached to the Asiphe` house at Agape 2. So we spent our day repacking and figuring out how to get all of our things and food moved. Moving was stressful, but we had beautiful weather and now we are right next door to Catherine!!! :)
Sunday (7/10)
We went to township church again today. It's always a great experience, but it is hard because they speak Afrikaans for the service and most of the songs. Sometimes things are just lost in translation! We normally have someone sitting next to us translating, which we are grateful for, and we LOVE when they sing a song in English! :)
The weather again today was GORGEOUS!!!! Alissa and I sat outside in t-shirts and shorts and wrote in our journals. It's winter here people!!! That's crazy!!! :)
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Some Pics from Week 2 :)
Ok folks, I AM SOOOO SORRY!! I forgot my cord for my "big" camera in my rush to catch the bus to the mall @ 7:30 this morning, so I can only post pics from my small camera for now. Please forgive me! :(
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The team at Hout Bay! :)
My Catie Belle and I making crafts outside! :)
Kaylinn- She lives at Asiphe` and her story is so sad, but she always has smile! Love her!
Enjoying some carmel ice cream @ Hungry Lion!
Seeing my dearest friend Theresa!! :)
Joshua Generation Church- Sermon notes from July 3, 2011
"Will you listen for my heartbeat?" - God
"Detours of God"----- Genesis 45:5-8
* Joseph was in jail for 13 years because of what Potipher's wife accused him of- BUT it says in scripture that God's hand was on it, and that he was BLESSED.
*We tend to think that on the tops of mountains God is with us, and that He is gone in the valleys, or hard times. BUT we KNOW that this isn't true. God was there for Joseph in all of his darkest moments.
*God is going to bring "situations" to your path, but He loves you too much to hurt you.
*Psalm 37= God guides our steps. When we have troubles they are consequences of our mistakes. God is by our side throughout when we repent and depend on Him.
*OUR TIMING IS NOT GOD'S TIMING.
*James 1:4= God wants to teach us patience. There are so many Bible stories of impatience: Abraham and Moses for example.
*God's delays are NOT denials.
* God wants to build character through patience and detours.
*God makes everything beautiful in His timing. With Him, the best is yet to come.
*God leads us from what is good, to what is better, to what is best.
Four Main Points:
1.) Detours are when we have uncooperative circumstances. With God's help, we can make it through these.
2.) You can do the "right" thing and it turns out bad, examples Joseph and Job.
*Instead of shoving our troubles and tangles at God, we need to lay them at the foot of the Cross.
*We need to trust God enough to maintain our composure through the hard times.
3.) We have to remain faithful throughout the hard times. We must keep doing good for the Lord. {Galatians 6:9}
4.) You need to resist the temptation of bitterness in your hard time. It can be like a cancer. Joseph could have been bitter about his brothers and Potipher's wife, but he wasn't.
*Hebrews 12
**Be grateful. God will accompany you through it and is wise enough to not harm you through it.
~~~~~ LEGITIMATE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End of Week 2
Sorry if this gets confusing with all the jumping around, but if I do it what I think is order of when it happened then I hopefully won't leave anything out!
Week 2:
___________Friday
On this day we hosted a Craft and Game day for all the kids that live in the Agape houses- so about 20 kids total, ranging in age from 3 to 15- quite the gap! It was a messy day, but the kids loved using some of the supplies that we brought along- especially the glitter glue! :) They loved learning how to make paper kites and flowers along with learning how to fold a great paper airplane- thanks to Nicole's paper airplane skills!
_______Saturday:
We left for my friends Theresa and Derick's house in Durbanville for the weekend. On our way we dropped Tannie June (Auntie June) off at the airport. She had been working with Agape for the past 3 months. We hope that she returned safely back to Jersey, which is in the UK, not the states- in case you didn't know.
