Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Lighthouse Children's Shelter
Last month when I joined a team to do vision clinics in Rustenburg we had an opportunity to go to The Lighthouse Children's Center. The Lighthouse is a wonderful ministry. I LOVED this place! We were able to spend a couple of hours at the shelter playing with the kids and rocking the babies...they had to pry me away from those precious children. Check out their website www.lighthouseshelter.co.za
5-29
Every other month at the farm we pack parcels for the orphan care feeding. The parcels contain mostly the same things each month, with variences with the different toiletries that are put in. The parcels consist of sugar beans, sugar, salt, cooking oil, Kids Against Hunger food packets,soya,laundry soap,tea, body soap, toothpaste, candles, and matches.
5-26 to 5-28
There is so much to write about, but unfortunately due to time my pictures will have to do most of the talking in my most recent posts. My trip to White River to visit the feeding site we partner with there was such a God-ordained trip. We were able to meet with many pastors and are getting area churches more committed to the vision. It was so good. We will be going back in July and during that time one of the things we will be doing is meeting with the directors of the Iris Ministry center that is in the same village we are working in. How cool is that? I this this meeting is going to bear much fruit. I would love to stay and work in White River for a while. The people there are so beautiful, and I would love to be in an area where Iris is working as well. I was talking with a pastor and in conversation came to find out that a team from Bill Johnson's church, Bethel, had been there recently working with him. Well, that certainly got my stamp of approval about the caliber of this pastor.
It was a five hour drive to White River from where I stay near Mokopane, but I could have taken 8 hours to drive it because every km I wanted to stop and just stare at the beauty that surrounded me. My pictures don't quite do it justice since they were taken from the inside of the car, but this part of SA is probably the most beautiful place I've been to date.
It was a five hour drive to White River from where I stay near Mokopane, but I could have taken 8 hours to drive it because every km I wanted to stop and just stare at the beauty that surrounded me. My pictures don't quite do it justice since they were taken from the inside of the car, but this part of SA is probably the most beautiful place I've been to date.
5-24-08
These are some of the ladies from the Living Gospel church in Mookgophong. I have adopted this church as my home church. The first Sunday I stepped into the tent (that's where the church meets) I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. In fact, during worship I just about couldn't remain standing because the presence was so intense. They love the Lord so much and regularly have intercession meetings in the tent.....no wonder I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit so strong....they cultivate the presence of God there every day. Wow.On 5-24 after I participated in children's church I stayed for the "Mamas" group. It was such a sweet time of praise, prayer and the word. I was so blessed that I could worship with them in such an intimate gathering.
Monday, May 19, 2008
My kids 5-17-08
Here are some pictures of my babies!!! Aren't they the cutest things ever? Today they were practicing a drama to perform on Sunday during church service. The drama was about Ananias and Saphira. It was really great...they had such a fun time with it. I took video of the performance on Sunday. I wish I could post it but unfortunately the internet is really slow here so I can't upload any videos no matter what the file size.
The Zebra Prophecy
A few weeks after I arrived in South Africa, I was on a game drive with some team members. One of the guys in the vehicle said that a friend of his had been to Kruger Park and saw Zebras. The Lord spoke to him as he looked at the Zebras. The Lord said the Zebra was a picture of what South Africa is becoming. From far away all Zebras look like they are only black and white, but actually up close there are some Zebras who are actually, black, brown and white. He was looking at one of these Zebras, and the Lord told him that just as the Zebras colors flow effortlessly from black to brown to white, so would South Africa...there would no longer be a distinction between white and black, but they would come together and merge.
This is such a great prophecy. Apartheid only ended here in South Africa around 15 years ago...needless to say, much racism and tension still exists among black and white. The Lord's healing rain needs to saturate this land so they can walk in the destiny He has for them.
On the Saturday before Mother's Day 10 Zebras were released at Shikwaru (there are already Zebras here, but they purchased more so the heard will increase). It was an amazing site to see. Not something you get the privilege of seeing everyday.
This is such a great prophecy. Apartheid only ended here in South Africa around 15 years ago...needless to say, much racism and tension still exists among black and white. The Lord's healing rain needs to saturate this land so they can walk in the destiny He has for them.
On the Saturday before Mother's Day 10 Zebras were released at Shikwaru (there are already Zebras here, but they purchased more so the heard will increase). It was an amazing site to see. Not something you get the privilege of seeing everyday.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
My Little Bakkie and Me!
Meredith requested pictures of me in my bakkie (that is what you call a truck here). My friends Lucky and Simba make fun of my bakkie and tell me my bakkie is still growing up and will get big some day! Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Let the Little Children Come to Me
For the past several weeks on Saturdays I have been driving to Mookgophong to help with the children's ministry. Every Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning 40-60 kids come to children's church. They are so precious! I have been attending this same church, that meets under a red and white striped tent on Sundays. The first Sunday I attended this church a couple months ago, I knew I had found my home church. That morning the children's church went up front to sing several songs. My favorite song was called Radical....I am a radical girl for Jesus, I am a radical boy for Jesus, I am a friend of the Lord...I am stubborn not to my mommy, I am stubborn not to my daddy, I am stubborn only to Satan, I will not agree with him! Isn't that a great song for kids to sing. I loved it! That was it right there...they had my heart.
This past Saturday I arrived before the teacher. The kids are so amazing. Things are usually supposed to begin at 2pm. I arrived at 2:20, and all the kids were there, waiting underneath the tent, hanging out until their teacher arrived. These kids love coming to church. Most of their parents don't even go, but every Saturday and Sunday morning they are at church. I knew Tryphosa (their teacher) was on her way, but not sure when she was coming. I gathered the kids together and asked them to teach me some songs. They very willingly began to teach me some songs with actions, of course. They are such sponges just ready to soak up any love and attention you can give them. Once Tryphosa arrived, she had them line up like a choir and practice some songs they would be singing on Sunday. She began teaching them, but soon after she asked if I could take some of the older ones so she could be with the younger ones because they were having difficulty understanding what she was trying to teach them. So, I took the older ones and spoke to them with the help of one of the girls who could speak english well and could interpret some things for me so everyone could understand. The phrase that I kept hearing Daddy say was, "Let the little children come to me." So, I began to tell them how special they were to Jesus and how he has put something very special in them that is not found in most "big people".....raw Faith....the faith of a little child.
