One of the many weekly activities that goes on at NCF Church is the Thursday night prayer meeting. After I moved into the house Lucille often would ask me if I would like to come with her. I always would reply no thanks. I usually find that I enjoy the quietness of the house for those 2 hours, and decline the offer. But two weeks ago I decided to go since I needed to speak to someone.
The prayer meetings last about 1 hr, and the first 1/2 hr is spent singing worship songs and the other 1/2 hr is spent praying for prayer requests. What I have found in this church is when they pray, they say their own prayers aloud together at the same time. So the room gets very noise with every bodies prayers. That night the leader for the night was asking for people to come to the front to share an experience of how they have seen or experienced God in their lives. Some people came forward and shared stories about God providing them new transportation after their car was stolen, witnessing children accepting God into their lives and there was a man that came up and share his experience of being diagnosed with diabetes and then becoming cured of it. For some reason I also felt called to share that night, so I stepped onto the stage with the mic in hand and shared one of my experiences of God that I had back in September.
Around the 23 of September, I had decided to walk the 1 hr walk home from work to my reps home. I hadn't yet moved into Destiny House yet. A couple blocks into my walk there is a street(West St) with a very steep hill that I walk down, at the bottom of the hill there is a street that crosses through it named Prince Alfred St. . I had just only half crossed Prince Alfred when all of a sudden a short bed truck came racing down the hill and made a very quick right turn onto Prince Alfred St. right behind me. On the bed of the truck were 2 wrapped bundles of bricks and a third partial bundle of bricks and when he made that quick turn those bricks from the partial bundle went flying. I stood there for in moment of shock, digesting what was happening as these bricks came flying at me. A few bricks landed in front of me, behind me and a large path of bricks to my right trailing behind the truck. Not one brick hit me! And right then and there I knew God was there protecting me. He had wrapped his loving and protecting arms around me and I knew right then and there I am here for a reason, God's plan. Another realization that came to me right away was that he also answers prayers. A couple weeks earlier I had made a prayer request back home, requesting for safe travels as I travel around this country, and again right then and there I knew that my prayer request had been answered.
After sharing this experience I got such wonderful support and encouragement from the many people I had made. They were all so impressed that I shared a testimony.
Well I thought that I would also share this one testimony of how I am experincing God here. There have been a few other's but this one will always stick out.
Last Thursday I attended the Prayer meeting again, not sure if I'll continue every week, but I'll see. The group size that attends is probably between 100 - 200 people, which is a small group compared to that meets Sunday night for services. And here at this church I am finding myself at home, but I do miss my traditional style of church service back home. NCF is very different but good. I have come to know some of these people at the church well that will be live long friends I'm pretty sure.
Signing off...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
A few Photo's
The thought I would add a few photos that go along with my previous blog entry. Enjoy!
The children feeding the animals at Crafty Duck.
The children feeding the animals at Crafty Duck.
Thanksgiving Dinner with other Fellow Canadian's and American's 
Destiny Project House Mates,
L -R Me, Lucille (house mother), Thuli, Nandi, Rebekka and Chloe
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Recapping November
November 30th, 2009
Since it’s been a few weeks since I last blogged I thought I would do a little recap, actually it’s a long recap so now is the time for you to grab your favourite mug and fix yourself a drink.
Since that beautiful hike in Ferncliff with Liesel, I have had some busy weekends. The following weekend (Saturday Nov. 14th) after the hike, Andrew and Felicia came up for the weekend. I couldn’t spend the whole weekend with them but spent as much time as I could. The Pastor (Principal), at Gateway Christian School, invited me to attend Lion Park, with his family. I had been crossing my fingers again that weekend for a nice sunny day, but didn’t quiet get my way. It turned out to be a very damp, drizzly, overcastted day, and didn’t take long for my shoes and socks to get soaked in the wet grass.
Lion Park, is located just outside of Pietermaritzburg, and one side of the park is a zoo with animals in cages from around the world and the other part of the park is like a game drive through a long curvy bumpy dirt road through the park. We really only saw 3 types of animals along the way, which were elephants, guinea fowl, and lions. One of the rules of this part of the park was that we were to remain inside the vehicle at all times.
