Renae

I have been having an amazing time in South Africa. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we go to two lessons; one for preschool and one for all ages in the slum areas. Shanty towns as far as you can see. We hold little children, tell bible stories, sing songs, and pass out food. These kids are beautiful and starving for attention. Some don't use toilets, and our leader Mary got wee'd on. They are most adorable. Saturdays we work with the youth 12+. We act out stories, provide crafts that we brought, and all the kids love it. The older kids know english. The younger ones speak Africaans (a Dutch-like language) or Koza (the K is pronounced with a click), which is a mixture of indigenous and other African native languages. The little kids love hugs and don't need word language. They love love language, and hugs and cuddles. I learned a couple of words from each language, and the kids love it.

Today we went to an amazing church. Two groups of children danced for the lord and for women's day. It was an answer to prayer, because I really wanted to go to a locally headed church rather than one started by a white pastor (nothing against them, they are doing great works as well). Our house roommate, Auntie Brenda, preached the sermon for women's day (it's a national holiday!). It was a beautiful, tiny church with so much life. The pastor was very warm and welcoming, and the congregation got a five course meal after the service. DEEeeelicious!

We are so grateful for the money everyone raised to bless George. We have used the money to build a fence, to get paint and paint brushes for walls and a mural that Lauren is making, and we want to financially bless the organization that feeds 3000 people daily. They have been living on prayer and support. The leaders here don't even get a salary for the work that they do here; they have another job that supports their living income. They have so many dreams and plans for getting programs to help these children thrive, and absolutely everything I have seen so far has gone into blessing these kids and their communities. It has been beautiful, heart-wrenching, and God-inspired.