It was a blessed day!
This past Saturday I arrived before the teacher. The kids are so amazing. Things are usually supposed to begin at 2pm. I arrived at 2:20, and all the kids were there, waiting underneath the tent, hanging out until their teacher arrived. These kids love coming to church. Most of their parents don't even go, but every Saturday and Sunday morning they are at church. I knew Tryphosa (their teacher) was on her way, but not sure when she was coming. I gathered the kids together and asked them to teach me some songs. They very willingly began to teach me some songs with actions, of course. They are such sponges just ready to soak up any love and attention you can give them. Once Tryphosa arrived, she had them line up like a choir and practice some songs they would be singing on Sunday. She began teaching them, but soon after she asked if I could take some of the older ones so she could be with the younger ones because they were having difficulty understanding what she was trying to teach them. So, I took the older ones and spoke to them with the help of one of the girls who could speak english well and could interpret some things for me so everyone could understand. The phrase that I kept hearing Daddy say was, "Let the little children come to me." So, I began to tell them how special they were to Jesus and how he has put something very special in them that is not found in most "big people".....raw Faith....the faith of a little child.
It was a blessed day!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Update from March 23 - April 12
So much has happened this past month I’m not sure where to begin exactly. It has been a real challenge schedule wise and due to the circumstance of me being without my computer for a couple weeks (more on this in another blog) to keep you updated on what is going on. The following is my attempt to remember what has happened over the last month.
Week of March 23
I decided to spend Easter in Tooseng. However, I could have stayed at the farm and spent Easter with the other missionary volunteers, I really wanted to experience Easter in the village. I had a wonderful time spending Easter in Tooseng with my new family there. Many of Mavis’ family returned to Tooseng for the holiday weekend. I was able to meet 3 of her 4 children. We had a special dinner with all her family on Good Friday. I didn’t spend Easter at a church service, but instead spent it with my new friends and family having a wonderful time in fellowship together. That morning the Lord and I had our own time. It was so special. It was such an intimate time with my Savior. I really cherish that morning and the fellowship I had with my Father. It was unlike any other Easter I’ve had and I have to admit it was probably the most special, just because of the alone time I set aside for me and Jesus.
On Tuesday, I returned to the farm for meetings to prepare for a Letter Writing Conference. I won’t go into too many details about what this is because it will mostly bore you. The part that I had in the conference was that I am the coordinator for putting together a letter writing campaign between mentors and orphans. The conference was very useful in how you should take information, statistics about where children are in their lives, how they perceive the world, and then shape that into a program that reaches them. A lot of the information was about program development. Most of it did not apply to what I am doing here, but I took away what is useful to me and it will help me in the future.
The end of the week I had meetings with Jan & Jenny who have been heading up the orphan care project. I had been waiting and waiting to talk with them and pick their brains about all sorts of things and about Mavis and Tooseng in particular. They have know Mavis and worked with her for over a year. So, their wisdom was much needed.
Week of March 30
I spent the week in Tooseng. I arrived on Tuesday and went to the health clinic to meet with the head nurse, Mary. We had three medical students in Polokwane doing and internship and they wanted to visit the village and the clinic there. So, I was arranging those details with her to make sure it would be okay for the students to come and see the clinic. The rest of the week was really just continuing to build relationships with the women volunteering at the project and learning more Sotho.
On Thursday, I drove to Polokwane, about an hour away from Tooseng, to pick up the med students and bring them to the village. They had a wonderful time visiting the village and the medical clinic and seeing the kids at the project. They were able to be there during lunch time to see all the children being fed. I asked the ladies to teach them some words in Sotho that would help them in the clinic. The girls thought that was really awesome to learn that.
On Friday, several people from Life Church in Oklahoma came to Tooseng to visit the project, along with Doc and Jacques. While they were there Doc, Jacques, Mavis and I had a very important meeting. The week previous Mavis had brought up some concerns she had with her and RaGs relationship. I took those issues to Doc and Jacques and earlier in the week I was to meet with her to inform her of what they said. The week was soooo busy that we hadn’t had a chance to meet. So, when Doc and Jacques came on Friday we decided to just have a face to face meeting. That way she and Jacques could speak directly without going through a third party (me). It was obvious during this meeting the relationship between Mavis and RaG was at a serious juncture where the future of our relationship was going to be decided. Mavis was having a meeting the next day with her board and the elders of the village. She said she would bring to them what was said in the meeting and then she would let me know the following week when I returned to Tooseng what the results of the meeting were.
On Saturday, I went to a funeral early in the morning. Every week that I have been in Tooseng, there have been one to two funerals every Saturday. (more on this in another blog). Then after the funeral two of the teenage boys from the project took me on a tour of the village. I had asked them the day before if they would show me around because basically I had just been on the maid dirt road in the village because that is where the center is located and then the house I stay in is just on the next road over. The village supposedly has 6,000 people in it so obviously there was a lot I hadn’t seen. It was such a wonderful day, the sun was shining and the people were beautiful. The boys were teaching me Sotho as we walked along and I was teaching them English and answering their questions about America. We walked around the village for three hours. It was one of my best days there, just seeing the village and interacting with the people. As we walked, we greeted those we passed….may of them were surprised the white girl could greet them in their language. They love that! A couple of people we walked by even invited us over to sit down and have cool drink (that is what pop or soda is called here).
