Once in a Blue Moon

We're not big on bringing in the new year here at my place. Actually, this year I'm far more excited about the fact that it's a blue moon tonight and so the numbers and statistics start coming out! Did you know that a blue moon (that is, a second full moon in a month) only happens about every 2.5 years? And the fact that this one is on New Year's Eve is even more special - it only happens once every 19 years. The last one was 1990 (those were the good old days - junior high!) and the next one will happen in 2028 (just imagine what life will be like then!). So whether you're out celebrating tonight or at home like me, I wish you God's richest blessings in 2010!!

Sydney

Believe it or not (and I choose to believe it), our dog - Sydney - remembered me after 9 long months away. I mean, she came running when she heard me call on the day I got home. But then again, she just loves attention and belly rubs, so she may not have remembered me from a hole in the ground!! We thought she would grow out of the puppy stage, but it doesn't look very hopeful after 3 years of her crazy antics! She drives my dad nuts, but I know he loves her too! Sydney is a Norwegian Elkhound and lives for the cold. She almost eats our cats alive and my parents especially love it when she barks under their window all night (which is most every night!).

Listen Up TV

I don't think I've blogged about it, though I've mentioned it to some people along the way: my greatest fear in returning home from South Africa was that God was going to stay in South Africa with my new church and my new friends and that He wouldn't make the 7 day journey back home to Canada with me (really, it's hard to blame Him when it is so cold here!). Of course, it's MY decision to bring Him along, because God is everywhere! And I am so thankful to see Him at work at home already!

As God was working His web of connections and contacts in South Africa, He's been doing the same for me here. My dad had bumped into one of our local radio announcers, Al Friesen, who in turn contacted me for an interview last week on CFAM. During our time, Al mentioned a show he had seen about human trafficking on Listen Up TV. It's been busy meeting people and celebrating Christmas, and it was only today that I finally had some time to check out their website and the episode he was talking about at: http://www.listenuptv.com/listenup/shows?show_id=163

PLEASE, I beg of you, especially if you are Canadian, take the time to check out this broadcast. Canada IS a country where human trafficking is happening and we cannot be complacent in raising our voices to create awareness and force our government to make and enforce laws to punish those who are exploiting women and children. When I was in South Africa, I talked about the 2010 World Cup being hosted there and how such a sporting event heightens trafficking activity - there are more people so the demand for sex increases and as the demand increases, the supply must also increase. The 2010 Vancouver Olympics are staring Canada in the face, right along with human trafficking and we cannot be silent. The Listen Up TV website provides a sample letter - if you don't know exactly what to say, use this letter to contact EVERY government official you can, from local politics right up to the Prime Minister. Canada's future, our children's future, is in our hands and its very existence depends on our actions today. Please go to Listen Up and then speak up!

Ye Olde Homestead

(written by my youngest brother Lee for my birthday)

Upon ye olde homestead,
where once three kinga did dwell,
now liveth our loving parents alone,
Larry and Liz, I do tell.

Now upon ye olde homestead,
many animals were found,
cats, dogs, chickens and pigs,
intriguing were the sights and sounds.

When once upon the homestead,
three children were raised,
through Rosenfeld, Parkside & Miller,
were spent our formative days.

'Twas on ye olde homestead,
even arguments were had,
for when young Lyndon and Lee got together,
young LaDawn could found to be mad.

Alas, such immature days are past,
and, oh, how glad is the young lass,
for if the lads had not grown up,
a trip home LaDawn might pass.

Oh, what memories lie upon ye olde homestead,
many a struggle, many a tear,
yet not so many as of late it seems,
what a difficult year.

Yet lose heart, we do not,
for we know the Lord worketh all things well,
so we do not give up or give in,
for they will not prevail, the gates of hell.

Nay, we look unto the hills,
whence our help comes from,
and upon such places as ye olde homestead,
we can be found to come.

For upon ye olde homestead,
a warm, safe place is found,
without fear and without judgement,
a place where one can even wrestle a hound.

It is upon ye olde homestead,
not the homestead itself,
where memories lie deep,
found in books, in rooms, on shelves.

At the cease of the day,
upon ye olde homestead,
a great heritage can be cherished,
for we have been blessed.. the Word of God is there read.

Ye olde homestead represents a legacy,
left by Mother and Father,
one in which we will share with others,
something with which we will bother.

For at the end of time,
what will the Siemens' be remembered for?
Money, education, sports?
Or something much more?

Something much more, it is to be sure,
for not a day has gone by,
where by the love of God,
together were we tied.

We go forth, then, empowered, encouraged, loved,
to go forth and do the same,
for it is upon the Lord Jesus Christ we are found;
we are saved through His name.

Ruined

I used to think that my life was ruined because of the abuse I suffered as a child. But now I'm just ruined for Jesus. . .let me explain.

Today was my chance to share during the Sunday worship services at my church about my time away. I could have talked about YWAM and DTS; or about traveling and all the wonderful people I met along the way. But today was the most difficult (I procrastinated preparing until yesterday), because I knew that it was time to talk about ME and MY life. And that's SO much harder in front of people that you know - many who have see me grow up in front of their eyes.

It's hard to speak one's truth, especially when you've been hurt and have hurt others along the way. To have my family in the audience as I talked about the abuse I had kept a secret for so long and, even worse than that, the unforgiveness that consumed my life thereafter. But that is my truth. It's what makes me who I am today. There was another guy who shared this morning about his ministry in New York City: "When you CONNECT with the love of Christ, you're RUINED." Normal is not normal anymore and routine is not routine. It's not about doing another "Christian" thing that looks right to everyone else. It's about being compelled to go out and serve because God's love is overflowing in your own life and you can't help but to share it with others.

So I'm ruined and life will never be the same. Christ has poured his love into my life and it does not matter where I live or what I do, as long as I'm living out His love for others. And when you finally experience this kind of transformation in your life, you just can't go back - there's no settling. When you know there's more and better and richer and deeper in God's plans, who could want anything else? Ruined.

Our Family Christmas

My youngest brother Lee finally made it home today, braving the snow, wind and icy roads from Saskatoon and so we had our family Christmas this evening. Supper was chicken, mashed potatoes and stuffing.

My mom read a Christmas story after the meal and then I started with my gifts from South Africa. We also enjoyed some biltong (which made it through many x-ray machines and customs officials!) - a bit of an acquired taste, at least with the wild game. The desserts and chocolates are always in huge supply.

