22nd - 27th May

Tuesday 22^nd

On Tuesday I had the day off from PCC which meant I got to be involved in working at the school! This was really good fun as always however we were teaching P.E rather than music this time. So we arrived with 2 sacks, 2 balls and 3 hula-hoop rings to try and entertain 30 children!

I don’t think I have ever had so much fun in a P.E lesson! We played captain’s coming, various relay games and ‘beans’ [where the children have to do different actions depending on what type of bean is called out]. I had team 2 [obviously the best] and by the end we were all sat where we were meant to be, chanting ‘team 2’ [along with actions] and we leant ‘its not about winning its about who was best behaved and had the most fun’ ha-ha! While team 1 were running around like crazy and crying etc [no offense to Anna but she obviously hasn’t watched as much super nanny as I have…]

In the afternoon we had to go shopping for costumes as the following day we were having a pirate party for Kate’s party! This was exciting as I love fancy dress and also going into toyshops was awesome.

In the evening we went to prayer meeting which was good and there were also 6 people baptized which was really encouraging.

Wednesday 23^rd

In the morning I was at PCC mainly doing admin, this isn’t a very glamorous job but we have learnt here that its more important to free up people who are better more trained than to try an perhaps physically go out and do things yourselves. In the afternoon it was pretty hectic getting ready for the party, we got the playlist sorted, went to do food shopping for the party, decorated the place and got ready ourselves. Sarah helped though and it was a lot of fun!

At 6 all the kids for the cells arrived and the party started! Rob made one girl cry by chasing her with a sword… We played lots of party games and Anna had designed this amazing treasure hut with clues all over the site! It was really nice because it was lots of fun but at the same time many of the kids who live in the cells don’t really get out much and Im sure that it was also a first time for party food.

After entertaining the kids for a few hours they then left and people from church cam over. We played the empire game and just hung out and I was good as it feels like we have really made friends here.

The best costume went to Ashley as ‘the plank’ and when doing the treasure hunt finding that ‘the plank got a splinter’ was jokes.

It was a brilliant night and it was nice to have something to get dressed up for.

Thursday 24^th

After going to bed really late on Wednesday night we had to be up for 5:45 on Thursday morning to do hospital feeding! We are working with a project called hands and feet who go into hospitals and feed people waiting. In the hospitals here if people want to get seen [like a&e] they have to queue so some people will queue for an entire day just to be hopefully seen by a doctor and most of them are not only ill, but are waiting outside and wont have had anything to eat all day. So we rolled up in a combi at 6am and started to spread enough bread for 300 people! We then went round in different teams and gave each person a cup of soup and 2 pieces of buttered bread. It took a pretty long time but it was good to feel like we were actually physically making a difference. We didn’t manage to feed everyone waiting to next week we are going to double the amount of food we bring. I wad quite shocked at how run down the hospitals were and however much the nhs are slated the hospitals and waiting times at home would be luxurious compared to here!

Once we arrived back I went to bed I was so shattered I slept for the afternoon. We were meant to be going to cell but our leader is really ill and also this weekend we went on mini missions so it was cancelled. We therefore got out School of Rock [yet another 80p…] and wrapped up in blankets for the evening!

The weather here has been SO cold I have been wearing a billion layers. Its not colder than England but the problem is in England even if it is cold outside it is normally warm enough inside. However none of the buildings here have central heating and they often don’t understand shutting doors and windows…

Friday 25^th

On Friday it was Kate’s Birthday so we woke up and had a really nice birthday breakfast and then went to chapel. This meant we got to take part in more Zulu worship which was brilliant although my singing skills are so poor it’s a bit embarrassing! After that we all went and had cake for Kate’s birthday, I say we, everyone else but me ate cake. We also had to pack as we were leaving at 3 for our ‘mini mission’. However at 12 Kate came to PCC and said there had been a whole change of plan and that we would need to leave at 1! Where we were originally going was a school linked to a church but because of a strike there were now no teachers there so there was no point us going. This meant that our cell needed to be divided to join other teams; however they had put Kate separate from me and Anna. Also because of the rush it meant we couldn’t go for Kate’s birthday lunch so she was very upset. Then we got a second phone call saying that it had all changed again and they had worked it out so that if Anna and I went with a different team all 3 of us girls could go together so that is what we did. But then it meant we didn’t need to leave until 4 so we had rushed for nothing!