When I returned back to the house Mavis asked me if I was received well as we walked around. I said yes people were very pleasant and some of them even invited us over for cool drink. She was very impressed with that. I think she was surprised by the warm reception I was getting. I was surprised….I mean I am my Daddy’s favorite one, so why wouldn’t I get their favor too. Duh!
Week of April 6
I was at the Shikwaru for four days this week. I was trying to get back to Tooseng by Tuesday, to deliver Kids Against Hunger food parcels to the workers, but African time got in my way. I realized on my way home from Tooseng last week that my back license plate fell off, nowhere to be found. So, my plan was to go into town on Monday to get the new plate. Well, the first place I went to did not have something they needed to make it. We went to the other shop that could do it only to find that they were closed. Of course. So, the following day I went back into town to the second shop to get my new number plate (this is what they call license plates) made. Oh yes, and I went to a store to buy the boys in Tooseng two new soccer balls and a pump. Klaus (one of the volunteers at the project) is staring a soccer club for the boys.
On Thursday, I drove back to Tooseng, greeted everyone at the project, and gave Klaus and the boys the new soccer balls and pump. They were sooooo excited!!!!!!!!!
After the last meal at the project we headed down the street to the office so I could drop off the extra food parcels and then we handed out the food parcel bags and bags of maize to the orphan children who we are helping in the project. They have quite a good system of keeping track of what child is getting what. As each child came to get their goods they marked off their names from a register that they keep. Mavis had been gone all week in Johannesburg trying to get supplies and she just returned late Thursday evening. Obviously, we had yet to have a meeting to find out what the conclusion of the meeting was that she had with her board and the elders of the village.
On Friday, I drove Mavis’s friend to Polokwane, and in the meantime, Jerry arrived in Tooseng for a visit and was hoping to do a short bible study or something with the ladies at the project. Well, Jerry found Mavis and she told him that the relationship between the project and RaG was ending. This is what had been decided when she met with the board and the elders. On my drive back from Polokwane to Tooseng Jerry phoned me and told me of the news. Needless to say I was quite shocked. I cried most of the way home. Just thinking of how I was building these really great relationships and now the next day was going to be my last day there. When I arrived back in Tooseng I met up with Mavis and we talked. We were both very sad that I was going to be leaving. She did NOT want me to go, she called me her “best gal.” We both said that is seemed as if we had known each other for years and been a part of each other’s family. I understood that the vision that she has for the project and the vision that RaG had for the project were on two different paths, and since RaG was just a partner coming in to help her it is not really our show to run.
So…….now what….living and ministering in this community was to be my main purpose here besides working on the Sponsorship program for the orphans. Well, I know Daddy has a plan even if this didn’t work out. When it comes right down to it, my presence there brought out some issues that Mavis didn’t really want uncovered. Some of the things she was doing, although not illegal and maybe not completely unethical, was in conflict to the agreement of support that was made between she and RaG. With me living in the community it was no longer possible for her to “do what she wanted” with the supplies we were providing.
Saturday I had a very nice last day in Tooseng, saying goodbye to friends and promising to come back and visit soon. I will truly miss my new family and friends there, but I know God is still working and has a plan.
I am glad that next week I will have a week of ministry in Rustenburg with the vision clinics. This is always a wonderful time of ministry with much fruit.
Week of March 23
I decided to spend Easter in Tooseng. However, I could have stayed at the farm and spent Easter with the other missionary volunteers, I really wanted to experience Easter in the village. I had a wonderful time spending Easter in Tooseng with my new family there. Many of Mavis’ family returned to Tooseng for the holiday weekend. I was able to meet 3 of her 4 children. We had a special dinner with all her family on Good Friday. I didn’t spend Easter at a church service, but instead spent it with my new friends and family having a wonderful time in fellowship together. That morning the Lord and I had our own time. It was so special. It was such an intimate time with my Savior. I really cherish that morning and the fellowship I had with my Father. It was unlike any other Easter I’ve had and I have to admit it was probably the most special, just because of the alone time I set aside for me and Jesus.
On Tuesday, I returned to the farm for meetings to prepare for a Letter Writing Conference. I won’t go into too many details about what this is because it will mostly bore you. The part that I had in the conference was that I am the coordinator for putting together a letter writing campaign between mentors and orphans. The conference was very useful in how you should take information, statistics about where children are in their lives, how they perceive the world, and then shape that into a program that reaches them. A lot of the information was about program development. Most of it did not apply to what I am doing here, but I took away what is useful to me and it will help me in the future.
The end of the week I had meetings with Jan & Jenny who have been heading up the orphan care project. I had been waiting and waiting to talk with them and pick their brains about all sorts of things and about Mavis and Tooseng in particular. They have know Mavis and worked with her for over a year. So, their wisdom was much needed.
Week of March 30
I spent the week in Tooseng. I arrived on Tuesday and went to the health clinic to meet with the head nurse, Mary. We had three medical students in Polokwane doing and internship and they wanted to visit the village and the clinic there. So, I was arranging those details with her to make sure it would be okay for the students to come and see the clinic. The rest of the week was really just continuing to build relationships with the women volunteering at the project and learning more Sotho.
On Thursday, I drove to Polokwane, about an hour away from Tooseng, to pick up the med students and bring them to the village. They had a wonderful time visiting the village and the medical clinic and seeing the kids at the project. They were able to be there during lunch time to see all the children being fed. I asked the ladies to teach them some words in Sotho that would help them in the clinic. The girls thought that was really awesome to learn that.