Every Christmas is a little different for our family because of my mom's work schedule as a nurse. When we were kids, we got to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve, after the church Christmas concert. On Christmas Day, we went through our stockings first before opening up gifts. My favorite Christmas memory was when I was about 6 and I had told my cousin that I KNEW I was getting a Cabbage Patch doll because of the shape of one of my presents. When Christmas FINALLY arrived, I was indeed correct and my Cabbage Patch was by far my favorite doll for many years!

Trying to Change the World Changes You

I send out the warmest and merriest wishes for a blessed Christmas celebration to all my friends and family - those I've known my entire life, those who just recently walked into my life, and all of those in between! To have peace on earth would be the ultimate of Christmas gifts, but until then, I wish for you to change your world and to make an impact on your community in this new year. In stepping out and doing something - anything - the most surprising part is when you realize that YOU'VE changed even more than you've caused change around you.

An article (same title as today's blog) in yesterday's Winnipeg Free Press said: "When I first signed up, it didn't dawn on me that in helping others, I would change. I didn't expect I would meet people I would consider to be my second family. Nor did I think I would become impassioned about about the plight of people living in poverty and the social issues that go along with that." (To see the full article: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/trying-to-change-the-world-changes-you-80048402.html) All because she volunteered at a local food bank. So go out and try to change the world because you are guaranteed to be transformed yourself!

A Lesson in Trust & Patience

I've been home for about 1.5 weeks now - my clock has almost turned over, my stomach is hungry at the appropriate times and I'm almost ok with the cold (almost!). The million dollar question continues to be: "now what?" I graciously state that I don't know what 2010 has in store for me yet, but I know that God is working. And so I continue to learn to trust and have patience in the process, knowing that God's timing is perfect.

I can always do some substitute teaching, but to do that I need a vehicle, living in the country and all (our nearest neighbour is 1/2 mile away). Yesterday my parents and I were trying to figure things out in regard to money and a vehicle. "God if there's another option that we're just not seeing, we need you to show it to us." I had been checking school division websites and there were not really any suitable job opportunities for me. . .until yesterday! And so now I'm calling on all of you to pray. I just want to be where God wants me to be. If it's at home subbing, great. If it's working at one of these term positions, great as well. I just don't want to take another step in my life without God's blessing to go along with it.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

I was really hoping to donate my hair to a charity that makes wigs for people who have lost theirs due to cancer treatments, but my hairdresser (and friend) Denita said that it was too dry - too much summer sun this year! I chopped it anyway and really like the new do! What do you think?

Wanted: ORDINARY SUPERHEROES

I know I've talked about it before, but as we approach this Christmas season, I want to urge you to consider sponsoring a child in need. I have sponsored a girl from Ecuador through Compassion for about 5 years now and God has always provided the ~$1 a day it takes to make a difference in her life, the life of her family and of her community. Go through whatever organization you choose, but JUST DO IT!

I was readying the Compassion Today magazine I received in the mail and a man named Tim Challies talked about his experience going to visit the Dominican Republic with Compassion (and he was not sponsoring a child at this time). He wrote: "My superhero. It was not the only time in this journey that we heard these words. For all the talk of the extraordinary men and women who have made such a difference in the lives of children, when I went to the homes of the girls and they proudly showed off the letters and photos they had received, the sponsors, whether from America or New Zealand or anywhere else, looked awfully ordinary to me. And I guess this is what these children are looking for. They aren't looking for the rich and the famous, the notorious or the renowned. They are looking for ordinary people to play an extraordinary role in their lives, so badly in need of help. They're looking for a few ordinary superheroes."

Today's your chance to be an ordinary superhero! I promise that you will not be disappointed!

And the Winner is. . .

Joanne!! She travelled 3 hours to come out to my afternoon presentation today. And she did weigh it first - 3 hours one direction, listen to LaDawn speak for 1 hour and then 3 hours back. Little did she know that I would speak for almost 2 hours!! So many stories to tell and pictures to share. Thanks to her and all the other people who took time out of their busy Christmas schedules to hear what is on my heart (and yes, there were a few tears!).

Radio Interview with CFAM

My media manager (aka - my dad) bumped into one of the announcers of our local radio station in Altona yesterday. I have an interview tomorrow morning at 7:30 am (again, 3:30 pm Monday in South Africa). Locally, it is 950 AM, but they also have a live web feed at: http://goldenweststreaming.com/cfam_player/index.html

Perogies & Farmer Sausage

One of my first meals back home is one of my favorites! It is also a Mennonite specialty - cottage cheese perogies and farmer sausage. A perogy is a dough pocket filled with cottage cheese (or other possibilities like potatoe, blueberries, apple), which is dry - unlike the kind you can buy at the grocery store. We cover them in cream gravy - totally unhealthy, but oh, so good! Farmer sausage is a pork product and its grease (from frying) is used to make the gravy.

A Face to the Voice

LONG before the light of day, my mom and I hit the flat and straight Manitoba highways into Winnipeg at around 6 am, arriving with a bit of time before my 7:30 live interview on CHVN. Since I'm such a pro at interviews already (whatever!), the few minutes I was given had to be optimized. I briefly talked about my experiences in general and gave out information for my time of sharing happening on Monday (1:30 & 7:00 pm at the Altona EMMC). I was also able to sit down with another announcer, Colleen, for an interview that will be broadcast in the near future. She is the one who interviewed me from Panama this summer (winter for South Africa) and it was so great to finally have a face to the voice over the phone!

Reversed Roles

It's really interesting. . .while away, I blogged for the people back home, posted pictures of all the new things I was experiencing. Now I'm back home and I'm thinking about all the people I have left and I want to blog for them and post pictures of all the 'old' things back home. I love my home and the prairies - I think you have to be born here to really appreciate the land. And I always love flying into Winnipeg and seeing the patchwork quilt of farmers' fields, but I've never taken pictures. Flying in on Monday, I was enjoying the view, trying to pick out familiar buildings and I quickly pulled out my camera. When I said Manitoba was flat, I meant FLAT, with a nice blanket of snow for a white Christmas. Does it look cold, cause it is!!

Live Interview with CHVN

I am scheduled to have a brief live interview with my local Christian radio station on Friday, December 18 at around 7:30 am (which is 3:30 pm SA time for those of you who are interested and are already missing my voice!). Locally it will be 95.1 FM, and online you can check out their live feed at:
http://goldenweststreaming.com/chvn_player/index.html

The Best Part

In between all the unpacking and laundry, enjoying 'regular' food and thinking I have a whole new wardrobe, I got to the best part of my day. I left my guitar behind in Kona in July and that was part of the reason I detoured through on my way home. There was a guitar at the church in Panama and at the house in South Africa, but they were not my guitar. I haven't even played that long and I'm surprised that I should notice such difference between guitars, but I did. So, after a lot of tuning, I enjoyed plucking a few tunes on my guitar and it was wonderful!

