Well, it has been a long time since I've posted anything here, but not because I've been short on material! Things are ridiculous. God is doing incredible things in me, and around me.
For example, we currently are teaching a course at Zanokhanyo. Today was day 7. But in this group of 9 beautiful South Africans, 3 have already accepted Christ. It's incredible to be a part of what God is doing in the world. I have been trying to immerse myself in the course, since I will likely be taking on more of a teaching role in the near future, and I am just amazed by what God is doing here.
The course is so simple, really, but God is using it in completely insane ways to bring His children to Himself. I will lay it out for you tomorrow. Today, I just want to say that I think I was made to teach, to encourage, and to love babies. We'll see how God uses that.
I have also made some deep friendships, the kind that last a lifetime. I feel truly known and loved here. I have formed relationships with young people that I am able to encourage and mentor, and learn from. (Nothing like a few hours with highschoolers to prove to you that you actually HAVE matured along the way!) I have been healed from some lingering wounds in a way that I never imagined, and I feel like God has given me a season of incredible blessing. I am sure it's in preparation for new growth, but for now I am just enjoying this outpouring of incredible blessing and joy.
The BCF team comes soon, and I am excited about working with them and getting to spend time with primary school kids again, this time with some Xhosa skills under my belt! (I've been taking a course, and I'm actually not terrible at it!) Being able to communicate is something that I'm definitely being forced to work on.
In general, though, think about the biggest smile you've ever seen on my face. Now imagine that smile x10, growing in my heart until I am just exploding with joy. God is moving in me, and in this place.
Random Thoughts:
1) The pineapples here are about 1/3 the size of the ones I get in America. Really makes me wonder about what I'm eating in the States...and if I start wondering about it, you know it's obvious. :)
2) Facebook really is a terrible scrapbook. I feel guilty deleting my own past, but who needs to remember/hang on to/learn those details?
3) In isiXhosa, bulela means to praise, and bulala means to kill. Tricksy. You know what else is tricky? bhala and bala mean two different things (to count and to write) but sound exactly the same, to me. They sound different to these crazies. I thought this was evil until I realized that we have bear and bear and air and err....and now I think English is actually the evil language. But I will never be able to pronounce the number 7.
4) When I teach English at the Primary School, I have to put on a pretend South African accent and I feel ridiculous.
5) They are right - you really do adapt quickly. I no longer feel like crying when I have to put my clothes on the line or make sure I don't put food down the sink. I will be a legitimate African woman sooner than I hoped. :)
Until next time,
Amy