We spent the evening hearing Derick and Theresa's crazy amazing love story about how God brought them together. Derick challenged us by asking why we were really at their house. Was it because we wanted to visit friends, or was it because God planned that we were their listening to their story? He challenged us to think about God's sovereignity. They have such a great testimony of how great our God is and what living your life for Him really looks like. They are both so wise and encouraging and I strive to be like them! I love them both very much!
We enjoyed a South African dinner- boerewors, which are like sausages. They are quite yummy! We also had some Kudu biltong (Kudu jerky). Kudu is like a deer, but bigger.
____________ Sunday:
I know I've already talked about how impacting this Sunday was, but I'm going to give a little more detail, and I'm going to give the sermon notes their own space on my blog because I don't want to leave any of it out!
At the beginning of the service, the pastor invited me up on stage to tell what we are doing as missionaries here in SA. Honestly, I don't know what I said because I was so nervous that I "blacked out". Alissa reassured me that it was great though! Again the service was about "detours" of God. It was so crazy how much I needed to hear this sermon. This is why I was there. This was God's sovereignity. I cried, renewed my trust that God has great plans for my life, although I might not know them right now, and renewed my joy in the mighty God that I serve. What a blessed time!
The pastor challenged the Joshua Generation congregation to get to know us and invite us for lunch. Talk about feeling the love! :) The young adult group invited us over for lunch and it provided to be more of a blessing than they probably realize! We met some really great people and had a blast! They fed us and taught us how to play their "German" version of Uno {Janessa, Kyler, and Gwen- get ready to learn a new game!}.
*Spending time with other young adults was so wonderful and encouraging, but also opened my eyes to what I'm really missing out at home. There really aren't too many young adults at my home church, so having a group like that won't happen. It made me realize that I need to get out and find my own group- I need that encouragement and group of people my own age to relate with. I can't wait to find a group when I get home! ** Don't worry lady friends- this doesn't mean you are being replaced or forgotten- I still love all of you very much and our friendships will continue to bloom! *
Later that evening we attended "The Gathering". JoshGen has congregations throughout the Capetown area, and once a month they get together to meet and give the glory to Jesus. What a blessing! The worship was FANTABULOUS and the sermon was inspiring!!! They are starting new movement called 4:12 Movement, based on Eph. 4:12, calling Christians to live radically for Jesus and to let go of the lazy Christian life and attitude. It was so encouraging, and interesting because they were talking about sending missionaries to the US!
God is awesome and gave us not only the opportunity to spend some quality time with Him, checking our hearts, but also allowed us the opportunity to meet some great brothers and sisters in Christ! :)
Week 2:
___________Friday
On this day we hosted a Craft and Game day for all the kids that live in the Agape houses- so about 20 kids total, ranging in age from 3 to 15- quite the gap! It was a messy day, but the kids loved using some of the supplies that we brought along- especially the glitter glue! :) They loved learning how to make paper kites and flowers along with learning how to fold a great paper airplane- thanks to Nicole's paper airplane skills!
_______Saturday:
We left for my friends Theresa and Derick's house in Durbanville for the weekend. On our way we dropped Tannie June (Auntie June) off at the airport. She had been working with Agape for the past 3 months. We hope that she returned safely back to Jersey, which is in the UK, not the states- in case you didn't know.
We spent the evening hearing Derick and Theresa's crazy amazing love story about how God brought them together. Derick challenged us by asking why we were really at their house. Was it because we wanted to visit friends, or was it because God planned that we were their listening to their story? He challenged us to think about God's sovereignity. They have such a great testimony of how great our God is and what living your life for Him really looks like. They are both so wise and encouraging and I strive to be like them! I love them both very much!
We enjoyed a South African dinner- boerewors, which are like sausages. They are quite yummy! We also had some Kudu biltong (Kudu jerky). Kudu is like a deer, but bigger.
____________ Sunday:
I know I've already talked about how impacting this Sunday was, but I'm going to give a little more detail, and I'm going to give the sermon notes their own space on my blog because I don't want to leave any of it out!
