Days 11 and 12, June 27 and 28, 2007

Days 11 and 12-Our day began around 6 A.M. When we got up the ground was a blanket of snow. It was the firsttime that it had snowed in South Africa in 26 years. We finished our packing and took our luggage to the dining hall. We left the farm and went to Johannesburg to visit the Hector Peterson Museum. Hector Peterson was a young boy who was killed in a boycott of the Afrikan language being used as the method of instruction in the African schools. It occurred on June 16, 1776. After the musuem, we visited Nelson Mandela's old home and had lunch. We then visited the Bruno flea market.

We arrived at the airport at 3:00 P.M. and took off for home at 5:00 P.M. We began our 18 hour flight home. We arrived in Washington's Dulles airport at 6:00 A.M. We went through customs and were ready to finish the last leg of our flight to Charlotte at 9:00 A.M. Well, no such luck. Our flight had been cancelled. We had to split up to find flights home. I had to take a group of 8 to Reagan airport by cab to catch a 4:55 P.M. flight to Raleigh/Durham. Our flight was delayed until 6:10 P.M. We finally got on the plane and when we were on the tarmac ready to taxi our flight was delayed. We sat in the plane for another hour and then finally arrived in Raleigh around 9 PM. Our church bus was there to bring us home.

We finally arrived home around 11 P.M. It was a life changing experience to go to Africa, but I was so glad to be home to see my family.

Day 10- June 26, 2007

Today we went to Extension 23 and planted 4 eco gardens. The gardens consist of a piping system that forms a circle. Seven circles are attached to the big circle and are used for irrigation. We dig 7 large holes and put in compost and worms to help with fertilizing the dirt. We also mulch each circle. We were able to put in the gardens for 2 young ladies that came to our Bible school named Matilda and Rebecca. They are neighbors. In the afternoon, we planted a garden for a grandfather and his grandchildren and a family whose parents had died and the oldest child was 19 and caring for his younger brothers and sisters.

Tonight for dinner we had an authenic African meal of chicken heads and feet. Needless to say I did not try it. I put it on my plate but did not partake.

This has been a wonderful experience for me. God is alive and well and working all over this BIG world. I am glad I was allowed to be used by Him.

Days 7,8, and 9- June 23 ,24, & 25 2007

Day 7- Today was the last day of Bible School. We had the salvation lesson today. Timbu ( my friend that I had a chance to witness to) came by today but could not stay for Bible School due to having to work. I invited him to the Jesus film. We made salvation bracelets today and then my young people helped the younger ones after our lesson.

We had lunch and then visited the Pic n Pay. We then went back to the creche( day care) and put in an eco garden.

That night we had the Jesus Film at the soccer field. Timbu came and accepted Christ to be his Savior. I was so excited.

Supper was late again tonight. Chicken with gravy and rice and chocolate pudding.

Day 8- Today we spent the day at Ext. 23 and 26 having church. It was a great experience. Beaver preached at the first service and Marty took the last sermon.

When we arrived back at the farm, Mr. A. (John's Dad) had a braai (barbeque) going. We had lambchops and salad along with potato salad with peas.

Afterwards the menfolk went out hunting. Marty shot a Kudu but could not find it.

Dudu and the girls pranked the boys when they were hunting.

Day 9-

Today we went to the Lion Park. They were beautiful. I actually held a lion cub and fed a giraffe. We also drove through the lion park and saw many lions right up close. We also saw some gazelles, zebras, and wilabeasts.

After the park we went to the Door of Hope Orphanage. We got to hold the babies and play with them for over an hour. They were so precious. Afterwards we took a short trip to the mall and did a little shopping. We went to the BOMA restaurant and I some kudu and giraffe. Not my cup of tea. But I did try it.

Back to the farm for a good night's sleep. Four ecogardens to put in tomorrow.

Day Five and Six- June 21 and 22, 2007

Day 5- Bible School was great today. The kids are coming and listening to the word of God. We had a long day today. We did home visitation during the morning and others planted eco gardens. I was on the home visitation team. We had the opportunity to pray with many people about problems in their lives. Many of them invited us into their houses. All of the homes we visited were neat and clean. Some of the homes do not have any grass in the yard so they sweep their dirt and put patterns in it.

After the visitation, we had lunch. After lunch we went to Bible School. We went back to the African church. Josh and Shirley shared their testimonies. Marty preached again. There was much dancing and singing.

We got back to the farm around 8:30 P.M. We had supper with the best mashed potatoes ever. We also had pork sausage and salad.


Day 6-
Our day began with picking up Beaver from his safari. He had a great time. Then we went to an old folks' home. Alisha, Margie, and Carla shared their testimonies. We sang some songs and Beaver preached a short message. We took a small tour and then we went to a day care in Ext. 26. The puppets performed and the kids loved them. After the day care we went around and invited people to the Jesus Film tonight at the clinic.

