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Week 4 July 4-8

Monday.   

Not much to say about today’s happenings.  We were invited to the “Justice Circle” meeting.  YWAM Muizenberg has created groups catering to geographical location and/or ministry direction for the different YWAM associated ministries in Cape Town.  The purpose of the circles is accountability and fellowship.  It can easily become quite isolated for missionaries on the field.  With that comes a range consequences, one of those being loneliness.  Because of this, YWAM created the circles.  It was a sort of un-official gathering.  Aside from our family, there was one other family and two more individuals present.  From what we’ve been told the group is rather large but most of them are on furlough.  It was a nice time of mostly just chatting and simply being together.   

Tuesday.

This was my first day working alongside Dave Landshut who’s wife runs Justice Dolls.  David has a discipleship and woodworking apprenticeship ministry.  Currently he has one young man working with him named Vuyu.  Vuyu is from Masiphumelele and has been with Dave for a couple years.  In the past there have been as many as 7 guys under Dave with the ministry.  The weather was pretty windy so we decided not to mess with hanging and cutting sheet metal today.   The YWAM DTS department commissioned him to build a new table for the office.  He already had it built with it’s first coat of paint on it and the top still needed sealed.  I put two coats on the the table and bench, the sealant on the top, and we chatted about the construction and opportunity of the shack building.  Working with Dave feels like a natural fit.  I love what he’s doing with providing housing designed the same material as most of the homes in Masi but better constructed making it safer from break-ins and violent crimes as well as better weather proofing and all around more stable.
He raises the money for the materials and a labor rate, which he pays to Vuyu.  Since each shack is paid for he sells it for much cheaper.  He could choose to give them away, maybe he does sometimes..I don’t know,  but it’s best that the people have something invested so they respect and care for it more.

Hand outs are difficult thing to navigate here.  Everywhere you turn people are asking for something and if you’re offering you can get trampled.   I want to give every time I’m asked but in all reality it perpetuates the issue of their situation.  There have been a couple meetings with different ministries in the area gathering together to discuss this issue.  The fact of the matter is hand outs are detrimental to the long term success of the people.  There are a ton of programs from various ministries, most of them operated by local people, that can facilitate healthier life choices, short term and long term shelter, and job opportunities.  Sometimes I do just give freely within the safety parameters I have personally set for myself.  For instance one of those is to never give money or other items from our place of residence.  It creates a major safety issue if our house is marked as a place that gives free stuff away.  It would be great if everyone was honest about why they needed the money.  However, just about every story I’ve hear from other staff or students who develop a relationship based on hand-outs always ends poorly, because the relationship was founded upon deception. Also, Meth here is called Tik and there is a lot of it!  Sometimes even saying no can turn into a volatile situation.  A couple months back we had some friends get bricks and stones thrown at them by some pre-teens for not giving them a 5 Rand coin. It’s just not worth risking the physical and mental well-being of my wife and children, especially at home.

Any way, rant over…Dave usually charges half or even less of the cost that he has in the homes that he sells.  Good for Dave.  If you are interested in donating a shack just email me and we can figure something out. We are building them for around R10,000 which is about $650. That’s for the two story structure.  Masi is super crowded and is running out of space.  So Dave decided to go up and create more living space for bigger families.  We’ve also been discussing how to create a second floor on pre-existing shacks for growing families.  The biggest complication with that idea is most of them that are built in Masi were built sometimes one piece at a time and never with proper basic construction guidelines so nothing is square, symmetrical, plumb, flush, even, or level.  But, when there’s a will there’s a way.   Let us know if you’re interested in purchasing a shack for a family in Masi. 

Wednesday.

Back with Dave in Masi. I had Everleigh and River with me today and I let them play in the yard while I finished up the final coats of paint and touch-ups on the DTS office table.  I got to spend some more time with Vuyu today and got to know him a little more.  He’s a good dude.  We talked about him doing a DTS for a while too.  He’s been thinking about it for some time now and I really hope he does it.  It’ll be really good for him and I think he would enjoy it. 

