Kim is Here!

My dear friend, Kim, arrived from Kenya on Sunday. She is a friend from home and my roommate for the past 5 years and is now teaching in Kenya. It is really fun to have a friend from home visit me here and see this part of my life. It actually really natural feeling to be spending time with her. So far, I have had to work everyday at the babies home until 1pm so we have mostly just be relaxing, hanging out, and socializing. Last night, we went to Thai food with Marc and Rebecca which was great because Thai food is my favorite and I didn't realize they had it a restaurant close by.

Today we visited a government hospital to take gifts to the pediatric wards. The hospital was what I expected with big wards holding about 24 beds. Thankfully, the pediatric wards were only about 1/2 full. The families were appreciative and we also prayed with some of them. A very difficult time to be hospitalized.

We are now waiting for the Le Roux family to pick us up and take us to Marc's parents house. We will spend tonight and tomorrow with his family, swimming in the pool, eating great food, and opening presents. Hard to believe we will be swimming, while our families are stuck in feet of snow!! Kinda wish I was there for the big Oregon snowstorm.

We leave on the 26th for the coast for a week. I'm not sure how much internet access I will have. Love and Blessings to you all!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....???

It's easier to be away from home during the holidays, when it doesn't feel like Christmastime. It is hard to believe it is only 1 week away and even harder to believe I have been gone for almost 3 months. As Oregon's days are getting shorter and colder, mine are getting longer and sunnier. It is quiet around the property as many people have already left on vacation. In general, I think South African's focus more on spending time with family and vacationing at Christmas, then gift-giving, but the mall was still fairly busy last weekend.

This time of year also means people have more money in their pockets and more free time, so we have seen an increase in assault victims at the clinic. Yesterday, 3 men came in who had been assaulted. It is sad that these two things-money and free-time-create such havoc in some people's lives. This time of year also magnifies the differences between the rich and poor and often white and black. While people with money are leaving for vacations, shopping at malls, and getting to see relatives from far, many other people I have met will be living life as usual. Unable to take time off of work, not affording to buy presents, and living too far from even immediate family to visit them. I don't think I expected the injustices of the world to affect me as much as they have. Probably more than anything else, I am affected because I am convicted. I am part of the rich and white aspect of the world and even though I have compassion and sadness for the poor, I am still shopping with the best of them and planning my vacation. IT'S NOT FAIR!

But, I have a New Year's resolution to be more positive and to stay hopeful. We had a great sermon on Sunday about not always strategyzing and trying to figure things out. But instead seeking God and trusting Him to be in control. I'm realizing that my strategies aren't going to work and especially with my Western way of thinking. I need to spend more time before God and mostly trust Him that there is hope.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. As you drink hot cocoa and listen to carols, may you reflect on why we celebrate this time of year and may you be a blessing to those around you. I miss you!

Sister Dorothy and me at the clinic Christmas party

Me with beautiful baby Abigail at an outdoor night of carols

Change of plans

The last few weeks have been busy, but great. So far, I haven't had a dull moment here. I seem to be busier than I was even at home. I'll give you a brief run down of what I've been up to. I have been spending Monday's and Wednesday's helping with the creche (preschool) which is in the same community as the clinic I help in. The creche has about 50 children mostly 5 and 6 year olds, but also a few babies and toddlers. We have been working on curriculum and training the local teachers. Explaining the importance of boiling baby bottles, etc. My role is also to check in on any health concerns that the teachers have for the kids. Mostly, I just refer to the clinic anything I am worried about and write letters to the parents to take their child to the clinic if there is a concern. It has taken awhile to figure out what I am doing, but hopefully I will be more helpful in the few months I am here before going to Malawi. The creche is closing for a month next week and then we will start up again with many new kids. We just had graduation for the kids that will go to primary school last Saturday and it was a great success. The kids were so cute singing songs and doing a nativity play.


On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, I volunteer in the clinic in whatever they ask me to do. Usually I am assisting the nurses there, but also help in the pharmacy. As I have written before, learning tons.

I am occasionally at the babies home doing child care for them. Currently, they have around 12 kids.

Always lots of church activities going on. We had a night of carols on Sunday and I was part of a puppet video that we created. It has been great to be so involved in the church. Next year, they are starting bible training on Tuesday nights and I'm planning to take this class. Made lots of good friends that I am sure will be life-long over facebook and hopefully in person at some point.

My plans have changed slightly. I am now staying in South Africa until mid-March. The nurse at the babies home wants to go with me to Malawi and stay for a month. She is only able to go in March so we will go there together. This is really an answer to prayer because I was very nervous about journeying to Malawi on my own even though I hear it is very safe. The 10 hour bus ride will be much nicer with a friend. May (the nurse) was born in Zimbabwe and has been to Malawi before so it is more comforting for me. I will still spend 4 months in Malawi taking me into mid-July. I'm not sure now that visiting Kenya is going to work out so then I will either meet people to travel with in this area of Africa or return to SA for a short time before flying home mid-August. I'm looking forward to my dear friend, Kim, arriving in a few weeks. She is currently teaching in Kenya and visiting for Christmas. We are planning to travel with other friends to the Wild Coast, the Eastern coastal area of South Africa. Can't wait!! Miss you all and wish you many Christmas blessings.



By the way, you may feel sorry for me as I had KFC for Thanksgiving. :-<

The creche kids in front of their newly painted wall

They are so cute, they put their stuffed animals and dolls on their backs to carry them as they see their moms and all the women in their community do.

More cute creche kids

New friends: Tumi(South African), me, Derek (South African), Susie (American), and Milson (Brazilian) at a wedding of a couple in the church.