Waiting for spring

I grew up with seasons. Summer meant warm days and daylight until around 10pm.  Fall meant the leaves changed to bright orange, yellow, and brown. In the winter the leaves fell and the trees were naked even though the rain was plentiful. Spring greeted us with the sun, the blooming flowers of bright pink, red, yellow and allergies. Winter and fall were the hardest because combined they lasted half the year which means cold, rainy, dark and naked for at least 6 months. If you were to join us during these seasons it would seem like it could go on forever. This is where the NW gets its reputation. We are defined by these two seasons, but many people forget that summer is gorgeous and spring is beautiful when the flowers burst forth with colors. How much more do we appreciate the fact that spring and summer follow fall and winter!

A dead tree and a dormant tree look the same on the outside. There are no leaves, the branches are naked, but if its dormant then you know when spring comes it will burst to life again. If all you have ever experienced is winter then the hope of spring is a myth. We do this with our lives sometimes mistaking the season of God we are in. We can easily mistake a dormant season for a dead one. If the tree is dead there is nothing going on in the inside no nutrients, no water, no life, no regeneration. However, in a dormant season the tree is still being nourished, fed, regenerated and preparing to come back to life, but you wouldn’t know it from just looking at it.

God’s silence is not His absence.

There are times we don’t see the work God is doing or even feel it. We question the lack of fruit and the lack of purpose, but what we don’t see can hurt us. We abandon the dream, the desire, or the calling thinking its dead, not having felt anything from it in a long time. We mistake a dormant season for a dead one, believing what was once colorful and awe inspiring no longer exists. We mourn in confusion and blame and then we walk away in disillusionment.

Then in our distress someone comes along, someone who has seen dormant trees before.  Someone who is familiar with the seasons and recognizes what we thought was dead is actually being regenerated, nourished, and refreshed. The creator is anticipating the moment it will spring forth again with vibrancy and beauty. This is how the tree was created; created to survive the seasons. We are reminded that spring is coming, that it always follows winter. Someone changes the way we view our lives, someone gives us a new perspective and with it comes new hope and new expectation. Someone comes alongside and says, “wait”, “let’s see”, “hold on.”

I believe the spring is coming. I’m waiting.  I’m holding on. I want to see. I can’t wait to hear “Behold, I’m doing and new thing. Now it shall spring up.”

God’s silence is not His absence. 

It happens every time.

Every time I'm sitting around with free time and think about needing a new hobby I always forget I have one that I enjoy; writing. I go through seasons of writing and of posting blogs. Sometimes I have written lots, but posted little. Other times I have nothing to say to myself or others. Today I'm feeling inspired.

Safari!

It was a 2 hour drive and we left at 6am. We saw everything we wanted

but lions and baboons. 

The giraffes were the most helpful and the most photogenic.  

Elephants were probably my favorite and I got pics of babies too! So cute.

This guy was almost too close for comfort. Right outside
our car. I just rolled down the window to take this pic.

First animal we saw!

Pumba!

Can you see the ostrich to the left of the tree?
It was so far away! 

Hippos!! We counted 8. 

Our retreat and more kiddos

Last weekend we spent fri-sun at a retreat center about an 1hr and 30 mins away. Part of it was silent at different periods throughout day unless we were meeting for our sessions. It was a nice relaxing place, but some of the sessions made my brain hurt. We had a chance to look back at our lives, life lessons, gifts and ask the question, " Who has God created me to be?" Obviously we weren't expected to answer this fully over a weekend, but we were challenged to explore the hand prints of God in our lives and see how they might connect to each other. 

Here are some more pictures from kids club today. Today we played charades with the kids and Petunia and I gave the them their word/action. I told this girl to act out "taking a bath." She got up in front of her team and began making a large circle with her arms and then bending down like she was picking something up. This went on for about 30 secs and then i began to think she must not have understood me so I had Petunia check with her. Turns out she heard me right but it was interpreted wrong. In Zulu "take" translated literally means to "pick up" so this poor darling understood what I said to mean "pick up the bath." I couldn't stop laughing!  She was so serious but she must have thought I was out of my mind asking her to act out "picking up a bath." Oh language learning.

left over batter! today it was green.

Whenever Petunia divides the kids into groups or
teams she has them start by lining up by height. 

Amazing Race: Soshanguve

We organized a fun day in the park for all the kids in the neighborhood. We created an "Amazing Race" style competition complete with road blocks and u-turns. We all had a blast.

AND they are off! First was the potato sack race. Some teams
were U-turned and had to do it again!

Find a piece of gum in flour and blow a bubble

Bob for "apples" (which here actually plastic balls)

A water balloon toss to determine the top 3 teams

The final teams were 3-legged with balloons
each tied to their outside leg. They had to try and pop
the other teams balloon. Last team with balloons wins!!

We also had a blindfold obstacle course, bucket toss and a scavenger hunt challenge they had to complete. It was an awesome day life-giving day.

