Second day in Africa

21 January, Thursday

 

In short:

. Got a phone! South Africa number: (27) 072 398 1985

. Met with Avril- job details and updated on new ministries

. It's HOT in Africa!

. Can't sleep well. Jet-lag plus no air = no sleep.

. Got a ticket to the first soccer game played in the new World Cup stadium. Game is Saturday! Going with other volunteers! Ticket was only 30 Rand… about $5.

. Went to Capricorn Kids Club.

 

In more detail:

Thursday was a busy, busy day. The morning consisted of me running around with Alicia (who transports the volunteers to their ministry locations in the morning) until she could drop me at the mall to do errands to get me started. I stocked up on toiletries at the Pick n' Pay, got a phone and local air-time at Vodacom, and an adapter for all my American plugs (electric plugs are very different here).

After the mall, I went to my meeting with Avril. It was so fruitful. My title with the Living Hope Staff is Leadership Development Coordinator and Teen Program Advisor. This encompasses a lot of different things. Here's what Avril and I talked about:

. Teaching the Life Skill Educators (LSEs) leadership skills

. Working with the Teen Club LSEs-

-                   going into colleges and high schools doing assemblies and leadership talks, building relationships with school principals in order for Living Hope to have community connections and access to a large number of teens.

-                   Attend Teen Clubs in the afternoon at Capricorn (after 2 months, March)

-                   Evaluate Teen Clubs and Teen Club LSEs

. Capricorn will be my 'base' for worship and Teen Clubs.

. The first 2 months, I'll visit each townships' Kids Club, learn culture, observe, evaluate, etc.

. Talk to each Life Skill Educator about where they worship (local church in the community) and attend different youth groups with them. Begin to build relationships with local pastors and youth leaders.

. Pair teens from Clubs with local churches and fruitful youth groups for discipleship

. Each month I'll meet with Avril and report goals and progress.

 

Weekend plans!!!!: Got a ticket to the first soccer match in the new World Cup Stadium. About 30 of the ACTS staff and Volunteers are going to the game together. How exciting to be part of this excitement in South Africa!

 

The Capricorn Kids Club was amazing! As soon as I walked in the door, the youth that I worked with on previous trips ran and hugged me, overwhelmed me with their love and included me in all their activities! I couldn't stop smiling. It was so comforting to be back in the place where my heart grew fond of Africa. There are LOTS of changes at Living Hope, but all are good and progressive. I promise to give you a break-down soon, but I'm still learning and trying to get it all in my head right now.

 

On a personal level- please pray that I begin to sleep better. It's HOT here, I sleep on top of the sheets and still can't get comfortable. Jet-lag has been exhausting. I get up at 2am wide awake. When I do, I get up and read and pray and have good quiet time; however, I'd like to sleep sometime soon!