On Friday, several people from Life Church in Oklahoma came to Tooseng to visit the project, along with Doc and Jacques. While they were there Doc, Jacques, Mavis and I had a very important meeting. The week previous Mavis had brought up some concerns she had with her and RaGs relationship. I took those issues to Doc and Jacques and earlier in the week I was to meet with her to inform her of what they said. The week was soooo busy that we hadn’t had a chance to meet. So, when Doc and Jacques came on Friday we decided to just have a face to face meeting. That way she and Jacques could speak directly without going through a third party (me). It was obvious during this meeting the relationship between Mavis and RaG was at a serious juncture where the future of our relationship was going to be decided. Mavis was having a meeting the next day with her board and the elders of the village. She said she would bring to them what was said in the meeting and then she would let me know the following week when I returned to Tooseng what the results of the meeting were.
On Saturday, I went to a funeral early in the morning. Every week that I have been in Tooseng, there have been one to two funerals every Saturday. (more on this in another blog). Then after the funeral two of the teenage boys from the project took me on a tour of the village. I had asked them the day before if they would show me around because basically I had just been on the maid dirt road in the village because that is where the center is located and then the house I stay in is just on the next road over. The village supposedly has 6,000 people in it so obviously there was a lot I hadn’t seen. It was such a wonderful day, the sun was shining and the people were beautiful. The boys were teaching me Sotho as we walked along and I was teaching them English and answering their questions about America. We walked around the village for three hours. It was one of my best days there, just seeing the village and interacting with the people. As we walked, we greeted those we passed….may of them were surprised the white girl could greet them in their language. They love that! A couple of people we walked by even invited us over to sit down and have cool drink (that is what pop or soda is called here).
When I returned back to the house Mavis asked me if I was received well as we walked around. I said yes people were very pleasant and some of them even invited us over for cool drink. She was very impressed with that. I think she was surprised by the warm reception I was getting. I was surprised….I mean I am my Daddy’s favorite one, so why wouldn’t I get their favor too. Duh!
Week of April 6
I was at the Shikwaru for four days this week. I was trying to get back to Tooseng by Tuesday, to deliver Kids Against Hunger food parcels to the workers, but African time got in my way. I realized on my way home from Tooseng last week that my back license plate fell off, nowhere to be found. So, my plan was to go into town on Monday to get the new plate. Well, the first place I went to did not have something they needed to make it. We went to the other shop that could do it only to find that they were closed. Of course. So, the following day I went back into town to the second shop to get my new number plate (this is what they call license plates) made. Oh yes, and I went to a store to buy the boys in Tooseng two new soccer balls and a pump. Klaus (one of the volunteers at the project) is staring a soccer club for the boys.
On Thursday, I drove back to Tooseng, greeted everyone at the project, and gave Klaus and the boys the new soccer balls and pump. They were sooooo excited!!!!!!!!!
After the last meal at the project we headed down the street to the office so I could drop off the extra food parcels and then we handed out the food parcel bags and bags of maize to the orphan children who we are helping in the project. They have quite a good system of keeping track of what child is getting what. As each child came to get their goods they marked off their names from a register that they keep. Mavis had been gone all week in Johannesburg trying to get supplies and she just returned late Thursday evening. Obviously, we had yet to have a meeting to find out what the conclusion of the meeting was that she had with her board and the elders of the village.
On Friday, I drove Mavis’s friend to Polokwane, and in the meantime, Jerry arrived in Tooseng for a visit and was hoping to do a short bible study or something with the ladies at the project. Well, Jerry found Mavis and she told him that the relationship between the project and RaG was ending. This is what had been decided when she met with the board and the elders. On my drive back from Polokwane to Tooseng Jerry phoned me and told me of the news. Needless to say I was quite shocked. I cried most of the way home. Just thinking of how I was building these really great relationships and now the next day was going to be my last day there. When I arrived back in Tooseng I met up with Mavis and we talked. We were both very sad that I was going to be leaving. She did NOT want me to go, she called me her “best gal.” We both said that is seemed as if we had known each other for years and been a part of each other’s family. I understood that the vision that she has for the project and the vision that RaG had for the project were on two different paths, and since RaG was just a partner coming in to help her it is not really our show to run.
So…….now what….living and ministering in this community was to be my main purpose here besides working on the Sponsorship program for the orphans. Well, I know Daddy has a plan even if this didn’t work out. When it comes right down to it, my presence there brought out some issues that Mavis didn’t really want uncovered. Some of the things she was doing, although not illegal and maybe not completely unethical, was in conflict to the agreement of support that was made between she and RaG. With me living in the community it was no longer possible for her to “do what she wanted” with the supplies we were providing.
Saturday I had a very nice last day in Tooseng, saying goodbye to friends and promising to come back and visit soon. I will truly miss my new family and friends there, but I know God is still working and has a plan.
I am glad that next week I will have a week of ministry in Rustenburg with the vision clinics. This is always a wonderful time of ministry with much fruit.
Monday, March 17, 2008
THE "El Camino"
Well, here it is......the famous el camino....okay so it is really not an el camino, it is a VERY small truck, but I didn't know how else to describe it to you. It is quite hillarious to drive around in the big green Landrover for two days and then drive this thing the next day. Sharon and I missed half the scenery on the way to Tooseng on Saturday because we sit so low to the ground in this thing. It isn't the prettiest car in the world, but I am very thankful to have it and that it runs well and will get me to and from where I need to go. I am much more priviledged than most in SA by having a vehicle at all. Most stand around waiting for rides or they just have to walk for miles, or take the bus taxis. I have one of the few vehicles in Tooseng. Mavis doesn't even have a car. So, although my little white horse is not asthetically pleasing it is a HUGE blessing that I am most greatful for.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Tooseng 3/15/08
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Sharon and I drove up to Tooseng to begin weighing, measuring heights, and testing hemoglobin levels(for anemia) of the children in the orphan care project. We are gathering this data to evaluate the physical progress of the children in the project. In three days were were able to examine 105 children. Of these children we found that 6% of them were anemic. We will be providing these children with iron tablets to help restore their bodies iron levels to appropriate levels.
