Counting My Blessings

Is it already November?  It definitely feels like time is flying by here.  As I approach the end of my second month of service I thought I would take some time during this month of thanksgiving and make a list of things that I am and have been thankful for.  I decided that I would do one thing for every day until Thanksgiving so that makes 24 things, in no particular order.

Springtime

The flowers are blooming, the trees are budding and there is a renewed sense of freshness in the air as the days get warmer and the foliage starts to have added colors.

Cold Fronts

However, now that it has started to get hotter and there are more consecutive afternoons where the temperature is over 90 I do appreciate when a cold front moves in for a few days and brings along some clouds and maybe even some rain

Rain and Storms

The storms here have no sense of time with hail and lightning sometimes happening at 6am. The lightning storms are fun to sit on my porch and watch and I have always enjoyed the smell of a fresh spring rain.

Sunglasses

These are a must have here with how bright the sun is and how much it is out.  I'm glad I brought a couple of pairs since I've already lost one!

Rice

Ever since I went to Tanzania I have had a deep love for the rice.  The weird thing is that, although I cook for myself, I have not made it once since I’ve been here.  I always look forward to being invited to a meal though because there is bound to be rice with whatever is being served!

Braais

I also love the South African barbecues where they load up the grill with all types of meat and invite lots of friends over.  Delicious!

Coca cola

I was a huge Mountain Dew drinker back in the States but since the Pepsi products are terrible here I've really enjoyed being able to drink coke and coke zero!

Peanut Butter

A staple in my diet and my main source of protein.  I'm glad I like it! I eat it in a sandwich, with apples, bananas, choc chip cookies, by itself, pretty much with anything.

11:00 Tea Time

Although I don’t really like the tea that is served I do like getting a mid-morning snack every day.  If I am in the office it is usually some sort of sandwich but if I am making my own it is usually chocolate milk and cookies!

KwaZamokuhle Chapel

The chapel that I get to worship in every day is awesome! How many people get to sing praise songs in a traditional zulu hut? It's a really cool experience!

Ephangweni

I'm also very thankful for the church here.  Everyone has been so welcoming and the services aren't usually more than two hours which is nice since I don’t understand most of what is being said.  I do take my own Bible, however, so I can read the scripture for the week and know what is being talked about.

Reverend Xaba

The pastor of Ephangweni has been a huge advocate for me and has really helped me see more and more of the area where I am living which has been a huge blessing. We have also had a lot of great talks about politics, religion, economy, etc. in both the us and SA which has given me a very interesting perspective into the lives of the people.

Mchunu

The pastoral intern who has been staying at the centre has definitely been a great friend to have as I have gotten adjusted to life around here.  It will be harder now that he is gone because he was my informant on activities that were going on and my translator at most of those activities.

Electricity

It's so nice when the lights are working at my flat especially since it gets dark so early in the evening!

Electric Kettle

An amazing invention! It helps make my water not smell like eggs and gives me warm water for my baths (which is a word I use very loosely)

Goodness

I spend a lot of time with Goodness and it is always nice to talk to her. She is a very straight-forward woman but also a calming presence.

Trips to Town

Every Wednesday is an adventure into Estcourt with Goodness. We always have packages to post, money to deposit, and bread to buy but it's also when I buy my groceries and we do any other running that has to be done.  It’s a nice change of pace from the day to day work at the centre.

Ruth at the Post Office

I have gotten to talk to Ruth several times and she is always so friendly to me.  She is the one that takes care of packages that are sent to the post office so she sees the things I get from home and always asks how I’m doing and how my homesickness is.  She is just a very kind lady who makes the day a little brighter!

Letters from home

It’s always nice to get things from home or from friends and family in the States.  I have really begun to appreciate hand-written letters or cards.  Just thinking about the extra effort the person put forth makes them that much more special.  Not many people take the time to sit down, write the letter, put it in an envelope, and walk to the mailbox to send the letter so it’s nice to get them.  

Ostriches

On the trips into town there are usually ostriches in the fields on the side of the road and it just makes everything seem a little more wild and adventurous.

Books

With the sun setting by 6:30 and no television to watch my evenings are usually spent reading.

(Christmas) Music

I know it’s only the start of November but I will admit that I have started listening to Christmas music because it’s my favorite season and I think the music is always great to listen to anytime of the year. I’m not too big of a fan of holiday music though (songs about snow falling and sleigh rides). I also really enjoy the music in worship that is always a cappella and always sounds awesome!  The song books only have words in them but someone always seem to know the tune and if they don’t they make it up and everyone else joins in.  It’s a really cool thing to be a part of.

Loubsers

Although I haven’t hung out with this family but a couple of times they have been very supportive of me and very hospitable which is comforting.  It is nice to know that I have a reliable contact in town, also, in case anything were to happen.

Smiles

They say that these are contagious and I definitely agree.  It’s always nice to see them around the centre and around the community as people are giving a friendly greeting or even laughing at my attempts at Zulu.

You!

Ok I know this is 25 things now but I just wanted to let you know that I am thankful for you for reading this and praying for me and supporting me throughout this journey! And this quote that I found while reading this week expresses why you are so important:

‎"You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you." 

- Frederick Buechner