Monday, April 9. 2007…Dream Girls
So today was movie day with Brenda, Abigail, and Emma. We went and saw Dream Girls…first of all it was great to be able to relax with a movie, but with Dream Girls it was fantastic. I just love the dancing and music…just all in all a relaxing day.
Tuesday, April 10. 2007…Dress Day
Today Abigail and I got to try on wedding and bridesmaid dresses with Gloria, Vigi, and Bussi. Gloria (pastors wife) is starting a wedding dress and bridesmaid dress rental business. One to promote marriage as well as allow women to walk down that aisle in the most beautiful dress they could ever imagine. So a woman from the States sent over 10 wedding dresses and about 20 bridesmaid dresses to get her company up and going. We had the privilege of putting them on to model for the soon to be catalog. It was so much fun they just kept on getting more and more beautiful! Also, Gloria that night asked me to be a bridesmaid in her and Pas. Vincents wedding! So looks like I will be back in October for a week. Gloria and Pas. Vincent got married like 20 years ago the traditional African way but not the “legal” way, so now they are going to be married “legally”. So Ladies if you have a wedding dress or a bridesmaid dress that you will never wear again and want to see it be used for a good cause this would be a great way to help. Just simply let me know that you are interested in donating the dress to Gloria’s new business and take care of getting it there.
Wednesday, April 11. 2007…Sundowns Win Again
So the Sundowns (Mamelodi Soccer Team) have by far become my most favorite soccer team in the entire world. Really bold statement I know but seriously they are amazing. We went to our second match today…this one was for the regional cup…and you better believe in the last 2 minutes they won with their second goal…gosh it was a nail biter but we pulled through in the end.
I wear my jersey proudly around on game days and I always get people running up to me because they can’t believe a white girl is wearing a Sundowns jersey (white people here are more rugby fans than soccer fans). So then when I do the Sundowns hand sign and say their slogan, “the sky is the limit.” They then know I am for real and start laughing. People are so shocked by it that even at the match they will bust out their cameras and take pics of Abigail and I…we just laugh.
Thursday, April 12. 2007…Women’s Fellowship
We just hired a new pastor at Powerhouse and his wife is a social worker in Mamelodi. Needless to say I wanted to really get to know her. So today Abigail and I had some great vanilla custard with Anicky (Pastor Temba’s wife) while chatting about the children’s home that Powerhouse will be building. She had great advice as to how to go about starting and doing it. She will be very helpful in the surveying of the area that I have to do for the proposal of the children’s home for the government. Most of all I just enjoyed being around her and hearing her heart for Mamelodi.
Friday, April 13.2007…Farewell Mohau/Hello Brenda
Today was really hard for me as I said good bye to a great staff and some amazing children. The morning was easy as I just had meetings to attend to and go over my evaluation with my supervisors…but the afternoon when the children returned from school I started to say goodbye one by one and it only got harder and harder. My girl who proved to be the most challenging at the beginning and was the girl that was involved in all the sexual activity in the house was the hardest to say goodbye to. She has made so much progress and I am so proud of her and her willingness to change no matter how hard it was for her. We sat for along time discussing how much she had changed and how she hasn’t had any sexual incidents since we had our first talk. We then read her favorite book, Sleeping Beauty, and after that she walked me to the door. Saying, “see you tomorrow.” She is clearly in denial that I am really leaving…I cried the whole way home cause I would like to be there for her and for the others and see them walk through the doors of Mohau telling me goodbye as they walk into the arms of their family or to a job or university.
This evening we (Gabe, Rach, Abigail, and I) took Brenda to Dros (nice restaurant in South Africa) for a celebration and farewell Abigail dinner. Since we got here Brenda has told us her story about her past year of life and what a struggle it has been for her…and throughout this time we have seen how faithful she has been to Powerhouse as their unpaid secretary and what an AMAZING friend she has been to each one of us. We also know that it is a dream of hers to go to the States one day. So tonight we surprised her with a roundtrip ticket to the States for a month to come and visit us. I have never seen her speechless but for about 5 min. she couldn’t talk. Next April she will be arriving in the States and I am so excited to show her around and have her meet all my friends and family!
Saturday, April 14. 2007…Debrief with Vincent
Today I debriefed with Vincent as to how this trip went for him and suggestions he had for me for the future of Africa Revolution. Let me just tell you that I could sit at the feet of this man for hours to seek wise counsel. Seriously, any question I brought up he had an insightful well thought out answer and it was biblical. I don’t even know how he does it…I think it is a testament as to how much he is in the bible daily. Anyways, he was very encouraging and very honest with me as to future endeavors for me and AR.
