A day at the orphanage

Some of the kids from the orphanage and neighborhood (with Lily, Anya, Katelyn and Lacy)  

Last Saturday our family and team went to the township to paint Pastor J's house and play with their 21 orphan children.  I was a little bit nervous about what it would be like, especially for Lily and Anya, because I wasn't with Christian when they visited last time.  But I knew it was an opportunity the Lord had for us as a family.  As we drove in to the township, my eyes bounced (along with the car) between all the women walking home carrying water jugs on their heads, starving dogs wandering around, kids playing out in the sand (their ground), and seeing all the "life" happening in the multicolored shacks.  There wasn't really a road...more of "a way" between the shacks.  We arrived at Pastor J's property, which consisted of a three small houses (one room houses the size of a motor home)~ one full of bunk beds for the girls, one for the boys, one for Pastor J and his wife and the babies~the church (a bigger room with a small kitchen attached), two outhouses, a trampoline and little jungle gym outside.  The property is fenced in, and felt "safe" in more than one way.  There were A LOT of children, and as Pastor J introduced himself he said many of them (aside from his 21) were kids from the neighborhood.  It was a Saturday, which I later learned was a day many of the parents of the neighbor kids spent drinking.  So they come to the orphanage to be in a stable and safe place.  So many sad stories there, but made us all the more grateful for the generous love of Pastor J and his wife.  He had to go shortly after we arrived, as unfortunately one of the young elders of his church (who he was training to take over) died suddenly that week from tuberculosis and he went to help make funeral arrangements.  It was a very close friend of his.  Please pray for Pastor J, his church, and the elder's wife and kids who are mourning his loss.

Lily and her new friend :)

Most of the team went right to work on sanding, priming and painting Pastor J and his wife's new house.  Shannon, Stephanie and I hung out with the kids.  The trampoline was a main attraction, and quite chaotic:).  I quickly realized that most of the children didn't understand English, as they speak Xhosa.  It was the first time in South Africa that I've encountered a language barrier...and it took me a little while to figure out how to round up 30 kids, and what to do with them.  Thankfully Stephanie had some game ideas and so we went inside to the church and played "Duck,Duck, Goose", "Red Light/Green Light", "Boom chicka Boom", and whatever else we could think of.  The kids were anywhere from 1yr to probably 13 years, so there was a wide range of energy and attention span:).  And although I was a little bit worried how Lily and Anya would do, they AMAZED me!  They joined right in and played with the kids.  And Lily hit it off with one little girl out on the monkey bars.  One of our Cru Community staff members, Rose, said she overheard Lily ask her if she would be her friend:).  Turns out the little girl is the first orphan Pastor J and his wife had, as she was found and dropped off when she was a baby.  Lily had a great time and when we got home she said she wanted to have her new friend over to play sometime, and wants to go back again to the orphanage!

We brought and made lunch for the kids, and the Lord multiplied the hot dogs and apples for the rest of the neighborhood children visiting as well.  For those outside of the orphanage, it may have been their only meal of the day.  Anya, being a slow and distracted eater, left her half eaten hot dog and apple on her plate to come find me in the kitchen.  When she returned, it was gone.  She came back crying, of course, and said the "big" boy took her food.  We quickly gave her another hot dog, and she was fine.  I wasn't upset, as I knew my kids would be able to eat again when we left.  I'm sure the boy thought she was finished...she normally only eats half her food anyway.  When we ended up having some "extra" hotdogs after everyone had eaten, I thought we could just put them on a plate and go around and offer them to everyone.  BAD idea- a swarm of hungry children quickly came to eat.  So instead, one of the older kids that helps with his "siblings" brought a handful of kids who he knew needed to eat more, into the kitchen for seconds.  It broke my heart that we couldn't feed all the kids til they were stuffed, and wished so desperately that they'd never go hungry again.  Thankfully, Pastor J and his wife are able to keep their kids pretty well fed most of the time.  They trust the Lord to provide, and he does.  Before we left we gave each of the children a "Kinder Joy" egg, which has chocolate in one half, and a surprise toy in the other half.  They were SO excited, and the little toys kept them busy for quite awhile!

