Dreaming for Africa

2007-04-15T12:53:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-04-08T14:26:00.000-04:00

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!

A week of posts...

2007-03-29T11:23:00.000-04:00

Monday, March 19, 2007…Gloria’s Birthday!

Today we celebrated Gloria’s 39th birthday…nothing like celebrating it at the local Spur (great South African restaurant). On Sunday during the church service Vincent said that it was her 50th birthday and the 3 of us being so gullible spread the news around the church and community that it was her 50th. Then when we went out for her birthday dinner we were like gosh you don’t look 50 she was like well cause I am 39. Whoops so sorry Powerhouse for giving you the wrong age. Oh Vincent you funny guy. Haha

Tuesday, March 20, 2007…Paper

Well the date is coming closer and closer to graduation! I have all of my papers now complete just 3 presentations to do when I return to the States. It feels so great to know that I am complete with my masters!

Wednesday, March 21.2007…School Uniforms means so Much

Today was our day to head to Soshanguve to work with Constance. We had heard a few weeks back about these two young women, 14 and 16, being shoed away from school for not having the right school uniforms. Gabe and Rach had some extra money and decided that they would purchase the uniforms and take them to the girls. It was Human Rights Day (a public holiday), so the entire family was home. The girls came out of the house and the Dagani’s showed them the uniforms, these beautiful white teeth glowed, as they could not help but smile. They ran into the house giggling to try them on. A few minutes later after looking at themselves in the mirror they came out and strutted right past us in model like fashion. When we saw them for the first time a wave of emotions came over us all and we started crying for joy. For them these uniforms meant that they no longer would be the source of ridicule, they could continue their studies, and they could do it with pride. Who thought one article of clothing could change a person’s life so dramatically.

Thursday, March 22, 2007…Driver

Today I got the honor of taking Rach and Gabe to the airport as they were heading to Durbin for a little holiday. We had been praying for them because Durbin just got swept by a natural phenomenon with 5-12 meter high waves. That’s great if you are a surfer not so much if you are just an average Joe who wants to lay out on the beach. I also got to pick up my new passport. Thank God it was there and had the right photo inside. The rest of the day I colored Easter bags that we will be handing out to some orphan children in Soshanguve.

Friday, March 23. 2007…Body Changes

I got the honor to talk to the group of girls about body changes as we mature. Oh geesh never thought it would be such an intriguing topic for them. Now I know that I am ready for one day when God blesses me with little girls of my own. For the next week I will be house sitting in Capital Park, which is closer to my work and has a swimming pool! Brenda stayed with me for the first two nights as I was getting adjusted to a new neighborhood. We had a great time staying up late talking, about girl things.

Saturday, March 24, 2007…Abigail Arrives and Dagani’s Return!

Brenda and I drove to the airport to pick up the crew. For Brenda (age 25) this was her first time to the airport she was shocked at how much they jack up the prices for cool drinks and snacks. Welcome to low supply and high demand. We got there about an hour early to make sure that we were front and centre at the terminal so Abigail could see us clearly. Brenda and I got so swept up in the return of loved ones, family members, and friends that we didn’t even realize we were waiting at the wrong terminal. We realized it when a man came out and was looking around for his family/friends to pick him up, but no one was there to fetch him. We felt so sorry for him than I thought, gosh it has taken Abby along time to go through customs…OH MY GOSH we are at the wrong terminal. We ran to the other side to get her by this time she was in the back waiting patiently for someone to get her. Oh I felt so bad, but I was soooooooo uber excited to have her next to me.

Sunday, March 25, 2007…Capital Park, mini riot

To celebrate Abigail’s arrival I invited the worship team over to the house we are sitting for a good ol’ braii. There really is no other way than to welcome someone to South Africa with out doing a braii. We had a pool, meat and pap, and people, really what else do you need? About two hours into the celebration filled with dancing (to worship music of course), viewing of The Passion of the Christ (to prepare for Easter), and some swimming I see about 10 white men at the gate screaming. I am like what the Hell is going on. I go to the gate to ask them what they are so angry about and they are like in this neighborhood we don’t have parties on Sundays. I was like sir I can assure you that this is a braii and not a party in fact this is a worship team from a church. He was like I don’t know what you do in the States but the Old South Africa and the New South Africa don’t have parties. What he was really saying was that black people are not allowed in white neighborhoods to hang out, black people are only allowed to work as house servants or to do construction on their homes. But to have 10 black adults and 2 black children laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves in their neighborhood was unacceptable. The families house that we are at called us because three of the neighbors called them while they were away on holiday to tell them that black people had taken over their house and that they were playing loud music and drinking. Oh the family was furious with me, but when they found out it was a worship team and there was only 12 people they calmed down…but they suggested everyone to leave because the neighbors had threatened to start shooting. Oh my GOD I am living in the civil rights movement where blacks and whites can’t even hang out. Toto I am in not in the States anymore.

Monday, March 26, 2007…Physically Ill

Today I woke up physically ill because of the situation yesterday. I don’t even know how to live in a culture that is racist to the point of forcing harm onto others. It is sooo against the person God has created me to be and I am dang proud that I can’t stand it cause it is not right. The verse that continues to run through my head is, “Thy Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven.” I just want to go to each of these neighbors houses that claim they are also Christians and be like hey you know you may not live next to blacks right now, but I assure you when you get to Heaven God willing He is expecting you to not only live with blacks, but break bread with one another. So maybe we might want to consider having a little piece of Heaven on Earth now. Gosh I don’t know maybe that is a crazy idea but forcing your brothers and sisters in Christ out of your neighborhood with guns on my scale is much crazier!!!

I freakin’ hate Apartheid…Afrikaners get ready for a rude awakening cause the blacks that you have held down for decades are becoming educated and are gaining finances, so believe it or not they are starting to climb the economic ladder. They will soon be able to live anywhere they want, work wherever they want, and not have to take your shit anymore. There are way more of them than you, so get ready to start submitting to their leadership. Ok I am getting off my soapbox now I just can’t help but be enraged. Abigail and I have invited one of the Afrikaners over for dinner Tuesday night to have a nice meal with us. We are praying that God reveals to them that we are not crazy Americans, but that we are His children. Also, show hey look blacks can come into your neighborhood and leave it without stealing anything. More than anything we are praying God starts to open their eyes to a new way of living, a way to live without fear, a way to live with love.

Tuesday, March 27.2007…Ulcer???

