Welcome to My Blog!

Hello and Welcome!

This site has served as a record of the past three months that I spent in South Africa. I had the opportunity to travel all over the country and blog about many of my experiences. Sometimes the blogs are serious, and sometimes they are just me being me... But the hope is that you will catch a glimpse of another culture and let yourself be changed, encouraged, or challenged by what you read. (And you may get a laugh or two along the way.) If you want to follow from the beginning, you will need to start at the beginning. There are tabs on the righthand side of this page that will help you navigate to Blog #1 on January 14.

This experience has opened my eyes and greatly expanded my worldview. Returning home, it is my prayer that my lifestyle, future decisions, and future spending will always remain impacted by all that I saw, learned, and experienced in Africa. We all have a role... Let's change the world!

Be Blessed!
Renee

Welcome to Welkom {May 3 – May 6, 2009}

On our long trek back to the farm we made a quick three day stop at a small church in Welkom (pronounced Vell-come; located in the Free State province). The church had been robbed four times in a ten day span several months ago... and is now on a long road to recovery. With the average member’s age spanning between 60 to 80 years old, the necessary manpower to repair their severely damaged ceiling and repaint their old back wall is hard to come by, and not to mention a struggle to deal with other issues such as the stolen chairs and sound system. Upon our arrival, another local church had donated old pews that we were able to sand and varnish during our short stay. We also helped repaint the back wall and varnish the doors of two entrances.

When I first heard we were doing a three day construction project before going back to the farm I didn’t think it would be anything special… and definitely was not expecting it to be all that enjoyable to be completely honest. What I thought would be a quick, somewhat boring pit-stop on our way back to the farm turned out to be quite the opposite. We packed more into the past three days than I could have ever thought possible.

The first thing I noticed was the immediate warm welcome and hospitality of the South African culture. This town sure lives up to its name. The people of the church greeted us with such interest, love, and attention… In fact, I think they were serving us more than we actually served them. One older woman from the church invited us into her home where she gave us all beds, showers, and goodnight kisses. Every morning was started with a hefty breakfast, handmade by the women of the church… a little work… followed by snacks… a little work and a lot of conversation… followed by a homemade lunch… more stories and snacks and stories… a little work… and a full, traditional homemade dinner and dessert to cap off the evening. These people loved cooking for us, sharing their culture, their community, and their history with us.

While we made a physical and tangible difference renovating the church, I think God moved powerfully in the relationships we made in Welkom. At our final braai on the last night, different individuals shared with tears how much our visit had meant and how much we had renewed their spirits, brought encouragement, and lightened their overwhelming burdens since the robberies. Though they were very tight in finances, they did not hesitate to lavish meals, snacks, desserts, town tours, and even wanted to pay for a trip to a local game park. Their unrestrained hospitality and love reminded me of the church in Acts where they poured out everything they had to their brothers and sisters in Christ. The minute they met us, they counted us as family… and I felt it. Beautiful people. Beautiful love.

Update: One More Week … and Happy Birthday Mitch!! {Saturday, May 2}

The past two weeks we have been visiting schools in the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay areas of the Western Cape Province. Today we started the two-day road trip to Velkom where we will be helping a church with construction work for three days. Tonight we are staying at a hostel in Port Elizabeth. Thursday we head back to the farm before we leave for the States on Sunday. I can hardly believe it. Have a wonderful weekend! See you soon!

PS. Happy birthday little bro! Good luck on your finals this week. I hope you have a wonderful day!! African love from your big sis.

The Last School {Thursday, April 30}

Today was our last day in the schools. Can you believe it? We’re almost done here. Time has seriously flown by.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That {Wednesday, April 29}

My alarm went off at 6am this morning for our second-to-last day in schools… and what a crazy day it was. Five school presentations, a meeting with the Knysna Youth for Christ staff (yay Liz!), a lunch meeting with an American missionary, a wonderful church service, dinner around 8, and home around 10. Whew!

