Pictures from KTC and Guguletu

So I've wanted to show you all some pictures of the places I've been the past few days. I didn't take very many. You have to be careful - it would be rude to just start shooting away. Some day I will figure out a creative way to take some more pictures - although the pictures do not do it justice. Later I want to take pictures of the neat little shops people have created in the townships - it is quite amazing.

This is a pictures of some children that were following us in the streets of KTC.

Me and Mabha!

I went around to the homes with him to talk to explain the PenPal program to the parents and interview the children!

And finally this is a picture of a beautiful rainbow I saw as I first left my pad yesterday walking through Pinelands to Stellenburg! It was a nice start to my day!

Pictures of my PAD

Here is a picture of my "PAD." I am staying in an in-law suite. It is great. I am amazed, it is 2-3 times bigger than some of the little shacks I have been in the past few days. It has EVERYTHING I could ever need. I have my own entrance through the back yard.

2 days in country

So I've been here for 2 days now. I will have to say there are a lot of things that I have had to get used to that I didn't have to deal with when we were here in Nov. There is no central heating - it's the middle of winter here. I have been sleeping in layers - pants, socks, sweater, sweatshirt. I also have started using a hot water bottle - they are amazing. It's also quite different depending on other people for rides - I have had a car since I was 16. Also - electricity is very expensive over here. I am sure I'm now being overly sensative - but I'm afraid to plug anything in.
I am not entirely sure what I'll be doing my time here. I am just making sure everyone knows I am available - please use me however you can. I have gotten to work with Metro the past 2 days - and as long as they'll have me - it seems I'll be helping them out. They are on break from Sidewalk because of the winter weather - however we are going to do one tomorrow morning at a school in KTC. They just started doing them there on Friday mornings and want us to come tomorrow despite the weather. They said they would prepare a hall for us if they needed to.
I have been going into the townships, KTC and Guguletu the past 2 days to sign kids up for the PenPal program. It is quite a project. We have to meet with the parents and explain the program to them - then ask the kids some questions - then take pictures of the kids - then input the information in the system. It takes a lot of time. It has been so amazing though. Today I actually saw a little girl that I remembered from when we did SideWalk in KTC. I remember her - because all of the girls sitting around me were asking me to pick them up so they could see over the crowd. This little girl is 7 and a little heavier than most girls. I remember making a point to pick her up as well so she wouldn't feel left out. I don't know if little girls here go through the same things as girls in America do - but I wanted to make sure she felt as special as all the other ones. I don't know if she remembered me exactly today - but she gave me a big hug. This was kind of neat - we went into her house to get her father's permission to enrol her in PenPal and he said he would have to talk with his wife because they are a family and make decisions together. I thought that was neat - it isn't the most common thing to see in the townships.
So - my computer is about to die - but I promise I will post more soon. I love you all. I'm adjusting quite nicely!

Less than 24 hours

Hey Everyone! Omg - I'll be on a plane headed to Cape Town in about 14 hours! Holy cow! I can't believe it. I didn't sleep well last night and I can't even think about going to bed right now. Maybe I'm already trying to adjust my clock. I can't figure out exactly what time it is over there now - 6 or 5 hours ahead because of day light savings time. Either way I would probably still be asleep there because I am not a morning person.
So I'm pretty much packed. All my stuff in 1 bag, a carry on suit case and back pack and then another bag (bright orange suit case my mom got for HIGH SCHOOL graduation) full of clothes to leave over in Cape Town. I have had a wonderful couple of days. Spending lots of time with my mom! She's been a great help! I've also gotten to see some great friends! I love all of you - thanks for all your support.
So I've been thinking a lot about church today! It was awesome - and as my mom said - "very appropriate." For those of you that don't go to Buckhead Church I will tell you a little about it. You can also see the messages here http://www.buckheadchurch.org/messages
So it was Joel Thomas - preaching from Proverbs (12 I think) It was about taking advice - those who love correction love knowledge and those who hate correction are stupid (It's in the Bible I promise). What we don't know has, can, does and will hurt us - Can I get an amen! And we don't know what we don't know. Other people might know what we don't know but we don't know that they know what we need to know that we don't know. Did you follow? Try it again! He also gave tips on how to receive correction. Dang it I don't remember them exactly - but basically receive it humbly - evaluate it, and see if you can apply it. Don't get all defensive - although that is our human nature.

Exactly 14 hours to take off. I can now say TODAY I'm heading to Cape Town.

That's it for now! I love you all! This is such an exciting journey. My friend Samantha gave me a great perspective - "Don't go with any expectation because then I can't be let down." So here I go! Thank you all for your prayers! I'll post again once I have landed safe and sound - it will be Tuesday afternoon!

See ya!

My first Blog

Okay everyone - so I'm new to this whole BLOGGING thing. I have a huge adventure ahead of me and figured this would be the easiest way to keep everyone up to date. If you haven't already heard and you didn't pick up on my new email address or the blog address or the blog header (I think that's what it's called) I'm heading to CAPE TOWN! Seriously if you didn't know that before you got to the end of the previous sentence you might need glasses! JK

So let me just give you a little background.
I had the opportunity to go to Cape Town in November of 2008 on a mission trip with North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA. I had the time of my life. I applied for the trip about this time last year - thinking I would never get picked. (If you're not familiar with NPCC there's A LOT of people there.) I went with a group of about 17 or 18 adults. We partnered with Stellenburg Community Church in Cape Town to do an intersect project. We worked with MetroKids South Africa. MetroKids puts on "Sidewalk Sunday Schools" for children in townships around Cape Town. I absolutely loved working with MetroKids. My entire time in South Africa I was wanting to figure out a way to get back there.
Now - fast forward 6 months

To be totally honest - once I got back to the US - I got back into the BUSYNESS of life. All of my dreams of going to back to South Africa went to the back of my mind and the day to day routine of living, working, socializing, etc - took over. I guess I have a tendency to get all wrapped up in day to day life and find it easy to push God aside and not listen to his voice or even hear his voice for that matter. God is funny though - when he wants to make something clear to me - HE DOES. In the middle of May - my job ended. I wanted to say God took my job away - I think some people might not "technically" agree with that verbiage - but that's okay. When 1 door closes another door opens, right? He then gave me this opportunity to go to South Africa for 75 days.

So I leave for Cape Town June 22. I have a direct flight from Atlanta to Cape Town. It looks to be about a 18 hour or so flight. I leave Atlanta at 4:00 pm on the 22 and arrive in Cape Town at 4:30 pm on the 23rd. I am not 100% sure what all I will be doing while I am there.
I do have 1 opportunity that I am particularly excited about. I was put in touch with an organization Rainbow of Hope http://www.rainbowofhope.org.za/ This organization takes in children that have either been neglected, abandoned, or abused. I am going to have the opportunity to live and volunteer hear. I don't know all of the specifics - but I can tell you I am THRILLED. I am hoping to also work some with MetroKids again. I know they do not do the Sidewalks during the month of July - it will be there winter and will be cold and rainy. I am hoping I will still get to work with the student leaders and possibly get to visit with the children in their homes.

If you can't tell most of the things I will be doing will be centered around children. I absolutely love children. I think God is trying to help me find my PASSION and PURPOSE.

I'm not entirely sure what God has in store for me for the 75 days. A lady pointed out to me - that maybe God was just giving me this time to rest in Him. Pray that is something I will do.