Home Sweet Freezing Cold Home!

I just want to let everyone know that I have made it home safely with all my luggage!! I also want to advise you that a 7-day (2 Dec. 12's!) journey home is NOT recommended. It's really not that fun at all. Oh, I can say that I've been in Sydney, Auckland, Honolulu, LA - been there, but not seen anything! I was not given the chance to ease into the cold air - we deplaned right onto the tarmac in Winnipeg at -21 degrees Celsius (plus windchill, which I will describe in better detail on another day's blog)!

North America

I will be back on the continental North American soil today - it's been a while (at least on the northern part of the continent)! Plus pray that I don't freeze my butt off as the weather reports have not been in my favor. If regular Canadians are cold, then I'm in trouble, having experienced summer weather since April. But I am looking forward to a white Christmas. Even with decorations out, Christmas just doesn't feel right being in a warm climate. But don't worry Panama, Costa Rica, and South Africa you will not be forgotten - as I wear layers and layers of clothing to keep my body warm, I will remember you!!

Time Traveler

To all of you who are praying for my safe and speedy arrival back home, PLEASE CONTINUE! As if 6 days of travel was not enough, I have literally gone back in time and will experience December 12, 2009 for about 48 hours instead of just the regular 24, which means I now have 7 days of travel!

i carry your heart with me

Continuing from yesterday's blog:

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

As One Chapter Closes. . .

As I travel from continent to continent to continent, through time zone after time zone after time zone, one chapter of my life closes while the next waits to begin. Almost 9 months away - a bit of a birthing process in my life. There has been much laughter, many tears; excitement and struggle. Some experiences and the people I've met along the way are beyond any picture I could take - maybe even beyond the words I will try to put together to explain how they have affected me. God's timing is perfect and in deciding to start this adventure last April, He already knew just how truly blessed I would be now as I head back home.

When I left home, I let my family, friends and supporters know that they would be journeying along with me, in my heart. And as I head home, I now extend the same invitation to my new friends in Panama, Costa Rica and South Africa. As I tell your stories, as I show your pictures, as I live differently (a different LaDawn is returning to Canada than the one who left), you are journeying with me, in my heart.

Half Way There

I'm blogging from Auckland, so I've made it almost half way around the globe. Too bad that I haven't flown half of my flights yet! Clint, Manuela and Celina drove me to the airport and I had a wonderful send off from them. I've had a lot of time to think and pray and just be still along the way, which I'm so thankful for. I don't think any amount of time will prepare me for the temperatures back home, which will be about a 50 - 60 degree drop from what I've left!

The Longest Road Home

I know this just looks like a picture of a world map, but what you must do is click on it and view the enlarged version. You will see my pathway home, which has got to be one for the record books! I am flying over half way around the world to be able to pick up my luggage in Kona and then finally return to home sweet home after almost 9 months away.

This is an incredibly bittersweet time for me - so many hard goodbyes out here but yet so many wonderful hello's waiting for me back home. It will be the longest road home in more ways than one!

“There are 2 ways of getting home; and one of them is to stay there. The other is to walk around the whole world till we come back to the same place.” G. K. Chesterton

Strangely Familiar

So I must stop sms-ing, standing in queue, and walking on the left side - it's time to start texting, standing in line and moving to the right again because home is within my sights! What are familiar sights around here will soon just be memories. But God has placed a special love in my heart for South Africa and it is my sincere hope to be able to return at another point in my life. Everyone out here is so concerned that I didn't see everything I should have, etc but I need some stuff to do next time!! And it will be so interesting to see what used to be familiar back home, now is different or strange - my mind doesn't even know where to start in that regard.

Ma's House

I was able to meet the greater Aspeling family yesterday when I was invited over to "Ma's House" for lunch (really I was fed all day long) and a relaxing afternoon. The open arms I experienced with Clint & Manuela were open even wider as I met Clint's mom (pictured below), aunt, his brother Brent & Brent's girlfriend Michelle. Every minute that I remain in South Africa makes it harder and harder to leave these beautiful people that have embraced me - a crazy Canadian who says "it's all good" WAY too much!

I think that my favorite moments, beyond the wonderful conversation and food of the day, were just how everyone, in their own unique way, loved on Celina throughout our time together. It blessed my heart so much - I can't imagine how much Celina was blessed.

Day of Remembrance

Today is Canada's National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. It corresponds to the anniversary of the Montreal massacre which took place on December 6, 1989. This year is the 20th anniversary of an event that took 14 women's lives - just because they were women. Had these women lived, they would be in their 40's now, probably working as engineers, which they were training for at the time of their deaths. Maybe some of them would have married and had children. We will never know.

The white ribbon campaign is usually reserved for men, but I urge you to get involved today. Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King Jr.

Punch Buggy - Red & Black

Going classy!

The Final Draw

I don't know how much of the 2010 Fifa World Cup being held in South Africa has made the news, but obviously it's big news around these parts. Today is the big announcement of the final draw of teams - who will play against who. Cape Town is buzzing with excitement - streets are closed (Long Street shown below with the stage being set up), celebrities like David Beckham have arrived, and the news crews are ready.

The World Cup has also put South Africa into the spotlight regarding human trafficking, as any such large event does these days. It is such an overwhelming problem and it feels like there are no solutions, but there are! Human trafficking is just the movement of people - the real issue comes in WHY those people are moved. It may be forced labor, prostitution, pornography and the list continues. If the demand for these issues is cut, then the supply too must be cut, thereby directly affecting the trafficking of people (modern day slavery, which globally generates the same or more money than the drug trade does currently). As I challenged the group of pastors I spoke to yesterday: NOW is the time to make a personal pledge not to COMMIT, CONDONE or REMAIN SILENT about these matters.

The Aspeling Family

I want to introduce you to the Aspeling family. There's Clint (from South Africa, though he can pull off a pretty good accent from any English-speaking country) and his wife Manuela (from Germany). They have a daughter, Celina, who was 2.5 (in 2004) when she fell into a pool and was without oxygen for 1/2 hour - but God had bigger plans for her and for this family. Manuela stays home to take care of Celina while Clint hits the pavement selling insurance.

I met them last week Sunday when I spoke at St. Martin's church and was invited to share at their cell group last Wednesday (and I joined them again yesterday). I don't know if you've ever met people, when after 1.5 weeks of knowing them, swear that you've known them your entire life, but that's this family to me. It's like a found long-lost siblings, half way around the world (and one of them, a different color than me!). I think it may actually be harder to say goodbye to them versus some of my fellow Trackers that I've journeyed with for these past 9 months - that's how I've connected with them and how special they are to me.