As we approached the elephants, we discovered there were two empty cars, and the passengers of the cars were out getting their picture taken with the elephants, and the rule of staying inside our car was quickly forgotten. When the people were finished getting their photos with the elephants we drove up and asked the elephant keepers if we too could get out and have our photo’s taken with the elephants, and as soon as they said yes we were out of the car. And so I for the first time, I met my first elephants in Africa. As I was standing beside the elephant with one hand on his side waiting for my picture to be taken, I noticed that they do actually grow hair.
A little further into the drive, there was a very large fence in field with lions, where we were able to drive around in a circle with the lions. This was very fun, neat and scary all at the same time. As we drove around the circle, some of the lions were playing with each other, but one lion liked to hook his paws onto the boot (trunk) of the car. Now I say that’s as close up of a lion I need to get! After the park we drove to Durban, had lunch and drove back to Pietermaritzburg, and I finally was dropped off at James & Joan’s to spend the rest of the weekend with Andrew, Felicia, and James & Joan. It was an awesome weekend!
The next weekend (Nov. 21) was the Alpha course’s, Holy Spirit Day, where I met up with a couple from my table (Noel and Kath), and listened to different speakers speak about The Holy Spirit. At lunch time we sat outside in groups and had a picnic, where I shared with some new friends some photos from home and a few taken here in SA. During the afternoon session the next speaker spoke to us about allowing the Spirit come and visit us. I don’t think I experienced anything, but others in the room were crying or laughing uncontrollably, which is a form how the spirit can visit you.
This past Thursday (Nov. 26th), I was invited along with the Grade R (kindergarten) class to Crafty Duck www.craftyduck.co.za . Crafty Duck is a petting farm where a lot of schools send their students for a fun class outing. The Grade R’s loved the farm, for some of the activities we did was have a short horse ride, feed some sheep, goats, and a pony, have a little train ride, saw some different types birds, snakes, bunnies, an alpaca, and springboks. And we finished up the fun day with a nice cold treat!
One of the things I noticed as we drove through the city on the way to and home from Crafty Duck, and not too far from the city’s busy down town, there is a squatter community of very small houses built of sheet metal. I have seen these houses before, but usually in the townships outside Pietermaritzburg or other towns or cities. I didn’t expect to find them where I did. I cannot imagine living in such poor ways and being able to survive. The other week we had a lot of rain and some of these types of homes, families were flooded out.
This past weekend, the girls have been busy finishing up their Destiny Project program, and also been saying goodbye to Rebekka. Rebekka’s flight leaves on the 1st of December back to Germany. I have found that I could relate the best to Rebekka, since we both were from different countries. I know I will miss these girls, but I am also looking forward to some quiet and cleanliness around the house for a couple months until the next years girls arrive in February. It’s not easy sharing a washroom and getting your shower before work with 4 other girls needing to use it too!
Yesterday, I finally had my Thanksgiving turkey with other fellow Canadians and Americans. There was maybe about 20-30 of us sitting down to a very long table enjoying the awesome meal which included turkey of course with bread stuffing, peas, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, rolls, and a awesome collection of home made pies which included pumpkin, pecan, and apple. I hope this answers my families questions back home about what food was served! The meal was delish, and thanks to all that prepared it, it was really good! Some of these Americans and Canadians that made up our group were the Radical Journey Participants, through Mennonite Mission’s Network. I finally got to meet you all, and I look forward to our joint Christmas Retreat in January in Port Shepstone.
Anyways I think this about raps this really long November recap up, but I just want to lastly say that this coming weekend, Simon and Anna are traveling down from Lesotho, Andrew and Felicia are coming over from Durban and we are going to be spending time together for an Advent Spiritual Retreat. I am really looking forward to this since it’s been two months since we all have seen each other.
Signing off…..
Since it’s been a few weeks since I last blogged I thought I would do a little recap, actually it’s a long recap so now is the time for you to grab your favourite mug and fix yourself a drink.
