Welcome to the Princess Palace!

Well, thats a picture of our door! The Princess Palace consists of the girls that live in the main house at Elna's- me (Ariel), Teenie (Cinderella), Ashton (Belle), and Sara (Sleeping Beauty).Our room has gotten really close this summer (or winter). I think thats the thing that I will miss the most about South Africa- living with these girls! Ashton and I are ministry partners, and although were very different, she is definitely one of my best friends- we balance eachother out really well, and I feel like we are sisters! Other than my room, I've also gotten to know Brittni real well!!
So, time is getting shorter and shorter in South Africa. A week from today, we will be packing our suitcases and preparing to leave. Next tuesday, we're going out to lunch one last time at Nando's (one of my favorites!!!!) and then heading to Johannesburg to fly out around 6 PM, 12 PM american time. Please pray if you think about it, Im really nervous- we have to take off and land a total of 3 times before reaching home sweet home in Greenville, SC. But, I dont want to think about leaving just yet, and part of me isnt ready to-theres still a week of stuff to be done here in SA!
Lately, Ashton and I have been very busy- the pics below are some highlights of our week! We went shopping with Charity on Friday and had dinnter at Mugg and Bean (the closest thing to like a nicer Panera Bread) and then went to a Christian Rock and Rap concert put on by campus outreach with Hadi and Neikkie. The pic below is a pic of Neikkie and I with the lead singer of the Afrikaans Christian rock band- I dont know the name because it isnt in english, and the entire time that band played, I had no clue what they were singing or saying- but, they seemed very popular. On saturday, our team went to a pro soccer game-manchester united vs the chiefs. I stuck it out the 1st half, but pulled out my book the 2nd half. It was very crowded and kind of scary, but cool to get to say that Ive seen the number 1 team in the world (manu) play soccer! We went on a group date with another res of guy called Maroela (pronounced Ma rule a) to Mugg and Bean for milkshakes, then to see the new batman (SA is a week behind the US).
So, now im sitting in Mugg and Bean paying to use the net so that I can also use Skype. Im thankful to have a day of rest.
Some of the cool things that God has taught me this past week is that He is in control and over all things, and that no matter what we are going through or how the day goes, He deserves to be praised. I think before I came to SA, I had a view that limited God- kind of like, I will serve you if___ or because life is going good, etc. But, being here and being stretched alot and really having to rely on Jesus to make it through the days sometimes, I have really seen that God is superior in life, and in everything, even small things. It has made me appreciate that I can talk to people, even in another country, about Jesus- the message is for anyone and everyone, no matter where they are in life. This past week, I got to share my life story with a girl named Amo-even though she isnt a Christian, she is attracted to the message of it-that we are free, new creations when we give our life to Jesus!! Something is holding her back, and it could be that morality, the good things that we do, are what makes us a Christian or not in her mind- but if that were the case, then we'd all be climbing up a mountain that had no peak, because everyone knows that for one thing, our motivations for doing good arent always pure, and for another thing, thats a legalistic life lived in pursuit of doing good, not God.
Anyways, it has been one awesome summer- i have gotten to really rest in God and come to know more and more about ministry than ever before!! Hopefully I will get to update this before we leave!! Until next time-

Fun times with Jasmyn girls!!!

T.I.E.