Today I went to the doctors (I know it is crazy I don’t even go to the doctors in the States, so you must know it is bad if I am willing to go in a foreign country) because I had severe pains across my abs and am not keeping down any food. Who knows what it is I think it is ulcers, but I also don’t have an MD after my name. Well the whole experience was rather delightful. First of all with no insurance it was only R140=$20! Then I went into the docs office and there was a desk, two chairs, and a typical doctor check up table. I sat down for about 20 min talking about my medical history and my current symptoms. I was shocked! I had never talked to a doctor for so long. The average doctor in the States talks with their client for 30 secs and then starts to diagnose. All in all I was there for 30 min and she concluded that it was stress related, but not necessarily ulcers. So she gave me some amazing stress relieving medicines. Thank God for great doctors in South Africa.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007…Discipline Meeting

Something that has been alarming to me at Mohau is how the caregivers discipline the children. I have talked to the social workers about my concerns and they feel the same way, so today we had a 4 hour meeting as to what is appropriate and not appropriate when disciplining children that come from traumatic pasts. It was really good to get their feedback as to why they do what they do, but also teach them new ways of disciplining children. It was the most feedback we have gotten from the caregivers so something went right with our meeting.

Sorry it didn't work the first way...so I will try this way

2007-03-17T10:15:00.000-04:00

March 12.2007…Homework

Nothing to exciting today just completing more homework…I got done 3.5 papers so that was good!

March 13. 2007…Brenda

Today I just hung out with Brenda all day. She is the secretary for Powerhouse so she gets asked pretty much everyday to cook for the people working on the church and any other people that may be hanging around. So she and I drove to various shops to get the supplies she needed to make lunch. Then we did our own personal clothes shopping as well. It is great because summer is over and they are moving into winter clothing so all of the summer clothes are super cheap. I still feel guilty for buying anything, so we just look and try on.

March 14.2007…Cinderella the orphan

In a lot of my therapy I will find children’s books that the child I am working with can identify with one or several of the characters. This helps to take off all the focus on the child and their feelings and have them create what the character is feeling. In reality that is really how they are feeling. One of my client’s favorite books is Cinderella, so for our session today I went on a hunt to find it so we could read it together. First of all, I never knew Cinderella’s real name was Ella I always thought that her given name was Cinderella. She got the name Cinderella because she worked so much with cinders. Who knew? Secondly, for the first time today I realized Cinderella was an orphan. Her mother passed away, father got remarried and then shortly after he passed away. No wonder my client loves this book. After reading it today with my client Cinderella’s story took on a whole new meaning.

March 15. 2007…Reach for a Dream

Today Reach for a Dream came to visit the centre. They are like the USA’s Make a Wish foundation, so they came today to do a magic show for the children. The children were totally into the magician until he made them get into a circle and do a dance in the middle. He started off the dance circle, some white dude, and they all started laughing at him. He pretended to be out of breath so that they would jump into the circle and man can our kids dance. Let me tell you I was picking up moves left and right from them.

March 16. 2007…Queen Meeting-Positive Self-Image

Today in group we discussed the things we like about ourselves and the things we don’t like. As well as what people say about us and how that makes us feel. Most of the girls actually have a really good self image, I was fairly amazed. The one girl who is the most sexually active was the one with the poorest self image. Hearing and seeing this really made me realize how much it affects her on a daily basis and why she looks to people to build up her image through her body. She is one of two girls in the house starting to develop breasts, so today they got their first training bras. Oh I remember those days. Anyhow I caught her a few times after putting it on, running around the house lifting up her shirt, to show people her new Barbie bra. So after I caught her doing this we had a long chat about her body being her own and no one else’s to look at. This girl has got a loooooooong ways to go.

March 17. 2007…Happy St. Patty’s Day!

We are going to go out tonight and celebrate with our housemate, Pat, who is from IRELAND. We have a real Irish man to celebrate with we will see how well he can take down a green beer or Guinnes. There is an Irish Pub around the corner I heard it gets packed out with tons of Irish, not too many South Africans…looking forward to all of the Irish accents.

March 17. 2007…Happy St. Patty’s Day!

2007-03-17T05:31:00.001-04:00

March 16. 2007…Queen Meeting-Positive Self-Image

2007-03-17T05:30:00.002-04:00

March 15. 2007…Reach for a Dream

2007-03-17T05:30:00.001-04:00

March 14.2007…Cinderella the orphan

2007-03-17T05:29:00.002-04:00

March 13. 2007…Brenda

2007-03-17T05:29:00.001-04:00

March 12.2007…Homework

2007-03-17T05:28:00.000-04:00

Nothing to exciting today just completing more homework…I got done 3.5 papers so that was good!

pics

2007-03-12T11:13:00.000-04:00

due to the slow internet here...it takes me a long time to download pics...so Gabe and Rach are going to house all of my pics on their blog...on their site now there aren't that many photos of me, but I will let you know when the pics of me come up from the quilt and of the worship time braii/pool party...cheers

March 11. 2007…Braii with the Worship Team

2007-03-12T11:12:00.002-04:00

Rach, Gabe, and I joined the worship team for a little braii at a local pool/park. It was great going down the water slide until the electricity went out and it no longer was working…Gabe and I were so bummed. We were convinced that a breaker just tripped and the lifeguard couldn’t figure out how to switch it back on…so we resorted to trying to teach the children how to swim. Then Godfrey came up with this game of tag…when he was describing it to me I was like ya I know that game it is called tag…he was like oh really you play it on the otherside. Here he had thought just African’s played tag in the pool and I totally ruined it for him by terming it tag and knowing exactly what he was talking about.

I am also starting to learn what a HUGE deal it is for whites and blacks to hang out. In the States this is a common occurrence something we take for granted that we have friends of different skin colors and hang out without even thinking twice about it. The only reason you would see blacks with whites in public here was if the black person was carrying stuff for the white person and you would see them walking behind the white person. So to go shopping, driving, swimming, have a braii, or attend a black church is still very rare here. Interracial dating is a foreign concept and is even nervously laughed about when brought up in conversation. I feel as though I am living in the past. Yet making huge strides for the future of South Africa by being able to show the whites and blacks here that the skin tone may be different but we all have the same dreams, fears, worries, desires, etc in life.

March 10. 2007…Driving Ms. Brenda

2007-03-12T11:12:00.001-04:00

Thomas and I took Brenda out for a little driving lesson. More like I just laid in the backseat as Thomas told Brenda how to shift, what the road signs meant, etc. I was more or less the cheerleader. Every so often when I felt like Brenda was getting a little overwhelmed I would throw in a, “hey you are doing really good!” An hour later Brenda had it down…I have never seen someone pick up driving a manual so quickly…another reason why I think the African’s are soo dang smart. I think the best comment of the day was, “You always stop when you get to the cross of Jesus.” I am not sure how Jesus gets brought into driving, but I guess a four way stop is also known as the cross of Jesus.

