Can’t believe I have made it to the mid-way point of my race! It was a great month!
My first impressions of South Africa were… that I could be back in America. Other than they drive on the opposite side of the car and road, much of South Africa is very similar to America. There are big cities, small towns, mountains, grasslands, farms, beaches, McDonalds, KFC, woodlands, etc. Now they have changed to… it is truly like home. It was great to spend our mid-way point in a place where I could feel comfortable with my surroundings.
The weather here… has been very nice. It is summer time here and therefore hot. It was nice that we were close to the ocean, because that did bring in a nice breeze most days. We also had a few days of overcast and rain that I was happy about. For the most part people do not have air conditioners in their homes…so a lite rain, cloudy day, and good breeze are welcomed.
The best thing I ate was… chicken kabobs at a Braai and lemon pie at the coffee shop where we got internet. A Braai is much like a Bar-B-Q, but the butcher where they got all the meat knows how to make a great chicken kabob. It was the most tender and moist chicken I think I have ever had. As for the lemon pie…it was just perfect…I can’t say much else about it.
My favorite moment this month… was celebrating my 30th birthday. I woke up to decorations through the house and pastries. Then, I went to school and my class sang to me and even put balloons up in the classroom. After school I went to the coffee shop and treated myself to a piece of lemon pie and talked to mom and dad. Then my wonderful team took me out to dinner at a local restaurant called Angelo’s. It was a wonderful day and I got to do it all while in South Africa (wont forget where I was on this birthday!).
What satisfied me the most? Two things really satisfied me this month: my time spent with the youth at Firehouse (the name of the youth group at Lighthouse Family Church) and finding my love for teaching again.
Spending time with the youth at Firehouse truly rejuvenated me and blessed me more than I can say. It made me miss my youth at St. Andrew’s and reminded my how much I love working with middle and high school students in a Christ centered setting.
As for teaching, I have been struggling to enjoy teaching the past 5 months. I have taught English in some way or another every month and had truly disliked every moment. I have loved being around all the kids, but the teaching part I really struggled to enjoy. This month, God has brought me back to my love for teaching. I did struggle and get very frustrated (see below) at times, but in the end I know it something I will do for the rest of my life in some way.
What frustrated me the most? While I was working out my dislike I had for teaching the past 5 months, many things that frustrate me at home about education are the same here in South Africa. The things I see here in South Africa are not much different from home and even Asia. I want better for the kids of the world. So maybe my mindset has to change in some way. What can I do at this time? I can love the children I come in contact with. I can teach them to the best of my ability, but not letting it take over my life. I can continue to realize that I can’t fix everything or everyone. Most importantly I can trust in God that He will direct my path in order to do the best for every child I met.
I see God at work here… in the kids and staff at The Human Dignity Center and the members of Lighthouse Family Church. These two places are pouring out Christ’s love to all they come in contact with and they especially poured it out on my team and me.
If a friend travels here they must… go on a safari. Any safari will do…just go see the amazing animals that call South Africa home. I went to Kragga Kama Game Park, Seaview Predator Park, and Kruger National Park. All were beautiful places and had many animals. I was able to see all but one of the South Africa big five: rhinoceros, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and lion. Sadly leopards camouflage very well and none wanted to come out and been seen.
Update:
V Squad has had a route change! For month 9 we will be going to Moldova instead of Albania.
Heading to Swaziland today! Going to be doing construction at El Shaddia Orphanage in Mbabane. More than likely I will not have internet for most of the month, so I will make updates when I can. Please keep my team, Wet Soles, and team Pneuma in your prayers as we work together serving the Lord.
