One important detail to know about Afrikaans: they don’t do schedules. For example, we were invited to go to a Brie (BBQ) last Friday. Pa’s friend Kevin was going to pick us up at 5…then 530…really it was 630…he came at 730. We ate at 915. This is my life.
So with that being said,
We have breakfast at 8a, Pa usually tells us a few things he wants us to do during the day. (Mostly we learn what we’re doing about 5 minutes before we leave to do it. ‘On-the-go missionary’) Afterwards we try to squeeze in ‘Team Time’. At 2P everyday the kids come home from school and I find the inner 12 year old girl living somewhere inside of me and we play ridiculous games outside, eat ice cream that Ma sells for 1 rand ($0.13), dance, sing, play beauty shop, pray with the older girls, etc. There are about 70 kids so remembering all their names has been a ridiculously hard. I memorize one name and then realize it’s really her twin…neat. I think Ma and Pa like to do free time on the weekends they took us to the beach on Saturday and then Sunday we did church all day with eating in between.
But honestly, I’m loving this month; the kids after school, so many random people popping in and out of the house all day, the dogs barking all day, the baby girl Ma watches screaming all afternoon, walking to a ‘tuck shop’ to buy bread or coffee (basically a grocery store out of someone’s house. I’ve decided if I move to SA, I’m SO opening one!)
South Africa has a lot of need and some places are pretty dark, but it also has light shining all around. I see the light shining from Ma & Pa, and neighbors, and kids, and I’m just here helping rekindle the flame and shed some new light in dark places.
“on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Some fun word meanings I’ve learned since being here (all the examples are based on actual events):
Fetch – means to go get someone. “Xena is going to go fetch the kids around the neighborhood.”
Tap – means sink. “There’s a tap over there if you need to wash.”
Basin – tub. “Ma where do I brush my teeth since there is no sink?” “Just use the basin.”
Brie – BBQ. “You guys should come over on Friday for the Brie.”
Jam – jelly. Me- “What are you girls making? Peanut butter and Jelly, YUM!” (Followed by giggles from 6 girls) one of the girls-“it’s peanut butter and JAMMMM.”
Dish up – basically dinner is ready. “Ma is dishing up.”
