So the last time i left you guys, i was in the middle of orientation. Well i am happy to announce that i am now "oriented". We did a lot in orientation. We began to learn the language of African & Xhosa. Xhosa has a ton clicking and clacking, so i was glad to find out i was going to be in a village where they spoke mainly African. In orientation, we also learned all about the history and culture or South Africa. I have never really enjoyed history, but i was glad that Tim taught us everything we needed to know so we could better understand why there are villages and why the different races interact the way they do. We also had a lesson an HIV and STD class. In this class, we discussed all the ways of transmission and how to avoid getting aids, along with the medical side of it. Along with all of the learning, we also got to start relationships with the staff and volunteers at Living Hope, Living Grace, and Living Way.
While i am on the topic of Living Hope, Living Grace, and Living Way, let me go ahead and explain to you what they are. Living Hope, which is in Capri, is the main overall ministry. They take part in kids clubs and getting plugged into Living Grace; which is the homeless ministry of Living Hope. Living Grace serves a breakfast to all who come to the building in Muizenburg before 8:30. At 8:30, there is worship and a devotion. Then they serve a warm roll and a cold piece of bread with a cup of coffee. Then most of the people who come have a job through Living Grace to pick up trash on the streets. So the men go out and do this, while a few women stay to help cook. The people have to be back at the building before 12 in order to have lunch. Lunch is a huge meal and take a long time to prepare. My team and i help out here every Monday and Wednesday. Living Way trains people to be entrepreneurs and teaches them how to do a specific skill (i.e. baking bread loaves, growing tomatoes and green beans, and making art or sculptures).
On Thursday of orientation, Tim announced who would be going to which village. I was assigned Capricorn!! I was very excited about this! This village is around 30 minutes from the town of Cape Town (capri) where i am staying. 30 to 45 minutes may seem like a far drive for a kids club, but the view of the mountains and beach is spectacular. Simply breathtaking.
Alex and I were both assigned Capricorn, so every afternoon we drive with Alicia (the backbone to this mission trip) to Capricorn. On Monday and Wednesdays, I do kids club in Overcome Heights. On Tuesday and Thursdays i do kids club in Capricorn. But as of today, this is going to change to where on Mondays and Wednesdays i do teen club with Alex in Capricorn, because the girls need another girl influence in their lives. These are also the teens that come to Friday night worship, so it will be great to hang out with them during the week as well. I also attend church at Capricorn, so i am able to be with the people 6 out of 7 days, which is really cool if you ask me!
The days are so jam packed with different relational activities with the Africans. IT IS SO AWESOME, but at the same time at the end of the day we are all wiped out. But we had last weekend off, so we went to Oceanfront to go hang out at a nice mall and eat South African food. I also got to ride a ferris wheel that gave a great view of Table Mountain, the ocean, and the port. Along with going to the museum of District 6, in downtown Cape Town.
**This is just an overview of what is going on at Living Hope right now. I will update you guys on experiences soon!! Thank you so much for support! It means and helps a whole lot.
p.s.-please do not read my updates for grammatical errors because if you do you will find plenty. haha. i also dont like capitalizing "i". :)
thanks for reading!
His,
Lauren
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