Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Worshipful Weekend!
What an amazing weekend it has been. It is hard to believe that I am on the backend of my trip here. I have really grown to love the people here (not surprising) and will be sad to be leaving. In a way I will be excited to be back in the States as I will get to see Beau and other family and friends, but I am definitely going to miss it here.
One thing that I really like about it here is that it is such a unique set-up. By working at the University, you get the opportunity to work with the influential and affluent of the community. There is direct interaction with the people in the administration of the University and also the people in the South African government. Then their is also the college student ministry aspect. For those that know me, you know this is something that I am passionate about. I love college students. It is when they come to college that I think that they are at one of the most formidable times of their lives. It is the first time they are away from their parents and must decide for themselves just exactly what they believe and who they will serve. It is here that they test the things their families have instilled in them and the first time they are experiencing independence. What a precious opportunity to be able to help guide someone during this time. To be able to help them understand and discover that the pursuit of higher education and making money is okay, but it can't be their ultimate goal as it will never satisfy. I want to introduce them to THE LORD who can supply all their needs according to His riches in glory, that can heal the broken places in their lives, that can give them purpose for the rest of their days, and to help them understand the hope to which they are called. These students will be the future leaders in the communities and it is the prayer that the seeds sown in them during their time at University will multiply in the lives they will influence.
I love how free people here in Africa are with their worship and I have always wanted to be in a black choir. Well, my dream came true this weekend. I went Saturday afternoon to the His People University choir practice. They are very good and I thoroughly enjoyed singing with them. We rehearsed for about 2.5 hours (and we were standing/dancing the whole time!). About half the songs were in either Zulu or Setswana and half were in English. Luckily for me, they repeat a lot so by about the 5-6 time singing through it I could look like I was saying the right word! They are very professional in their performance and appearance. They decided that everyone would wear black and white. I didn't bring any black and white with me, but fortunately there are a couple of American college students here serving with some Baptist missionaries and one had a black dress that she let me borrow. I figured I am white and I wore a black dress so there was the "black and white"! :)
Sunday morning, Rebecca and I got up early so that we could go to the His People Community Church that Pastor Josephine is starting here in Mafikeng. Right now it is meeting at The Tusk which is a hotel and casino. Isn't that pretty cool that the Word of our Lord is being preached in such a place! Bringing light into the darkness! WHOOP! As we were singing that morning, several of the workers came to the doorway. Some joined in with the worship and some just were spectators, but I can tell you this much, seeds were sown into their hearts and they are wondering who it is that these people are so passionately worshipping. This Sunday was a baby dedication--their first. It was neat to see these parents presenting their child to the Lord and committing to help him grow up in the Lord. They let me hold him after the service, and I was ECSTATIC!!! Finally got my baby fix! :) Then we went to the student service that is held up at the University in one of the lecture halls. It was so neat to see the students singing praises to our God. This was the first time that they have had service for this semester and there were many new first year students. Pastor Dineo challenged the students using Daniel 1:8 to be like Daniel and "resolve in their hearts not to be defiled by the food/drink in the kings court." She encouraged them to be excellent in their studies and to live a life above reproach. A very good challenge for the beginning of a semester. 17 students made a commitment to Christ at the end of the service! :)
Did I mention that I DROVE to church this morning. I drove their Jetta and I managed to stay on the left side of the road and maneuver the stick with my left hand. Luckily the pedals (clutch, brake, and gas pedal) are all in the same order. After we got back from church, I ate lunch and took a nap. I am going to attempt to stay up and watch the Super Bowl with Logan and Micah tonight. It begins at 1:25 a.m. over here. The things we sports fanatics do . . . :). If it isn't a good game I have a feeling my eyelids will get the best of me. If so, I can always watch the replay tomorrow afternoon, but it just isn't as good as watching it live!
I hope all of you had an incredible Sunday and were able to spend some time with the Lord and fellow believers in worship. I love you all very much!