One 16 year old girl's hemoglobin level is 7.5. It should be at least 12. So, this is actually a very dangerous level. These tests that we did very well could have saved her life. I will be taking her to the clinic in the village on Thursday. They will probably do some more testing to determine the exact cause of the anemia because it could come from a parasite or other diseases besides the body just not absorping iron correctly. I will keep you posted about this case.
Sharon, who has trained me, will be heading back to the states tomorrow. So, I will have the task of completing these tests on the rest of the 230 kids in the orphan care project. I think I will recruit the peace corps volunteer who arrives tomorrow to help me with this.
One 16 year old girl's hemoglobin level is 7.5. It should be at least 12. So, this is actually a very dangerous level. These tests that we did very well could have saved her life. I will be taking her to the clinic in the village on Thursday. They will probably do some more testing to determine the exact cause of the anemia because it could come from a parasite or other diseases besides the body just not absorping iron correctly. I will keep you posted about this case.
Sharon, who has trained me, will be heading back to the states tomorrow. So, I will have the task of completing these tests on the rest of the 230 kids in the orphan care project. I think I will recruit the peace corps volunteer who arrives tomorrow to help me with this.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Great South African Driving Adventure
Well, today marked the first day of driving in South Africa. No, there was no test driving on the farm, just here you go, drive to Tooseng.....oh, and by the way, you won't be driving your small little truck (because Roelene who is currently driving it is not here today) you'll be driving Lizzie's GIANT Landrover. I was doing okay with not test drivng when I thought I was going to be driving the tiny little pickup (buckey, as they call it), but now the Landrover. Yikes! Sharon, the lady who was going up with me asks.....so, have you driven here before.....nope I said......oh, she says this should be good...I'm glad it's you and not me. So, I get in the driver's seat....am a little freaked because I'm not sure how quick I will learn how to shift with my left hand. I turn the key...and nothing happens. Well, then I figure out that you even have to turn the key a different direction. What? So, I try again...the right direction this time.....and.....nothing. So, I go in to ask if there is some special trick for starting the vehicle that I am unware of. NO. Lizzie comes out to try and start it.....something is wrong...the car really won't start. We are not off to a good start here. Two of the workers have to push the car around, which is not easy....have you seen the size of this thing. Then we found jumper cables. We pop the hood and hunt for the battery......mmmmh no battery......where could it be.....of course, under the passenger seat. Now, why didn't I look there first? Oh, last's right because that is ummmm weird. Needless to say, the car finally started. Yeah!!!!!!! And we're off. The first road we have to drive on is a dirt road and very bumpy, you almost nead a Landrover to get down it. So far so good. I only put it in the wrong gear once. We finally make it to the main road, which is paved and it is pretty much smooth sailing and there's no traffic, which I like since I am just getting used to driving on the left side of the road. We then have to drive into town and we need to stop at the Mokopane Mall to pick up a few items to take to Tooseng. So in town, I make it through stop signs, traffic lights, and turns that are all on the opposite side of the road. Then it's time to stop and fill up with diesel, which is an experience in itself because everybody has to do everything for you (that's how they create jobs), so that takes quite some time. Ahhh, now we are off and on to Tooseng, about another hours drive from Mokopane, which is about 20 minutes from Shikwaru. So between having to dodge cars, buses, people, sheep, cows, and donkeys on the way and then back home again I proud to say that we returned home safely without incident....i mean if you don't consider having to dodge people and animals as an incident. Can I just say that I totally rock and I have wicked awesome driving skills! :) I'm sure there will be more driving tales to come. Stay tuned!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Saturday in Tooseng 3-8-08
Spent Saturday in Tooseng meeting the chief, the mayor and other prominent position holders in the community. We fed the children lunch and put on a short children's program for them, which I was in charge of.....quite interesting when it needs to be translated.
Here are a few statistics that I learned about Tooseng where I am working. This information came from government findings 2 years ago. My guess is that many of these numbers would be higher today.
- Population 6,000
- 500 households
- 75% unemployment
- classified as the poorest of the poor in Limpopo Province
- 10% educated
- 47% semiliterate
- 43% illiterate
- Teen pregnancy is estimated at 43%. Teenagers are engaged in unprotected sex to conceive babies for the sole reason of accessing child grants (welfare)
- The mortality rate is high due to HIV/AIDS and thus leaves orphans in the care of granny or child headed households
- 24% divorced
- 34% single parents
- 42% widows
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Tooseng
Me and Mavis
Wednesday 3/5/08
Today I was able to go to Tooseng to visit. Tooseng is the community I will be living in most of the time to work with the children in the orphan care project. It was such a blessing to be able to go there. I met Mavis, the martriarch who is in charge of the feeding program there. She is an amazing lady. She was so excited that I was there and she wants me to be there this Saturday to stay. But it will be another week and a half before I can move up there. I have to finish some "office work" before I can move up there. Next week I will be taking care of details like settling finances, test driving my "el camino", and working on a letter writing campaign that is part of the sponsorship program I am helping to set up.
In my time in Tooseng, we had the opportunity to feed the children lunch. There were about 347 children that ate today. They are so beautiful. They sang us a song that i was able to capture on video. I hope to get that uploaded to You Tube soon so that I can share it with you.
At the end of the month about 60 of the older children will be coming to Shikwaru for "camp" during holiday. This will be quite the experience for them. It will be a good opportunity to get to know some of them better and to spend some quality with them and to do some bible studies with them. I will also be in meetings during that time meeting with representatives of the Dept. of Education and informing them of the letter writing campaign that we want to do with the children. Jacques ( the head of Reaching a Generation and Book of Hope SA) has assigned me to be the project coordinator for this project.
