Three days back

I've to say that its been hard trying to adjust to what used to be familiarity. But I see things in a new perspective. My life isn't about me anymore. Some of the scales on my eyes have been removed since coming back from South Africa. There are lots of things that I am still processing, trying to figure out what it all meant.

I know the last day, saying goodbye to everyone was so difficult. I told one of my cultural mentors I would cry my eyes out. I did. I kept hugging everyone trying to get the last bits of them before I could never see them or hug them again. This was the most bitter part of it all. Saying goodbye.

But God is good. He really is good. And one day, I will return.

I had to take four flights just to get home. By the last one I just wanted to be out of the airplane. It was so weird coming home to winter. It was beautiful in Ontario. When I saw the mountains I felt like I was home.

Everyone was so happy to have me back. It felt good to have everyone say so. And now I am trying to figure out what to do with myself now that I don't have class or some excursion to go on.

I think I will just rest and think.

Last days

Its incredible how three months turn into two days. I have fully enjoyed all that has happened here in South Africa. I have learned so much and been stretched in different ways. I am extremely blessed to spend my last days in Cape Town. God is moving here in this country more than I ever knew. The people here incredible. I have seen the lives of some that look as though they have no hope, yet they have more hope and faith than me. These last two days will be hard. They will be bitter sweet. I feel like more bitter than sweet. I am happy to come home, but I know that I will never be here in South Africa with 28 good friends doing the same thing.

God has blessed me and taught me things beyond my socks here and I want to bring those blessings and what I learned back home.

10 days

are left here in South Africa. I don't really want to leave. I miss home and every one, but there is something about this country, its people, and its history that just capture my attention. These pass 8 days have been wonderful. I was able to visit Cape Town and sight see a bit. Then we've had class twice a week, which has been so informative on the culture here in Cape Town. I am starting to understand the effects of Apartheid now. Seeing how it has effected the mindsets of all the peoples- whites, blacks coloureds, and Indians. It was a dark and sadistic time in human history, but there is so much hope for this beautiful country.

My time here has been extraordinary. We have cultural mentors while being in Cape Town, and they are the funkiest people ever. Mine is Liezl, she is wonderful! She's tiny and sweet. She is engaged to my Student Life Coordinator- Reagen. They are so awesome together. But the rest of the guys are so different in their own ways.

This past weekend I was able to stay at a family's house with another student. It was very interesting to live for a few days in a coloured community that is economically disadvantaged. One thing I found out is when the government was under the Apartheid regime, there were forced removals of people. They would take the people living on the coast and move them to the other side of town and put them into government development homes. People were taken from their homes and moved because of their skin color. They had no choice because the government was behind it all. It has been heart breaking just thinking about it all. I really don't know how much hurt would come from it all if I was in that position.

This week is going to be great. For chapel I will be speaking on Salt and Light. I am nervous because I've not really preached, I guess. I like doing it smaller setting rather than just speaking out to the crowd. But it will be good, hopefully!

Then we go to an famous prison that Nelson Mandela was in and on saturday I will climb Table Mountain!!

Along the Garden

So this last portion of the trip has come. The next few weeks I will continue with my History and Culture of South Africa course in Cape Town. Friday morning was the last day in PMB. It was a rainy cold day when I left. My trip to Cape Town has been exciting. So far I have seen some friends bungee jump for the world's highest bridge. It was super exciting. I wasn't able to bungee jump but when I saw people flying out and I really wanted to go and do it.

After bungee jumping we came to the little town called George, where I stayed for two nights. Saturday I was able to go into the Cango Caves. There was two parts to the tour the standard tour where you see two large cave chambers and learn about the history of the cave. Then there is the Adventure tour which I was able to do. It consisted of several chambers where there were tight spots that I had to climb through. There was one called the Tunnel of Love where it was so narrow that all of my limbs were touching both sides of the cave wall. Then next one after that was called the Devil's Chimney. This tunnel was extremely narrow and kind of difficult to climb through. I had to maneuver my way through a tiny space. It was a bit frightening because I felt so weird not knowing what to do.

After that we had to come back through the rest of the cave to get to the exit. It was such an incredibly cool adventure. I've never done anything like that before. Our tour guide explained that in one of the big chambers concerts were held in there because of the great natural acoustic setup.

Later that day we went to the Cango wildlife park. There was different types of animals. There was crocodiles, snakes, tigers, cheetah and baby goats! There was much more too. I was so glad that I got to hold a baby goat. They are the cutest animals ever! I am set on getting one when I get a house.

