week 2 update

This past week has been a busy but great week, one filled with some frustration and fun. We knew that while we were here in the city that we would have some things similar to that in the states but we learned that the internet here is not that reliable and that we are still in africa. That was the first trully frustrating day here for both of us as we were looking forward to talking to our families and then unable to because of the internet. We were finally able to talk to them after going to a whole new location. We have internet access once a week. But so far that has been the only truly frustrating day so far, and I know that there are probally more to come but we will deal with those as they come.

I learned a new sport (squash) this week and how fun that is. Courtney hadn't been feeling well so we took her to the doctor and thankfully it wasn't anything to be concerned about, but she is still getting over whatever it is that she has, so if you could just pray that she would get healthy and stay healthy. That night we went to cell group where a group of young adults from the church that meets for bible study. It is a very welcoming group and I loved how they aren't afraid to go deep into different questions and it was just a different type of study than I had been to and I can tell that it is going to be a challenging group which is great. I had worried before coming here about us pouring out into the people we would be working with and then us not getting poured back into but that quickly vanished once we had gone to a church service and bible study.

This week we have had a few meetings mainly with people from the church and just learning more about the different outreaches we may be working with.We've been spending time around the complex and trying to talk to neighbors and one day I did run into a neighbor that we had previously met and had a short conversation with him. We met up with some people from the church that night to go bowling and just hung out and got to know them some more. Alot of what our job is deals with building relationships with people and we do have some people that go to our church that live in the complex so we are able to meet some people through them.

We met up with another team that works across town and got to hear about what they were doing and what there jobs are. There is a strike going on with some of the teachers so they haven't had school for a few days which has not only affected the students but also those working in those schools. Friday night is youth night and we got to go to our first youth night. It was about 40-50 students from grade 7 to some who have graduated. Youth are pretty much the same across the globe. I really enjoyed the kids in grades 7-10 and will probally be working with them mostly. That night all the youth met together for a lesson. Their friday nights are primairly focused on the youth that are unreached, so the majority of them are unbeleivers and have come with friends or through word of mouth. Sunday morning is more focused on those who are saved and part of the church. I really like how they focus on the unreached on fridays. I noticed that they don't hold back, the leaders aren't afraid to talk about sticky topics, they don't try to sugar coat things which I think is a good thing. Life and God isn't always peachy and I think sometimes we in the church try to avoid those topics that may cause convtroversy and you need to talk about it and you can you just have to word it in a way that is appropriate for that age group.I am excited to get to know these kids better and having an american accent helps, since people are curious to why we are here and who we are when they hear that we aren't from south africa.


Saturday we spent the day going to a breakfast at the church, hanging out with a friend of our supervisors and got introduce to south african rugby. They are serious about their rugby and I will say it was alot of fun to watch and while this sport is rough and they take alot of hard hits it really is truely a team sport.

Sunday we went to church and we split up as courtney went with the younger grade school kids and I went back with the youth. These kids are learning about different people through out time that made an impact for the faith. Some of the people they have/will be talking about I have heard of but the one today I had not. I can't think of the mans name but it was back in the time of ceasar and they talked about how even when he was on trail and about to be pursecutted he never renounced God. I can tell that by working with the youth and hearing the messages given to them that I am going to be learning so many things, which is amazing.

This week has flown by which makes not only myself but also courtney a little sad as we are realizing how fast the next few months are going to go by. This truely is a great country and it still has its problems like any other country but what country is perfect. Everyone at the church has been so friendly and hospitable and it has made our transition here so much easier then what I was expecting. We are getting a new team member this week so we are getting ready for that and just pray that we all will work well together and that she will fit in nicely with everyone here. We are going to check out a local school, orphange, and rehab center this week to see about possibly working at one of them as well. Thanks again for your continue support and prayers. Continue to pray for us as we work within the community and our apartment complex, and that God would use us to reach these people and that we would stay focused on Him and not on ourselves. Also pray that doors would be opened for us as well. I am looking forward to see what God is going to do in these next months.