We're here in Muizenberg, South Africa in our fourth week of D.T.S. That stands for Discipleship Training School. Becoming believers in Jesus has changed our lives for the absolute best, therefore we are pursuing what we have found to be truly fulfilling and life giving...a deeper understanding of who God is and what He's called Keith and I to do in our lives. At our new home we are living with about 50 other people ranging from age 18-35 years old. We, as Americans, are the minority and it's great! It's great to get to understand what it's like to be the odd man out. Humbling. Our new housemates are from soo many countries but a few that I remember off the top of my head are: Holland, South Africa, Mozambique, England, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Nigeria, Uganda, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, D.R. of Congo, Australia, Northern Ireland, etc etc. It's been interesting trying to have group conversations with so many people where English is a second language.
Our weekdays are filled with mostly class time, "chores", and local outreach projects. My favorite local outreach thus far is when we picked up trash in the worst street in town, which was an incredible way to break down barriers between people who would otherwise probably be hostile to us. It BLEW me away how much humility ourselves, by doing the dirty duty of volunteering to pick up the trash on neighborhood streets, melts away fears and hostility. I ended up meeting a 15 year old girl who is living with her Aunt in the slum/drug street in town. We've hung out a few times, played volleyball at the beach, ate ice cream, talked about life and our dreams, etc etc...I've come to find out that her Mother died just last year and that she's been living with extended family ever since. She's such a sweet girl and it's been a blessing to get to know her and her Aunt.
Keith is also spending Fridays & Sundays working at a local church to help with their Sunday school and children programs. There is currently a teacher-child ratio of 1:50, so his help is greatly welcomed! I am leading a Youth Group in a "township" aka poor part of town on Friday afternoons. I already met a big group of 14 year old girls, by simply standing outside our meeting hall and looking really different from them...being white with weird long blonde hair. It's quite a tactic for meeting African teenage girls. :)
We should be finding out later this week where we and our classmates will be heading for our "Official Outreach" locations. This location is where we'll be for the second 3 months of our trip (late March -late May). Our choices were: Thailand, Uganda, Malawi, or India. Keith and I feel called to be in Africa, therefore we put our preference for Uganda or Malawi! Crazy stuff-but we're excited! I am going to use these next couple of months to try and rid myself of my need for a comfortable & clean place to sleep and my need for access to healthy food. That's just not going to be feasible on our Outreach so I'm trying to take baby steps...God is leading me with His grace.
If we go to Uganda we'll be working with the very poor and refugee population OR if we go to Malawi we might be working with HIV orphans. Either should be quite an eye-opening experience to say the least. I am learning more and more that most people don't live like a I do as a princess. Even with a crashing economy, I am going to be SO thankful for the blessings that God's given me in Washington! I am so fortunate and ridiculously blessed!
Missing home and sending LOTS of love from South Africa!!! Your prayers for Keith and I are oh-so appreciated! :)
Photo 1: Surfing Lessons at Muizenberg beach! I learned how to surf!
Photo 2: Table Mountain, Cape Town. View from Cape Town waterfront. The exchange rate here is good...all Americans vacation here! :)