Painting the primer on Pastor J's house-

It was a long day- we were exhausted!  Christian and the team got the house painted before the sun went down.  They learned a lot about the quality of painting supplies...brushes and rollers were breaking left and right.  But luckily it wasn't a big house- more the size of a shed.  It was a rewarding experience for all.  We continue to pray for Pastor J, his wife, and their ministry to their children, their church, and their neighborhood, and we plan to go back to help regularly.  Please pray that the Lord will bring justice- There are children that have been with them since they were babies that have abusive, alcoholic parents, and they are still fighting for custody and trying to protect them.  Pray the Lord will provide a way through all the legal red tape and change hearts and minds of the parties necessary so that all the kids will be in the safest, most loving environment (the orphanage).  Pray also that the Lord will provide all that Pastor J and his wife need; emotionally, physically, spiritually, and tangibly.  God's love is SO evident in this orphanage, and God is being glorified- even in the midst of such trial and need!

Playing jump rope in the church

Anya eating her hotdog...everyone else is finished :) 

Easter Lily

Fall is in the air, which seems strange and normal at the same time, but is beautiful!  We've had a few cold and rainy days, which sounds like it's how the winter is here.  However, our internal temperature gauge may be a little different, as we are dressed for summer most days when others have their sweaters and coats on!  What can we say?  We're from Colorado:).

It seems like there are quite a few "holidays" in South Africa in April, which has given us time to be refreshed.  Good Friday, and the Monday after Easter are public holidays here, so that was nice to have an extended weekend.  Although it rained all day Saturday and most of Sunday, the sun came out for the perfect amount of time for an Easter egg hunt after church in the yard of the Joostenberg Vineyard.  It was perfect!  We had a wonderful Easter celebration.  It didn't seem to be much of a tradition here to dress up for Easter, but the girls had been asking to wear their Easter dresses for weeks!  We used pink sand pails for Easter baskets had some plastic eggs for the traditional Easter egg hunt (thanks to the vision trip), but in South Africa they hunt for chocolate eggs.  Basically, Easter is way more commercialized in America, which isn't surprising.  It was quite nice to keep it simple.  This was the first year we've ever attended a Good Friday service, and that was very special in keeping focused on Christ.