Our second school was a very nice Christian academy. The principal was very friendly, invited us for tea and coffee, and gave us a tour of the school. It was very interesting learning about their school, as it was quite different from my schooling experience, and different from most schools in ZA as well. They have a self-teach education system with tutors and monitors around to provide assistance. The kids work at their own pace and have certain guidelines and stipulations on the amount of work that needs to get done in a day.

Our last school of the day was quite the opposite. It was an all-Xhosa school system pooling from a large community of shacks near the Plett area. Here there are 45-60 kids per classroom… and the presentation was probably a notch below mass chaos. The presentation was scheduled for the same time school lets out (why??), so the kids were that much more talkative and ready to go home.

Just before our last school of the day we grabbed a quick lunch with a Texas-native named Michelle. She was a fascinating woman with a compelling story to share. Five years ago Michelle was working a prestigious job at a medical supplies company, working her way up the ladder to Vice President of the company… when she let God interrupt her life and plans to serve amongst the poor here in South Africa. She met with Bruce Wilkinson (author of Prayer of Jabez) who was kicking off his “Dream for Africa” project at the time. She felt God pulling her heart to the need in Africa and decided to go. The entire forty minutes we spent with her, she was rattling off facts and stories… and it was very evident she was crazy about serving the Lord with all of her heart… and being the hands and feet of Jesus here in the Plett community. Most of her work is in the community from the last school I mentioned… She has started three orphanages and one church since she got here. She has a passion for HIV/AIDS orphans… sharing that every day in South Africa 1500 children are orphaned. What a cool heart Michelle has.

The last part of our day was one of the most memorable evenings for me here. We visited a church in one of these rural shack communities… and watched people worship God with all of their heart, soul, and strength… knowing they themselves had nothing. It was the most genuine, all out worship I have ever seen… It truly touched me to the core and gave me a glimpse of what heaven will be like someday. In Revelations it says all nations, tongues, and tribes will stand around the throne worshipping God with everything in them. So often I think we picture heaven as a bunch of English-speaking, NIV-reading, middle class Americans singing “Lord I lift Your name on High”… or something like that. But tonight gave me a glimpse of something quite different and much cooler.

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” Revelations 7:9

Jumping …. Mom: Read Slowly. {Monday, April 27}

So there happens to be a bridge about an hour from Knysna where the world’s largest bungee jump is located. Gio hasn’t been able to let it go since we first heard about it… So the last big surprise of Gio’s birthday weekend involved a trip to the infamous bridge. I totally was going to sit it out because I didn’t want to pay… until I realized how many times will I be in Africa… at the world’s largest bungee jump?! Okay it can’t be that bad.

By far the most terrifying and exhilarating experience of my life. Half the terror was walking out to the middle of the bridge. I held up the entire group with my slow walking, inconsolable shrieking, and frequent breaks before arriving at the jump site. As soon as you get out to the middle it’s like Cedar Point… techno music is blaring (thought of you, Ellsper) and the workers are running around teasing and taunting nervous wrecks like me. They tie up your feet, clip on a bungee to your harness… then when it’s your turn you hop to the edge of the bridge with two Africans at your side… get a big one, two, three, BUNGEE! And you have to jump / free fall forward. I still cannot believe I jumped.

I bought the DVD for you all to watch if you wish. It starts out with me announcing my concern over the fact that I need to blow my nose. So glad they caught that on tape.

Grocery Shopping in Africa {Sunday, April 26}

Last week we visited just about every school in Knysna. The schools ranged from small colored rural schools all the way to an Afrikaaner version of Deer Ridge (except with two classrooms). For the most part schools here are much more modern and resourced than the majority of schools we have visited here in ZA. Come to find out, part of visiting every school in a city means when you go to the grocery store every child there is pointing at you, tugging on your shirt, giving you a hug, or even greeting you by name. It’s pretty stinkin’ adorable. One mom even told us her sons have been reading the books all week.

Church this morning felt just like home. It was so nice to be able to worship in the way my culture worships, to be able to understand the lyrics I am singing and to hear a message in English that challenged me. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved experiencing so many different churches and worshipping God in new ways (be it dancing or stumbling through a Zulu hymnal)… but, as Vanessa said on our way home this morning, it does give you added appreciation and understanding of the importance in maintaining culture and embracing our diversity in the Body of Christ. We were all created unique by God. He created us to worship Him in our own ways. It is wonderful to get to see and experience other ways, just as it is wonderful to praise Him in my own way… in a way I understand. These people need the very same as we minister to them.

