From Desert to Bluegrass and Campos

In Bolivia

2010-06-22T22:32:00.000+02:00

I am now in Bolivia. This is my second day in the city and I am now a little more acustomed to the altitude. The city is very different from any other latin american city I've visited, but it's nice. It reminds me a little of the mountain cities in Ecuador...a little more country.

For the next couple of weeks I'm living with another Samaritan's Purse employee at a teacher's apartment who is on vacation for the summer (Bolivian winter). And after that, I'll move in with two american teachers at another apartment. So for this week, I'll be in La Paz getting acquainted with the city and hopefully learning where to find what I need.

So that's the latest news at this point. I had a great time in Boone for training and met a lot of incredibly gifted interns who will be all over the world. I feel overwhelmed, and in many ways underqualified for the task ahead. Fortunately, a friend reminded me that feeling over your head is good. Why? Because it's a good reminder that whatever I do in Bolivia, God will be doing it through me and it will be coming from Him, for the Aymara.

Blessings:
* Safe travel to Boone and Bolivia
* Great hiking in Boone with old friends from Africa
* DSL in Bolivia so that I can communicate with friends and family at home :)

Pray:
* For patience as I learn the city and culture
* For God to provide friends
* For my body to adapt quickly to the food b/c I have a difficult time digesting meat (a side effect after returning from Africa)

heading to bolivia

2010-04-22T00:32:00.000+02:00

I'm heading to Bolivia to do a 5 month internship with Samaritan's Purse. At the moment, the departure date is not set, but training in Boone, NC begins June 14th...meaning I'll be heading out a day or two before.

As I failed to keep up with the blog, I'm including a little update of what I've been doing over the past year.

*******************************
IGLESIA NUEVO AMANECER

I've been serving as the sunday school teacher for the middle school kids, leading bible study for the youth once a week, and helping the church learn more about missions. For the first time we set a goal as a church and gave to Lottie Moon $500 dollars. Wohooo!

It's been a wonderful experience to be able to serve among the hispanic community of Oldham County and will certainly miss them very much. I love their giving hearts and will miss their Mexican food. It never failed that any time I visited their homes they always wanted to feed me.

SEMINARY

What can I say? It's grad school. Lots of reading, exams, and papers. Two classes that have kicked my butt have been systematic theology and hermeneutics. I can certainly tell you that I've learned a lot, but this is the first time I've had to do reading outside the subject so that I can understand the subject being taught. Any tips are welcome.

TWO JOBS

1st Job -- Kentucky Refugee Ministries (week days) ---- I'm in charge of donations (taking calls for household and furniture items). My job is pretty much to arrange the schedule to pick up donations and then make time in the schedule to furnish the apartments for the families that are assigned to our office in Louisville. Some days the work is a little crazy, but I love being able to help these families settle into their new homes. Although I don't have direct contact with the clients, I enjoy the occasional interaction, especially with the Cuban-Haitian clients.

2nd Job -- Hispanic Biblical Institute (saturdays) --- I'm the assistant to the director. Pretty much a lot of office support. But the exciting part of this particular job is being able to interact with the members of other hispanic churches in Louisville. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who knew my father and heard a lot of wonderful stories. Many of the students are preparing at the institute because they wish to help in their church and that is encouraging to see.

FAMILIA

The most exciting part about being home is being able to hang out with the boys in the afternoons. Right now Esteban is playing tennis, while Andres is playing soccer, and I drive them to their individual practices. Some times we have crazy days when you throw in cello and piano lessons, but we manage. Driving is therapy!

A highlight of 2010 was our spring break road trip to Wyoming to visit family. Yep! We love to drive and see the country. Mom let us borrow her van so the boys had a little more room to stretch versus my little tracker. During our trip, we also visited friends in Cheyenne, whom my parents had ministered. It was good to see them and see how much God had done in their lives.

Overall, one of the most valuable things about my time at home has been the opportunity I've had to meet a lot of people who knew my family. Why? Because I've been able to hear about how Jesus Christ changed the lives of these individuals, all because my parents were willing to share the difference God had made in their lives. Huge blessing.

BOLIVIA

I'll be working with an indigenous group in the antiplano of Bolivia. I'll be based out of LaPaz and going out into the indian communities during the week to do community outreach and discipleship for women and youth who are experiencing domestic violence.

Pray that I'll be able to share in truth with those whom I come in contact and that God will give me wisdom to know how to minister to these suffering individuals.

Pray for safe travel to Chicago next week. I have to renew my Ecuadorian passport because it facilitates travel in South America

are you in?

2009-11-22T14:16:00.002+02:00

One of the papers I'm writing for this semester deals with social justice. As believers, have we taken the responsibility to get involved in serving the hungry, orphan and abused?

This following video puts into words what I've been writing about for one of my classes: social responsibility. Jesus called us out to share the good news with the nations. And as we share His love with the suffering, don't forget that we were also called to serve by becoming the least of all, in order to bring His name glory. Will you be part of the problem or the solution?

where does time go?

2009-11-13T16:50:00.005+02:00

So it's almost the end of the semester and I can't believe I have two papers due in only two weeks. Yikes! I really need to get started on the writing because I'm not one of those geniuses who can pull an all night paper.

But as I was reflecting on the past couple of months, I realized there's a lot that has happened and thankful for the many opportunities I've had to serve. Just to give you an idea, I've been involved in teaching sunday school (youth), learning and helping at the Hispanic Institute in Louisville, youth activities, trunk-o-treat, hanging out with friends, and enjoying time with family. God is certainly good all the time.

Here's a pic of trunk-o-treat at church. My sister decorated her car as a whale and I was one of the props...a seaweed...lol!

I'm getting ready to make some decisions for the following year. Please pray with me as I finish the semester. That God will give me the energy to put my thoughts on paper clearly. For diligence to study for finals. And for guidance as I make decisions about where to invest my time next semester.

another birthday!

2009-09-25T16:15:00.005+02:00

Yep! 45% of the fam has their birthdays in august, the other 45% in september and then there's me.

The other little boy is now 12 years old and and he reminds me a lot of my dad. To commemorate the day, I got him a "man" sport watch and teased him that now he can't be late for breakfast--lucky guy doesn't have a lot to be late for.

Although this little guy has a lot of qualities, one aspect of his character that I love is his joyful attitude. Of course he gets angry like many of us, but it doesn't last very long. I believe one of the reasons God calls life a gift is because we're able to experience a reflection of His character through people. In our family a reflection of His goodness is demonstrated, as a gift to our family, through Andres' joy. That's why we're celebrating!

"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence." Psalm 21:6

pleasant perfume

2009-09-15T02:29:00.011+02:00

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of taking another road trip. Where to? Mayfield, Kentucky. I didn’t even know that little town existed until a couple of weeks ago.

The round trip took a total of 8 hrs and over that period of time I reflected on the last couple of months. It was good to drive in silence for long stretches, listen to music, and sing at the top of my lungs. Although driving is usually a very therapeutic activity for me, I haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying it this much since the semester began at Southern.

So the purpose of my trip was to speak at Primera Iglesia Bautista in Mayfield. I met pastor Jaime at the Southern Baptist Convention and reconnected with him and his wife, Ana Rocio, at a training a couple of weeks ago. As the Eliza Brodus Offering is being collected this coming Sunday, the couple wanted to encourage the group to give to missions and hear from someone who had previously done mission work.

I was encouraged to meet the members and hear about the different blessings they had received over the course of the years. As always, I shared my story, how God continues to use me in his ministry, and how all of us have a gift we can use for God's glory.

[from left to right some of the members: Mereni, Raul, Philemon, Ana Rocio, and pastor Jaime]

Like many other times, I think I received more than I gave, because many were talking about the renewing of their hearts in order to pursue holiness. And I was reminded of the song I heard a few weeks ago called ‘Tal Como Soy’ or ‘Just as I am’ in English, but not the well-known tune. This one is completely different.

The line I love the most…grato perfume, yo quiero ser Senor = I want to be a pleasant perfume...

…and the reason I like it so much is because often I feel like I don’t have much to offer. When this happens I’m reminded of David’s song in Psalm 51:16-17

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

So go out this week and smell good for God!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESTEBAN!

2009-09-11T19:18:00.016+02:00

Yes, the little boy turned 14 years old today. He's certainly a fine young man and consider him a huge blessing. It seems like only yesterday I held him in my arms and thought he looked so fragile. Awww!

The boy is slowly becoming a man. So this is my prayer for you 'little' brother as you seek to honor God with your life:

"The LORD bless you
and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."

Number 6:24-26

And the grand prize goes to...

2009-09-10T07:53:00.002+02:00

...the Salazar boys! wohooooo! Today the boys collected their grand prize from Mortenson Family Dentistry. What was the prize?

That's right! An ipod touch. Wow! I'm still a little speechless because in our family we usually don't win anything. But thanks to Eunice and her pic abilities, we all decided to participate in taking pics of the boys over the summer with the dentistry logo. There were categories of most pics and most creative, but after we submitted the boys entries separately, on Tuesday we got a phone call they had won jointly. And we're totally fine sharing so that was no problem.

Once we arrived at the office, the secretary said, "are you guys excited about your dolls?" Andres' face was priceless, but I didn't have my nifty camera around to share the moment. Needless to say, once we found out it was the grand prize, we were all ecstatic.

So during dinner time the boys thanked God for the meal and the ipod He provided. I was touched with their ability to already recognize God's providence in the little, material things of life!

World Fest

2009-09-03T01:01:00.000+02:00

I think this is one of the most interesting festivals Louisville has to offer. This year was definitely the best one up to date. There was more food options, music, and room to eat.

So what is World Fest? It's a festival where all nationalities in Louisville are represented and show off their culture. Everything from food to crafts, music, and games. Just to give you an idea of the variety of cultures in Louisville, here are some of the ones I remember at the top of my head: Ecuador (yay), Mexico, Colombia, China, Japan, Turkey, Greece, Iraq, Sudan, Peru, and many others. Hard to believe, but incredible to notice that God is really bringing the nations to the U.S.A.

In addition to all the fun stuff, there are also booths for different organizations who work with internationals or deal with intercultural subjects and people. The organization I works for, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, was certainly present as well as business' informing visitors about their services in other languages. Talk about information over load.