Lily started back with her 2nd term of Grade R (Kindergarten) after Easter.  She had a 2 week break between terms, which seems to be the norm.  It will be strange that she will be in school now until the end of June, when she will get a few weeks off again.  I really like her school and "Teacher Trudi".  She is very compassionate and gentle with Lily.  I've been learning a lot about Lily's temperament and personality lately.  Our counselor referred us to the book "The Highly Sensitive Child"by Elaine Aron, and though I am only on the fourth chapter, it is making so much sense!  Lily is a highly sensitive person, along with 20% of the population.  It's not a disorder- just a temperament- like "strong willed" would be considered.  It's genetically determined and present from birth.  Basically it just means that Lily's own feelings and interpretations of others emotions and her environment are heightened.  Some of her types of "sensitivity" are:  Notices subtle scents and sounds, does not like crowds or bustling places, picks up on the mood of others, has interesting insights about what is going on with people, notices small changes in room or my clothing, prefers little or only gradual changes, hesitant in all new environments, slow to warm up again with someone she has not seen for awhile, notices small changes in people after not seeing them for a while, does not like to be in large groups when some are strangers, does not like to be the center of attention among strangers (or in any group), does not like to be questioned by a stranger, and does not like meeting a lot of new people at once.  Normally, people with this temperament are "labeled" as shy or introverted, but it is more encompassing than that.  I've gained so much insight and feel like I can relate more to Lily now that I understand some of what she must be feeling.  The book is full of very helpful and practical parenting advice.  There are many strengths to highly sensitive people as well!  Many times they are artistic, scientific, patient, empathetic, conscientious, spiritually interested, intelligent, kind, and have a high concern for social justice.  I see many of those in Lily, especially in her artistic abilities!  I just see God's hand in bringing all of this understanding together...Lily's Soetlief class in helping her to understand her emotions, her teacher at school is familiar with the highly sensitive child and is a highly sensitive person, herself, and my friend and teammate, Lauren, is a highly sensitive person with much in common with Lily.  All the while, the Lord has been speaking to my heart through His Word about His love being patient and kind, and being quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry.  I'm so grateful for who Lily is, and I'm grateful to be able to understand her more to be able to communicate, protect, shepherd and love her in a way that will help her to become more of who she's created to be!
This week Lily accidentally ran into a boy at school and ended up with a busted lip!  Teacher Trudi called me to come see and comfort Lily.  She was calm and coloring when I arrived, but her lip was pretty swollen and still bleeding.  It's such an awkward place for a cut!  Even though she was fine, Trudi thought it best to bring her home for the day.  So we had fun:).  But that night and the next day the anxiety of going back to school and having everyone look at her hit.  She kept saying she wished she would have watched where she was going, that the cut would have been anywhere else but her face, that she'll be embarrassed when the kids look at her and ask her what happened, etc.  I had just read about how highly sensitive people think about how they could fail or what could happen, and how it can be helpful to plant the seed of "coping", by helping them know what they could say or do if those scenarios happen.  So I tried it.  We still had to coax her into school, but Teacher Trudi was very helpful in not drawing attention and understanding what she needed.  All went well, and her lip is already almost healed.  Poor thing!
The same day of Lily's accident, I took Anya to an eye specialist.  The sty on her eye has been hanging on now for 3 months!  And we found out she has one forming in her other eye now too.  The doctor didn't want to have to schedule surgery (he called it "theater") to slit it open until it was the absolute last resort.  So he gave us some drops and will continue with the ointment for 4 weeks and PRAY they heal!  Please pray that with us!  Thank you!
Ministry is mostly encouraging- a couple weeks ago Christian led 5 people to Christ!  Praise God!  And he's been having really neat discipleship appointments with the leaders and new believers he's meeting with.  After walking through the 4 Spiritual Laws this week with a new believer, the guy said "How many more of these do you have? Everyone needs to hear this- it's so clear!  We all need to share this with our friends and multiply our faith"!  They are all deepening in their love for Jesus and heart for the lost.
Our women leaders are still loving Jesus with their whole hearts, but we've encountered a few challenges in talking through personal convictions.  Please pray that Jesus will remain central, and the peripheral issues of behavior will all come through looking at truth in the Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Pray also for wisdom and humility as we continue to dialog.  Things are going so well, it's just like Satan to want to get in there and twist the truth, cause dissension, and confusion.  Pray against his attack and the "religious" spirit of things beaming more about what we "do".
Tomorrow we are going to Pastor J's orphanage in Gugulethu to paint their house and help with projects that need to be done before the rain comes.  We will take the kids with us and play with their 21 children!  Pray for a dry, sunny day, and that we can thoroughly bless Pastor J and his wife and kids!  Pray also for Lily, as I know it will be an uncomfortable day for her in such a new environment with new people, and seeing such need.  Pray for Lily and Anya in all they will be exposed to- that the Lord will help them process and learn from the kids. Thank you!

I can tell I'm changing...

I can tell I'm changing...in a good way.:)  I just can't shake the thought of those little kids in the orphanage where Pastor J and his wife give so much of themselves and have so much joy while not knowing how they will feed everyone that day.  The tension I am wrestling with is a good one.  I have so much.  Others have so little.  I really don't know what it means to go without.  I haven't ever really "suffered" in need.  I'm reminded of those kids when I'm buying groceries, when I'm buying clothes, when I'm debating what to wear and wishing for more, when the girls are begging for me to buy them a toy at the store, when I start to feel a little bit hungry, and when I splurge, indulge, or pamper myself in any way.  I see clearly here what I would not have said in the States...we are wealthy.  Not just in our blessings and provisions...but financially.  The way of life for many in the townships seem unsurvivable to me...no refrigerator, no bed, one room shack housing way more people than there is room for, the smell of outhouse, hundreds of flies swarming, no bathroom, no privacy, no food,  no job, no idea what the next day will bring.  I have so much to learn from them.  So much room to grow.  So much to pray about.  So much I want to "do" to help.
I still like to shop, be comfortable, know that will be able to eat when I get hungry, and buy my kids toys.  BUT, I can tell I'm changing...

Adventures in Africa

It has been an eventful few weeks! So much to report...where to begin?

Christian's brother, Bobby, came with 6 other staff from our region for the Cru Vision Trip March 14-20th. It was SO encouraging and refreshing to have him here and share what our life and ministry looks like. Lily and Anya were so excited, they started "cleaning" their room for him a week early! We showed them the sights, spent a day on campus together, and ate at the "African Cafe" where you are served traditional African cuisine...and I got my face painted. It was delicious and fun! Bobby and Alexandra will be back in July, as Bobby is leading the Cape Town Summer Project.

