October 4 marked the completion of my first year here in South Africa. I have been reflecting a lot recently about all of the things that God has shown me, and what I have been learning through it all. Here are just a few thoughts from my journal:
*Even though English is the common language, that still doesn't mean that we can understand each other. So many new words: Mince (hamburger), Crisps (potato chips), Petrol (gasoline), Nappies (Diapers), Trollies (shopping carts), Jam (jelly), Jelly (Jell0), theatre (operating room), Garage (Gas Station)....
*Becoming a minority gives you a new prespective on daily living
*I have never experience multiculturalism like here in South Africa. 11 offical languages in the country, turn on tv and hear any one of them at anytime, different new broadcasts for different languages. With so much diversity, there seems to be an acceptance of the different languages and their use.
*Even when you feel like you have nothing left, and there are no words, God provides exactly what you need at the right time.
*It does not matter where you come from, what language you speak, what clothes you wear, or how you get from here to there, we are all human at the end of the day. We love our children, want the best for our families, and enjoy our free time with family and friends.
*I have met some of the most generous people here. People who have very little, yet still give, and do so unconditionally, yet I struggle to give the 5 Rand coin ($.75) in my pocket to the man on the street.
*Who are "the least of these" Jesus refers to in Matthew 25:40, 45? The "poor African" people who are so rich in culture and heritage, who help out everyone one that they can and live in community with each other, or the "rich Westerners" who give some of what they have, making sure that they remain comfortable, and keep to themselves?
*A giraffe in the wild is probably one of the most graceful creatures God created.
*The African sky is a special gift of God's handiwork. A color/shade of blue that we don't often get to see in North America.
*It is exciting and frustrating at the same time trying to worship God in a language you can barely understand.
*When it doesn't rain for 6 months, there is something calming about the first rain of the rainy season.
*Kids will test you and your patience, no matter the culture.
*One of the greatest joys, I have experienced, is getting out of my car at Bridgman and having 10 kids come charging at me all wanting a hug at the same time.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
GASA Service Project
Yesterday was such a great day!! This was the day that we had set for the first service project of the GASA girls. The day went better than I could have ever hoped or imagined. The GASA girls seperated and went to two different service projects, some to an orphanage and others to a day care. They were truly touched by their experience.
I went with the a group of girls to the orphanage. When we got there, we were asked to mop the floors, wash the windows, help cook, etc. I was a bit nervous, because I knew that the GASA girl's wanted to help with the children. I was amazed that they just jumped right in and did the cleaning, with no complaints. Before long, they had finished the cleaning, and had plenty of time to play with the kids. I walked around and checked on all of the girls, and watched them beaming from helping do simple tasks, that the orphanage has trouble completing.
We all had a short debriefing session when we got back to Bridgman. The girls who went and helped out at the daycare also had a great time, and were invited back. I was amazed by their comments. All of the girls were feeling great about what they had done. It was a small step to getting them to understand that even though they are young, they can make a difference, and that while they may not be getting money for the work they are doing, there is a reward in it.
Many of the girl's were deeply troubled by the conditions that the children are in, in both the orphanage and day care. Personally, I agree with them. After I had finished the cleaning I was assigned to and checked on the girls, I walked up to the nursery. It was a really hard thing to see, a tiny room, 12 babies, and only one woman trying to attend to them all. Most of the babies had just started walking, so they were everywhere. I sat on the floor and soon I was completely surrounded by babies. It was fun, and a bit overwhelming. I honestly don't know how the one woman does it.
There was one little girl who broke my heart. She was very tiny, obviously malnurished, and when I held her I knew that she had a fever. She was not walking yet, only trying to scoot across the floor, but she really didn't have that much strength. Holding her, I just wanted to cry. When we went in, we were told that they had some children there who infected with HIV/AIDS. I don't know about her, but I am assuming that she is one of them. HIV/AIDS is so common here, that nothing is shocking about it anymore, nor is it commonly discussed. It has just become a part of life in a way. As I sat there, holding this little girl, I wondered how something like this ever becomes "normal". Why aren't people protecting themselves? Why have so many people given up, and have just accepted that one day they will also be infected? What will happen now with the newest generation who are growing up without parents?
