Team Jacksonville... you were awesome!!!

Team Jacksonville worked very hard for the remainder of the week to get all the painting finished on the inside of the creche. They were also able to finish installing the Sonke. The Sonke is a developmental playground with a series of tires and a balance beam. In the afternoons they continued to interact with the children and help with the lessons on the USA and South Africa. It warmed my heart to see the team members hugging the children. Scott tried to teach them American football and he had a blast. Pastor Kaster could be seen with kids climbing all over him. Stella and Virginia jumped in and ran the craft table. Bill was the master builder helping the little ones with the blocks.

On Thursday the team visited the Ntshongweni Primary School. Upon arrival we were greeted by 100's of smiling faces. The school choir sang for us and we returned the favor by singing our national anthem. We didn't sound too bad and received a round of applause. We were able to visit the first and second grade classrooms and the children were very excited to have us. I had a few moments of fun dancing with the kids. It feels good to hear the kids calling out "hello Shara" as I walk past their classrooms. After the school visit, some of the team members walked back to the center with Pastor Thwala, Julia and myself. They were able to see more of the community.

Friday came quickly and we started the day at the Hillcrest AIDS Center Trust. We wanted the team to see some of the programs that have been successful. The staff has been very gracious to share their ideas with us. Following the visit to the center the team wanted to get South Africa soccer jerseys since it was indeed "soccer jersey Friday." All over the country people wear their soccer jerseys in support of the World Cup and to support the South African team. I thought that it was very cool of them to take part in it. That afternoon we talked about South Africa and the kids sang and did a bit of Zulu dancing for the team. Stella and Karen did a bit of dancing and showed the kids how to do the "Hokey Pokey." The Sonke and tire tower were finished and it was great to see the kids playing on them. In the final moments we were able to get the team and all the kids together for a picture. As the team walked to the church the kids were very sad to see them go.

Team Jacksonville, thank you for all of your hard work and for the love that you shared with the children. God's blessings to you. Please keep the children of Ntshongweni in your prayers.

Bill helps the kids build the great wall of China

Stan and Scott painting the tires for the Sonke

Stella and Virginia help the kids paint their prayer rocks

Pastor Thwala, Pastor Kaster & Bill work on the tire tower

The team stands with the staff and choir of the Ntshongweni Primary School

Julia, Bill & Pastor Thwala painting the tire tower... it's looking good

Pastor Kaster takes a break to play with the kids... "High five"

Scott shows Spha his wrestling moves

Stan & Karen did a great job with the landscaping

The kids having a blast on the new playground...woo hoo!!

The tire tower was fun for these girls

Bill is showing his support by getting the South African flag painted on his face

Pastor Kaster with his buddy Sifiso on his shoulders

The team and the kids waving good-bye.....

Day 2 & 3 for team Jacksonville

Virginia sits with some of the kids.

Scott pushing the kids in a wheelbarrow.

Things have been going great with the team. They have been working very hard at painting the creche and the playground is coming together. One of the fun things that we are doing in the afternoons with the kids is talking about different countries. The kids have passports where they put a picture of the country's flag and write notes as we talk about things from the country. They are really enjoying it. Day 2 we featured China and day 3 the USA. Julia and I sang a fairly good version of "Take me out to the ballgame." Scott sat with some of the kids who were there for the first time to help them fill in their passports for Mexico (day 1). The week has been going well and the team is getting more attached to the kids. Keep up the great work team Jacksonville.

Team USA

The first team for 2010 arrived on Saturday night. They come from Celebration Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Of the 8 team members, 3 have been here before and worked on the community center & creche (daycare) in the early stages, the other 5 are first-timers. It was great to hear the thoughts from the 3 that were back for a second time. Virginia commented that the kitchen gave them a bit of trouble and that they worked hard in certain corners in the center. As a ritual, Virginia asked Bill to do the first roller of paint on the interior of the creche.

The team attended church in Ntshongweni on Sunday and was able to see 3 ladies being confirmed, 3 children being baptized and a new member added to the family in Ntshongweni. The team presented a beautiful chalice to the congregation of the Ntshongweni Lutheran Church. The team leader Bill Magill read a message in Zulu on behalf of their congregation. I along with the congregation was very impressed. After the service there was wonderful fellowship. It is so amazing to see brothers and sisters in Christ loving each other as Christ asked us to.

Day 1.....There was painting to be done, a playground to construct, mini creche in the morning and VBS/After-school session in the afternoon. Whew! Sounds like a full day and indeed it was. The ladies took on the task of painting the interior of the creche while the men started laying the foundation for the playground. I had the task of playing with the younger children. They are such a joy. For part of the after-school session we are highlighting different countries since the World Cup is only 17 days away. Today we talked about Mexico. Since South Africa plays Mexico in the first game, it was a great introduction. We had passports for the children where they can put flags from the different countries and write fun facts. For the craft we made maracas from paper plates and macaroni. They really enjoyed that. Afterwards they flocked to the soccer field. The kids are very happy to have a safe place to play and it definitely showed.

Overall I give day 1 two thumbs up. The team worked hard and got to spend some quality time with the children. I feel safe in saying they will be good friends with many of the kids by the end of the week. Team Jacksonville.... YOU ROCK!!!!! Thank you for the awesome job today. Looking forward to tomorrow.