This week we will be visiting schools in Plettenberg Bay (Plett) about a half hour from Knysna. We only have Tuesday thru Thursday to work with, as both Monday and Friday are holidays here. They will be very packed! Next weekend we pack up and head to Velkom (Free State) for a short project before heading back to the farm. We have two weeks left here. I can hardly believe it’s been three months already. I have loved every day here in Africa, and am SO THANKFUL for your support in whatever role you have played in this experience. I pray God has and will continue to use me, this blog, or stories when I get home… to involve you in the world… and all that is yet to be done. (There is so much!)

Zuma Wins with a 68% Majority {Saturday, April 25}

Three days later, it is announced that ANC candidate, Jacob Zuma, has indeed won the election with a 68% majority. The DA party was next in popularity, but no where close to competing with the ANC. Please pray for these people I have been meeting and the future of their country.

An African 21st!! {Friday, April 24}

Today we celebrate Mr. Gio’s 21st Birthday!! WahoO! After a full day of school presentations and a visit with a local pastor -- not to mention some African hospitality…coffee, tea, and pie with little-to-no advance notice we were even coming… I learn so much from this culture’s hospitality!! – Anyway, we finished the day off with a BanG. We ate dinner at an outdoor restaurant in a waterfront shopping center and had a wonderful meal. Gio got a piece of cheesecake for his birthday, which we all decided looked and tasted like a block of Philadelphia cream cheese. When we got home we surprised Gio with our fully decorated hostel rooms followed by a dance party (his favorite) that ended up lasting three or four hours. It reminded me of times at the Deeg. Midway through the party Bonnie and Amber surprised Gio with a chocolate birthday cake decorated with the country of Africa in sprinkles… It was really nice. They spent the rest of the night watching us make fools of ourselves singing and dancing… and even videotaping us.

Happy Birthday G!

The Skanky Donkey {Thursday, April 22}

Excuse my language, but that is Afrikaans for something… we’re just not quite sure what yet. Everyday when we are working in the schools we undoubtedly hear “skanky donkey” in the morning school announcements, translated conversation, or just mid-conversation. We are still trying to work it out with Tony and the girls back home, but as of now they have no idea what we’re talking about.

Today in our last school presentation the kids were super cute. We always tell them about the most important page in the book (the page that tells them how to invite Christ into their hearts). We always say “And there’s one very special and important page we want you to remember. It’s page 33! Can you say that with me?” Well this classroom of first graders screams back in unison, “A VERY SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT PAGE!!” It was adorable.

Election/Elephant Day {Wednesday, April 22}

Today is a BIG day! South Africa’s elections are taking place all day, and it is widely understood that Zuma (ANC candidate) will be elected. The larger question in this election is will he get two-thirds majority. It is expected that the ANC party, once in office, will change the constitution so that the new president elected with two-thirds majority will be in office for lifetime. From what I understand, Zuma has very communist views and the future does not look bright with him leading the country. A few weeks ago he was pardoned from the rape charges he had against him. He was supposed to be on trial for rape in his first days as President, but I guess they just scratched it altogether. One of the campaign slogans for a smaller party here says “Put criminals in jail not in government.”

Several of the nationals we have worked with along the way will not even be voting today. Party popularity varies by region, but it seems that the DA party is the second largest party supported, although still in the minority. There is a new party called COPE which split off from the ANC party for this election. There have to be at least 10 different parties running for office… I’m not sure of the exact number… but definitely more options than the States. The ballot here has pictures of the candidates next to their names for those that cannot read.

Since the schools are closed for elections and we needed to stay clear of the polls … we got to spend a few hours this afternoon at the Knysna Elephant Park! It was awesome. We got to touch, feed, and video these gentle beasts. The back of their ears are super soft, but watch out or they will flap you with them! There were also two one-year old babies running around. They had really cute toe nails. What a crazy day!

