Real life is…
Hearing something on our roof at night, thinking It’s ok, it’s probably just a baboon, and going back to sleep.
Real life is…
Trying to be a good soccer “coach” for the kids despite having no clue how to play the game.
Real life is…
Wrapping up in sleeping bags to keep warm while lying in the yard stargazing with the team.
Real life is…
Being asked to pray or stopping to chat with the neighbors every time we walk down the street.
Real life is…
Realizing the Race is turning me into a mom as each kid throws his coat/toys/pocket change/etc. in my arms before running off to play soccer.
Real life is…
Hiking 3 hours straight up Table Mountain on a hot day just to find out we took the Advanced Route by accident.
Real life is…
Life that is ministry and ministry that is life.
Real life is…
That moment when I realize I have no idea who is on my team, and have to call a team huddle just so that I can count my players.
Real life is…
Getting off the bus at a rest stop in the middle of the night and realizing that South Africa is a bit colder than balmy Southeast Asia.
Real life is…
Feeling more at home and a part of a neighborhood than I ever did at home.
Real life is…
Powerful words spoken over my life by our wise, Godly hosts.
Real life is…
My kids having a team huddle and yelling “Coach! Coach! We need you!” until they get my attention.
Real life is…
Making 8-year-olds do push-ups when I catch them cussing, and sitting them on the sidelines for fighting.
Real life is…
Having my hair braided by 5 girls at one time – every day.
Real life is…
Keeping the doors locked at all times in case the baboons come visiting.
Real life is…
Sunrise on the beach, drinking cocoa and watching the sun set over the hills, and evening walks through the tight-knit Ocean View community.
Real life is…
Neighborhood kids stopping in to visit several times a day, starting around 7 in the morning.
Real life is…
The joy of 9 youth committing their lives to the Lord through baptism.
Real life is…
The almost-controlled chaos of marshmallow cookouts in our yard with 30 kids.
Real life is…
For the first time in 10 months, a whole 4 weeks with zero mosquito or ant bites!
Real life is…
That moment where I stay out in the sun all day before realizing that South Africa sun is a lot stronger than Northwest sun.
Real life is…
The kids teaching us all the good stuff to buy at the neighborhood store, then sending them on candy runs for us.
Real life is…
Learning the lingo: if I want a tub of ice cream, I ask for an ice cream bar. If I want an ice cream bar, I ask for a sucker. If I want a sucker, I ask for a lollipop. If I want minutes for my phone, I ask for airtime. If I want soda, I ask for…I don’t even remember what.
Real life is…
Spending every afternoon at the field playing games, getting my hair done, diffusing fights, monitoring soccer games, and reading Bible stories.
Real life is…
Watching my team join some teenagers in a game of “chase/run from the rats” while we wait for a taxi at night.
Real life is…
Getting close to the end and choosing to dig in harder than ever.
Real life is…
Breaking the introvert code by getting my best recharge time out on the field, surrounded by kids.
Real life is…
God showing me how He wants me to grow, then putting me repeatedly in situations where I have to do it.
Real life is…
Getting ready to sit down for a movie night just to hear giggling outside the window, signaling that some of our kids are sneaking in the yard to find us.
Real life is…
Living in a community plagued by gang violence and substance abuse, and praying against the influence those things have on the kids.
Real life is…
Celebrating Christmas in October with my Halas family.
Real life is…
Spending 4 hours at the ER getting sent back and forth repeatedly before finally getting an X-Ray for my ankle…and paying $2 for it.
Real life is…
God’s provision over our safety despite dangers in the area.
Real life is…
Sitting in our back yard at 1 a.m. because that’s where the satellite phone works, trying to re-arrange travel plans 9 hours before we’re scheduled to leave.
Real life is…
Managing to leave with no tears, despite getting hopelessly attached to our funny, mischievous, totally loveable Ocean View kids.
Real life is…
Referring to our pocket change according to how many peanut cluster or tongue-shaped candies it can buy us. This is what happens when you spend so much time with the kids…
Real life is…
A non-stop, on-the-go kind of month that was thoroughly worth being tired.
