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
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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
OneHope {Tuesday, April 21}
During our time here in
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
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
We got in and were invited to the Friday Fair for dinner. Who knew
Like everywhere else in
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.
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
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
An Update from the Farm {Wednesday, April 15}
Hello! Our week at Agathos was my favorite week yet (lekker, as an Afrikaaner would say). It was a string of 10-12 hour days, but well worth the crazy schedule. I’m trying to go back and blog some of the highlights. We didn’t have a ton of computer access so my blog update is a little slim this time.
We have been back at the BoH base here at the Shikwaru Lodge for the past week. Little amenities like couches have been a refreshing change of pace. Aside from the tarantula in our living room on the first night and the monkeys eating all of our bananas and apples the other day, it has been good to be “home.” We have been doing a variety of work around the area here. Some of our time has been spent helping Leah (BoH missionary stationed here at the ZA base) research surrounding communities.
Our time here in South Africa is quickly winding down (I can’t believe it!!). Tomorrow we leave for our last ministry location. We will be traveling to Mossel Bay at the very southern tip of ZA in the Western Province. It will be a two-day drive down, which we are all looking forward to actually. I love the road trips here! Hope all is well and I will talk to you soon!
We have been back at the BoH base here at the Shikwaru Lodge for the past week. Little amenities like couches have been a refreshing change of pace. Aside from the tarantula in our living room on the first night and the monkeys eating all of our bananas and apples the other day, it has been good to be “home.” We have been doing a variety of work around the area here. Some of our time has been spent helping Leah (BoH missionary stationed here at the ZA base) research surrounding communities.
Our time here in South Africa is quickly winding down (I can’t believe it!!). Tomorrow we leave for our last ministry location. We will be traveling to Mossel Bay at the very southern tip of ZA in the Western Province. It will be a two-day drive down, which we are all looking forward to actually. I love the road trips here! Hope all is well and I will talk to you soon!
The Team
Some of you have been curious who I’m with here in Africa. So I did a few bios for ya’ll.
The team…
Gio is a sophomore in Elementary Education at Southeastern University in Florida, but originally from Cleveland. He has been taking 4 online classes while we’ve been in Africa (lots of work!). He wants to teach little kiddies in Africa and start an orphanage here someday. He has a huge heart to teach every child how important they are to God. The kids love him and we do too! He’s all about “peace and love” and loves anything hippy-ish, minus the drugs of course. He is also crazy about a girl named Anna Strong who is currently doing missions with YWAM in Australia. I’m really proud of them for following God even though it meant different countries and minimal communication for awhile. Can’t wait to meet her!
Jeff just finished high school and is from Cincinnati. He will be going to school at Union University in Tennessee this fall to study English Lit. He is your very intelligent, practical, competitive guy. He is also a boyscout, which he does not like being explained by (to which I reassure him I was a girl scout in college), but it does help explain his outdoor hardiness if you will. He is extremely self-sufficient in some of our roughing-it conditions and always a great bug killer when in a bind. Jeff and Gio have gotten very close and I think will be BFF’s for life.
Lauren is from Albuquerque and a junior at New Mexico State. She is taking the semester off from school, where she is studying Speech Pathology. Lauren is one of the sweetest, most servant-hearted people I have met. You basically have to force her to sit down, stay out of the kitchen, or stop cleaning and tidying up. She is a very skilled photographer (yay!) and has a hardcore camera in tow. But she does have thiss Jen Oberhausen spirit to her where if she doesn’t feel like taking pictures, she’s not going to do it gosh darnit. (haha I love you jenny!) Lauren is really good with the children, and very much a mother at heart.
Hillary just finished high school and is from Cincinnati as well. (Hillary and Jeff grew up together and went through the same home schooling program. Both very sharp people!!) Hillary comes from a big Italian family with lots of artistic and cooking genes built into her! She is a ridiculously good artist and would love to someday use art in the missions context. She will be attending Anderson University this fall (wahoo Indiana!) which is very exciting because she has been trying to decide on a college while here in Africa. I can’t wait to have real Italian pasta with Hil’s family someday. :) Hillary is the chatty Kathy of the group :) and , in my opinion, very mature for having just graduated high school.
