Biblical Worldview Week 2

Sorry it's taken me a long time to update, but this was last week for me!

Monday was quite a long day! We finished the Nation Changers videos with Dr. Graham then we watched some Francis Shaeffer videos. In the afternoon we had Apologetics class about Miracles. We had great discussion and teaching on that topic. Then for flock we watched a movie about sisters and it made me miss my sisters!

Tuesday was another great day of class and we discussed articles and movies. I had a mostly chilled afternoon and then I cooked dinner with Chloe! We made a delicious meal! After dinner I went with a few people to get ice cream from KFC. We had a fun time.

Wednesday we began with Walk the Word on the book of James. Then Michael Neumann taught about Engaging/Discerning movies. Then we got to watch Bruce Almighty! After lunch I took a nap and it was nice and cold outside because it was about to rain. Then I went up to the church for a meeting about Hot Chocolate Circles which I had volunteered to help at. All the YOYL students had to do was lead a small group in a 15-20 minute discussion and drink hot chocolate! For dinner, KerryAnn, Chloe, Natalie, and Nonto and I went to a Chinese place which was really delicious.

Thursday was the last day of class for the week! Delwyn taught us and we had awesome discussions! We talked about practical theology and that was really intriguing and helpful. After class we had chapel and then community lunch. Later, Ntsako, Nomvula, Meghan, and I made pancakes. I realized that American pancakes are not the same as South African pancakes. We ended up making both but SA pancakes are more like crepes. For fitness, all the ladies went on a walk. Later I got culturized to Afrikaans music! It's got it's own unique sound and I kinda like it. It rained really hard and it even hailed!

Friday we had plotties and community project. I jammed out to the Beach Boys while cleaning because I was wearing my Hawaiian shirt, it just felt right. Then we re-arranged the lounge for ladies week and did some more prep for that. After dinner we played Mafia and it was tons of fun!

Saturday I woke up and went to do the Hot Chocolate Circles and it was so cool! My group of girls were very talkative so that made my job easier. They were incredibly sweet and excited about the day. On the way back we all rode in the back of Johan's truck. When I got back a few people were cooking and so I ate a bit and then I was introduced to Trevor Noah. Not literally. He is a South African comedian and so we watched two of his shows. He is hilarious! I didn't understand all the references but it was still great. Later I got to call my parents and chat with them for awhile, and I even got to talk to two of my youth pastor's kids!

Sunday was the first day of Ladies Week! We didn't go to church, instead we all packed up and went to Lydia's house to swim and play pool and ping pong and just chill. We even watched a movie and we hung out for the morning. By the time we got back it was lunch time and Emmanuel House was all decorated! All the girls moved into Potters and so we had time to adjust and move our stuff to different rooms. The guys left and so we've got the houses to ourselves!! After dinner, Auntie Pam came and talked about dignity and she asked up to talk about what it is like to be a woman in today's society. It got me really pumped up for the week!! Then we watched an episode of Sherlock and we had dessert.

--sea'sadventures--

Nation Changers Week 1

This week we began talking about Biblical Worldview aka Nation Changers. I love it so far! It is incredible how much you need to understand about culture and worldview in order to make a change in a nation. But it starts with us and we can make that change!

Monday was still off so I had time to re-settle in to my room. Each term we change to rooms, so I have two different room mates. I was lucky enough to stay in my room so I did not have to take everything out and re-arrange. Later I went to Waterglen with Jenny and we talked about our holidays and this next term.

Tuesday was the first day of class! We watched some news clips and then discussed them. I got lunch from Café Andante and then chilled in the study center for a bit in the afternoon. We had flock in Menlyn and we went bowling. Then we got ice cream and chilled. It was good to spend time with everyone and catch up after the break.

Wednesday was another great day of class. South Africa also played USA in rugby and totally destroyed them! Which I am completely fine with because I really wasn't aware that America had a rugby team and I would've been even more surprised if we were any good. Then I went to the soaking session and it was amazing as always!

Thursday morning we had a meeting about this term and end of the year stuff for the full years. Then we had a shorter class session and then chapel. Chapel was amazing! Richard Lewis, a pianist from the UK, has been here this week and he led worship and it was a great first chapel of the term! Auntie Pam talked about Adventures in the Spirit. In the afternoon we all chilled outside and it almost rained.

Someone even did my hair all pretty!!

Friday we had plotties and community project/weeding in the morning. Then in the afternoon I chilled and then fixed dinner for the house. That was another fun time! I used the last of the taco seasoning I brought :( but it was delicious!! I'm still really missing my Tex-Mex food though! After dinner, a few of us girls sat outside and talked. It was a great time!

Saturday I got up early to go to Menlyn with Meghan, Nomvula, Ntsako, and Lisa. WE HAD A BLAST! We went into nice stores and tried on beautiful and ugly dresses. We even met a famous singer, Zonke, at Musica! She is very sweet! Then when we got back I got to talk to my mom for a little bit. We haven't really experienced many technical difficulties but we did this time. But we sorted it out and still got a nice chat. Later I watched October Baby with Erin, Jade, and Mariette. We had it all set up and watched it outside and that was so cool!! This movie makes me cry every time!

