Hello South Africa Teamfriends!
Well, how is it being home? Have you adjusted your sleep? My eyes simply can't stay open past 10 and I've been waking up in the 5's! But I feel good during the day with a bout of yawning late afternoons! My thoughts turn to SA often and the work/fun we had! You don't know what a great team you were! No, really! I've heard horror stories! But you were all open to the Spirit's leading, were willing to do what was needed without a complaint heard and all got along well. That is truly amazing and I attribute it to all the preparatory prayer support we received! God is good! I would like to hear what your re-entry thoughts are. Does America seem plastic and shallow and consumerist? ( I thought that back from my first trip) How are people responding? Can you tell the people who want the 30 second and say "That's nice." and the ones who want to hear more? What changes to your lifestyle have you made? Any decisions re: the future? Let's blog!
Jeanne- I would love for you to recount the conversation you had with your German journalist seat mate on the plane. Fascinating!
I miss you all and I need your last pics!
Love, Emily
13 comments:
Dear Friends,
I miss you all too! I have felt well this week and haven't suffered much jet lag thankfully.
I find my mind and heart still in South Africa. I've thought often of something Laura said. There are many needs in America and the poor, etc. but they have so many advocates. In Africa there are few.
On the way from Cape Town to Johannesburg I gave up my seat to a woman who was not seated with her daughter. As I sat in the middle seat =) I knew God had a purpose. I sat next to a journalist from Munich, a woman in her 30's, who had just spent over 2 weeks in South Africa on assignment. Toward the end of our conversation she told me that black South Africans were lazy, lived in filthy shacks and spent all the money they did get on clothes so they could parade themselves around town. I could not believe what I was hearing. An intelligent young woman who was probably speaking for many. I was able to "gently" share with her my own experiences of the time spent with black South Africans in their own community. She was blown away when I had told her of my time spent in Mbekweni. I believe that God used that conversation to plant a seed in her heart.
I can't wait to get some pictures from you Emily!
Love you all,
Jeanne
April 17, 2008 7:23 AM
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wow - amazing how our experience was so vastly different than this journalist's experience. that's fantastic that you were able to share your perspective with her. I hope your seed fell on fertile soil! That could have amazing results.
I'm sure none of you would be surprised to find that I am having pretty serious jet lag issues... haha...
I can't wait to see all of your pics. I've watched mine and my dad's over and over, and although I'm still enchanted with them - mostly because mentally I'm still in Africa. Taking a shower today it occured to me how strange it was that while we were away, my house and my things were still sitting here a world away - I don't know how to explain, except that I bet you are all feeling the same thing. Home seems like such a foreign place now. But I'm really looking forward to seeing all of your perspectives through your photos and Emily's videos - (don't forget to edit Cindy's famous oscar winning moment - "Alright Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close up... " haha!)
My dad (Gary) has copies of my photos to share with you all as well.
Ok, time for a bie lekker slaap!
-erik
sorry for the syntax issues in my previous post - I'm a wee bit tired... ; )
I just read my book Shack Chic (yes I actually read the words and didn't just look at the pictures for once!) It's very educational about shack life and I think I will do an email to you all about it! Jeanne, what insight you had to recommend that book! If she gets it she will be humbled by their tenacity and pride. What a God moment indeed! Blessings on you all!
Enjoy your lekker slaap, Erik! I believe I feel one coming on too!
Emily
Wow, I am still in the twilight zone, falling asleep by 8 pm and waking at 4 am, but sure enjoying all our pictures. I am not doing any extra activities this week so my mind can stay in Africa. I am not ready for America yet. I want to get involved in the CrossWinds soup kitchen and see where that leads. I feel there must be some positive reaction in my own community. What an amazing experience. I have been able to share with several people already, some at length. What a blessing. What a great team. Thanks to all for so many different contributions. Love and prayers, Karen
I agree with Erik von lekker slaaper, home feels a little foreign right now. And Karen, good idea in keeping it low key this week. I am doing that same thing except for that 40+ hour a week bad habit that pays my bills.
I still miss you all! Oh, and Erik von lekker slaaper if you think I'm going to buy "that was the first time I ever "accidentally" zoomed in business...... =)
Hey all of you. So glad that all of you are doing good and that all your lugguage were safe. It is weekend and I hope all of you will catch up on the jetlag over this next couple of days. Hope you will have great reunions at church tomorrouw and that God will really bless all of you at the service and even those that came before when you share your stories! Laura is setting up house and tonight she is painting her study. She even got 2 of the ornaments that was at the Africa Cafe at MR PRICE and it looks beautifull! Miss you guys. Thanks again for a great time, all the gifts and love and joy!! Ek gaan nou lekker slaap. Enjoy your Saturday!
Hey posse! I miss you all! The laughter we experienced was nourishment like I can't begin to tell! Talk of your team continues to circulate. Like Erns was speaking of being grateful as we all sat in our staff meeting on Tuesday in chairs that didn't fall apart! Thanks guys!
I have set up the house a bit. That was actually a bit of a tough experience. First time I've ever set up a house w/o Ty's help and input. Unpacking the library was especially tough...so many remnants and reminders...
At first I thought- God, I should have had the girls set up the office! But I know that moving through even little events like unpacking theology books has a purpose in my healing. I am grateful you unpacked the kitchen though! Now, if you could just come back and cook.
Still looking at pictures and remembering. I don't want to let the experience end. It was soooo awesome. Laura, I saw Don Dickenson up at the school yesterday when I was picking up my grand daughter, Olivia. I told him you sent your love to anyone we ran into who knows you and he sent his best wishes back at you! We had a "mini" reunion at church on Sunday and it was so good to reconnect. More hugs. You can never have too many of those! I will never forget the hugfest at Paarl East on our last day! Love and Blessings to all. Karen
Take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Deuteronomy 4:9
Karen just sent this verse to all of us. My thoughts have been similar this week. We left South Africa two weeks ago today. In some ways it seems it was so long ago. Life resumes so quickly....everything rushes in and demands our attention. I have been focusing on simplifying life and "things." I want to carry what I saw and learned in South Africa for the rest of my life. I hope to return before too much time passes but only God knows our future. I hope you all are well. I miss you! Can't wait for our trip reunion.
I am taking my time getting back into the American culture. Fortunately I do not have to show up at work so I can spend my time remembering our fun experiences as I clean up my journaling and enjoy our pictures over and over again. Looking forward to Sunday lunch with the Maples to hear about their ministry. Also planning to get involved with the soup kitchen at CrossWinds, and maybe participate in one of Joni's family camps. There are so many ways to get involved, after all. I tried to buy the Shack Chic book but couldn't get it. Can I borrow it from one of you? I forget who had it. Love to all, Karen
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