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!