While I left with many questions, I was excited about what GASA was able to accomplish, both the work done at the two centers, and the emotional impacted that it had on the GASA members. Many of us know what it is like help others, and the joy that comes from it. For most of the GASA members, this was their first experience, but won't be their last!!
Blessings,
Carla
I went with the a group of girls to the orphanage. When we got there, we were asked to mop the floors, wash the windows, help cook, etc. I was a bit nervous, because I knew that the GASA girl's wanted to help with the children. I was amazed that they just jumped right in and did the cleaning, with no complaints. Before long, they had finished the cleaning, and had plenty of time to play with the kids. I walked around and checked on all of the girls, and watched them beaming from helping do simple tasks, that the orphanage has trouble completing.
We all had a short debriefing session when we got back to Bridgman. The girls who went and helped out at the daycare also had a great time, and were invited back. I was amazed by their comments. All of the girls were feeling great about what they had done. It was a small step to getting them to understand that even though they are young, they can make a difference, and that while they may not be getting money for the work they are doing, there is a reward in it.
Many of the girl's were deeply troubled by the conditions that the children are in, in both the orphanage and day care. Personally, I agree with them. After I had finished the cleaning I was assigned to and checked on the girls, I walked up to the nursery. It was a really hard thing to see, a tiny room, 12 babies, and only one woman trying to attend to them all. Most of the babies had just started walking, so they were everywhere. I sat on the floor and soon I was completely surrounded by babies. It was fun, and a bit overwhelming. I honestly don't know how the one woman does it.
There was one little girl who broke my heart. She was very tiny, obviously malnurished, and when I held her I knew that she had a fever. She was not walking yet, only trying to scoot across the floor, but she really didn't have that much strength. Holding her, I just wanted to cry. When we went in, we were told that they had some children there who infected with HIV/AIDS. I don't know about her, but I am assuming that she is one of them. HIV/AIDS is so common here, that nothing is shocking about it anymore, nor is it commonly discussed. It has just become a part of life in a way. As I sat there, holding this little girl, I wondered how something like this ever becomes "normal". Why aren't people protecting themselves? Why have so many people given up, and have just accepted that one day they will also be infected? What will happen now with the newest generation who are growing up without parents?
While I left with many questions, I was excited about what GASA was able to accomplish, both the work done at the two centers, and the emotional impacted that it had on the GASA members. Many of us know what it is like help others, and the joy that comes from it. For most of the GASA members, this was their first experience, but won't be their last!!
Blessings,
Carla
Monday, March 26, 2007
Greetings from Joburg!
This is my first ever attempt at blogging, but I am really excited about it. Things here have been very hectic (as South African's say) to say the least. I don't think that I had a clue what God had instore for me before I came. Yes, I had been here before and worked at Bridgman, but this is a completely different experience. Not bad, just very different. Before I lived with a host family, and spent most of my time in Soweto. Now I am trying to manage learning to navigate Johannesburg on my own. It has been going pretty well so far, except for a small incident with my car and the security wall at my house. (Let's just say that the wall won.)
Bridgman has been very busy since the beginning of the year. This year, it was decided to completely restructure the afterschool program. I am very excited about the new program, but it now requires a lot more work, energy, and planning. However, I see it paying off now. The kids are coming earlier from school and want to hangout at Bridgman. They are really excited to be there.
The GASA program (Girls Against the Spread of AIDS) is my main focus. As much as I want to compare the group of this year, to our pilot group of 2005, I can't. They are just too different. I guess I came back with a lot of expectations about how things would go, and am finding that nothing is going according to my expectations. I am learning to be more flexible and trust in God's new direction for GASA. While things are not as expected, I am excited about where we are headed with the program. One of the most unexpected things, has been the social/emotional problems that so many of the girl's are facing. It is hard to comprehend what some of them have been through; being raped by someone who is HIV positive, poverty, having your mother threaten to kill you, and trying to kill yourself. In the midst of all of this, they all have a fighting spirit. Most of the girls that you would meet, you could never tell what they are facing on a day to day basis.
