A time of reflection

I’m back from the Burg! It was nice to get out to the country and see some of the natural beauty of South Africa, but after a week I was ready to come to my cozy flat!
I went up with my friend Sharn. It was really nice going up with her and get to know her a bit more. This women is amazing!


She is 55 and at 52, I think 52, she decided to get a round the world ticket and travel for a year. She worked in Canada as an apple picker, a nanny in the states and when she saved enough money she went to Thailand, India, New Zeland, Australia and Europe. She would hitch hike, rock climb, bungy jump, sky dive, white water raft, etc! You’re never to old!


We got to the Burg after a 2 hour drive and we parked it in a backpackers. She stayed with me for two nights and then it was just me to fend for myself. No electricity and you had to light the wood stove to get hot water. Kinda neat... for awhile;o) People were coming in and out while I was there. There was a group of kids from England (I’m still alive;o), a military group from England, a family from Pretoria, South Africa, and the last group was from the states with a Newfie leading them. It was so nice to see another Canadian.


The second day, Sharn and I did some pony trekking in the mountains. It’s gorgeous. They keep on telling me I must go in the summer because it’s much more beautiful. The reason why we went trekking is because Sharn was in the Burg about 3 weeks before and she put her glasses down and she wanted to look for them. I thought she was crazy and that she would never find them... But she did!




So Sharny left and it was just me. I wanted to stay till Saturday but I decided to go home after a week. It was bloody cold up there! I had my touque, winter jacket, ski pants and scarf out! And the wind was wild. It was just time for me to come back.
On Wednesday I boarded the Underburg express that took me close to home. There was a guy from Ireland, Vancouver and a lady from Holland. The rest were from South Africa. A part of me just wanted to keep on going and travel and meet people. But it's time to get back to reality.
I went to this place called Ithemba Lethu, website www.ithembalethu.org.za. It is absolutely wonderful! I am hoping to get out there SOON and start volunteering, but the problem is I don't have transport. You see public transport here is not safe and if I take a car taxi that would be bloody expensive. So could you please shoot out some prayers for me to get out that way? It's about a half hour drive from where I stay.
Just some closing thoughts. I’ve had over a month to just reflect and really think about why and what am I doing here. It has been a season of healing and getting to know God in a way I never thought possible. What a wonderful God I serve. His love, peace and joy goes sooo deep and I’m just starting to learn! And I do know I belong here, but I'm not too sure for how long. but I'll go wherever God takes me! As long as I'm in His will He will take care of me and take me beyond my wildest dreams! Exciting times ahead!!
Hope everyone is doing well! I really do miss and love everyone!!

I have 300 MB of data to waste in 46 min.!

Well this is how the internet works here. You don't buy at a set rate each month, you buy data. So if I send a picture, or even better, a video, it will use my data fast therefore I would run out of it fast. So for me to go on Youtube is a not because I would be spending a fortune on data.
AND.. If you don't use all your data in a month it expires. I do love this country! Really I do! Otherwise I wouldn't be here.
So I am just going to post some pictures on here.
Enjoy!

Well scratch that. Working on my blog with this old version of Mac just doesn't cut it. My hard drive crashed and now I'm using OS.. Why I brought that program with me and not my leaopard will always leave me bewildered!!

I will post the photo's on my facebook. If you don't have facebook, my apologies.

Ta ta ol' chaps!

Well, well.. Where should I begin!
I have moved out of my little flat and into a beautiful three bedroom flat right by the beach. It’s about a 15 min. drive from Umghlanga (I probably spelled it wrong) but it’s well worth the drive! It is fully furnished, about half the price of what it should be and it has everything that you need. ei. utensils, towels toaster, washer.. and so forth.

Maria, the new volunteer, has been here for close to a month now. She stays with me on the weekends. Very lovely she is and it’s nice to have another Canadian around.

And, I have resigned from Sinakekele. There may be a chance of me going back, but right now it's highly unlikely. It’s a wee bit complicated, but I wasn’t happy there. A few changes have come up with the vision that I doesn’t sit right with me. There are a few other things but I will refrain from spilling the beans. I do pray for the best for Sinakakele and I’m sure one day it will sky rocket, but I will not be a part of it. So begins another season of my life.