Sunday, April 15. 2007…Last Service/See Annie and Allan for the first time
This morning in service I gave my testimony about the time that I have spent here…I talked about Heaven and how in Mark 6 we pray, Thy kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven, and how Powerhouse has been a slice of what Heaven is. Then I went on to talk about how at the beginning of my trip there was an incident that made me want to go home…but due to my passport being taken I couldn’t and if I would’ve gone home I would’ve never experienced….then listed all of my favorite things about my time with Powerhouse. Later on in the service Pas. Vincent called me back to the front to have the church pray for me. First of all he prayed in his native tongue which made me so mad cause I was like hey if you are prophesying over my life I would like to know what you are saying secondly he said this, “whatever you succeed in we succeed in.” This was profound for me cause I have been battling with a big decision and in that instant it all became really clear! Once again this man is so wise…do you see what I am saying…if only we could all follow him around 24/7 this world would be such a better place.
Also we got to attend Annie and Allan’s family braii to welcome them to South Africa. It was really great to see them on this side. Can’t believe they are married…too crazy for me to comprehend.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Thursday, March 29. 2007…My brother, Levi’s Birthday!
Next year this time my brother will already have a 9 mos. old baby boy! I am so excited to be an aunt for the first time…Today Abigail and I visited this couple who are a place of safety. Not only did this couple raise their own 2 children (who are now grown), but now they are raising 23 children in their home (trust me their house was only like 5 bedrooms---not big but full of love). They both stay at home full-time to give the children the most attention that they can…but through the past 12 years of doing this they have had over 300+ children through their home. It was really great to see a couple doing this together because it is especially rare to see a man think of his responsibility in Africa as child rearing. It also really made me desire for one day when I meet prince charming that God gives us similar desires to do something together for God.
Friday, March 30. 2007…Farewell Shirle
Tonight we gave farewell hugs to Shirle (Allan’s mom) before she left to go to the other side for the big wedding! It was good to see her off, but also weird knowing that she was going to stay in my apartment when she arrived in Chicago.
Saturday, March 31. 2007…Mercedes Friend came to Volunteer
Today we introduced Abigail to the farmers market at 5:30 AM…she loved it and decided it would be her last farmers market in South Africa. The rest of the day I completed my homework while the others went to teach computers. Today they had an extra person from Mercedes with them, Matt. It was really good for him too because it was his first time to see a township and he has been here since December. He was a little leary about it…but when he came back he was uber excited about what he had done and the small impact he had on the people he helped.
Sunday, April 1. 2007…Chuckie Martin’s Birthday! April Fools/Church 2x in 1 day
So morning service was good and normal…then in the evening we went to Hatfield Christian Church…which is like the Willow Creek Community Church for South Africa. Well the service started and all of a sudden the pastor called us to get into groups of 4 to start praying. So we broke up into groups of 4 and started praying…in the States it would be like, go around and pray one by one on the topics that the pastor gives…but here everyone just starts praying out loud…at the end of this prayer he asked us to start praying in the language of the spirit. I was like hold on a second…what did he just say…I thought people were just praying this whole time in various African languages…who knew they were praying in tongues? So at the end the woman to my left said, “Do you not speak in tongues?” I just said the first thing that came to my mind which was, “I can’t speak in tongues cause I am American.” What was that? So she was like I will pray for you to have the spirit of tongues…so I guess somewhere in the Bible (pretty sure actually no where in the Bible does it say this) it says if you don’t have the gift of tongues find someone that does and get it from them. So now I have the gift of tongues, who knew it was that easy? haha
Monday, April 2. 2007…Stayed in our Box
So Abby and I share a box aka our bedroom although we are pretty much in it all the time so it is more like our dinning room, bedroom, living room, bathroom (ok not really). We have twin beds with matching sheets of course…I worked on my paper all day and she read, read, talked, read, and laughed. It was just great to chill and relax as this week we are on holiday for the Easter week. Everything in South Africa closes down the week before Easter…so there was no work for us to go to. Hey I am not complaining it is actually quite nice.
Tuesday, April 3. 2007…Passover Dinner in Africa
Who knew I would have to go all the way to South Africa to have an authentic Passover meal? Gabe one of Africa Revolution’s volunteers grew up Jewish and so he gave the elders of the church and their families an authentic Passover meal. It was so great understanding how the God that I serve was raised. And hey they have four glasses of wine throughout the meal…I say it is a pretty great way to celebrate.
Wednesday, April 4. 2007…Time to myself
Today I worked and completed my 45 page paper! Who says doing grad school overseas is easy? The rest of the house all went to Soshanguve to hand out Easter baskets to the children that we work with there. It was so great the hired house helper, Liette, and I were able to chat for awhile and share a nice piece of chocolate cake together. It was the first day since I have been here (9 weeks) that I had the house to myself. Even though I love people I am actually an introvert, so I pull my energy from being by myself…so this was a great day to build up my supply of energy.