Once I am in Tooseng, Jacques would also like me to start a bible study in the mornings for the 12 or so ladies who volunteer with the feeding program. I am very excited about this. I know God is going to move mightily during this time. He would also like me to do have "club" or something for some of the older girls, so that I can disciple them, form a good relationship with them so that I can then speak to them about boys and AIDS and purity. This is very important in this community. I will also be doing some programs with the other younger children. Lots to do.....so little time. Please be praying for me as I seek the Holy Spirit's wisdom in proceeding with all of these things.
Please enjoy some photos from my day in Tooseng. Click here to see photos.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
My Home Away From Home
Here is my home at Shikwaru. I have a very nice room and my own private bathroom. My bed is quite comfortable. The bonus is that there is hot water to take a shower in. What??????????? This place is like a five-star hotel compared to what my accommodations were when I was in Mozambique.
Here are a few pictures of my place at Shikwaru.
This is the building affectionately know as "The Stables" and this where my room is located.
That is my bed (the one with the red shirt on the pillow)
Sunday, March 2, 2008
First Week in South Africa - Sights and Animals to See (updated with pics)
Arrived in Capetown at 9:30 p.m. where Jerry and Karen greeted us at the airport. We stayed at a nice guest house about 20 minutes from the airport. The next morning we drove 2 1/2 hours from Capetown to Cape Aguhlas (wow, beautiful...pictures coming). We checked in to the hostile we were staying at for the week and then got back in the van to head to the Southern most tip of Africa where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. I believe on this ride we saw baboons, bass buck, and I saw a Zebra. The Tip was amazing.....the ocean just went on forever it looked like you could sail right off the edge of the world...and it actually appeared to be rounded in shape just like a globe. I've never seen anything like it.
The scenery driving to and from the schools we have been ministering in has been overwhelmingly beautiful. This is probably the most beautiful part of the world I have been to, with the exception of Cuba and it's amazing beaches and beautifully crisp blue ocean water.
I've seen so many animals on the drives to and from the schools. I've seen ostriches, zebras, baboons, blessbok, and a few that I don't know what they are. Pretty cool perks to being down in that region of the country.
3/2/08
Got up early this morning to travel to the top of the mountain at Shikwaru Game Lodge (my mission base when I'm not in Mavis's community). It was beautiful. On the way we came across Wildebeasts and Impala. Once we reached the mountain we gazed at all of God's creative beauty and then took some time to have "church" in the midst of it. On the way back down the mountain we found ostriches and giraffes. The giraffes are so cute and curious. We got pretty close to them...probably within 50 yards or so. I guess they are very curious and will actually even come right up to you, but that didn't happen today.
Later in the day Karen and I drove through the farm on the four-wheeler to try and find the giraffes again and to find the zebras. We found the wildebeats, Impalas and warthogs, but no giraffes and zebras this trip. I hope to find the zebras sometime this week while I have a little bit of down time where I can go for a walk or two. I think I will take out the four-wheeler later in the week and spend a few hours out there to see what I can find.
Click here to see pictures from my first week of seeing sights and animals. (I hope to get the pictures from when I was at Cape Aguhlas where I was at the southernmost tip of Africa, but there are on someone else's camera. As soon as I can get them I will.)
The scenery driving to and from the schools we have been ministering in has been overwhelmingly beautiful. This is probably the most beautiful part of the world I have been to, with the exception of Cuba and it's amazing beaches and beautifully crisp blue ocean water.
I've seen so many animals on the drives to and from the schools. I've seen ostriches, zebras, baboons, blessbok, and a few that I don't know what they are. Pretty cool perks to being down in that region of the country.
3/2/08
Got up early this morning to travel to the top of the mountain at Shikwaru Game Lodge (my mission base when I'm not in Mavis's community). It was beautiful. On the way we came across Wildebeasts and Impala. Once we reached the mountain we gazed at all of God's creative beauty and then took some time to have "church" in the midst of it. On the way back down the mountain we found ostriches and giraffes. The giraffes are so cute and curious. We got pretty close to them...probably within 50 yards or so. I guess they are very curious and will actually even come right up to you, but that didn't happen today.
Later in the day Karen and I drove through the farm on the four-wheeler to try and find the giraffes again and to find the zebras. We found the wildebeats, Impalas and warthogs, but no giraffes and zebras this trip. I hope to find the zebras sometime this week while I have a little bit of down time where I can go for a walk or two. I think I will take out the four-wheeler later in the week and spend a few hours out there to see what I can find.
Click here to see pictures from my first week of seeing sights and animals. (I hope to get the pictures from when I was at Cape Aguhlas where I was at the southernmost tip of Africa, but there are on someone else's camera. As soon as I can get them I will.)
First week in South Africa - Ministry Time (updated w/ pics)
Monday morning the 25th began a week of ministry with the vision clinics in five different schools in the Western Cape region.
Monday 2/25- We ministered t 190 children today at Bontebok Primary school. Several schools in the area sent children to see us. Approximately 130 children received glasses. I worked the dispensary (the station where we actually give them the glasses and fit them) most of the day. I assessed a few of the children. When you assess a child you take some time to chat with them, get to know a littel bit about them, talk to them about Jesus and then lastly give them an eye exam to see if they need to be fitted for glasses, and then take time to pray with them before they go to the dispensary.
One child that I assessed was named Cheston. He had five brothers and he lived with them and his mother and father. He said everything was good at home. I then asked him if he knew who Jesus was. He did and he told me what he knew about Jesus. He told me he had asked Jesus into his heart. Before he left I asked if I could pray with him and he said I could. I asked if there was anything specific I could pray with him about. He wanted to pray for his granny who had a heart condition and his 2 uncles who were sick. I began to explain to him that Jesus can heal them and in fact he could go home and lay hands on his family and pray for their healing and Jesus would come and heal them. I prayed over him and his family and asked for Jesus to bring his healing power and to anoint his hands with healing. Before he left I asked him to do me a favor and when he arrived home to go to his granny and uncles and lay his hands on them and pray to Jesus that he would come and heal them. He promised me he would. I will probably never know the outcome of this, but I have absolute faith in my heart that Jesus will heal them through that little boy.