March 9. 2007…Queen Meeting

2007-03-12T11:11:00.002-04:00

Today was the day for my first group with the four sexually active pre-adolescents. Our only main goals of today was to decide together on a name for our group…when they all came in sporting their pink queen shirts I think it was pretty obvious who they think they are and what our group name should be. Then we just talked about the reason for the group, laid out the group rules, and then got to know one another. I was shocked as to how open they were with me in the first session and how well they worked together. I think this is going to be a great group and I hope that I am able to help in curbing their sexual tendencies and help them realize where those feelings come from and how to channel them in a different direction.

March 8.2007…Mohau Donor Video

2007-03-12T11:11:00.001-04:00

The woman from Yale made a video with photos of staff, children and everyday life at Mohau as a gift for Tiekie before she left...From a distance Tiekie saw me approaching the centre. She scurried me into her office, pulled up a chair, and said, “you have got to see this.” For 10 minutes I was mesmerized by our children flashing across the screen laughing, brushing their teeth, and singing. When two photos of me popped up with the children I started to cry. I couldn’t believe that this intern who was only here for 3 mos. of their life would be put into a video that will be around for a lifetime. The video was absolutely beautiful in 10 short minutes it captured every child in the home just as they are. After the video was done playing Tiekie turned to me and said don’t worry I will send one home with you. When my camera was taken at the beginning of my time here in South Africa I was so bummed cause I thought I would have no way of capturing the time I had with these children, but now I have something even better a video of all of the children.

March 7. 2007…My Mother’s First Quilt

2007-03-12T11:10:00.002-04:00

As I embarked on our weekly journey to Soshanguve I packed something very special for our trip. Since moving to South Dakota my mom has found new hobbies such as quilting, going to rodeo’s, hiking, etc. I guess that is what you do in South Dakota. When my mother completed her first quilt she decided to give it to a family that I would meet in South Africa. I knew today was the day to give away this beautiful brightly colored quilt with orange, pink, green, and yellow, perfect African colors. I told Constance that I had a blanket for an orphan family, so if she could think of a family that would greatly benefit from this especially as it is getting colder outside.

As we walked into the yard of the family there were baby chicks running around and an older woman sitting under a tree on a milk crate. When the magogo’s (grandma) neither eyes nor head moved when we approached her I knew she was blind and could only hear us approaching. She called out asking who was there; in a soft gentle voice Constance introduced us to magogo. As we pulled up stools around the magogo to converse with her the five orphan children that live with her started coming home from school. The older girls recognized me right away from my previous trip in May and came running with huge smiles. An aunt who had also joined us told us that it is rare for the girls to be able to go to school because they are soo poor they can’t afford the proper school uniforms, so they made their own. One of the school officials if he sees them will chase them out of the school, but today he wasn’t there so the girls were able to stay at school. We talked for awhile and then gave the family some food for the week and Constance started translating for me that the blanket came from America and that my mother had made it especially for them. The magogo said that first before anyone touched it she wanted to feel it. She pulled it out of the bag and said, “Oh this is nice it belongs as a decoration.” After folding it back up the children quickly grabbed it to get a better look at it as well as throw it over their shoulders as a cape of some sort. For them this was a way to know that God is looking after them and a prayer answered.

March 6. 2007…Manfred and family

2007-03-12T11:10:00.001-04:00

Manfred (who Gabe is computer mentoring) hasn’t shown up for the past 3 days and we were really getting concerned because we just started to feel like he is connecting with us as well as getting on the right track. So we voiced this concern to Vincent (we couldn’t get ahold of Manfred cause he doesn’t have a phone) and what does the V do? He goes and hunts Manfred down to have a chatty chat about commitment, etc. A few hours later Manfred comes strolling in with his daughter on his shoulders and holding a young womans hand. Now mind you Manfred is 22, so he is quite young and like Gabe is obsessed with computers. We share with Manfred that we were concerned something happened to him…he informed us that his baby’s momma (as in the States we like to refer to it as) and baby (Kylee who is almost 4) came to visit from Jo’Burg (about an hour away from Mamelodi) to sort things out. It was so great cause Manfred was like ya I really wanted them to meet you guys cause we need counseling about our situation. By the end of our time hanging out (not sure how therapeutic it was) Kylee was calling me Auntie. Oh I love the African sense of family.

March 5. 2007…Happy Birthday COLIN!

2007-03-12T11:09:00.001-04:00

Today Colin turned another year older…I hope you have a great day and know I miss you. Just know I went swimming in memory of you (this was pool #3 that we have been invited to and gladly accepted). I also went to Jo’Burg to get my passport replaced. It was quite an interesting experience to get to the US Embassy and get into it. First of all Rach and I got lost. Go figure and no petrol stations sell maps and no petrol attendants know how to get anywhere or for that matter even know where they are. So next time you pull over and ask the gas attendant how to get somewhere and they are able to direct you thank them. When asking for directions no one tells you street names, or how many km it is, everything is listed by landmarks, which frustrates the heck out of Rach and I. Anyhow we pulled over at one gas station and this man who we refer to as Ted the Angel told us to just follow him and he would take us there. Pretty sure Ted came out of nowhere cause God knew how frustrated we were…so Ted drove us 30 min. to where we were supposed to be. Woops we went a little out of the way wouldn’t you say. Once we got to the Embassy I had to walk through 3 security doors before Rach could walk into the security room. All I could do was wave to her it was quite funny. When we got in the passport peeps couldn’t believe that people came into a church to rob us…they thought it was a joke. Oh, no my passport peeps this is not a joke. Than I had to list my parents names, where they born, and their birthday. This gave me the most trouble because both my parents (thanks parents) have changed their legal names in the past yearish so it was hard for the passport peeps to understand this. I felt like they may as well strap me to the lie detector to see that yes it is true my parents for kicks and giggles like to change their names to throw off the USA gov’t.

March 4.2007…Relaxation

2007-03-12T11:08:00.000-04:00

For the most part I was a bum today. Went to church this morning and had a great time continuing to connect with the Powerhouse Community. I am starting to feel as though I belong there and getting to a good point where I am connecting with people past just knowing their names. It was the first time today that I have been alone in the house and it was a great feeling to be able to do whatever I felt like without thinking I was disturbing anyone else. The rest of the house went to a Lion Park, but I knew I needed to just stay at home and catch up on emails, homework, and be able to breathe while doing it.