I think the best part about attending this year were the Quitumbes: an ecuadorian folkloric dance and band group from Ecuador. Ah, my home country represented. I guess it's becoming a tradition for the Salazar siblings to hang out over labor day weekend and although my little brothers will tell you they only go for the food, the exposure to different cultures is of incredible benefit.

So if you want to join us next year, give us a call. It's a lovely way to spend the afternoon enjoying the world and praying for the nations.

What's the latest?

2009-08-25T04:10:00.009+02:00

I am still living in Kentucky, but as of January of 2009 attending Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville. I must admit that my first semester was a little challenging, but after figuring out that I was in advance Greek instead of Biblical Counseling…the world once again made sense.

God was good in providing a job at Kentucky Refugee Ministries, a refugee resettlement agency, where I deal with donations (furniture & household items for the apartments we help furnish for refugee families). I’m only there four times a week, working part-time, which is a wonderful schedule when taking seminary courses. Although I don’t deal with refugees directly, it’s encouraging to know that God is still able to bless many people, through the little contributions we all make in the organization.

For fun, over the summer, the boys and I took a few little short trips around Kentucky and had a great time. Eunice even joined us for rafting which totally made our trip. Our fondest memory? Eunice screaming as she jumped off a cliff into the river. She had already decided not to jump and was only keeping us company in line, but like sheep lead to the slaughter…one moment she was talking and the next…splash!

Taylorsville Kentucky State Park

Finally, I’m also serving at Nuevo Amanecer or New Dawn Baptist Church, which is a Hispanic mission (soon to become self sustained) of Ballardsville Baptist (the church my family currently attends). I enjoy using my heart language and hopefully as God allows, continue to share my heart for missions with the Hispanic body of Christ. The fields are ready for harvest among the Oldham County community of Spanish speakers. Hopefully as I get to know them better we’ll continue to grow and together share the difference God has made in our lives with everyone we meet.

Women: Nuevo Amanecer

As I reflect on the past year I’m able to recognize God’s faithfulness in all areas of my life and I’m thankful and reminded of Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Packing

2008-05-23T22:29:00.003+02:00

Today I finished fitting all my belongings into three little containers. Of course I have already shipped a huge box of other stuff home, but I still can't believe it's not more.

As I got rid of some things and gave away others, I felt sad to realize my time in Upington is finished. Has it really been that long? It only seems like I've been here a few months and now it's time to leave.

So, as I was sitting this morning drinking coffee and watching the sun come up, I thanked God for my time in South Africa. I'm so glad He knew I'd love this place and encouraged me to come. It's been an incredible adventure and still find it crazy to think I didn't want to go.

Friends, I'm coming home to see you, but I am also leaving another home. Pray the last few days are a time of encouragement for our fellow believers in Upington. Pray that God will strengthen my heart in the midst of sadness. And praise God as well for the work He's been able to do through my life.

hospital tour

2008-05-20T09:32:00.002+02:00

A week ago a group of 10 youth attended a tour of Gordonia Hospital (Upington's one and only public). Why? These 9 girls and 1 guy (no complains from him) are interested in pursuing a career in medicine, but had no idea there were many branches of medicine they could pursue. So, that could be fixed easily by learning from the ones who know the field.

Due to my involvement in HIV/AIDS work in Upington, I've had a the opportunity to meet many health workers throughout the city. And thanks to the help of Ms. Witbooi (head nurse & staff administrator at the hospital) I was able to arrange a guided tour.

The kids were excited about the opportunity and learned a lot about the different services their local hospital provides, as well as some of the less known branches of medicine, like radiology & speech therapy. In addition to the tour, the group also had the opportunity to see a presentation and talk to some of the staff at the hospital, who gave them a better idea of their job, as well as where & how to attend university.

Although the information is available, some of the coloured & black schools are not as informed as the more predominantly white schools. So part of doing ministry in the community is also being involved in the every day lives of the youth as God wants us to be successful in everything we do. And through this activity, I was able to encourage them to pursue their studies so that God will be able to use them to reach people for God through their careers.

* I forgot to take my camera on this particular day, but I'll post some pics later.*

Pray for the 10 youth who attended the tour. Pray God will give them perseverance. Pray for open minds to learn. Pray God will provide the finances necessary to attend university.

from one of our friends

2008-04-17T21:55:00.005+02:00

Sandra is married to Chris and has two children, Mikshan & Hidi. Sandra is a member of Rosedale Baptist and she's been of great encouragement to the group over the past year through her willingness to lead our Sunday morning services. It wasn't easy in the beginning, but slowly she was able to lead without fear.

At the moment Sandra's family is experiencing financial difficulties and health problems. It seems like every other week her children have some kind of illness and naturally, Sandra worries about their wellness, which doesn't help her high blood pressure.

Of course, part of the problem is our transition from summer/fall to winter that's causing all these health problems. And as the weather fluctuates from one day to the next, our bodies find it challenging to adjust to the Northern Cape climate, and the lack of central heating in our homes contributes to sickness.

So pray for Sandra's family as they face winter this year. Pray for their bodies to be strong so they won't have to add to their financial debt by visiting the doctor.

Also pray for Sandra's family to get out of debt. Due to her husbands TB incident a few years ago, the family had to take out a large loan, and now are having a rough time paying all their debts.

Pray for God to give them wisdom to manage their money. Pray they place their faith in God's sovereignty to help them through this time of need.

rabosa

2008-02-25T17:14:00.005+02:00

That's the name of the hair-style my friend took an hour to do over the weekend. Although a lot of people kept saying it couldn't be done, the two of us proved nothing is impossible, with a little time & persistence (my job was to sit & talk...I know...I had it rough *smile*).

Sue-Ellen is one the young ladies attending the Thursday night Bible Study at Louiwale Baptist. She's the oldest of two & recently joined our family two weeks ago. Are you excited? I know you're glad to hear the news & now pray for God to continue to help her make wise decisions.

[I'm small, but still the oldest!]

I had a lot of fun playing with my hair & surprising friends all over town. Many of the kids were fascinated & couldn't stop staring in disbelief. Quite a shock at first, but everyone said it looked nice. My only complain was that my head felt cold :^(

After a few days I had to undo the craziness & took some pics. This is what I 'd look like if I had curly hair (Becky, we could be twins!)

Enjoy the pics & don't forget to pray for Sue-Ellen.

school crossing

2008-02-21T18:19:00.003+02:00

South Africa in general has been labeled by many as "Africa for beginners." Why? The easiest and oversimplified way of explaining is that it has pretty much all the comforts of an industrialized country, with an African touch of community oriented mentality, slow pace of life, & the unwanted corruption that exists underneath all levels of government.

All that aside, for the past couple of weeks I've been noticing how much this place has slowly evolved, in my mind, into my home & things no longer seem different, but familiar.

As I was driving into Louiswaleweg the other day, I noticed the orange cones that are placed in the middle of the road to help the grade school students cross the road. For a few seconds I thought I was back in the states & the scene itself brought back memories of friends signing-up to be the honored: School Patrol.

Although I never considered monitoring the halls or helping children cross the road, I was proud of my friends who wanted the privilege. And that's exactly the kind of importance the kids in South Africa seek by performing the job. They want the admiration & responsibility of doing something good.

As all these thought were running through my mind, I was also reminded of how much our kids in the states, and the children of South Africa have in common. They love to play, enjoy recess at school, & don't always like to do their homework.

So pray for the South African children today. They need to know Jesus just as much as the youth and adults, and some of them desperately need to know His love b/c there's none to be given in their homes. Also, take a little time to thank God for the little ones in your life, whether they're brothers, sisters, nephews, cousins, or little friends you know

August Rush

2008-02-10T19:56:00.000+02:00

I'm not referring to the month of August, but to the movie that just arrived at our Upington theater. I'm sure the movie has come and gone in the states, but it's still new to me.

If you have not seen it, I recommend it. It's a family friendly movie and the last minutes had me at the edge of my seat. Definitely has been a while since I've wanted to cheer the main character out loud in-spite of the predictable ending.

What's to like? Many things, but I only want to share a couple.

First, I enjoyed the movie b/c of the music. Very powerful contrast of sounds, styles and instruments (I especially loved the cello). SIDE NOTE: I love to listen to the cello (makes a beautiful sound) and totally happy that my little brother plays it. But moving on...

The other reason I enjoyed the film was b/c the magical music was a great parallel, I thought, of how God calls us to return to Him. In the film, only some of the characters were able to hear the magical music, but only b/c they took the time to listen. Unfortunately, some times we lose our way and need help finding/hearing the way back. So the purpose of the main character was to help the other characters find their way home through the music.

And that's exactly what we do when we share the good news with people. We are simply allowing God to use us, to help people around us, to find their way home to the creator. So the movie was an encouragement to continue to share the good news with many b/c "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news'" Romans 10:14-15

Forgotten

2008-02-05T10:00:00.001+02:00

No, this blog has not been forgotten. And finally, after a months vacation of blogging, I have returned.

For those of you who didn't get my update, I was in a car accident in December after returning from my holiday in Cape Town. Before you gasp, or maybe now that you've been surprised, I wasn't injured. Not even a scratch, but all the commotion left a lot of things to sort logistically for the first part of January.

I am now a proud owner of another white corolla. Yes, the accident was a little serious but God was in control the whole time. He gave me peace through the whole situation, even as my car turned upside down, and another story to tell.

After all this craziness, school began and it's been a pleasant time getting to see the kids and youth return to our activities. (More on what we're doing, later).

As we continue to journey together for the next 4 months, please remember to pray for God to guide my footsteps. I'll be finishing my term in May & at this moment only have a small of idea of where He may be leading. Worried? Not at all. I'm actually relieved to find that I cannot see anything but a blank calendar for the rest of my life. I can honestly sing the words from the hymn, "wherever he leads, I'll go."

Just the other day I realized God had been teaching me self-control. Even a few months ago, I would have had a panic attack, at the thought of not having a plan & lacking control of where I was headed. Isn't God incredible? I'm continually amazed at how much He can change us in a short period of time, if we let Him. Will you let Him, too?

Worlds AIDS day

2007-12-10T17:52:00.000+02:00

December 1st is internationally known as Worlds AIDS day! And just in case you were unaware of this global event, I'll briefly give you some history.