Tuesday 2/26/08 - We saw around 135 children today in Bredasdorp and fitted 95% of them with glasses. This school was so amazing. From the moment we stepped into it we knew something was different about it. It was so nice and you could actually feel something in the atmosphere. Come to find out a short time later, most of the teachers in this school were believers and the headmaster was a strong believer and he has transformed that school and those children by cultivating the presence of God. They open up staff meetings with prayer....the faculty brings scripture with them to share. They told us that in the auditorium where we were holding the clinics every morning they would be worshipping the Lord with song in there. The aroma of the presence of God still lingered...it was tangible. The amazing thing about this was that this day was the day we had the most children accept the Lord as their Savior. Most of the kids who did were not from that school but had just come for the clinics. It was almost as if there were an open heaven over that school; everything was just so effortless. You could even feel the presence leaking out to the town. The staff helping us completely spoiled us...bringing us tea and coffee and feeding us a wondeful lunch with delicious chocolate cake for dessert. (That doesn't happen...that is definitely not the norm). After we ate we had a wonderful time with the headmaster. He shared a lot of things with us and we had a wonderful time of prayer before we left.
One awesome story from that day was that Steve was assessing a young boy. In talking with this boy he came to understand that this boy was beng extremely harrassed by his fellow students. When it came time for Steve to pray with him the little asked to pray for those students who were being mean to him. Wow....Steve was so taken back at how this young child who could have asked for prayer for himself opted to follow scripture when it says, "pray for those who persecute you." A child's faith is so simple and so beautiful. Why must we as adults always complicate it. To make for an even better story this child needed major help with his eyes. He needed to see a specialist and we could not help him at the vision clinic. One of the other team members had taken a picture of Steve and this child. When another team member heard about this story he was so moved and wanted to find out the name of this child. Using the picture (although his head was blocked by Steve's hand around his head praying for him), we were able to give it to the school to track down who this child was because there happened to be a teacher in the background of this picture who would know which child this was. After about 5 different people gettng involved the child has been discovered and the headmaster, the student, and the mother have now been informed that one of our team members will be footing the bill for whatever needs to be done to correct his eyes. We have been told that the school, the boy, and the mother are sooooo overwhelmed and excited. Now that's a GREAT testimony.
Wednesday 2/27/08 - This day was a bit more challenging for doing the vision clinics. We were in a very cramped space basically falling all over each other throughout the day. But despite the cramped conditions we were able to reach around 90 kids and fitted around 66 of them with glasses. Throughout this day we were able to share the love of Jesus with each child.
Thursday 2/28/08 - We saw around 128 children and fitted most with glasses. I thoroughly enjoyed being at this school. It was an extremely large school with children in Grades 1-9. It was obvious that this area had more poverty because many of the kids in 7-9 grades were 14-18 yrs. old. Often this is the case in very poor areas because they are not able to go to school when they are young because they are too poor or too many kids in the family.
We had quite a bit of down time at the beginning of the day because the students were coming to us in spurts, so I took the opportunity to walk around and pray in the spirit over the school and the children. Later in the day I assessed a few of the children. One girl really struck my heart. She was about 12 or 14 and I had to communicate with her through an interpretor. I found out she lived with her granny and her mom and other siblings lived far away in a shack. She said that when she is home with her mom she(the child) has to be the mom, so she came to live with granny so she could be a kid and go to school. When it came time to pray with her she wanted to pray for her granny that she would stay healthy and live long so she could stay with her and finish school and be a kid. (Aooaooh...that's the sound of my heart breaking). Can you imagine having to go through that and to pray that your granny lives "forever" so you can be a kid and finish school. I prayed a special blessing over that girl and she gave me a smile before she left. That made my day.
Friday 2/29/08 - Today was the last day of vision clinics in this area. Because one of our team members was sick I did assessments/eye examinations all day. You wouldn't think it would be exhausting to do that, but it is very emotionally exhausting to do it. We saw lots of little ones at this school who were very cute. We needed a lot of interpreters because the little ones didn't speak any English.
God saved the best for last for me on this last day of clinics. The very last student I assessed was named Evedene. She was so special. She loved school and wanted to be a doctor when she grew up. She lived in a house with 19 other people. What? Yes, that's right...19. She spoke very good English, so I know I did not misunderstand her. As I spoke with her a while I asked her if she knew who Jesus was and if she went to church. She told me she did know who Jesus was, but as we were talking I discovered that she had never asked Jesus to come into her heart and be her Saviour. I asked her if that was something that she would like to do and she said that it was. So, I had the awesome privilege of leading her to the Lord. Wow....it doesn't get much better than that. That was such a blessed way to end the day.
Monday 2/25- We ministered t 190 children today at Bontebok Primary school. Several schools in the area sent children to see us. Approximately 130 children received glasses. I worked the dispensary (the station where we actually give them the glasses and fit them) most of the day. I assessed a few of the children. When you assess a child you take some time to chat with them, get to know a littel bit about them, talk to them about Jesus and then lastly give them an eye exam to see if they need to be fitted for glasses, and then take time to pray with them before they go to the dispensary.
One child that I assessed was named Cheston. He had five brothers and he lived with them and his mother and father. He said everything was good at home. I then asked him if he knew who Jesus was. He did and he told me what he knew about Jesus. He told me he had asked Jesus into his heart. Before he left I asked if I could pray with him and he said I could. I asked if there was anything specific I could pray with him about. He wanted to pray for his granny who had a heart condition and his 2 uncles who were sick. I began to explain to him that Jesus can heal them and in fact he could go home and lay hands on his family and pray for their healing and Jesus would come and heal them. I prayed over him and his family and asked for Jesus to bring his healing power and to anoint his hands with healing. Before he left I asked him to do me a favor and when he arrived home to go to his granny and uncles and lay his hands on them and pray to Jesus that he would come and heal them. He promised me he would. I will probably never know the outcome of this, but I have absolute faith in my heart that Jesus will heal them through that little boy.