And that, in small part, is how I've been blessed over and over again here in South Africa. Though I'm not continuing on in the Track, I have NO DOUBT that God had specific plans and people for me to meet here. So I journey on again, a different LaDawn today than yesterday.

Check out Clint's blog at - http://mylifesjourneyfromglory2glory.blogspot.com/

Punch Buggy - Grey

It's official - I am not only living in a dog nation, but it's also a beetle nation. . .the VW bug variety!

World AIDS Day

Living on a continent like Africa where HIV and AIDS are such an overwhelming problem brings a different light to World AIDS Day. About 30% of the South African population is living with HIV. ONE of out every THREE people encountered on a daily basis. Many people don't go for testing or don't reveal their status or don't get the free medication made available because of the huge stigmas associated with the disease. They would rather DIE in silence than learn to LIVE with HIV.

I was at the high school this morning and an ad in the newspaper caught my eye. It was a picture of a girl with her eyes closed and half of the picture was in color; half in black and white. The only words were written up the picture, along the dividing line. On the colored half it said that a condom is only 0.02 mm thick (about the thickness of the dividing line in the picture). The black and white portion said that it could be the difference between life and death. I'm guessing that the ad's may look a little different where you are today for World AIDS Day.

A Change in Track

It has not been an easy decision, but I have decided not to continue on with the Track in the new year. My heart has not changed and I know that I will still be working with issues of injustice at home. I don't know exactly what the near future will look like, but I trust that God will continue to lead and direct my steps. I will still have a time of sharing on December 21 and I hope that you will attend if you are able. Obviously the holiday won't be quite as jammed pack as originally thought and I do look forward to sitting down and catching up with all of you!

As the door closes on the Track, doors are opening for me back home. Specifically, I am awaiting a time of reconciliation with my dad's family. I also look forward to continuing to spread the message of A Voice for the Voiceless throughout southern Manitoba. I know that this will not be the last of my world travels and once again just want to thank you so much for all of your support and encouragement along the way! My step by step journey would not have been possible without you! So bring on the scarves and boots - I'm coming home!

We Are Longing

I had the privilege of joining the Bay Community Church for their 16th Anniversary celebration, which included the launch of their first worship CD: We Are Longing. I am so excited to be able to take a little of what I've experienced in this church back home with me. All the songs on the CD are written by members of the church. Head to the church's website to listen to a sample of the music at www.baycc.org.za

Pull Back the Curtains

I know that it's getting colder back home and the snow is on its way but I have to share my view with you. When I wake up and draw back the curtains, this is what I see! For the past week or so, it has really felt like summer with temperatures in the high 20's to low 30's.

An Indigenous Sleeping Beauty

Liza's (the teacher I've been working with at the high school) daughter Kloey was the main dancer in her ballet school's production of Sleeping Beauty. It was great fun to get dressed up with a couple of the girls and have a night out. There were dancers of all ages and the little ones almost stole the show, but Kloey was so strong and did an amazing job. Bravo!

Bedbugs

As if the million jigger bites I got this summer were not enough, now I have bedbug bites. Some how I was overlooked in the lice epidemic, but not lucky enough to bypass the bedbugs. I am now beginning to understand more and more the need for a cold, cold winter - to kill the vermin!

Punch Buggy - Sky Blue

See, I told you!

Punch Buggy - Army Green

Still on the search!

I Just Realized. . .

While speaking at St. Martin's yesterday, I let them know that my dad had told me it has been mild back home: -8! Not only will I have to deal with quite a temperature change (it's been about +30 here for the last few days - finally!), but I also realized another change. Because I'm on the other side of the equator, the days are getting longer, approaching the longest day, December 21, which is the shortest day back home. Will I survive the temperature along with the darkness?!?

St. Martin's

Man was I blessed today! I was invited to speak at St. Martin's Anglican Community Church (through speaking at the Christian Union group at the high school, a student bought a Voice for the Voiceless Prayer booklet, brought it home and his dad made arrangements for me to speak at their church). I was only given 5 minutes and I stuck to my time! I had to talk quickly, but obviously got my point across. The 29 prayer booklets I bought along went like hotcakes, so we quickly drove back to the office to pick up more. Their first service (7:45 am start) is a more traditional service and the 9:30 service (where I also had 5 minutes and stuck to it!) is more contemporary. I sold a total of 90 booklets, raising 2000 rand (about $280!). So cool!

The family that helped me make all the arrangements took me out for lunch and then we went for a drive to the other side of the mountain (from our place). We went up Boyes Drive up to Chapman's Peak and were given a stunning view of Hout Bay (pictured below). Just SO blessed today!

Make That 10

My good friend and roommate Cath has decided to stay back in South Africa (her home country) in the new year and will not continue on with the Track. She will finish out the quarter with us and then try to figure out specifics for the new year and new direction that God is taking her. So that makes 10.

CCFM Interview

I was able to do a live interview with Lynn Baker at CCFM - the local Christian radio station. I think it went o.k., especially being the first time I did a live interview. We talked for about 1/2 hour, discussing the prayer booklet and missions in general.

We're Now Down to 11

So we are now down to 11 Trackers. Our married couple has decided to leave and pursue other missions opportunities. I'm sad to see them go but know that they have many more great things ahead of them. Next week is the final, final money deadline for finances due this quarter and there are still 2 people owing. God only knows what Track will look like by the time we break for Christmas. I ask for your prayers as I continue to seek God's direction of whether to continue on in the Track or to look at other options. The idea of Track is great, but there are serious issues with leadership and communication.

"And another one gone, And another one gone. . ."

ONLY ONE MORE MONTH

The most important thing about today is that it's ONLY ONE MORE MONTH until I land back on Canadian soil!!! I hear that it's been warmer back home than usual - I hope it stays that way for me!

The Most Wonderful Birthday Gift

About 9 years ago things erupted within my dad's family and, due to the abuse I had suffered as a child, I cut off all ties with my extended family. It was difficult to do - they only lived 10 minutes from my parents and we attended the same church. I was bitter and angry, and I refused to speak or associate with them. I know that part of the reason I came to this program was to be able to deal with all of this garbage in my life. I finally came to understand that forgiveness was really about setting me free, even though forgiveness had not been asked for from my family.

It made me a little nervous to think about going home at Christmas in this regard. I didn't think that God would require me go to my grandparents place where the abuse had occurred. And so I was left wondering. I let my parents know that I would be willing to speak with the family but only at my parents house.

