Safe, Sound and being Spoiled

Pretoria, South Africa

This week we are safe and sound and being spoiled by our Afrikaaner host families in the political captical of South Africa. Each of us gets dropped off in the morning at the church only to be picked up by the bus for the day's events.
We've had a variety of experiences this week from History lectures at the University of Pretoria, to visits to monuments and parks that recall South Africa's story. Earlier today we rode a commuter train that has been called "the gospel train" as it is home to a church full of lively signing and dancing as only black Africans can do. We felt very welcomed despite being the only white people on the train.
The weather here is warming up to the high twenties and low thirties, which is a stark contrast to Winnipeg's minus thirty-degree winter weather. We will not complain about the heat, although some of us have come to realize the importance of sunscreen... and the necessary repeated applications!

Until next time...
Site Three

Safe and Sound

Johannesburg, South Africa

A quick update from Site Three!

We made it safely to South Africa and are staying at Heronbridge retreat centre to get some rest before moving to our home stay week in Pretoria tomorrow.
The flights were uneventful and we are all enjoying the warm welcome of our South African hosts, not to mention the mid-twenty-something temperatures!

More stories to follow.

Five More Days Until Summer

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

I'm sure there must be a great deal of mixed emotions in the air at the homes of each of Site Three students. Some feeling excited to get back with friends after a month apart, others wondering what it will be like leaving home again after Christmas, and for all the mix of excitement and nervousness about traveling to South Africa.

Wednesday we will reunite and head to South Africa to begin our three month time there, where we will do a number of things from serving with local churches and organizations, to learning about the history of the nation, as well as lots of time to travel be adventurous and enjoy the beautiful country of South Africa.

We continue to covet your prayers for safety as we travel, and we thank God for the ways he was faithfully present with our group in the first semester portion in Western Canada.

And for anyone in Site Three this year... hang in there, only five more days until summer!

 

 

 

Victoria Research Week

 

 We spent a week in Victoria researching South Africa and preparing reports. We worked in groups of around 3 people and were each assigned a time period. Each group was responsible for researching their time period and then relaying their new found knowledge to the rest of the group.
A lot of creativity came out in the presentations we had talk shows, skits, face painting, cave art, word searches and more. After the presentations the anticipation to go to South Africa was greatly heightened.
By Brittany Abrahamson

Christmas Party

For our Christmas party Deanna and Gerald cooked us a sumptious turkey dinner, we all dressed up in formal wear. After that we sat around the fire and shared our Christmas traditions and memories.

Charis Camp

 

Charis is located near Chilliwack B.C. It is surrounded by lush greenery and small waterfalls. Our first week here was a week of sessions with Jodie Smith. She talked to us about the Old Testament. Our final class with her was building an alter to God. We were each to gather a stone and bring it to the group when we added it to the pile we were supposed to share one thing that God was showing us. For some it was beauty, others it was worth, still others were realizing just how important making God a priority is.
Another really sweet thing Jodie challenged us to do was to write a psalm to God. For some this was a completely new experience for others this was something they had done many times before. So we all ventured a hand at writing a psalm.
For me this was very powerful because words are one of the strongest ways I communicate. Writing allows me to express my thoughts in such a way that it brings me peace and I can go back and reflect upon what I was thinking and feeling at a specific time. It is especially helpful to me in my conversations with God because then I can look back and see his hand upon my life, shaping me, challenging me, and molding me into his image.
We came back to Charis two weeks later and were joined by sites 1&2 for sessions. Our Speakers were Nathan Reiger and Craig Ginn. Craig talked to us about Old Testament history and how to read out of scripture instead of into scripture. Taking it in context.
Nathan shared with us many stories from his life as a pastor at Winnipeg’s Vineyard church (where we stayed for Urban Plunge). He was speaking to us about idols in our lives. He talked to us about how when we experience great hurt in our lives and replace God with idols how we freeze up in layers like a river. He went on to say how we need to be surrounded by enough love to thaw, but even thawing can be a somewhat gradual process and it isn’t always pretty, but if a person continues to be surrounded by enough love then we can completely experience life again.
I know for me personally Outtatown has been a place with enough love to start healing and thawing in my life. God keeps putting circumstances in my life where I am challenged to grow and deal with specific issues. Along the way though he makes sure to place people to love, protect, and hold me accountable as I work through life. It is so humbling to realize again and again just how passionately the God of the universe loves me a wretched sinner.
Joel 2:12-14
“Even now-
This is the Lord’s declaration-
turn to Me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping,
and mourning.
Tear your hearts,
not just your clothes,
and return to the Lord your God,
For he is gracious
and compassionate,
slow to anger,
rich in faithful love,
and he relents
from sending disaster,
Who knows? He may turn
and relent
and leave a blessing
behind Him,
so you can offer grain and wine
to the Lord your God.”
The grace of God is such a powerful concept especially when we acknowledge how completely undeserving we are and how holy God is.
Praise God for all that he is and all that he has done for us. Blessed be his holy name.
---Brittany Abrahamson