Our leaders…
Vanessa is 32, born and raised in Fort Lauderdale (wouldn’t that be nice!). She studied psychology in college and has done a variety of work since then. I’m so thankful for Vanessa’s leadership because her down to earth, fun-loving personality totally set the tone for our group to be open and real from the start. She is a good cook, good delegator, good communicator, and awesome off-road driver. Vanessa is always making us laugh.
Ryan is 32 as well and is originally from Fresno, California. He has been with BoH for several years and has a huge heart for Africa. He gave up his consistent, steady paycheck job (at the firm in Erin Brachovich) to follow God’s calling on his heart to missions. He will be staying here in Africa for the summer intern team after we’re gone. It will be weird not having him on the plane ride home. Ryan is our behind-the-scenes leader. He takes care of a lot of the BoH details- budget, reports, etc. Ryan is an awesome cook and we are always excited when it’s his dinner night!
Leah is 29 and lives permanently at the farm here in South Africa (though a native of Toledo). She has been with Book of Hope for 8 years leading teams around the world and is now stationed in Africa full-time. She loves the people here and is very good at building relationships in the community. She decides where we go, when we go, and how we go… she is in charge of setting our entire schedule and connecting us with the nationals we have been working with. Leah is an awesome story teller and always has us laughing.
(Gio and Jeff wrote this about Renee. She was not allowed to edit.) For all you who don’t personally know her…Renee is from Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Purdue this past May with a degree in psychology. She is the fun, bubbly, giggly one of the group. She has said many memorable quotes…you can ask her to explain them. You can tell she really has a heart for following God and desiring His plan for her life. She has stepped out many times and shared at different times (youth group meetings, church services) and she always has deep and impactful insight. She also connects with the secondary learners a lot and you can tell she has a passion for them. Renee makes us laugh a lot. Well, she laughs a lot naturally…and it is just contagious. Random, you should all ask her about “Smooth Moves” sometime…that’ll be a good story. She is definitely the African Queen here! All the guys flock to her. We usually have to beat them off with sticks…as all good brothers do. We have been looking out for her. It’s very funny and we play it up all the time. We love her like a big sis! You are all lucky and blessed to have her in your life.
Haha, thanks little bros. So that’s our story. I’m very thankful for each of these people and the way God brought us together as a team. The experience would be quite different without them.
The team…
Gio is a sophomore in Elementary Education at Southeastern University in Florida, but originally from Cleveland. He has been taking 4 online classes while we’ve been in Africa (lots of work!). He wants to teach little kiddies in Africa and start an orphanage here someday. He has a huge heart to teach every child how important they are to God. The kids love him and we do too! He’s all about “peace and love” and loves anything hippy-ish, minus the drugs of course. He is also crazy about a girl named Anna Strong who is currently doing missions with YWAM in Australia. I’m really proud of them for following God even though it meant different countries and minimal communication for awhile. Can’t wait to meet her!
Jeff just finished high school and is from Cincinnati. He will be going to school at Union University in Tennessee this fall to study English Lit. He is your very intelligent, practical, competitive guy. He is also a boyscout, which he does not like being explained by (to which I reassure him I was a girl scout in college), but it does help explain his outdoor hardiness if you will. He is extremely self-sufficient in some of our roughing-it conditions and always a great bug killer when in a bind. Jeff and Gio have gotten very close and I think will be BFF’s for life.
Lauren is from Albuquerque and a junior at New Mexico State. She is taking the semester off from school, where she is studying Speech Pathology. Lauren is one of the sweetest, most servant-hearted people I have met. You basically have to force her to sit down, stay out of the kitchen, or stop cleaning and tidying up. She is a very skilled photographer (yay!) and has a hardcore camera in tow. But she does have thiss Jen Oberhausen spirit to her where if she doesn’t feel like taking pictures, she’s not going to do it gosh darnit. (haha I love you jenny!) Lauren is really good with the children, and very much a mother at heart.