Thursday, April 5. 2007…Kit Kat
You thought I was talking about the candy bar…I am actually talking about this new store that just opened up down the street from where I stay. Abby and I went up and down every aisle to see all the goodness that they offer. Needless to say they offer a lot and we are bringing home a lot of it. It is almost as great as Target, but not quite. We also went on an hour and a half walk around the neighborhood. I am sure we will feel it tomorrow.
Friday, April 6. 2007…Good Friday-Botanical Garden
Abigail and I after church (which was a little crazy-visiting pastor discussed how if you pray hard enough and worship God hard enough that you will become very wealthy—wow not sure where that is at in the Bible but wish it were true! haha) went and walked around the Botanical Gardens. There was a whole lot of deserty things…pretty much my sista would have loved it. Don’t worry Kyla I collected some samples for you and hopefully they will pass through customs. I am just really enjoying spending quality time with Abigail and having a companion that enjoys doing similar things as me while I am over here. She is a great woman of God and has great insight. I am blessed to have her as a good friend and roommate.
Saturday, April 7. 2007…Soccer Match, Mamelodi Sundowns!
I experienced my first professional soccer match today between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Ahy (Egypt team). Al-Ahy is the best team in all of Africa right now and Mamelodi hasn’t lost a match yet, so we knew it was going to be a good game going into it. We prepared by tons of prayers, dancing, and wearing Sundowns jerseys. The first half we had like 6 attempts at the goal, but no goals and Al-Ahy had 2 attempts and they both went in. So we were a little depressed cause this was our first match and all…the last 10 min. of the game you better believe Sundowns scored two goals to tie the game…OH MY GOSH it was crazy! Since it wasn’t a tournament game they did not go into overtime…but hey at least we didn’t loose. Then on our way home while riding in the back of the truck (which is so great!) our friend Vigi called to tell us that we were on TV. Just a great way to end the day.
Sunday, April 8, 2007…Happy Easter/Amazing Grace/Traditional Dance
Today has been quite the Easter. There haven’t been any Easter egg hunts or pictures with the Easter bunny…but it has been a good one. As we drove to church we saw the cemetery flooding with people with small offerings for their ancestors. It just made me realize that they are worshiping a dead god and as a Christian I get the pleasure of worshiping a LIVING God! Abby and I sang Amazing Grace this morning at church with a few of our friends…it is really the least we can do for our God who rose from the dead…I mean seriously that is pretty hard to do…try it yourself sometime. After church we went to Kaili Lodge to see some traditional African dances (1 they can shake it like I haven’t seen anyone shake it before, 2 they would blow any dance off in the States away, 3 pretty sure I want to be like them)…they didn’t offer for the audience to come down and practice with them cause you know I would’ve been down there. Instead I practiced in the parking lot afterwards…hey whatever works right. Oh ya by the way River City Abby and I are bringing the congo line to church…so get ready!
Next year this time my brother will already have a 9 mos. old baby boy! I am so excited to be an aunt for the first time…Today Abigail and I visited this couple who are a place of safety. Not only did this couple raise their own 2 children (who are now grown), but now they are raising 23 children in their home (trust me their house was only like 5 bedrooms---not big but full of love). They both stay at home full-time to give the children the most attention that they can…but through the past 12 years of doing this they have had over 300+ children through their home. It was really great to see a couple doing this together because it is especially rare to see a man think of his responsibility in Africa as child rearing. It also really made me desire for one day when I meet prince charming that God gives us similar desires to do something together for God.
Friday, March 30. 2007…Farewell Shirle
Tonight we gave farewell hugs to Shirle (Allan’s mom) before she left to go to the other side for the big wedding! It was good to see her off, but also weird knowing that she was going to stay in my apartment when she arrived in Chicago.
Saturday, March 31. 2007…Mercedes Friend came to Volunteer
Today we introduced Abigail to the farmers market at 5:30 AM…she loved it and decided it would be her last farmers market in South Africa. The rest of the day I completed my homework while the others went to teach computers. Today they had an extra person from Mercedes with them, Matt. It was really good for him too because it was his first time to see a township and he has been here since December. He was a little leary about it…but when he came back he was uber excited about what he had done and the small impact he had on the people he helped.
