The Bucket List

In South Africa, the term township usually refers to the often underdeveloped urban living areas that, under Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites - blacks and coloreds. Informal settlements are also known as squatter camps. These mostly exist only in the black areas. These are areas where people literally have "squatted" on a piece of land. They build shacks right up next to each other and can sometimes create quite a large community. There can be 1000's of shacks made out of just about anything including scrap metal, plywood, and plastic. Many of them are one room - about the size of my parents bathroom. Some have electricity and some do not. When you walk down the rows of shacks you must duck your head and watch out for the power lines. Most of them do not have running water. In fact many do not even have out houses. They use a bucket system. The buckets are then collected once or twice a week.

Monday night I had quite an experience with James and Janet from Metro Kids. I went with James, Janet, and Mabha to KTC after dark. KTC is one of if not the most dangerous place in Cape Town. I believe it is the gun crime capital of the world. For those of you that went on the trip back in November, KTC is where we did SideWalk on Friday - where the riots broke out giving away the back packs.

I had first been with James and Janet at a Metro Kids leadership meeting. We met at Kinyisa Church with all of the student SideWalk leaders. ( I will write more about that later.) During the meeting Janet received an SMS (aka text) from a lady, Z, whose sons come to Sidewalk in KTC. Janet has gotten to know her recently and is even doing a story on her. She is a single mother living off of the child grants she gets from the government totaling R460 per month. Using an $8 exchange rate that equals out to less than $60 per month - just to put it in perspective. She is also living with HIV and is very outspoken about it. This is something that is incredible because in South Africa most people who are HIV are very hush hush. Z sms'd Janet to ask her and James to come pray for her friend T - who is HIV + and is very sick. At first they were not going to go because they thought it might be too late - but I am so grateful they did. They would not have gone had Mabha not been with them.

As we were driving though Guguletu and KTC to where we were going you could here the kids yelling "James" "Sidewalk". It is really amazing to see the impact/influence he has on the children in these communities. We arrived at the Red Coca-Cola sign which was the landmark Janet and Mabha knew to know which row to walk down. As we parked - Mabha staked everything out for us. We then walked down the dark isle to Z's shack. There I met her two boys and then she led us on to T's shack. T lives in a 1 room shack maybe the size of the bedroom I grew up in. there are two beds in the corner right next to each other - that she and her 3 sons share and then the other side is the kitchen. There was no electricity. The only light was from an oil lamp and the heat came from a propane gas heater. T was lying there on the bed very very ill. Z had just taken here to the hospital on Sunday and they discharged her. She could not even walk. James and Janet both sat with her and prayed. I stood with T's youngest son and listened to them pray. Then Mahba prayed in Xhosa. After about 20 minutes of praying Janet asked T if she knew Jesus and - to which she nodded her head. Then Z told us about her plans to take her back to the hospital on Tuesday. Z and her son walked us back to Jame's com-v. I asked James if this is something he does often and he replied no - not at all - it's really not that safe. In the car on the way back to Goodwood I asked about the buckets and he explained it all to me. He then said, "You don't get to see this kind of stuff on a mission trip." He was so right. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had here. We then also pondered why was I born into the family I was born into and why have I been blessed with so much - and why were those boys or Z or T born into the situation they were. The only answer we could come up with was that since we have been born into such blessed families and been blessed with so much - that we are the ones that are supposed to reach out and minister to those less fortunate.

Below is a picture from KTC - this is from Section 4 - one of the poorest areas. This picture was taken back in July when we went around giving away oranges. I just wanted you all to see the shacks I have been trying to describe.

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about this experience. As far as everythin else goes - I'm doing well. I have extended my trip for those of you that don't know. I am now staying until 16 Sept. Please pray as I prepare to come back to the US. I am having a really hard time as I feel I really have nothing to come home to - in terms of a job ect. Thank you all for your continued prayer and support. Talk to you soon!

BIG NEWS

I am in the middle of my second week living at the Rainbow House. I am loving every minute of it. I have been quite busy since the last time I wrote and internet is not as accessible as before so sorry for the delay in updating this blog. As always I will just get you all caught up on what I've been doing.