Tuesday 2/26/08 - We saw around 135 children today in Bredasdorp and fitted 95% of them with glasses. This school was so amazing. From the moment we stepped into it we knew something was different about it. It was so nice and you could actually feel something in the atmosphere. Come to find out a short time later, most of the teachers in this school were believers and the headmaster was a strong believer and he has transformed that school and those children by cultivating the presence of God. They open up staff meetings with prayer....the faculty brings scripture with them to share. They told us that in the auditorium where we were holding the clinics every morning they would be worshipping the Lord with song in there. The aroma of the presence of God still lingered...it was tangible. The amazing thing about this was that this day was the day we had the most children accept the Lord as their Savior. Most of the kids who did were not from that school but had just come for the clinics. It was almost as if there were an open heaven over that school; everything was just so effortless. You could even feel the presence leaking out to the town. The staff helping us completely spoiled us...bringing us tea and coffee and feeding us a wondeful lunch with delicious chocolate cake for dessert. (That doesn't happen...that is definitely not the norm). After we ate we had a wonderful time with the headmaster. He shared a lot of things with us and we had a wonderful time of prayer before we left.
One awesome story from that day was that Steve was assessing a young boy. In talking with this boy he came to understand that this boy was beng extremely harrassed by his fellow students. When it came time for Steve to pray with him the little asked to pray for those students who were being mean to him. Wow....Steve was so taken back at how this young child who could have asked for prayer for himself opted to follow scripture when it says, "pray for those who persecute you." A child's faith is so simple and so beautiful. Why must we as adults always complicate it. To make for an even better story this child needed major help with his eyes. He needed to see a specialist and we could not help him at the vision clinic. One of the other team members had taken a picture of Steve and this child. When another team member heard about this story he was so moved and wanted to find out the name of this child. Using the picture (although his head was blocked by Steve's hand around his head praying for him), we were able to give it to the school to track down who this child was because there happened to be a teacher in the background of this picture who would know which child this was. After about 5 different people gettng involved the child has been discovered and the headmaster, the student, and the mother have now been informed that one of our team members will be footing the bill for whatever needs to be done to correct his eyes. We have been told that the school, the boy, and the mother are sooooo overwhelmed and excited. Now that's a GREAT testimony.
Wednesday 2/27/08 - This day was a bit more challenging for doing the vision clinics. We were in a very cramped space basically falling all over each other throughout the day. But despite the cramped conditions we were able to reach around 90 kids and fitted around 66 of them with glasses. Throughout this day we were able to share the love of Jesus with each child.
Thursday 2/28/08 - We saw around 128 children and fitted most with glasses. I thoroughly enjoyed being at this school. It was an extremely large school with children in Grades 1-9. It was obvious that this area had more poverty because many of the kids in 7-9 grades were 14-18 yrs. old. Often this is the case in very poor areas because they are not able to go to school when they are young because they are too poor or too many kids in the family.
We had quite a bit of down time at the beginning of the day because the students were coming to us in spurts, so I took the opportunity to walk around and pray in the spirit over the school and the children. Later in the day I assessed a few of the children. One girl really struck my heart. She was about 12 or 14 and I had to communicate with her through an interpretor. I found out she lived with her granny and her mom and other siblings lived far away in a shack. She said that when she is home with her mom she(the child) has to be the mom, so she came to live with granny so she could be a kid and go to school. When it came time to pray with her she wanted to pray for her granny that she would stay healthy and live long so she could stay with her and finish school and be a kid. (Aooaooh...that's the sound of my heart breaking). Can you imagine having to go through that and to pray that your granny lives "forever" so you can be a kid and finish school. I prayed a special blessing over that girl and she gave me a smile before she left. That made my day.
Friday 2/29/08 - Today was the last day of vision clinics in this area. Because one of our team members was sick I did assessments/eye examinations all day. You wouldn't think it would be exhausting to do that, but it is very emotionally exhausting to do it. We saw lots of little ones at this school who were very cute. We needed a lot of interpreters because the little ones didn't speak any English.
God saved the best for last for me on this last day of clinics. The very last student I assessed was named Evedene. She was so special. She loved school and wanted to be a doctor when she grew up. She lived in a house with 19 other people. What? Yes, that's right...19. She spoke very good English, so I know I did not misunderstand her. As I spoke with her a while I asked her if she knew who Jesus was and if she went to church. She told me she did know who Jesus was, but as we were talking I discovered that she had never asked Jesus to come into her heart and be her Saviour. I asked her if that was something that she would like to do and she said that it was. So, I had the awesome privilege of leading her to the Lord. Wow....it doesn't get much better than that. That was such a blessed way to end the day.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I made it
Hi Friends!
I have arrived safely in South Africa and am in the Eastern Cape right now doing ministry through vision clinics. We have seen approximately 300 children in two days and have several more days here in this area.
The day after we arrived in the Eastern Cape we were able to rest a little bit and recover from jet lag. I was able to go the the southern most tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas and stood at the exact point the Indian and Pacific Oceans meet. It was so cool, and I took the opportunity to pray for my continent of Africa.
I will post more details soon about this when I go the Shikwaru and have more time and access to the internet.
I have arrived safely in South Africa and am in the Eastern Cape right now doing ministry through vision clinics. We have seen approximately 300 children in two days and have several more days here in this area.
The day after we arrived in the Eastern Cape we were able to rest a little bit and recover from jet lag. I was able to go the the southern most tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas and stood at the exact point the Indian and Pacific Oceans meet. It was so cool, and I took the opportunity to pray for my continent of Africa.
I will post more details soon about this when I go the Shikwaru and have more time and access to the internet.
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