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!

Alabama --> South Africa

We made it to the Southern Hemisphere!

There is no way to give proper thanks to everyone who has prayed for me and sacrificially given so that our team could report here on time. I would most definitely not be in Durban had the Lord not specifically chosen each of you to help me in some way. A million thanks to you!

South Africa has welcomed us well! After the ice storm of the decade delayed our flight out of Birmingham, we finally made it to a very hot South Africa.

After being here for 36 hours, we took off down the coast to a staff retreat with the rest of Durban’s Crusade staff. The land here is unbelievably beautiful. The rolling hills covered with sugarcane farms on one side, and the Indian Ocean on the other, made for a breathtaking drive.

The four day retreat was so refreshing after a long week of traveling and settling in. The staff team made us feel like family. There were four couples, one single lady, and seven interns there. Three of the couples have been on staff in South Africa for between 15 and 30 years, so you can imagine how well they all know each other and the wisdom they have. They each have such a unique life story of how the Lord brought them to South Africa. You wouldn’t imagine the history they’ve seen take place here over the years.

Some highlights from the past week: learning how to drive a manual car on the opposite side of the road, and on the opposite side of the car, going to Pure Venom (Africa’s largest reptile farm), eating at Waffle House (not to be confused with the USA’s version), seeing the rocky coast of Ramsgate, and discovering Mastsam chicken at a local Thai restaurant.

It’s been so nice to see more of Durban and to feel more comfortable living here but I am so ready for the students to be back on Campus from their summer break and to begin ministry.

I hope you are doing well! Please keep me updated on life in the States!

I am looking forward to continually updating you on life in South Africa and how the Lord is working in Durban.

With sincere gratitude,

K.

The journey has begun

I would have never imagined I would be moving to South Africa to do ministry for a year. I am so excited that the Lord has given me this passion and that I have the ability to go! I can't wait to be there in less than 12 weeks...I find myself daydreaming about life in Durban: enjoying the beautiful coast, trying to drive a stick shift car (on the opposite side of the car and road), playing with History and the other kids at Ukukhanya, and talking to students about the Lord on campus.



Each of the 25,000 Campus Crusade for Christ staff members are responsible for raising 100% of their salary. So, for the next 11 weeks I will be developing ministry partners who will support me my prayers and financial giving. I recently began this and have already been amazed to see how the Lord provides! I have a long way to go before I reach my goal, but I know that I am ultimately not in control and the Lord will provide in ways that I could never imagine!



Until next time,

Kate

This weekend

I am so thankful for the four girls i live with at 1311....
Today a girl, who is going to be moving into our house next august, came by with her parents to get their approval. I can't imagine leaving this house in eleven weeks! It made me so sad to show her and her parents around our home that we've made so many memories in the past year and a half. Her dad asked us if we had enjoyed living here... and all i could muster up was, "we've loved it!"
It doesn't matter to him that I like to drive Caitlin crazy by putting out seasonal decorations a month early or that Molly loves to never clean her room...or that she has no idea how to cook...or that Christy actually loves to cook as well as has a million aprons.... or that Rachel likes to wake me up at 2 am by turning the water off in the bathroom!
It's going to be so hard to say goodbye to our home!

We've had some great bonding time this weekend! Friday we went all around town getting Molly's nose pierced and Christy and Rachel's ears pierced, eating cookie cake, eating rhuan thai, eating yogurt lab, and finishing up with a concert!

Saturday, we got up bright and early to eat at Edlewiess (my favorite bakery in Tuscaloosa) then headed to the Indian mounds in Moundville...

What a weekend! I'm sad to say the Tide lost for the first time in 29 games but at least I still can be happy about the Yanks performance this weekend!

I'm looking forward to support raising this next week! I have 13 weeks before I head to South Africa to live for the next year and I have a long way to go before I can leave. I know these next 13 weeks will really be faith-stretching. I can't wait to see how the Lord will provide!