We left for NCF where we were meeting everyone but had no idea what was going on or who was even leading our team but it turned out we were no going to White City an Indian community on the coast. We were all pretty disheartened as our original project seemed a bit more suited for us and we felt quite lost arriving with even more strangers.

In the evening we helped run a youth club and then went back to our host families house. They had such a nice house and it was so good being able to sleep with a duvet! They also had a really nice bathroom so I made the most of being able to have some privacy and a proper shower!

Saturday 26^th

We woke up on Saturday morning still feeling disheartened as there didn’t seem to be much need for us on the project. Before the second change around it was meant to be the boys and Sarah in our places and the team really needed guys and someone who could do worship and neither Kate, Anna or myself fitted that criteria. We then got tx from sarah saying that the team she was now with [where me and anna were going to go] were going to be on the beach all day doing out reach. We were pretty jealous! We then arrived at the church to find that the majority of their youth had gone on their own missions trip so wouldn’t be around for the weeken and that they wanted us to repaint a squash court. Their church was sports club that had been turned into a church so they used the squash court not only to play sports but for youth meeting. The room he showed us didn’t need painting in my opinion, but we did what he wanted and got ready to repaint a white room white. He then brought out 4 rollers - there were 15 people in our team. So I began the ‘hard’ task of sitting around doing nothing. I was very frustrated as all I wanted to do was work and try and serve these people but there didn’t seem to be anything to do. However they mentioned they had a path they needed clearing [that used to be there but was no practically underground due to poor maintenance] so I got on the job. The guys dug up the ground and then when the path came through I swept… I swept so hard and with so much effort I ever got 3 blisters on my hands!

We then went to watch rugby in the afternoon, SA against England. We lost very badly and I’m also not interested in sports so it wasn’t the best. The evening finished by eating some Indian food and praying with our team.

Sunday 27^th

On Sunday morning we went to church and we were in charge of running the service. Anna, Kate and I were on communion duty and we had brought with us about 25 massive pizza bread loaves with the pastor telling us he had a congregation of 250 people. 40 arrived and we got on with the service!

We ate curry for lunch, I thought of Shanta and then we made our way home. Although the trip wasn’t what we expected a bonus was we mad even more friends at NCF so that made us feel even more at home when we went to the evening service.

When we got home it was awesome because it was Rebecca’s birthday so I phoned home and got to talk to pretty much my entire family! I loved it and it was so nice to hear everyone’s voice.

We then went to the evening service and I was very over tired, those who know me will therefore understand this meant that I become easily irritated and mean! So when Rachel came over to tell us about the ‘oh so amazing trip they had had, with lots of fit boys and changing peoples lives’ I was pretty annoyed and had to walk off ‘for the bathroom’!

The church service was good and then we went out for Kate’s late birthday meal which was meant to happen on Friday. We went to a place which was a mix between Zizi’s and a warehouse, South Africans come up with ‘interesting’ concepts… The night was finished off by going to Mug and Bean and meeting about 40 other people from church to hang out and have fun!

Pirate party!

Here are the pictures from Kates pirate birthday party!

Me and Mike

My team and Sarah and Rachel

Mike, Rob and Me

Who doesnt?!

Anna and I

Ashley the plank!

Penny

Penny and Shirley

Me and Rob arggg!

The Kids

We had such an awesome time! I will write about it later!

Monday 14th - Monday 21st May

Monday 14th

In the morning I am always at the pregnancy crisis center either doing admin or working on crafts [so rather than me writing that every time just assume that is what I have been doing]. In the afternoon Kate was still having trouble with her ears so the plan was that Kate and Anna would go to the doctors with Sarah in one car and then me an the guys would go shopping at the same time in the venture. However as we were driving in the venture the car kept on swerving out of control and after pulling over we found the tire was completely flat! So there had to be a change of plan. Instead the boys stayed with the venture an had to try and change the tire [which we later found that they completely failed at] while the girls an I went to the doctors. Kate and Anna both had ear related appointments so Sarah an I just hung out and then went and bought everyone dinner. We went to this little Africa food shop and bought 6 people meals for a total of ₤1.80! Mine was like a half loaf of bread hollowed out filled with spicy rice and potatoes it was very yummy. When we got home there was a power cut, so it was lucky we had no food in our freezers and we had a good game of kub!

