A New Chapter

How does this keep happening to me? This time I won’t really promise anything about when my next post occurs. I think the problem originates with the fact that simply blogging is one of the lower things on my list when I there are so many important people to be investing in and building relationships with, and experiences to be having each day. As I reach this point in my South African journey, I feel as If I am closing one chapter and opening the next. But first I feel like I definitely need to wrap up the first. To do so, I must go back to the 25th of February.
That Wednesday, instead of taking normal class, we spent the day from right after breakfast driving an hour to the north to the Drakensburg once again. This time instead of visiting the San/ Bushmen paintings, we took this day trip to listen to the world renowned Drakensburg Boys Choir sing. Boy was this worth the drive. It was at a private school, to which parents from all over Africa send their young boys from grades 4 to 9. The guys sang and danced to a variety of songs, which included traditional Zulu songs, the national anthem, and also some of their favorite Michael Jackson songs! (Man in the Mirror with MJ hip thrusts. GREAT.) It was definitely a sight to experience.
The following day we wrapped up our final days of our classes before our finals came around. It was definitely a struggle studying in such a beautiful place. This seems to be an excuse that can be used in actually quite a variety of situations. A oft used phrase is simply the three letters, “T.I.A.” This Is Africa! In celebration of wrapping up many classes and that it was finally the weekend, a group of us went out to Bangkok Wok. My first Thai food EVER! Plus, I LIKE SOY SAUCE! Who would have guessed?
Our next adventure came in the form of an early morning excursion to Karkloof Canopy Tours. In other words, ZIP LINING! 6:30 departure was a tad early but more than worth it. We flew along the course at speeds of up to 60kph at heights over 100 feet above the forest floor. Definitely a once in a life time experience.
Sunday the 28th was spent with my church family here at God’s Family Life Centre. It is a church of about 300 members, and after the service the fam met up at Midmar Dam for a good old fashioned Braai! (barbeque) It was an afternoon full of fun and fellowship. This group of mainly Zulu South Africans has been one of the coolest communities to be a part of. I ended up he spending most all the afternoon playing soccer with the middle aged fellas of the church. It was at this point that I realized my uncoordinated nature. Soccer used to be my thing… In 7th grade! Oh well, it was a blast, and was definitely an avenue for me to build relationships.
Finals week was now upon us. Torture. Luckily there was sufficient rain to make it a little less painful having to be pent up insides studying. After my Life and teachings final, we all were needing to let out some major aggression. Thankfully it was raining hard enough to warrant some rugby. I have come to the realization that the best in all of us comes out on the field. Just letting go and enjoying the environment, people, and relationships God has placed us in. Such a blessing. The one detractor this time was a couple people decided to get hurt. They seem to be on the mend.
Finals being over and all, a group of us in need of a getaway decided a safari/trip to a reserve was in order. Destination: Weenen. Baba graciously offered his services and trekked along about 2 hours to the north. For each of us it was a whole new world, not having been to any reserves like the bio students had. We were kids in a candy store. God’s creation is so diverse and beautiful all around us. I was so thankful for this escape. I saw boks, rhino, and even giraffe!
This past weekend we spent digesting some major history as background to the build up to apartheid. We spent about 8 hours in a nice tour bus over the two days. We visited 4 major battle sites from the Anglo-Boer war and also between the Boers and the Zulu warriors. The history buff that I am (not really), I enjoyed seeing these sites and the stories behind them. As fun as this might sound, It was not the highlight of my weekend. The highlight was in times of reflection and prayer. I felt God prodding me and moving in and through others and me. Such a valuable time, what I had been praying for.
Once again a Sunday rolled around, yet another blessing provided by GFLC. After the service we were invited to pastor Greg and Nolene’s house for a braai and afternoon in the sun by the pool. In my time in Africa, I have kicked the soccer ball around the most I have since middle school. It seems like a calming and relaxing tool. Much of my afternoon revolved around interactions while juggling the ball or playing keep-away. I even got to learn how to play cricket! Now that is an interesting sport! Very fun though, I think I was getting the hang of “bowling” or what we Americans would call pitching. The hospitality this church has shown me is truly a glimpse of heaven and the type of hospitality we are called to!
This week started off with much anticipation as it is the official beginning to our community engagement portion of the semester. For this portion, APU flew in a wise man named Francis Njoroge. He is a renowned Community Engagement facilitator on the continent of Africa. His teaching over the past days has been so enlightening and challenging. He has developed simple yet effective techniques for empowering people to reach their dreams. It is so exciting to imagine myself attempting to do this at my service site Ethembeni. A new chapter is beginning. I pray that God’s love would flow in and through me as a vessel to His children in this community. Not for our Glory but HIS.
1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
Prayer requests:
1. Patience
2. Humility
3. Boldness
4. That Christ would be seen in me.