lots to do in Capricorn

7 February 2010

 

In short:

. School Supplies purchased

. Had a GREAT conversation with Gail in Capricorn

. Watching some American TV

. Found 2 great friends- Kendra and Danielle

. Capricorn Youth Friday- illustrations and musical chairs

. Fish Hoek Beach on Saturday!

. Being a soldier – message from an elder

. Prince William broken down in Capricorn

 

In more detail:

So, an update on the teenager who needed school supplies: I had a few sweet people offer to provide for this sweet girl. Some of the money will go to reimburse for the school supplies, other donations will go to help this girl with school fees and uniforms. THANK YOU to my friends and family back home who have been keeping up with me and want to help!  I went to Pick n' Pay and bought her 9^th grade school supply list and gave it to Living Hope staff from Capricorn to give to her. I have to be VERY careful that gifts do not come directly from me. For my safety, I don't want any child to think I'm showing favoritism and I certainly don't want to be taken advantage of and have every child come to me when they need money. All donations must go through Living Hope and they help sort through the needs. I'm learning a lot about the poor, how to truly meet needs and sort through those taking advantage of the system. Living Hope is brilliant!

 

After finding out MORE hard things that are going on with the youth and their circumstances, I dropped in the office of Gail (works for Living Hope at the Capricorn Office, leads a support group of teens, knows the community and the girls that go to Capricorn Church). I told Gail that I was really burdened about these girls and wanted to know what she thought their greatest struggle was. We had a LONG talk about the youth and what she saw at the church. It was comforting to hear her talk about these teens and for me to realize that they struggle with the exact same things that my sweet youth did in Alabama. Granted, they're also struggling with poverty and parents dying of AIDS, but they're teenagers and deal with purity issues, lack of confidence, stealing, lying, too much homework, etc.

Gail also began to tell me about the families in the Capricorn Community. I asked her if she knew most of these kids' parents. She said she did and told me all about their horrific alcohol abuse, drug use and lifestyles that she didn't approve of. She said "My husband and I don't have friends. We have work and our church. There's not a community of Believers in Capricorn for us to hangout with. We try to protect our children and our children's friends from the community we live in." She also told me that she prays boldly that the Lord will give her a home big enough to take in these kids/teens that need to be taken out of their homes due to their parent's inability to take care of them. It was a hard conversation, but I was honored that she would share these things with me. My eyes continue to be opened to the real world of South Africa townships and the great need for Believers to live transformed lives. South Africa needs Jesus!

On a lighter note, we have one TV in the house. I rarely watch it because there's not much on that's worth watching. However, I've found:

Extreme Makeover Home Edition with Ty Pennington

Hanging with Mr. Cooper (my fav from the early 90's)

The Doctors (medical talk show)

Flash Forward

 

Kendra, Danielle and I happened on Flash Forward last Sunday night. We'd ordered pizza and were just hanging out. We got sucked into this drama and made a date for tonight (Sunday) to watch the next episode and order pizza again! I think the show has been on for months in the States, but we caught season 1, episode 2 and are hooked.

 

Speaking of Kendra and Danielle. They've been life-savers for me. I've 'clicked' with them, I'm open and honest about my feelings with them and we share the same views and frustrations of ministry. Kendra and I stayed up till 3am Friday night/Saturday morning talking about life and some issues we are both having with the Capricorn Youth. It's refreshing to have those people; since being away from home, I realize how much I miss my friends to just call on my cell phone and talk about life. The Lord has brought these two into my life and the right time!

Capricorn Youth Friday was SO much fun this week. There were about 50 youth there. We played games. I REALLY got into Musical Chairs. All the youth loved that I was all up in the game and really competitive. I was sweating by the end of the game. I was also in charge of the sermon illustration. We talked about being 'counter cultural'- I put mayo in a yogurt container, froze it and made someone come taste it, also had sprite in a water bottle... we talked about being in the container of the world but what's in us being VERY different and not what is expected. Shagmie continued the illustration in his 'talk' and really brought home the point of being in the world but not of it. It was a great night!

 

I'm a changed woman:

Anyone that knows me, knows that I HATE the beach. The sand, sun and saltwater are not friends of mine. I love the sound of the waves and the atmosphere the beach brings, but I'd rather be in a condo somewhere looking and listening and not touching the beach. WELL… South Africa has changed my mind. On Saturday, I went to Fish Hoek Beach with Danielle, Kenny and Carla. There were maybe 5 people when we got there; I'm told most people go to the beaches on Sunday here, not Saturday. I put on my 70 spf with helioplex (that Becky Weeks, wife of a dermatologist) recommended and sent with me. Had a towel and water and really relaxed! The beach was so clean. The beaches near me are all surrounded by HUGE mountains; you get the best of both views. There are about 4 different beaches near me. I promise to frequent them!

 

Church was amazing today. About 100 people in attendance; half under 18 years old. We had Communion, the Youth led music, one of the elderly members that helped plant the Capricorn Church spoke on what it means to be a Soldier for Christ (2 Timothy 2): A solider under-goes pain, obeys the commands of his authority, ready and willing at all times, selfless, lives a life of separation from the world, can be lonely, endures stress, has great purpose. It was very challenging and encouraging!

 

After church, I went outside to leave, and my car wouldn't start. Shagmie tried to crank it, Pastor Severo looked at it, no one could figure out what was wrong. Kendra brought me home and I called the rental lady- Lynn. She and her husband were going to go look at it tonight and hopefully get it back to me early this week. I guess I'll have to figure out how to get to work and home each day. Good grief.