Tuesday 15^th

PCC in the morning however I had to early as a guy from church came over to talk to us about our holiday. I hadn’t really thought about the holiday as being here even though we are working feels like a holiday. However it got really exciting talking about all the things we could do and it looks like he is going to prepare a whole programme for us so we don’t need to worry about anything! I think we are going to stay in Cape town for 4 days as Kate knows people there who have a flat we can stay in for free and then we are going to travel around KZN an visit beaches and mountains etc along with a day seeing animals. It was pretty shameful however when the man was over as we didn’t have any food for lunch so we were eating just bowls of baked beans.

In the afternoon us girls went for coffee and then went shopping I was excited as every time we go we are SO under our food budget as everything is such good value here!

In the evening we went to prayer meeting which was jam packed with people who had become Christian in the previous week. However we have to look after the Dudza children while we are there and they are quite a handful so it was hard to focus!

One of the boys is probably the most annoying/mental child ever, and so far has stolen my handbag and hit me with a massive stick when I tried to get it back along with doing things like repeating over and over ‘I want a hot dog, get me a hot dog.’ We also found out from his house mother that the other day she was cleaning his room and found a table knife on his bed and on a further occasion she found a massive lump of margarine under his pillow that he had stolen…[so he is armed as well as crazy].

In the evening we went over Sarah’s house and watched minority report, however I just fell asleep for most of it as I was so shattered!

Wednesday 16^th

I did admin at PCC in the morning but I was the only person in the office and finished the job I was given in around 20minutes. Micheal however had said that I could use the printer if I need to print anything out so that is just what I did! I started designing the ‘prayer room of dreams’ and probably did around 30 pages of printing [re cycled paper and black and white so don’t freak out!] and I was getting very excited about planning my prayer room.

In the evening we got out the note book which is always a winner, Mike was being very annoying and boyish throughout though so at one point he got a shoe thrown at his head!

Thursday 17^th
PCC in the morning and then cell in the evening. I cannot remember what we did in between! At cell we at dinner together which was really nice and then watched a film called, ‘facing the giants’. It was a pretty cheesy Christian film however was a true story which was quite impressive so I recommend it as a good rental!

Friday 18^th

We had chapel in the morning from 8-9 where Di talked about our role as women. She is awesome and it is probably the first talk of that length where I haven’t fazed out. She is probably one of the best woman I have ever met, so any tips she can give me I’ll defo be talking on board. I then did crafts at PCC and once that was over started to put together my prayer room that we would be using for the weekend. I set it up Harvest Dan Jones style with lots of different stations and areas and also used drapes to set up different sections [year team would be proud].

We began our fast an then spent the rest of the afternoon in the prayer room doing the various activities and reading the bible etc [apart from mike who ‘just layed down’ on top of the conference room table and ended up sleeping for an hour…]

In the evening we went to Youth at PCF church and it was ‘special’. We basically listened to this girl talk about her life for 2hours an I was impressed that the youth listened for so long. The girl was pretty interesting but it wasn’t very exciting or active, so it’s not what I’m used to a normal youth club being like!

Saturday 19^th
In the morning we finished our prayer time and then in the afternoon Lisa our Oasis co ordinator from England came over! She has been doing a tour of all the teams and had already been to Zim and Joburg. It was really strange to see someone that we already knew from England out here but it was nice to see a familiar face! She bought us galaxy as you can’t get that out here, an the chocolate here is rubbish as they put wax in it so that it doesn’t melt [so if you are ever feeling generous and wish to send me something galaxy would be ideal!]. We then went to Spur in the evening which was yum and yet again amazingly cheap an went to see yet another rubbish film at the cinema with Dean and Trevor who are in our cell. They walked out after 10 minutes and me an Anna left after an half an hour an went for coffee instead. This isn’t like me as I like to get my moneys worth however when the tickets cost a pound its not as bad.

Sunday 20^th
We went to church in the morning and the service was awesome as always, I love the church I go to here so much. The guy preached on freedom from a poverty mindset and it was very interesting.

We the took Lisa for a picnic at Howick where we had gone with Dean before. However when we arrive it was SO windy we were trying to hold on to our food an everything was blowing away. Then some small boys came up to us, and I was expecting them to be asking for money but then they told us that there was a forest fire and that we had to get out! I thought they were joking but a ranger confirmed it!