OneHope {Tuesday, April 21}

During our time here in Africa, Book of Hope has been transitioning to their new name and identity as OneHope… partly because there have been so many new additions to the ministry beyond the books… and there are so many illiterate children that cannot be reached with a book. The GodMan (animated film) is one way OneHope has been branching out lately. They are also shifting their focus to becoming an outcome based ministry, while still striving to achieve the same mission statement [God’s Word. Every Child.].

More information about the “new” OneHope can be found at www.onehope.net.

Back to the Basics {Monday, April 20}

Here in Knysna it’s back to BoH basics. We are in schools, doing presentations, and passing out books. Tony will be our national contact here in Knysna. He and his family live in Mossel Bay, but he is staying with us for the next two weeks in our hostel. It really is incredible to see the sacrifices nationals here make to get God’s Word out to children. Vanessa and Ryan have shared stories of nationals they have met in many countries they have worked in… Some of them are not even paid for the work they do. Tony is a colored, Afrikaan-speaking man….probably early forties. He’s very energetic and easy to work with.

This morning we started off with two HUGE schools scheduled at 8am…. So we got to tackle two 1500 student presentations with three and four people each. All of the schools here speak fluent English so we have had minimal need for translation. I actually miss having a translator, because it gives you more time to think as you’re talking in front of large groups of people. There’s also a heightened sense of needing to put your best foot forward as the students here are much more like students back home. Unlike some of our more rural locations, you have to watch being too cheesy or religious like you would in dealing with any schools back home.

On the other hand, our last school of the day was a half hour drive into the mountain bush…. Where we found one school in a desolate, impoverished area with 27 children all ranging from grades R through 7. It’s unbelievable to me that we can start and end our day in such completely opposite communities.

Drama Training {Sunday, April 19}

Here we are staying at a Montessori school hostel while the students are on their fall break. We have made friends with 17 year old twin sisters, Amber and Bonnie, who are both students running the hostel we are staying in this week. They are very interested in spending time with our group, particularly Jeff and Gio. Amber has a lot of questions about what we’re doing and why we’re here… last night as we were doing our team devotionals she stood in the room listening and by the end of the devo was sitting at the table with us. I’m excited to see ways we are able to connect with her this week while we’re at home. It seems like she is open to hearing about our faith.

After church this afternoon we hosted a BoH training event where we invited church members to join us in reaching their community. We gave a brief explanation of our ministry and our desire to partner with their church… We are here for only a short time and want to equip them to continue the ministry after we are gone. We gave them a demonstration of a typical school presentation, trained them to do our dramas, and invited them to join us at the schools this week.

Welcome to Knysna {Friday, April 17}

Today was our second driving day… We drove through the Free State, Northern Province (middle of nowhere), a little of the Eastern Province, and finally the Western Province to our final destination in Knysna (close to Mossel Bay). The drive was beautiful.

We got in and were invited to the Friday Fair for dinner. Who knew South Africa has fairs just like Columbia City? The place was decked with junkie fair food, picnic benches and lawn chairs, and a man playing interesting renditions of U2, Jason Mraz, Coldplay, and Oasis…

Like everywhere else in South Africa the people here are diverse. There are three main people groups in the Western Province: the white Afrikaaners, colored people (a mix of whites, Malaysians, and blacks- usually speak Afrikaans), and blacks (mostly Xhosa).

Knysna is much more of a first-world tourist location, very different from our normal ministry locations. Here there are beaches, mountains, cliffs that drop off into the ocean… there is wealth, there is tourism, and there is poverty right next door. South Africa is such a diverse country.

Pit-Stop in Bloemfontein {Thursday, April 16}

This morning we left the Farm around 7am feeling very spoiled with such a late leave time compared to normal moving days… but personally quite exhausted after finishing laundry around 3:30am last night. (Don’t worry our driver went to sleep at a normal time.) I love being up that late though because then I can sometimes catch people on facebook. ;)

Today we took the N1 (major ZA interstate… weird to be off the rural roads) all the way to Bloemfontein in the Free State province. We got in around 4pm to our host’s home, who is a friend of Leah’s. It was very refreshing to stay in someone’s home for a night!