At the beginning of the service, the pastor invited me up on stage to tell what we are doing as missionaries here in SA. Honestly, I don't know what I said because I was so nervous that I "blacked out". Alissa reassured me that it was great though! Again the service was about "detours" of God. It was so crazy how much I needed to hear this sermon. This is why I was there. This was God's sovereignity. I cried, renewed my trust that God has great plans for my life, although I might not know them right now, and renewed my joy in the mighty God that I serve. What a blessed time!
The pastor challenged the Joshua Generation congregation to get to know us and invite us for lunch. Talk about feeling the love! :) The young adult group invited us over for lunch and it provided to be more of a blessing than they probably realize! We met some really great people and had a blast! They fed us and taught us how to play their "German" version of Uno {Janessa, Kyler, and Gwen- get ready to learn a new game!}.
*Spending time with other young adults was so wonderful and encouraging, but also opened my eyes to what I'm really missing out at home. There really aren't too many young adults at my home church, so having a group like that won't happen. It made me realize that I need to get out and find my own group- I need that encouragement and group of people my own age to relate with. I can't wait to find a group when I get home! ** Don't worry lady friends- this doesn't mean you are being replaced or forgotten- I still love all of you very much and our friendships will continue to bloom! *
Later that evening we attended "The Gathering". JoshGen has congregations throughout the Capetown area, and once a month they get together to meet and give the glory to Jesus. What a blessing! The worship was FANTABULOUS and the sermon was inspiring!!! They are starting new movement called 4:12 Movement, based on Eph. 4:12, calling Christians to live radically for Jesus and to let go of the lazy Christian life and attitude. It was so encouraging, and interesting because they were talking about sending missionaries to the US!
God is awesome and gave us not only the opportunity to spend some quality time with Him, checking our hearts, but also allowed us the opportunity to meet some great brothers and sisters in Christ! :)
Thursday, July 14, 2011
A few pics from week 1....
Here are a few pictures to capture a few moments of our first week here. Be looking for more soon as we will be at the internet cafe Saturday- I have big plans to blog ALOT!!
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The "cabin" we stayed in for the first 3 weeks of our trip. Don't be deceived- it's not as warm as it looks in this winter weather, but it's better than those that literally are right on the other side of our gates.
Getting to visit my babies at Village of Hope- my how they've grown since last summer!! :)
We helped take a group of 91 preschoolers to Monkey Town- we'll just it was CRAZY!!
Little Faith who lives @ Asiphe` Home for children with special needs- a sweet little babe!
My heart is pounding here!!
Love always!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Week 2
We are still at the mall waiting for our ride, so I might as well continue catching you all up!!!
WEEK 2:
On Monday, we had a touristy kind of day. Ami and Gerrit told us they were going to take us to Table Mountain and Cape of Good Hope (where Cape Point and Dias beach are). We weren't allowed to climb the mountain, because fo all the rain- thank goodness!! I didn't know if I could do that again! We rode the trolley to the top, explored, took lots of pictures, and headed back down. We then drove around False Bay stopping for fish for lunch, and a treat- ice cream! { We don't have a freezer, so we can only get it when we go out}
We finally ended up at Cape Point, but didn't have too much time before the park closed. It was neat to go back to see where the Indian and Atlantic come together. I spent some time alone just praying- which was much needed. This was my 3rd time there, so I didn't need to wander around quite as much. At the park, we finally saw some baboons and what we think is a kudu or ibex- not sure which one it is. We also saw the famous rock hyraxes, or rock pirates on this day. We did a lot of walking and traveling so by the time we got home we were wiped out!
Tuesday was wonderful- I got to spend most of the late morning and all of the afternoon with Catherine!!! I went to Asiphe` to help feed the kids, then to help put them down for their naps, then for the rest of the afternoon Catherine and I played, made crafts, with the supplies I brought along with and even went for a walk down to Thembacare, another organization that I worked with last year. It was great to get Catherine out and about, and my friends at Thembacare loved seeing her. It was great to see Joyce and Christa again! The more time I spend with Catherine the more I love her and wish that I could do more for her, like bring her home with me! She is sooooo very smart and has so much potential, but it won't happen where she is at now. We laughed together alot- which I absolutely adored!
