Weekend of luxury :o)

So this weekend, Carol is on a silent retreat with Pastor Cheryl. In her absence, she's letting me stay at her place...so I have a nice big bed, a SHOWER, and internet access for the weekend! Plus, Amber is here, so we can hang out and have fun girl time. It's also good, because the power went out at the cottage last night (again), and as of this afternoon, it still wasn't back on.

Youth Sunday went really well. The youth represented themselves really well, and the music (the part I mainly organized) went really well. I actually heard people in the congregation singing! I was also proud of them for learning the choir song that Russell taught them, and that Priscilla and NhlaNhla actually sang solos. Youth Sunday is a once-a-month thing, and I'm hoping in the future it will continue to be a bigger thing where they participate more and show the church their stuff.

The youth group here is really great. I've loved hanging out with them and getting to know them. Some of them are so insightful and really serious about their faith. And there are several others who openly admit they are not Christians, but still ask questions and participate. They have so much energy and willingness to do so many things. And when they play a game, they get into it! They're a part of the generation that will be crucial in the coming years, taking leadership and (hopefully) helping to turn this country around. I have so much hope for them, and see so much potential in them.

This week at the TLC, I've kinda been phasing myself out a bit. For the sake of the kids, and the staff, they need to get used to me not being around. So, Joyce has been aiding in the Puppy class, and I've been helping with other stuff around the church. I still hang out with them during meals and playtime and things. It's a tough thing, because I really want to help out a lot more and be with the kids as much as possible before I leave, but I don't want to make them dependent on me. The kids have become even more affectionate towards me, and the Puppies' new favorite thing is to blow kisses. I've even noticed them being more affectionate towards each other, hugging each other and things like that.

Something else that's cool is how the teachers have been changing. Quite often, Russell, Amber, and I will sit with the kids in their little kid chairs while waiting for a meal or snack, talking with them or hugging them or whatever. Now on occasion, the other teachers are doing the same, something I've NEVER seen them do before. They're not bad teachers or people; they just need some training and guidance about what to do with the kids, and the purpose of the TLC. It's not just a babysitting service; it's a ministry and educational process. And Amber is working on ways to help them in their teaching, coming up with themes and activities. There's great possibility for change, and I'd really like to see what it's like a year from now.

Of course, the kids still have their naughty side. Yesterday Tony had a staff meeting, leaving us three Americans with all 50 kids for about 45 minutes. When the cats are away, the mice will play! They knew the teachers weren't around, so they took full advantage of us. The kids were running around screaming, and it took everything we had to somewhat control them. As a result of yesterday, which involved a lot of yelling on my part, I managed to strain my vocal cords and have little voice left.

Today, Amber and I went to Door of Hope again, where I dropped off the donations sent with me, held some babies, then took the two Virginia girls out for a while. Katie and Alison are there for the month of July through the same program that I came through. They were very grateful for time out, and I really enjoyed hanging out with them and talking (as much as I could). It was a fun day all around!

PS - I have loved having Carol and Amber here! They're lots of fun to be around and talk to, and they like to take us places. Like Wednesday night, when Russell and I tried to make samp for dinner (a great South African dish that appears to be really easy to make)...let's just say the smell of smoke is finally out of the cottage ;o) Anyway, we were able to eat out thanks to Amber's generosity and willingness to take us to the mall. It's such a blessing to work with them and get to know them more.

On tap for this weekend: a hike tomorrow, dinner at someone's house tomorrow night, leading youth Sunday School on Sunday, and lunch after church at someone else's house. And, of course, enjoying the space of Carol's flat!