A miracle happened (well, at least that's the email message that I received from my mom)! There has been no contact either way between my grandparents and me, no birthday or Christmas gifts, nothing over the last 9 years. My grandparents did not even say goodbye to me in April, knowing that I could potentially be gone for 2 years (and they knew the details because of our church). My mom was doing some fundraising for me in church this past Sunday and my grandfather came up to her and handed her a cheque for me. It was the most wonderful birthday gift (not the money) - the door has been opened! And though I know it will be hard, I am hoping for reconciliation and healing to happen at Christmas (which would be the most wonderful Christmas gift!).

Errebache Website

Many of you will know that my team was working on a website this summer for a Panamanian indigenous tribe called Errebache. As a team, we did not have any experience in creating a website, but God was so good to us and we are thankful for the finished product. The website promotes their culture as well as the tourism that will sustain their tribe.

We need to have more traffic to the site in order to bump it up on search engines, specifically Google. So I am asking for a big favor (and you are more than welcome to pass along this information to your circle of people): please go to www.google.com and enter "Errebache" as your search word. I know that people unfamiliar with the tribe will not type in "Errebache", but the hope is that if the traffic to the site increases through Google, then hopefully the site will start coming up more frequently in other searches. Scan the list and look for www.errebache.com (which was close to the top the last time I checked) and enter the site from there. Of course, if you haven't already, please check out the site. If you find any errors or inconsistencies in the site, please pass it on to me so that it can be changed. Thank you!

Mennonite Giving

I talked a while ago about the Mennonites being a blessed people. The message today at The Bay (the church I attend out here) was about being a giving people. And I really believe that part of the reason that Mennonites have been blessed is because they are so giving and generous. I have certainly looked to the example that my parents have given me, which includes so much more than just the giving of money. They give of their time, energy and other resources. And I am so thankful to have grown up seeing their generosity and the way it continues even today.

The Week That Was

What a week it has been. After Monday it was difficult to touch base with Ngoie - she ended up in the hospital with swollen and bruised legs. I ask that you keep her in your prayers. She has been given a prescription but more tests will be done next week as the doctors believe that it is something in her blood. I was able to visit her home and meet some of her family yesterday. I was also able to buy some groceries for them, but I think it was more of a blessing for me than for them. You should have seen Ngoie's sister shop - she had A LOT of fun!

Besides working on my assignment with Ngoie, I've spent the week preparing slide shows and presentations for my time home at Christmas. Wednesday was spent in Cape Town getting my visa extended (and it was an agonizing process!). Beyond that, the rain really has not ceased, so it's been difficult to get around. Trackers are slowly returning back to the house and classes start up again on Monday.


P.S. - Happy Birthday to me! Thanks to all of you both near and far that helped me celebrate! Photo thanks to Naomi.

Ngoie - Part 4

As our time came to an end on Monday, I came back to the place we had started. I told her that I couldn't get her comment out of my head - pay it forward. Why did she want to pay it forward?

As I looked into her eyes, I saw a regular teenager. I didn't see a small child, escaping war in the middle of the night. I didn't see an 11 year old girl, standing by her mother's grave. I didn't see a soul without hope, though if anyone could have a reason to, it would be her.

I saw potential and possibility. I saw strength. I saw peace.

"There were so many people that helped us, through the wars and especially when my mom was sick. And most of the people who helped us were underprivileged themselves, but they just gave. I pay it forward to say 'thanks' even though I can't repay all those people."

Ngoie - Part 3

I asked Ngoie if her family changed after her mom passed away.

"It had to change," she said, "I have experienced things that others my age have not experienced. We know how to deal with the tough times, fleeing war-torn countries. We know where help is needed."

As if Ngoie has not already experienced enough injustice, her family lives in a township (which goes back to the apartheid and I don't even have the space to begin speaking about that here). Because they are foreigners to South Africa, her dad has a hard time getting work and if he does get work, he is not paid properly. They are continuing to seek resettlement, specifically in Canada.

Part of what sustains Ngoie is her religion - she is a Jehovah's Witness. It is a personal decision to be baptized and become a JW (not something just passed on from parents). Ngoie made the decision at 11, after her mom passed away. She spends her weekends at the Kingdom Hall.

Ngoie - Part 2

After trying to meet up at a number of different times and places, Ngoie and I were finally able to sit down and talk this past Monday. She is #5 of 8 children and has lived all over Africa: DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Burundi, Tanzania, Mozambique, and now South Africa. Her family was constantly on the move as they fled war, running as refugees in the middle of the night from country to country. As it pertains to my assignment, I have "an injustice", but it wasn't war that brought me to tears as she shared her story.

While living in a refugee camp in Mozambique, her mom kept going to the doctor but they couldn't figure out what was wrong. She was still breastfeeding Ngoie's youngest brother, which probably didn't help in trying to diagnose the problem. It was finally decided by the family that Ngoie's mom would go to South Africa and it was here in 2001 that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ngoie was only 11 years old when her mom passed away.

And I sat there, unable to contain my tears. I wanted to comfort a hurting 11 year old girl and, at the same time, I wanted to scream in anger that, because of where they lived and their circumstances, Ngoie's mom was not diagnosed or treated in enough time to maybe save her life. We sat in silence and then Ngoie asked me if I was o.k. I have not lived through war or lost my mom to breast cancer and she's the one asking me if I'm o.k.

Ngoie - Part 1

I want to introduce you to the student that I am working with this week. Our assignment is to shoot a photo-documentary (basically telling a story with 5 - 8 pictures), dealing with any injustice. I met Ngoie ("nn" + "goie" rhymes with joy) about 1.5 weeks ago. I was giving a Voice for the Voiceless presentation to the grade 11's at the high school where I'm been volunteering (when we first arrived, I was SO excited to find this school because it's a block away from our house). Once I was finished, Ngoie literally jumped up to speak with me and asked for some of the quotes I had used in the presentation.

Later that afternoon I met with the Interact/CHOC club at school (they deal with fundraising and charities in the community), of which Ngoie is a member. Ngoie, the Interact/CHOC teacher and I went to the local pregnancy crisis center, but before we left, I asked Ngoie why she was involved in Interact/CHOC. She replied, "I want to pay it forward."

I couldn't get Ngoie or her comment about paying it forward out of my head. I talked to my fellow Trackers that had been working with her in the Film Club (she's a very active student) and also to the Interact/CHOC teacher and everyone said that she has lived a pretty hard life in her short 17 years. It begs the question, "WHAT do you have to pay forward and WHY do you want to pay it forward?"