Sunday we all went to church and heard from a guest speaker. David Demian brought an amazing word about the Lord's Dwelling place and allowing the Holy Spirit's plan to be our only plan...no plan B or C. It was very awesome to hear him speak. Then I came home and relaxed until evening service.  David Demian spoke again and it was powerful! There was an incredible worship time and then straight into the word. He spoke again about the Lord dwelling in us not just visit!! He also gave a powerful prophecy over South Africa and Hatfield Christian Church. It was amazing to be a part of that and to hear about all the amazing things God is stirring up! I can already tell God is moving in new and different ways.

--sea'sadventures--

Holiday

My two weeks of holiday have begun!! I am so excited because I am spending it with the Noviskie family. I am so thankful for them!

Monday I went with Chandra to Berakah. I was incredibly excited because this was one of the places we served on our mission trip last year. I got sit in and watch and help one of the classes. The children are adorable and so friendly! Then I helped the littler ones get lunch and I sat with them and they are so cute!! They loved playing peek-a-boo with me and they got snot and pap all over me but it was totally worth it. When we got back we picked the kids up from school and then took them to gymnastics and art. We finished the day with breakfast for dinner!

Tuesday I helped Mike and Chandra sell corn dogs at the kids' school carnival. We were busy all day!! 

Wednesday I got to sleep in a little and then head over to Abba house. Abba house is a safe house for kids who have experienced trauma and are orphaned. The kids are so sweet! I played with them and I also met two German volunteers who are my age. They are serving at Abba house for the next ten months and I really hope to get to know them and hang out with them! Later we celebrated the end of the term for the kiddos with an ice creams from McDonald's. 

Thursday was Heritage Day! So we went to a "parade" at the Union Buildings. There were so many people! A few people were dressed up to represent their heritage and some people were performing songs and dances on a stage. The whole parade part on the street coming in, was not organized at all but all the floats and costumes were incredible! After the parade we went to a place called Roadhouse for milkshakes. This little place was the closest Africa has to a Sonic haha but it was great! It began to rain a little so we came back home. 

Friday I did nothing really until the evening. We went out to Menlyn for dinner and then played ping-pong at the Fun Zone before we went to see a movie. We watched Max which was a very good dog movie. Made me miss my puppy though! While we were playing ping-pong, Charis found a grasshopper and she caught it for her bug project. I volunteered to carry this big bug in my purse. Yes, I carried a live grasshopper in my purse. It was very memorable! 

Saturday I realized that my first week of holiday was just about past! I went with Chandra and Charis to go swimsuit shopping before we went to Kruger. That night, a missionary couple that are friends of the Noviskie's came for dinner. It was so beautiful to listen to their story and their plans to return to Africa. They have been planting churches in the heart of Africa for twenty years and they recently returned to the US but now it is time for them to come back. It was amazing to make another connection with missionaries. 

Sunday I went with Charis to help at C4G (Children 4 God). It was so fun! I really just watched to see how they run their children's service and I helped when I could. Later, Mike set up some American football to watch! That was so nice and made me feel a bit more at home. Then I packed my bags for Kruger!

Monday we drove almost five hours to Kruger National Park. We stopped at the same gas station that we stopped at on the way to Bulembu last year!! It was very neat to see that familiar place. As soon as we got to our cabin, the kids and I swam. Our cabin was amazing though! We were right outside the park and we could see across the Crocodile River! We saw an elephant right outside our window! That night we walked up and down the fence to look/listen for leopards.

African Fish Eagle

Tuesday we went into the park. We spend all day on our game drive looking for wild life. We saw almost everything the first day, except cats. There was a leopard sighting in a tree, but there was so much bush and traffic that it was difficult to see. We saw tons of birds, impala, kudu, rhinos, elephants, zebras, and giraffes. At one point we listened to Christmas music!

Wednesday we went to a place about an hour away for horseback riding! It reminded me of all the times at PK Lake and Red River when our family goes horseback riding. Surprisingly, the terrain was quite similar to New Mexico! However, when we saw kudu in the bush I really realized I was horseback riding in Africa! The owner and her daughter were extremely friendly and kind to us. They showed us around their farm and we got to hear their heart for what they do. We left and had dinner back at the cabin and then went on a night drive in the park. We did not see as much, but we did see two smaller cats and lots more impala.

Thursday was our last day in the park. We went in pretty early and before ten o'clock we saw a leopard and a lion!! Everyone was so excited to have seen the Big 5 on this trip!! The Noviskies told me that they have been going on game drives since they've been here and have never seen a leopard but that day we saw one! Right by the road too!! We were completely satisfied and then we went to a braii-ing spot in the park for lunch. There was a pool that we got to swim in and then we ate and left. On the way out, close to sunset I spotted another leopard in a tree!! We were the only car around and so we got a perfect view of it and we got great pictures. Then as we continued our way out it got completely dark and we saw four lionesses in the road! We rolled our windows up quicker than you could even say "lion" and they walked right past us. It was crazy!! It was a perfect way to end the trip!

Friday we had to leave. We got back to Pretoria around two and chilled for the rest of the day.

Saturday we went to Brooklyn mall and watched Hotel Translyvania 2. It was a very cute movie.

Sunday I slept in through church and did some laundry. I got to talk with my parents and catch up with them and tell them all about my holiday. Later we had pizza for dinner and watched a little more football. Then Mike drove me back to the community house and I settled back in my room. It was so nice to see my friends again and talk about the holiday! Then a few of us girls watched One Night With the King.

It was an absolutely wonderful holiday! I am so so thankful for the Noviskie family and their wonderful hospitality. I am truly blessed with my South African family

--sea'sadventures--