One thing that I really like about it here is that it is such a unique set-up. By working at the University, you get the opportunity to work with the influential and affluent of the community. There is direct interaction with the people in the administration of the University and also the people in the South African government. Then their is also the college student ministry aspect. For those that know me, you know this is something that I am passionate about. I love college students. It is when they come to college that I think that they are at one of the most formidable times of their lives. It is the first time they are away from their parents and must decide for themselves just exactly what they believe and who they will serve. It is here that they test the things their families have instilled in them and the first time they are experiencing independence. What a precious opportunity to be able to help guide someone during this time. To be able to help them understand and discover that the pursuit of higher education and making money is okay, but it can't be their ultimate goal as it will never satisfy. I want to introduce them to THE LORD who can supply all their needs according to His riches in glory, that can heal the broken places in their lives, that can give them purpose for the rest of their days, and to help them understand the hope to which they are called. These students will be the future leaders in the communities and it is the prayer that the seeds sown in them during their time at University will multiply in the lives they will influence.
I love how free people here in Africa are with their worship and I have always wanted to be in a black choir. Well, my dream came true this weekend. I went Saturday afternoon to the His People University choir practice. They are very good and I thoroughly enjoyed singing with them. We rehearsed for about 2.5 hours (and we were standing/dancing the whole time!). About half the songs were in either Zulu or Setswana and half were in English. Luckily for me, they repeat a lot so by about the 5-6 time singing through it I could look like I was saying the right word! They are very professional in their performance and appearance. They decided that everyone would wear black and white. I didn't bring any black and white with me, but fortunately there are a couple of American college students here serving with some Baptist missionaries and one had a black dress that she let me borrow. I figured I am white and I wore a black dress so there was the "black and white"! :)
Sunday morning, Rebecca and I got up early so that we could go to the His People Community Church that Pastor Josephine is starting here in Mafikeng. Right now it is meeting at The Tusk which is a hotel and casino. Isn't that pretty cool that the Word of our Lord is being preached in such a place! Bringing light into the darkness! WHOOP! As we were singing that morning, several of the workers came to the doorway. Some joined in with the worship and some just were spectators, but I can tell you this much, seeds were sown into their hearts and they are wondering who it is that these people are so passionately worshipping. This Sunday was a baby dedication--their first. It was neat to see these parents presenting their child to the Lord and committing to help him grow up in the Lord. They let me hold him after the service, and I was ECSTATIC!!! Finally got my baby fix! :) Then we went to the student service that is held up at the University in one of the lecture halls. It was so neat to see the students singing praises to our God. This was the first time that they have had service for this semester and there were many new first year students. Pastor Dineo challenged the students using Daniel 1:8 to be like Daniel and "resolve in their hearts not to be defiled by the food/drink in the kings court." She encouraged them to be excellent in their studies and to live a life above reproach. A very good challenge for the beginning of a semester. 17 students made a commitment to Christ at the end of the service! :)
Did I mention that I DROVE to church this morning. I drove their Jetta and I managed to stay on the left side of the road and maneuver the stick with my left hand. Luckily the pedals (clutch, brake, and gas pedal) are all in the same order. After we got back from church, I ate lunch and took a nap. I am going to attempt to stay up and watch the Super Bowl with Logan and Micah tonight. It begins at 1:25 a.m. over here. The things we sports fanatics do . . . :). If it isn't a good game I have a feeling my eyelids will get the best of me. If so, I can always watch the replay tomorrow afternoon, but it just isn't as good as watching it live!
I hope all of you had an incredible Sunday and were able to spend some time with the Lord and fellow believers in worship. I love you all very much!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Backwards Blog
So tonight's posting is going to be dedicated to all the things that I have found to be different here in South Africa and everyday vocabulary that can get you in trouble!
-The toilet water swirls the opposite direction.
-After going to the bathroom, I consistently reach for the flusher handle on the left side (where it is in the States--here it is on the right) and nearly fall down as I put my weight onto an object that is not there!
