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