Worlds AIDS day was established in 2004 by UNAIDS in order to help the world bring awareness to the HIV pandemic. According to the UNAIDS website a total of 25 million people have died of AIDS and there are an estimated 38.6 million, presently living with HIV.

A representation of the graves & funerals that are performed weekly.

To show our support to the Louiswale community, Hana Milo organized a lunch and invited leaders in the community to share with those infected with the virus. The whole event took about 5 hrs (including the cooking) and ended with the care givers handing out blankets & soap for each family.

Of course there's always children at these events. If food is involved...they are always present and we don't mind.

This little guy came to pick up the stuff for his family. Pray that God will work in His life. Although he's a lot of trouble, I think that with constant encouragement & the word of God, he can change. Praise God that in just four months he's willing to listen to me and that God is using me to show this little boy that God loves him.

It was exciting to meet new members of the community who also have a passion for helping the sick. It was a simple reminder that God cares about these people through these leaders and organizations. So continue to pray that more people get involved in their communities and that God's word will penetrate their hearts through the weekly BIble studies.

God is listening

2007-11-12T23:05:00.000+02:00

A week ago I had the pleasure of seeing God at work. Some times I pray but find myself thinking "God, does it make sense. Are you listening?" And without a doubt I got a clear answer this morning. "yes, I'm listening and it does make sense."

There's no need to know specifics, but it was refreshing to witness God's love being reflected through my willingness to pray for an unbelieving friend. And as a result of my answered prayer, my spirit was encouraged & joy filled my heart. I was convicted to continue to pray for friends who don't have a personal relationship with God through Jesus. It may take some time for all to hear the good news, but no matter how messy we present our requests...He's always listening!

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27

there's always room for one more

2007-11-06T12:45:00.000+02:00

Last week the Hillside youth came to help with the kids at Bellvue. The group varies every week, but usually there's about 3-4 that I pick-up and head to the park.

When I arrived last week, I was told all of them were coming and as I didn't want to discourage anyone, I told them as long as they didn't mind being packed like sardines...they were welcome to come. Did they mind? Of course not! Here you have all 9 people in a little corolla. Thank goodness I was driving b/c the guys are big.

Oddly enough there were no kids on this particular Thursday, so the guys played against the girls, while I sat by a tree and watched them have fun. [The guys wanted a picture without the girls...they're a fun bunch]

From left to right: Essie, J, Shawn (back row) & Calridge

It was exciting to see how they have come together after a year. They definitely have a sense of unity and I ask you to continue to pray for God to work in their lives. Their relationships with God are growing through our weekly Bible studies, but they need us to encourage them through prayer.

Left to right: Roleen, Madelaine, Sonet, Josline (back row) & Abigail

Better is one day in your courts

2007-11-01T12:38:00.000+02:00

Once I got to the halfway point of Big Mama, I sat down, took a long look at the immensity of the dunes and smiled.

As I stared into the distance and the various colors, shapes and sizes of the dunes, I found myself singing “better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere.” For the first time David’s Psalm 84 took on a different meaning.

It’s like the prophet says in Isaiah 66:1

“The Lord said: heaven is my throne; the earth is my footstool. What kind of house could you build for me? In what place will I rest? I have made everything; ‘that’s how it all came to be.’ I, the Lord, have spoken.”

Can you imagine? The world is His court and He created the dunes in His glorious imagination and here I was, standing in the middle of greatness. I felt so little (more than I am), but at the same time secure and full of immeasurable peace.

There are no words to describe how sad I felt all of the sudden b/c I remembered my little friend Megan who died of AIDS. But at the same time I felt God’s comfort through the psalm and gentle wind.

Eventually I got really thirsty and decided it was time to return before I got company and ran down the side of the dune. If you ever get a chance to do this, I highly recommend it (definitely one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life). And as I ran, legs sinking into the sand and up again, I cried for Megan, and sang the last part of ‘Untitled Hymn:’

“With your final heart beat. Kiss the world goodbye. And go in peace and laugh a glorious sigh. Then fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live.”

Sometimes the way is lonely

2007-11-01T12:10:00.000+02:00

Hiking up Sossusvlei Dunes was one of the most exciting adventures I had in Namibia. There are no words to describe the beauty of the dunes and even pictures don’t quite give you a clear picture of their magnificence.

After hiking their biggest dune, Big Daddy (370 meters), I also wanted to visit their second largest, Big Mama, dune (I know…they’re so creative). My friend Susan was exhausted by then and as we had run out of water, she decided to stay behind and rest. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to make it all the way to the top, but halfway without water could be accomplished.

As I hiked up the dune, there were only a couple of people attempting to get a better view of the valley below. I went around them and kept going to my halfway point. When I turned to see if they were following, the couple had returned to the bottom and no one else was ahead. I was surprised b/c I was literally alone.

After deciding to continue, the words from the song by Chris Rice called ‘Untitled Hymn’ came to mind:

“Some times the way is lonely. And still filled with pain. So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, and live.”

I guess we all have times, in our walk with God, that feel lonely. Some days I want to explain all that is inside my head and heart to people, but when I try it seems pointless. And when that happens I just have to set my eyes on the goal, cry to Jesus and keep going. Why? b/c Jesus already walked the lonely road and is the only one who completely understands.

In the end we’re not alone. God is always on the road ahead, in the present, and behind us.

Namibia

2007-11-01T06:33:00.001+02:00

If I could only use one word to describe Namibia it would be ‘beautiful!’ There was a time that I didn’t understand how people could love the desert, but after living in the Northern Cape and being able to visit places like Namibia, I find its beauty breath taking. Have I joined the crazy desert people? Perhaps.

There were some major places we visited and although most of you have probably seen the pics of my trip, I still wanted to point out some of the places to ask for specific prayer.

One: Fish River Canyon

This is the 2nd largest canyon (Grand Canyon is 1st) in the world and the 1st in the southern hemisphere. There hasn’t been a lot of rain in the area for the past two years, so the water level is lower previous years.

One of the signs stated that over 2,000 hikers take the 85 km challenge every week. I wish I could have done it, but a guide is necessary as the whole thing takes 5 days to complete. However, we did hike the southern end for a day trip, as day hikes are not allowed from the northern tip.

Pray: For the safety of tourist who visit the canyon & for these individuals to build a relationship with God.

Two: Hardap Dam

Originally we had not included the dam in our travel plans, but on our way to Windhoek, one of the park guides at Fish River recommended to take a brief look. It was only a little detour and after explaining at the entrance that we only wanted a few minutes, the security guy let us in for free.

It was late afternoon and the sunset was breathtaking so we scheduled to return on our way back to Upington. From the look of the park and after walking around various areas of the park, we realized that back in its hay day, it used to be a quality park/resort (perhaps even 5 stars). After all, the map said it was a 3 star facility out of 5 and any place in the world, that’s pretty good.

It was built in 1960 and inaugurated in 1963 by the Administrator of West Africa, D.T. du P. Viljoen.

Pray: That God will flood the nation of Namibia with his grace. Depression is a major problem in the country & only God’s infinite peace can bring freedom.

Three: Windhoek

The capital of Namibia is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It’s very much industrialized and walking around town you think you were back in the states. There are a lot of coffee houses all over the area, several parks, beautiful buildings down town, and well kept, public sporting facilities.

It was interesting to walk around town and hear a lot of German being spoken. FYI: German, Afrikaans, and English are some of the major languages spoken in Namibia, in addition to the many dialects spoken all over the rest of the country. I think that’s a normal occurrence all over the African continent.

I don’t have a pic of our only IMB missionaries in Windhoek & all of Namibia, but I have their names & you can pray for them by name. The family is composed of Bryan, Dana, Chad (youngest still living at home) and 3 other children in the states.

I had a wonderful time with this family & although it was a short visit, it was encouraging to hear about their life & how God has been faithful to them over the last 14 yrs they’ve been serving in Namibia.

Pray: For the Bullington’s spirit of service to be renewed. They’ll be going back to the states in December so pray for a smooth transition. Pray for their children to be safe, encouraged by God through friends and family, and for wisdom on their every day decisions.

it wasn't me

2007-10-19T16:08:00.000+02:00

This morning as I was headed to a co-workers house, I broke the outdoor gate. How is that possible? I don't think it was entirely my fault, but I may have provoked the chip on the gate control to malfuncion. So this is what happened.

I was sitting in the car pushing the button for the gate to open, but every time it only moved a few inches and stopped. Naturally I kept pushing the open button over and over again with no results. After a few attempts, the gate finally slid to the right and just kept going until it went off the hinges...dropping into the little canal. There was a big splash and for a few seconds the gardner and I looked at each other not knowing what to say. Eventually, after staring at each other for a few seconds, both of us began to laugh uncontrollably.

After collecting my thoughts, I got out of the car, called the realtor & they should be fishing the gate out the canal soon.

surprised

2007-10-15T13:48:00.000+02:00

The Americans who were living in Upington for the past three months are gone. Although I never met any of them, I saw glimpses of their work throughout the city and it was interesting.

What am I talking about? Believe it or not, there's a short film & mini-series being filmed (about the first gulf war) and Upington was chosen for its desert looking location. Just in case you forgot, I live right next to the Kalahari Desert.

One of my co-workers met some of these americans and got the scoop, but couldn't find out exactly when it's coming out. Perhaps next year, but that's not for certain.

I wish I could have taken pictures of the little mosque, overturned vehicles, Saddams pictures along the road, or the arab writings and signs on one of the streets, but every time I had the opportunity, my camera's batteries were dead or I simply didn't have the camera. sigh!

All the same, I enjoyed being able to see them at work on cassion and it will be exciting once the mini-series begins in the states. Upington...of all places to film a movie.

His gifts

2007-10-07T21:31:00.000+02:00

A few days ago I was cleaning the house and opened up the door to the backyard. It's been pretty the last couple of weeks b/c we've actually had spring for a change. Anyway, while cleaning and listening to music, I looked up and saw a tiny little bird moving towards the door. I thought "is he actually going to come inside the house?" Not long after, my little friend slowly hopped towards the middle of the living room, snatched a bug that apparently had crawled inside the house and quickly turned and flew away.