On Wednesday we spent the day at Asiphe`- YEAH!- and just helped with out with the kids again- feeding, stretching, and changing. Again I love being here....it is such a blessing!! That night we went to the young adult group, but they took us to Elgin Timbers where we held a service to learn about Lees and Daz's new project. We then prayed over people in the community- and I forgot to mention that 50 some people showed up from a church in Somerset West came to be a part of the service as well. It was a great night and the tiny building was packed full of people!!
On Thursday, we had another "touristy" kind of day. We went into Capetown and went to the Jewish Museum and Holocaust Museum. I know you are probably thinking to yourself "Why?" but I think it is so important to understand other religions so that you can better defend yours. It was interesting and I learned alot, but it also made me so sad. There religion is all about rules and holidays that you must celebrate and not at all about relationship. The Holocaust museum was great, but sad. It was laid out well and was full of lots information. We then ventured to the "Green Market" where we bartered for our goods. It is hectic, but in a way fun. It's not my favorite thing to do, but I'm getting a little better at it. We rode the train home, which was a little scary, but a great experience.
I must get off, but I can't tell you about how God worked this past weekend when we went to visit my friends Theresa and Derick. They are incredible people with an incredible story on how God brought them together. We got to go to their church called "Joshua Generation" in the morning and evening services. They are radical Christians and I LOVE IT!!!! Oh how the words and worship spoken has lit a new fire in me!!!! In the morning service the pastor talked about the "detours" of God. I NEEDED TO HEAR THIS MESSAGE. It spoke directly to my heart and the way I've been feeling. I'm going to dedicate an entire blog just to this sermon later.
Here are some of the powerful worship lyrics from the worship at the evening service:
" Take my heart and give me yours
Take my will, I want it no more
Have my thoughts, they're yours completely
Take my selfish motives away
Fill up every valley in me
Come displace me so that just you pours out."
My heart is POUNDING in South Africa !!!
WEEK 2:
On Monday, we had a touristy kind of day. Ami and Gerrit told us they were going to take us to Table Mountain and Cape of Good Hope (where Cape Point and Dias beach are). We weren't allowed to climb the mountain, because fo all the rain- thank goodness!! I didn't know if I could do that again! We rode the trolley to the top, explored, took lots of pictures, and headed back down. We then drove around False Bay stopping for fish for lunch, and a treat- ice cream! { We don't have a freezer, so we can only get it when we go out}
We finally ended up at Cape Point, but didn't have too much time before the park closed. It was neat to go back to see where the Indian and Atlantic come together. I spent some time alone just praying- which was much needed. This was my 3rd time there, so I didn't need to wander around quite as much. At the park, we finally saw some baboons and what we think is a kudu or ibex- not sure which one it is. We also saw the famous rock hyraxes, or rock pirates on this day. We did a lot of walking and traveling so by the time we got home we were wiped out!
Tuesday was wonderful- I got to spend most of the late morning and all of the afternoon with Catherine!!! I went to Asiphe` to help feed the kids, then to help put them down for their naps, then for the rest of the afternoon Catherine and I played, made crafts, with the supplies I brought along with and even went for a walk down to Thembacare, another organization that I worked with last year. It was great to get Catherine out and about, and my friends at Thembacare loved seeing her. It was great to see Joyce and Christa again! The more time I spend with Catherine the more I love her and wish that I could do more for her, like bring her home with me! She is sooooo very smart and has so much potential, but it won't happen where she is at now. We laughed together alot- which I absolutely adored!
On Wednesday we spent the day at Asiphe`- YEAH!- and just helped with out with the kids again- feeding, stretching, and changing. Again I love being here....it is such a blessing!! That night we went to the young adult group, but they took us to Elgin Timbers where we held a service to learn about Lees and Daz's new project. We then prayed over people in the community- and I forgot to mention that 50 some people showed up from a church in Somerset West came to be a part of the service as well. It was a great night and the tiny building was packed full of people!!
