Alright, finally I will update everyone on life this side!
I was able to go home for Christmas this time around and was so blessed to spend a lot of the December holidays with my family. I was able to drive down to my younger brother's university and check out his campus and meet his roommates and friends while getting some girl time with his amazing girlfriend! We went with my dad's side of the family to my favourite place, Dillon Beach. I was able to spend time with my mom's side of the family who is now spread through Ohio and Missouri. My mother, of course, fattened me up with the most amazing meals! Needless to say, it was wonderful to be with family and visit old friends.
This year has been somewhat of a blur. I can hardly acknowledge that it is almost June and halfway through the year. I will be honest and say that I had expected a much more positive start to the year but I truly should have no complaints because it could always be much worse. During first term of the school year I was teaching grades 2-7 music, theology(bible) and preventative counselling life skills. I really enjoyed teaching even though their was many a time when I thought I might explode from the chaos and lack of discipline in some children! This term I am helping with the after school tutoring program where we break up into groups by grade and teach the kids that are struggling with english and maths through games and lessons. This I have found very challenging as there will be a huge gap of intellectual functioning between kids of the same grade/group and there is only one of me. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays(occasionally a Sunday too) I am working in Wells Estate where we have our new community centre Siyakhula(We are growing). We do tutoring on Mondays, home visits on Tuesdays, tutoring on Wednesdays, Jr. Youth on Thursdays, Sr. Youth on Fridays, Soup Club on Saturdays and a partnering pastor from the community holds a youth church service there on Sundays. My heart continues to burn for the community of Wells Estate. I really wish I could go so much deeper with the community. I have dreamed for so long to live in Wells and become a part of the community. I won't talk more on this for certain reasons but will share more on this when I feel the time is right and that God is closer to making a space for me there. The community is so excited for when that day comes and is fully supportive of it- which brings joy to my heart. It really is truly amazing how the acceptance and friendship the love of God brings when you are willing to be vulnerable and venture out from your comfort zones. When I first started doing ministry in Wells many of the kids and adults would call me "umlungu" (white person) when calling me or referring to me or asking for money only seeing me as a benefactor. This year it has been so amazing to hear all the children referring to me by name and the adults referring to me as "mama" or "sisi". Now, when a new person comes to meet meet me and calls me "umlungu" or asks for money there is a number of children or adults who will reprimand them, telling them to call me "Mama" or "sisi" or "Madi", and when they ask for money they will explain that we are on the same level and that not all white people are like what they think. I am so thankful for God creating this kind of relationship of respect and unity between such different cultures and backgrounds.
Wells Estate and the farm school both have lots of things to improve upon, but ministry is becoming so much more fruitful as we deepen our roots with these communities. I look forward to future ministry and my personal future dreams for Wells Estate.
My personal life hasn't been crazy exciting lately but that's quite alright with me ; ) i have played some gigs here and there, still enjoying playing in the worship band for church(we got an awesome new drum kit that is so sweet to play!), help lead a life group and I have been spending A LOT of alone time late into the night with Harry... Potter! Haha I have been on a Harry Potter craze and have been reading the books. I LOVE HARRY POTTER. Really though, the magical world of wizards is such a neat place for your imagination to visit! -I know that there is a lot of Christian controversy on these books but honestly guys, when you are walking with people through some of the most depressing, hard, frustrating and complicating life situations, a book that can take your mind away for a little bit and provide you with a bit of relaxation and de-stressing - that's gold. Yes I love Harry Potter and find it interesting and intriguing, yes I still love and follow Jesus and no I do not have some demon inside me or am I under the influence of witch craft. You would be surprised at how many Christians condemn me for reading a fictional book. -I do understand where they are coming from though.
Thank you for those of you who have continued to support me through prayer and finances! I have just recently started giving a few private music lessons, It has been so awesome to add chicken into my weekly diet! I also love teaching the things I love so it is a win-win.
I do have a few prayer requests if any feel up to it!
1) We have some really horrible cases of child abuse and there is not enough resources to get these kids the help they need. If you could pray with us for the safety of the kids and women of Wells Estate and for a Safe Home in the community which is a HUGEEEE need.
2) Please pray for our team and our unity and compassion towards one another. This kind of work easily chips away at our selflessness and love for one another.
3) Please pray for our families as we continue to live and work so far away from them- including the South African and African volunteers.
4) Please pray for our spiritual discipline as we can easy let that fall slack.
5) My visa expires this December and I am trying to organise a longer period of time to be back in the states to work ad raise money and renew my visa. There are a lot of complications with this!
Love you guys! Will try to update you all again soon!
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