It was an ordinary moment, but it felt like God was saying "hi gaby!" and I couldn't help to smile.

night fishing

2007-10-01T14:24:00.000+02:00

A first for me, but not the last! The hike/walk to our little place was an adventure in itself b/c Michael & I were left alone to find the hole. Our friend Susan had to go back to drop off some keys and was confident we'd find the place on our own. Sadly, neither one of us had been to the hole before this time and naturally got lost. Eventually she found us...otherwise I wouldn't be writing this post!

As we were sitting there fishing I kept thinking, "dark woods, strange noises, far from the nearest road...sounds like a scary movie...ummm, how fast would I need to run?" Thankfully we had a dog with us. As far as I know, there are no loonies in this part of the country.

Although I've never used corn to fish, Susan swore it would work, and who was I to question the local. Perhaps south african fish prefer corn? hmmm, I'm a little skeptical after we caught NOTHING!

While waiting for the fish to come I was captivated by the trees reflection on the water.

And while I continued to wait for the fish, I realized that my shoes looked really cool next to the fishing pole and had to capture the moment.

It's been a long time since I've been fishing. Although we didn't catch anything (we weren't planning to kill them), it was good to be close to nature, admire the intricacies of His creation and think about life.

favorite every day animal

2007-09-18T14:46:00.000+02:00

Black & white sheep are the cutest little animals! I must confess that at first all white or all black sheep were interesting to watch, but that's no longer the case. I've taken many pictures of these cute little guys & as silly as this is going to sound, I look forward to seeing them every day at different locations.

Where can they be found? The Paballelo (neighborhood) public library, crossing the road at a stop light, any road crossing, fields by neighborhoods, and even the highway.

Pray for the shepherds in Upington who take care of their sheep & for your M's in Upington who take care of Jesus sheep!

let me in

2007-09-17T20:20:00.001+02:00

Over the weekend I was locked out of my apartment complex. Apparently the gate box burned out (I think it's been out for the past four months) and the apartment owner finally got it fixed. Everyone got the news except me!

When I got home Friday afternoon I thought it was my gate remote & early saturday morning I went out hoping to get a backup from one of our other M's. By saturday afternoon my neighbors had all decided to leave for the weekend & it turns out the other remote didn't work either.

So I went home tried to pick up, push, shake, and kick the gate open, but all my efforts were useless. Finally, I parked the car outside, threw my stuff over the gate and climbed it. I'm so proud of being a good climber.

Once I got into the flat I wrote notes to my neighbors begging them to leave the gate open. I think it worked b/c late that evening one of them gave me his wife's control & explained that mine needed a new chip & they didn't know I was home.

Forgiven? Of course! It was a funny moment.

The Body

2007-09-07T18:20:00.000+02:00

It's been a long week of recuperation, but after a round of antibiotics I think my body is starting to feel better. As a result of my sinus/pulmonary infection, I had to stay home and rest. Needless to say I slept a lot and finally finished reading 'The Body' by Charles Colson. If you have not read it...I highly recomend it.

As I was reading through the history of the church I realized that when God places a desire in our hearts to serve, He also equips us with the necessary skills. Nothing we do and no experience is in vain b/c He always finds a way to use it for His glory.

If you don't know the name Charles Colson, he's the founder of Prison Ministries, so check it out!

And thanks for praying for a quick recovery. I'm not sure my lungs are completely back to normal, but they're definitely doing a lot better.

Stuck in the sand

2007-08-24T18:39:00.000+02:00

I don't know how I confused a sandy path with a road, but I did it. As many of you know, driving is one of my ultimate favorite things to do & last week I took a friend along for the adventure. (Becky, I was totally thinking of you on this particular occasion b/c something would always happen...like almost running out of gas... btw thanks for the midnight drives!)

But let me get back to the story. I was driving around last weekend and it was very hot (we're already in the upper 80's, yikes!) When I got to the end of the road there was what looked, to me, another road on the far left of the field. Feeling adventurous I headed towards "the road" and two minutes later we were stuck in deep sand.

Apparently that's a path that's been created by the sheep & occasional traveler to make it look like a wide road. Although a car would manage to drive in that area, it would have to be 4WD.

Alas, on this sunny afternoon the two of us got down on our knees and began to dig around the front wheels. After many tries on reverse, I finally realized there was no way the car was coming out of the deep hole I had created by trying to reverse.

Sadly, we were far away from civilization and our only hope was to put rocks under the wheels & hope someone would find us in the middle of nowhere. After laughing uncontrollably at what seemed like a scary situation for my friend, I managed to spot a few men at a distance (men digging at a graveyard), and told my friend to ask for help while I kept digging.

After praying & telling God it wasn't funny anymore, the drunken men helped us get the car out of the sand. We all cheered out load (it took 15 min after the men arrived....I got it really stuck), shook hands, and I cleaned up while the men tried to get my friends phone number. Ha, ha! I had to divert their attention by asking them to pose for a picture for my American friends and then quickly drove away.

I don't remember their names but this goes out to those silly men! (I forgot about the camera & that's why I don't have more pics...sorry...maybe next time)

Wedding

2007-08-21T10:14:00.000+02:00

It's been a while since I posted something new, but I forget to write. I hope you understand.

Anyway, in the midst of crazy and unstable families, a couple from the Louiswale Baptist got married. After 10 years of living together and Frida praying for the last couple for William to become a Christian, we rejoiced with them two Sundays ago in the presence of their fellow believers.

It was great testimony b/c after William became a believer he wanted to get married when he got enough money for the food & all the stuff for the party. But after much discussion about God's perspective of marriage, William realized that he needed to legally marry Frida and the church ceremony could come later. (one of their sons below)

Because of their testimony, another couple got married two weeks after Frida & William, which demonstrate the power God can have in a life. Who else could convict someone so strongly as to encourage a man & a woman to legally marry, after living together for so long? Only God. [Uptons, me, Frida & William Smith]

Enjoy some of the pictures & continue to pray for the many families who still don't have a personal relationship with God through Jesus.

Got mail?

2007-08-01T10:42:00.000+02:00

I finally caught a mail man in action. I love their uniforms b/c when I'm driving down the road I can see them way before they see me. That's an advantage as their driving can some times be unpredictable.

This guy said he's had this job for about a year, which is great considering it's difficult to find a job in Upington, and loves being outdoors.

Hope you appreciate the picture b/c I chased him for a few minutes, down the road, and for a minute he probably thought I was crazy. Once he heard my "cape town accent" he was more than happy to pose. Why did I run after him? This is the first time I've had my camera since I've been here and didn't want to lose the opportunity to take the mailman's picture. Enjoy!

Soccer

2007-07-24T13:36:00.000+02:00

This weekend was my first time at a soccer game in Upington. Although many people enjoy the sport, next to rugby and cricket, soccer is not a major source of entertainment.

So where did I go to watch the game? Believe it or not, the Paballelo Township, which is about a 10 min drive from my lovely home. Thanks to Howard, one of the youth in Louisvale, I knew several games would be played after church and I couldn't resist the opportunity b/c Howard was also playing. The only thing missing was someone who knew the place and Nono, his cousin, fortunately offered to go with me.

Besides college and high school soccer games, I had not been to a game in years. On our way to the game, Nono said she liked going on Sundays b/c the men don't drink on Sundays. When I asked why, she said, "it's Sunday!" As if somehow that was suppose to answer the question of why they don't drink. Bottom line: LESS drinking or no drinking (for some) on Sunday b/c they consider it disrespectful. Sunday is "church day." Granted you still get drunk people attending church, but we see that as an opportunity. Go figure.

So we grab a pineapple Fanta (I'm not a fan of fruity drinks but this is AMAZING) and head to the field. The crowd is mostly men from the Paballelo neighborhood and harmless. We get a stamp at the door, talk to the ticket people, and head for the stands. The place was big, well maintained and similar to a high school field with stands.

After searching for a clear spot, we head for the middle rows and comfortably watch the remaining games. Nono, as my cultural guide for the afternoon, explained a little about the teams (mostly neighborhood groups) and gave a little background on the crowd. Apparently the crowd is like a chameleon...it changes according to the age group of the represented teams.

The people sharing our enthusiasm for soccer were younger guys and on occasion, I was told, they were the ones to provide musical enterntainment. I was curious to hear the crowd sing, but Nono explained that she wasn't sure they were drunk. Of course but this point I'm a little confused and asked "what does being drunk have to do with singing?" And she smiled and said, "they can't sing when they're NOT drunk...they can only sing when they're drunk!"

I was a little disappointed, but eventually a small crowd to the right of us began to sing. Now this is Africa and most people can sing, but there's something about African guys singing that is different. And this is the best way to describe it:

Their voices are deep, harmonious, and somehow melancholic which resonate, as longing melodies, that reach out to something greater than themselves; penetrating the air to gently be carried away by the wind.

So, as we sat in the stadium drinking Fanta, listening to the men singing, I thanked God for His creation and asked for other Christians to hear this melody, as many still have not heard about the One who soothes the soul. And what a melody they make when they come to know Him...

Meet "shawn"

2007-07-17T19:17:00.000+02:00

I was told his name comes from a combination of his father and grandfather's name. Pretty normal for a lot of families in this area. Take a little from dad's name, a letter from a singer they like, and don't forget a couple of letters from the in-laws names and...voila...you've got a NEW name.

His real name is something I can't pronounce, so they told me I could call him by his 'english' name while I work on the pronunciation. This is his mom Riana (15 yrs) and she was happy to let me hold him for a little while.

And these are Shawn's funny cousins...being silly.

I met Riana a few months ago before she gave birth do this cute little baby & at that time she became a believer. Praise the One we serve as His amazing grace is never ending!

There are many young ladies like Riana all over town. For both men & women, children are a given, but marriage is optional. Children are mostly seen as a way to gain financial assistance from the government. And although that's not true for all, many young girls are encouraged by their families to begin early, b/c that provides "financial stability" for the home=the mom.

As we continue to minister in Upington, ask that we will remain faithful in sharing the difference Christ can make in their lives...if they let Him.

Talent

2007-07-16T18:50:00.001+02:00

There's no question about it...African children, youth, and just about any African you meet is able to dance or sing!

Over the weekend I was invited to join the Louiswale youth for an evening of dance, song, and drama.

