Changes in Motion

It seems we've gotten to a point where everyday there is something new or different. It's definitely keeping us all on our toes.

We have entered the season of volunteers. For the next few months there will be many groups from all over the world coming in and out of Refilwe to serve for a few weeks at a time. The energy is going to be high and so many projects will be started and finished. I am looking forward to how things will change thanks to the contribution of our volunteers.
On a sadder note, as we welcome our new guests, we just said goodbye to two of our beloved long term volunteers who's time has come to go back home. Barbara was here for over a year. She ran the sewing program, English classes, computer classes and private lessons here and there. She has been nothing short of a blessing to so many people here and has definitely left her mark. We said goodbye two weeks ago. Johanna was here for 7 months and said our goodbyes yesterday. She worked very closely with the kids and was very involved in multiple activities. Things will not be the same without them. Both Barbara and Johanna became very close friends and family to me. It was not easy to say goodbye. I think the hardest part about it is that we honestly have no idea when we will see each other next. If ever. We built such deep relationships and bonds, but our lives back home are scattered over the earth. We would have never met if we didn't come here and we have no clue when or if we'll meet again. Of course it is in all of our plans to reunite someday. But no one knows what the future will hold. It's a hard reality to face. But all I can do is stay strong and keep moving. Thankfully with internet communication, there's no escaping me! MUAHAHA!!!
I am doing well, just staying busy doing the same things. Office work, making amazing coffee, homework, tap classes, computer classes, youth meetings and whatever else pops up in my day. I am still very happy with the work I am doing. The tap classes are so much fun and my little ones will be performing in a talent show next week that I am putting on. I will look into posting it on youtube! It's going to be so much fun. Homework has been incredibly rewarding. I have been working with three specific kids since August, and I have been able to see the progression. One girl impeticular has GREATLY improved and her marks are absolutely outstanding. A big change since last year. She has thanked me specifically for my help. It's moments like that when you completely forget about all of the frustrations and moments of impatience, and are so thankful for every minute. It was all worth it. I am happy I will be there to finish out the school year.
The computer classes are going great. I am running them alone now that Barb is gone. We were working on typing and Word documents, graphs, tables, etc. Now the classes have moved into the office where there is an internet connection. So I am teaching them how to email, Facebook, etc. Some of the guys are straight giddy to learn such a thing. It's a lot of fun.
There have been many changes within myself, as well. I feel such a growth within my spirit and heart. Many of the struggles I battle with have subsided and I have gained so much strength to face struggles and to embrace me and my life. I feel a confidence that I have not felt in some time. I am at peace. It's such a sweet feeling.

Well I think for now, you've been caught up. I will try not to be such a stranger to my Blog. I love you friends and family and miss you SO MUCH everyday.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

There has been a lot happening here, and we have all been kept on our toes! We are undergoing a lot of new renovations. A couple cottages that some of our families are living in are being renovated to accommodate the size of the family. Our landscaping projects are just booming and Refilwe is looking absolutely gorgeous. New trees, plants, grass, and flowers are being planted all over the property and it is just stunning. We have officially begun building the new short-term volunteer block. For now, it is being built with 10 rooms that will have a bunk bed in each, a couple bathrooms and a small kitchen. So by the time our group volunteers start showing up, we will be able to house 20 of them. In time we will add a second story replicating the first so we can house 40! This way, with so many volunteers and groups coming through May-October, we will be able to house them together, even overlap some groups which we have not been able to do due to lack of space. In the meantime, I am the photographer that is constantly keeping track of the progress of everything. It's a lot of fun and I am incredibly busy with everything!

The Tap classes are still going great! We have started learning dances that the kids will perform at a Talent Show i am organizing in May. It's been so much fun. Because of the renovations, we had to move the classes out of the gym and into the hall which gives us A LOT of space and even a stage to practice on! The girl's meeting I was running on Friday nights has been opened up to all the teenagers. It's a place where they can come and just talk, ask questions with total confidentiality. They are also being educated by me about something different every week. Last week was the effects of alcohol on the body, this week, more alcohol and marijuana. There will be lots of talks and information on these Fridays and I appreciate so much that I have been able to put this together. I think it's really important for them to have somewhere to vent and ask questions you may not want to ask Mom.

Refilwe has recently been blessed beyond belief. A woman who works for GUESS watches has a special connection and heart for Refilwe. Every year, GUESS supports a non-profit organization. She nominated Refilwe and guess what? WE GOT IT! Oh yes, and we just learned that we are not going to get the profits from just GUESS watches, but everything GUESS! I will update you on the details of this but this is absolutely HUGE for us and means that we will be able to begin different projects, like a playground and playroom for the kids by the end of the year. Tomorrow a videographer from GUESS will come by to take some footage of the work we do here- Sewing classes, computer classes, homework, the Preschool, etc.  I will keep you posted about this but I must say thank you for the prayers and keep them coming. We are overwhelmed with joy and excitement about this.

Just checking in...

Everything is just peachy around here! Not too much has changed since my last post. It's been hot but you know, it's nothing like Fresno's summers. But summer is now coming to end (slowly but surely). Autumn is creeping in with her gentle breezes and browning of our surroundings. I cannot express how much I am anticipating winter. I think I'm the only one here who enjoys the cold. By the time winter comes, I will have had about a year long summer. I'm over it.

