Hello from Cape Town!
I can't believe that today we wrapped up week four. This is CRAZY! My time here in South Africa is going by way too fast. I only have a week left, and I am so sad! Today warmed my heart, though...in so many ways. Where did we leave off?
We ate at Woodlands Eatery Wednesday night which was fantastic! I got mussels and a cheeseburger...random combo, I know. Some of the best mussels ever are in this town, I swear.
At the township on Thursday, we did stations again. This time the stations were shorter because we got to visit with our House Mom for a little bit! I was so lucky to have Lee-Kayla at my stations, and I also had two tag-along girls...Kelly-Ann and Beyonce! {Yes...her name was actually Beyonce}. We ended up getting soooo close. I loved them as if they were my own.
Of course, the dance station was our favorite! The girls are so energetic and bring the biggest smile to my face. But the activity that resonated best with me was the reading and drawing. Just like the day before, we did an activity about "The Little Engine That Could." We gave the kids a coloring sheet that said "I think I can..." with a train on it. Lee-Kayla wrote on hers: "I love Anna. I think I can be a doctor. Anna thinks I can be a doctor." It was SO heartwarming!!! Kelly-Ann wrote: "I love Anna. Anna is my best friend. I think today is the best day of my life. I want to be a teacher." Teaching the girls to believe in themselves and leaving them with the confidence that someone believes in them was exactly what I wanted to do on this day. It actually felt like fate.
I went to Mama E's house to serve soup to the children. In the winter {it's winter here}, the "soup moms" {a group of mothers in the community} will make a pot of soup and invite children into their homes for a small cup. Some of these children don't know when their next meal will be. There is actually a foundation that was adopted through Global LEAD that raises money for the supplies for this soup. We got to watch it in action, and it was so eye-opening. These children scarfed down a tiny cup of soup, and they sang gospel while they did it, praising The Lord for an opportunity to have a meal. It really made me think about all of the times I've splurged on a really nice meal, thought nothing of it, and didn't even pray. You can bet I'll never do that again after seeing this.
We left that night and went to a burger joint on Long Street called the Royale Eatery. It is apparently pretty famous. I tried the ostrich burger. It was a lot different than I expected, and I probably wouldn't order it again. I came home and did homework.
The next day: Friday! The last day of Service Week in Sir Lowry's Pass. Definitely an emotional day. It started off with a pretty thought provoking class...
We talked about our values, our heroes, and our visions for the future. Never in my life have I analyzed these things so deeply. Without boring you to tears, I can honestly say that I understand myself now more than I ever thought would be possible at such a young age. Ok, actually, the reason I'm not going into detail is because I had to turn in my workbook for grading so I don't have my notes with me right now. But the assignments, readings, and lectures that we have in class have been so invaluable to me about learning who I am. All I can say is "wow."
We headed over to the township for a Field Day! I didn't have Lee-Kayla in my group, instead, I had a bunch of really misbehaved boys. It also made me look at discipline differently. A lot of these children in this township {and, of course, you will find this anywhere you go} have alcoholic and drug addict parents, and that's why they have no food to eat and no behavioral discipline. It was up to us to teach them what was acceptable and what was not, at least while they were under our watch. After all, who's going to teach them at home?
At the end of the field day, we all got in a big circle and sang "Making Melodies in my Heart" together! It was a really unforgettable moment. Such a beautiful song with such beautiful souls.
I got to have Lee-Kayla with me for a little walk. We exchanged so many great hugs and sweet words, but then it was time for me to head over to Mama E's! Most of the babies were there, which was a lot of fun. Mama E and her older daughters sang a lot of beautiful gospel songs for us, which was just breathtaking as always. We ended on a great note, and I know we touched their lives by simply getting to know them, caring who they are as people instead of just "serving" them. I really learned the difference between "service" and "service learning" this week. Needless to say, the township of Sir Lowry's Pass absolutely made melodies in my heart.
I know I haven't been writing about my Jesus Calling in this blog {If you know me personally or you keep up with my personal blog, you know what I'm talking about}, but I am still reading it every day. One of the readings during service week spoke to me so much. Here it is:
June 13
I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spirit of Joy that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way. Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others. Let yourself become a reservoir in the Spirit's fruit.
Your part is to live close to Me, open to all that I am doing in you. Don't try to control the streaming of My Spirit through you. Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together. Enjoy My Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy, and Peace.
John 3:8
Galatians 5:22
This, to me, directly related to why we come TEACH them things instead of GIVING them things. Originally, one of the program directors thought of the idea to paint some of the houses in the township as a service project. But then they realized...that would be coming to SERVE them, and then just leave. That's doing something for a community to make ourselves feel good, not giving THEM the joy and teaching them something intangible that they can hold in their hearts and use forever. Through experience and through the reading...I understand it now.
Last night we ordered in pizza, drank wine, and ate cheese while watching TED Talks...literally the I had never heard of TED talks before, but here is one that we watched that I thought was really good:
I can't believe that today we wrapped up week four. This is CRAZY! My time here in South Africa is going by way too fast. I only have a week left, and I am so sad! Today warmed my heart, though...in so many ways. Where did we leave off?
We ate at Woodlands Eatery Wednesday night which was fantastic! I got mussels and a cheeseburger...random combo, I know. Some of the best mussels ever are in this town, I swear.