As they asked me to invite friends, I asked four youth from Rosedale to join the fun and they "LOVED everything & didn't feel cold."

I was most impressed with the "red group" who could have been confused with the Jackson Five. Except they were missing a member on this particular occasion. They had matching t-shirts and special moves specifically coordinated for their group. We were promised ALL five...next time.

Our DJ's! William (left) & Howard (right-the youth leader)

A happy crowd cheering the participants.

We had about 50+ in attendance and that includes some children. Howard decided to have a Friday evening event for the youth/children in the area, as a way to give them "something" to do to keep them out of trouble.

Pray for wisdom as Howard leads the youth to develop a deeper relationship with God. Pray the Friday night gatherings continue to grow & be successful.

Winter Nights

2007-06-26T21:21:00.000+02:00

Although winter brings a lot of joy to my heart, I was reminded a few weeks ago that winter also brings a lot of discomfort for many South Africans.

The settlements are not built with central heating and for that matter the walls themselves are made out of metal or whatever scrap they can find. The Palapye.com weather blog for South Africa reported 22 deaths, total in the country, due to negative temperatures in May.

So how do people stay warm? Most gather or collect wood from the fields outside of Upington, while others buy logs or cut off branches from their trees for warmth. Below you have three generations.

Some times I get selfish and only think about what I want or what I enjoy. Thankfully, the Lord helped me notice the smoky cloud that rises after sunset over the settlements, so that I could learn to appreciate the warmth of the desert and the reason for the heat in this region.

I know it's difficult to think of winter as summer has only begun in the states, but perhaps when you think of me and how much I love winter...think of those who don't have a place to keep them warm in South Africa.

Mexican Food and friends

2007-06-16T11:08:00.000+02:00

I've been craving mexican food lately and decided to invite some Afrikaner friends to try it. Believe it or not, one of the stores in Upington carries Del Paso tortillas, hard taco shells, the spices, and salsa. I bought all three boxes!

Now meet some of my friends. Jenny is very sweet, loves to laugh and watch movies. I've been encouraged by her hospitality and willingness to use English even though she feels it's not the best. I always laugh b/c all you american friends know that I'm not, a native English speaker, but people in Upington often tell me they like my American accent!

And now I present to you Alta (in Spanish it means tall). Needless to say she IS tall and I didn't realize it until I was standing next to her.

And here I find myself between two giants. Alta, me, and JC Upton (missionary).

Later that evening we had nachos at Susan's house and let me tell you, she's an amazing cook. I'll post some of her cake creations in the future.

And finally another picture of a braai. These guys didn't come to the mexican meal, but I find myself playing tennis with them pretty often. Yes, although it's winter, the afternoons are nice and warm like the late springs of the northwest. So meet Jan-Louis, Ferdi, and Chloe.

Chloe and Susan (who's also my Afrikans language tutor).

The guys made the fire and cooked our meat for the evening. It was cold!

That's all folks! They're all a ton of fun and I thank God for always blessing me with lovely friends. Most importan, I think their best quality is their love for God and their desire to bring Him glory. And as for you, like Phillippians 1:3-4 says, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy."

No shoes

2007-06-06T18:39:00.000+02:00

Monday was the first day I played soccer without shoes! It was an exciting experience as all of us were little cold (just in case you forgot...it's winter). Can you guess which foot is mine?

Of course I have to show you faces of the Hillside Kids. Can you match the foot with the face?

Now running over little rocks and some times unknowns can be a little tricky. But once you figure out the terrain, somehow your feet learn to step over stuff, in ways that diminish the pain of running over rocks.

Will I do it again? Oh yeah! There's a huge sense of fredom and who needs shoes? Look at what Shelton can do without them...

...a real life spiderboy climbing the wall of the house! *****Do not try this at home, Andres & Esteban, without mom's permission*****

I tried climbing the same wall, but my toes are not strong enough, yet. And this reminds me of "How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" Isaiah 52: 7

Keep these little ones in mind the next time you think of feet or see your own. Pray for safety and shelter as many children in South Africa have lost family to AIDS.

Potjiekos (poi-chee-kors)

2007-05-29T19:18:00.000+02:00

Didn't get a chance to try out this adventurous South African dish, but I had the opportunity to see the process. I will definitely try out the dish...soon. These are the ingredients for this potjie and the only things not included were the intestines and stomach. I hear the stomach is VERY tasty.

The sheep head during the shaving.

One of my friend's favorite is the back of the head and the cheeks, which go in the pot. FYI: The whole head is not placed in the pot, but some cook the whole head separate on the braai (grill).

Cute little guy after the shaving!

Don't forget the legs.

And finally the pot where all this stuff is placed and cooked for a few hrs to ensure everything that needs to die, dies!

Apparently the potjie dish varies with chicken and beef as a preferable ingredient.

But of course there's also the vegetarian!

The picture

2007-05-15T19:37:00.000+02:00

In a very pretty black frame, the picture of my home church in Kentucky, Ballardsville. Don't know if you can see the little hole above the frame, but I'm working on filling it in with...something.

FYI: hammering on a concrete wall is not as easy as our U.S. prefabricated soft walls. After the hammering, I tried to drill a bolt into the wall, but the hammering made some major damage and the little hole sadly got bigger. Alas, a missionary friend came to the rescue & now it hangs securely on the wall.

The lady who framed it is a very sweet old lady, who helped me pick out the "best" frame, as I didn't have mom to give me the yes or no approval. This lady's facial expressions were priceless. Greetings to all members on her behalf and...

...thanks to everyone who signed & Gena for the actual drawing. You did an amazing job & that makes it a memorable piece of art!

Finally back!

2007-05-11T08:55:00.000+02:00

Yes, it's been a long time since the last post, but no worries....I'm back!

Actually, I recently returned from Kenya on Monday and had a wonderful time visiting with fellow servants. It was a women's conference so you can imagine there was constant chatting from arrival to departure. We had about 50 women on the plane travelling from South Africa to Kenya, along with a few business men who looked a little frightened *smile*

I wish I could show you the scenary of Kenya, but we were at Brackenhurst (baptist camp/seminary) and didn't get a chance to see a lot of the country. We did travel outside of our area, but I always seemed to be one of the fortunate few, who got a seat in the middle of the bus, where you cannot take pictures. All the same, it reminded me a little of Ecuador b/c Nairobi is in the mountains so there's a lot of vegetation similar to the one in Quito. It was amazing!

Vegetation in Kenya is enormous and at one point I saw a cactus the size of a tree! I've never seen anything like it.

Beautiful trees!

The Brackenhurst campus.

A conference building.

A path to the cafeteria.

A very comfortable bench made out of pretty wood. Sorry that I don't know the type.

Little bridge...I love bridges and this one was very cute.

Over 200 women attended the conference and by the end of the week, I was overwhelmed and encouraged by the love and commitment these women had for God. Pray for the women in our region (Central, Easter, Southern Africa or CESA) as we serve the people of Africa.

New friends and vineyards

2007-02-13T12:43:00.000+02:00

Over the weekend I travelled to Kalahari Water, a campground in Kamoes, with a group from Upington High School. There were about 50 teenagers representing the Christian Club of their school.

It's a tradition to take a weekend trip at the beginning of the school year, in order to welcome new students and enjoy a little time away from the "big" city.

The campground was located next to the Orange River, so naturally everyone got to swim and get away from the heat. Afterwards there were special activities & singing, right before the braai!

This group of kids are an example of the reached people group in Upington, and hopefully we'll be able to use their puppet skills to reach the less fortunate communities of Upington.

Next to our campground there were vineyards as far as the eye could see. I've come to really love the intricacies of the vines and the way grapes naturally hang as if they were floating.

Baby vines above and the perfect bunch below!

While admiring the vineyards I came accross a couple of old vehicles. They were old, wrecked cars on the side of the road.

The one above was on a ditch, but it was stable enough to take a quick picture, and the one below was a landmark for our camp site.

On my way back from the vineyards, I saw a little grape and while contemplating its loneliness, I suddenly had a better picture of Matthew 5:5 where Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

This little guy tasted good, but one grape is nothing compared to the perfect bunch! One grape doesn't sustain the living of a farmer. It's only a momentary pleasure. Therefore, I must remain in Him in order to make a significant difference in the lives of Africans, so they can also bear much fruit and not disappear like the lonely grape.

"On top of spaghetti..."

2007-02-04T20:13:00.000+02:00

Oh how I love spaghetti! The easiest meal to prepare and yet, one of the most filling.

Last weekend I invited some of the Rosedale children to visit my home, play games, eat, & watch a movie. There were about 15+ kids, ranging from 6-15 yrs of age, and I absolutely enjoyed having a "full house."

As I was cooking for tons of kids, I thought 1 1/2 packages of the bag above would be enough, but I was wrong. Don't worry, I fed them all, but no one got seconds. Next time I'll know to use TWO bags.

I'm learning that women & children, in South Africa, eat about the same portion as the men. It's an interesting observation b/c I think in general, in the U.S., I could count on women & children to eat small amounts of food. Most of the time, I think there wouldn't be a need to cook a very large meal. However, this experience has taught me that 'The Small Portion Rule' doesn't apply to this country!

And above you have the older kids! Lovely bunch. They are my language & pop culture mentors. Most of the time I'm out of the loop on the latest music, so they regularly recommend songs to help me build bridges with other kids.

Braai

2007-01-11T22:06:00.001+02:00

I've got a grill! This is very exciting because everyone in my complex has a big grill for Braai's (cookout). Unfortunately, I'm the only flat (apartment) that doesn't have one. Guess the designer left me without one b/c he/she assumed I'd be eating off the neighbors.

This beautiful looking grill is made up of used...car parts. Isn't it cool? Wohoo! I am excited.

Besides looking a little different, this thing also has a lot of history. I know, you're wondering where I got it. Well, the lovely contraption was given to me by one of my Afrikaan friends, who specifically emphasized he was only letting me borrow it. His name is Tais and he actually bought it from his father-in-law, the original creator and proud ex-owner.

This is Tais new grill! So don't worry, he still has a place to do a braai.

And this is his beautiful son learning from the master. He's a hungry fellow!

