CHEETAHS!!!

I've learned that the animal titles get the most viewers interested, so I'm sticking to it!!  But before the details on the cheetahs, first I want to discuss my amazing week last week.  Since the kids went back to school, Holiday Club is over, so I only see the kids and teens in Red Hill in the afternoons from 4-6 for the after-school programs.  As much as I miss seeing the kids all day, I now have the incredible opportunity to explore some of the other ministries within Living Hope.  So on Monday morning, I had a training lesson at the home office with all of the Life Skill Educators (LSE's) for the Kids Clubs in the communities.  Then Tuesday I was working for Living Care in the In-Patient Care Unit.  Basically I was a hospital chaplain for the morning, visiting with and praying over various patients in the 16-bed hospital on Living Hope's campus.  While I would never have expected to fall in love with this ministry, I was certainly touched and inspired by the two men I was able to speak with - Mr. Willie and Mr. Davis.  I'm so glad I was given this opportunity to spend time there each week!

My view as I drive home from Red Hill every day...

On Wednesday morning I was working at Living Grace, which is the homeless ministry where those in the rehab program have access to a shower, washer/dryer for their clothes, and locker for their belongings. Not to mention the hot meals they are fed by the incredible kitchen staff there, all of which come from the food and produce that the grocery would have thrown away due to expiration dates. Yet all of this food that is perfectly edible turns into a FEAST for these wonderful people in need. I'll have to take a picture of it this week - it really is remarkable! Thursday morning was a project day with the Volunteer Coordinator at the home office. Hundreds of boxes of shoes had been donated by another non-profit locally, so we have been sorting them, matching the pairs, and preparing for a shoe sale in a couple of weeks. Then finally on Friday, I was back at the home office for a debrief with the LSE's from all of the communities, then began planning for Kids Club this coming week.



Friday afternoon the sightseeing began as we went downtown to the District Six Museum.  This was a humbling experience as I read about the history of District Six and how so many people were forced out of their homes and dislocated only because of the color of their skin.  Learning more about the history of Apartheid was quite devastating to say the least.  We then stopped by the craft market at the V&A Waterfront and I bought the cutest little necklace charm of Africa...I can't wait to wear it!  When we got home, Ms. Bernaddette and Ms. Anita were cooking up a storm for the Braai (BBQ) we were having!  They were grilling all kinds of amazing meat outside, and making homemade potato salad and all other kinds of goodies inside.  (I'll be sure to upload some pictures to facebook this weekend, so check them out! Sorry I haven't already put them on my computer to include in the blog...) After eating, we somehow all wound up in the living room for a serious dance party!  It was the most I've sweat since being here, and we had so much fun!  Oh, and the night before John and Avril Thomas had come to the lodge to tell wonderful stories about how Living Hope and each of its separate ministries came to life.  They were so inspiring and most of the room was in tears before the end of the night!!

Now for the cheetah news...I got to pet a cheetah named Joseph on Saturday - and he was a famous Hollywood cheetah, too!! He has been in a couple of movies as well as used for National Geographic films and photos.  We went to a cheetah reserve and they had some jackals and mere cats in addition to nine cheetahs.  When we went into the caged area, a trainer was rubbing on Joseph's neck and ears and he was just purring away as we took turns rubbing his back and sides.  It was so awesome!  After that we headed to a local vineyard for a wine tasting.  We went to Steenberg Vineyards and it was so modern and beautiful! We had an incredible view of some of the mountains, including a well-known one called "elephant's eye."  Later that evening, we actually got to take a good hike up those mountains and see the vineyard from above!  A couple of large dogs who were with their owners, but not leashed nearly scared us to death after we had just seen animal prints on the trail.  They started barking when they heard us, then came running towards us - it was hilarious to watch the 18 year old boy with us jump back so fast!  But it started raining towards the end of our hike, so we ran back down the mountain to the van, and were full of laughs and stories.

Check out that crashing wave!! :)

On Sunday, we went to our driver, David's home church in Hout Bay.  It was an incredible service with great praise music and the pastor was awesome - very well spoken and easy to follow.  We visited the Hout Bay Market again that afternoon - we had lunch there and did a little more shopping.  Then, we went to Llandudno beach and climbed out on some big boulders.  We jumped down to where we could feel the giant waves crashing and splashing up onto our faces.  The wind was amazing and the water was truly spectacular!  We were all hooting and hollering and just having the best time out there!!  After that, we headed home for a short bit before loading back up for worship at Hillsong.  Now that was an experience...I felt as though I was at a concert!  Everything was a production and I couldn't see the main stage from where I was sitting in the balcony, so I watched most of it from a TV screen.  And the sermon was great, but it was pre-recorded from the head pastor at the Hillsong church in Australia.  Needless to say, it was an amazing day, full of some awesome bonding moments with our group! :)  This week will look similar to last, but I have no doubt that I will still have so much to report, so check back this weekend for a new post, my wonderful family and friends!!!