South Africa Picture Log (#2)

 View of Joberg from the Apartheid museum.

 Freedom Square in Soweto.

 An area of informal settlement still remaining in Soweto.

 Relaxing at the guesthouse.

The ladies cooking dinner at Nieu Communities.

 Planting grass at the orphanage.

South Africa Reflections (#5)

Today is Wednesday and we leave in 2 days. Honestly, I wish it were more like twenty. The first conversation we had with Pure Hope discussed real communities and relationships, and I feel like I am just now starting to have real relationships with not only the team from America but also our friends we’ve made in South Africa like the Pure Hope team and the Nieu Communities families. Regardless of our short time left, I am glad that we met these people and the experiences we have shared.

These past couple days have been filled with some pretty intense situations, but in a good way. Yesterday, we went back to the Juvenile prison and sat in on the weekly Bible Study led by Pure Hope. Last week, Katie and I joined Wihan and Dian for the art class, but since it was a holiday (Women’s Day!!), only the team from America, Maxi and Chris were present. We discussed our identity in Christ and what that meant for our purpose in life. There was some pretty intense discussion in our smaller groups, and Conrad (one of the inmates) even led the group in discussion and song. It was very inspiring and Jennifer even took notes on the South African hymnals he sang. I was very glad we were able to go and visit the boys again.

Today, after sleeping in an extra 30 minutes (such a blessing!!), we went with Curtis and Braam to visit the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg, and Soweto. After taking a few courses on South Africa and the Apartheid regime, I was not much surprised by what was presented in the museum. However, I was very pleased with the presentation of the Apartheid era and its affect on the nation and surrounding areas. It was unbiased, objective, but also had a personal feeling about it that allowed you to connect to the stories of individuals who experienced Apartheid and the fight against it. Everyone absorbs the information differently, but there is no way anyone could twist the presentation to be for or against anyone – just cold, hard facts. Then we drove through Soweto, learned a bit about its history, saw Mandela’s house and soccer city. We drove through downtown Joberg and returned home. Later tonight, we are going to see Bang Bang Club, which is a movie about photographers/journalists who documented the terrors and violence in the fight against Apartheid. I’ve heard it is graphic, and I am honestly concerned that I’ll be able to stomach it. We’ll see how that goes, and hope that it’s good.

Thank you to all who have had us in our prayers; we have certainly felt them and enjoyed our time here.

- Kristin.

South Africa Reflections (#4)

We have officially been here over one week and still love the country, the people and of course, the coffee. I think we go to coffee shops at least twice a day, not to count when we drink coffee or tea at breakfast. To recap this weekend, we woke up early on Saturday morning and went to the Boeremark, which is a farmers market, but with more crafts, food and it is a lot bigger than just a farmers market. We had something called a ‘fatcake’, which is bread dough fried like a donut. There were spices, jams, wire/bead crafts, food, coffee, puppies, scarves, etc. Then we spent the rest of the day planting grass at the Yabana Village, which is a part of Good Hope Orphanage and Preschool. They just got a new playground and the grass we planted will eventually be a soccer field. The kids loved trying to help us, even though the shovels were usually bigger than they were. We then had a braai with the children and families from around the area. We were going to stay the night at Mama Mary’s house in Mabopane, but our plans changed and we ended up back in Pretoria for the night. We were able to sleep in and just hang out today and rest, which was very needed after doing so much this last week. We are going to a church called Third Place tonight, and then waking up really early tomorrow morning for a safari! We have been so busy while we have been here that it feels like we have been here for much longer than a week. The country and the people have left big impressions on all of us. I think there are a couple of us that could definitely see ourselves coming back in the future  J

 - Julie

South Africa Reflections (#3)

It’s our fifth day here and so far, the experience has been amazing.  Between missionary work, sight seeing, meeting new people, and networking, it has been a great experience so far.  The day before yesterday, we went to Mabopane for the second time.  The kids race towards the van as soon as we pull in.  They instantly grab our hands and want to be held.  Some of the girls would play with our hair and try to style it.  One little girl wanted to be picked up and fell asleep in my arms for over an hour.  The children just want to be played with, held, and paid attention to. 

In the evening we went to Maxie’s parent’s house for a braai.  The food was SO good.  I love the style of the houses here with the oven/grill to cook inside.  It was a great time with good company.

Wednesday, we went to the preschool at Moreletapark Church.  The kids were learning about houses and furniture.  We each got to help a child individually with their colors, numbers, drawing, and cutting with scissors.