About a week ago last Saturday, while our team members(Lauren and Stephanie) were out, their house was broken into. Stephanie's computer, video camera, back pack, shoes, some clothes, and thumb drive, and Lauren's ring, jeans, one shoe?, and misc. items were stolen. The thief broke in through their spare bedroom window and seemed to leave in a hurry, as he/she left a trail of some of their things that dropped. They are thankful they weren't in the house when he/she came, but were understandably shaken up by the whole thing, and don't feel safe in their house. They have been staying with Tyler and Shannon, have negotiated to get out of their lease (praise God!), and have been looking for a safe apartment to move to. Please pray for them to find an apartment that is safe, within walking distance to some stores, affordable, will rent to Americans, and will allow a 9 month lease. Please pray also for God's provision in helping them to replace some of the essentials they lost, as they didn't have renter's insurance. Thank you!

~Family Vacation
We feel rested and refreshed after having a week off for Spring Break! We took a little family vacation and drove about 6 hours along the Garden Route to a town called Knysna. We were pleasantly surprised by the safety of the highways...it felt like we were traveling in America much of the time...until we passed ostrich farms, spotted elephants at a Reserve off the side of the road, and missed hitting a baboon in the road! The drive alongwas beautiful through lush green mountains and rolling hills, and some along the coast of the Indian Ocean. We saw apple and pear orchards, an olive grove, vineyards and forests.
We went to a cute little cafe called Ile de Pain for breakfast (famous for their bread) and then beach the first day. It was a beautiful beach and perfect weather. We were entertained by the way the waves crashed against the large jagged rocks, and by the huge washed up jelly fish and hundreds of little sea snails that came in with the tide. We built sand castles and had a great time!

Our second and final day in Knysna we went to the Elephant Park. Elephants in that area were killed off by poachers, but they rescued some of the orphaned elephants and take care of them there in the park. We got to feed the elephants apples, pineapple, watermelon pieces, etc. Fruit is like their chocolate! We could touch the elephants and could have ridden them if we paid:). Lily got up the nerve to barely touch one of the elephant's ears...but they were both afraid to feed them. No wonder kids get in free!
When we got back to our hotel that night I saw something scurry by my feet...and saw that it was a gecko! After I "landed" and calmed down, we took some pics, scooped him up in a cup and took him outside. Gave me a good scare!:) Lily also informed me on our trip that she is going to be moving back to South Africa when she is older! Guess that's a good sign that she's enjoying it!:)


Thank you for all of your prayers for rest. We feel very refreshed as we enter into our second term! We enjoyed watching the Jayhawk victory on Sunday and hope to be able to download their game this weekend! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Christian went on an outreach to the township of Kayelitsha today.  Pastor Peter went with them to translate as they went door to door to share the gospel and hand out Bibles.  The poverty they saw was sobering.  In one shack lived 2 women, a one year old and a 2 week old baby.  The child and baby were sleeping under a towel to keep the swarming flies from crawling all over them.  Christian got to share the gospel with these women and both women invited Christ into their lives!  He went to the next house and shared with 2 more women while Pastor Peter translated, and they both accepted Christ!  Praise the Lord!  They were given Bibles and Pastor Peter will follow up with them.  It was another humbling experience.  Please continue to pray for wisdom in how to continue to be involved in bringing God's love to our neighboring townships.

Seeing the Townships...humbling & hard!

"Brokenness & compassion, tears & smiles, laughter & anger,..." These are just a few of the things I, (Christian), experienced in my own heart last Thursday as our team visited two of the predominate Townships here in Cape Town.  I have seen the townships before, but I am overwhelmed each time.  There are only 20 km for where we live, but it feels as if there is a world that separates us.

Rose, the leader of Campus Crusade's community ministry here in the Western Cape, took us on tour of three places.  The first was a ministry that seeks to plant Bible based churches in the Township of Khayelitsha.  They are called, "African Leadership Nework," and have been so effective in bring the youth and children of Khayelitsha into Children Churches.  This ministry is doing a great work to end the physical and sexual abuse of the children through a t-shirt campaign.  The shirt reads,"I am precious to Jesus," in Xhosa and serves as a warning to the adults and a source of hope for the children.  I never would have thought that something like this would work, but it is! Many of the things that this ministry is doing blows my "western-mindset."  