March 3.2007…Meet an American

2007-03-12T11:07:00.000-04:00

Today we went out with one of our friends Trevor and his two beautiful children to another friends house. Trevor is one of those people that knows everyone and connects everyone to everyone (kind of like Dave Pontious the greatest greeter ever!). So we were on to Chuck’s house who is also an American. We went to swim (this was our main mission), watch the Super Bowl (Chuck wanted to show the South African’s our football at it’s best), and a braii of course. For work Chuck leads South African black pastors and instructs them with Hebrew/Greek meanings as well as Biblical knowledge. I feel as though I have heard of quite a few ministries in the past couple of weeks that do this…it is clearly a need.

Mar. 2. 07… Mohau

2007-03-03T05:04:00.001-05:00

I got a chance to be the only social worker for half of the day today. For various reasons each of the social workers were gone for the last half of the day, so I was the go to gal. Let’s just say I was totally in my element. I LOVE BEING A SOCIAL WORKER! I had a woman from the community come in ready to hand over her 2 mos. old boy and her 2 year old daughter because she couldn’t stand to watch them die anymore. She is by far the best mother I have seen thus far with only being 22 years old. Her boyfriend (father of the children) lives with his mother who takes all of his earnings, so that he can not give them to her to support the children. She is unable to work due to caring for the children and feels like she is in such a tough spot. To come to the agency she had to borrow clothes from the neighbor for her children. Ugh, we talked for quite sometime about how to get on welfare as well as how Mohau can help her out with clothes and food parcels. She was truly incredible and is doing this all with no support from family (due to them not being alive) or friends. Her only support network is her neighbor, but she feels guilty always asking them to care for the children while she goes and fetches water or goes to various agencies for assistance. My other joy was when all the children got home from school and came running to me, Momma, Momma, Momma…they all brought home their various subject books from school. As their caregiver I had to go through about 5 books for each child seeing the notes the teacher had written and the progress they had made from the last quarter and sign off that we went through it together. I was thrilled to do this I had so much joy going through the books with each of the children and telling them what a great job they are doing and how proud I am of them. I was angry with one of the teachers due to her selection in vocabulary words. For 9 years olds she chose the word stab and then the children had to come up with a sentence. They were horrible sentences like, The man stabbed the woman. I wrote her a comment saying, interesting choice in vocab selection with regard to the word stab. Oh I was furious, maybe my teachers had me learn such words as well but I can’t remember, so mom you will have to let me know.

Mar. 1. 07…Spinning

2007-03-03T05:03:00.002-05:00

Rachel and I joined a spinning class today! Let’s just say that I could barely take it…I had to excuse myself for about 5 min. cause I felt like passing out. Tristen by the time I get back to the States I promise I will be ready for our California biking trip! I also got the opportunity to start working with one of my clients on her memory book…we discussed what her perfect day would look like…I have quite a few statements like when I wake up I would….for breakfast I would eat…on and on…at the end I have a statement that says, Right when I lay my head on my pillow at night I will think about…then the children feel it in and she said her mom and dad. Almost put me into tears cause her parents have been gone now for over 8 years and she is only 9. Shucks ay (totally South African lingo).

Feb. 28.07…Day with my Supervisor, Tiekie DeVos

2007-03-03T05:03:00.001-05:00

I was asked by my supervisor to accompany her and a girl from Yale who is getting a PA into some informal settlements around Attridgeville. Our first stop was to pick up Franky who is the security guard at Mohau and also lives in the community. His job was to show us around as well as help us find this Creche (preschool) that this woman is running on R60,000 ($8,000) a year. In total she supports 163 orphans with this amount of money. It is really quite remarkable. A week ago she came to Mohau to see if we could have a social worker come and work with some of the children at her place, so Tiekie wanted me to go with to see if it was a good idea to get involved or not. This place was something else, as we were driving all Tiekie said was, “well if we get a flat who can change it?” The roads were defiantly not meant to be driven on; there were rocks everywhere as well as huge pot holes. As we approached the crèche we could see a swing and a hollowed out aluminum barrel painted blue as the playground for the children. We parked our car in the middle of the street because there was no where else to park and Lord knows no other cars were going to need to get through anytime soon. Kgotosmo came running out while wiping her hands on her apron. She was busy making pup (porridge) for the 98 children that were there. I walked into the 3,4,5 year old classroom that was no bigger than 10 feet by 10 feet and there were 49 children sitting on the floor all peering up to see what the commotion was outside. The teacher was telling me that these children do not pay anything to come to school and she is doing her job for free, so that they have a safe place to be rather than on the streets. When I said hello to the children they perked up and started counting to 10 in English. As I was leaving they said a thank you prayer for me. The next room that I walked into had 47, 3-24 month old babies crawling around in their nappies (diapers) in the same size of room as the older children. Each day these children get breakfast, lunch, a bath, as well as some educational instruction. With only the help of 3 volunteers and Kgotosmo. I thought these children looked healthier and better kept than some children that have two parents at home. Needless to say Kgotosmo gets my Mother Theresa award for the day.

Feb. 27.07…The Burn

2007-03-03T05:02:00.000-05:00

Today I decided to lay out while writing various papers for class. UGHM, yes you guessed it I got fried in the first hour. Pretty much looking like a lobster…well whatever at least it will eventually turn into a tan. It was really nice today to be able to get so much done as far as homework is concerned…gosh I am really looking forward to May 5, 2007 at 3:00 PM (graduation baby here I come!).

Feb. 26.07…Therapy Studies

2007-03-03T05:01:00.000-05:00

Today I learned about play therapy and how to work with adolescent girls in group therapy. We will be talking about none other than SEX. We will also talk quite a bit on positive self image and puberty. Pretty much what every parent dreams about and I get to do it with 7 raging hormone teenage girls! Mom your dream is coming true…I am getting back in 7 fold what I dished out to you. Laugh away.

Feb. 25.07…Thanks for the Updates

2007-02-25T11:19:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to say thanks for keeping me posted on your lives. I am really enjoying hearing what is going on across the ocean. Love you all and miss you mucho. Yesterday, I was looking at Charles facebook pics and saw a bunch of pics of our apt (well when he lived there) and it brought me to tears…just a flood of memories came to me about our apt and how much I miss Chicago, family, and friends.