Although I don't have a lot of experience grilling, I'll have my first braai next weekend. It will take a while to cook for 20 people, but I think I can manage. After almost starving Andres & Esteban a year ago, b/c I didn't know how to get a fire going, I think experience has taught me to start the fire before everyone gets hungry.

To steal or not steal

2006-12-28T17:05:00.000+02:00

Today I stole a spiral notebook from a paper store (that's what I call it). This place is actually an office supply store, but everything in it, is mostly related to paper.

Let me explain what happened.

I went to the post office today to send a package, but I was unable to mail it b/c they didn't have the size I needed. However, I was told to go to the building with the 'Red Pencil' and they would be able to help me.

As I drove down the road, I was unable to locate the 'Red Pencil,' but after a little driving, I finally found the 'Orange Pencil.' The sun can be hot and tricky in the afternoon, and many days you find people thinking red is orange.

Anyway, I took my package inside to make sure I got the right size box, but I had no luck finding what I needed. Fortunately, while looking for this container I came across a spiral notebook, a much needed spiral, as I was meeting with the head of the Health Department the following day.

Now here I am, standing with the spiral in my hand and as I'm heading to the counter, I put the spiral under my arm to hold my package. In one last effort, I ask one of the workers for help, just in case I was blind. Unfortunately, the lady only spoke Afrikaans and it took me a little while to understand the fact they didn't have what I need it. So, I went out the door and headed to my car.

Yup, I just walked out without paying for the notebook.

Once I got to the car I realized what happened and laughed out loud, scaring the people walking in my direction. But in their defense, I stopped abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk and they probably thought I was having a spasm and naturally jumped.

Although the spiral was overpriced, in my opinion, I turned around, went back to the store, showed them the spiral, payed for it and unbelievably enough, no one noticed I had taken it.

Victoria Falls

2006-12-24T18:03:00.000+02:00

After our training was over, some friends and I went to Victoria Falls for a short vacation. Did you know that Vic Falls is one of the seven wonders of the world?

The place was amazing and although the water was low, the beauty of Gods creation was indescribable. And to think He put that much energy into the falls, as he did for those "little" insects below.

I am constantly amazed at His attention to detail and stand in awe at the thought He also made us all, unique.

This is Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side.

And this was taken from the Zambian side.

There was a huge rainbow running through the inside of the falls. Yet another reminder of His promise.

Imagine the kind of impact the water has on the rocks when it hits the bottom. It's amazing when you picture this with the words of Jesus when he says, "I am the living water." As I was walking, I was reminded that my life should be a reflection of the force (God) that drives my actions, as the falls & bubbles are a reflection of the force behind the river.

Just a bridge we had to cross to be able to see the beginning of the Zambezi. Not a hanging bridge.

On the other side of the bridge...

...and finally the 1st big rapid that no one actually rafts!

The bridge in the background is where people go bungee jumping. One of the highest in the world. And right underneath is the Zambezi River and the starting point for rafters.

The choices for adventure were too many to do in one day. So I had to make a choice between rafting and bungee. In the end, I opted for the rafting b/c it was an all day adventure vs. a few minutes of thrilll. I'll bungee in South Africa in the near future.

As for the rafting part of the trip, I don't have pictures b/c I didn't have a water proof camera and even if I did, I don't think I would have had the time. Rafting is a full physical commitment, especially for the Zambezi.

To say the least, I had a ton of fun. And for those who've rafted before...yes, our boat flipped, but only once. After experiencing a near death experience...not really, but it was pretty scary...our boat was determined not to go through that same thing again.

Now I can say that I...

...saw the Zambezi
...swam the Zambezi
...rafted the Zambezi
...drank the Zambezi
...and I have a video to prove it!

Thanks again for thinking of me while I spent a month in Zambia. It's always a joy to be able to share with all of you what I'm doing in Africa.

Special events and critters

2006-12-24T16:00:00.000+02:00

Thanksgiving was celebrated big! We had a beautiful play put on by our very own TCK's (third culture kid or mk). Better than broadway...okay, maybe I'm exagerating but the acting was incredible.

The kids, from 2-10 yrs of age, did a beautiful job acting out the travel of the pilgrims with some funny representations. At one point the narrator said, "there was sickness and death," and suddenly Jerod grabs a doll from the "boat" and throws it to the audience! I laughed so hard I almost fell off my seat. Here they are praying for safety.

This is more of their acting! By the way, the young lady (kids teacher) with the black shirt and pink skirt was one of my tent buddy's. Figured you'd be wondering about the tall kid standing among the little ones.

After the play we had amazing thanksgiving food. Although the turkey was missing, for those who couldn't see the pic on my update, here's the chicken and Moses, the cook.

Another special occasion was my birthday. Here I am wearing a beatiful flower arrangement made by Corine Brown from South Africa. The background is our small group/eating/meeting hall.

Corine and her husband, Ken, were the only couple from another missionary company who were part of our training. I loved their kindness to people, accent, simplicity AND the fact they were South Africans. As you can imagine, I asked them tons of questions and their answers gave me great insight into their culture. A blessing? Oh yes.

Having the day off was the best part about my birthday. Although our day off had been scheduled months in advance, it was a nice coincidence magnified by the kids desire to make it special.

My thanks go out to these little ones for the singing & happy birthday writing on our dirt paths, for the cards, pictures and candy. They totally reminded me of Esteban and Andres. And of course everyone at camp for making it a memorable day.

The background is from our hotel outside of Lusaka (just in case you're wondering about the pavement).

Now, in addition to the heat, we also had the local little friends who lived all over camp. Here's one of the many.

The size of insects and critters in Zambia was unbelievable. It reminded me of 'The Lion King' scene where Pumba lifts a log and finds breakfast! I got to see all those bugs in real life. There were millipedes, bees, mosquitoes, ants, butterflies, and snails everywhere. And to accompany their size, the noise insects made all night, along with the village drummers, was a reminder that even insects praise God.

One morning I was sitting and heard what I thought was a helicopter. Yeah, of course it wasn't a helicopter but a HUGE bug. Don't know what it was but it landed 5 feet away from me. I tried to take a picture but he was too fast.

On the not so friendly side, I also got to see a tarantula, centipedes that tried to attack me twice in the evening when my only defense was my flashlight, and last but not least, scorprions.

This not so little guy was dead for the picture. Although we were told we wouldn't die if we were stung, the pain that would have been experienced was enough to keep us on our toes!

And why did we have scorpions? The rainy season was starting and the water was driving them out of their homes, so we had to share camp with them...but not all the time. Only a few evenings from our week-and-a-half.

So, that concludes life in Petauke. Looking back the scorpion doesn't seem, too unfriendly...dead.

Outings and "free" time

2006-12-24T13:08:00.000+02:00

After the morning ritual, our teams would meet in groups of 10 to have church, and afterwards headed to the villages near our camping area. The first few days we went to the market in Petaoke to meet people and this is our "convertible."

Zambians down the road would laugh and wave b/c they had never seen a muzungu riding a 'bakie' or truck. Is this legal in the states?

The rest of the time we walked and it was a long road for our team. The little village was about 45 minutes away, but I loved greeting people on my way. Children were the best b/c they'd always yell, "hi, how are you," and get excited when we responded. It was funny b/c that's all they could say in English, and naturally like any other child, would repeat it over and over again until we couldn't hear them anymore. They were the joy of my day!

These are some of the ladies we met on one of our outings, on the way to our assigned village.

Dick Village was our cultural assignment and 'amai' (Mrs/Ms) Esther was our cultural guide for Petauke (big city for the villages in the area). One morning we started talking to two women and ended with a crowd of about 25, including children. Apparently we got to Petauke during planting season and everyone was out working, so that's why we couldn't find a lot of people in the morning. But by the time we had to go back, it was getting hot and people were returning from the fields. This is what we saw!

One of those days we visited the Headman and we discussed what it meant to be a leader. He explained the headman is responsible for keeping order in the village and only dealt with small conflicts. However, if there was something they couldn't resolve, they'd take it to the chief who lived about 20 minutes away. Their form of government is very similar to the U.S., but their way of life is very simple. I felt like I could enjoy God's creation & people without any regard for time.

Once we got back to camp, there was certainly lunch, followed by debreifings, and finally a little free time. Although that block of time wasn't very long before dinner, it was still long enough to iron clothes I had washed in the morning. Yes, it was very dry by the time we got back from the village b/c the sun was that strong. And this is what I used:

This area was known for mango flies, so we had to iron or hang our clothes to dry, for three days, to kill the eggs these flies left behind. And I would do the three day routine as well as the ironing, just to make sure they were dead!

Other days I spent my afternoons swinging on a rope that was hanging on a tree, playing soccer, taking a walk with some of the children in the area and eating mangos, or reading. I had several options, but I didn't do it all at once. However, two hours seem to go further in the village.

But I wasn't the only one enjoying the quietness of the afternoon.

There was plenty to keep us busy and especially for the parents, their days were long. In many ways I was able to identify a little more with Zambians b/c now I understood their reason for not always being energetic. It had nothing to do with lazines, which seems to be the first assumption in our American mind, when they don't join us for church activities. But after walking great distances, washing clothes, ironing, sweeping, carrying water for baths, cooking, and watering their farms, who wouldn't be tired? I was.

Petauke...to camp or not to camp...it's not an option

2006-12-23T15:53:00.000+02:00

If you look on the yellow map, Petauke is on the northeastern part of Zambia.

Although this little city was not "too" far, it took us about 9 hrs to arrive. We knew we were on Africa time, but had not experienced the motto that anything could happen... like having to stop at a garage to cover permits taped to windows (our buses were not registered out of Lusaka), flat tires, no spare tires, and crazy winding roads. Fortunately, we had snacks to keep us from starving & plenty of water -we didn't want to drink the water b/c then we'd have to use the side of the road...but...I still had to go. Obviously, I drank the water.

Once we arrived I had a good time. It wasn't always easy, but it was worth the effort to know what most Africans have to do on a daily basis to survive. Here's the camp site. This picture doesn't do justice to the size of the area. Believe me, it was very spacious.

And this is the outside of my lovely home...

...and the inside (we fit three girls in one tent)...

...with a very convenient rope to hang our clothes (can you see the TP on the side? Very needed comodity).

