TWO MONTHS!!

Ok so I’ve realised just how bad I’ve been at doing this blog – I knew this would happen! Anyway…I cannot believe I’ve hit the two month mark and nearly half way through my time! (although chances of me extending are VERY likely ;) )

A few changes since I last wrote – instead of Immanuel Ministries (feeding programme & kids club) on a Wednesday afternoon, I’m now going to the Provincial Hospital which is a state hospital meaning the majority of the patients are black or coloured. I go along with Auntie Lillian from Options (pregnancy centre of YFC) to the Maternity Unit. We talk to new mothers and meet their babies and then pray for them. I was surprised at how open and welcoming the mothers are to us and how they always say they feel even more amazing than they already do when we pray with them. It is just so incredible and I absolutely love it! I really could just take home every single one of the babies!

My Afrikaans is slowly improving – although my best conversations are between the children at Smiley’s crèche!

 

 

Options held a bake sale a few Fridays ago to raise money for a conference which they would like to attend. Myself and Ive decided to give a helping hand and raise some extra money by selling hugs for R5 (about 35p.) The reception we got was very varied – from people giving us weird looks, those who loved it and thought it was great and those who gave us money then went quickly away before we could hug them! The selling point of getting a German and an Irish hug won them over!

Our church here, Knysna Vineyard, just launched their new youth with “The Event” – a night of worship, dance groups and games. It was so much fun and there were 250 young people there! Myself and the other volunteers were on the “creative team” - we decorated the church and were in charge of the food. It was amazing to see so many young people there.

The house is getting much smaller – two girls are leaving this week and next week, leaving 3 volunteers and “mummy” Ghila, a YFC staff member who is actually very young but says we are her girls. A new German is coming in June for 3 weeks too.

One final note that I have eventually put up my Ulster flag above my bed – just in time for marching season! Although one of the Germans said “Oh you’re making the house Irish.” It’s impossible trying to explain anything to do with Northern Ireland and not Ireland! Unfortunately it won’t stay up and I’ve woken up with it around my face the past few nights.

 

Much love from a cold Knysna xxx

One Month!

Can't believe I've been here for one month now! Time has flown! It feels like I've been here forever and also that I've just arrived.

I'm getting much more settled into my projects now and having a set schedule is definitely easier. Three of the girls have now left, leaving five of us which I prefer as it was very hard to get to know so many people.

Just a few stories and things that I've done since the last time that I thought I'd share. We did an assembly in Plettenberg Bay. It was so early - school here starts around 8 so we had to leave Knysna at 7! Although we were just a little late... First we did a drama about giving back to others, sang some songs (many are new to me and very catchy!) and Jerome told a story about Easter.



Plett Assembly



 

On Tuedsay mornings I go to Knysna Christian School to help with reading, mainly just with one boy, Siseko. His reading is very poor although I have already seen improvement in the short time I've been there. I think this is because he is getting more comfortable with me and also I take time to make sure he says it right which does annoy him! The funny thing is when he says something in my accent!

I spent the Easter weekend in Cape Town with a girl who is volunteering with George YFC and it turns out that she lives in Newtownards as well! We went to Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Camps Bay and Signal Hill. It was great fun and we also went to Hillsong church twice on Sunday - definately an amazing experience!



Chilling on Table Mountain

I got some very nice Easter parcels in the post this week - lots of choclate & sweets from home! I have to admit my favourite thing were Tayto Cheese &Onion crisps - I have missed them!!

This week is school holidays so only one projects is on but I am looking forward to catching up on some sleep!

Much love from Knysna xxx

 

*I had for the first time ever uploaded this on time but it turns out I saved it as a draft instead. I'm now back in my projects after the school holidays *