7:08 PM Thoughts

Finally, some pictures of the babies! Some of you may be wondering why I haven’t posted any, so I am sorry for the delay (the days fly by). Although I would love to show their sweet, smiling faces, for the safety of the babies I am not allowed. However, in the future I plan on posting more photos like this which I can’t wait to show you!

Last week I went to Winterton (I hope to blog about that soon) for three days. The day after I got back, I dragged myself out of bed, made breakfast, and headed upstairs to start the morning’s routine. I walked into the babies’ bedroom to get them ready for the day and was greeted by a squealing, 3 toothed baby, standing in his crib, arms outstretched. That welcome was all I needed to wake me up and remind me of how much I love being home here.

I underestimated how amazing it would be to see the babies change. Suddenly baby A is sitting strong, wasn’t she just learning last week? Baby B is starting cereal today, when it seems like he just learned to hold his bottle. The older ones are almost walking, the smaller ones are rolling over. Time is slipping through our fingers.

We’ve begun to use DoTerra oils on the babies and I’ve seen amazing results already from the lavender especially. Even the fussiest babies will settle down after applying a drop to the soles of their feet. It's been fascinating to learn about this natural medicine and the biblical significance behind it. I enjoy watching it “work” on babies because they can’t psychologically trick themselves into believing they feel better after applying a drop (even we can do that with ibuprofen or oils). The outcome is totally authentic.

I'm off to do some writing and play games with the girls. Tomorrow, the elephant sanctuary. (!)

The Reserve

Yesterday the other volunteers and I had a lovely evening with our dear friend Delia, a lady who comes a few times a week to play with the babies and visit. I think of her as a grandmother to the kids. They know her and love her. She is so giving of her time, picking us up from grocery shopping or going out to eat with us, and we are so appreciative and thankful for her friendship.

She drove us over to the reserve yesterday for an evening of simple fellowship and enjoying nature. The reserve has many kinds of animals running around and in our short excursion yesterday (we probably walked for 1/2 mile), we saw a herd of zebras and wildebeest. Walking on the red dirt and breathing in the clean air was refreshing, and we came back to the gathering to enjoy grilled burgers with a table full of condiments.

Tomorrow two other volunteers and myself are going to the mountains for a few days to visit and help with a different program Door of Hope is connected to. We are so excited to experience another part of the culture here (and get out of the city for a bit).

Despite some homesickness and missing dear friends, I am loving my time here. I hope to blog more often and share specifically what I've been experiencing and the wonderful people God has brought into my life. Too often I'm awake just long enough for a short Skype call and then jump into bed. I covet prayers for this next few days as we're away and look forward to filling you in on what unfolds.

Settling In

I've been in South Africa for 8 days now and feel so blessed I didn't experience any jet lag or sickness. I honestly feel as well as I did at home. (Especially this morning because I was able to sleep in until 10:15. Ah!)

I live in the flat, attached to the baby house, with two girls from Holland (they are leaving tomorrow and I am so sad to see them go). I love living here. During breaks I come over to this quiet space and make my own lunch, take a nap, or do some reading. I can always hear children playing in the room next to me or babies crying above me, but that's not a disturbance. Being so close to the activity makes me feel like I am really a part of the organization and can participate whenever I want to. Even on days when I don't work I am free to go upstairs and help with the babies or visit with the other volunteers.

(walking to The Glen (a mall close to us) to see Twelve Years A Slave. So sad. I wept.)

(the pool is being filled as I type, but a couple of days ago, kiddie pools were the next best thing)

We drove to Berea Baptist Church on Sunday. The joy, music, dancing, praise, and worship that filled the small room was beautiful. I hope I get to go again and see their zeal for Christ. On the way to Church we drove through Johannesburg. City parks are strewn with litter, so many people walk out into the street to beg and try to sell things, and piles of trash lay out on street corners. It is so, so sad and definitely opened my eyes to the need of the city and darkness (spiritual and material) they live in. Last night we ate at Little Italy and walked to our car in the dark. We noticed a man in the street and Delia (the lovely woman who drove us) told us he was the guard. Even in a nice neighborhood there are extra precautions taken to be safe, and we always look over our shoulder and are aware of who is around us.

(the babies were buzzed. they all look so different and old now.)