` 

P-a-r-t-y?

We were able to attend a social with Petunia for the nurses that she works with. There is a theme which was brown, white and khaki colors. If you didn't dress in the theme your were fined $5. Also if you were late or left early you had to pay $5 and if you couldn't come at all you had to pay $10. The money goes to the host as a donation/gift. There were the standards things great food and lots of dancing.We were there 5 hours before we left for another party we had to stop by at. Here is picture of the tents that people rent for all their events. The houses are small so everything is outside; socials, birthdays, funerals, weddings etc.

We have also spent some more time at the orphanage. I was taught how to play netball by the older girls and we played for over an 1hr. Its great exercise. Its like basketball in that there are hoops you shoot the ball into, but there is no dribbling. I enjoyed it and we have played a couple times since then. I will be preaching at the church service they have there on Sunday. Last Sunday I was spontaneously asked to do something with the toddlers for church. They are mostly 3 and 4 years old and so adorable! We can't take pics while we are there but you would just melt, I promise. I have been continuing to build relationship with some of the older girls in the neighborhood. A few are getting more comfortable and dropping by if they are playing games or to say hello. I have been enjoying getting to know them. The kids here are really creative when it comes to games. Here are some playing jump rope yesterday.

                                 

               

                                  

A couple from Scotland are visiting this week who are thinking about joining the team here in South Africa. It has been fun to show them around and share just the small bit we have learned so far about living in the township. Tonight is a fun team time with bowling and all you can eat pizza. I'm sure there will plenty of pictures to come. 

A team pic

Be spontaneous!

The kids in the neighborhood are out on winter break for 4 weeks so the streets have become one big playground. Kids are out til dusk playing games, hanging out, singing, dancing etc. It reminds me of the neighborhoods when I was little. The only thing that would interrupt our play time were cars that passed by. We all moved to the side and then resumed right where we left off.  I have learned to play a game called “Tennis”. I have noticed that only girls play it. Two people bounce a tennis ball back and forth trying to hit the person in the middle. My favorite part though is that if you drop it or the ball goes past you, it is literally a free for all. Everyone standing around you runs and fights for the ball. If you are the person to get the ball it’s your turn.  This creates lots of laughter and shouting (in a fun way). Oh, and I’m learning names. As you can imagine this is not an easy task. Not counting Luc’s family I think I remember 6. I’m trying to add 2 each day.

We attended church at the children’s home this Sunday. Thomas, my fellow teammate, preached and did a great job.  We also caught the end of a choir competition. Most of the groups were just kids of all ages singing together, but there were two legit choirs. They were really good. In two weeks I’m going to preach on Sunday. I’m going to use the bible story about Joseph to talk about when we are called by God or have dreams we want to achieve, though people may intend to stop us or try to keep us down God will use it for good.  Or something like that…

We were invited to a surprise birthday party and you can’t go to a party in Africa and not dance. There was a congo line at one point and the older ladies took us by the hands to dance in the middle. Oupa, our team leader, warned us that it would be spontaneous and sure enough it was! I was asked to make a speech; a word of encouragement or blessing to the woman whose birthday it was. Uhm. Sure?  I was just one of probably 10 people that got up to share something. There is an MC and a program of which I was just added into on the spot. I had a lot of fun though and it was another great culture experience.  

Straight line or station?

I'm recovering from being out of commission for most of the week due to illness. I didn't leave bed for 3 days so I'm some relieved to feeling better. Imodium and rehydrating salts became my best friend :)
I made it into town by taxi. I passed some neighborhood kids on my way to the main road and two of the girls wanted to walk with me. I think by now they recognize me J In order get the taxi to stop for you, you just point your finger in in the air which mean you are going to town I guess.  Now, when I say taxi it’s really like the equivalent of a 15 passenger van. I’m pretty sure they just drive around the township picking people up until they are full and then drive into town. He literally honked at every person we passed or saw. I’m going to have to get used to so much honking.  It’s very different then the states where you just get in and head straight to where you are going. Maybe this is why we run on cp time (the original) here. No one’s in a hurry.


For the local taxi's you use hand signals to tell the driver which way you want to go. You make a circular motion with your fist if you want to go to the station/ plaza for shopping or anything in that direction. Coming home you make a gesture of straight line and tell them your stop. It works quite easily actually.You just get in with the rest of the people going that direction. My accent has proved to be a little bit of barrier when telling the driver where I want to get down. The other day it took a couple people in the taxi with me to figure it out what i was saying but I got there just fine. 

"How do we grow taller?"

This weekend the basketball team that Luc coaches had a chance to go to its first tournament. It was actually  their first time leaving the township to play basketball and their first competition. We all went along to support the team since we had been going to some of their practices. They are all high school age and unfortunately they were playing against college and men's team so it was a bit uneven. However, despite losing by 90 points in both games their attitude was great, they had a good time and enjoyed the experience. Afterwards they wanted to know how to grow taller and hopefully they gained some motivation to work hard in practice.