Bible School was a little cramped today because there was a tournament on the soccer field. The Lord showed up and we had a great time. After Bible School we went to Ext. 26 and set up the Jesus film at the clinic. Over 120 people were at the film. After the film, Makgale gave a message and many people prayed the salvation prayer.

We came back to the farm and had spaghetti and salad for supper. Makgale gave our devotion.

Day Four- June 20, 2007

Today I drove the kombi all over Hiedelberg. We put in an ecogarden and had Bible school. We ate bunny chow for lunch. Bunny chow is a sub sandwich that has french fries, bologna, and hotdogs, and shredded cheese on it. It was pretty good but too much to eat.

I had the opportunity to witness to two young men after Bible school who had a lot of questions about God, Jesus, and the Bible. I was able to give one young man a Bible because Jo Carol had bought a new one and was willing to give it away. Marty and I prayed with the young men and Thabso will follow up on them. They said they would return tomorrow.

All the children are blessing us more that we are blessing them. They are all so precious. Some come with no shoes and there is glass everywhere. The field that we play on has no grass, just red dirt. The kids love the soccer balls that we brought. We have taught them American football and dodgeball. We have also played a form of baseball with a flat bat. Marty says that it resembles cricket. We found a jump rope in the kombi and the girls taught us a few things. They jump three times and then hold the rope up and then start again.

When we left the field Makgale (Mac Daddy) gave out some of our left over sandwiches to the children. There was almost a mob. These children are hungry for physical and spiritual food.

No evening service tonight. We came back to the farm and on the way Edward and I had a race on the farm road. We won. Move over, Dale Jr.

For supper, we had Malaysian chicken and rice. The dessert we had tasted like an Andes Mint. It was so rich.

After supper, we emailed home and played Family Feud.

God has provided another wonderful day for us and one I will treasure forever.

Day Three- June 19, 2007

Wow. Where do I begin. Today was awesome. We began with a breakfast of cereal and toast. Then we headed into Heidelberg to scope out Extension 23. When we arrived , a man taught us how to set up the eco gardens. We went to Sello's house and began our work. After an hour and a half of digging, the garden was complete.

The other part of our group went to do house visitation and invite the kids to Bible School. We met up at 12:00 and went to a park for lunch. Lunch consisted of tuna fish sandwiches, chips, and tangerines. After lunch we returned to Extension 23 for a day we will never forget. The children came and came. Well over 100 kids came. We played soccer and then had Bible school. I had most of the children sign their names in my journal along with their ages. These children have been out of school for 3 weeks because their teachers are on strike. They are asking for a 12 % pay raise and the government is only offering 6%. Bible school went great. Tabitha, Carla, and I had over 30 in our teen group. Thabso was our translator. We studied the birth of Jesus and I shared the salvation message. Then Marty and Josh introduced the kids to American flag football.

Around 5 P.M. we went a few blocks over and went into a church around 20x10 in size. They got with the worship and led us into the presence of the Lord. CJ and I shared our testimony and Marty preached.

After church we returned home to the farm and had supper. Supper was beef stroganoff with mixed vegetables and butterscotch pudding.

Time for bed. WE are tired……………….

Day Two- Africa

Today we were allowed to sleep late. We had a breakfast of cereal and french toast. Afterwards we had cross cultural training with Buhti. We learned about the African culture and customs. We also learned a few African words.
Sawubona-Hello
Siyabonga- Thank you
Igama lakho- your name
Igama lami- ooh then say your name
U Jesu oyakuthanda- Jesus loves you
Woza-come

After cultural training we gathered together with our Bible School groups and got organized. We had a late lunch of ham and cheese sandwiches and fruit. After lunch we had free time. Carla, Shirley, and I took a long nap. After our nap, we gathered in the dining hall and fellowshipped with Thabso, Dudu, Edward, and Big Mac. I learned that there are several types of schools. Some people go to the Township schools while cost about 200 dollars a year. South African schools cost about 400 a month. Private schools are much more expensive. The difference between township schools and South African are the extra courses that are offered. All South African children must wear uniforms to school which they must purchase separately from their tuition. Primary school goes from grade 1 to grade 7 and high school is from grade 8-grade 12.

Our dinner tonight consisted of a sausage link and something that resembled mashed potatoes. It was made of maize (corn) and had a salsa like gravy. We had ice cream cones for dessert. After supper, Thabso, Big Mac, and Dudu taught us some African praise songs and we sang along. Then we shared some American praise songs with them. We practiced some Bible School songs and learned the motions. What a fantastic day. We must rise early tomorrow. God has been good to us today.