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!!