Also, look to the right hand column...do you see gabe and rach's blog...if you want to see some pics of what we are doing here there are some...as of right now they have only taken pics when I haven't been there cause I am at Mohau...but I will get some up of the work that I am doing soon...I just need to borrow my host moms camera...the woman in the yellow shirt her name is Brenda, she and I are unseperatable...our favorite things to talk about are God, shopping, and more especially boys, we love to dance together...who would've guessed? She has been my saving grace here and I will really miss her when I head back to the States...we have already planned on her coming to the States via my suitcase.

Feb. 24.07…Swimming Pool

2007-02-25T11:19:00.001-05:00

Today was spent doing homework and then headed to our friends swimming pool. Oh ya, I am getting my tan on. The house we went to was a woman that came over here last week when we had some out of town guests stay with us that have a healing ministry. To be honest with you I was a little skeptical of the situation as well. Anyways, this woman is 45, has 3 children, been married for 17 years. She was diagnosed with cancer about 4 months ago when a lump started developing in her left breast. This lump when she came to our house was the size of a fist…clench your fist right now and look how big it is…seriously it was that big. So this couple Brian and Lynn did their thing…45 minutes later the lump was the size of the tip of your pinky nail. Yesterday, Joanne (cancer woman) went to her doctor to make sure it was gone and that it just hadn’t shrunk and gone somewhere else. Her doctor came back to her and said she is 100% cancer free! And who says God doesn’t heal in the 21st century?

Feb. 23. 07…Gauteng Wide Social Work Meeting on Adoption

2007-02-25T11:17:00.000-05:00

This morning I went to a social workers meeting on adoption. It was very interesting to hear how adoption is done here in South Africa from South African social workers.

Here are the differences…
South Africa United States

*they don’t have waiting lists because *at least 2 year wait list
there are soo many babies and children
abandoned at hospitals, streets, etc.
*birthmother has 60 days after she has *once signed no way to go back
signed her parental rights to come back and
say she wants the child back
*adoption costs R500-R2000 (about $70-266.70) *$12,500-42,000
*social worker has to inform paternal father, *doesn’t have to inform anyone
grandmother, grandfather, maternal grandmother, but the father of the baby of
and grandfather of the unborn baby of the mothers the adoption decision
decision to place the baby for adoption
*have a sliding fee structure set up by govt *up to agency to decide on fees
as to how much the adoption can costs
*screening (homestudy) is similar but s.worker *homestudy tends to last 2
meets with family less times months
*Critieria for adoptive families, *very similar, but can be 21
be between ages 25-39, can only have max years of age for married couple,
of 3 children, if you already have can have biological children,
biological children less likely to screen can be over the age of 39 to adopt
you, you have to be married for at least a
year, they do adopt to gays, singles, and
internationally.

I just found out that Mohau Centre doesn’t charge for their adoptions!

Feb. 22. 07…Learning About my Clients

2007-02-25T11:16:00.002-05:00

Today I started going through the files of the various children I will be working with. It is interesting to be able to see them playing on the playground as happy little boys and little girls only to find out that they were abandoned at age 2 by granny after their mother died. And that their granny used to come and visit and then one day found the child to be too immature but may take the child back when it gets older, so that he/she can help around the house. I am thankful that the Mohau Centre is able to take these children in and care for them properly. I also found out that quite a few of the children are displaying sexual behaviors at the young age of 8 and up. Rather than acting out or showing other signs of trauma this is how these children display it. This is something that scares me to no end and concerns me for AR’s orphan homes. What I find interesting is that the instigators are the girls and the boys are being assaulted until they give in and have sex with the girl. I am glad that I am seeing the dark side of running a home as well as all the good sides. This internship is great preparation for me to see how to start this home off right. I will also be counseling these girls while I am here and this will be defiantly something we will work on.

Feb. 21. 07…Immense Need

2007-02-25T11:16:00.001-05:00

Today we started our day with Vincent teaching the computer classes about self-image. On Wednesdays Vincent teaches the class on self-image, how to prepare for interviews, basic life skills, basically anything that will build them up as people and their confidence level (Dad you could do your Pauer People stuff here). Anyways, it is always refreshing to hear how God created me in His image and that God doesn’t make mistakes. Constance is feeling better so we headed to Soshanguve. We came upon a big challenge in our line of work and that is the amount of need that everyone has. I am not talking about want, but dyer need. It is very challenging to hear for hours in the scorching sun about all the things that are needed (land, food for the orphans, money for a pastorial salary (to feed his family), etc.) All of these things are good and God has planted them in their hearts but they don’t have the resources to do the things that make it happen. As of right now Africa Revolution doesn’t have the resources either to just pump $, time, and man power into all of these projects. So it is a hard place to be in because the desire for AR is to be able to help, but we can only do so much with our few resources. How does one know when to draw the line with helping? We have gotten to a point where the need is soooo big and we are sooo small, but God calls us to dream bigger than ourselves.

Feb. 20.07…Driving the Benz

2007-02-25T11:15:00.002-05:00

This morning I got the opportunity to meet with 3 upper management people from Mercedes Benz to discuss the possibility of them sponsoring a Vito for Africa Revolution. It was great for our meeting we were in a board room…I was asked if I would like anything to drink then one of the members in the meeting was like oh I already ordered cappuccino’s. Five seconds later a guy in a waiter type of suit came in with cappucino’s and bottled waters. In my head I was thinking of Africa Revolutions board room and imagining Allan serving us tea in a suit. Almost made me fall out of my chair laughing. Good think I didn’t cause that could have been a quick ending to the meeting with a big fat NO. The rest of the day was spent vision casting with Vincent as to next steps with the orphan home. Also, a lady in the church bought Rach and I purses to replace the ones that we had taken. Totally made our day.

Feb. 19.07…Homework What a Drag

2007-02-25T11:15:00.001-05:00

I just spent all day doing homework…but this evening I with Rach and Gabe went to Powerhouse to pray for crime in Mamelodi…our church is fasting for the next 3 days for crime…it is interesting how the African church thinks about criminals…they don’t see it as us vs. them…example they robbed us…rather they see it as these are our brothers and sisters…how can we come alongside them and support them as people and build up their character? Ughm yup this has totally changed my view of how Satan used those 3 men to make us want to go back to the States. I want to find these men now not to get my stuff back but to say, How can I build you up as a person and a brother?

Feb. 18. 07…Dancin’ da Bauer Way

2007-02-25T11:14:00.000-05:00

Today was a dance…basically @ Powerhouse they seem to always seat us at the front of the church…so when we had a dance troop come that does sign language as well as dance to worship music (if only you can imagine happy hands from Napoleon Dynamite but worship music) I felt the dance spirit-so I got up and started dancing…that’s right 250 saw this white girl dance…you better believe after the service people asked me where I learned to dance and how much they loved watching me…little did they know that I was trying to imitate them and added my white girl flare…and that just happened to be the dance that came out…so now I am known as the disco girl!

