It's easier just to post this here instead of sending a bunch of emails, so.... Hello! I thought it's high time I update you on what's gone on with me this past February!
When I got back from my orientation in Botswana, the first thing that I was allowed to do was shower, unpack, and relax! PRAISE THE LORD! Orientation wasn't easy and it was sooo nice to have a bed that I could call my own! The next day was another pretty easy day and I got to experience grocery shopping. It's actually very similar to going to Wal-Mart in America, except there are different brand names (and unfortunately no velveta cheese) and the Pick 'N Pay is located in the middle of a shopping mall! It's actually really nice being able to have a food court, grocery store, and all kinds of other nice stores in the same place. Overall, life here isn't too different from America. There's a McDonalds within walking distance of my flat (apartment), my flat's layout is very similar to one of my college dorms, and I spend a lot of my free time going to the movies or out to eat with the other single Americans here (and occasionally some of my new South African friends). So, leisure time is definitely enjoyable and fun here. :)
I love the work that I'm doing here! I'm so fortunate to have this opportunity to intern abroad! I've met just about everyone on the team now and have really enjoyed doing work for some of our clients. South Africa is such a diverse place and it's been really nice to meet so many different people!
Apart from work, I've had the opportunity to visit several ministries while I've been here. I've been to a boarding school for kids from poorer townships, I've been to a daycare in one of the very poor townships here, an orphanage for abandoned babies, and an orphanage for kids suffering from AIDS and other diseases, I've been to another township to prayer walk and play with kids, and I've been to the oriental district to prayer walk. Last Friday I went to a soup kitchen to serve homeless men. They've all been great places to see and next week we'll get to choose where we want to serve for the rest of the semester. Right now I'm thinking I'll go to the school. All of the kids are SO SWEET here! The kids at the school were especially fascinated with my extremely pale skin. They also could not understand how I was sunburned. They thought it was so odd that only a portion of my arm was red. I can't wait to become a regular at one of these ministries. :)
Each Sunday I've had the chance to visit a different church. So far I've been to six different churches, with two more left to visit. I loved the first one we visited and have already joined their praise team and play with them on Sunday nights. It's a lot of fun and the church there is veeery diverse. It's so cool to worship regularly with such a big mix of people :) The church itself is relatively small, and it's really more of a family atmosphere. Some of the adults I've met there are just amazing to get to know and they really have inspired me to dream & pray much bigger than I usually do. The pastor is great as well! His grandfather was sent to South Africa by Spurgeon to plant churches! It's definitely a close-knit group and my boss attends there as well.
Other fun things I've done is visit the Lion & Rhino park where lions brushed up against our car as they walked past us!!! That was probably the coolest experience here so far :) Pics are on Facebook if you haven't seen them yet. Also, I got to see my first Broadway play here (Phantom of the Opera) and it was amazing!! I definitely look forward to seeing something else on Broadway in the future. Sunday I also got to visit the "Top of Africa" and saw just how huge this city is!
That pretty much sums up my February. Right now I have a few prayer requests:
1. That I will be able to sleep better. It's different not having air conditioning here and so sleeping has been difficult. I also keep having sporadic nightmares, or just crazy dreams, so it's hard to stay well-rested, which in turn makes it harder to concentrate on my work throughout the day.
2. That God will open my ears to his instruction on a day-to-day basis. The faith of some of the people at my church, Lyndhurst, is just unbelievable and they are definitely prayer warriors. I'm really trying to depend on God as much as they do, and watching them has shown me how much I depend on my own means and strength in day-to-day activities.
3. Pray for future decisions. My boss has already asked me to start apply for a full-time position which would send me back here for 2+ years. That's a big commitment and I haven't heard any clear instructions from God on where He wants me next, so please pray for clarity and a peace of mind as I forge ahead and make decisions about the next leg of my life!
Many blessings,
Sarah Katherine
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