Since that beautiful hike in Ferncliff with Liesel, I have had some busy weekends. The following weekend (Saturday Nov. 14th) after the hike, Andrew and Felicia came up for the weekend. I couldn’t spend the whole weekend with them but spent as much time as I could. The Pastor (Principal), at Gateway Christian School, invited me to attend Lion Park, with his family. I had been crossing my fingers again that weekend for a nice sunny day, but didn’t quiet get my way. It turned out to be a very damp, drizzly, overcastted day, and didn’t take long for my shoes and socks to get soaked in the wet grass.
Lion Park, is located just outside of Pietermaritzburg, and one side of the park is a zoo with animals in cages from around the world and the other part of the park is like a game drive through a long curvy bumpy dirt road through the park. We really only saw 3 types of animals along the way, which were elephants, guinea fowl, and lions. One of the rules of this part of the park was that we were to remain inside the vehicle at all times.
As we approached the elephants, we discovered there were two empty cars, and the passengers of the cars were out getting their picture taken with the elephants, and the rule of staying inside our car was quickly forgotten. When the people were finished getting their photos with the elephants we drove up and asked the elephant keepers if we too could get out and have our photo’s taken with the elephants, and as soon as they said yes we were out of the car. And so I for the first time, I met my first elephants in Africa. As I was standing beside the elephant with one hand on his side waiting for my picture to be taken, I noticed that they do actually grow hair.
A little further into the drive, there was a very large fence in field with lions, where we were able to drive around in a circle with the lions. This was very fun, neat and scary all at the same time. As we drove around the circle, some of the lions were playing with each other, but one lion liked to hook his paws onto the boot (trunk) of the car. Now I say that’s as close up of a lion I need to get! After the park we drove to Durban, had lunch and drove back to Pietermaritzburg, and I finally was dropped off at James & Joan’s to spend the rest of the weekend with Andrew, Felicia, and James & Joan. It was an awesome weekend!
The next weekend (Nov. 21) was the Alpha course’s, Holy Spirit Day, where I met up with a couple from my table (Noel and Kath), and listened to different speakers speak about The Holy Spirit. At lunch time we sat outside in groups and had a picnic, where I shared with some new friends some photos from home and a few taken here in SA. During the afternoon session the next speaker spoke to us about allowing the Spirit come and visit us. I don’t think I experienced anything, but others in the room were crying or laughing uncontrollably, which is a form how the spirit can visit you.
This past Thursday (Nov. 26th), I was invited along with the Grade R (kindergarten) class to Crafty Duck www.craftyduck.co.za . Crafty Duck is a petting farm where a lot of schools send their students for a fun class outing. The Grade R’s loved the farm, for some of the activities we did was have a short horse ride, feed some sheep, goats, and a pony, have a little train ride, saw some different types birds, snakes, bunnies, an alpaca, and springboks. And we finished up the fun day with a nice cold treat!
One of the things I noticed as we drove through the city on the way to and home from Crafty Duck, and not too far from the city’s busy down town, there is a squatter community of very small houses built of sheet metal. I have seen these houses before, but usually in the townships outside Pietermaritzburg or other towns or cities. I didn’t expect to find them where I did. I cannot imagine living in such poor ways and being able to survive. The other week we had a lot of rain and some of these types of homes, families were flooded out.
This past weekend, the girls have been busy finishing up their Destiny Project program, and also been saying goodbye to Rebekka. Rebekka’s flight leaves on the 1st of December back to Germany. I have found that I could relate the best to Rebekka, since we both were from different countries. I know I will miss these girls, but I am also looking forward to some quiet and cleanliness around the house for a couple months until the next years girls arrive in February. It’s not easy sharing a washroom and getting your shower before work with 4 other girls needing to use it too!
Yesterday, I finally had my Thanksgiving turkey with other fellow Canadians and Americans. There was maybe about 20-30 of us sitting down to a very long table enjoying the awesome meal which included turkey of course with bread stuffing, peas, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, rolls, and a awesome collection of home made pies which included pumpkin, pecan, and apple. I hope this answers my families questions back home about what food was served! The meal was delish, and thanks to all that prepared it, it was really good! Some of these Americans and Canadians that made up our group were the Radical Journey Participants, through Mennonite Mission’s Network. I finally got to meet you all, and I look forward to our joint Christmas Retreat in January in Port Shepstone.