So we mished it out of the forest real fast and got to safety, it was pretty exciting and the sky was covered in smoke.

In the evening we went to church and it was an awesome service, so good. A guy did a talk about the goodness of God and had all these incredible facts about our universe and how awesome God is to have created it all. The music was real good and there was about 2000 people there.

After that we obv went to mug and bean for milkshakes with lots of people from church, we had a bit of an incident with a mental man who sat an ate with us and then didn’t pay afterwards and tried to walk out! But Kate was brave and stood up for us and we got away without being stabbed…[I joke]

Monday 21^st
Yesterday I was feeling really ill and run down so I wasn’t in the best of moods. I went to PCC in the morning but there wasn’t anything for me to do so I came back and got some medicine. I also went to our co ordinator and sorted out with her about not having much to do so hopefully I just be more busy at PCC.

Then I went and helped with music at the school, we did 4 classes with grade R, 1,2 and 3! It was exhausting because every song is very active and you have to keep them entertained the entire time. It was fun though and its nice getting to know them all.

In the afternoon I was still feeling rough but Anna and I dropped Kate off at the doctors, and then went to do the food shopping. We did it in record time although I nearly fainted… It was exciting later because I got to speak to mum on the phone and talk to Josh so that was awesome. We watched SWOT in the evening and sat on beanbags in blankets, so it helped me feel better and after phoning Shanta [which was SO good] I got an early night!

pictures!

Here is the pictures from absailing, we went down the length of the entire waterfall! In the picture mainly of water see if u can spot the small dingy in the water that we absailed into!

Sorry i havn't updated for ages, i have been real busy!

ps. carol marley please may you send me your email address!

10-13th May

Thursday 10^th May

Thursday was a pretty standard day, not really much to report! In the morning I went an taught crafts again for an hour in the morning so I mainly did tidying up and talking to the girls, then after that I did admin until the afternoon. It was quite good to have a change and see how the office is run and to get to know the people who work there better.

In the evening we went to see Heavens Gates and Hells flames again but we took the girls from PCC, they really enjoyed it and one of them became a Christian which was really exciting. Two of the girls have also had their babies this week so getting to see them was awesome as they are so cute!

Friday 11^th May

In the morning I went to PCC and I helped to make cushions and I made an awesome one for my room as well which was good as I used my time more productively. We then went to a church service at 11:00 which happens once a month to pray for the HIV and Aids situation. I stayed in on the worship which was amazing. It was led by 3 Zulu women who have massive voices and were just improvising and harmonizing all over the place, so I obviously fitted in easily with my amazing singing talents… We then and looked after the kids from the crèche for 2 hours while the service was going on. This involved having to do crafts and play games with 30, 4 year old Zulu children who couldn’t speak English. I was in my element… [or not]. After finishing crafts with the girls and making lunch I set off on a big task - the laundry. This was the first time I have lost my temper while I’ve been here! If we want to wash our clothes we have to get the laundry key, which means we need to find the cleaner who could be anywhere in the entirety of gateway. We asked her to drop the key off at 2, it was now 3 an there was no sign of her. Mike and I had sorted everything according to colour and were ready to go. She was no where to be seen – I got mad. I had a usual Jessica-style rant and then things were fine again!

We had such a good time in the evening. Larry and Sheila from PCC church had invited us over for pizza and board games [my fave!]. They are originally from London and have lived here for around 7 years and they were just so friendly. They made us feel so at home and of course beating everyone at a charades style game is always a bonus to an evening.

Saturday 12^th May

On Saturday we had to get up at 6, I wasn’t happy about this at all as I was shattered from the busy week and I wasn’t looking forward to what was ahead. I had given into the peer pressure of going abseiling. We made our way to Howick falls [which look amazing] to meet Geoff and absail the 109 meters down the waterfall edge! We went in pairs, Anna and Kate first, Anna was pretty much having a panic attack an was going mental and Kate had to talk her through it the whole way down. Next was mike who is amazing at things like this an got down no problems. Finally it was Rob and my turn and I was freaking out. I kept it together though and managed to get myself over the edge. It was amazing, I only had one mental ‘omg ROB HELP ME’ moment and then I was fine. The back drop was phenomenal and I just felt so fortunate to be in such an amazing place and so grateful for how much God has blessed me. I got tired of doing the leg walking down thing, so instead pretty much just sat in the harness like a chair an lowered myself down [it hurt my crutch no end]. It took us around 20 minutes in total and it was so good!