A brief update on Sanele and her mother. Sanele went for her first peer support group meeting last Thursday. She really enjoyed it and made some friends who are also having to deal with similiar issues as she is. I think that she was very encouraged by the group and really connected with some of the people. Her mother is home and is doing okay. They both still have many issues to work though.
This last weekend was really good. I was able to get some rest. Sunday expecially was a good day. On Sunday mornings, I go to a Zulu speaking church in Soweto. There were several people whom I had not seen in a while and we got to catch up after church. Then McFord (my host father), took me on a driving "directions" lesson. He wanted to show me how to get around Soweto better, more especially the area near his home. I had a lot of fun and it was good to spend some time with him. Sunday evening, I went to the young adult service, of an English speaking church here in Joburg. It was also a good service, but even more enjoyed the fellowship with friends after the service.
This week is looking like a busy week. We are doing a lot of planning for the next 3 months. The kids are out of school until after Easter for their end of term vacation, which means that the afterschool program is closed for a couple of weeks. On Wednesday morning, the GASA girls will be doing their first ever service project. Some will go to a daycare and others to an orphanage. For most of the girls this will be their first time volunteering. I can't wait to see their reaction and am just praying that they are touched by their experience. The culture does not encourage service work, and yet there are so many in need. Then on Friday my Mom is arriving for a visit. She is staying a couple of weeks and I really look forward to our time together.
Blessings,
Carla
This is my first ever attempt at blogging, but I am really excited about it. Things here have been very hectic (as South African's say) to say the least. I don't think that I had a clue what God had instore for me before I came. Yes, I had been here before and worked at Bridgman, but this is a completely different experience. Not bad, just very different. Before I lived with a host family, and spent most of my time in Soweto. Now I am trying to manage learning to navigate Johannesburg on my own. It has been going pretty well so far, except for a small incident with my car and the security wall at my house. (Let's just say that the wall won.)
Bridgman has been very busy since the beginning of the year. This year, it was decided to completely restructure the afterschool program. I am very excited about the new program, but it now requires a lot more work, energy, and planning. However, I see it paying off now. The kids are coming earlier from school and want to hangout at Bridgman. They are really excited to be there.
The GASA program (Girls Against the Spread of AIDS) is my main focus. As much as I want to compare the group of this year, to our pilot group of 2005, I can't. They are just too different. I guess I came back with a lot of expectations about how things would go, and am finding that nothing is going according to my expectations. I am learning to be more flexible and trust in God's new direction for GASA. While things are not as expected, I am excited about where we are headed with the program. One of the most unexpected things, has been the social/emotional problems that so many of the girl's are facing. It is hard to comprehend what some of them have been through; being raped by someone who is HIV positive, poverty, having your mother threaten to kill you, and trying to kill yourself. In the midst of all of this, they all have a fighting spirit. Most of the girls that you would meet, you could never tell what they are facing on a day to day basis.
A brief update on Sanele and her mother. Sanele went for her first peer support group meeting last Thursday. She really enjoyed it and made some friends who are also having to deal with similiar issues as she is. I think that she was very encouraged by the group and really connected with some of the people. Her mother is home and is doing okay. They both still have many issues to work though.
This last weekend was really good. I was able to get some rest. Sunday expecially was a good day. On Sunday mornings, I go to a Zulu speaking church in Soweto. There were several people whom I had not seen in a while and we got to catch up after church. Then McFord (my host father), took me on a driving "directions" lesson. He wanted to show me how to get around Soweto better, more especially the area near his home. I had a lot of fun and it was good to spend some time with him. Sunday evening, I went to the young adult service, of an English speaking church here in Joburg. It was also a good service, but even more enjoyed the fellowship with friends after the service.
This week is looking like a busy week. We are doing a lot of planning for the next 3 months. The kids are out of school until after Easter for their end of term vacation, which means that the afterschool program is closed for a couple of weeks. On Wednesday morning, the GASA girls will be doing their first ever service project. Some will go to a daycare and others to an orphanage. For most of the girls this will be their first time volunteering. I can't wait to see their reaction and am just praying that they are touched by their experience. The culture does not encourage service work, and yet there are so many in need. Then on Friday my Mom is arriving for a visit. She is staying a couple of weeks and I really look forward to our time together.
Blessings,
Carla
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