On Thursday, we had another "touristy" kind of day. We went into Capetown and went to the Jewish Museum and Holocaust Museum. I know you are probably thinking to yourself "Why?" but I think it is so important to understand other religions so that you can better defend yours. It was interesting and I learned alot, but it also made me so sad. There religion is all about rules and holidays that you must celebrate and not at all about relationship. The Holocaust museum was great, but sad. It was laid out well and was full of lots information. We then ventured to the "Green Market" where we bartered for our goods. It is hectic, but in a way fun. It's not my favorite thing to do, but I'm getting a little better at it. We rode the train home, which was a little scary, but a great experience.
I must get off, but I can't tell you about how God worked this past weekend when we went to visit my friends Theresa and Derick. They are incredible people with an incredible story on how God brought them together. We got to go to their church called "Joshua Generation" in the morning and evening services. They are radical Christians and I LOVE IT!!!! Oh how the words and worship spoken has lit a new fire in me!!!! In the morning service the pastor talked about the "detours" of God. I NEEDED TO HEAR THIS MESSAGE. It spoke directly to my heart and the way I've been feeling. I'm going to dedicate an entire blog just to this sermon later.
Here are some of the powerful worship lyrics from the worship at the evening service:
" Take my heart and give me yours
Take my will, I want it no more
Have my thoughts, they're yours completely
Take my selfish motives away
Fill up every valley in me
Come displace me so that just you pours out."
My heart is POUNDING in South Africa !!!
Week 1
So I'm able to update you sooner than I thought I would! We were supposed to be picked up from shopping @ 1:30 but now they aren't coming until 5, so we have lots of time to blog!!! It will probably be a long post so I hope you enjoy!!There will not be any pictures this time because I don't have my cords here at the mall but hopefully more pics will be coming soon! :)
WEEK ONE:
So the first week that we were here we were divided amongst the schools- since there are four schools and four of us! Each day we got to spend time in a different school so we could get the full experience. Some of our days were cut short because we had to go with Ami and Gerrit to do something, but we enjoyed spending the day with the kids at each place. I was sad because the day that I was at the school for children with special needs I had to leave early. We only had one week to work with the kids before they went on "Winter break", but it was still worth it! Most evenings we spend with Ami and Gerrit's adopted children at Agape 4 (right next door to our little "cottage"). We teach them fun games, like "Signs" and "Spoons" and they've taught us a few games as well. We have lots of fun!
On Tuesday of the first week I took the girls up to Village of Hope (where I worked last summer). It was so great to see all of the "mommies" and the kids, and to meet up with Maz, one of the women that runs VOH. What a blessing to be able to go back to see my kiddos, well some of them, after a year has passed! Zanu, one of the babies I fell in love with last summer, is now walking and talking! It's amazing how much changes in a year!!
On Wednesday we were told that we were going to Monkeytown for an outing or field trip. We were all excited to go with the kids- but it was quite hectic because there were 91 three to seven year olds- who don't speak English- and maybe 20 of us. Let's just say it was a long day making sure the kids didn't get the fingers bit off by the monkeys. And Uncle Larry- I saw a real meerkat, and they don't look anything like an otter! ;)
That night we went to a young adult Bible study that my friends Lees and Daz lead at their home. I met them last year through VOH, but since they have left VOH to start their own ministry to a small group/ part of Grabouw called Elgin Timbers. This people group is some of the most destitute in the area. None of them have electricity or running water- so on the nights where we complain of being cold with our 2 blankets each, I feel pretty guilty. They all cook their food over a fire. We met some cool young people, most of them linked with missionary organizations in Grabouw. We talked about giving, not just with our money, but our time as well. It was a great lesson, but it was hard to meet the others because the power went out right before we arrived because of the major storm happening. They have invited us to come for the whole time that we are here- so I can't wait to see how God is going to work through the study! Oh, and by the way we fit 9 adults into a 5 passenger car- let's just say it was TIGHT!!! :)
On Thursday our plans were changed up again, but since Alissa and I will be here when the kids return to school, we let Rachel and Nicole pick which schools they wanted to go to. Alissa and I went to Asiphe`== which I was MORE than happy to do! :) I love being there! It is exhausting and I always leave with food or snot on me, but I just love being their will my beautiful babes! We helped feed the kids, change them, and get them out of their wheelchairs for their stretches. It is so sad to see them just sitting, since there is little stimulation.
