TIA

TIA=This is Africa

Whenever things just aren’t quite what we are used we say TIA. When time is less structured and we are required to be more flexible, TIA. When the pilot light goes off 5 times a week in your chalet, TIA. When you have tea time twice a day :), TIA. When you see chickens and cows running freely in the streets, TIA. When you are crammed into a buckie with a grand total of 17 people, TIA. When there is about 200 people crowded into about a 300 ft stretch of beach per lifeguard order, TIA. When a crowd of people start dancing to the rhythm of the lifeguards whistle in the Indian Ocean, TIA. Life is good, TIA.



This is the Indian Ocean!! On Saturday we had a Day in Durban where we did some souvenir shopping and spent some time at the beach.

TIA, sky risers and abject poverty exist side by side. Just a twenty minute drive from Mpophemeni you can purchase almost anything from a mall that rivals any in the states.

Mpophemeni

Teresa, Jeanna, and I were teaching the caregivers at Ethembeni, the hospice clinic, how to take blood pressure. They were so excited to learn basic nursing skills.

Here we are in the back of the buckie (truck) on our way to house visits in the Mpophemeni township. I went with two other caregivers to about four different houses.

This is a common sight in the township. The cows, goats, chickens don't really seem to be owned by anyone in particular but I am told they are owned by someone.

Cute little baby chicks :)

We got to visit the family center which is like a daycare center and afterschool center for kids affected by AIDS. Often times the kids in the family center are from child-headed homes-in other words the parents have passed away from AIDS.

The kids were so adorable and hungry for attention.

Grrr..lion face!

Don't you just want to hold her!

The girls loved to play with our hair. It was kind of painful at times :/ but worth it.

Saturday Adventures in Peitermaritzburg

We went to the Birds of Prey Sanctuary. They had a lot of birds....um yea..not sure what else to say.

This one had a cool helmet on. It was actually to prevent it from freaking out or something like that.

We were going to drive through this Lion reserve park. However, last week they attacked and climbed all over a bus :/ There are about 20 lions who are either retired circus lions or offspring. There are also white lions, I didn't even know they exist.

Lions are amazing, terrifying, and beautiful creations.

There was nothing but this thin wire fence held up by wooden posts in the ground between me and these lions. Eek!!! Given the chance they would have eaten us in a second. I fully realized what they mean by 'wild' animals. The look in their eyes is not something to be trifled with.

Yikes, they were close :/ It looks like they want to make me there next meal.

Here are the honorary males on are team. There are 29 students, 26 of which are girls :)

Simba??

Beautiful, awe inspiring creatures.

Here is the view of peitermaritzburg.

We are standing near the original road which the trekboers (pioneers of SA) used to travel into the Kwazulu-natal province.

Here is a drive by shooting of a statue of Gandhi. On the night of 7 June 1893, Gandhi was evicted from the first class compartment on a train in Peitermaritzburg. From that point on he took up the fight against oppression through active non-violence.

1st Day of Clinical: Ethembeni

So here I am at my first clinical day in South Africa. This is a hospice clinic for AIDs patients. My first day I didn't actually do much work in the clinic. Rather, I went out with members of the supporting church into the surrounding community it serves, Mpophomeni. The township has an 80% unemployment rate. The clinic is involved in many ways with the community. They teach skills which can turn into a profit, such as knitting or candle making. The careworkers at the clinic have multiple roles as well such as social worker, advocate, educator, fundraiser, nutritionist, pastor, and numerous other undefined titles. The clinic has four beds and is run only by donation as it is a private organization.

Here are my classmates who were assigned to the same clinic.

This is the building. One story, two bedroom, one bath, kitchen, and small waiting room.

During my clinical, I and the members of the church visited four different homes of people who are HIV positive bringing food and fellowship. The volunteers visit weekly, to the same four houses assigned, bringing food donated and clothing. They connect with the people, have a bible study, and prayer time. The experience was such a privilege to be part of. They have led many people to salvation in Jesus Christ through this ministry.

Cows, goats, cats, and chickens all roam the streets of Mpophomeni freely. The housing conditions were far below standard. During the rainy season (which we are entering), water enters into the homes through the holes in the roof, holes between the brick walls, and seep in through the ground. AIDS patients are already immunocompromised; the conditions certainly do not help maintain their health.

After our community visits, we had a going away party for two of the volunteers. The careworkers at the clinic sang many beautiful hymns in Zulu. The volunteers at the clinic are primarily from a very rich neighborhood nearby. It was remarkable to see how this common goal and the power of the Gospel brought people together on equal ground in close knit friendship.

No, this is not a headless chicken. I just happened to snap the photo as the head was turned at some awkward angle. I just think this photo is hilarious :)

Evil Monkeys!

So here is the much awaited picture of the monkeys. I think they are adorable but in actuality...not so much. Can you see the baby this one is carrying? They walk around with the baby clinging to the stomach.

You can imagine this one leaping into my chalet! Yes, we have had a break-in. So I left the window open-which has a screen-while I was gone but my roommate was there taking a nap. She woke up to find two monkeys in the room! She scared them off-thank God that they didn't feel cornered and attack her. But before leaving, one of them took my banana and then the other quickly came back for my apple before scurrying out the window. At least I had fruit on the desk instead of them taking my camera or something.

While the monkey may look innocent, it was probably wondering if Salvador has anything worth stealing.

Morning Run

Has anyone ever seen Remember the Titans? Remember that scene as they are running through the fog to the cemetery. While I wasn't running to a cemetery, but I did run through the fog in what seemed to me an enchanted land with surprises hidden in the mist and the glories of God enveloped in a protective layer of mystery. Enjoy, that was one of my few attempts at being eloquent :) Long story short the run was in a Queen Elizabeth Park right next to campus and was a refreshing way to start the day.

Through the mist, Adah and I saw many new and exciting creatures. This is a male buck who happened to be blocking our path which was a bit concerning for a moment as he stared us down deciding whether or not to charge. After a moment he continued grazing and the accompanying group moved aside.

I apologize for the clarity. As enchanting as the morning was, a clearer picture would be nice. In case you haven't realized, those are two zebras!

Here is a beautiful little clearing which also had benches and great potential for a picnic.

Perdy flowers :)

Yay, my campus and a sign that we did not get lost on the path!

I think Adah is trying to fly..fly..away.

Friends and shiny, sweaty foreheads :) !

The morning dew

The Prayer Chapel which is surrounded by a pond. The frogs are very loud and soothing.

I encountered the beauty of creation today testifying of God's glory. How have you?