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.

Photographer of the Week

We have hit the ground running this week, at least in regard to assignments. Lessons happen in the morning and then we have the afternoon to shoot pictures (cut short by the early nightfall and the fact that we can't be out after dark because of safety). Our assignment yesterday was to take a picture with a white dinner plate and to be as creative as possible. My teammates (which, by the way is now up to 15 because a married couple joined us, meaning that we do have another guy along) voted mine the favorite and thus I was given the distinction of "Photographer of the Week"! Can you believe it (because I can't!)?

My Baby Brother Turns 25!

Yikes, you really start feeling old when your baby brother turns a quarter of a century! Happy Birthday man! For those of you who don't know Lee, I want to introduce him to you. Lee and me are very similar, which is probably why we didn't always get along growing up - so similar that we would butt heads! We both look like my Mom's side of the family and we're both organized/anal retentive. He has a HUGE passion for anything baseball, which is pretty equal to his obsession with Johnny Cash! He is in love with a beautiful girl named Kelsey, who I personally adore. And if I had a choice, she would be my choice for a sister-in-law!

Even though he's probably going through the hardest time of his life right now, he continues to persevere and I am SO proud of him. I wish I could be home to help him, but he knows that my prayers are sent heavenward, no matter where I am. I am so excited to go home at Christmas where he will meet a different LaDawn and I will meet a different Lee.


P.S. - Dude, this is what happens when you take my camera and don't erase the picture! Oh, do you even remember having that much hair? For those of you who don't know, one of the quirkiest things about Lee is that he has 2 different colors of eyes and one of the eyes changes colors, depending on the day. Love you man - more than you could ever know!