Middleburg (Mhluzi..in Zulu)

Sawubona (hello)!!! It's been 2 weeks and I do apologize for not updating my blog. I have been in Middleburg and internet access is limited. I have to go into town a few days a week just to check emails. I did have access to a dial-up connection but it was not working the past week. I am doing well and yes, I have been taking Zulu lessons....Ngifunda isiZulu ( I am learning Zulu). It will take lots of repetition. I am staying in the township with Rev. and Mrs. Khumalo. They have been wonderful host and have opened their home and hearts to me. The township is a mixture of big houses with squatter homes scattered throughout.

My first week I spent time with a group call Caring Friends. They are a group of women who do home care for those infected with HIV/AIDS as well as other chronic illnesses. They also look after OVC (orphans & vulnerable children). They also do outreach in the community. I was able to go with them to hand out condoms one day. They are a wonderful group of women.

My second week was spent with LoveLife, which is a HIV/AIDS campaign that changes the behavior and attitude of young people. We spent a week at the Manyano Primary School and did some lessons in the classrooms. I have met so many wonderful people in Middleburg and they are helping to make it a great experience.

I am trying lots of new foods. One of the main things that they eat is called PAP. It is a hard porridge and is eaten with meat and would take the place of rice or potatoes in the U.S. It will take some getting used to. Vegetables are a main staple, especially beet root. I am trying.

I was surprised to see that almost everyone has a cell phone. Many people even have satellite on their houses. So I am able to watch U.S. shows. So Things are going very well. Thank you for all of the prayers.

Sala kahle (stay well)

Settling in

It's 4:25pm in the afternoon here in South Africa and many of my friends are still in bed and some are getting ready for church. It's a bit weird that when I'm getting ready for bed they are enjoying the day and when I'm getting up they are winding down for the day. But such is life...it's different for now and exciting. Today is another cold day but without the rain and hail from yesterday.

So the big question is what have I been doing so far. On Friday I went to the mall with Cindy Rodewald (LCMS Regional director's wife). I will have no problems getting the things I need. There was even an iStore so I can take my Macbook in if I have any issues. Yes there is even a movie theater with all the current movies even Bruno. So I will have fun things to do on the weekend. Saturday I stayed in doors due to the rain. Today I attended church with the Rodewalds at the Lutheran Seminary. It was good but I miss Pastor Jeff's sermons. I will have to catch up with them on via podcast.

After church a group of Liberian seminary students and friends of the Rodewalds came over for a visit. It was nice getting to meet new people and hear about Liberia. Will have to visit one day. Next week I go to Middleberg to start my Zulu language and culture training. Excited....yes, nervous...a bit. Well that's all for now as I am settling in.

I'm here!!!

I'm here!!!! After a very long flight I landed safely in Joburg. After waiting what seemed liked forever I found the driver that was waiting for me and was on my way to Pretoria. I will be staying here with the Regional Director Mike Rodewald and his family as I get my plans together. The weather is cold here and I will have to adjust after coming from 113 degrees in Phoenix. All is well and I am excited to see how God will use me. To my family and friends thank you for all of your continued prayers. I know that I will need them. I miss you all.

When Are You Leaving?

When are you leaving? I have been asked this question for the last 2 weeks and rightly so. I hoped to be in South Africa by now, but I am still here in Arizona. There has been some delay due to a request for an FBI background check. The background check came back to me this past Thursday and was sent to the consulate. It is in their hands now. This has been a lesson in patience and in trusting in God and his timing. I am taking it one day at a time and when the time is right, I will leave for South Africa. I must still have something that I need to do here in Arizona. It has allowed me to spend a little more time with friends and to do some catching up. This verse has brought me comfort during this time of waiting...Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Time for Good-bye's

The time has come to start saying good-bye to family and friends. Today at church was the sending service. I had the opportunity to speak about my ministry in South Africa and to ask for prayers in all four services. The choir sang together one more time and it was wonderful. I have the best church home in the world with such supportive brothers and sisters in Christ. I am glad to go but sad to say good-bye. So I will not say good-bye, instead I will say see you later. I will miss everyone very, very much. God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends and even though it will be hard being away, I know that God will take care of all of us. See you later.

It's time to start packing

The time has finally come to start packing. In a week or two I will be heading to South Africa. A new chapter in my life will begin. There are lots of emotions....sadness, excitement, loss, joy. I am very happy to be blessed with such an opportunity, it is a gift from God. I am sad to leave my family and friends behind and I will carry them in my heart. My last day at the job that I held for 8 years was last Friday and it's been a bit weird. I know that I have a new adventure ahead of me. People have been asking me "are you nervous or scared?" To be honest yes, a little of both. I know that I will be okay and that God will bless me with all that I need to do what he has called me to do. I know that he will be by my side every step of the way.

To all of my family and friends, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love and support. It is very hard to leave you all, but this is something I must do and I know that you understand. Know that I love you all very much. You will be with me during my time in South Africa.

Center for Compassion

The Center for Compassion was the dream of Pastor Senzo Majola before he passed away in May of 2008.  He was called to  pastor the local Lutheran church and to be a part of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project with American partners.  Pastor Majola became a father to most of the children.  His passion for the orphan project grew from his own experience of being orphaned.  Pastor Majola had a dream of having a creche (nursery school) and a community center next to his church.  He was overjoyed to hear that the American volunteers were willing to build this facility.  He wanted a place that the little ones in the community could be cared for during the day and center where the youth and young adults could attend workshops to learn new skills.

Construction for the Center of Compassion began in August of 2008 with volunteers from the United States and South Africa.  Several teams are scheduled to complete the center in 2009. The center is a proper tribute to the life and passion of Pastor Majola.  

During my time in South Africa I will be able to work with the teams as they finish construction and help to get the center up and running.  **Pictured is a team from Love of Christ and Christ Church Lutheran as they continue the block work on the center in October 2008 **