The rest of the time I had a morning routine that consisted of the following:

Woke up w/the sun @ 5AM & ran with a friend. On my return, the second half of my morning exercise would begin with a trip to the whale (forgot to put the bucket on this one).

This is a pro in action and you do build up muscle!

I would carry this bucket (a few times I did it on my head, yay) to the shower...

...where I would pour water into this smaller, silver bucket, raise it, tie it, and finally shower. If however, I didn't run, on those days I would warm-up water in a kettle (45 min) and then combine the hot water w/the whale water for warmth. And b/c we didn't eat until 7AM, some mornings I would HAND wash my clothes before quiet time and breakfast. In reality, that only happened a couple of times. I know you're proud, mom!

Well, that concludes the morning routine. Except for the fact that I LOVE breakfast, my favorite meal, and these are the lovely kitchen people who fed me every day.

I will forever remember their beautiful smiles, singing, and their willingness to teach me how to dance their songs. I couldn't quite get the rhythm and hip movement, but I had them laughing.

The maps!

2006-12-23T09:57:00.000+02:00

You can see the cities a little better in this map because of the bright background. I think it will help you picture where I lived for a month.

This one shows the provinces and divisions of the country, as well as a little view of the layout of the land.

40/40 - Zambia

2006-12-22T18:33:00.000+02:00

Well, I've been promising pictures so here they come. By the way, did you know that Zambia used to be known as Northern Rodesia and Zimbabwe was called Southern Rodesia?

FYI: Zambia obtained their independence from the UK in 1964 and although their official language is English, they have 73 tribal languages. One of them being Nyanja, the language we used to greet people.

And now that you've had a little history...let's move on to the stories.

My first home away from home was Lusaka, where I spent two weeks at the Baptist Seminary, in a dorm, with two bathrooms that were shared between 23 missionaries (not counting the children). Ahhhh, community showers. Reminds me of those good old Baylor days.

Did I have roommates? Well, yes I did. I shared this first part of my adventure with three lovely companions. Two were journeymen and one was a TCK (third culture kid or mk) who was helping with the kids of 40/40 parents. Here's a picture of two of my roommates & another friend, walking to the store, wearing the traditional 'shitenge.'

I loved the afternoons b/c that's when I got to play a little soccer with the kids. These kids were the children of the seminary students and they were amazing ball players. The foot work was quite impressive.

In the mornings we'd go to the settlements and talk to people with our Zambian helper. I enjoyed the walking and the kids that would come up to me yelling "muzungu." Which means foreigner or what most people equal to "white."

Funny story, one day as we were walking through the settlement, a couple of men approached us to shake our hands. It's a priviledge to have a visitor in their community, and if the visitor is "white," they make a greater effort to shake your hand. I know, I don't look like your typical "white" person, but the color of my skin is still different and they're curious. Anyway, one of them tried to touch my face on several occasions and although I was a little surprised, I just smiled and grabbed his hand to shake it again. Eventually our helper pushed me forward to keep walking, but I thought it was interesting that he wanted to feel the texture of my skin.

On that same note, I must say that men in Zambia can be pretty creative when they propose. On one ocassion, as we were walking to the bus station, a man tried to hold my hand and asked if he could join my family. Guess I can check proposal off my list, ha, ha!

Moving on. Our small team in Lusaka was led by our Zambian helper, Golden. He was a pastor and a very happy fellow from the Copperbelt (see pic above). Thanks to Golden, I learned about the importance of greetings, how to show respect when talking to a man or woman, and most important, the proper word for pants in Zambian English...trousers. Otherwise, even though it's English, people would think I was referring to underwear. Gotta thank the British for that one.

Here I am with the family on our last day. The little boy was adorable and liked playing with my hair.

Something memorable about Lusaka was the topic of my name. Apparently only men are called Gaby in Zambia and I didn't know this for the first week. As I was introduced, people gave me funny looks and would point at me and repeat "Gaby?" I thought maybe they'd never herd of it. Eventually one brave soul, a man at the Russian embassy, suggested I go by Gabriela b/c that would eliminate confusion. Naturally I did, but in the future it served as a topic of conversation. Good way to make people laugh.

Finally, before we left for our village time, the United WeStand group performed for us on our last day. When they were finished, I bought a tape (haven't bought one of these in years) and took a pic matching their uniform.

And that's about all for Lusaka. Next...the village! yay!

And I'm Back!

2006-12-13T16:05:00.000+02:00

The past month held a lot of adventure, crazy weather, unbelievably huge insects and most important...I got to share Zambians my reason for being in Africa.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I learned this past month, but I'm thinking about everything I experienced this week and will write ALL about it, soon.

Thanks to all for the beautiful birthday wishes! I think one of the parts of coming "home" were the emails. I was reminded God lets us know He's around, by allowing us to remember each other on special ocassions.

Just a preview of what's to come...

See you soon!

2006-10-31T10:01:00.000+02:00

Just a reminder. I'm leaving for Zambia October 31st - December 6th and will not be updating the blog during that time.

Think of me when you eat pumpkin pie (I love it). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Encouragers

2006-10-25T19:16:00.000+02:00

Last week we had a team from Cape Town visit Rosedale, one of the two house churches, we are ministering to in the Northern Cape. The team consisted of four men from Oceanview Baptist, a South African church, who recently expressed an interest in becoming the mother church of Rosedale. The team used the weekend to reach out to the men in the community, while challenging current members (majority women) to take ownership of their congregation by being actively involved.

We had a lovely time. They presented the concept of cell groups in order to focus on developing leadership skills, while establishing discipleship relationships between the members. The Cape Town group was very dynamic!

Rosedale members are still developing leadership skills and our task will be to help them develop confidence in the skills/spiritual gifts they already possess. Pray for them to be faithful, diligent and bold as they stretch their limits. Think about the first time someone asked you to pray in the service, lead a Sunday school class, sing in the choir, become a youth sponsor, or join a group on a mission trip. Be honest. Most of us were a little nervous and didn’t know whether or not we could do the job. And that’s the case for this group. Fortunately, their attitude demonstrates a willingness to serve and a heart to share the difference God is making in their lives.

The tent looks cool, but it was extremely hot. We took the walls down at the end of the service and the wind felt wonderful. I really wasn’t made for this hot weather, but I’m slowly getting used to it. When I meet new people they love to tell me, “you know…it only gets hotter.” I thought they were kidding, but come to find out summer doesn’t even begin until the middle of December. Ayayay! I’ll survive. But, I’ll never wear a coat when the thermometer clearly marks the 80’s. Seriously, people wear coats around here and honestly feel cold. Ah, never a dull moment.

...and the trip continues!

2006-10-22T20:57:00.000+02:00

Guys! Just doing a follow-up on the trip to Springbok and here are the pictures I promised. This is the city of Springbok where Wayne and Elaine Thompson are working as part of the Northern Cape team.

I really like their town for the hills and it only took 15 minutes to hike to the top of this beautiful scenary.

While looking for life at Augrabie Falls, we encountered an area where the water was flowing through the road. No folks, this is not Jesus walking on water. This is actually my fearless leader, testing the waters to verify wether or not our little corolla could make the depths (all 3 inches).

As I love to climb, there was an area called Moon Rock, that I had to conquer. Here I am climbing the lovely, outrageously hot and almost impossible to climb down without a rope, rock. When I got to the top I had to look for another way down, but I did it!

Although we did no see a lot of animals, one of the most popular during the heat of the day were the lizards. They were all over catching the sun. Here's one of the more colorful little guys.

Trees are one of the most interesting, beautiful, and unique aspects of the Northern Cape scenery. This one didn't have a bird nest on it so we were able to view the tree without its permanent residents.

Hope you enjoyed a little of God's creation in South Africa.

On the road again!

2006-10-16T22:16:00.000+02:00

Oh, I bet you’re thinking or singing the famous tune. Yes, as the title implies, I’ve been on the road, again. Although I know pictures are one of the most exciting parts about blogs...I'm having technical difficulties and will only be able to show a few. Hopefully next time I can add the others. *sigh!*

On our way to Springbok, I saw the springbok’s resting by a lodge!

Earlier this week, my supervisor, his wife and I traveled to Springbok to meet an American team from Texas, who were volunteering with the Thompsons (the other couple in our team). This road trip only took five hours to complete instead of eleven, and the town, I thought, looked prettier because of the rocky terrain. A picture used to be here. Maybe next time.

Their task was to help survey the surrounding towns for potential Bible studies and although we only drove to spend the last couple of days with the group, fellowship with them was refreshing. Over all, the team was wonderful! From the very beginning they were eager and willing to share about their personal experiences with God.

Personally, I enjoyed experiencing a little more of the couloreds (this term describes anyone who is not a black or white South African) culture. People are always willing to spend time with you and actually seek opportunities to share their difficulties and have someone pray for them. Their little town is called Nababeep.

Children anywhere are always fun. One afternoon we had the story of David & Goliath, so we had a little acting. Afterwards some of the children stayed to talk. I asked them a little more about their every day activities. They were eager to share about their families, school, and at one point even sang a song in Afrikaans. When I told them I was learning the language, one of the girls suddenly started blurting all sorts of words in Afrikaans that I couldn’t’ understand or say, but she thought were important to know. I had to slow her down and after a few tries, to their satisfaction and mine, I learned to count to 5. I know I’m moving a little slow folks, but have faith, I will learn.

Aren’t they adorable? Precious kids! They love pictures. The one with the green hat wanted to know how old I was. When I told him my age, he couldn't believe it and as I smiled and told them that was usual for me, he said "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you're so short." Laugh. I did.

After the team left we also headed back to Upington. On our way home however, we stopped at Augrabie Falls and enjoyed a hot day of beautiful scenery.

Although we didn’t get to see a cheetah, apparently they come out in the evening, after the food, I mean other animals, come out of hiding. What smart cheetah! We were looking for wildlife in the middle of the afternoon. Not a creature was stirring except for the lizards and pesky little moskiet (mosquitoes). Apparently these annoying creatures kill sheep because they get into their eyes and orfices, preventing them from seeing and breathing. I believe they have cannabilistic tendencies because I was bitten in my ear, TWICE! I’m planning to return during the winter season when they’re not around.

This is actually part of the Orange River that borders Namibia.