After that we were all shattered so we grabbed 5 pizzas [cost 10 pounds altogether!!] and then went home for naps and showers. In the evening we were all well tired so we got the departed out on DVD which was a good watch and sat in our beanbags wrapped in blankets, good times!

Sunday 13^th

Sunday was a pretty normal day, we went to church in the morning and heard all the amazing stories about Heavens Gates. Turns out around 3/4000 people became Christians and there were tones of ace testimonies. It is so exciting to see how God is working here! In the evening we went to watch the last night of the production however I went in the prayer tent instead and then was on the response team who pray for people who came forward. There was a good looking guy that I though I would go and pray for but sadly he got snatched up and I was left with yet another crazy zulu woman. I had to try and write her name and address down on the form an had no idea what she was saying. Once that was done I asked if she wanted us to pray together, she said yes, so I began, ‘father God thank you so much for…’ an in that moment she went ‘same to you’ and just walked off! So I got totally ditched mid prayer! haha!

In the evening we went to mug an bean in the evening [again] with the people from church which was good to hang out with people an get to know them an it was also fun playing the Jessrob guess the sugar game.

5th - 9th May!

Saturday 5^th Evening!

After out time at the park we got picked up by Colin who is deputy chairman at project gate way and we had no idea really what we were doing with him other than that it had something to do with music. Turns out that we were sitting in on his church, in Northdale’s band practice. Mike is a self taught guitarist who doesn’t know cord, rob is grade 8 trumpet [but trumpets an worship bands arn’t always the best and all music need to be transposed], Anna plays a small amount of piano and I am tone deaf. It was a pretty cringey experience and I really just wanted it to end! The worship bad had no idea why we were there and we had no idea why we were there, but Colin was well into it! After that we went to colins house which is also in Northdale, Northdale is the predominantly Indian area of town, although apartheid is over the town is still pretty segregated. His house was really nice and he had an amazing car so it was quite a contrast to where we had been staying! We ate KFC which was so good and also had some curry. After that we went to mug an bean to try an cheer Kate up because her ear infection had meant she hadn’t been out the house all day!

Sunday 6^th

In the morning we went to church and it was probably one of the best services Ive been to. They had a guest preacher from the city and he spoke very well. The music was amazing an a woman who sounded like Cheryl Crow led it! After church we watched a dvd and then in the evening we met sarah at mug and bean [again!].

Heavens gates and hells flames the play at our church started that evening and 1800 people fitted into the hall, however 800 people had to be turned away! The queue was all the way down the street. That night 1000 people became Christian which was really exciting and pretty much a miracle.

Monday 7^th

First thing in the morning we went to Veronicas house who is a mum at the childrens home. She lived in the township so it was exciting being able to see a different side to south Africa. Where she lives is like one large room made of mud with a corrugated iron roof! We also saw where the new house is being built for the kids at duduza [the children’s home] which was even more exciting. Project gate way focuses on sustainability so to have a house for some of the children to go to live in the community is a big success. Veronica is taking full time adoption of 4 of them so they will be living in a new house right next to hers!

In the morning Kate and I went with Michael from PCC to a school to talk to 13year olds about safe sex and abstinence. It was really interesting and also exciting because Michael is going to train us up to be able to do the talks ourselves, which I’m really looking forward to. The talk was jokes though and I had to stop my immature self from laughing on a number of occasions. The other difference was how un PC the talk was compared to the sex education talks I have at school but I guess with the aids crisis here is probably best to be straight to the point.

When I got back I went to ester house [where the pregnant women live] and helped to assist with the sewing projects they are doing. At the moment it is run by a zulu lady [mental Zulu lady with crazy hair as I like to call her]. It was really difficult as she talked the whole time in Zulu and whenever I spoke to her or asked her questions she ignored me [even though she can speak English well]. So I didn’t feel like I could contribute much to the class however I’m sure it will get better. In the afternoon we went to the school and covered dictionaries. Rob and I were in one team and Anna and Mike in another. Needless to say rob and I were amazing we covered 22 in the time they did 14… we have mad skills.

