Another update...

I'm definitely getting worse at updating the blog! The last few weeks have been a mixture of being very busy or very quiet! Moved house again to a couple called Isabelle and George and their daughter. Another lady from the UK was also staying with them so we were sharing a room, which was a struggle at first but turned out to be really good. They also lent us a Bakkie, which is like a mini van, so I was driving around Cape Town. Was very different experience from the UK, there are stray dogs everywhere, people walk in the road and come up to you at the robots (traffic lights!) and the taxis just tend to drive at you! Was nice to be able to drive myself around rather than waiting for lifts! I have now left there though and with a lady, aunty Maud, it is very peaceful at her house so am able to relax a bit! Think I have got a bit fed up with moving now, all my stuff is scattered round different people's houses! I'm hoping to settle now for the rest of my stay - can't believe i only have 4 weeks left in Cape Town, am missing home but dont want to leave! Then off to Durban for 2 weeks with the lovely Guildford crew!

I'm still doing the counselling most days, the aftercare program hasn't been running recently as the children are writing exams and are then on holiday so we are missing them! The build up to the revival has started, everyone is really excited! We are having lots of prayer meetings and next Sunday we are honouring the spiritual father of the church so that is going to be a huge event. Honouring is so important out here, they are always washing feet and have respect and honour for the elders, it feels like a really different atmosphere its brilliant.

Am still being blown away by how welcoming people are and how people have no money and still take me out! Was invited to someone's 21st last weekend, it was like a wedding, they really know how to celebrate out here!

I had an extremely eventful day yesterday, I can laugh about it now but it was hectic at the time!!! One of the ladies wanted to take me out to experience the 'real' Cape Town which meant using public transport which most people I stay with dont even use! So we went on a taxi on the way, which was fine quite quiet, but i think they were very surprised to see a white girl riding a taxi! The taxis are like mini buses, they pretty much own the road, but they crame as many people as possible into them! Then we took a train 1st class - the only difference between 1st and 3rd is the very thin padding on the seats! had a nice day at the beach but coming back was SUCH a different experience! We went 3rd class during rush hour and it was packed, people were hanging out the door, out windows! I was again the only white girl and could tell ppl were wondering why i was there, made me realise there is still a divide out here, white people only use the 1st class. So it was a really difficult experience but maybe something God wanted me to see. It was another day of being stared at for looking different, but most days I dont notice it! And getting off the train was crazy, we could get out at our stop because no one could move and then we eventually got out as everyone pushed and shoved so we all literally fell out of the train!! Then had another taxi ride, and had to sit up front with the driver which was definately interesting!

So...more experiences and challenges happening, expect a lot to happen over the next few weeks with the revival, the honouring and we are having 'hoot for Jesus' soon where we go out onto the streets to do some evangelism! Also looking forward to seeing Lea from DNA out here! Woo hoo!

Will try and put some pics up soon!

News...

The last two weeks have gone so quickly, sorry haven’t written for a while! I am currently still in Belhar with Sharon, Shawn and family, stayed an extra week with them as I couldn’t face another move and have been getting on with them really well. Am moving again today though, am a bit nervous about my next family as I don’t know them at all really, just met them quickly at church, but sure it will be great!

It has been really busy at the centre the last few weeks, but have settled in well now so having a lot more fun with the people as well as working hard! We have started running the aftercare program now for Kewtown school so the kids come to the centre after school on a Monday and a Wednesday. The first week was a little unorganised as we were finding our feet, but last week went really well and the kids are really enjoying it! We pick them up from school at 2.30, we can only manage up to 15 at the mo as transport is a bit of an issue so we have to borrow people’s cars! After the first week we discovered that the boys were fascinated by the showers, as many come from homes which consist of one bedroom which are packed with people! So we have arranged a time on a Monday for the kids to wash – the guys reported back that the boys were trying to swim in the showers so I think they had fun, lol! Then they have a good meal, many haven’t eaten for a while so are pretty hungry by the time they get to us, and then we help with homework, do an activity and finish with devotion! The main aim is to keep them off the streets as Kewtown is known for its drug and gang culture so we don’t want the kids to get involved. Plus giving them some structure will hopefully help them respect authority more as most kids have been referred due to aggressive behaviour.

So that has been keeping us busy! I’m continuing with the counseling also and anything else that comes up at the centre. There is a lot of walk in cases so days are never predictable! Been joining the guys a lot when they go into schools to teach around drugs and pray with people who are struggling so that’s been awesome.

We have been having several God encounter evenings which have just been amazing, God has really shown up and many people have had a vision about fire coming down on Cape Town and how God is moving. There is going to be a week long revival at the beginning of July so is going to be exciting! Is an amazing time to be out here, at the moment I really don’t want to leave although I miss everyone at home – already planning my next trip out here, lol! Have made some good friends out here now so will have to wait and see where God wants to take me!! Am still waiting for my letters from the UK, hint hint!! Hope everyone is doing ok, lots of love x x x