Anyways I think this about raps this really long November recap up, but I just want to lastly say that this coming weekend, Simon and Anna are traveling down from Lesotho, Andrew and Felicia are coming over from Durban and we are going to be spending time together for an Advent Spiritual Retreat. I am really looking forward to this since it’s been two months since we all have seen each other.
Signing off…..
Friday, November 13, 2009
Hiking in Ferncliff
November 12, 2009
I have to admit now that my time is now really flying bye. I left home over 3 months ago, and have about 8 months left. The last couple of weeks I have noticed I have been keeping busy on weekends, which is good.
Last month, actually it was my Canadian Thanksgiving, my friend Becky from work (Becky, is the teams and volunteer person at Project Gateway) took me out with another girl named Kath, to home up in the North end of the city to another friends place, named Liesel. Liesel has a beautiful home which her father built for her, and an awesome view of the city. After meeting Liesel, I have been meeting up with her weekly at an Alpha course I’ve been attending at NCF Church.
One night at Alpha, I was telling her that I would really like to get an awesome picture of our city. Since Pietermaritzburg pretty much sits picturesque in the bottom a bowl of rolling hills, I knew there had to be somewhere that would give me a good view. Liesel knew of a couple places and so our picnic hike adventure began.
I find the weather right now so variable, some days it is misty/rainy cool and damp and other days nice and sunny, and now some days just sizzling hot. I also find that there have been more rainy damp and cool days than the nice sunny days, and so for a few days before our hike they were really nice days, and so I hoped our hike day was going to be a good day and it was a really warm day.
So Liesel picked me up and we went back to her place to finish up our picnic lunch and waited for the other hikers to arrive. Our friend Kath, who I thought was coming couldn’t, but Liesel had other friends and so once they arrived and our grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches were finished we headed off for our hike.
What I didn’t expect or shall I say how ill-equipped I was for this picnic/hike I soon found out. I had decided not to wear my hikers (what was I thinking!!!) and wore a skirt (again what was I thinking!!!!) I some how managed to hike wearing my black sandals, which my feet were constantly sliding in and out of. But I did some how did manage to hike to our picnic spot. This by the way held an awesome view of the city. And we sat ate our lunches and chatted. Liesel and her friend Lisa, who just got back from South America, enjoys hiking in the Drakensburg Mountains. One of my to do things is to go hiking in the Drakensburg; so I’m hopping to go on an over night weekend trip with them to the Burgs. In the end the hike was great, saw a monkey on the way out. After Liesel and I were dropped off at her place she took me over to World’s View, which is another location that gives you another view of the city, but is also the route that the Voor Trekkers used when the traveled and settled into the area through the hills. Beautiful view too!
This coming weekend has turned into another busy one, but that’s okay. Felicia and Andrew are coming from Durban. I haven’t seen them in over a month, and Saturday tomorrow I’ve been invited to go to Lions Park, an animal park just outside of Pietermaritzburg. I hope the weather will co-operate and it will be nice day.
I have to admit now that my time is now really flying bye. I left home over 3 months ago, and have about 8 months left. The last couple of weeks I have noticed I have been keeping busy on weekends, which is good.
Last month, actually it was my Canadian Thanksgiving, my friend Becky from work (Becky, is the teams and volunteer person at Project Gateway) took me out with another girl named Kath, to home up in the North end of the city to another friends place, named Liesel. Liesel has a beautiful home which her father built for her, and an awesome view of the city. After meeting Liesel, I have been meeting up with her weekly at an Alpha course I’ve been attending at NCF Church.
One night at Alpha, I was telling her that I would really like to get an awesome picture of our city. Since Pietermaritzburg pretty much sits picturesque in the bottom a bowl of rolling hills, I knew there had to be somewhere that would give me a good view. Liesel knew of a couple places and so our picnic hike adventure began.
I find the weather right now so variable, some days it is misty/rainy cool and damp and other days nice and sunny, and now some days just sizzling hot. I also find that there have been more rainy damp and cool days than the nice sunny days, and so for a few days before our hike they were really nice days, and so I hoped our hike day was going to be a good day and it was a really warm day.