After that we went shopping and Kate didn’t come [she is the accountant] so we could buy as much juice and biscuits as we liked! Rob and I also used the opportunity to put into practices the best plan ever, BUYING RUMMIKUB! We are amazing. We then played that for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday 8^th May

In the morning I went to PCC to do the craft sessions an it was pretty much the same as before. A lot of Zulu and not much to do. However I did what I do best and I did a lot of unpicking [all that practice at A level came in handy] I have also decided to buy the women’s love so shall be bringing in cakes next week. After grabbing a quick lunch Rob, Mike and I mished it out in the venture with Sarah an Rachel to go around town putting up stickers on about 100 Heavens Gates posters over PMB saying ‘extended, thurs and fri’ because of the massive numbers of people going to the production they have had to make it run on! There was a lot of running and jumping involved but I got into it and it was nice to get out of the prison!

In the evening we went to watch the play. It was pretty standard, nothing amazing but it was nice to see Ashley [one of our main south African friends] acting, he was awesome. The whole thing was pretty mental though, in England no one goes to plays, no one goes to church, however we watched as about 2000 people queue up to go to a both! At the end of the night about 600 people stood up to become Christians so it was insane but also exciting.

Wednesday 9^th May

This morning I went to do craft again, it was a bit better as I got to make crafts and I also learnt that if I talk very loudly and slowly the mental Zulu woman listens to me. Then this afternoon I went in to a township school with the Community Care Project to be part of and HIV talk. As the only white person in the building it was really funny to watch as people just stood and stared at me! The school was a lot more run down compared to the other ones I have been in as it is right in the middle of the townships. It was also funny hearing sex being talked about in Zulu and the teenagers acting just how they would in England in response!

pictures with the kids!

2nd - 5th May

Wednesday 2nd May

In the morning we met with Di who is the most amazing women ever! she works in the fundraising department in the project and is one of the most wise women I have ever met. She was the lady who talked to us about African history and has lived through so much. Anyway after her telling us a few stories about miracles we started to sort out our programme for where we will be working. It took quite a long time but in the end it was sorted that I would mainly be working at the Pregnancy crisis centre [PCC]. This is where women live who are pregnant in difficult circumstances [raped, kicked out of home etc]. So there was an opportunity to work with them and also go into schools teaching about safe sex and abstinence. In the afternoon we went to the Community Care Project [CCP] who go out into the community working with people affected and infected by HIV and aids, they showed us around and told us about the projects. In the evening [after I made the best dinner ever…] we went round our friend Ashley’s house and watched the football, it was really funny how someone who lives in Africa can be so into Manchester united!

Thursday 3^rd May

In the morning on Thursday we went straight to CCP for their devotional in the morning and then met the whole team. The boys went off to do some driving into a township and Kate stayed to do admit. Anna is working in the admin department for fundraising at Gateway and after having a shower I went over to PCC. I met the leader Michael and his wife and they told me more about the project. The person who does crafts with the girls every morning to use and sell had left about a month ago so they really needed someone to fill that gap! So I will be doing sewing and crafts with the girls at the centre! I was so excited as that is something I really enjoy so I can’t wait to get stuck in. I went over to the house and met the girls, which was pretty intimidating as they are all pregnant Zulu teenagers. I cooked lunch for the team and then we had team time in the afternoon and did our bible studies. In the evening we went to cell group, which is awesome! We had dinner there and after doing some singing we went to a traffic light [or robots as they call them] junction to hand out flyers. NCF church are doing a play called Heavens Flames and Hells gates which they put on about 8 years ago and it caused a massive revival in the area and they are putting it on again starting this Sunday! Its all well exciting an there are posters and flyers everywhere around town. After cell we went to a night club where we handed out free hot dogs and flyers with about 50 other people so hopefully the play will have a good turn out [please pray].

Friday 4^th May

Yesterday I spent the morning going through all the crafts and equiptment at PCC, there is so much stuff and luckily its all really well organised, its pretty much like my textiles room at school! However it was really overwhelming as I need to start making stuff on Monday and I don’t feel confident enough or ready… Its proper scary as its like I’m running a textiles class, at the same time as running a business, in a country where I don’t know where to buy things and I cant quickly ask someone 'oh how do I make this again' and where I don’t know how much I can spend on buying materials etc - but I’m sure it will all come together! In the afternoon I had a nap which was awesome and then we went to meet people from cell to watch spiderman 3 [it cost 1 pound – Africa is SO good!] I didn’t really enjoy the film it was pretty rubbish!

