I hope this blog finds you safe and sound. I guess the saying, "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is true because since I've been here, I've grown to appreciate my friends, family, and my country in ways that i haven't thought possible. Needless to say, i miss you more and more each day. Anywho, in my last post i didn't clarify what exactly i do here in Kylemore so allow me to explain. As mentioned previously, there are three volunteer houses that are in Blouberg, Pinelands and Kylemore. The Blouberg house goes to the SOS orphanage and Visshershok school. They also travel to the farmlands where the extremely poor people live. The volunteers in Pinelands work exclusively in the hospitals where they try to convince women who are considering having an abortion into not having one. They also assist in delivering babies. I really have a lot respect for the volunteers in Pinelands... my old roomies have seen me wig out first hand after watching a live birth and they will assure that it is quite the spectacle. Our job in Kylemore is simply to help Kylemore in any and every way we can.
- There is the Creche which is equivalent to our day care centers. There are approximately 90 kids who attend daily all of them are under the age of five and the creche has four teachers. The children are divided up into two groups in one group you have the babies in the other group you have the toddlers. We help the teachers cook, clean, feed the babies, play with the kids, and make sure they don't choke on anything. Most of the jobs I've had have been working with kids so I can confidently say that working with children can be an adventure, but working with children who cannot understand a single thing that comes out of your mouth...well now, that's a challenge.
- We also go into the High School and Primary school for UCSA or United Christian Student Association. We have 30 minutes in the high School and one hour in the primary school. The high school its more discussion oriented, and in the primary school we mostly teach the kids about the Lord by using dramas and games.
- There is an absolutely beautiful woman who lives in Kylmore. I don't think many people know her last name because everybody (and i mean EVERYBODY) calls her Auntie Sina. Auntie Sina doesn't have much of an education and lives in a very small home in Kylemore. By western standards she wouldn't be one to look up to because she doesn't have much however, instantaneously, I was in awe and loved this woman the moment i met her. Seriously, her loving heart can keep a house warm during a snow storm. She grew up in Kylemore and so she knows everybody by their first and last name, who they're related to, how many kids they have, and a whole bunch of other stuff. We help Auntie Sina make food for the village and distribute the food to the extremely poor. If it weren't for this woman, whom i hope to love like, several hundred people would not eat the entire day.
- As soon as we get home from our projects the kids of Kylemore come knocking on our door. We provide a safe place for them to play, color and read. It really breaks my heart when they ask for food or a bath because we aren't allowed to give them either, but whenever we have water games in the garden we are sure to give them a good scrubbing.
- We also started a cell group for the older teens where we are hoping to breed men and women who will have an intimate and dynamic relationship with God.
Living in Kylemore is very rewarding but it can also be quite challenging. Even though I can come off as an introvert I'm not necessarily a private person so the fact that i live with 8 other women isn't a problem (except for when i really need to use the restroom). The fact that we are always around the people that we're ministering to is the tough part, and the best part because it really keeps me in check. I have also invited several of the older kids into my little world so they can have an idea of how to try to live a life of worship. There are times when something may happen and I become frustrated or afraid even, and if I'm not careful I can say something that I might regret later.
Since my last blog we've had 2 girls from Holland join our family named Corieka and Anita, and within a week or so we also had Simone from Germany go back home. Benjamin and Emily from Pinelands and Blouberg are also going back to Germany today, and on Saturday I'm going to say goodbye to Ben F. or "Lumberjack" from England. I am quite clumsy, but it just seems as if my clumsiness was concentrated on this poor Englishman: on our trip to the mountains i burned Ben's expensive mountain boots, he reluctantly let me borrow "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (which is now one of favorites) and i spilled chutney sauce on it. Its a good thing i didn't live with Lumberjack Ben because I would have probably ruined a lot more of his stuff. I didn't think saying goodbye to the people i'd meet would be that difficult, but my eyes were red with sadness the last time I gave Simone a hug (Simone if you're reading this don't worry; I'll come visit you in a few years).
I think the Kylemore house is a perfect fit for me; I tell jokes that I'd usually keep to myself in America, and seriously, I find it surprising that my roommates find me so funny (maybe I have a thing with Germans, English folk and Dutchies). I am so blessed to live here and I often ask God what have i done to deserve to be around such beauty. Thank you so much for including me in your prayers, rest assured you are in mine. In my last blog i mention Eban who fell of a cliff, he's back to his funny jokes calling me a geek and stuff and his face is healing very well. Praise God.
Brittany, Savy, Justin I already told you that only the grace of God is keeping me here. i love you so much and I'll be calling you soon so pick up the phone =].
ps i'll be posting new pics and videos soon.
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