Feb. 17. 2007…Homework day and evening braii at Shirle Greig’s

2007-02-17T03:31:00.001-05:00

Today will be spent doing homework! Yippee it is kind of cloudy outside, so I am happy about that because than I do not feel as though I am wasting a day away by not being in this great African sun (ps I am getting a tan and loving it!). Later on this evening we will be going to a braii at Allan’s moms house. His cousins that live in the area will be there as well. It is always a good time hanging out with the Allan fam.

Feb. 16. 2007…Prayers answered to the robbery

2007-02-17T03:30:00.000-05:00

Today I spent another day at Mohau. The children are soo great there and the caregivers today were incredible…they really spoke to the children in an appropriate way as well as to make sure the English speaking volunteers/interns could understand what they were saying to the children. The children and caregivers all speak Tswana, English and some speak Zulu. For the most part Tswana is spoken at all times. When I arrived to the Centre today I was introduced to a group of volunteers with Adventures in Missions most of them come from the southern states (Louisiana, Georgia, Carolina’s, etc). I only met 3 of them but they are a team of 18. We are thinking of having some of them over for dinner sometime soon to be able to gain some insight from them as to what they have learned thus far (they have been here since Sept.) Also, today when I got home Rach was telling me a sequence of events that lead to the robbers being found out. So here it goes…In a town Soshanguve (about 45 min drive from where we stay) it was broadcast on the radio Monday morning that at Powerhouse Church in Mamelodi there were Americans and some congregation members held at gunpoint while in the church. They lost lots of things such as ids, cell phones, cameras, etc. One woman who lives in Mamelodi heard this while she was working in Soshanguve and remembered some of her neighbors boasting about a recent robbery they had committed. When she matched the two stories she realized that her neighbors were actually the ones that committed the robbery. Later that day some how she was able to snatch Pas Vincent’s drivers license so she could get his phone number to be able to phone him. She has not yet given up her identification or the robbers for fear of her safety, but she is looking for a safe place to stay before she reveals all of the information. Gloria, Pas Vincents wife has been the one communicating with the woman and they have agreed to meet up when the woman is living in a safe place and they will meet at a public place. At that time the woman will reveal who they are. Who knows if we will get any of our stuff back, but at least they have been identified and will hopefully have their weapon taken away from them.

Feb. 15, 2007…Mohau Centre day 2

2007-02-17T03:29:00.002-05:00

Well today was my second day. I can’t even get enough of this place. They have their struggles but for the most part the children are well taken care of. One of the children I got to know well was a boy that has severe physical ailments as well as some social disturbances. When upset he lunges himself backwards repeatedly hitting his head, screaming, and slapping his ears. He can carry this on for a few seconds up to minutes. When he stops he’ll lay there for a few moments as though he has blacked out and comes to life as another person. The other person is much happier and doesn’t remember the recent outburst. This is probably one of the scariest things I have ever seen especially when the caregivers are no where to be found. I found that he loves to be sung to and his favorite song is, If your happy and you know clap your hands. When it gets to the part when you clap he slaps my chest as hard as he can. Pretty sure I will have bruises tomorrow from it. There are also two other special children that I met today. In the morning I got to know the 1.5 year old boy (Jason this could be Malachi). For whatever reason he and I were drawn to one another from the get go. He would just snuggle with me as well as run to me whenever he was hurt (which I am finding out that children in an orphanage environment get hurt quite a bit) and when he woke up from his nap. Around 1:30 the older children got home from school and this 10 year old girl sprinted towards him. As I watched them interact I could tell that they were siblings. She and I talked for quite some time about their family. I found out that there are 11 siblings in the family and the oldest is 23. The 23 year old is the primary care giver and she is unable to care for them, so that is why they live at Mohau. Needless, to say I have fallen in love with these two and thanks to Adoption-Link I have these thoughts about adopting now. Don’t worry family I am praying about this and at this time if God wanted this to happen He would have to throw quite a bit of money down for it to work out.

Feb. 14. 2007…Happy Valentines Day!

2007-02-17T03:29:00.001-05:00

Today was a rather long day…Rach and I set out to go and visit Jabylani and Constance in Shoshanguve. It is a township about 45 min. away from where we stay. There are a lot of open fields, unfortunately we did not spy any wild animals or anything. Shucks, isn’t Africa just made up of Zebra’s, Elephants, Crocs, etc. roaming around? We met with Jabylani for a bit at his church site and discussed possibly building the church/orphan home there, unfortunately Constance is very sick and was unable to meet with us as well. I am not sure it will be big enough so we went to another site which is like 100x larger, but totally in the middle of nowhere. So I was concerned about the children getting to school ok. Knowing Jabylani any concern I bring up he has a solution for. So we met some children in the area and had them show us where their school was…that wasn’t good enough for Jabylani so we went ahead and met with the Vice Principal of the primary school. I was reassured that it was a good school system and a free one at that! That is really good because for the most part almost all schools no matter private or public has some fees. Then after that we went and visited an Aids Hospice…I am not sure we were totally prepared to see people dying, but we prayed with them and they told us they love the States. When I asked them how they knew about the States they told me from the show, The Young and the Restless. Cracked me up.

Feb. 13. 2007…Computer Classes are Going, so is my driving

2007-02-17T03:28:00.000-05:00

Today, I got the opportunity to see Gabe and Rach teach 2 computer classes. They are doing great things at Powerhouse and the Powerhouse computer lab is looking quite incredible. I met one of the women who is in the afternoon class and she is running an orphanage out of a church in another township. Needless to say this is perfect for Africa Revolution to be able to learn from her experiences. Hopefully this Saturday I will have the opportunity to accompany here to better understand how she runs the show. For the most part today was a day of rest. Oh ya, I almost forgot here in South Africa you drive from the right seat (passengers seat in the US) and for the most part all cars are manual (so that means you are shifting with your left hand). So Vincent went with me to do a little test run. Before we got in the car he said, “Thou shalt not kill.” Funny, funny guy.