The next place that we visited was a church/preschool in a poorer area of Khayelitsha. (there areas that are less developed) This is the church of Pastor Peter, a man who's heart for God was such an encouragement.  In his journey to do good for those around him, he has seen persecution from the authorities, but he has walked with God.  His vision for the church is to help those that are suffering from HIV, abuse, and extreme hunger.  He said, "It is better for for people to experience physical suffering now, but to know Jesus, so they can live in comfort for eternity, than to live in comfort now and experience an eternity of suffering."  Wow, his words hit me hard and brought such clarity to the reality of what we are called to in this life.  We do not live for the temporal, but eternal!  We do not store up treasure on this earth, but in Heaven.  Pastor Peter, has really helped give vision to this area of how they can grow their own vegetables.   He lead an initiative to build a green house at the church, of which our students from last years Summer Project helped to build.  It was working well, they were growing their own food, and were giving it to the poor who needed food so that they could take their HIV medication. BUT...last month the greenhouse was destroyed, people broke in at took the support structures that held the greenhouse together.  They also took all of the food that the church had stored for distribution. Please pray for them in how they should proceed with meeting the needs of this community.

We had one more stop on our "visit."  It was to an area called Gugulethu, where for years it had been an area dominated by gangs, but 13 years ago God called a man to plant a church.  His name is Pastor J, and his journey has looked different than what he expected, but it is a story that is changing lives.  J and his wife moved to this area and began a church. During that first year the police brought to him a 2 month old baby girl whose mother had died. They knew him to be a pastor and thought that they might care for the baby.  They took the girl in and that was the beginning of their orphanage.  They now have 21 children. It was my first visit, and my heart broke for them.  They live day to day on what God supplies, and they truly love these children as their own.  J and his wife are in their 60's but they are putting skin around God's love to these children daily.  They do have 2-3 volunteers that help with the kids. The children were so happy and by our standards had very little.  My heart broke when I saw two little girls playing together, and could not help but think of Lily and Anya.   Rose explained to us that they are in need of help, and have experienced other organizations raising money for them and yet it never made it to them. There are times when Pastor J will call Rose and share that they have no food. She has brought them food and other supplies. We were all moved, and want to be used by the Lord to help this little "orphanage," in Gugulethu.

Pray with us for God to protect the innocent and heal those that are hurting in this city.  Thanks for all of your prayers we really do feel loved, and protected by God.

In His care and love,
Christian, Mia, Lily & Anya

New Believers, New Friends, New Doctor, and not so New things

Last week I went to UWC with Lauren.  We only had a half an hour left before I needed to pick Lily up from school, but we went ahead and initiated a conversation with two girls sitting on a bench outside.  We found out fairly quickly that one had a church background and the other was Muslim.  They were pretty quiet and reserved until their friend came up and joined the conversation.  He also is Muslim, and was quick to tell us he went to Muslim school, where he learned about all the "loop holes" of Christianity.  One of the first things he said when he found out I was a Christian was "Oh!  So we pretty much believe the same things".  I asked how, and he answered that they believe in God and the Bible too...except that Jesus was just a prophet.  He was very open to talking and answering my questions about his faith.  When it came to what happens when he dies, he said he's scared to death because he doesn't know where he'll go after he faces "judgement".  He admitted he's not a "good Muslim", but wants to be better.  I asked why-what's the motivation?  Seemed like it was so he could just be a better Muslim, which would make him a better person.  After talking for quite awhile, I referred back to when he said our faith is pretty much the same, and said I'd actually have to disagree.  He was interested to find out why.  I said "Our God is loving, and our personal relationship with Him is one of love, not fear."  We handed them each a "4 Spiritual Laws" booklet and because we were running out of time I asked if they'd rather take it home and read it, or go through it right now?  All three of them were eager for me to go through it with them right then!  And something miraculous happened somewhere in the middle (probably partly because two of our women student leaders came over and started praying as they listened)...the message of the good news of the gospel became clear!  They came to understand why Jesus is the only way...that we are all sinful and imperfect (Rom 3:23), and Jesus was without sin.  He bridged the gap. They understood it is a gift...not that we can earn it (Eph 2:8-9).  And when they identified between the two circles where they stand, all three said they are on the "left" (without Christ).  Where do they want to be?  On the right (with Christ in their life, 100% forgiven).  So I read the sample prayer, and they all said it expressed the desire of their heart!  I asked if they wanted to pray with me right then to invite Christ into their lives, and explained the assurance they would have in spending eternity in heaven.  Then the two Muslim friends looked at each other and realized what that would mean...and they didn't pray out loud.  But the girl with the church background did!  Praise God!  They were all running late to a study group together, so they had to go.  But we asked if they'd want to get together again to talk further and the Muslim guy jumped at the opportunity!  We all exchanged numbers, and when they left we rejoiced that we witnessed a miracle!  God visibly changed their hearts- we could see that even if two of them didn't pray with us out loud.  They went from not understanding, to understanding.  And the one girl is alive in Christ!  Praise God!  The biggest bummer is that it is mid-term week, and students all become pretty much unavailable during exam weeks.  Please PRAY  that the Muslim guy will meet with Christian this week, while the seed is on fertile soil.  Pray that the girl that accepted Christ would be willing to meet again for basic follow up Bible studies, and get connected to the other student women involved.  