At the township on Thursday, we did stations again. This time the stations were shorter because we got to visit with our House Mom for a little bit! I was so lucky to have Lee-Kayla at my stations, and I also had two tag-along girls...Kelly-Ann and Beyonce! {Yes...her name was actually Beyonce}. We ended up getting soooo close. I loved them as if they were my own.
Of course, the dance station was our favorite! The girls are so energetic and bring the biggest smile to my face. But the activity that resonated best with me was the reading and drawing. Just like the day before, we did an activity about "The Little Engine That Could." We gave the kids a coloring sheet that said "I think I can..." with a train on it. Lee-Kayla wrote on hers: "I love Anna. I think I can be a doctor. Anna thinks I can be a doctor." It was SO heartwarming!!! Kelly-Ann wrote: "I love Anna. Anna is my best friend. I think today is the best day of my life. I want to be a teacher." Teaching the girls to believe in themselves and leaving them with the confidence that someone believes in them was exactly what I wanted to do on this day. It actually felt like fate.
I went to Mama E's house to serve soup to the children. In the winter {it's winter here}, the "soup moms" {a group of mothers in the community} will make a pot of soup and invite children into their homes for a small cup. Some of these children don't know when their next meal will be. There is actually a foundation that was adopted through Global LEAD that raises money for the supplies for this soup. We got to watch it in action, and it was so eye-opening. These children scarfed down a tiny cup of soup, and they sang gospel while they did it, praising The Lord for an opportunity to have a meal. It really made me think about all of the times I've splurged on a really nice meal, thought nothing of it, and didn't even pray. You can bet I'll never do that again after seeing this.
We left that night and went to a burger joint on Long Street called the Royale Eatery. It is apparently pretty famous. I tried the ostrich burger. It was a lot different than I expected, and I probably wouldn't order it again. I came home and did homework.
The next day: Friday! The last day of Service Week in Sir Lowry's Pass. Definitely an emotional day. It started off with a pretty thought provoking class...
We talked about our values, our heroes, and our visions for the future. Never in my life have I analyzed these things so deeply. Without boring you to tears, I can honestly say that I understand myself now more than I ever thought would be possible at such a young age. Ok, actually, the reason I'm not going into detail is because I had to turn in my workbook for grading so I don't have my notes with me right now. But the assignments, readings, and lectures that we have in class have been so invaluable to me about learning who I am. All I can say is "wow."
We headed over to the township for a Field Day! I didn't have Lee-Kayla in my group, instead, I had a bunch of really misbehaved boys. It also made me look at discipline differently. A lot of these children in this township {and, of course, you will find this anywhere you go} have alcoholic and drug addict parents, and that's why they have no food to eat and no behavioral discipline. It was up to us to teach them what was acceptable and what was not, at least while they were under our watch. After all, who's going to teach them at home?
At the end of the field day, we all got in a big circle and sang "Making Melodies in my Heart" together! It was a really unforgettable moment. Such a beautiful song with such beautiful souls.
I got to have Lee-Kayla with me for a little walk. We exchanged so many great hugs and sweet words, but then it was time for me to head over to Mama E's! Most of the babies were there, which was a lot of fun. Mama E and her older daughters sang a lot of beautiful gospel songs for us, which was just breathtaking as always. We ended on a great note, and I know we touched their lives by simply getting to know them, caring who they are as people instead of just "serving" them. I really learned the difference between "service" and "service learning" this week. Needless to say, the township of Sir Lowry's Pass absolutely made melodies in my heart.
I know I haven't been writing about my Jesus Calling in this blog {If you know me personally or you keep up with my personal blog, you know what I'm talking about}, but I am still reading it every day. One of the readings during service week spoke to me so much. Here it is:
June 13
I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spirit of Joy that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way. Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others. Let yourself become a reservoir in the Spirit's fruit.
Your part is to live close to Me, open to all that I am doing in you. Don't try to control the streaming of My Spirit through you. Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together. Enjoy My Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy, and Peace.
John 3:8
Galatians 5:22
This, to me, directly related to why we come TEACH them things instead of GIVING them things. Originally, one of the program directors thought of the idea to paint some of the houses in the township as a service project. But then they realized...that would be coming to SERVE them, and then just leave. That's doing something for a community to make ourselves feel good, not giving THEM the joy and teaching them something intangible that they can hold in their hearts and use forever. Through experience and through the reading...I understand it now.
Last night we ordered in pizza, drank wine, and ate cheese while watching TED Talks...literally the I had never heard of TED talks before, but here is one that we watched that I thought was really good:
It is my hope that my experience building a relationship with Lee-Kayla will be a lollipop moment. One day, I'll have gained a million more experiences in my life, and she just might remember something that I taught her so vividly and use it to guide her in her life. This would be a goal of mine. I'll never know if I achieve it, and I think that's the beauty of the lasting effects of the Service Week. It's all about the heart.
Today is SATURDAY and it's time for OLD BISCUIT MILL!!!
Gotta go eat some yummy eggs benedict and mini pancakes! Have the best weekend ever, everyone!! Go make melodies in your hearts... :)
xoxo,
Anna
Today is SATURDAY and it's time for OLD BISCUIT MILL!!!
Gotta go eat some yummy eggs benedict and mini pancakes! Have the best weekend ever, everyone!! Go make melodies in your hearts... :)
xoxo,
Anna
RSS Feed
