20 Jan 2010
Hello from Windy, Sunny South Africa!
Got in at 12 midnight on Wednesday. Had rushed connections every stop, but made each leg of the flight. I had no idea who would be picking me up from the airport; I walked out the airport doors to see my friends Danielle and Shagmie waiting for me. I began to cry because it was such a relief to be on the ground and in the company of my South African friends.
I'd been traveling for over 25 hours, needed a shower, got to the room where I am staying, met/woke up my roommate (Amy), took off my shoes and literally fell into bed. Woke up wide-eyed at 6am and began a very wonderful and full day.
Had an orientation meeting with the Talleys. Went to the Prevention Building and hungout with Avril and some of her staff, and then Danielle took me to Masi's Kids Club. I'd never been to another townships' Kids Club and Avril wanted me to visit a few before I land in Capricorn and begin the real work. Masi is a Xhosa speaking native town; I knew nothing they were saying (unless some of the adults translated for me). It was really neat to watch the Living Hope (natives) Staff teach kids about Christ in a language I couldn't understand, but feel ever word they were speaking. [Note: everything I knew about the structure of the Prevention Programs has changed. It's good change, but not what I expected to come into. I'll explain later when I get my head around it all.] I went to the 'Teen Club' at Masi, sat in their Bible Study time, observed and began to see the vast differences between the townships of Masi and Capricorn; Masi was much more chaotic, less obedient, and wide-spread education levels amongst teens of similar ages. Sitting in that small room with the Masi teens was definitely a reality check: I'm in a new place, new culture, new life. That reality wasn't scary- just affirmative!
Other details of note:
. Living in a tight space. Rooms are NOT spacious.
. The volunteer house is in a gated/locked area.
. 16 volunteers staying here- some leave in Feb, others stay for months.
. Haven't been able to set up a phone yet. Hopefully will get to do that this weekend.
. Car: think I'm picking that up tomorrow????
. Shagmie (pronounced 'Shock-me'… my friend that is teaching me to surf) just became the new youth pastor at Capricorn Church. On the ride home from the airport, he told me all about the youth kick-off in Capricorn this past Friday; there were 60+ youth there. That's definitely a record for Capricorn. God is moving among those youth! Shagmie said, "God is assembling the team that He wants, and we're so glad you're a part of it!" That was great encouragement!
. Update on the Dollar-a-Day Program later… meeting with Avril tomorrow at 11:30am and will get the scoop.
. Learned a meal lesson today: I was one of the last to dinner (our one hot meal of the day) because I'd gotten back from Masi later than the others. All the vegetables/salad were gone. We had pizza and it was wonderful, but I hated to miss the green part.
. Brought lots of sunscreen; glad I did. Not burned yet.
. Phone: really have no idea when I'll get one or what the access internationally will be. Be patient with me. I'll try to get on Skype this weekend!
. Already knew this, but REALLY learning that things happen at a slower pace here. If it were up to me, I'd have a phone, car, currency transferred, etc... but this is a new time, new pace.
Hope to head to bed early. Have meetings tomorrow and will have my first view of Capricorn! Can't wait!
Thank you for your prayers and support. I truly felt them as I flew yesterday. It was a stressful flight and connections but God sent me through all of it well.
I'll write again soon. Just got internet in our Volunteer House TODAY!
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