So Liesel picked me up and we went back to her place to finish up our picnic lunch and waited for the other hikers to arrive. Our friend Kath, who I thought was coming couldn’t, but Liesel had other friends and so once they arrived and our grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches were finished we headed off for our hike.
What I didn’t expect or shall I say how ill-equipped I was for this picnic/hike I soon found out. I had decided not to wear my hikers (what was I thinking!!!) and wore a skirt (again what was I thinking!!!!) I some how managed to hike wearing my black sandals, which my feet were constantly sliding in and out of. But I did some how did manage to hike to our picnic spot. This by the way held an awesome view of the city. And we sat ate our lunches and chatted. Liesel and her friend Lisa, who just got back from South America, enjoys hiking in the Drakensburg Mountains. One of my to do things is to go hiking in the Drakensburg; so I’m hopping to go on an over night weekend trip with them to the Burgs. In the end the hike was great, saw a monkey on the way out. After Liesel and I were dropped off at her place she took me over to World’s View, which is another location that gives you another view of the city, but is also the route that the Voor Trekkers used when the traveled and settled into the area through the hills. Beautiful view too!
This coming weekend has turned into another busy one, but that’s okay. Felicia and Andrew are coming from Durban. I haven’t seen them in over a month, and Saturday tomorrow I’ve been invited to go to Lions Park, an animal park just outside of Pietermaritzburg. I hope the weather will co-operate and it will be nice day.
The city of Pietermaritzburg, SA.
My hiking group, Liesel wearing the read top.
Signing off....
Friday, October 30, 2009
Finding my Groove
Well though I better blog what I wanna blog before it becomes to far in the past. hehe I am finally feeling very settled and comfortable in my new home stay, and am still gradually getting to know the girls, and before I know it they will be gone the end of November. : (
So last week was a really good week. I accompanied one of the Grade 2 classes to Butterflies for Africa. It was great fun! One thing I notice while travelling in the Kombie's with classes, is that they love to sing. I was grouped with the girls, and we went into the Butterfly House first. The butterflies weren't too active, since it was rainy, cool and over casted out. But there were some fluttering around. Inside there were tropical plants and flowers, some birds, butterflies of course, iguana, a tropical bird, monkeys and huge gold fish. The children were a little nervous with some of the butterflies, but loved feeding the fish. There was a really nice cafe where myself and the school Kombie driver Uncle Phillip, there we were treated to some food, and the cafe looked down onto the gift store. I saw lots of pretty gifts but didn't have really enough money to buy myself anything anyways. When I got home that afternoon, Rebekka, had a really nice surprise for me. Rebekka, and a couple of the other girls in the house like to make their own jewelery. But Rebekka, had bought me a pair of beautiful pink butterfly earrings. How perfect a day, and a day I'll won't forget!
Some of the things I have found to do with the girls in the house is watching movies on my computer. Felicia, my fellow SALTer allowed me some of her movies to play on my computer, and I have been sharing them with them. So far, Nandi, Rebekka, and I have watched 3 movies together.
Saturday the 24th, I tagged along with Lucille and others from NCF church on an outreach in a small town of Richmond, which is about 30 mins away. We went to the poorer edge of town, going house to house telling the people that there is a near by church, and encouraged them to attend. Here, in this poor community, I again have witnessed how family survive with so little, but with such closeness of friends and family they survive. They do have some electricity, where we heard music blaring from a home, and a TV playing in another. But the home that had the TV, I saw no eclectic fridge or stove, but a cooking surface over bricks and a piece of sheet metal. The homes were separated by wire fences and hanging on the fences were here clothes drying, and in some yards you would find a wash basin and dishes. The home where the TV was playing, there was 3 small boys sitting in one big tub taking a bath with one licking a cold treat. Most of their prayer requests were for employment.