Saturday 5^th May

Today was our day off so we work up late [8:30] and then did our bible study. I then made a cooked breakfast for the team and the boys went an did some shopping. We then took some of the kids from the children’s home out to the park to play games! It was really funny driving through africa with a van full of 11 people, with the kids all singing My chemical romance black parade...They are pretty crazy and it was hard, but fun trying to keep them entertained. I used my amazing supernanny learned skills and the trip went off without a hitch [shanta you would have been so proud]. In the end we had to leave as every single one needed the toilet…

Playing in the park:

The venture [which we have fitted 14 people in...]:

Our room [like the bars?] :

More pictures!

Pictures!

Kate and I had fun hanging out the washing:
[she may have more pegs but i feel i was more creative!]Our cell, thats Kates bed, mine is right next to it [but alot more messy!]:
Our cupboard [one shelf each!getin! - I look joke]
The stairs up to our corridor:

28th april -1st May

This weekend has been a long bank holiday weekend from Friday until Tuesday so there hasnt been much actually going on! Everyone who normally works on site has left so we have had to entertain ourselves.

Saturday 28th
Saturday was awesome as it was the first day that we didn’t have to get up at 6 am! so we had a sleep in and then ashly and sarah came over with some DVDs so we chilled out and watched Brave Heart and Napoleon Dynamite which was wicked! We then went to Sinatras house who is the principle at the school and lives above the children’s home. His family are from Zambia so they cooked us an amazing Zambian meal [maze stuff, with chicken and a chutney style thing!] AND we got to eat with our hands! Get in! I loved it the food was the best we have eaten so far and not having to use cutlery is always a bonus.

Sunday 29th
We visited PCF church in the morning which is the church on site, it is a lot more like harvest although slightly bigger. The big difference is however that they do all their songs in different languages, so you can go from your standard Tim Hughs and then the next moment be singing in Zulu [or one of the other 9 languages!] it made it really fun and made us feel more part of the culture!
In the afternoon sarah took us out to the park to play frisbee [i sat in the sun] and we hung out with the family and kids that she lives with. Afterwards we went to the evening service at NCF which I loved it feels like being at soul survivor because of all the people and the music is so good. The evening was finished by going to Mug and Bean [full of only people from NCF] and having a white hot chocolate!

Monday 30th
Monday was one of the best days I have had here. We got a tx from dean our cell pator telling us that he would take us out for lunch and that we needed to wear shorts and flip flops! He picked us up in his car and off we went! He drove us to 'pick n pay' and we got lots of picnic food and he drove us to Highwick Falls. We sat in the middle of a valley on a rock in the middle of a river at the edge of a waterfall and it was the most beautiful thing i had ever seen. Dean is awesome and knows so much and has lived through so much that spending time with him is always good. The surroundings were so beautiful and i just felt so blessed to be there that it finally broke me and i cried! ha![happy now shanta?] Kate and Anna in my team have probably cried every single day that we have been here so im very proud of myself [considering in England i cry if my bus doesn't come haha!]. We walked to the edge of the waterfall and put our feet over the edge and it was amazing. In the evening we went out with sarah and some of her friends to durban to go go-carting! i was pretty scared as i have no hand eye co-ordination or any form of driving skills but it was so much fun. I managed to not crash into anyone/kill myself so it was a success. The other best thing is that it only cost 2 pounds! Africa is awesome!

Tuesday 1st
Today was also a bank holiday [but the last day of orientation - work starts tomorrow!] so this morning we did our weekly food shop [40 pounds for 5 people for a week!!!] and then we went to Penny from our cells house for a picnic! Her house is like a zoo, she has 5 dogs [grrreat.. :s] loads of parrots, 5 horses, chickens etc!
So we hung out in the sunshine and got to know the people from our cell a little better which was nice. In the evening we went to prayer meeting at NCF which was really good, 1000 people getting together to worship and pray for their city!
The 2 weeks ive been here have been so so good and Im now so excited about getting stuck into the projects and getting involved!