But once the kids went down for their afternoon naps Catherine and I got to spend 2 hours alone together--- and it was FANTABULOUS!!! We used some of the craft supplies that I had brought along with me to make bracelets out of pipe cleaners- and she loved it!! That little girl has SUCH a BIG spot in my heart. Saying goodbye to her is going to be the hardest thing I think I do this entire trip.
On Friday we had the morning off since the kids didn't have school. After our weekly run to the grocery store, we went to help at Kid's Club- a weekly church gathering for kids anywhere from 3 to 12- all mixed together. They introduced us, sang some worship songs and danced, had a mini- lesson, played "Freeze Tag" with us, then had a hot meal to fill their bellies before we sent them home. It was so much fun, but I really wish that I knew Afrikaans-- it would make life SOOOOOO much easier!!! :) One of the little girls that was there, named Jeanie, was one of the children I met while helping at the school on Monday. She was such a different little girl than she was on Monday. On Monday she was crazy and would stop poking me and running away full of giggles, but at Kid's Club she wouldn't participate or smile about anything. It was so sad, and made me feel really guilty that I had become frustrated when she was putting clumps of dirt in my pockets on Monday.
Saturday and Sundays are our days "off"- we don't have anything set in stone but might end up working if they need us. We ended up taking a bus, with our British friends, who are also volunteers at Agape, to the Somerset West mall to spend the day there. We went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 and had a nice meal, but walked around the rest of the day.
On Sunday, we went to Agape church in the Grabouw. The congregation isn't very big, but they are powerful! Worship is ALWAYS amazing, even if we can't always understand the songs because they are in Afrikaans. Gerrit gave a sermon about miracles, not being proud, and sin, and how they relate to each other. It was a great sermon, but it is hard to really soak it all in because the sermons are in Afrikaans. We have someone that translates for us, but they are often quite and you just lose a little something during translation, but one thing that he said that I really liked was this: "God usually gives healing out of sores that you don't like." Powerful and relevant stuff.
WEEK ONE:
So the first week that we were here we were divided amongst the schools- since there are four schools and four of us! Each day we got to spend time in a different school so we could get the full experience. Some of our days were cut short because we had to go with Ami and Gerrit to do something, but we enjoyed spending the day with the kids at each place. I was sad because the day that I was at the school for children with special needs I had to leave early. We only had one week to work with the kids before they went on "Winter break", but it was still worth it! Most evenings we spend with Ami and Gerrit's adopted children at Agape 4 (right next door to our little "cottage"). We teach them fun games, like "Signs" and "Spoons" and they've taught us a few games as well. We have lots of fun!
On Tuesday of the first week I took the girls up to Village of Hope (where I worked last summer). It was so great to see all of the "mommies" and the kids, and to meet up with Maz, one of the women that runs VOH. What a blessing to be able to go back to see my kiddos, well some of them, after a year has passed! Zanu, one of the babies I fell in love with last summer, is now walking and talking! It's amazing how much changes in a year!!