Later that night, Lucille, Chole, and Thuli went to a concert in Durban, and Rebekka and Nandi came home from a day hiking around the Berg. Nandi and I made supper while Rebekka decided we were going to sit outside in the thunder and lighting to enjoy our supper. She really wanted to light candles but couldn't find any. And besides why do we need candles when we have lighting. To be honest, I really do not feel 100% comfortable being outside in thunder and lighting so this was a little out of my comfort zone, but Rebekka wanted to do this. We did manage to eat outside before it rained, and the thunder and light got closer. After dishes were cleaned up, Rebekka, Nandi, and I watched Elizabeth Town. It was a great way to end a great day.
Well, I better finish up here. Project Gateway is having an Aniversary Dinner in 4o mins. Our dinner menu consists of salmon entree, bunny chow (minced beef on a bun), and dessert I think strawberries and cream. Yum to everything but the salmon part, oh well! The hall is decked out pretty nice so cheers!
Signing off....
So last week was a really good week. I accompanied one of the Grade 2 classes to Butterflies for Africa. It was great fun! One thing I notice while travelling in the Kombie's with classes, is that they love to sing. I was grouped with the girls, and we went into the Butterfly House first. The butterflies weren't too active, since it was rainy, cool and over casted out. But there were some fluttering around. Inside there were tropical plants and flowers, some birds, butterflies of course, iguana, a tropical bird, monkeys and huge gold fish. The children were a little nervous with some of the butterflies, but loved feeding the fish. There was a really nice cafe where myself and the school Kombie driver Uncle Phillip, there we were treated to some food, and the cafe looked down onto the gift store. I saw lots of pretty gifts but didn't have really enough money to buy myself anything anyways. When I got home that afternoon, Rebekka, had a really nice surprise for me. Rebekka, and a couple of the other girls in the house like to make their own jewelery. But Rebekka, had bought me a pair of beautiful pink butterfly earrings. How perfect a day, and a day I'll won't forget!
Some of the things I have found to do with the girls in the house is watching movies on my computer. Felicia, my fellow SALTer allowed me some of her movies to play on my computer, and I have been sharing them with them. So far, Nandi, Rebekka, and I have watched 3 movies together.
Saturday the 24th, I tagged along with Lucille and others from NCF church on an outreach in a small town of Richmond, which is about 30 mins away. We went to the poorer edge of town, going house to house telling the people that there is a near by church, and encouraged them to attend. Here, in this poor community, I again have witnessed how family survive with so little, but with such closeness of friends and family they survive. They do have some electricity, where we heard music blaring from a home, and a TV playing in another. But the home that had the TV, I saw no eclectic fridge or stove, but a cooking surface over bricks and a piece of sheet metal. The homes were separated by wire fences and hanging on the fences were here clothes drying, and in some yards you would find a wash basin and dishes. The home where the TV was playing, there was 3 small boys sitting in one big tub taking a bath with one licking a cold treat. Most of their prayer requests were for employment.
Later that night, Lucille, Chole, and Thuli went to a concert in Durban, and Rebekka and Nandi came home from a day hiking around the Berg. Nandi and I made supper while Rebekka decided we were going to sit outside in the thunder and lighting to enjoy our supper. She really wanted to light candles but couldn't find any. And besides why do we need candles when we have lighting. To be honest, I really do not feel 100% comfortable being outside in thunder and lighting so this was a little out of my comfort zone, but Rebekka wanted to do this. We did manage to eat outside before it rained, and the thunder and light got closer. After dishes were cleaned up, Rebekka, Nandi, and I watched Elizabeth Town. It was a great way to end a great day.
Well, I better finish up here. Project Gateway is having an Aniversary Dinner in 4o mins. Our dinner menu consists of salmon entree, bunny chow (minced beef on a bun), and dessert I think strawberries and cream. Yum to everything but the salmon part, oh well! The hall is decked out pretty nice so cheers!
Signing off....
