Friday, June 27, 2008

week 3...or something like that

Another week has passed in South Africa! Right now, I am typing this on Word, sitting in Steers, a fast food joint similar to Jack in the Box in the US. Me, Cnorm, Katie G, and Ashton are running errands with Ben to get stuff together for our trip to the Northern Cape. It begins tomorrow at 7:15 AM sharp! And will take about 6 hours to get there…we are going to do Vacation Bible School with Afrikaans and Tswana speaking children in a township there. But rest assured, our team will be safely staying in a guesthouse nearby. Every day the camp will be from 9-12, it sounds to me much like a 3 hour clubhouse session every day. Im pretty nervous about all the community that’s going to be goin down, just seems overwhelming (we are going with some people from the local church CO partners with in Pretoria) and its supposed to be much colder there than it is in Pretoria L. We will be there from Saturday to Saturday, so please pray!
Speaking of the weather outside being frightful (which it is only in the mornings and nights), Ive been in the Christmas spirit, playing some Amy Grant and Mariah Carey for my quiet times. Tis the Season! It reminds me of October here, or Novemeber at times. During the day though, it is amazing weather. It has only sprinkled once one morning, but it was sunny the rest of the day. This past week, we have been sanding and staining the windows, doors, and banisters of the Miedema’s house. The days were long and sometimes hard, but the weather was perfect, hot enough for shorts and t shirts. Today was our Sabbath- but because of all the stuff that we have to get, Im here. It was fun running errands, we went to a Christian Book store that was so cool, and a place like Sam’s Club to get snacks J Some people went to the market, but I chose not to because it was in Joburg, and I absolutely hate the drive there. There will definitely be another trip sometime this summer, so I will probably get to go.
On another note, prepare yourself: the flu AND throw ups are running their course in the CCP. So far, two people have had the throwups and 2 people potentially have the flu L So please please pray that I would not catch it. I cant think of anything more miserable than getting the flu or throw ups, especially not being at home or being hours away at the northern cape.
The last week here has been good overall, as usual, I have been learning what it means to die to myself. For example, I have not straightened my hair since the JWC. Now that may not seem like death, but I also haven’t even been allowed to use my hair dryer for the last 3 days. Okay, Im really only half joking-I am really am learning about suffering, and do often feel poor and weak in character here. Pray that I would be patient and trust in the Lord for His provision here and for His plan for my life. Until next time, I will leave you with some positives/negatives :}

Plus:
-have really gotten to have good conversations with some people on the team
-had choc cake with choc icing for Bens birthday!
-really have grown to love the 3 girls that I live with

Minus:
-had a dance party last night on the spot, and of course I didn’t participate, but it brought up some issues with my identity and who I am
-Im really scared of getting the flu
-I haven’t been able to go to the gym but a few times
that’s it for now :}

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