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

We are waiting and waiting for summer to arrive around here. I guess after Panama's heat and humidity, you just gain a certain tolerance level for the warmer side of the thermometer. (I don't know how I'm going to survive the cold back home at Christmas!) The wind is one thing, being as close to the ocean as we are, but the rain is another. It has been raining (and I mean RAINING) since Friday without reprieve. I woke up to rain again this morning and wondered if it would ever stop. It's difficult to go anywhere (including to catch the train) because it's at least a 15 minute walk and those 15 minutes have proven difficult this weekend. People come back to the house, soaked to the bone. Thankfully, the clouds did move away and by the time I was ready to head out this morning, though the ground was wet, the rain had finally stopped falling from the sky (for now anyway!).

And Then There Were 13

With Genevi (pictured - right) leaving last weekend and Kristin (pictured - center) heading home today, that leaves the Track at 13 (hopefully not an unlucky number). I wish Kristin well as she makes a 24-hour stop in Hong Kong before landing back in the good old U.S. of A. again. I have really enjoyed getting to know her and am so encouraged to see her continue to ask questions and press God for answers about her faith.

Kristin, the Track just won't be the same without you! Thanks for sharing yourself and your stories. I feel your tears and I know that God is not done working in you yet!


P.S. - Another one bites the dust!!

Field Trip Week #1

Next week is the first of our two field trip weeks. We have a photo-documentary assignment to work on, focusing on any injustice area of our choosing. Some people are taking the bus or flying to various parts of South Africa or surrounding countries. I am staying back this first week (in hopes that the money budgeted for the 2 weeks together will get me somewhere the second week). I hope to be able to connect with one of the students that I have met at the high school, which is easier said than done! I also have a lot to prepare for my presentations at Christmas time and so I'm thankful for this good chunk of time to get that done (or at least a good start!).

Dust Bin Day

Even though we've been in South Africa for 2 months now, living at the Track house 1.5 months, some things are just hard to get used to. We are slowly picking up some of the local lingo (it's not "yeah", it's "ja" - like German) and there are things that are "normal" now that were not when we first arrived. But Friday mornings always bring me back to the life that I am living in South Africa, versus other places in the world. Friday is dust bin day (aka garbage day) for our neighbourhood. But before the rubbish is actually picked up, there are homeless and other poverty-stricken people that go through our bin in search of food, other items they deem of importance to them, and recyclables. They go up and down the streets, knowing which neighbourhood to go through on which day. If something accidentally drops into the garbage back home, we are disgusted to have to go and find it, but that is a regular part of these lives.

Punch Buggy - Cow

Seeing the beetle world in black and white:

May God Bless You

I received the following quote from one of my leaders (Diane) today and I want to share it with you:

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation or war so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world so that you can do what others claim cannot be done."

~Francis of Assisi

Youth Group

I love being able to work with youth and because of my job, normally I have to pass up working with a church youth group (because how weird is it having a teacher teach you and then seeing them in the evening as your youth leader?). I have been able to connect with the Bay's youth group over the last few weeks and have had so much fun. Last night there were 2 girls and about 6 boys (last week there were just boys, which is so strange, coming from our house of just girls). It's great just to be able to hang out with them, play games and talk God. Next week I'll be sharing about Voice for the Voiceless with them.

Thank You!

I just want to send out a big thank you to all of you who baked or stopped by the bake sale on Saturday to support me! We were able to raise about $400, which is awesome! Thank you also for those of you who have been buying the World's Finest Chocolates and Threads of Hope from my parents - they are still selling these items, so if you're interested (especially with Christmas around the corner) please let my parents know. Next on the fundraising list is IGA/Sobey gift cards and Spenst pizzas. My parents also have Voice for the Voiceless 30-Day Prayer Booklets for $5 - consider giving them as part of your Christmas gifts this year.

Punch Buggy - Royal Blue

EVERYWHERE!

Dedicated to Genevi

As my good friend Genevi decides to leave the Track and try other adventures in life, I dedicate today’s blog to her! In Kona, we shared the kitchen area between our two rooms and it was only later on in the lecture phase that we started to get to know one another. We hung out a lot in Panama and just hit it off really quickly. She’s quite a bit younger than I am, but I always forget that because she is an “old soul” of sorts – she’s packed a lot of experience into her life. I have enjoyed the long talks, the wonderful laughs, and the good cries!

It is with much sadness that I say goodbye, though I wish you well on your journey. And I hope to be fortunate enough in my life to cross your path yet again at some other point!

Crazy Busy Day

What a day yesterday! We had the opportunity to speak at the high school again, specifically to the grade 11 class. I feel so at home being able to address these kids and it's great that I can speak into their lives and try to empower and motivate them. Many of them came up to speak with us at the end and we talked about YWAM and answered general questions that they had. We returned to the school in the afternoon for our final "official" day of volunteering for tutoring, the film club and other groups. Liza (from Wednesdays' blog) took us to her home and fed us a local specialty known as a Gatsby (a big burger with chips (fries), spicy sauce and meat on it). We were than also able to share with her Bible study group in the evening. Crazy, busy day!

What is a Mennonite?

Within our Bible study group over the past few weeks, we've all had the opportunity to share about our lives. I had my turn yesterday and for some reason I started by talking about being a Mennonite and it always surprises me how many questions come up. I just grew up immersed in it and when people show interest in it, I just can't get over it. There's the obvious pacifistic beliefs and adult baptism. The commitment to peace and the work ethic are shown within their communities but also through organizations such as the Mennonite Central Committee (mcc.org) and Mennonite Disaster Service (www.mds.mennonite.net) that seek to serve those in need and provide relief. Of course you cannot forget the low German language and the wonderful food (that I'm planning to enjoy all Christmas!) including such specialties as cottage cheese perogies and New Year's cookies. In my travels over the last few months I have been reminded over and over again how blessed the Mennonites are and specifically how blessed I am to be a Mennonite. But many are walking away from the faith that sustained their families as they moved from country to country, seeking a home where they could speak their language and practice their beliefs. And I just wonder how long God's hand of blessing will remain on the Mennonites.

In my Tears

Jaylene, Megan and I headed down to the high school today (where some of us have been volunteering for the past few weeks). We were given 1/2 an hour to speak to the Christian Union group and so I talked specifically from the Voice for the Voiceless 30-Day Prayer booklet. I had a few minutes left at the end, so I shared my favorite story from the summer: Bleu and her work in Jaco, Costa Rica. It always brings me to tears, but it's always the story I most want to share. After I finished, the teacher I've been working with a lot (Liza - in the green sweater), came up and just told the students (though the message was just as much for me) that the Holy Spirit moves in different ways. When we decide to follow Jesus, our hearts are stirred in ways that we don't always understand. And for me, it's in my tears.