It's just been one story after another of students anxiously responding to the gospel!  One of our staff guys got a text last week from a guy that had just prayed to receive Christ that said something like "thank you so much for sharing with me the most important message I could ever hear".   Yesterday Christian and Nicholas saw a guy accept Christ, and Christian said he could just tell from the beginning God was doing a work in this guys heart.  And this week we hosted an outreach by an illusionist named Adrian VanVactor.  50 students came to the event at Stellenbosch campus, and 2 prayed to receive Christ!  What an exciting and humbling privilege it is to be a part of the harvest...the Lord's life changing work in people's lives.  There's nothing like it.  It's a work that only Jesus can do...and we're addicted! Praise God and rejoice that He is life!

On more of a personal note, God is bringing more friends into our lives, which has been so fun!  We've found a church that we LOVE!  It's called "Common Ground".  For first time visitors they offer coffee and these AMAZING brownies (not gonna lie- it did leave a good "taste" in us wanting to come back:)) in a lounge after the service.  We met a couple who lead a small group, and instantly hit it off!  In fact, all felt sure that we'd met before...we both looked familiar!  Strange...but anyway, we've really enjoyed getting to know them.  The first week we went to the church, Lily didn't make it very long in Sunday school before they brought her to me in the service.  The second week I stayed with her the whole class to help her feel comfortable.  The third week she went right in and had fun!  Praise God!  I'm seeing that it really is a trend of her being anxious and fearful the first time in a group situation.  She's actually started going to this after school class called "Soetlief".  It's a 10 month emotional and social skills program.  It teaches children communication skills and they learn to identify, communicate and control their emotions.  (http://www.soetlief.co.za).  Everything about the description seems like a perfect fit for Lily.  It's about 7 kids that are all Lily's age, and they meet at the teacher's home.  The first class we were a little late, and Lily cried and wouldn't let me go...so the teacher let me stay.  This week, she went in happily and enjoyed it!  They learned about the four core feelings (happy, sad, angry and scared), and did a lot of fun activities in identifying and expressing these feelings.  A personal highlight was getting to meet and visit with one of the other mom's whose daughter is in Lily's Soetlief class!  We got to chat for the whole 45 minutes that they had class, and swapped numbers.  So new friends, a great church, and a great class for Lily!  Praise God!