Thursday, we did some sight seeing- Voortrekker, the Union Buildings, and Paul Kruger’s house.  Voortrekker was beautiful and had so much history of early South Africa between the Dutch and the Zulus.  The Union Buildings are like the White House of the United States.

Tomorrow we are going to a “farmers” market and then Mabopane again in the afternoon and night. 

Overall, we’re all having a great time and can’t wait to come back!!

- Katie

South Africa Picture Log (#1)

South Africa Reflections (#2)

Yesterday, we woke up to the loud screeches of what we decided to call the “pomegranate bird” (It looked like the kiwi bird of Australia, but the kiwi is not native to South Africa), we were more adjusted to the freezing morning. The space heater probably helped. After breakfast we headed over to the Dutch Reform Church (do not ask me how to spell it in Afrikaans) and had a conversation with the good folks of Pure Hope. We discussed the differences between pseudo community and real community, and how God’s opportunities and trials allow us to develop genuine relationships. It was in that conversation that many of us shared personal stories. That honesty and communication helped us to begin to develop our real relationships with each other and the Pure Hope.

After lunch, we headed over to Mabopane. Finally, after years of praying and planning and saving for this moment, I was in Mabopane. When I first stepped out of the van and the children ran up to us and the Pure Hope team, I felt alone, but in a good way. It was serene, unreal. Reality rushed back and I had one girl who clung to me. She was about 4 and spoke very little English. She couldn’t tell me her name, but she could count to 10, tell me body parts, and point out colors and shapes. She called me “Sessi” which means “sister” in Tswana. She also new the word “up” which she used every time I would put her down. Both Katie and Julie had 1 or 2 girls that clung to them as well, and it was then I realized that our purpose was to show these children love and affection. They may not receive it at home or their parents may not be in their life at all. It is our duty to show them the love that Christ shows us. I realized that we are to develop real and not pseudo relationships with these children, because that is what Christ did and called us to do.

- Kristin

South Africa Reflections (#1)

After 35 hours of traveling with very little, incremental sleep, we finally arrived in Johannesburg. Driving out of Johannesburg into Pretoria, the highways and cities didn’t look too much different from the U.S. We learned that the highways were in such good condition because of the World Cup last year. Much of the city of Pretoria is well-developed with really nice malls, coffee shops and restaurants. It was not exactly what I was expecting to see, even though I was aware of the economic disparity in South Africa (lots of wealth, but very unevenly distributed). One of the craziest things was going to the church that Pure Hope is connected with, called Moreletapark. It is about the size of Willow Creek Church in Chicago, can hold thousands of people and is basically really beautiful. Right next to the church is about 800 families living in plastic shacks with no electricity, running water, etc. Some of them are international refugees from Zimbabwe and Lesotho, but most are South Africans. The government controls who comes out of this group of shacks and has been saying for years that they will do something to help these people, but they are still there. Pure Hope has built some better shacks for some of these people when there shacks burnt down, but the government support for helping these people is minimal. At the church, we listened to a service through headphones that translated from Afrikaans into English, although the music was in English. They did songs such as ‘God of the City’ and Hillsong songs. They also had a children’s choir of orphaned kids from Uganda called the Watoto choir. A church in Uganda started this choir as a way to care for all the children orphaned by AIDs, and now care for around 4000 orphans. Those kids can dance too. The sermon itself was incredible. It was a simple message, but very true and relevant to the congregation. He brought up how many orphans are in South Africa, along with the poor who live in shanty towns outside of the wealthy cities and how it is our duty and responsibility as the church to be the hands and feet of God that reach out to the distressed and give them hope. We all have the capability to do something, and it is God’s commission to us to use whatever we are given to help others and share the gospel through words and action.

Joe is now quoting Shakespeare quite seriously to us, so I’m going to go. We are leaving soon to spend the day in Mabopane with a ton of kids. Should be great!
 - Julie

South Africa Team Update

Our team of 6 arrived here in safely in South Africa last night around 10:30 (South Africa time).  By the time we settled in to our apartment it was near midnight and we were all ready for bed.  It's cool here, which is a welcome change from the heat that we have been experiencing back home.  I'll post more later, but wanted everyone to know we are here and doing well!
- joe

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Update

It has been another great week here in Guatemala City serving along side Global Soccer Ministries and the Westwinds Student Journey team.  We basically wrapped up the work week with one last hard workday of dirt shoveling at the future GSM facility site.  We are packing up things this evening before heading to the airport first thing in the morning.  We won’t have another chance to update you on things after this evening, so we’ll see you in Jackson!  Thanks for all your prayers throughout this journey.  It’s been a wonderful week of ministry!