-The steering wheel is on the right side of the car and they drive on the left side of the road. Supposedly, if you remember that the steering wheel always goes in the center, it should help keep you on the correct side. :) I find myself always checking the rearview mirror and getting totally disoriented because it tilted towards the driver.
-They use the metric system for EVERYTHING. I went to guestimate a weight of an animal the other day and I nearly blew my brain trying to convert pounds to kilograms! And all the thermometers calculate the animals temps in Celsius. An animal could have a raging fever and I would never know! Also, when I was baking cookies I pulled a measuring spoon out looking for a tsp and it read 25g! I have no earthly idea what that conversion is!
-If you see a date written 2/1/2010 it is referring to January 2 not February 1!
-Time is a relative factor unless it is teatime, lunchtime or end of the day time. Those are observed most strictly.
-If someone tells you to bring your "costume", they plan on going swimming!
-Cookies are "biscuits" and biscuits are "scones".
-They are not "fanny-packs", they are "bum-bags".
-"just now", "now" and "now now"--"Just now" means they will be there in a few hours, "now now" is in 30 min-1 hour and "now" means they are actually on their way. You confused yet? :)
-Pudding is referring to any dessert.
-French fries are "chips" and potato chips are "crisps".
-If you needed to check your oil, you would raise your "bonnet" and then when you get to your home to unload groceries you will need to open your "boot".
And the best one is:
-If you are at dinner and ask for a napkin, you are likely to be laughed at all night long. A napkin in this culture is referring to a baby's diaper or feminine product! They call them "serviettes". :)
-The toilet water swirls the opposite direction.
-After going to the bathroom, I consistently reach for the flusher handle on the left side (where it is in the States--here it is on the right) and nearly fall down as I put my weight onto an object that is not there!
-The steering wheel is on the right side of the car and they drive on the left side of the road. Supposedly, if you remember that the steering wheel always goes in the center, it should help keep you on the correct side. :) I find myself always checking the rearview mirror and getting totally disoriented because it tilted towards the driver.
-They use the metric system for EVERYTHING. I went to guestimate a weight of an animal the other day and I nearly blew my brain trying to convert pounds to kilograms! And all the thermometers calculate the animals temps in Celsius. An animal could have a raging fever and I would never know! Also, when I was baking cookies I pulled a measuring spoon out looking for a tsp and it read 25g! I have no earthly idea what that conversion is!
-If you see a date written 2/1/2010 it is referring to January 2 not February 1!
-Time is a relative factor unless it is teatime, lunchtime or end of the day time. Those are observed most strictly.
-If someone tells you to bring your "costume", they plan on going swimming!
-Cookies are "biscuits" and biscuits are "scones".
-They are not "fanny-packs", they are "bum-bags".
-"just now", "now" and "now now"--"Just now" means they will be there in a few hours, "now now" is in 30 min-1 hour and "now" means they are actually on their way. You confused yet? :)
-Pudding is referring to any dessert.
-French fries are "chips" and potato chips are "crisps".
-If you needed to check your oil, you would raise your "bonnet" and then when you get to your home to unload groceries you will need to open your "boot".
And the best one is:
-If you are at dinner and ask for a napkin, you are likely to be laughed at all night long. A napkin in this culture is referring to a baby's diaper or feminine product! They call them "serviettes". :)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
School is in session!
Dumelang from South Africa! It sure has been warm over on this side of the world! It is hard to imagine that home received around a foot of snow. My face is nice and rosy and my arms have a beautiful light pink farmer's tan from my day out on a farm call today. The sun here is just so much more intense.
Saturday we went out to the Mafikeng game reserve. I saw giraffes, zebras, white rhinos, wildebeast, kudu, hardebeasts, springbok, waterbucks, ostriches, and several other hoofstock. I was most captivated with the giraffes. They are just so docile and don't seem to care whether you are there or not. I posted picture on my facebook page. If you aren't on facebook, let me know and I will try to find some way to upload a few onto here.