With that in mind I have been looking around for other places to volunteer. South Africa is limitless for volunteering so I am scouting out the possibilities right now. I am staying here because I’m still attending college and I would only be a fool to leave the church. The people of Destiny have done nothing but support me! I once said that I would give up on the church (not Pathway, you too have been a constant support!!), but never on God. He had different plans.
Some of the pep's from church.

So I’ve been just taking it easy for the moment. I’m planning on heading up to the mountains for real this time to figure some things out and then after that I’m gonna go on a war rampage!!

PS.
I brought Sampson but he ditched.

Just bored..

News, news.. Hmmm, what do I have to tell you?

Not much is going on. The kids are on a few holidays again this week. Monday (today is a holiday), Thursday and Friday are holiday as well. Not just the kids but everyone. I think they make up holidays in this country just for a day off. Something like family day;o)

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday I’ll be heading up to the Drakensburg mountains for a hike with a few people from my church. I’m looking VERY forward to that. Some nice crisp fresh air and I heard the stars are absolutely amazing once out in the country. Let’s see if they are as good as the stars in the northern hemisphere:o) I’m sure they are.

So I can get quite bored and lonely in my little place. I was in the washroom and I found a slug and I’ve grown quite fond of the little guy. I even named him Sampson. I don’t have an actual picture of him so I drew him up as I see him.
Oh yeah, there was another reason I wanted to write. Food can be limited here and my creativity with food is limited!! If you have good recipes for ground beef, chicken, pasta, please e-mail me!!!!  Thanks!   

OK!! Where do I begin!

I will start with Ruth's house being put on the market yet once again! About 3 weeks ago we found out that the owners of the house want to sell the house leaving us till the end of June to fine another place to rent.

I went to camp I came back and on Saturday Ruth showed the actual drawn up plans from the architect (sorry its sideways). Ruth tells me that she has 1/3 of the money. With the brick fundraiser up and going and the plans drawn up it's becoming a reality.

We went to Ruth's sister the day after I got back from camp. The Salina's (missionary couple from American that lives across the road from Ruth's donated property) were in the area and they absolutely needed to have a meeting. I went with Ruth and we sat down and Joanna called her husband up and she whispered to him. Ruth and I looked at each other both thinking, "are they going to take away the donated land?!" They told us the exact opposite!!
They are moving back to America so their son can finish his gr. 12 at home. They offered Ruth the land for R450 000, house and all! Not bad! But with that in mind it leaves 2 adult women with volunteers, babies and a teenage daughter. It also leaves us with a ministry that they started and have done beautiful things with ei, weekly feedings and womens bible study, visits to a local school, etc.

The Salina's, along with people that know about this are praying for 2 Godly men and someone to head up the women's bible study and the feeding scheme as well. We will also be in need of volunteers! Joy! I'm guessing the next 6 months and before hand they will most definitely be helping out with building, painting and all that good stuff. Also the kids will be homeschooled come next year when they start new grades. So if you know of anyone that is interested in volunteering for a year as a teacher that would be lekker!!

It's happening guys. By the end of June we may be out there!! It seems so unreal because Ruth has been pushing for 5 years and God is opening the doors all over the show!! With that in mind you can also pray for a car for her! If God's blessings are on her might as well take advantage.. hahaha;o)

Please pray for all these situataions! Also for her daughter Taz as she won't like to come out to the farm with. There is a possibility of boarding with her school, but God will need to provide the funds for that if Ruth wants that to come to pass.

Please, please pray for us. It is needed urgently now!!

Good Friday

Well after going to Dan's blog spot, he's put me to shame.  I really have to come on here more and update!!  He goes into such beautiful detail!  So here I go trying to give it a try!!

Right now I'm sitting by Simon listening to some rap music and he's making farting noises to the beat.  I've come to realize that 

amusements  with farts start at a very early 

age and goes with you to the grave.

Well for some people anyways;o)

 

   

Good news!  You see the volunteer car has been without radio since i've been here.  A guy by the name of Andrew (many thanks to you!!!)

 knows his stuff about wires and all that stuff so he said he'll take the car one afternoon and fix it.

Well it came back with new seat covers, new mats, a new air freshener and....  A new cd player!!!  Joy!  It's so nice having mu

sic!  The kids don't have to listen to my beautiful voice anymore!!  I feel like I'm driving a brand spankn' new car.

If you look carefully you can see the knob of the stereo.