Anya's sty on her eye has persisted.  We put warm compresses on her eye a few times a day for a couple of weeks, and we kept thinking it was looking better, but it never cleared.  Finally we gave in and went to a doctor.  Actually, first we went to the "M Chem" pharmacy, where you can have a free consultation with a nurse.  The nurse recommended an antibiotic ointment.  However, it turns out it's out of stock in the country for a year.  So, I got right in with a doctor a friend recommended.  Victory number one was finding the hospital.  Victory number two was finding the right room (parked at the wrong building and then had a little trouble finding the right office).  Once we filled out our paperwork, the receptionist said we could go on in...where?  Is that the doctor...the tall gray haired Afrikaans man dressed in nice clothes behind the desk drinking his tea?  Yep- he's the doctor!  So Anya and I went in and sat down.  After some friendly introductions,  I told him I was there about Anya's eye. He glanced at it and said, "Oh, is that all?  What are all those bites on her arm?"  He seemed way more concerned about her mosquito bites (which, side note, there have been a swarm of these little mosquito bugs that have infested our house.  There are NO SCREENS on our doors and windows...so it's either smother or have bugs.   And they are eating Anya alive at night, poor thing).  He then got up and invited us around the corner to his little office closet.  He looked at her eye with some goggle/binocular looking things, and then I couldn't understand for sure what he said, but I knew he'd prescribe some medicine.  Then he looked at her bites and somehow something I said he misheard and thought I thought she had worms!  He said "Oh no...she doesn't have worms!"  There was some miscommunication happening, but all in all he seemed to know what he was doing, wrote down some prescriptions (one for the eye and one for mosquito bites) and said to go to any "chemist" to get them filled.  So, we went to the "chemist" nearest us:) , and I handed him the prescription.  He went and filled it while I waited there at the counter, and when he came back he had 3 items.  I asked what the one in the bottle was for, and he said for an infection.  I asked if I put it on the eye or mosquito bites, and he said he didn't know.  Then he put a spoon with it, and I figured out it was an oral antibiotic.  Must have been in the miscommunication part.  Thankfully the instructions are in English and gave directions for the one I put on her eye so I don't put the mosquito one there!  Then he put the medicine all in a little rectangular cage, zip tied it, and sent me up to the register.   And that is the long version of our first doctor/pharmacy experience in South Africa!  We did it!  And it really seems to already be helping.  Thank you for your prayers!

We have some visitors coming this week...and Christian's brother, Bobby, is one of them!  Yay!  Our region is sending a "vision trip" composed of the summer project leaders (to find housing and settle details about the summer project coming in July), some campus directors, and some interested Stinters for next year.  Please pray for smooth travel, safe arrival, and an encouraging week for all (how could it not be for us!).  Pray for good quality time for Christian and his brother.  Christian has really missed him and is looking forward to time together.  We will visit Khayelitsha (one of the biggest townships) twice next week.  Pray for clear avenues to be able to see how we can serve there regularly, and how to provide avenues for college students to serve there.  Actually, we've met quite a few students at UWC that are from poorer areas and townships.  Some take the train 2 hours each way, and a taxi to get to school every day!  Pray also that God will use the vision trip and summer project to raise up laborers and another Stint team to continue the work next year.  The Vision Trip group gets in at 10:30pm Thursday night (1:30pm MST) and leaves next Wednesday morning.  Can't wait!  We will all be on campus at UWC on Monday.  Pray for our conversations!  Thank you!

Things I'm getting used to...
*calling napkins "serviettes" (the girls say it all the time)
*not having a dish washer
*saying I'm going to "fetch" Lily instead of "pick her up"
*saying "hooting" instead of honking
*wearing skirts
*paying my parking ticket at the self pay machines before I go to my car and going through security gates (a bar) to get in and out of parking lots.
*tipping parking attendants and having "helpers" load my groceries into my car and direct me as I back out of my parking spot
*trampolines at play places in restaurants
*summer.  Though I'm starting to feel the fall air coming in, and I know it's going to be beautiful too!
*having my laundry done for me (because when else will I have that opportunity?)
*driving- I don't have to think about what side of the road I'm on anymore.  It feels normal!
*people standing on the middle line between the two lanes on the road at robots (stop lights), holding signs asking for money.  And people doing fundraisers by going up to the cars at the robots and asking for money
*going to 5 different stores to get everything that I need (I'm missing Target!)
*people speaking to me in Afrikaans...I smile and nod and reply in English :)
*the girls playing with the Williams' girls every day whenever they aren't in school.  Such a blessing to live right next door!
*our little apartment- it's home sweet home!
*bringing my own shopping bags everywhere.  You have to pay for plastic bags at the grocery store and many other places.
*cheap coffee and hot milk, and every place serves breakfast (so yummy!)
* The bacon being more like ham.  So good!
*Buying things in "Rand" and knowing if it's a good deal or not
*Not having TV (but would be lost without internet)
*Lily being at school half the day, and having Anya and I time (though I miss Lily)
*blogging!:)

Vineyards and Mountains

Last week we got to experience some of the sights here in Cape Town. Right down the street from us is a vineyard...actually we live close to many vineyards in Durbanville, but this one is "home of the Tygerburg Mountain Bike Club". Christian may be their newest member! Last week wasn't the best experience for him though, as he ended up getting a flat tire two rides in a row! However, for date night last Tuesday we walked through the vineyard where he bikes. I got to see the grapes before they are all harvested! It was beautiful- the vines, the grapes, the view of the mountains, and the sunset. Seeing the grapes on the vine, as well as the ones on the ground brought such life to the passage in John 15.  "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." (Jn 15:5) Especially in seeing the grapes that had fallen and were all shriveled up. They couldn't survive without the vine. It made me wonder too, how do we die on the vine...is that possible? What does it look like when we grow weary. Christian has been feeling weary. It's not that he isn't seeing fruit- AMAZING things are happening! (I'll explain below) It's just feeling like full days of initiating conversations on campus, full speed when he gets home with the kids, and then a full plate of things that need to happen administratively at night. Pray for rest in his heart, mind, and body, and that we would remain in Christ!