On Wednesday we were told that we were going to Monkeytown for an outing or field trip. We were all excited to go with the kids- but it was quite hectic because there were 91 three to seven year olds- who don't speak English- and maybe 20 of us. Let's just say it was a long day making sure the kids didn't get the fingers bit off by the monkeys. And Uncle Larry- I saw a real meerkat, and they don't look anything like an otter! ;)
That night we went to a young adult Bible study that my friends Lees and Daz lead at their home. I met them last year through VOH, but since they have left VOH to start their own ministry to a small group/ part of Grabouw called Elgin Timbers. This people group is some of the most destitute in the area. None of them have electricity or running water- so on the nights where we complain of being cold with our 2 blankets each, I feel pretty guilty. They all cook their food over a fire. We met some cool young people, most of them linked with missionary organizations in Grabouw. We talked about giving, not just with our money, but our time as well. It was a great lesson, but it was hard to meet the others because the power went out right before we arrived because of the major storm happening. They have invited us to come for the whole time that we are here- so I can't wait to see how God is going to work through the study! Oh, and by the way we fit 9 adults into a 5 passenger car- let's just say it was TIGHT!!! :)
On Thursday our plans were changed up again, but since Alissa and I will be here when the kids return to school, we let Rachel and Nicole pick which schools they wanted to go to. Alissa and I went to Asiphe`== which I was MORE than happy to do! :) I love being there! It is exhausting and I always leave with food or snot on me, but I just love being their will my beautiful babes! We helped feed the kids, change them, and get them out of their wheelchairs for their stretches. It is so sad to see them just sitting, since there is little stimulation.
But once the kids went down for their afternoon naps Catherine and I got to spend 2 hours alone together--- and it was FANTABULOUS!!! We used some of the craft supplies that I had brought along with me to make bracelets out of pipe cleaners- and she loved it!! That little girl has SUCH a BIG spot in my heart. Saying goodbye to her is going to be the hardest thing I think I do this entire trip.
On Friday we had the morning off since the kids didn't have school. After our weekly run to the grocery store, we went to help at Kid's Club- a weekly church gathering for kids anywhere from 3 to 12- all mixed together. They introduced us, sang some worship songs and danced, had a mini- lesson, played "Freeze Tag" with us, then had a hot meal to fill their bellies before we sent them home. It was so much fun, but I really wish that I knew Afrikaans-- it would make life SOOOOOO much easier!!! :) One of the little girls that was there, named Jeanie, was one of the children I met while helping at the school on Monday. She was such a different little girl than she was on Monday. On Monday she was crazy and would stop poking me and running away full of giggles, but at Kid's Club she wouldn't participate or smile about anything. It was so sad, and made me feel really guilty that I had become frustrated when she was putting clumps of dirt in my pockets on Monday.
Saturday and Sundays are our days "off"- we don't have anything set in stone but might end up working if they need us. We ended up taking a bus, with our British friends, who are also volunteers at Agape, to the Somerset West mall to spend the day there. We went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 and had a nice meal, but walked around the rest of the day.
On Sunday, we went to Agape church in the Grabouw. The congregation isn't very big, but they are powerful! Worship is ALWAYS amazing, even if we can't always understand the songs because they are in Afrikaans. Gerrit gave a sermon about miracles, not being proud, and sin, and how they relate to each other. It was a great sermon, but it is hard to really soak it all in because the sermons are in Afrikaans. We have someone that translates for us, but they are often quite and you just lose a little something during translation, but one thing that he said that I really liked was this: "God usually gives healing out of sores that you don't like." Powerful and relevant stuff.
Brief Update
This will be short- but I'm promising very soon that I will have more time to blog!!
We have to go buy more internet- TOTALLY different from how we do it in the states!!
I just wanted to let you know that the God I serve is awesome and has spoke in mighty ways this weekend. I've learned more about how much we serve a God that is sovereign and mighty. I love that He desires a relationship with us and doesn't want us to follow rules and special holidays. I LOVE GOD!!!
So much to tell- not enough time. Keep your eye to the blog! :)
We have to go buy more internet- TOTALLY different from how we do it in the states!!
I just wanted to let you know that the God I serve is awesome and has spoke in mighty ways this weekend. I've learned more about how much we serve a God that is sovereign and mighty. I love that He desires a relationship with us and doesn't want us to follow rules and special holidays. I LOVE GOD!!!
So much to tell- not enough time. Keep your eye to the blog! :)
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