 

 

The kids are on holiday now for three weeks.  I'm finally starting to understand the school year. There are four terms through out the year.  Between terms they have three week holiday and so today it begins.  I won'tbe here for the first week because I'm going to a youth camp with the church.  And yes I'm a camper!  You are still considered a youth in your 20's, but I'm pushing it. I'm pretty excited about it though.

I just finished exams for the first term and they went alright.  I wrote four and 2 of them went well and 2 of them went iffy..  But as long as I pass I'm happy.  Church is absolutely awesome! Completely different to any church i've experienced.  If you don't b

elieve in God going into Destiny Harvest Church, you'll come out questioning your beliefs, no doubt!  

Siya is a pro at swimming now.  Actually all of them are and they all can swim in the deep end.  They are all very proud of it.  Jake and Mary are in pre-school still and Simon is in kindergarten/grade r.  

Friday's Simon's friend Mpilo has been coming over.  He is such a sweet boy!  

Such a good character.  They just go in the pool and they entertain themselves for a couple hours therefore I get to sit in the sun.  Such a hard life.  Mary's friend Tori (formally known as Ntombi) comes over once in awhile.  Tori came through Sinakekele

and was adopted 3 and a half years ago. I remember when she first came in.  She was born a hydrocephalic child and came in with a very large head and she still has it.  Ruth and I used to call her head.  Hehe, it's completely harmless.  But she is doing well.  The doctors said she wouldn't walk, but she's right up there with the other 4 year olds.

    

                                                                                                  

                                                                         

                                                       

 

Jake is doing well.  Him and I are actually bonding, believe or not!  Since the first day we met we've never clicked, but I think it's 

happening.  Wow, what is going on!?

  But he's still yours Caro.  By the way..  When are you coming back?

Ruth is busy, busy as usual.  We are now starting to get things ready for the brick fun

draiser.  At least 50 have been sold and we haven't officially started yet, but please don't stop!!  I guess I could say Sinakekele is officially selling bricks for the building!  Ruth is putting a gauge on her website that keeps track of the number of bricks sold.  So come on Canada let's kick some butt!! The website is www.sinakekele.org.za 

 

It has FINALLY cooled down here.  I'vetold you before and I'l tell you again, this Canadian doesn't belong in a tropical climate!!  And there's this blue chair here that I'm sure wh

o ever has sat on it has fallen at least once on it!  Mel is an exception with a about 10!

And if you check closely at the roof you'll see I had to pin up the material part.  I think because of the humidity it doesn't stick??  Sounds good to me!

I think that's it for now.  I think.  Hopefully I get in a better habit of coming on here!

Cheers all!

Brick Fundraiser

Hey everyone, it’s been a while!! Well not much is new actually. Just doing the same thing as I was before.

My weeks are pretty busy with Sinakekele and I usually have things in the evenings. So on the weekends I take it really easy!!!! Sometimes.

The kids have been really good!! We have finally adjusted to each other and we get on pretty good now. The first month was kinda hectic, but it has smoothed out quite nicely. Ruth is still busy, busy! She is thinking of getting a weekend job, but I told her she’s mad!!!

She has been speaking to schools and tonight, Tuesday 3rd, she is speaking to a rotary club. So that’s good. And she has now started a buy a brick fund raiser.

I’ll explain it and if you are interested you can contact me at cindeeklaudeman@mac.com. Ruth has a goal of selling 5000 bricks at $30 Canadian for a brick. You will get a little gift in the post if you do decide to donate. And once the building is up we will get the kids to put their handprint on the newly built wall. Those who donate, their names will be written on the handprints (i’ve been designated this job!!! I need volunteers just for that;o) and the nationality will also be put there along with the name. So come on Canada, let’s kick some butt!!!

We are also selling bricks in the UK, Switzerland, I think Holland and I’m working on Australia and America. If anyone is interested in taking this on in other countries, get a hold of me and I’ll give you the details in what you have to do.

Just to let you know the money you donate is only tax deductible in South Africa.

Well besides that not much is new. Bible college is going great and I’m really enjoying it! Ummm.. It’s really hot here. I checked what it was the other day and it was 28 but with the humidity it was 40. I’m telling you it’s been like this the whole month and a bit last month. I think i’d rather take the cold weather, but then again I would be saying the exact opposite once home. But I am a Canadian girl at heart and I can’t wait till the day comes God calls me back to Canada!! I miss it!!

Check you soon!