Fish Hoek Bay
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Pictures of S.A.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
A lot accomplished in a week!
Hi, friends & family!
Had a Facebook & email dry-spell for almost a week! But, I was able to get a lot done: finally got internet connected, walked to town 3 times, walked along the Jag Walk (a cement walking trail from the beach around part of the mountain with beautiful views of the bay and benches to sit and enjoy). Found a yarn store in Fish Hoek!!! As many of you know, this was high on my priority list! Wonderful place! Also, they have a gathering on the 4th Saturday of the month when they close the shop and ladies come together to knit or crochet and share. My kind of place! Got a new simple phone when I landed in Johannesburg. I'm able to call Tina and her brother Joe once a week. Now that I have internet, I'll be able to Skype for cheaper. Joe is doing better and seems in good spirits.
I got my car today!! Woohoo! Daniel, a young man from the office, has been teaching me to drive on the "other" side of the road. I've had 2 lessons and "flew solo" today. (I got lost for about 20 minutes and I only stalled it once! Daniel said I did okay.) The office is pretty easy to get to from Fish Hoek: just stay on Main Rd all the way until I get to the Blue Route Mall and turn left! I've found 2 large malls, one in Fish Hoek and the Blue Route by the office. Beautiful big malls!
Tomorrow, I will travel down the coast a ways and go see the penguins. Haven't really done much sight-seeing without a car. People from the office have really been good to me to take me places.
I did see something on my way home today: a Southern Right Whale in the bay with her new baby. There are 4 bays opening out to the Atlantic Ocean on the peninsula and the Right Whales show up in Spring (which is now here, south of the equator) to have their babies. I saw a mama and baby in the bay today. I'll take my camera tomorrow as I head along the coast and post some pictures. I'm still pinching myself and thanking the Lord for bringing me here. It is such a beautiful place with the seaside and the mountains.
I'm also thanking God for my car and my flat (apartment)! It has so many built-in blond-colored cupboards in each room! The unfortunate thing is I think the owners were tall! It has tall ceilings and cupboards all the way up. I do have a ladder but think I will get a more sturdy step-ladder.
I went to church Sunday to King of Kings Baptist and really liked it. Don't know if every church is like this one, but I got hugs instead of handshakes from all the women. That's just how they roll; very friendly group of about 400 folks, a lot of retirees live in Fish Hoek, so I pretty much fit right in. Already I will go to a home group a few blocks from here tomorrow night. God is putting everything in place.
Was also able to go talk with the director of Living Hope where I will be training/volunteering for the next few months to get some experience with HIV and AIDS patients and orphans. The director was so excited that I taught Nutrition in Sudan; she said she has been praying that God would send someone with that background to teach the mamas.
2 prayer requests:
- I need to make a decision regarding what area I want to be in at Living Hope. I am drawn to teaching Nutrition to the mamas, but there are many other areas in which I can help. Please pray the Lord will tell me where He wants me at this time.
- The pastor of King of Kings, John Thomas (who is the founder of Living Hope) has contracted Rickettsia, also known here as Tick-Bite Fever. He has been in the hospital and has suffered greatly with it and lost a lot of weight in the past few months. He is home now but still on antibiotics. Please pray that he will "turn the corner" and recover well and quickly.
Thanks to all for your encouragement and prayers!
Had a Facebook & email dry-spell for almost a week! But, I was able to get a lot done: finally got internet connected, walked to town 3 times, walked along the Jag Walk (a cement walking trail from the beach around part of the mountain with beautiful views of the bay and benches to sit and enjoy). Found a yarn store in Fish Hoek!!! As many of you know, this was high on my priority list! Wonderful place! Also, they have a gathering on the 4th Saturday of the month when they close the shop and ladies come together to knit or crochet and share. My kind of place! Got a new simple phone when I landed in Johannesburg. I'm able to call Tina and her brother Joe once a week. Now that I have internet, I'll be able to Skype for cheaper. Joe is doing better and seems in good spirits.
I got my car today!! Woohoo! Daniel, a young man from the office, has been teaching me to drive on the "other" side of the road. I've had 2 lessons and "flew solo" today. (I got lost for about 20 minutes and I only stalled it once! Daniel said I did okay.) The office is pretty easy to get to from Fish Hoek: just stay on Main Rd all the way until I get to the Blue Route Mall and turn left! I've found 2 large malls, one in Fish Hoek and the Blue Route by the office. Beautiful big malls!