I have been to see two shows here. 3 Tons of Fun - which is 3 large black African women singing and moving/dancing on stage. I went with Keith and Joy and Michael and Avril from South Point. It was at this little place called "Off Broadway" or maybe "On Broadway." They serve a meal and then the show is after dinner. 3 Tons of Fun sings all sorts of songs American and South African. It was TONS of fun! The next night (Friday, 24 August) I went to see a show Bravo with a friend Kirsty. This so was fantastic. It is 4 guys that were formed to do an Ill Divo tribute. They traveled through Spain last year performing. They put a somewhat classical twist to songs - they do Elvis, Queen, Michael Bubley (I know I spelled that wrong) and Josh Grobin. The show was at a place called the Barnyard. It's really neat - you sit at "pic nic" style tables and can bring in your own food. Our table was in the very front - they even sang to me a few times.

Christmas in July is a big thing here. It has an "English/British" background. Because obviously it's cold in England in December - but in South Africa it's hot in December. A lot of people have Christmas in July parties in July in South Africa because it's cold. I have been to 2. One of the parties I went to was collecting children's toys. When I told everyone the work I was doing with Rainbow House - they gave me ALL of the presents. I couldn't believe it. Alison at the house was so greatful.

So like I said I'm in the middle of my second week at Rainbow House. I moved in on Monday, 27 July. I am staying in the back little volunteer quarters. It is a small room with 2 beds and cupboards and a bathroom. Very adequate. The first week I did mostly overnight shifts with the babies so Alison could get a full nights sleep. I have a new love - his name is Martin David - he is a new baby we got on Thursday, 30 July. He was born Sunday 26 July. He is so cute. I absolutely adore him. I'm not sure if he's black or colored - Alison says he's black. His mother had him at the hospital and then did not want him. She already had another child, lives in a shelter in a poor area or town and suffers from depression and other mental illnesses. I think he might suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or addiction to medications his mother was taking during the pregnancy. At times he will just shake uncontrollably. I have really enjoyed taking care of him and calming him during his shakes. I think I have a magic touch - if I do say so myself.

Friday 31 July Rainbow House had a Christmas in July Fundraiser. I was going to stay to take care of the babies - but then Alison had 2 extra tickets to the event and invited me to go. Another international volunteer stayed with the children. It was such a treat to get to be a part of the fundraiser. I even got to help out a little during the raffles and was even put on the spot and shared how I became involved with Rainbow House. I also had the privilege of sitting next to the guest speaker - Consul General Alberta Mayberry. She is from the United States - Houston, Texas actually. She is here on a 3 year assignment. It was very fascinating getting to speak with her.

This week I am doing day shits with the babies. I am with them from a little before 8 am - 2 pm or so and then I help Alison with them from about 8 to midnight. I got to do something neat yesterday. I went on a radio interview with Alison. It was at the UCT (University of Cape Town) radio station 104.5. It's a good station. The interview was about women - it's Women's Month or something. We were interviewed all about the Rainbow House. I didn't talk as much as Alison but I was able to answer a few questions. It was such a treat.

So if you can't tell I'm absolutely LOVING my time here. I actually started crying the other night thinking about leaving. Oh speaking of leaving - I'm thinking of extending my trip until 18 Sept. I am scheduled to leave 3 Sept but won't be "kicked out" of the country until 21 Sept. I am praying I can change my flight without too much cost involved. Also - since the cat's out of the bag I will go ahead and share with you all that I'm seriously considering coming back. If you are praying for me - this is something you can pray about. I am thinking that my calling is to children in South Africa. There are opportunities to work with Rainbow of Hope - opening up other homes. I think I've found my passion. My idea is to go into "full time children's ministry." I'm thinking of spending the 6 months after I return to the USA to raise full time long term support and applying for a 3 year visa to return to South Africa March/April of next year! Whoa - I know. Please pray that God will show me the path and that His will will be done!

Okay - I hope you've enjoyed catching up. Remember you can email me cape.town.katie@gmail.com

Have a great WEDNESDAY! Love you all!