Finally, we got home and rested for a day before our weekend activities. I'll try to put some pictures of the rest of the trip later. But in the meantime, let me tell you that I led worship on Sunday at our small house church. It was an exciting time for me because this the first time I've played my guitar with an audience. I taught them a new tune and they liked it (their words, not mine). Seriously, they liked it so much we sang "Jesus Loves Me" twice after the first time and once at the end. This is not the well known tune. This is actually a different version and one of my personal favorites. Pray for this group (Rosedale) as they are trying to be a light in their community.

Well, hope your week was just as exciting. Drop me a line any time and tell me how you're doing!

Out of town

2006-10-07T17:41:00.000+02:00

So I had a week to settle into my new home and the following week I had to leave for additional orientation. My team leaders and I traveled to Port Elizabeth for 11 hrs (not all at once) the first part of the week and later to East London for a national church conference. I loved the change in scenery from dry lands to beautiful green trees, cool weather, and hills.

Driving towards the coast was an adventure. Some of the highlights include monkeys running across the road, all sorts of animals, HUGE bird nests on electrical poles, driving through back roads due to construction on the major highway, and pulling over for lunch on a two lane road with a precipice on our side of the road. Apparently a truck didn’t make one of the sharp turns and dropped down 30 yards. A tow truck was in the process of pulling it up, so we had to wait a couple of hours for the road to clear. Praise God no one was injured.

Tea is available in most hotel rooms all over the country. Yummy!

Port Elizabeth and East London are on the east coast so I had the wonderful opportunity to see the Indian Ocean. Imagine! I’ve been to three out of the seven oceans in the world in just one year. What a blessing!

For your viewing pleasure, here's the Indian (Port Elizabeth and East London) Ocean.

Proof I was there, but how can you tell which ocean? Ha, ha, guess you'll just have to take my word. The two shadows are my supervisor and his wife!

While visiting Port Elizabeth, I also got to meet several of the missionary families serving in our part of the world. Everyone was very friendly and shared a little of their work and how they have been able to develop relationships w/ all ethnic groups in South Africa (SA). Something I’ve discovered is that SA is similar to the U.S. when it comes to people. They have all sorts of people groups who over the course of the years moved to SA, looking for a better way of life. It makes sense now why they have 11 official languages.

East London was a little different. Because this was a national church conference for South African Baptist, I spent most of the time meeting people who already have AIDS ministries. I wanted to get an idea of what’s been working and maybe incorporate that into my ministry. There’s a lot of work to do so pray that God continues to give me wisdom.

Once the trip was over and we returned to Upington, I felt like I was coming home. An 11hr car ride can be a little hectic when all you see is dirt outside your window. It totally reminded me of Arizona. But what an amazing opportunity…to see the south of Africa.

Finally, South Africa!

2006-09-16T17:54:00.000+02:00

I’m finally in Upington! I arrived on Thursday morning, September 7th and the wind was blowing so hard, I thought I was back in Wyoming! Upington looks like the southwest of the United States, except it is very dry and dusty b/c of the Kalahari desert. Sadly, I totally missed winter and made in time for a week of spring. From what I hear summer is just around the corner and it only gets hotter from now until March. *sigh!* To make up for missing the cold weather, I watched "White Christmas."

Travel from Kentucky to South Africa was definitely a new experience. First I flew into Chicago, then London, followed by Johanesburg, and finally into Upington. It took four days to get to my final destination, but I only spent 18 of those hours flying. I was also missing two bags, one of them being my guitar, but I'm happy to report they all made it to Upington without damages.

Since then I have been meeting new people almost every day. Last Sunday I visited one of the house churches in Louisvale (a suburb of Upington) and had an opportunity to share why I came to Upington and how God had prepared me to serve in this community. They were all very atenttive and thanked me with hugs at the end of worship. I look forward to the relationships that will develop out of this group.

As far as getting settled, the other two couples working out of Upington have been introducing me to the city, the people they’ve been working with, the food, the stores, etc. It’s only been a little more than a week, but the place feels like home. I’ve been told South Africa is Africa for beginners and I guess it’s because South Africa is very western. A lot of you wanted to know what it was like and now I can tell you.

Everywhere I look, the city reminds me of the states. There are department stores, fast food restaurants, supermarkets, and I can find almost anything. Some times it takes a few stores, but for the most part life is comfortable.

A few pictures of my flat (apartment). I’m not only learning Afrikaans but also South African English. Did you know an elevator was called a lift? And a truck is called a bakie?

The backyard!

The Livingroom! But picture the room without the christmas tree and the T.V (they were not mine).

Something very exciting is that the northern cape (a province = to a state in the U.S.) is known to speak mostly Afrikaans. Although people do speak English, it is only used when absolutely necessary (like speaking to American missionaries). This means I HAVE to learn Afrikaans, as this is their heart language and I am happy about the opportunity because I thought I’d be using English, ALL the time. I love learning new languages! Praise God for our differences and pray for an open mind, so that I can share the difference God has made in my life in their heart language.

Sorry the update came so late, but thanks for praying for a safe travel. I finally made it!

Worldfest

2006-09-05T01:30:00.000+02:00

Before heading to the other side of the world, I thought it would be fun to share with you guys about my weekend. It was filled with tons of excitement and some entertaining people. I literally traveled the world in two days!

Worldfest is an annual event put on by the city of Louisville to give people an opportunity to experience world cultures first hand. There are different things to do all weekend like tasting different foods, watching dances and crafts for kids. Many clubs are represented such as international organizations like United Nations in Louisville, non-profits that work with refugees or immigrants, clubs and of course local business.

As I was walking looking at the different booths, I realized for the first time that Louisville sport clubs include cricket, rugby and Australian football. What’s Australian football? No one was there to demonstrate, but I figured I could look up the rules on google. Hey, when all fails you just have to google.

This year I tried Greek, French and you wont believe this…Mexican food. That’s right friend, I’m not Mexican and therefore do not eat Mexican food very often. It’s funny how often I get asked why I’m not a big fan, go figure. But anyway, my little brother loved it so I HAD to taste the burrito w/the white cheese. There was so much food I had to settle for a few.

The most exciting part of the fest was the Ecuadorian dance group called…I don’t remember. But I took pictures and my grandmother loved their colorful garments. She was happily surprised to know Louisville loves to learn about other cultures.

Esteban, me and Andres after the dance show!

So now I’m heading out to South Africa and there are no emotions to share. I’ve been waiting for a long time and so far it still feels unreal. I don’t think it will hit me until I arrive in Upington on Wednesday. Yup! You read correctly. Three days (well, maybe two-and-a-half), so pray for safety and for things to go smoothly.

Before I log off, here’s a picture of my little brothers by a small statue of liberty...

and also a picture of the fam. posing for a last picture together (mom is taking the picture).

Visitors

2006-08-28T07:09:00.000+02:00

One of the great things about being home are the sweet memories I've been able to file about my little brothers. Just thinking about them brings a smile to my face. I will definitely miss coming home to hear about their great adventures in school and their excitement for knowledge. Guess I'll have to settle for emails that never do real life explanations any justice. C'est la vie!

Here's a picture of Esteban at his locker on his first year of middle school. Exciting? Yes! They do grow-up so fast!

But in the midst of the new school year, I've also had the pleasure of having my grandmother home from Ecuador. She's been with our family for a few months already and I think she's beginning to enjoy American culture. Although she still doesn't understand anything anyone says unless they're speaking Spanish, you can always count on a smile that will warm your heart in the coldest day of winter. Her wisdom and words of encouragement have challenged me to seek God with energy and focus on not only reading, but knowing the word of God so that it's permanently embedded in my memory.

In addition to her visit, last week my cousin David (from Ecuador, too) also came to visit for a few weeks. He was originally scheduled to come earlier, but once again things turned out differently and I got to see him. What have we done? Well, so far we've done the usual sightseeing. We took a stroll downtown and learned a little history, walked by the river and to my surprise, it turns out the river was one of his favorite things downtown. Who knew the Ohio River could build that much excitement in a 14 year old's heart. Whoohooo for water!

Here's they are, my two family visitors. The Ohio River in the background.

So that's what I've been doing for the last couple of weeks in addition to reading about South Africa. I feel like my time in Kentucky has given me the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the culture, their history, and the role I will play in sharing the difference God can make in life. I must confess the more I read about AIDS in Africa and the work I'll be doing, I realize that I cannot do this work in my own strength. It all comes from Him and I am glad He's prepared me through the circumstances and difficulties I've experience until this point.

Thanks for praying for me as I continue to wait on final travel documentation.

Finally...a post!

2006-08-14T23:53:00.000+02:00

After creating a blog last week and re-evaluating its contents, I came to the conclusion that it would be easier to make the URL address something simple, so that anyone wishing to find me...could. My first attempt was not successful! I named the blog in afrikaan and while trying to spell the stuff to friends, I realized their puzzled looks said everything! "Why coudln't you make it easy?" So here it is dear friends and sorry for the delay.

As of today, there is still no visa from the South African consulate in New York, but I am happy to inform you that all the missing paper work has been received by their office. I am now waiting for the approved visa to come in the mail, which I am hoping will come by the end of this week. Although I was a little disappointed in the beginning, I'm glad I've had a few more weeks to enjoy time with family. Esteban and Andres have been a ton of fun and I'm amazed at how God continues to bless me through them. Both are growing-up quickly and Esteban is already as tall as me. Imagine how tall he'll be when I return...really tall! Here's a picture of us!

Here's another of the boys and our crazy little dog, Gaston!

In addition to spending time with family, I've had an opportunity to speak to a couple of youth groups about the work I'll be doing in Africa. A friend from our church, Terry, invited me to attend a youth rally a few weeks ago, where three youth groups got together to hear about missions. I was a little nervous at first, but everything turned out well and God blessed the presentation. The other youth group I visited was the one from Ballardsville Baptist (my home church) and it was exciting to realize that some or all of those kids would one day choose to serve overseas. As many friends continue to remind me, I will go to Africa in God's timing and maybe His timing was for me to stay here a little longer to be able to speak to these groups.

As I wait for this visa, please pray that I will use my time wisely. I'm also a little anxious about the work I'll be doing in Upington, as I'm realizing there's more information than my mind can absorb in one sitting, so pray for understanding.