                                    

    

Friday is the kids club that Petunia organizes for the kids in the neighborhood. They first bake followed by games, songs and bible study. I'm hoping to find a way to connect with the young girls maybe another time during the week. They have their winter break coming up so pray I can find a creative way to minister to them. 

Finally for lunch this week we had a South African burger in the township. It includes an average size burger on two huge thick pieces of bread and then a huge mound of fries. Quite the experience.We can cross this culture experience off the list.  

feeling the love

My family recently lost my grandpa who was such a beautiful and loving husband, dad, grandfather and great grandfather. As you can imagine its difficult for me to be so far away but its given me an opportunity to turn to my community for encouragement and prayer. People truly are wonderful if you allow them to speak into your life and be there for you, but that's the catch you have to allow them. You have to open up and say here are my weaknesses, my needs and my shortcomings. You must invite people into the depths of your life because its meant to be shared. It took the hardest seasons of life to realize this for myself and I was stubborn at first until I could accept the gift that those around me offered. Now, I will never be the same.

Lord thank you for all the friends and family that are models of your faithfulness, compassion and unconditional love. You have allowed them to help me see you. Always in your debt. Amen.

A Funeral (South African Style)

On Tuesday our schedule for the day was changed due to a funeral at the neighbors house. You can learn so much about cultures through their ceremonies (weddings, funerals) and rites of passage (birthdays etc). First its a very communal event whether you know the person or not and its last a loooong time. From the day that the person dies until the day of the funeral there is an evening prayer/memorial service every night at the home. The night before the funeral the evening service is 4 hours long. We heard them singing long into the night. We didn't have to attend that one, but we did go to one of the evening services. Lots of singing and praying. It was not in English so to be honest I feel asleep after the singing. oops...  The family cooks for the entire neighborhood that attends the funeral so everyone shares their pots, pans, dishes, etc. The women spend two days cooking. There was easily over a 100 people that came. That is so hard core something we in the states would never consider doing.

The coffin is brought to the home and placed in the father's room if its his child. I was wondering how in the world they would get a coffin through the doorway, but its much smaller than our ornate huge ones. Then 30 minutes before the funeral starts they open the coffin for a viewing. When its time to start which in this case was 7am the coffin is moved outside under a tent that has been set up in the yard with chairs for people to sit in. The only thing really different about this part is that about half of the people came late and it was outside at 7am in the cold. Brrr.. After about an 1 1/2 it was time to go to the cemetery. It is not that common to see a processional of cars in the states but here everyone does it. How do over a 100 people get there you ask?Well some people drive, but most take a bus. Yep, they rent a bus to take ALL the people to the cemetery. At the cemetery they sing and bury the coffin but not 6 ft down just below ground level because next the men use shovels to cover the coffin and make a mound above ground. This took a little while but we waited til its done. The fact that the men of the community actually bury the coffin themselves is fascinating to me. Something about it seems more personal or meaningful. After this part we went back to the neighbor's home and had lunch. All together it was almost a 4 hour affair but well worth it.

In the beginning

Its been three days since arriving here in South Africa. We have had time to soak it in, adjust to the time difference and learn about the community. Our first day here in order to fight jet lag Danielle and I went to help Petunia, the team leader along with her husband Luc, with her weekly kids club. They bake together,  play games and then end with bible songs. There must have been 40 kids from the neighborhood that came over to join. The kids just stared at us for the first 30 minutes or so, but once the games started we were pulled in quickly to participate laughing and playing with them. The kids speak English here so the bold ones came to talk to us. The second day here we were given a history of the Innerchange team and the township. Listening to the story I found it amazing how God provided the relationships and connections to be invited in, placing the team right where He wanted. The history of the township was also interesting as we learned about its foundation, the role of the government in developing it,and the remnants of the apartheid. This also helped me to understand how the history of this township has affected/or created the culture of this area. I'm totally a geek when it comes to cultures. I find it so fascinating.Today we went to church where Luc was preaching and I was blessed by his message about obeying the word of God. After church a few people wanted to take a picture with us because they were so excited to meet someone from the states :)

Luc and Petunia have been wonderful hosts as we stay in the guest room of their house. They are the team leaders here in South Africa. They have 3 children that have been a pleasure getting to know. Their son is 8 months and they have two daughters 5 and 14.Its a blessing to be with them and be welcomed in so graciously.Our orientation of the township and the ministries we will be participating in continues through this week. I have learned to greet people in Zutu which is fun, but language learning is such a humble experience. As we serve and minister I'm hoping to learn as much as the language as possible.

Prayer requests:
- continued team building as we continue to get to know each other
- sharp and curious minds as we learn the language and the culture in order to honor those we meet.
- the resolve to be obedient to the Word of God.
- health and strength for my body because it is not used to all this new bacteria

                                                                  Church Building

                                                                     Our room

                                                         Jumping pic kids from church

                                                                One of Luc's daughter and his son