Peace,

joe

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 6 (Friday)

The end of the trip is nearing, which makes me very sad because I’m having such a great time and don’t want to leave. Today we had a wonderful day relaxing in Antigua. We were able to shop in a market, go out to lunch, and explore the beautiful city. This week has been absolutely amazing, and I am so glad I was blessed with the opportunity to come on this trip. I have learned a lot about God’s love, grace, and mercy through the Guatemalan people. Many people here do not have much money, but what they do have is so much love for one another. They look after one another and care for each others needs. They have an overall joy and happiness in their lives, that many people who have so much more, don’t seem to have. One of my favorite parts of this week was being able to interact with the kids, by putting on a carnival for them. Even though we spoke different languages, we were still able to communicate through our actions, and understand each other. A couple of friends and I were able to organize a soccer game with the little kids, even though we knew very little of what each other were saying. I had so much fun just hanging out with the kids, and playing little games like tag. Even though I understood very little, I was able to see many smiles from their faces. Also, John and Amy Banta have been so amazing to work with, and have been such a great example of living a life led my God. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to meet two Guatemalan employees of GSM, Charlie and Ozmar. They coach at the GSM academies, teaching kids soccer skills and God’s love. I have enjoyed seeing how much the kids look up to their coaches, like an own parent. They are both amazing people filled with happiness, and have brought much laughter to us. I am so sad that tomorrow is our last full day, but I have learned many amazing things from this experience. I have grown in my walk in Christ, and will continue to grow even when I’m home in Michigan. I am so thankful for being blessed with this opportunity. I have made new relationships with people, but I’ve also grown in many of my existing relationships.

Love,

Morgan

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 5 (Thursday)

I absolutely cannot believe we are already more than halfway done with this trip! I feel like we just arrived and there is so much to do! It’s amazing how time has flown by while we’ve been in Guatemala. Today as we made our way back to the seminary it hit me. I realized that in two days we will be boarding a plane back to the U.S. and how sad that was. But then I noticed I needed to appreciate even the opportunity to even be here. This trip has been so blessed. Not only by giving us fantastic team members, but God has kept us safe, alert, and given us the ability to be comfortable and open with each other.

Driving through the streets of Guatemala City, my eyes have been opened to things that were cruel, beautiful, and heartbreaking. Most of all, I’ve experienced true generosity. God works in mysterious ways and he can sometimes catch you off guard. Before we left for Guatemala, I would have considered myself to be pretty tough. I’ve always had a hard time sharing my story and the way I feel with other people. Something about the people here helped me uncover a soft spot in my heart for missions and people in general.

I’ve been tempted to look at the work the team has done here, as well as work done on past mission trips, as being insignificant. I can’t help but compare my work to everything else happening in other parts of the country and world.  When I do that, my work seems so small. However, that is so untrue. Of course I know the world is ginormous and we can’t help everyone. But who is to say that what we’ve done and are doing doesn’t matter. God gave us tasks and we are completing them as best we can step by step. Listening to God and carrying out his plan is the most important part. Sometimes doing this work is really hard and it comes in the form of sweat, dirt, and unpleasant smells. That doesn’t make the work any less important just because of where you are or who you’re with.

I am so unbelievably thankful for this trip. I can clearly see God working here in Guatemala in the kids, our team, and GSM. I am excited to see what the rest of the week holds for us! Please continue to pray for us as we finish strong and travel back. God is good!!

With Love,

Emma

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Photo Journal 2

 Kiley sharing a devotional with the kids at the carnival.

 The group posing with one of the families in Pinitos.

 Kiley, Morgan and Bree working hard.

 Lacey cuts off Corey in the sandwich line.

 Some of the girls praying over the (soon to be) GSM property.

 Mike helping Ben with his shoveling form.

 The team.

 A little rain can't stop us... can it?

 The carnival goes on!

 The Guatemalan kids aren't the only ones that like the candy!

 Tori sharing her testimony.

 Lacey presenting a devotional after the rain.

 Emma with some of the Guatemalan's.

 Morgan and Bree pose with some of their new friends.

Some of the carnival crew stop for a picture.

 Corey, Mike, Ben, & Joe on the sidelines.

 Jess sharing her testimony.

Nina sharing her testimony.