Monday, October 26, 2009
Destiny House
Oct 22, 2009
Well on October 6th I moved into my new home stay Destiny House, for the year. So I’m living with 4 young girls who are in their gap year between high school, and university, who are part of church Christian group called Destiny Project. There are 11 in this group, and they are from SA, but one a girl from Germany. The girls I’m living with are Nandi, Chloe, and Thuli from SA, and Rebekka from Germany. Living with us is our house mother Lucille from SA too! We make our selves a very mixed bunch consisting of 2 whites, 2 coloured, and 2 blacks! Destiny House is owned by a church called New Covenant Fellowship (NCF), which is a Pentecostal Charismatic Evangelical church, and the home is located right outside the church building. NCF has three locations within the city area, and the one I’m living beside is the South one. This church has three services on Sundays, one at 8am 10am, and 6pm, and at the maximum it can hold 2000 worshipers. I have attended one of the other church locations, the West, which is a new church plant in the township of Imbali, and is one of the poorest parts of the outer city area.
Some of the houses down the streets are built of sheet metal, or concrete cement bricks; which aren’t very big, with a long drop out behind the house building. Wondering down the streets, or the ditches you wouldn’t be surprised to see pigs, goats, cattle, or chickens. There is always lots of garbage scattered in the streets as well. The next street over you may find nicer houses, that look more normal and better.
When I first moved in here it was the hardest two weeks of my journey thus far. I hit a low, and it was really hard, I missed home so very much. I hadn’t spoken to my family in weeks and I all I wanted to do was pack everything up and go back home. But I couldn’t, I am here until July next year and there is still so much I want to do. What I have found about with working at Project Gateway is the amazing community of family, and support, and the strength that they give me. If it wasn’t for my family of friends at Project Gateway, my MCC Reps, and family back home, I may still be at my low.
Two weeks later now, I am doing great, I am making friends with these roommates of mine, and I know that when their program is finished the 30th of November I will miss them when they leave. But there will be new girls moving in next February for next years Destiny Project group. I have also now started attending church activities and making friends with young adult at NCF. I am looking forward to the many activities and functions at NCF (Alpha, and home cell group).
Signing out...
Well on October 6th I moved into my new home stay Destiny House, for the year. So I’m living with 4 young girls who are in their gap year between high school, and university, who are part of church Christian group called Destiny Project. There are 11 in this group, and they are from SA, but one a girl from Germany. The girls I’m living with are Nandi, Chloe, and Thuli from SA, and Rebekka from Germany. Living with us is our house mother Lucille from SA too! We make our selves a very mixed bunch consisting of 2 whites, 2 coloured, and 2 blacks! Destiny House is owned by a church called New Covenant Fellowship (NCF), which is a Pentecostal Charismatic Evangelical church, and the home is located right outside the church building. NCF has three locations within the city area, and the one I’m living beside is the South one. This church has three services on Sundays, one at 8am 10am, and 6pm, and at the maximum it can hold 2000 worshipers. I have attended one of the other church locations, the West, which is a new church plant in the township of Imbali, and is one of the poorest parts of the outer city area.
Some of the houses down the streets are built of sheet metal, or concrete cement bricks; which aren’t very big, with a long drop out behind the house building. Wondering down the streets, or the ditches you wouldn’t be surprised to see pigs, goats, cattle, or chickens. There is always lots of garbage scattered in the streets as well. The next street over you may find nicer houses, that look more normal and better.
When I first moved in here it was the hardest two weeks of my journey thus far. I hit a low, and it was really hard, I missed home so very much. I hadn’t spoken to my family in weeks and I all I wanted to do was pack everything up and go back home. But I couldn’t, I am here until July next year and there is still so much I want to do. What I have found about with working at Project Gateway is the amazing community of family, and support, and the strength that they give me. If it wasn’t for my family of friends at Project Gateway, my MCC Reps, and family back home, I may still be at my low.
Two weeks later now, I am doing great, I am making friends with these roommates of mine, and I know that when their program is finished the 30th of November I will miss them when they leave. But there will be new girls moving in next February for next years Destiny Project group. I have also now started attending church activities and making friends with young adult at NCF. I am looking forward to the many activities and functions at NCF (Alpha, and home cell group).
Signing out...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Culture
I started writing this entry on October 8th, so bare with me. To start, I thought I would start with the definition of what is culture:
On the 25th of September, Project Gateway, planned a Prison History Night, to help celebrate Heritage Day. The program consisted of 2 gentlemen sharing their time spent living here as prisoners, and another guest speaker talked about King Dinizulu, who was also in prisoned here at Gateway, and then sent onto St. Helen Island. There was also some lovely singing and dancing performed by Zulu staff members, who also dressed in Zulu attire. The singing is so awesome here at Project Gateway, and know I am certainly going to miss it when I come home.
