Riots

I’m half expecting CNN to tweet that South Africa’s government is being overthrown by college students. You wouldn’t believe how ridiculous the relationship between the students and universities is here. For example, this past week, we couldn’t be at Edgewood Campus because there were riots. Every year, students cause enough trouble that they eventually get the attention of the news in order to send their message that student fees (tuition) are too expensive. Apparently, they even burned a car the other day. I’ve been told the riots are “fun” though. On Friday at Howard College, we heard a group of students practicing for the riot on Monday. The university is set to cancel classes because they already know students won’t come. In the end, the students always get what they want, the universities continually lower their tuition.

Needless to say, I don’t think I’ll be at campus on Monday to experience the “fun”.

"hakulna matata"

On February 20, 2011 my dream of meeting a family of meerkats came true. These funny, but cute animals are small carnivores with a black "bandit" face masks and boldly striped backs. Regularly stands up on its hind legs, using tail as a support. Active by day, in troops of 20 or so individuals led by an alpha pair. Two to five babies are born in a burrow. Forages for scorpions, beetles and other invertebrates. Eagles and jackals are the main predators.
I've decided that I will go and visit them everyday so that they love me by the end of the year.
Thank you Alyssa for making this Sunday one to remember.

The African Springbok

Well, it's not exactly African, but it is from Anthropologie. I love how simple this room is. And wouldn't you like to hang your coat on an elephant or giraffe when you come home?

30 days later

I’ve fallen in love with South Africa. I wake up every morning amazed at where the Lord has brought me. Everyday I feel more at home here…partially because Alyssa makes me conquer any fear I mildly hint at.

Here’s what I know:

- I’ve conquered driving a manual car on the left hand side of the car and road.

- we’ve successfully cooked two dinners at our new home…so tired of eating out.

- our team began the process of pioneering a new campus this past week.

- we have a phenomenal team of students who are so excited to take the leadership role at Westville Campus.

- the actual Zulu words to “the circle of life”.

- I’ve come to accept that the trunk is the “boot” and our apartment is a “flat”…however, I still can’t properly order tap water without having my accent laughed at.

- I can survive in the summer without air conditioning…although I don’t want to.

- “Our adequacy is from God” -2 Corinthains 3:5

- that I have so much more to learn!

" May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received; and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and everyone of us. "

~Saint Theresa's prayer

Ukukhanya

Yesterday we took 17 students out to the AIDS hospice center we are volunteering at this year. They all loaded up in a rented out taxi and headed to the township of Ntazuma.

In my “American” mindset, I thought we would get there by 10, cut the grass, lay the carpet in a couple rooms, pull some weeds, play with History and Spahy and then be done by 1. Little did I know we would literally be cutting the grass with scissors and sling blades, we would not be laying carpet, we would end up unclogging the kitchen drain that was filled with weeks of old food, and we wouldn’t leave until 6.

I was so blown away by the student’s dedication to making Ukukhanya look well manicured though. It is very difficult for the staff to maintain the premises because they are so understaffed, so any help we can offer them helps. When we got there, the grass was literally 3 feet high and covered with trash, the weeds in the garden were taking over the lettuce, and there was dinner that needed to be cooked. Everyone was assigned a job and by the end of the day the place looked amazing. As we were leaving, one of the nurses said, “I’ve always been so embarrassed to be dropped off at work, but now I will be proud when I get here.”

I learned so much by observing the compassion the students showed yesterday. I loved seeing how motivated they were to help.

I’m slowly realizing my “American” mindset doesn’t work here and I love it. I pray that the Lord will continue to change the way I view things. I truly want to be apart of this culture and therefore I must embrace the fact that things take 10 times longer to do, sometimes the power and/or water doesn’t work, and it’s almost impossible to order a pizza over the phone.

three weeks in

“ Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 118:29

I am constantly reminded how good and loving the Lord is. Whether it is seen in the beauty of the African landscape or the hearts of the students on campus, God’s love is everywhere.

I am still in awe of how breathtakingly beautiful this country is. Durban is located in the middle of everything. We have the beach, mountains, and plenty of game reserves.

Last week the Port Elizabeth STINT team came to visit us in Durban, so we decided to take them on a game drive about an hour away. We decided we would take our own cars instead of hiring a game driver. Thankfully we do have two cars, however they aren’t the most reliable, and even less reliable on dirt roads filled with potholes that are made for SUVs. Now, when you are in a game park, you are absolutely forbidden to get our of your cars, you’re not even allowed to roll down your windows in fear of an animal eating you. So, we had been in the park for about an hour, having a blast looking at all the beautiful zebras and water buffalo, when we decided to go down a less traveled road in hopes of seeing bigger game. So we take off in our two little, low to the ground cars, and, as you would guess, get stuck! Luckily, we had two guys with us that were happy to get out of the car, at the expensive of their lives, to push one of the cars out of the rut. Neglecting what had just happened, we continue down that same road and eventually get to a place where we have to turn around. Oh, did I mention the reverse doesn’t work on the car that got stuck? So, once again, we have to get out of the car and push it, only this time we had just seen white rhinos! Thankfully we made it out of the park alive with plenty of pictures to remember it by.

We just finished our first week on campus. The students were so excited to get back into ministry and had planned several retreats and outreaches for this year. We had a pool party, passed out free ice cream, and met several new students this week. The ministry is still young on both campuses we are working on, so I can’t wait to see how the Lord works this year! It is so rewarding to be able to share the love of Christ with college students!

Tomorrow we are taking students to Ukukhanya to help clean up and meet some of the patients. I’m really looking forward to incorporating the good news of the Gospel with good deeds. I know the students will find it greatly rewarding to give back to their community in the name of the Lord.

Here's a picture I took last week of the cutest little boy in the entire world, History. I can't wait to see him tomorrow!