Tomorrow, I will travel down the coast a ways and go see the penguins. Haven't really done much sight-seeing without a car. People from the office have really been good to me to take me places.
I did see something on my way home today: a Southern Right Whale in the bay with her new baby. There are 4 bays opening out to the Atlantic Ocean on the peninsula and the Right Whales show up in Spring (which is now here, south of the equator) to have their babies. I saw a mama and baby in the bay today. I'll take my camera tomorrow as I head along the coast and post some pictures. I'm still pinching myself and thanking the Lord for bringing me here. It is such a beautiful place with the seaside and the mountains.
I'm also thanking God for my car and my flat (apartment)! It has so many built-in blond-colored cupboards in each room! The unfortunate thing is I think the owners were tall! It has tall ceilings and cupboards all the way up. I do have a ladder but think I will get a more sturdy step-ladder.
I went to church Sunday to King of Kings Baptist and really liked it. Don't know if every church is like this one, but I got hugs instead of handshakes from all the women. That's just how they roll; very friendly group of about 400 folks, a lot of retirees live in Fish Hoek, so I pretty much fit right in. Already I will go to a home group a few blocks from here tomorrow night. God is putting everything in place.
Was also able to go talk with the director of Living Hope where I will be training/volunteering for the next few months to get some experience with HIV and AIDS patients and orphans. The director was so excited that I taught Nutrition in Sudan; she said she has been praying that God would send someone with that background to teach the mamas.
2 prayer requests:
- I need to make a decision regarding what area I want to be in at Living Hope. I am drawn to teaching Nutrition to the mamas, but there are many other areas in which I can help. Please pray the Lord will tell me where He wants me at this time.
- The pastor of King of Kings, John Thomas (who is the founder of Living Hope) has contracted Rickettsia, also known here as Tick-Bite Fever. He has been in the hospital and has suffered greatly with it and lost a lot of weight in the past few months. He is home now but still on antibiotics. Please pray that he will "turn the corner" and recover well and quickly.
Thanks to all for your encouragement and prayers!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Cape Town!
I flew to Cape Town today...a two hour flight. I was a bit concerned last night because when I tried to check in online, the message said there was no such booking number. So, I anticipated a problem when I arrived at the airport. I prayed for favor and He gave it to me: I was in the system and had no problem getting my ticket approved and going through customs. I also was under the weight limit.
When I was at the gate, I was 4th in line in the queue. That's how they do it here: first at the gate is first in line to board. There was a South African man ahead of me in line and he asked if I was going to Cape Town on holiday (a typical question here). So far, I have found South Africans to be very friendly and helpful. I told him my reason for coming, that I was a missionary working with with those with HIV and AIDS and with orphans. We talked while we waited and soon, the man who was first in the queue stepped aside and asked me if I would like to be first in line. I was surprised and pleased. I told him that was nice and yes, I would. He said I deserved it, that I was special. I told him I didn't think I was special. He then said that I was very special. Wow. I was humbled by that. What a nice thing to say and do!
When I boarded the plane, I was in an isle seat and two middle-aged men sat next to me in the row. They were both television producers from Great Britain. I was quiet for a while, then the same question from the man next to me in the middle seat: are you going to Cape Town on holiday (many people do). When I explained what I was doing there, he asked many questions about my faith and my belief in God. I could tell he was a seeker, a non-Christian. What a wonderful opportunity God gave me to witness to this man! When I told him that I found God to be what I had been looking for all my life, and that He gave me peace and a purpose, the man said he also was searching for that. It was a blessed moment and I thank God for it! We talked for about an hour or so and then exchanged email addresses. I told him to contact me any time with questions and I would try to answer them. He said he would definitely be in touch, and I believe he will. I just love how God arranges things! What a joy meeting this man was, knowing that God may be drawing him! Maybe one more for Jesus! I am praying for the man.