We also went up the gondola and watched the sunset from Table Mountain. They were having a half price special in February if you go up after 5:30pm. It was BEAUTIFUL! It was beautiful when the sun first went down, but just kept getting better as time went on. A masterpiece of yellows, oranges and reds were painted in the sky as we looked out over all of Cape Town. Perfect!

Yesterday on campus (UWC) was AMAZING. Here's the scoop. Yolenda is one of our main student leaders. She loves Jesus and it flows out of her like a waterfall. She did an evangelism training at their prayer meeting at UWC last week because all of the women were wanting to learn how to share their faith. In fact, last week one of the girls (Aviwe) was PRAYING that God would send her someone to teach her how to share her faith. Lauren (staff) happened to text her and ask if she wanted to go sharing with her 5 minutes after she prayed that! The last time they met, Aviwe led the way to initiate with a girl that ended up accepting Christ! Two other girls from the training also went out last week and saw two girls accept Christ! Praise the Lord! Now, back to Yolenda...she and her friend felt led to walk up to this "intimidating" group of people, including a lesbian couple. They walked up and asked if they could pray for them. The whole group started mocking them. Yolenda and her friend just started praying together out loud. Then the group got quiet...and they joined hands in a circle and started listening and agreeing with their prayers. Yolenda sensed that the Lord wanted her to speak/pray into some of the areas the people in the group were struggling with, and as she did, one of the lesbian girls started nodding and agreeing ssying "Yes, Jesus!". Finally, Yolenda closed their time because she and her friend were going to their prayer meeting. Three of the girls from the group, including the lesbian couple, were so moved by their time that they came with Yolenda to the prayer meeting! Praise God! We haven't heard what has come of that time, but God is obviously doing a work! And that's not all! Yolenda had had a dream that Lawrence (one of the guys Christian's been working with in trying to start a men's movement at UWC) was going to say they'd like to join the women's prayer meeting on Mondays. She wrote "men and women meeting Monday- exalt the Lord" on the board just to remember to come back to talking about it. Christian was meeting with the student men at the same time, and then they walked over so Lawrence and the guys could meet Yolenda and the women leaders. They hadn't met yet. Lawrence walked in, and after Yolenda told the story of the group they had prayed for just before, he said "Before you say more, I just wanted to let you know that the men have been talking and we'd like to join you on Mondays to pray and then have our Bible study afterwards." The girls started jumping up and down in unbelief that this guy, Lawrence, whom they've never met, was there saying the exact words as it happened in Yolenda's dream! And it was even more exciting, because the women have been praying for Godly male leaders for a year...and now it's happening! Praise God!
I am just blown away...it just feels like the spiritual realm and reality is so much closer (for lack of a better word) here. Good and evil. I was processing this with one of my new South African friends, and she said maybe it's because there is so much need here. Poverty of body and spirit. Makes sense. I'm just blown away by Yolenda's passion and love for Christ, and boldness in proclaiming His love to others. She embodies what I think it means to be in step with the Spirit. She seeks, asks, listens and follows...and people respond because it's GOD doing the work! I am challenged, humbled, and excited to walk this way. I'm studying Acts in BSF, and I've been challenged and encouraged by Paul's example as well. I want to run the race to get the prize...not just to finish. I want to seek and take every opportunity the Lord gives me to tell others about the abundant life we have in Jesus. I'm going to UWC tomorrow to spend time with Lauren and talk to students about Christ. Christian initiates these conversations all day every day. Please pray for us- that we would seek, listen and follow the Spirit's lead. God is AWESOME! It's such a fun adventure to follow Him!
Oh!  And thank you for praying for Anya's eye.  We've been putting a warm compress on a few times a day, and the sty seems to be going away...keep praying!  Thank you!