Me in the Drakensburgs
Looking down onto the Capital of Maseru
One of the schools dance during the competition.
"The sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another. Culture is transmitted, through language, material objects, ritual, institutions, and art, from one generation to the next."
October 8th:
Two weeks ago, South Africa celebrated Heritage Day, on the 24th of September. I had mentioned in a previous entry that the school was planning a Fun Walk Fundraiser, to raise funds for the school building fund. Gateway Christian School is planning on adding 2 more classes and a new toilet block. They currently have 270 students and with adding these 2 classes will be adding about 60 more students. I was asked by a teacher organizing and planning this advent to help make tickets, and design and print posters for the various food booth stands and activities after the walk on the school grounds. A few of the teachers even dressed in traditional Zulu outfits and to top it off, it was wonderful warm day for the event.
Here two of the teachers are giving out prizes to the Lucky Draw Winners
Here two of the teachers are giving out prizes to the Lucky Draw Winners On the 25th of September, Project Gateway, planned a Prison History Night, to help celebrate Heritage Day. The program consisted of 2 gentlemen sharing their time spent living here as prisoners, and another guest speaker talked about King Dinizulu, who was also in prisoned here at Gateway, and then sent onto St. Helen Island. There was also some lovely singing and dancing performed by Zulu staff members, who also dressed in Zulu attire. The singing is so awesome here at Project Gateway, and know I am certainly going to miss it when I come home.
I have found working here in South Africa, that when a young person reaches the age of 21, it is a very big thing. Some families will throw their children very extravagant birthday parties celebrating the milestone.
Some of the staff dressed in their Zulu outfits.
September 30th, I traveled to Morija, Lesotho, with James & Joan, Andrew and Felicia where we met up with Simon and Anna. We also met up with more MCCer's, Burno & Lois, who are the Southern Africa Associate Directors, who live in Johannesburg, but are from Saskatchewan, and Brad Reimer, from MCC Winnipeg. Brad, was on his way to Mozambique, but came a little earlier and came to South Africa and met us in Lesotho, to take in Morija's Art and Cultural Festival with us.
Some of the staff dressed in their Zulu outfits.September 30th, I traveled to Morija, Lesotho, with James & Joan, Andrew and Felicia where we met up with Simon and Anna. We also met up with more MCCer's, Burno & Lois, who are the Southern Africa Associate Directors, who live in Johannesburg, but are from Saskatchewan, and Brad Reimer, from MCC Winnipeg. Brad, was on his way to Mozambique, but came a little earlier and came to South Africa and met us in Lesotho, to take in Morija's Art and Cultural Festival with us.
It was a beautiful drive, surrounded by God’s beauty, especially driving through the Drakensburg Mountains. Such awesome splendour of nature and beauty! We even drove past a small group of zebras that were resting near the road , but I was unfortunately busy at the moment and didn’t snap a picture of them.
Me in the DrakensburgsDuring our stay in Morija, we traveled into Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, and visited with a lady who is a Commisioner for Independent Electoral Commission, visited the Transformation Resource Centre, whom MCC has connections with, and met a family friend of Joan's, who is a co-founder of Seliba Sa Boithuto (Centre for Self Study), and Paballong HIV/AIDS Care Centre. We were given a tour of both places and the scenery was just beautiful.
Looking down onto the Capital of MaseruThe rest of the weekend we spent wondering around the festival. Where we watched school dance competitions. Ate a traditional African meal, took in a couple concerts, where local people came up to us and we formed a little dance group. Even the local people took our picture because we were visitors from another country. The didn't even ask if they could take our picture but just pointed their camera and snapped. Sunday the last day of the festival, was a cool damp day which we spent just relaxing and playing games in our guest house. We were going to watch some Gospel singing but they changed the time and we just stayed back at the guest house and heard alittle of the music from their. Monday, us five travled back back to South Africa.
One of the schools dance during the competition.
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