It's been over 2 weeks since Zach and Dan went back home, which would normally mean I'm officially on my own getting used to life without other Americans around on a daily basis (with the exception of my sister who I see every couple weeks), fortunately, my life is anything but normal. Lauren Bender, another Alpha Omega House friend, arrived in South Africa January 12, spent the first 2 weeks here with Dan and Zach and has been staying with me since they left. She has another 2 weeks until she goes back to the states. As I think about all the friends and family who have come and gone over the past few months I am simply blown away. What a blessed and charmed existence I lead that people would come all the way to South Africa just to visit (for as little as 5 days) while I'm here? I guess I like to pretend the only reason they are coming is for me, but maybe the location was somewhat enticing. Either way, I feel like I'm the one who lucks out so I have to give a shout out to all those who have come and those who are still coming... THANK YOU, you guys are amazing, I'm so thankful for each of you!!!!
So, life from the 9-5...It's a lot more administrative than I thought it would be, but I'm finding more ways to get involved in the community. The things I am working on through LCF are purposeful and good. I'm grateful to do "work" that is purposeful, focused on the Truths I understand in the world and aimed at the Kingdom of God.
Lauren and I started volunteering at an orphanage called Polokong in one of the townships here. Polokong is home to 50 kids and also serves as a community center providing a number of different services, but their main one being a feeding program that feeds anywhere from 300-700 people/DAY! Lauren leads a life-skills and team building group with 9-14 year olds once a week, and I lead a leadership development group with a handful of the high school kids (big surprise :) ) once a week. Even though we have only been doing this for 2 weeks, I have to say, it is quickly becoming my favorite part of the week. Not to make all you/us Americans feel stupid, but in talking with the high schoolers yesterday I found out that they all speak 3-8 languages...it took me the entire hour and a half I was with them to learn 1 word in Tsuana....oh Lord, help!
I don't know what it is, but I love being in the township...I know there is a lot of brokenness, it is a hard way of life; but there is something simple and beautiful to me that I can't really explain. Of all the places I've been to in South Africa I would most want to spend my time just being in the townships.
I just read an article called "A Common Grace for the Common Good" by Steve Garber. He basically says the life we live - our wholistic life; the all encompassing life that includes our work, relationships, faith, social, etc - should be a seamless integration of faith for the purpose of producing a "common grace for the common good." Everywhere in life we see common graces, the "little" things in life that bring forth a piece of the joy and light of Christ. These gifts of grace are both engraved in creation and produced by Christ in us as we live out who Christ made us to be living out the calling He has put in us to do.
I wish I could say that everyday here I am appreciative and thankful for the graces all around me, my experiences and everything I am doing. I strive for that, but am not quite there. I pray that in everything I could both see and add to the "common graces" that are all around (even in the midst of a lot of brokenness) for the "common good." To appreciate the blue sky, the birds chirping, the flowers, the uniqueness and God-image of every person; and to live, whether it's being with friends, grocery shopping, working or sending an e-mail, with the love and light of Christ.