Sunday, April 1. 2007…Chuckie Martin’s Birthday! April Fools/Church 2x in 1 day
So morning service was good and normal…then in the evening we went to Hatfield Christian Church…which is like the Willow Creek Community Church for South Africa. Well the service started and all of a sudden the pastor called us to get into groups of 4 to start praying. So we broke up into groups of 4 and started praying…in the States it would be like, go around and pray one by one on the topics that the pastor gives…but here everyone just starts praying out loud…at the end of this prayer he asked us to start praying in the language of the spirit. I was like hold on a second…what did he just say…I thought people were just praying this whole time in various African languages…who knew they were praying in tongues? So at the end the woman to my left said, “Do you not speak in tongues?” I just said the first thing that came to my mind which was, “I can’t speak in tongues cause I am American.” What was that? So she was like I will pray for you to have the spirit of tongues…so I guess somewhere in the Bible (pretty sure actually no where in the Bible does it say this) it says if you don’t have the gift of tongues find someone that does and get it from them. So now I have the gift of tongues, who knew it was that easy? haha
Monday, April 2. 2007…Stayed in our Box
So Abby and I share a box aka our bedroom although we are pretty much in it all the time so it is more like our dinning room, bedroom, living room, bathroom (ok not really). We have twin beds with matching sheets of course…I worked on my paper all day and she read, read, talked, read, and laughed. It was just great to chill and relax as this week we are on holiday for the Easter week. Everything in South Africa closes down the week before Easter…so there was no work for us to go to. Hey I am not complaining it is actually quite nice.
Tuesday, April 3. 2007…Passover Dinner in Africa
Who knew I would have to go all the way to South Africa to have an authentic Passover meal? Gabe one of Africa Revolution’s volunteers grew up Jewish and so he gave the elders of the church and their families an authentic Passover meal. It was so great understanding how the God that I serve was raised. And hey they have four glasses of wine throughout the meal…I say it is a pretty great way to celebrate.
Wednesday, April 4. 2007…Time to myself
Today I worked and completed my 45 page paper! Who says doing grad school overseas is easy? The rest of the house all went to Soshanguve to hand out Easter baskets to the children that we work with there. It was so great the hired house helper, Liette, and I were able to chat for awhile and share a nice piece of chocolate cake together. It was the first day since I have been here (9 weeks) that I had the house to myself. Even though I love people I am actually an introvert, so I pull my energy from being by myself…so this was a great day to build up my supply of energy.
Thursday, April 5. 2007…Kit Kat
You thought I was talking about the candy bar…I am actually talking about this new store that just opened up down the street from where I stay. Abby and I went up and down every aisle to see all the goodness that they offer. Needless to say they offer a lot and we are bringing home a lot of it. It is almost as great as Target, but not quite. We also went on an hour and a half walk around the neighborhood. I am sure we will feel it tomorrow.
Friday, April 6. 2007…Good Friday-Botanical Garden
Abigail and I after church (which was a little crazy-visiting pastor discussed how if you pray hard enough and worship God hard enough that you will become very wealthy—wow not sure where that is at in the Bible but wish it were true! haha) went and walked around the Botanical Gardens. There was a whole lot of deserty things…pretty much my sista would have loved it. Don’t worry Kyla I collected some samples for you and hopefully they will pass through customs. I am just really enjoying spending quality time with Abigail and having a companion that enjoys doing similar things as me while I am over here. She is a great woman of God and has great insight. I am blessed to have her as a good friend and roommate.
Saturday, April 7. 2007…Soccer Match, Mamelodi Sundowns!
I experienced my first professional soccer match today between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Ahy (Egypt team). Al-Ahy is the best team in all of Africa right now and Mamelodi hasn’t lost a match yet, so we knew it was going to be a good game going into it. We prepared by tons of prayers, dancing, and wearing Sundowns jerseys. The first half we had like 6 attempts at the goal, but no goals and Al-Ahy had 2 attempts and they both went in. So we were a little depressed cause this was our first match and all…the last 10 min. of the game you better believe Sundowns scored two goals to tie the game…OH MY GOSH it was crazy! Since it wasn’t a tournament game they did not go into overtime…but hey at least we didn’t loose. Then on our way home while riding in the back of the truck (which is so great!) our friend Vigi called to tell us that we were on TV. Just a great way to end the day.
Sunday, April 8, 2007…Happy Easter/Amazing Grace/Traditional Dance
Today has been quite the Easter. There haven’t been any Easter egg hunts or pictures with the Easter bunny…but it has been a good one. As we drove to church we saw the cemetery flooding with people with small offerings for their ancestors. It just made me realize that they are worshiping a dead god and as a Christian I get the pleasure of worshiping a LIVING God! Abby and I sang Amazing Grace this morning at church with a few of our friends…it is really the least we can do for our God who rose from the dead…I mean seriously that is pretty hard to do…try it yourself sometime. After church we went to Kaili Lodge to see some traditional African dances (1 they can shake it like I haven’t seen anyone shake it before, 2 they would blow any dance off in the States away, 3 pretty sure I want to be like them)…they didn’t offer for the audience to come down and practice with them cause you know I would’ve been down there. Instead I practiced in the parking lot afterwards…hey whatever works right. Oh ya by the way River City Abby and I are bringing the congo line to church…so get ready!
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