The next place we went was to an ostrich farm. I was able to ride on a ostrich!! It wasn't want I expected. It was actually kind of frightening but over all awesome. They have to put a bag over the head of the ostrich to calm them. Then I had to climb on like if I were to do the same on a horse. Then the helper would hold onto the ostrich and let me ride around for a bit. It was weird because I had to hold onto his wings and then lean back and hold my feet around the ostrich's chest.

Once that was done we watched some ostrich's race and one of them was called Speedy Gonzales. I don't think that he won :[ I was rooting for him too.

After that we went back to our little bed and breakfast and had dinner.

Tomorrow is our last day of traveling for a little bit. We are suppose to get into Cape Town at around 3pm. I am excited to see what its like. I feel like I've had another culture just being in the Western Cape. Since PMB is in Kwazulu-natal where primarily Zulu's live, being here in the Western Cape there is a different culture. I'm not used to hearing Afrikaans here where back at AE IsiZulu. But its going to be a great two weeks and a half. Then I will be home for Christmas!!

I am thankful for

my family at home missing me. I am thankful for the people that I have met here in South Africa. I am thankful for the things I have learned and still learning. I am thankful for many things.

Today, Thanksgiving would be like any other holiday except this year I celebrated it in South Africa.

I was sitting at the table thinking of the things that have passed. So many great memories. Some tears. Lots of frustration at myself but sometimes with others. And lots of laughter and joy.

Tonight is my last night here in Pietermartizburg, then its off to a three day journey to Cape Town. I am excited for what is going to happen along the way.

It was just yesterday when I came into my little room, unpacked my things and set out for the adventure of my life. And now I am sitting in that same little room, writing on this blog thinking of each day that has passed.

I am thankful that God made all of this even possible for me to experience, and I am thankful that my parents helped me and still loved me when I chose to go.

Time is precious.

This was my last week of service site. I didn't realize how soon it would all come to an end. I knew the time was short but I didn't take hold of it to well. Our last day at Esther House we threw a tea party for the ladies and took them to AE. They were talking about it for days before the party. I didn't know how excited they were until the day came when everyone was all dressed up and ready to go.

Once we got to AE I was so nervous that things would go bad, that they wouldn't like what we planned or they would be bored. But instead they absolutely enjoyed it all! We played pin the pedal on the flower. Where we decorated our own flower pedals and then pined them up blindfolded. Lulama is a mother of a young girl, Thabile, that I got to know. She told us that she was thankful of the things we did. That we started to remind them of the dreams they have and to go out there and reach for them. I never knew that the ladies talked about some of the activities we did with in the house. But to hear that they actually enjoyed making a dream chart and the river of life. It was so good to hear that we made a difference some how.

Once that was over we had to take them back because they needed to get back before 6.

It was just too soon that we had to rush them out. I was trying to take in as much as I could before they left. We took a group photo and walked towards the van. Once we got to Gateway to say our goodbyes I saw the faces of these women for the last time. Each hug was priceless, each farewell was and is precious. I never knew how much they meant to me until that moment. When I said goodbye to one of the ladies' son, Esfundo, I opened my arms to embrace him and he just smiled at me and said bye. As I walked away looking back for the last time, I cried.

Papa Reg, a wonderful man of God and fortunately our head master here in South Africa told me that "Tears are the price we pay for love". I didn't expect to feel this way after the four weeks. I didn't know the ladies would cry. But I know God made His glory shine through us to reach them. I know we loved them for who they are.

It just wasn't enough. Not enough time. Not enough laughs, or hugs or tears. I just wanted to stay there and to love on them and learn from them.

And the most difficult part of it all is I don't know if I will ever see them again.

There should be a warning sign for the next semesters that go to South Africa.

What a Sunday

My second to last Sunday here in PMB then its off to Cape Town! Its wrapping up so quickly! But today was another great Sunday. It started off with church at New Life which is an Indian church I started going to. The pastor had a great message about what goes wrong with interpersonal communications. It was very insightful and helpful in understanding why we have communication breakdowns. Then one of my girls from my D group that I am co-leading spoke about Mary washing Jesus' feet and how she felt so grateful for the miracle that happened with her brother Lazarus. She is showing her all when she does this to Christ. It was a great mini sermon.

After church we had lunch which was spicy but delicious! Then I went to the mall to do a bit of shopping for some necessities. After that I was just completely busy with going to another Indian family's house for some tea and to drop off a gift.

But I really enjoyed this Sunday even though I didn't rest. I got to spend time with friends and enjoyed different foods for a change.