T.I.E.....this is Elna's. Thats the title of this blog entry, a play on the saying T.I.A. (this is africa...a kind of derogatory statement suggesting that anything can happen in africa-its africa, not america!) So, why do i say T.I.E.? Well, because thats what the whole team has been saying lately, as our power went out about 5 times in 2 days! Elna is the lady who owns this guesthouse and makes us breakfast every morning, takes care of us, lives here, etc. So, this past week, we had terrible power issues-once, we left and it was out, came back and it was on for about 20 minutes, then it went out again. It was bad- we lived by the light of a candle. One night, I simply crawled into bed at 10 PM, like a character out of one of those American Girl books. It was depressing. But on the good side, the power people (they have been here at least 20 times this summer, no joke) installed something to where we can flip the breaker when it goes out instead of it going out for hours.
So, this past week was our first week on the campus of TUKS! (the university of Pretoria). On sunday, we had a day of fasting and prayer, which honestly made me kinda weary about going on the campus, the gears seemed to change so quickly from all fun and games to strategic ministry, which is our purpose here, to really bring people into the ministry of Campus Outreach here, to build up laborers on the campus that have a heart for the lost, and to share with people who dont have a relationship with Jesus. So, on Monday at 3 PM, Ashton and I went to Jasmyn to begin ministry. We are following Charity, a girl on staff here with CO, who lived in Jasmyn when she was a student. Its also cool because Emily ministered in Jasmyn last summer, and let me just say that probably at least 2 times a day, people have hugged me and thought i was emily!
So, each day this week we went to the dorms and 3 and got picked up around 9:30. In the mornings, we have ministry training, time to read the Bible, prayer groups, and free time. Each time in the res, Ashton and I visit different girls that Charity has already begun building relationships with, basically sit and talk to girls for hours...it can be very draining. But we also have 3 Christian girls, Megan, Hadi, and Nomfundo that we are hanging out with and doing Bible studies with, and that is my favorite part. This weekend, we went to the movies and out to dinner with 3 girls! Then on Sunday we went to the opening night of Tuks missions week with some of the girls, it reminded me of a big rally at something like the JWC or ATL in the states. It was cool because the topic was missions, like what are we called to do about the 6,000 people groups that have never heard the name of Jesus? Its definitely something to think about, even though I halfway across the world, I am telling people about Jesus who have heard of Him, you know, the way its common to hear about Him in Sunday school and even get baptized, but thats alot different than really giving control of your life to Him and daily laying down your life. I think thats the hardest thing, is to shatter the myth about what Christianity is (and I find that to be true both here and in the US)- just because you read the Bible, go to church, or were raised in a Christain home doesnt mean you are a Christian. Being a Christian is about loving God and making God known...and loving God above all else, even good things like family, work, whatever,...and making Him known means that whatever you do wherever you are, if you believe, you tell others. This is hard to communicate to people, and I am praying the verse 1 Peter 3:15 for my time in Jasmyn: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" So, I want to live and share with gentleness and respect, but always be prepared to share...and it has been great to be able to really rejoice when i get to mention Christ's name as the One that I trust, even if i am not giving a full out talk about my faith.
Some fun things that have happened lately- Christine's bday (21st!) was on Saturday, so me and my roomies here got up at 6 AM and baked her a cake! (we had to make the icing because here in SA, theres no icing you can buy!) and we decorated the door and the room, and put her presents out like Christmas morning!!! It was great, we woke her up singing happy birthday, and that night, all the girls went out to eat at this nice cafe, and watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 days!!! It was so fun. Today was my sabbath- I spent it at the mall, paid too much money to call mom and dad and emily, and went shopping. I'll be honest, the fashion here is more metro than it is in the US...I couldnt find anything that I really loved, although I have worn all my clothes so so much, I couldnt find anything that I loved- there are stores like Guess, Levi's, and even some Gap clothes, but theyre all too expensive! Mom would be proud that I refused to shop anything but the sales (plus, I have no idea how I'm going to fit all this in my suitcases)
Well, I'll leave with some random thoughts-
-we only have about 2 weeks left! Its weird to think that...
-our room is now named Princess Palace..we all colored pictures of Disney princesses and decorated our door (Im Ariel!! of course)
-People on our team are overusing South African lingo...its very annoying, they say "Ah, Shame!!" and "as well" after everything, and the a sounds like a mix between O as in ostrich and A as in apple
-A girl became a Christian this week! Christine led her to Christ!!!!!:)

Some pics from SA

Ashton, Hadi, Me, and Charity at TUKS Missions week night!
Me, Brittni, and Christine on her Birthday :)
Jasmyn, thats where im at for about 6 hours a day-looks like a hotel! 600 students live there, its like a sorority in the US.
Heres a pic of the bird we saw on the safari!!

Back from the Safari!

Well, I got to go to Menlyn mall today and as you can see, uploaded 3 pics (after about 10 tries!) but the labels will not work in order!!
So, our team is safely back from the Safari, no one got snagged by any wild animals, but people came close! Not really, but one of the guys on our team did chase wildebeasts once or twice, and for about 3 nights, the boys had their hearts set on catching an Impala (they travel up to 80 km, so all the girls knew that was never going to happen!)
On Tuesdy morning, we woke up @ 4:30 to go on a safari from 6-9 AM...it was freezing! The bus e rode in had no windows or top, so the wind was frightfully chilly! That was a little hard for me to be joyful, plus I fell asleep a couple of times. But, I love animals, and it was gorgeous!! Our team took our vans out a few more times to look for animals, and that was way better than the guided safari! Some of my favorite things we saw were- lions, Elephants and a baby one too, giraffes, hippos, zebras, warthogs, impalas, and kudus. One day, we saw a little bird that was beautiful- it seriously looked like cotton candy colors!! That was one of my favorite things we saw- I would post a picture but my camera deleted all my safari pics. So, we stayed in tents that thankfully had plugs and beds in them, and I stayed with Teenie (christine). Every night, we went to bed after dinner and got up early to go back on the Safari trails. Before the safari, I wasnt too excited about the wilderness, but God was faithful like He always is- it was fun and revealed more of God's wonderful creation to me. I listened to my ipod while we were drving through the canyons and wild grass, as the sun was rising and the skies were clear and blue, and really felt like I could meet with God :)
Our team also went to Sun City, kind of reminds me of an amusement park, where Christine, Brittni, Josh H., and Brinck did the worlds largest zip line!! I really wanted to do it, but there werent any more spots, so I did the next best thing- watch and film! It was soo cool, I think Emily would have loved it too! Then Friday we went to the market-it was so chilly but cool to see authentic african gifts.
So I cant believe that its already July 12! As of monday, we will be in the res for the next 3 weeks. Pray that my heart would be all here in SA, and that I woud be bold and have a heart for the girls in my res, which is called Jasmyn (said like Yaz-mane). Its ironically the exact same res that emily was in! So Im excited about getting to talk about what I have given my life for and why I am even here- Jesus! I am studying Colossians, and recently I think Gods been teaching me about what it means to live a new life, walking in the light in truth and holiness as opposed to the way I used to live gratifying my own desires, trying to write my own life. But, Im convicted of ways that even now I still live in the dark, and know that God can change my heart, so I am praying that He would! Thats my prayer for Emily, Kasey, and the whole CCP team and LP, that we wouldnt settle for where we are now with Jesus-that growth and change would be our desires.
So, here are some random things about CCP so far:
-Emily's Emu boots have been life savers!! Even though i thought they looked funny and hesitated to bring them, I have worn them 24/7!
-Mom and dad sent me a package with snacks!!! :)
-We are having a day of prayer tomorrow
-Our power continues to go out often
-It looks like winter here today- it usually looks like October, but today it looks like January
-I love the girls that I live with!!!