Feb. 12. 2007…Internship Site-Mahou Centre

2007-02-17T03:27:00.000-05:00

First day at Mohau Centre and I loved it. Found out that it has almost an identical setup to Africa Revolution’s orphan homes. I will have the opportunity to do group therapy and individual therapy with the 45 children that live there. Out of those 45 children 80% of them are HIV+, most of them are under the age of 5, and Mohaus end result is trying to reunify them with distant relatives. The Centre is on Kelafong hospital grounds (this is the only government hospital in this area of South Africa and they specialize in HIV/AIDS patients). Spent most of the day in the waiting room of Kelafong Hospital with a 1.5 year old boy who fractured his leg earlier that day at 7 AM and when I was relieved by a caregiver at 6 PM he still hadn’t been seen by a doctor. While I was waiting there with him I was looking around and there were just tons and tons of people. Some bleeding from the mouth, some bent over with cramps of some sort, some with broken appendages, etc. I just couldn’t believe what was happening right in front of me. All I would see the doctors doing was applying more gauze to the bleeders and tell the others to be patient. This poor little boy I couldn’t even get him food or water for fear that they would call his name while we were away fetching food/water. If we would be away when his file was called then he would be put to the back of the line and we could be there nearly a day and a half. I am really excited overall about my experiences I am going to get there. I believe it is going to open me up to worlds of knowledge that could not even imagine.

Feb. 11th, 2007---Praising God African style

2007-02-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

Today we were able to spend 3.5 hours praising God at Power House. It was so great to be with the people we have come to know and love. Seeing old faces from my first trip in May was great as well. When they asked for the first time visitors to stand Pas. Vincent turned around and said to me you are a member so no need to stand. Oh how I love it.

Yesterday, when I was at Power House I met quite a few children from the neighborhood. They wanted to come and speak to the Americans (which I just love the children so I was in Heaven all day because I got to talk and play with them!)…it was so great to see them this morning as I walked into church. I am telling you after spending 2 years with braces to have perfect teeth and seeing these children with perfect teeth I get incredibly jealous. I tell them about braces and they laugh thinking it is so silly to have metal on your teeth to get them in a straight row.

During the service I was just thinking how incredibly talented Africans are. My good friend Thomas amazes me everytime I see him he is doing something else. He speaks 5 languages, plays the drums, plays the piano, has mad carpentary skills, is smart, funny, a great serving heart, etc. What do I know one language, no musical talent (right Colin), well the list goes on and on...needless to say I am just amazed at how well rounded Africans are compared to Americans (ok it is probably just me). I thought I was fairly diverse in knowledge...but soon coming to realize not so much.

The rest of the day will be spent writing papers and doing work for Dom. U. courses. Yippee! Tomorrow I start my internship so I am looking forward to that.

Please let me know how you are doing. I want to hear all about it.

Feb. 10th, 2007---Hunter and Gatherer

2007-02-11T08:39:00.001-05:00

This morning we were awakened at half past five in the MORNING to go to the farmers market with our host mother. Seeing it was the first night I was able to sleep it was a struggle for me to get out of bed. We arrived and it was packed. Seriously people it is a Saturday morning what are you doing shopping at half past five? I am soo extremely happy that I went though because I got some great Chai tea and dutch apple pancakes. Our host mother knows every vendor and every customer, so it was quite a social event as well. This my friends and family made me feel like such a Proverbs 31 woman where it talks about the woman getting up before the rooster crows to make sure food is on the table. Will I ever have food on the table before the rooster crows again? I am not sure, but I felt it for a day.

When we arrived back home we took a little snooze and then headed to Power House Church to set up the computer classroom.

It was our first time being back since the incident, but we all prayed together that God was going to keep us safe and give us peace about being back in the township (As an American this is something I don’t do enough because I subconsciously trust that I am always going to be safe so why would I pray for safety-I mean I have a police camera on the corner of my street, does it get much safer than that) And guess what God granted us all of those things and more! We got about half of the school set up…we had to throw most of the CPU’s out because they would not even turn on. So we had a good time pulling them apart…It was just shocking for us to see how much money was spent to send these computers over from the States for them not to work. It would have been a better steward of money if they would have just bought brand new computers here in South Africa rather than paying to ship broken computers. Oh charity.
Tonight we had Allan’s (co-worker from Africa Revolution) mother and Cousin Jolene join us for dinner for another brai. Oh it was great to see them and know they are fully supporting us and what we are doing here in South Africa.

Feb. 9th, 2007---Satan comes in the form of three…

2007-02-11T08:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the most intense day yet. We had the privilege of riding with Vincent to Power House Church to see what types of computers were donated to the computer school. This way Rach and Gabe could figure out how to piece meal them together. It was also my first time seeing the newly constructed building. Yes, it is gorgeous I could not have imagined it more beautiful than it is.

As we were standing in the church talking to Vincent three men came from over the hill. They walked with a purpose, so much so that Vincent thought that they were police coming to find out why whites were in the township. He started to explain that we were his friends from America. When all of a sudden one pulled out a gun (this gun looked like a gun from the 1980’s…I always imagined if I was going to be held at gun point that it be a cool silver gun with a medallion hanging from it…but instead it was rustic black-at least have a cool gun next time). When the gun was pulled I remember myself just looking at Vincent as though he was going to do some karate move to get the gun out of the mans hand. But all Vincent could say as I was holding my bag was let go. In that sheer moment everything that was left of value to my name was gone. I had just lost every electronic thing I owned (well they didn’t get my iPod so not everything) as well as all of my university documents and Africa Revolution paper work. It was so quick that it took about 10 hours for it to settle with us all. When I finally realized what had happened, how much was lost between the 5 of us, and all the things that were in my bookbag I started to get very angry at the men but also at God for allowing it to happen in what should be the safest place, His house.

You know it was so strange cause that morning quite a few people around us knew something was wrong but couldn’t pin point it. Gloria, Vincent’s wife did not want him to leave the house to fetch us…then right before he got us Gloria text him saying that she cared for him. Our host mother that morning couldn’t stop checking the doors to make sure they were all locked. Strange how we have gut reactions and don’t know where to guide the energy just knows something is not right.

Now looking back on the situation I can not even believe that they did it in broad daylight and in a church with soo many people around. There is no way that these men live in Mamelodi because Vincent or really any pastor for that matter are like the wisdom givers in a community you just don’t rob a pastor in Africa. That is like asking for a lifelong death sentence. So if they knew he was a pastor and a key community leader they would not have taken his things. These men were defiantly not professionals because they took Vincent’s car keys but did not take his car. They had to have seen us enter the township or been tipped off by someone that Americans/Whites were in the township because they came only half an hour after we arrived and they came straight for us as though they knew we were there. After the men left a smile came across my face when I felt my neck because the man that was stripping me of everything tried yanking my bff necklace (Carissa you know the one) and he could not get it after two hard tugs…I was soo grateful because that necklace my greatest friend got for me to remind me of her when we are apart.

