I wish, but at least the showers bring my birthday. It is getting cold here - winter is officially arriving in SA. Unfortunately I was the poor disillusioned girl who didn't believe Africa could get cold. I have to keep reminding myself how large the continent is - and how close to Antarctica I actually am. So here I am, unprepared for the rains and cold winds of winter in this country. Especially considering the locals broke out their Ugg boots and winter jackets the day it dropped below 65 degrees.
But my time is running short on this continent, so I am hoping to survive on what clothes I did pack (make that one thin sweatshirt, a sweater, and a pair of skinny jeans). Luckily, we have been blessed with sunny days in between the cold dreary rains - beautiful days to restore my belief that Africa does not get cold. I always try to think in relative terms - it doesn't snow here, therefore cannot be that cold. Right?!
Enough of the weather talk...a lot of people have been asking when I am coming home. That is to be determined but it is looking to be sometime in early June. I still need to book a ticket - and can't decide on a date. There is a lot waiting for me back home (job=paycheck=not being broke). And no, for those who have been wondering, I will not be catching the magic via Camp Adventure again this summer. Things did not pan out as I had hoped but life goes on. I will be spending the summer in Ames for once, as much as that pains me to say (the wanderlust never dies).
With the thoughts of home looming ahead after finals, I am unsure of how I feel on returning to the states. I haven't seen enough of Africa to satisfy my hunger yet but time and money are running dangerously low. The next month will be jam-packed with new sights, papers, oral examinations, and sad goodbyes. But first, a long awaited update:
School is winding down in the typical fashion - by increasing the workload. But procrastination is the same wherever I am in the world (some things never change) so we all know I will be fine...eventually. The nice thing about SA is all the days off. There are several public holidays (Freedom Day, Worker's Day, Election Day, etc) where classes are canceled and in April, we do not have one full week of classes the entire month. This week, we had both Monday and Friday off.
Taking advantage of this, I have spent this past week in George, a coastal city about 4-5 hours southeast of Stellenbosch. I came with a friend, Laura, to volunteer at Life Community Services. This program is Christ-centered and focuses on feeding local impoverished children - spiritually and physically. Seeing another organization has been great with regards to my community development work and I've learned a lot in my few short days here. There are 10 centers in the neighboring communities where approximately 600 children receive food and a short lesson three times a week, with choir, youth group, and Sunday services available with food on the other days. Tuesdays are the only day of rest for this ministry. Younger children come for a few hours mid-morning and there is a second feeding after school is out for the older kids. Imagine the kitchen which must churn out the food for all these hungry mouths! The entire operation is simply amazing to see - and even better to be a part of.
Coming to George makes me feel as if I could make a real impact in South Africa and makes me want to stay. While in Stellenbosch, my Service Learning work has more been academic and Legacy has been a wonderful training site to apply the theories, I have not been touched like I was this week. Perhaps it was the more apparent poverty (if that is possible) or the smaller language barrier to hurdle (Afrikaans rather than Xhosa), but these children really captured my heart. I wish I had more time to devote to such a worthy organization. Check out www.lifecomonline.org for more information and check out my pictures to see who I want to bring home with me.
What a week to wrap my head around.
