Life passes by like a Blur.

Yesterday as I was chatting with my roommates I realized how quickly my time has passed. I leave for the states in eleven days. As I first realized this I wanted to panic. My train of thought was; “I don’t want to leave these kids, I want to continue building relationships, I am going to miss church, the Bethesda community, my life here. I’m not ready to leave”. I had to stop myself. This was a perfect opportunity to reflect on my time here. To think about some of my favorite memories and what God has taught me in Africa. Here are some experiences/thoughts I want to share.

Some Favorite Memories:
Chasing Rudolph (a boy I work with) around his house with a big inflatable yellow banana. Oh the fun we had that day.

I always forget to pray before I eat my snack in Grade R (whoops :D) Maria, one of the students always tells me afterwords with a big smile on her face. Oh how I am going to miss her beautiful smile.
Horseback Riding. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life (or have been more terrified). This was an amazing day!

I’ll miss playing games with the kids. Their version of volleyball is fantastic! Oh and I’ll definitely miss playing hours of marbles with the kids.

South Africa is a beautiful country. The hills, trees, flowers, animals, sunrises, and sunsets are unforgettable. This is a beautiful place to give thanks to God for his creation.

Listening to the children sing. They have beautiful voices. It’s been such a blessing to hear them worship through singing and dancing.

The hugs, smiles, kisses, and the times I have had with the children here. I am sure they have had a bigger impact on my life than I on theirs. It is going to be hard to say goodbye.

I’ll miss playing in the rain and twister in the dark. Oh the fun I’ve had with my roommates.

Some things God has shown me:
How beautiful it is to see people worship God. I’ve been able to attend church in the townships and in the city. Two completely different experiences, but it doesn’t matter how we worship God, as long as we are praising him. My experiences worshiping in the township churches have been powerful.

I have seen that a person or organization cannot solve an entire epidemic or problem, but a big difference can still be made. Bethesda is an amazing organization. They have taken in thirty or so orphans. These kids belong to a family – are educated – eat 3 meals a day – are ministered to. As Christians we are called to help the orphaned, widowed, and the oppressed. My heart has been changed. I don’t want to go back to my old way of life when I return home. It is time for me to help the oppressed in my community. I have a responsibility and it is time for me to fulfill it.

God has challenged and stretched me in sharing my faith, which I shared earlier. It has been an amazing journey. It’s okay if I don’t have the perfect words to say, God still uses me. I need to be faithful.