snippets from cape town

well, this is my first blog ever! I am both excited and slightly deranged feeling since I'm still slightly jet-lagged.
This is my 3rd full day in Cape Town, South Africa and I am loving it
The view, first off, is incredible (big blundering mountains with cliffs that dip into the ocean...gah!)
The people that I'm working with are incredible and all have such a heart for the Lord. Also, there are a bunch of goofs, which makes it a whole lot of fun just hanging out with them.
So far I feel like I'm still being introduced and getting used to the different jobs that I'll have for my one month here. In the morning we all (about 8 of us) head over to Living Hope (the organization for which I am volunteering for). We have a time of devotions with various staff members and then set about our various tasks. This morn

ing a couple of us (Josh, Carley, Hannah and Ethan...all from the states) began what seems to be the impossible job of creating 6000 cardboard pieces of "The Armour of God."....umm...let me just say that the five of us worked for 4 hours all morning with stupid scizzors hacking away and completed and total of 100 swords, 70 shields, and 3 boots. so, what...it should take us another 500 or so hours? But, like most things in life, situations such as this one teach us to persevere! reminds me of the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The afternoon is my favorite part thus far since we all split like bananas and head out to our separate kids clubs. Today my group went out into the streets of one of the slums here and did some face-painting, bible-story sharing and food giving. I would like to put out that I believe I can now paint the South African flag blind-folded or in my sleep. With the World Cup taking place in a week here there has risen a strong sense of national pride. At one point one of the local helpers here that was also face painting asked me how to draw the flag...umm, yes, that would be me crossing over a threshold of some sort.
Speaking of the world cup, 3 of my friends here and I managed to purchase tickets to a Fifa (soccer game)!!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaayyy! (and there was much rejoicing). The only catch is that the game is an 8 hour drive to Port Elizabeth. I'm definately excited about the road trip, just hope that we manage to rent a car in time. eek!
God has been so good to me. This trip came at a perfect time and I'm really hoping that he will reveal himself to me and allow me to be a part of the wonderful things that he is doing here. I'm praying that my eyes will be open to the needs around me and that I'll be able to curb my selfish thoughts into ones that focus on serving others. I also pray that he will prepare the hearts of all with whom we come in contact with.

blog number 1...complete = )