Hillary just finished high school and is from Cincinnati as well. (Hillary and Jeff grew up together and went through the same home schooling program. Both very sharp people!!) Hillary comes from a big Italian family with lots of artistic and cooking genes built into her! She is a ridiculously good artist and would love to someday use art in the missions context. She will be attending Anderson University this fall (wahoo Indiana!) which is very exciting because she has been trying to decide on a college while here in Africa. I can’t wait to have real Italian pasta with Hil’s family someday. :) Hillary is the chatty Kathy of the group :) and , in my opinion, very mature for having just graduated high school.
Our leaders…
Vanessa is 32, born and raised in Fort Lauderdale (wouldn’t that be nice!). She studied psychology in college and has done a variety of work since then. I’m so thankful for Vanessa’s leadership because her down to earth, fun-loving personality totally set the tone for our group to be open and real from the start. She is a good cook, good delegator, good communicator, and awesome off-road driver. Vanessa is always making us laugh.
Ryan is 32 as well and is originally from Fresno, California. He has been with BoH for several years and has a huge heart for Africa. He gave up his consistent, steady paycheck job (at the firm in Erin Brachovich) to follow God’s calling on his heart to missions. He will be staying here in Africa for the summer intern team after we’re gone. It will be weird not having him on the plane ride home. Ryan is our behind-the-scenes leader. He takes care of a lot of the BoH details- budget, reports, etc. Ryan is an awesome cook and we are always excited when it’s his dinner night!
Leah is 29 and lives permanently at the farm here in South Africa (though a native of Toledo). She has been with Book of Hope for 8 years leading teams around the world and is now stationed in Africa full-time. She loves the people here and is very good at building relationships in the community. She decides where we go, when we go, and how we go… she is in charge of setting our entire schedule and connecting us with the nationals we have been working with. Leah is an awesome story teller and always has us laughing.
(Gio and Jeff wrote this about Renee. She was not allowed to edit.) For all you who don’t personally know her…Renee is from Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Purdue this past May with a degree in psychology. She is the fun, bubbly, giggly one of the group. She has said many memorable quotes…you can ask her to explain them. You can tell she really has a heart for following God and desiring His plan for her life. She has stepped out many times and shared at different times (youth group meetings, church services) and she always has deep and impactful insight. She also connects with the secondary learners a lot and you can tell she has a passion for them. Renee makes us laugh a lot. Well, she laughs a lot naturally…and it is just contagious. Random, you should all ask her about “Smooth Moves” sometime…that’ll be a good story. She is definitely the African Queen here! All the guys flock to her. We usually have to beat them off with sticks…as all good brothers do. We have been looking out for her. It’s very funny and we play it up all the time. We love her like a big sis! You are all lucky and blessed to have her in your life.
Haha, thanks little bros. So that’s our story. I’m very thankful for each of these people and the way God brought us together as a team. The experience would be quite different without them.
Isaiah 53 {Sunday, April 12}
Check it out. Spend a day thinking about it. Re-read it a few times. Every year I find myself understanding Jesus in a new light. It really is incredible that he would choose to leave a perfect place like heaven for us. Giving up some of my American comforts the past three months has given me some level of understanding, but I know it doesn’t come near to understanding the sacrifice He made. Not only did he choose to leave heaven but he also chose to come in such a humble way. What a servant Jesus was. What an amazing Savior and amazing Sacrifice. I pray you will see His love in a new way this year as I am.
It’s Like Comin’ Home {Monday, April 6}
Today we made the long trek back to Limpopo. We left around 5am this morning, and pulled in around 4:30pm this afternoon. With three stops, one being lunch, and one being the grocery store on the way into town, it made for a long day. Packing our car for these road trips is like playing life-sized Tetris. I swear it’s a God thing that we fit everything in every time.
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