things are going well here in south africa -
had some hot chocolate up at the new Tapestry house with some of the girls yesterday. it's really fun, i think we have a nice little bond now thanks to the shedding of many tears at the homes open. for those that don't know the Tapestry home now houses 6 young ladies that were previously in very desperate need of a place to stay. i was charged with the task of inviting the girls to accept Christ into their lives at the homes open. needless to say that when i began to speak i was reminded of my dear Lusi and Nana, now safe and with a loving family in Ohio , and the tears began to flow. i expressed that i wasn't familiar with each of their journey's, but that i knew it had been a long and difficult road to that moment where they stood before a new warm home complete with new beds and couches. each and every girl began to sob with me as we prayed together...they have since offered me one of the beds in hopes that i'll stay. :)
sounds like they already have a wonderful dynamic worked out of eating together as a family, praying together at night and speaking openly about their expectations of one another. i think my friend heather and i will go over one evening to play monopoly. i've started a few guitar lessons with one of the girls (for those that know the extent of my guitar understand that i'm teaching the fingering for G, C and D) and have been able to connect with a few others with talk of clothes and music. :)
had an amazing time of debrief with the team and i was graciously able to share the safari with my good friend Carmen. far too many stories to share in an email but Carmen (who never cries) was moved to tears and stated more than once that it was THE best experience of her life. we were joined by my good friend Maud for a truly moving trip to the Apartheid museum. we were handed cards at the start that denoted our skin color, and based on those cards we were required to use a specific entrance to enter the museum. the fact that i was now "colored" and that my dear friends Carmen and Maud were white, and that we would be separated for even just a few minutes hit me to the very core of my being and induced immediate tears. it was a blessing to watch Dave, the only Afrikaans male in the group, put his arm around Maud, his dear friend and sister in Christ, and recognize the many years of hurt between their two cultures. it was an experience i won't soon forget.
had a wonderful outing last night with most of my film students. we were minus a few but 9 of us went out last night for pizza and a movie. 9 people polished off 6 large pizzas! you can tell we were mostly young men. :) we then went to see the Transformers movie. two students had never been to a movie in the theatre and most of the others were only there for a second time - and this is with a movie ticket priced at 9 Rand (a little more than 1 dollar). the reaction was priceless - so much excitement, laughter and even fear from the ladies in the group. one student continued to turn around to look up at the room from which the light was projected, it was really funny. i managed to sneak a video camera in and captured some of their reactions immediately following the movie. good times.
had a wonderful weekend away with friends this last weekend. lots of time by the fire, a little wine tasting and even a couple hours in a canoe. it was a wonderful time of connection with dear friends and is a wonderfully inexpensive way to vacation. :)
still have more video to do of the house but am also working on connecting with each film student to interview them personally. so lots to do!
my love to all - thanks again for everything - my heart feels very full when i'm here,
katie
No comments:
Post a Comment