Sunday's church service was really good. They have been without a pastor for about a year, and God is really starting to stir amongst the congregation. They are starting to see areas where God is calling them to grow and move beyond their comfort zones. Something that many people have been praying for. :) Sunday was also a big day for another reason. It was mine and Rebecca's African birthdays (because our birthdays won't happen when we are in Africa)! We invited some people over, baked a homemade carrot cake and played games. It was tons of fun. The Africans in the group sang us happy birthday in Setswana! :)
Monday morning was the first day of classes for the new school year here at Northwest University. The day started off with an orientation for the final year diploma (equivalent to an associates) and degree (equivalent to a bachelors) students. There are about 70 all together. I gave a case presentation on Anaplasmosis that I had previously competed with at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Conference. (I have used it in several classes--gotten a lot of miles out of that one!) This was to be an example of the case presentations the veterinarians want them to do at assigned times throughout the semester. After the orientation was over, we started in clinics. Most of the students already know my name, but I need some help learning theirs! The school is taught in English, but that doesn't mean American English! The accent both ways presents some communication difficulties. I have found myself being much more demonstrative (yes I know this is a scary thought) and speaking S-L-O-W. :) I am really enjoying the teaching aspect. Kinda makes me really consider sometime going back into academia.
Tuesday, I along with Dr. Nyirenda did an enucleation (taking out the eye) of a cow. The cow had been stolen and was tied up in a court case so the owner wanted to go ahead with the surgery. Her only job will be to have a calf each year. Initially we thought that the eye had already ruptured, but as we started the procedure we realized she had just had severe eyelid trauma, causing the eyelids to be about 2" thick, and the eye was still intact. Because we could not create a clean eyelid margin and she would have no eyelashes for protection, we decided to go ahead and remove it. The surgery went great and she is recovering nicely. I too have pictures of this, but they are not for the weak stomached!
I really enjoy going on the farm calls here, because I get to get out and see the countryside. I think my country roots make me crave wide open spaces! :) All the land here is communal (not fenced) and owned by the tribe. Ranchers will hire a shepherd to watch over their herd and the shepherd's will live in a little mud house out in the range land. Something I saw today that I found so interesting was a nose ring with spikes on it. They were in the smaller cattle. I inquired and they told me it is to facilitate weaning. That way when the calf tries to nurse, the spike pokes the mom and she kicks. I told them, "In America, we just take the babies away from their mamas!" That is impossible for them to do with their set-up. Quite innovative I thought! :)
Tomorrow we are having a Bible study over lunch with any of the staff/faculty that want to come. Paula had started it and had been the one driving it. She decided that for this semester that she wanted them to take the initiative and that they would start when someone asked. Praise the Lord it happened! I made a carrot cake (requested by Akofa and Tshepe--receptionist and technician respectively) for refreshments.
Something that has really been just so heavy on my heart lately is the need for discipleship in the Body of Christ. I remember when I was working with Dr. Kelly Crowdis in Haiti and her making the comment that Haiti was over evangelized and under discipled. Well, that is true of the vast majority of Africa. The Lord gave me this picture of a baby being born into the world, and just being left without anyone to provide for its needs food, water, shelter and nurture. He showed me that this is much like many believers who come to know Christ at these mass crusades (which are good--don't get me wrong), but have no people to help guide them in their spiritual walk afterwards. I want to share with them that Jesus didn't just die so that you could spend eternity with Him: He died that you could experience abundant life here on earth. Jesus cares about all aspects of your life. He desires RELATIONSHIP not religious practices. I want them to know my God who set me free from bondage and to let them know that He is no respecter of persons. He can do the same for them. Gosh, my heart is just so burdened to help grow-up the Body. Anyhoo, please be praying that God would show me where He is leading me and that I would be bold in my faith walk.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you, to comfort you and give you peace. Til next time . . .
Saturday we went out to the Mafikeng game reserve. I saw giraffes, zebras, white rhinos, wildebeast, kudu, hardebeasts, springbok, waterbucks, ostriches, and several other hoofstock. I was most captivated with the giraffes. They are just so docile and don't seem to care whether you are there or not. I posted picture on my facebook page. If you aren't on facebook, let me know and I will try to find some way to upload a few onto here.