Thats all for now ;)

Pics!

Just another Sunday in Pretoria!

well, we're back from our trip to Magogong! And I have to say, Elna's house (our guesthouse here in pretoria) reallllly feels like home! When we arrived, there were even gifts waiting for us on our pillows :) Guess what mine was?......A coke light and a teen magazine!!!!! It was seriously awesome. you know how much i love magazines too!
So, to update on my time here as of now- I DID NOT get the flu or throw ups!! Praise God, and I am serious. Half of the team was so sick that half of us had to stay here in Pretoria while the rest went on to Magogong last Saturday, and then 5 of us drove down on Monday. So, I was in the group that stayed back for 2 days, and for those 2 days, we watched 2 movies and spent alot of time driving around tyring to purchase space heaters (unsuccessful) and reading/journaling. Then we took a 7 hour drive to the Northern cape- the drive was through country roads that run through no major cities, past alot of squatter camps that look like shacks made with material found randomly. I really saw how poor South Africa is on that drive! And the towns that we passed through looked so old timey like they were out of the 80s or something! It was weird.
To sum up the week- it was really fun getting to do vacation bible school for the children- my group was me, Ashton (my MP!), Allie, Josh H, and Brinck. Every day our schedule was like this- bfast @ 6:45, leave @ 7:15, get to the townships at 8, have the camps from 9-12, then go back to the church where we all met for lunch that started at 2, then afternoons for naps and mandatory stuff, and dinner at 6. The hardest thing about the week was the language barrier- all the kids spoke Tswane and couldnt understand me, and also patience because i got assigned to work with the preschoolers, basically kids that were too young to have been there. God really taught me alot about what it means to be like Christ, who loved the children, looked on the poor and needy with compassion and love, and my smiles and doing sillly motions to songs and stuff that isnt my natural tendency is a way to be likeJesus to the kids. They loved me!! I would hold two little girls at one time in my lap- it was so precious and tender. Some cool things about the week:
-I got to share my testimony at the camp
-I really fought to find joy in God
-Every day Ashton and I would pray for eachother
-I feel like I pushed myself in alot of ways to really be there and deal with frusteration- the days were loooong and very cold
-Am so grateful for the ways God has blessed me with my family and all the cool things i take for granted like water that is clean! (the water there tasted bad)
Some hard things:
-The volunteers werent all Christians, so it was hard to communicate on the same level as them (they were like 15 years old)
-Lunch was served at 2!! that was hard to be patient
-It reminded me of Clubhouse, and was emotionally hard
-I got really upset on the way back about driving and felt unsafe, and freaked out...then Ben called us girls out in front of the team-im still working through this one, so you can pray that I wouldnt always want to be right (isnt that funny emily owens?)
-barely had enough alone time or time with Jesus

So, yesterday was my sabbath- I went to menlyn mall and talked to Em!! and downloaded some cartoons to watch when I am scared or late at night. Then we had a team barbeque! I really love the girls that i am living with, last night we stayed up talking till 1 something. today we went to church at the church plant, then went to lunch (i had Anats :) )

We leave for the Safari tomorrow, till thursday. I am actually getting excited about it, news that we will have bathrooms and plugs i think, plus the fact that we are going to go to a place in south africa like a mini Las vegas is fun!!! I cant believe the summer is halfway up, although it feels like we have been here for a looong time. Well, here are some things you can pray for me for-

pray that i would really trust in Jesus with all my heart!! that psalm 62:5-8 would be true
and that I would not just exist here, that i would be all here and sharing my heart constantly, and that i would be changed to be more like Christ! I have felt stretched alot lately, and am tempted to just step back and make it through, but sanctification comes through suffering and perseverence.

Thats all for now!

some pics so far!