Punch Buggy - Burgandy

It's an invasion of the beetles! Now that I've started to keep an eye out for them, they're everywhere!

The View

In order that I can keep all of you in the loop, I make the 15 - 20 minute trek down to a local internet cafe to update my blog. I plop my stuff down, pull out my laptop and enjoy the view out to the street. Of course there's traffic (flowing in the opposite direction from home), but there's also always interesting people to see walking by. Students in their school uniforms, which they all must wear, no matter the school. Surfers in their wetsuits, hauling their surfboards to the ocean a block away. People enjoying the South African sun, walking barefoot on the sidewalk. And here I am, letting you in on my life while I take time to enjoy the view.

Punch Buggy - Lime Green

Check out today's find:

To Stay or To Go

It's been a really long week - quite a struggle, in fact. I am trying to find balance between all of my activities, which, when you compare back to my 'former/normal' life, is not really that much. South Africa is our one really good chance to make connections and relationships within the community because of the length of time that we're here. The next longest duration in one place is about 1 month. So I really want to be able to take advantage of that and I have really enjoyed my time in the high school. Another part to outreach is to let churches and other organizations know about what we do and encourage them to come alongside us, and so I'm trying to arrange some of those opportunities as well.

Probably my biggest struggle is being in class itself. How does photography really fit into my life? If it's a just hobby after all of this, should I be using my current life for other things? This week has been a lot of flip-flopping back and forth - one day I'm o.k. with where I'm at and then the next day I just wonder why in the world I'm here. I know that going home at Christmas is on the back of my mind, which I'm really excited about. I hope that it's a time to relax, refresh and regroup. I also hope by that time to have more confirmation of where God really wants me to be and what I should be doing.

Bout #2

So we are experiencing bout #2 (which is actually probably just an extension of bout #1) of head lice in the house. It's hard to beat community life (please note the sarcasm)! Thus far, to my current knowledge, I have been able to avoid it, but that may not last for long. Sometimes it's good to be a bit selfish and not share (hats, pillows, clothing, etc).

Having a Heart for Charity

As part of my experience at the high school, I've been able to plug into a group that works with charities within the community. I met them on Tuesday and we dove right into a fundraiser: Having a Heart for Charity. We designed a beaded heart, using a paperclip as the wire. It's cheap and we're going with the idea that all of them (people and hearts) are unique (just to take the pressure off because bending paperclips is a challenge!). The Track is going in to make school presentations next week and we are going to push the hearts - hopefully we're "cool enough" to help promote the idea and have it take off for the student body.

Transport

I was on the train, coming back from Cape Town this afternoon when I sent my brother a text, which included that exact information. "Heading back on a train, which is always an interesting experience." We have 3rd class tickets, not that 1st class is much safer (it's actually probably more dangerous since people know you actually have money, riding in 1st class and all). You really don't have to go to church on Sundays - you usually experience church right on the train. There's some gospel singing and preaching. Add to that disabled people (blind or crippled) who pass by looking for change and the sales people who have drinks, chips, nail clippers - really, whatever you're looking for! Definitely an interesting experience.

A Typical Weekday in my South African Life

I usually get up around 6:15 a.m. and get ready for the day. Breakfast is museli, with yogurt and apple. Some days classes start at 8:30 and other days 9:00. We usually begin with some type of worship or devotional and then we have photography class for the rest of the morning (until about 12:30). Lunch is around 1:00 and may be sandwiches or soup. My afternoon activities vary, depending on the day. I usually head to the high school for some volunteer work and tutoring; head to the internet café so I can be in contact with all of you; try to complete the day’s photography assignment. Supper is around 6:00 and is usually pasta or some meat and rice/potatoes. Our evening activities are limited because it gets dark early and we can’t be out by ourselves (even small groups can encounter problems, plus we have this lack of guys in our group so that takes away the option of an escort). I try to be in bed and call it a day by about 10/10:30 anyway.

Punch Buggy - Red

Saw 3 red punch buggies this past Saturday. But the best one (which I did not capture) was white down the middle and bright green down the sides! Picture thanks to Emily.

White Christmas?!?

I don’t know that I’ll be dreaming of a white Christmas, but I am certainly dreaming of a Christmas spent with family and friends. And I am SO excited to say that I will be seeing you exactly 2 months from today!! I will be home for about 2 weeks before meeting up with my team in Cairo. I hope to be able to meet up with as many people as possible and I will be in touch to let you know my plans for the time home. Coming from South Africa’s summer to Manitoba’s winter will be a HUGE change (I hope you’ll join me in praying for mild temperatures and good roads!) but I look forward to it and pray that it will be a time of refreshment and relaxation as we celebrate the holidays together!

Two Oceans Aquarium

Genevi and I headed out to Cape Town today and we ventured out to the Waterfront. It kind of reminded me of the Forks back home. We decided to check out the Two Oceans Aquarium. It was pretty cool (I did like the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago a bit more though). It felt like walking through “Finding Nemo” in real life – clown fish, sharks, puffer fish, sting rays and more. The best was a sign that was posted on the inside of the Predator Tank (for the fish to read, of course), so the letters were backwards for the public: “WARNING – Predators Beyond This Point – Humans Kill Over 100 Million Sharks Every Year.”

The Search is On!

I don't know what it is, but there are A LOT of old VW beetles around here. I already posted the panning picture I took of a yellow one, but there are many different colors, so now I'm on the search to see what I can find, take pictures and share them with you. Punch buggy!

Simon's Town

A few of us headed out to Simon's Town today (a few train stops from our place) to work on this week's assignment. A highlight in Simon's Town is seeing the penguins (better known as jackass penguins!). It was quite a walk, but we did find them and snapped a few photos before the rain came. But even better than seeing the penguins, was seeing WHALES from the train! The train tracks basically follow the water and we saw fins and water coming up from blow holes only a few hundred feet from the shore - totally awesome!

Dog Nation

Maybe it's an exaggeration that South Africa is a dog nation, but certainly our neighbourhood is. I think every house has at least one, if not two, dogs protecting the property. And these are not little weiny dogs - there are some that stand as tall as my armpit. Of course, it makes me miss our own crazy Sydney, back at home (pictured just after we got her - Jan. 2007). I'm definitely a dog person (beyond the fact that I'm allergic to cats).