Sunday's church service was really good. They have been without a pastor for about a year, and God is really starting to stir amongst the congregation. They are starting to see areas where God is calling them to grow and move beyond their comfort zones. Something that many people have been praying for. :) Sunday was also a big day for another reason. It was mine and Rebecca's African birthdays (because our birthdays won't happen when we are in Africa)! We invited some people over, baked a homemade carrot cake and played games. It was tons of fun. The Africans in the group sang us happy birthday in Setswana! :)
Monday morning was the first day of classes for the new school year here at Northwest University. The day started off with an orientation for the final year diploma (equivalent to an associates) and degree (equivalent to a bachelors) students. There are about 70 all together. I gave a case presentation on Anaplasmosis that I had previously competed with at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Conference. (I have used it in several classes--gotten a lot of miles out of that one!) This was to be an example of the case presentations the veterinarians want them to do at assigned times throughout the semester. After the orientation was over, we started in clinics. Most of the students already know my name, but I need some help learning theirs! The school is taught in English, but that doesn't mean American English! The accent both ways presents some communication difficulties. I have found myself being much more demonstrative (yes I know this is a scary thought) and speaking S-L-O-W. :) I am really enjoying the teaching aspect. Kinda makes me really consider sometime going back into academia.
Tuesday, I along with Dr. Nyirenda did an enucleation (taking out the eye) of a cow. The cow had been stolen and was tied up in a court case so the owner wanted to go ahead with the surgery. Her only job will be to have a calf each year. Initially we thought that the eye had already ruptured, but as we started the procedure we realized she had just had severe eyelid trauma, causing the eyelids to be about 2" thick, and the eye was still intact. Because we could not create a clean eyelid margin and she would have no eyelashes for protection, we decided to go ahead and remove it. The surgery went great and she is recovering nicely. I too have pictures of this, but they are not for the weak stomached!
I really enjoy going on the farm calls here, because I get to get out and see the countryside. I think my country roots make me crave wide open spaces! :) All the land here is communal (not fenced) and owned by the tribe. Ranchers will hire a shepherd to watch over their herd and the shepherd's will live in a little mud house out in the range land. Something I saw today that I found so interesting was a nose ring with spikes on it. They were in the smaller cattle. I inquired and they told me it is to facilitate weaning. That way when the calf tries to nurse, the spike pokes the mom and she kicks. I told them, "In America, we just take the babies away from their mamas!" That is impossible for them to do with their set-up. Quite innovative I thought! :)
Tomorrow we are having a Bible study over lunch with any of the staff/faculty that want to come. Paula had started it and had been the one driving it. She decided that for this semester that she wanted them to take the initiative and that they would start when someone asked. Praise the Lord it happened! I made a carrot cake (requested by Akofa and Tshepe--receptionist and technician respectively) for refreshments.
Something that has really been just so heavy on my heart lately is the need for discipleship in the Body of Christ. I remember when I was working with Dr. Kelly Crowdis in Haiti and her making the comment that Haiti was over evangelized and under discipled. Well, that is true of the vast majority of Africa. The Lord gave me this picture of a baby being born into the world, and just being left without anyone to provide for its needs food, water, shelter and nurture. He showed me that this is much like many believers who come to know Christ at these mass crusades (which are good--don't get me wrong), but have no people to help guide them in their spiritual walk afterwards. I want to share with them that Jesus didn't just die so that you could spend eternity with Him: He died that you could experience abundant life here on earth. Jesus cares about all aspects of your life. He desires RELATIONSHIP not religious practices. I want them to know my God who set me free from bondage and to let them know that He is no respecter of persons. He can do the same for them. Gosh, my heart is just so burdened to help grow-up the Body. Anyhoo, please be praying that God would show me where He is leading me and that I would be bold in my faith walk.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you, to comfort you and give you peace. Til next time . . .
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