When I was at the gate, I was 4th in line in the queue. That's how they do it here: first at the gate is first in line to board. There was a South African man ahead of me in line and he asked if I was going to Cape Town on holiday (a typical question here). So far, I have found South Africans to be very friendly and helpful. I told him my reason for coming, that I was a missionary working with with those with HIV and AIDS and with orphans. We talked while we waited and soon, the man who was first in the queue stepped aside and asked me if I would like to be first in line. I was surprised and pleased. I told him that was nice and yes, I would. He said I deserved it, that I was special. I told him I didn't think I was special. He then said that I was very special. Wow. I was humbled by that. What a nice thing to say and do!
When I boarded the plane, I was in an isle seat and two middle-aged men sat next to me in the row. They were both television producers from Great Britain. I was quiet for a while, then the same question from the man next to me in the middle seat: are you going to Cape Town on holiday (many people do). When I explained what I was doing there, he asked many questions about my faith and my belief in God. I could tell he was a seeker, a non-Christian. What a wonderful opportunity God gave me to witness to this man! When I told him that I found God to be what I had been looking for all my life, and that He gave me peace and a purpose, the man said he also was searching for that. It was a blessed moment and I thank God for it! We talked for about an hour or so and then exchanged email addresses. I told him to contact me any time with questions and I would try to answer them. He said he would definitely be in touch, and I believe he will. I just love how God arranges things! What a joy meeting this man was, knowing that God may be drawing him! Maybe one more for Jesus! I am praying for the man.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Back from the HIV and AIDS training in Pretoria, S.A. I learned so much!
So impressed with how modern South Africa is! Clean streets, well-paved roads. The Johannesburg airport rivaled anything in Europe or America. I felt like I had just stepped into an American city, or perhaps, a European city when I stepped off the plane. Can't wait to get to Cape Town and Fish Hoek! Cape Town tomorrow!
God has been so good to me through the whole training: got very close to many of the other 26 participants, most from many different countries around the world. Ireland, Holland, Austria, Korea, Japan, South Africa, Kenya, England, Canada, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Congo, Switzerland, Romania, and America! Such a diverse and warm-hearted group, many missionaries who are serving all over the world. I was in awe of their faith and their calling! Please pray for this training (God knows it by name), and for all of us who were led to it by God for a reason. And pray for the resolve that we all feel to be God's hands and feet as we strive to accept and help those of God's children who have been affected by HIV and AIDS.
Well, got to pack...again, then off to bed.
So impressed with how modern South Africa is! Clean streets, well-paved roads. The Johannesburg airport rivaled anything in Europe or America. I felt like I had just stepped into an American city, or perhaps, a European city when I stepped off the plane. Can't wait to get to Cape Town and Fish Hoek! Cape Town tomorrow!
God has been so good to me through the whole training: got very close to many of the other 26 participants, most from many different countries around the world. Ireland, Holland, Austria, Korea, Japan, South Africa, Kenya, England, Canada, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Congo, Switzerland, Romania, and America! Such a diverse and warm-hearted group, many missionaries who are serving all over the world. I was in awe of their faith and their calling! Please pray for this training (God knows it by name), and for all of us who were led to it by God for a reason. And pray for the resolve that we all feel to be God's hands and feet as we strive to accept and help those of God's children who have been affected by HIV and AIDS.
Well, got to pack...again, then off to bed.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
In South Africa! PTL!
I'm here in South Africa! My trip was delayed from Atlanta to Johannesburg by an hour and a half due to a damaged cargo door. Switched planes. Waited for catering to bring the food for the flight. If we had been delayed 15 more minutes, we would have had to have a new crew since the pilot can only be on duty so many hours and he was pushing his limit with the long flight and delay. But, God answered the prayer and we were off. I was tired last night but am okay today.
Leaving this morning for training in Pretoria. Will catch the Gautrain (pronounced how-train) and be there in less than 40 minutes. It goes about 75 miles per hour.
The weather is cool but sunny. From what I've seen of the city, it is very modern and clean.
I am so grateful to the Lord for sending me here. All the SIM folks have welcomed me already.
I am grateful to God for all my praying friends and family, too. Please continue to pray for me and this mission that God has me on.
Leaving this morning for training in Pretoria. Will catch the Gautrain (pronounced how-train) and be there in less than 40 minutes. It goes about 75 miles per hour.
The weather is cool but sunny. From what I've seen of the city, it is very modern and clean.
I am so grateful to the Lord for sending me here. All the SIM folks have welcomed me already.
I am grateful to God for all my praying friends and family, too. Please continue to pray for me and this mission that God has me on.
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