The two other volunteers with us- Barbara and Johanna- will be leaving us in May. This weekend we will have our last weekend away together. In April they will both be doing a bit of traveling with their families and preparing to head back home. It'll suck to say goodbye but they leave just as we get 3 new long term volunteers, and a few months full of volunteers and visitors. Not to mention my mom and one of my very best friends coming to see me :) I'm very much looking forward to winter.

That's about it. Please keep me and Refilwe in your prayers and consider supporting me financially. Everything helps. I'll be here 9 more months and could use all the support, from every aspect, as I can get.

:) Peace and LOVE!

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Hello! It's been a little bit since I've posted so I'll update you on whats going on around here:

Everything in the office is going very well. Always busy and everyday brings something new. It's been really neat getting to know some people a bit better and to get to know Refilwe better as well. I'm still making extraordinary coffee, by the way. I'll try to remember to take some pictures of my beautiful artwork.

Barbara and I have officially begun computer classes. They have been very successful so far. We have started with typing. The positioning of your fingers on the keyboard and of course how to get to the program that you will be typing on. The ones who attend are some Refilwe workers and a couple Godparents. We've introduced a typing game similar to Mavis Beacon that they have really enjoyed. I am very thankful that we finally got get these classes up and running after getting our hands on a few laptops and donated CPUs. The English classes are put aside for now as everyone showed much more interest in the computers.

The gym where I do my tap classes is being renovated in the near future forcing me to move the classes. It'll actually be quite nice because we'll be moving up to the hall where there is a lot of room and a stage. I''m going to have to keep a close eye on the kids and be with them at all times because it's across the river and the little ones cannot be crossing the bridge alone. We'll see how it goes.
Thanks to yet another massive donation of tap shoes... ALL of my kids have shoes!!! I am so very thankful for these shoes and for everyone who helped make it possible. I am planning a Tap Concert/Talent Show in May. I'm so excited about it. So again- it'll be nice to have the stage to practice on.

Other than that... I'm finally getting the lock on my door replaced so I will no longer be totally exposed!! I need to put this key on a GIANT keychain! I swear- I don't understand how I lose everything I own. I somehow make things disappear.

I LOVE YOU ALL and I appreciate your support!!!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY <3

COFFEE!!!!!

Today, I spent 8 hours learning how to make coffee. Legitimate coffee. That's right- barista in training. What an art! Not easy. Soon I will perfect the "latte art" and will be making pretty pictures all day in people's cappuccinos.  My love, interest and knowledge of coffee has grown tremendously since I've been here. One of the many new joys introduced to my life.

Ever since we began- I've been functioning as if I'm in a hurry for everything and extremely excited about doing anything. Now 14 hours since I started training... I'm still wired. I don't think I've ever consumed this much coffee in one day. :)

It's been a very, very nice day.

The New Year

I'm back at work. Busy again :) Adjusting my body to falling asleep and waking up early. I was getting a bit comfortable during the holidays in my sleep schedule. I am, though, very happy to be busy and working. I am at the moment working in the office. I thought well, if the base of this project is stressed, it's good place to help out. They need an extra hand in there so I'm doing a bit of admin work in the mornings, and my afternoons and evenings are spent with the kids doing homework, teaching tap classes, girl's meetings, and whatever else is thrown my way. 

In this new year, I already a great deal of positivity and excitement for what's to come. After all- it is my golden year. Year of dragon and turning 24 on the 24th, haha it's going to be a good one :) I am going to plan and tap concert/ talent show in May that I am very much looking forward to. Unfortunately in late April/ early May, the only other two volunteers here, who I have become very very fond of will end their time here at Refilwe and return home. Just in time, though for my mom to come visit!! And a few months of non stop groups and volunteers coming through to help. This summer (my winter) will be non-stop and I  can't wait. 

I have been extremely blessed with your donations and the support of a Christian School who is sponsoring me for this month. Keep it up!!!

Above is a view from Refilwe the other night. Every night is absolutely gorgeous. Breathtaking. I thought I'd share with you :)

Much much love from SA...

Christmas.

Well Christmas came and went by faster than ever. Seriously, time has never flown like it does here. It's monday and then the next day is friday. The days are passing right before my eyes. When I actually stop and recognize my life moving this way, I am reminded to embrace every second I have here.

This weekend was quite nice. The weather was overcast with a drip or drop here and there, so it actually kind of felt like Christmas. Eve was spent with Jaco's family, drinking egg nog, making pancakes and opening gifts. It was a lovely day and I felt the spirit then. Christmas day we cooked all morning and ate lunch together- the whole family and us volunteers. We braai'd (<--- ?) chicken, had potatoes, salad, garlic cheese bread, veggies with different sauces, and Barbara's famous baked beans. It was a lovely day and ended nicely on Skype spending Christmas morning with MY family. It was the first, and maybe the only time, I could to talk to my parents and my brothers all at the same time. I love them so freakin' much.

I have been so blessed to be made apart of Jaco's family. To actually have a family to spend time with and be close to. To raid their fridge, spend the night, come over and without saying a word just sit down and watch tv with the kids. It's very nice and I appreciate them so much.

The holidays are still keeping Refilwe quiet. We've got a few more weeks of this and back into the/ a groove. For now I am very much enjoying the quiet time and alone time I get to spend. The new year is coming and I am very excited about it. 2012 is going to be a year a change and rebirth. Be ready. Remember to live your life like you've never lived. Appreciate all the small things and push away all negativity. I think this will be a big year for everyone and it's up to us what we make of it.

So much love from SA :)