Kite Festival

This past weekend was the International Kite Festival and it was only a few blocks from our place. Saturday was incredibly windy, so it was perfect (the festival, but not so much for the hair!). Huge kites filled the sky in bright colors. It was definitely geared towards families, as there were a lot of different activities for the kids.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish all my family and friends back in Canada a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am sure that you will agree that we have so much to be thankful for. The very practical things that top my list this year are definitely my computer and having access to the Internet so that I can continue to be in contact with all of you. I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to journey the world and for the people I am meeting and the work that I am doing along the way. Most of all, I am thankful for the support and encouragement I receive from you and just the fact that God has placed such wonderful family and friends in my life!

Knowing versus Believing

I guess that this blog continues on from yesterday’s a bit. Like I said, I have known about God all of my life, but there’s a difference between knowing and believing. I don’t doubt that there have been moments and different periods of time where I did believe, but the question is just how much did I believe? One of my leaders said that we in the west seem to find God by breaking down what we think we know and understand about Him. The non-west, on the other hand, has to trust God for the simplest things and so they come through pure trust and build from there to find God. The guest speaker at the The Bay last week said: “we struggle to trust God in the ordinary. No wonder we can’t believe in the extraordinary.”

I am so thankful for those of you who believed (in me), even when I didn’t necessarily believe in myself. For your continued prayers as I struggled, especially in the past few months of DTS, outreach and now Track. Your prayers have not been in vain! God has always been at work in my life and I’m finally at a point to receive it. There has been heartache and many tears along the way (which I know will not cease), but I can say that God is faithful and I know that He continues to pursue me, to shape my character into His, and to love me despite my sin. And the best part is that I don’t just know it (in my brain), but I also believe it (in my heart).

Pierced

I want to preface this by saying that I have not lost my mind or am caving into peer pressure. With that said, yesterday I got the top of my left ear pierced (piercing the cartilage hurts quite a bit, by the way). This was not a whim, and given this week in my life, it’s actually perfect timing. I found out that the Old Testament (Exodus 21:6, Deuteronomy 15:17) talks about ear piercing (and no, I’m not advocating – this is just my perspective). It refers to a slave or servant piercing his ear to show his loyalty to his master – a master who he does not want to leave. And in doing so, the servant is also showing others that he belongs to his master, and his master alone – no one else can redeem him.

Something changed inside of me last Sunday and I can’t say exactly what it was. All I know is that it was the first time in a very long time (years), that I actually FELT like a Christian. It had nothing to do with my upbringing or my Mennonite background; it didn’t matter that I had gone to church for my whole life or was baptized at 16 – I simply encountered God and his overwhelming love for me. And I know that He alone deserves my loyalty as my creator and the great pursuer of my soul. So I decided to pierce my ear as a symbol and reminder that I belong to God – I am indebted to Him as a servant and I choose not to leave my master. No one else can redeem me but Him alone and I want everyone to know it.

Pierce my Ear (Steve Croft): “Pierce my ear, O Lord my God, Take me to Your door/throne this day. I will serve no other god, Lord I’m here to stay. For You have paid the price for me, With Your blood You ransomed me. I will serve You eternally, A free man I’ll never be.”

Lion's Head

Our leaders surprised us for today's class. They left us a map and food, and then they left us (sounds like I'm back in Austria)! We headed into Cape Town and climbed (some in part and some the whole) of Lion's Head. I just want you to know that photography is not always an easy thing and that it requires some strange and awkward vantage points - as amply demonstrated in the picture below that my friend Genevi took of me, taking a picture of Lion's Head!

Tutoring

I headed down (about 1 block from our place) to the local high school today, along with 4 other Trackers. We ended up in different directions - 3 girls are heading up the film club, 1 girl is helping with English tutoring and I am helping with Math tutoring. The last hour of the school day on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month of October, students are to attend extra-mural (aka extracurricular) activities such as sports, clubs or homework sessions. I am also planning to do some extra one-on-one tutoring on Mondays and Wednesdays after school. I hope to be able to find a good balance between my own school assignments and also being able to help out at the school.

South African English

I am learning some new English phrases, living in South Africa. Let me enlighten you and see what you think:
~"to let" means something is "for rent"
~your costume is not for Halloween, it's what you wear to swim (your bathing suit)
~a robot is a traffic light
~dustbin men pick up our garbage every Friday (after some homeless people go through)
~one does not bar-b-que in South Africa, you have a braai (bry)
~the number sign (#) is now known as the hash sign
~to "text" is to "SMS"
~round-about's don't exist here, instead they drive around circles

P.S. - I am also learning the differences between Canadian and American English. My American friends thought I had a third eye when I talked about the garborator.

Track Extension

Over the next few days, we as a Track are deciding on possibly making some changes to our schedule and where we'll be going and I would just ask for your prayers in this regard. We are looking at a possibility of extending the length of Track (maximum of 3 months at the end, meaning we would end in June 2011 instead of March) because there is also the consideration of extending our time on the road to truly get a global view by spending more time in Asia than was first planned. We do need to make a decision sooner than later because of required visas, flights changes and possibly changes in finances. I will let you know what we decide and, as always, things are subject to change (even after we change them).

For You Mom!

We have mini photo assignments basically every day and today our subject was motion and shutter. I don't know why, but there are so many old VW bugs out here, and, of course, I think about you Mom whenever I see one. There was a little training and a lot of luck involved in me getting this picture (and yes, the blur was on purpose - it's called "panning")!

P.S. - Mom, I look forward to sitting down to breakfast with you when I get home. I have picked up the habit of eating museli, yogurt and fruit, which I know you appreciate. I don't know why I didn't try it earlier, but I love it!

The Bay

I (and some other Trackers) have found a church home in The Bay Community Church. It is only a short walk for us, close to a township where we're doing some work. It is a morning of refreshment for the soul. The worship music is amazing and I've really appreciated the preaching. This morning there was a guest speaker, originally from Texas (so many different English accents!), but the senior pastor has spoken the past 2 Sundays and it has been great. Check out their website at www.baycc.org.za.

Green Day

Every other Friday afternoon has been formally titled "Green Day". We had our first green day yesterday and basically it is time to work on our yard - yep, we have a yard. It actually has a huge (overgrown) flower garden and a little patch of lawn to mow. Plus there's just some general upkeep that has lacked attention. Our swimming pool (yep, lucky to have one of those, but actually a lot of homes have one) has turned green, so it needs some extra work with the pump and cleaning before we can use it. It is crazy to see the flowers that just grow out here - seeing wild calla lilies is not uncommon. Slugs are also in high number - the picture is straight from our garden.