I want to live here. I've been in Africa
for a month now, and still every time I turn around and see the view, I like to
call out to the infinite sea or the endless mountains and say: "Shut.... UP! I'm
in Africa!" The time here has just flown by.
Just to let all my fans know, this part of my trip (and for the next 2 months)
is called ‘The Awakening;' and that it is, my dear readers, that it is. Our
days are often spent more in prayer, reading and lessons rather than actual
ministry. The point is to learn about being a missionary before actually being
a missionary. What have I learned thus far? All I can say is... we're getting our
moneys worth, friends. Even at this point of the trip, I could not possibly go
home the same person. God has really attacked me in this place.

Although a lot of our time is spent surrounded by several
Americans (and 6 Canadians including myself), we have succeeded (somewhat) in integrating
ourselves into African culture. My part to play is volunteering at the local
health clinic, in Pellsrus. I and two other lovely ladies walk the short
distance to the clinic Monday through Friday from 1pm until closing time, which
is only at 3:45, where we have the option of leaving for one of the nurses'
homes or going into the community and visiting some people. Our ministry is
over by 5pm and then we have some free time until dinner. Believe me, 4 hours
is tiring enough for now. Our duties at the clinic involve asking the nurses (or
sisters) if there's anything we can do for them and them continuously telling
us either that there is nothing left to do or that we can sweep something. The
clinic is most definitely one of the harder ministries in that it is much more
trying to reach the people in that place. Our nurses are most content with
ignoring us as are the patients, who most of the time, just want to leave and
not be noticed. The area is primarily black (Xhosa), with a few colored
(Afrikaaners) and even some white Afrikaaners. Our nurses have informed us (upon
our asking) that they mostly deal with issues of pregnancy, HIV, TB and
diarrhea. There's even a section in the clinic meant for TB patients, waiting
for TB treatment. As we all know, it is a highly contagious disease, therefore
the TB section is in the back, separated from the other patients by a small
hallway. This should be sufficient for everyone in this fairly small clinic, TB
is only a highly contagious, airborne illness in a building where most people are
already suffering from HIV/ AIDS. Obviously, it's a place with much needed
help. Every day, we pray for the nurses and for every single patient that will
step through those doors. There is so much need, we hardly know where to start.
Most of the time, it's just about listening to the endless stories of one
person as the hours drag on and they're still waiting to see the doctor (most
will not). I love that God has placed me here, but it's hard.

                                                                                                                                                                                         The rest of our team is mostly involved in kid's ministries
and have the best stories at the end of the day! One of our ministries is
called house visits, which literally means going door to door in the townships.
The area in question is not far from where we stay but a world apart. We are
not allowed there past dark because for the most part, the women are indoors
and the men are running to and from the notorious taverns. The house visits
team have some of the most miraculous stories of the group. In North America,
one is hesitant to answer the door to a missionary of sorts, however South Africa
has a much different attitude. Our neighbors are in so much need, they don't
question our belief in God, they only want prayer and perhaps a little help
around the house. Oh the stories of the rooftops some have fixed up in the
middle of a storm, the mattress some have bought for the sick people who slept on
the cement floor and the lady who told me and my ministry partners that she had
just found out that very day that she was HIV+. With her, you almost could not tell the
emotion, she took it extremely well. But with her eyes continuously to
the floor and the salt water that fell onto her lap, she gave it
away. These people are so hurt and we are in the midst of it. We are all so
excited to make a difference until we see the actual need and how very unable
we are to do anything. Thank goodness we have a God who seeks no
qualifications. We are learning about our own humility and God's strength, who
by the way, has physically and emotionally healed several people since the time
we got here.  Ask me more if you must.
I'm simply trying to convey as best as I can, every day here is riveting.