Now that a day has passed most of Mamelodi (roughly a million people) know about the situation. Let’s just say that Vincent is one of few people that was born, raised, and has continued to live there and so he is a very highly regarded man in the community. If people go to his church or not they are outraged and want to find these men. He can not go anywhere now with out being stopped and asked about what happened. When people hear from his mouth that it was done in the church they shutter because they know that they just asked for a living death sentence and that these men have temporarily sold their souls to the devil. We believe God is going to call them very soon to Him and that is why he did not have Gabe, Thomas, or Vincent kick the gun or me start talking back (you know me I always have something to say especially when something is not right).

Here are my prayers…That the money that was taken from Vincent and Thomas and the things of Rach, Gabe, and mine that are sold be used for food, shelter, and other necessary things and not for drugs, sex, or alcohol. They repent for the thing that they have done. God grace us to love them despite them taking things that did not belong to them but to God. Better understand how severe poverty drives people to do such things. That they do not have peace about what they did until they make it right with God and Power House Church. For protection and safety while we continue to work in Mamelodi and other townships. Lastly, that the people of Mamelodi do not kill these men when they are found, but bring them to Vincent. This is something that Vincent and the elders of the church are very concerned about because of the outrage that community members have voiced to Vincent.

Thanksgiving about the situation…There is NO NEED TO WORRY trough this we were safe and our bodies were protected. There are much worse things that could have happened and did not. And rejoice because my voice is almost 100% back.

Satan knows that this trip is a trip where I and many others are starting this amazing ministry, maybe you have heard of it…Africa Revolution. Also through this ministry we are breaking down racial divides that have been in place for decades and Satan does not like when people come together especially for God’s work. Seeing as this is our first ever trip with our first volunteers Satan is trying to detour us from continuing this line of work. And let me tell you last night I cried more like wailed to God asking Him why He has chosen me for this line of work…I mean seriously there are tons of great people out there that can care for orphans just as well as I can…but why me? I know that He has called me and it is not an easy task to follow Him because all of a sudden Satan comes too. If my passport had not been taken I would have been on the next flight back to the States…so thank God that is gone cause it could have been a victory for Satan.

Words of Wisdom…Tonight we had a brai (African bbq) with the elders of the Power House church. It was an amazing time of fellowship because they spoke such great truth into my life about the situation. They told me story after story how they have seen pawns of Satan and blessings from God in such a supernatural way. As an American I never think of the supernatural world. I never think of God and Satan duking it out and people on Earth being apart of their battles. Vincent was telling a story about how at one point in his life he was full of wealth by owning several businesses, both he and his wife working full time jobs, etc. Then God called him to minister to the poor. He said sure and suddenly things started getting repossessed, lost all of his businesses, was not being able to feed his family, etc. He and Gloria suffered big time financially…but then he came to the realization that if none of that happened how could God really use him while serving the poor if he did not experience poverty himself. Through those words I am coming to find out that being poor means when something is taken from you or breaks you do not have insurance or spare money to replace it. It is just gone, but when it is gone or broken how free you feel from worrying about it and taking proper safety precautions to make sure it is safe. Now when I leave the house I literally am just taking my body. I feel so free from a cumbersome bag with lots of stuff in it. Yes, I wish I could have had the choice to give my stuff away but this is another avenue to get me to where I am today.

Feb. 8th, 2007---Power House Church

2007-02-11T08:37:00.000-05:00

Again, I did not sleep well I am on like day 5 of no sleep…so if you can only imagine this one with less than 8 hours let alone days of no sleep it is getting quite scary. Poor Rach and Gabe are getting to know a very worn Evangeline…not one that most people have ever seen. The hospitality has been great we have just ventured around the neighborhood walking the dogs, window shopping, grocery shopping, getting used to different hours, etc. Today we will venture past Silverton and into Mamelodi where Power House Church. This is where Gabe and Rach will be teaching computer classes to 50 students ranging in age from 18 to 55.

Feb. 7th, 2007---Plenty of Time

2007-02-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

Today was a bit fuzzy…I did not sleep well due to illness and jet lag. We had two pastors come to the house to visit us to speak about what we are going to be doing while we are here. It amazes me how far they come to see us and what wisdom they have. Pastor Jabylani who traveled an hour and a half was hearing all of the things that are going on at Pastor Vincent’s church (Power House Church) and started getting nervous cause he didn’t think we would have enough time to spend at his church. When I realized he did not understand that Rach and Gabe are here for 6 months and me 2.5 I informed him and a look of calmness came over his face. Pastor Vincent pipes in, “Let’s not panic plenty of time.” We all just started dying laughing. Seriously good men of God and I am soo looking forward to being able to spend hours upon hours with them.

Feb. 6th, 2007---Arrived in beautiful South Africa!!!

2007-02-11T08:33:00.000-05:00

Well we have arrived in South Africa and are enjoying being able to peel off the layers of clothing. Thank God for warmth. I am still battling my cold and cough as well as having little to no voice. So not only do I have an American accent but I also sound like I am dying. South Africans love it.
Our first evening consisted of none other than Thea’s (host mother) full 8 course meal. Seriously this woman makes a Thanksgiving meal every meal. In the late evening she had heard me having a coughing attack and came to my window to pass some cough medicine through the window. It cracked me up cause where else but in Africa is everything done outside. She could have easily come down the hallway to my room instead she chose to use the outside window. This is why I love Africa…being outside anytime I like. Eat outside, play outside, shower outside (ok that is a lie) but about everything can be done outside.

Leavin' on a jet plane....

2007-02-04T22:06:00.000-05:00

As of tomorrow I will be on a jet plane to Africa and I am sooo excited! I have had the opportunity to hang out with Rach and Gabe all day today getting prepared for Africa. They are a great couple who will be with me the whole time as volunteers with Africa Revolution.

In the past week I have found out that my brother and his wife are having a baby boy due June 30ish and I can't even begin to describe how excited I am to see the Bauer family grow. I have also had quite a time getting ready to be away for 10 weeks by saying goodbye to various peeps and finishing up projects for school. As well as getting filled up by my namesake and a great worship service in Memphis visiting Colin and my family.

Please pray for safety and that I get over this horrible illness. As of right now I have almost completly lost my voice, which makes me so sad because it has limited the people I have been able to call to say goodbye.

Gabe, Rach and myself at the airport in Chicago -4F°!!!