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!)