Emily was with Joy-Lynn and two other ladies from Masi today making Justice Dolls.  I’m going to let her share about below:

I had the privilege of working at Justice Doll today. Justice Doll is a job creation program that helps empower vulnerable African women in the townships. The doll is used to raise awareness of trafficking and issues of injustice. Other non profits can purchase a customized doll for their own organization to give away or sell to raise money. The dolls are handmade here in South Africa but go to places all over the world. Joy-Lynn (founder of Justice Doll) is big on launching others into their destiny, often she has employees who go on to college or another full time job. Sinazo, the only current the employee right now, showed me step by step how to make the dolls. I loved having something hands on to create and it was awesome to see an organization that is doing something tangible to make an impact and a difference.
Eisley went along with me today, she had school to work on while there. Once she finished up her school for the day she even got in on the doll making. You can read more about the organization here at address below                        http://justicedoll.org/about-us/

Thursday.

This morning we took a friend to the airport then drove to the waterfront and harbor and visited the Logos Hope Ship.  We bought some books for the kids, grabbed lunch, and headed back for Muizenberg to be in Lavender Hill by early afternoon. 

Even with the fun adventure aboard the Logos Hope we’ve been struggling today with attitudes…and not just the kiddos.  At this point I’m not sure if it began with Emily and I and then it trickled down to the kids or if it began with the kids and then sucked Emily and I in.  However it happened, we were all struggling today.  It was hard to show up to Pastor Ivan and Bronwen’s ministry with the right mindset.  My plan was to go sit at the bible teaching table instead of playing games with the kids.  That way I can avoid having to be happy and can just sit in silence, I wasn’t teaching.  Well, that didn’t work out considering it was an entire afternoon of Worship Dance Competition and I was pre-qualified and selected as a Dance Team Leader.  To top that off Pastor Bronwen made it very clear that our most important role as the Dance Team Leader was to really show the kids through our own dancing that we can have fun and worship God and we were supposed to lead by example through our own energetic and joyous dancing.    … I was not thrilled.                           

—We got first place. —

Afterwards Pastor Ivan jokingly tried to cry foul play because Emily was the judge.  I assured him that seeing as how our entire family has been at each others throats all day the only reason we won was because of our sweet dance moves!

Friday.

River has had light fever for 2 days now, today being the 3rd.  So Emily stayed home with him and the girls while I went back to Masi to work with Dave and Vuyu.  We worked on the shacks today since the wind was down from Tuesday.  We got all the walls up, sheet metal hung, and reframed a section to add a second window upstairs.  There was a mis-measurement on one of the rafters so we had to hold off on finishing the roof till next week.   I was home in time for a late lunch and then we hit the grocery store for the coming week. 

I just want to say a quick “Thank you”  to everyone that is following us.  Please keep us in your prayers through out the week; even the quick little “one liners” you might throw out there…especially those!  It means a lot to know that people are praying for us.  Thank you.

Week 3 June 27-July1

Monday.                                                                                                                                   

First day at the Rainbow Pre-school in Masiphumelele.  So, we arrived just before 10am to volunteer at the preschool.  The kids were extremely well behaved and just as cute.  It’s raining today so there was no outside time and everyone was a little rambunctious.  Sure it was in a struggling township but still you could rightly imagine what the routine was like for a preschool.  There was story time, food, games, songs, and nap time.  Even though we enjoyed our time there and the children are cute and fun it doesn’t seem there was much need for us there.  The staff was sufficient and well trained.  Might look in to adding something or finding a different place for us to serve.  We don’t want to just check mark a box and pat ourselves on the back.  We desire to serve where needed.  Also, this is just as much for our sake as it is for the benefit of the people we are here to serve.  What a blessing it can be to bless others!  God is faithful to bless us and change us as we serve His children young and old.

We do have a meeting set up tomorrow with a ministry called Justice Dolls just around the corner from the Rainbow Pre-school.  A very nice lady named Joy-Lynn who employs women that have been rescued out of human trafficking to make dolls raising awareness of the the issue world wide. 

Tuesday.

A little bit better weather. 

It’s a bit better dry than wetter.

Although, the weather doesn’t seem to be able to make up it’s mind Cape Town is just as  beautiful in the winter as it is in Summer.  Often it’s raining and the suns out the, the recipe for rainbows after all, the country is called the Rainbow Nation.  But I think that Cape Town can be called the Rainbow City in the Rainbow Nation.  It’s the Rainbow Nation because of how diverse the country is with people groups and cultures.  It’s incredible and an honor to be a part of such diversity.  I love the cultures, languages, foods, traditions, clothes, the things that offend, or don’t offend.  There is just something that makes one feel alive and makes life feel real to be in it all.  This is truly a unique and beautiful nation.  Not just because of the rainbows in the sky but because of the rainbow of people on the ground. 

Rainbow Pre-school day 2. The routine was about the same as yesterday with the exception of about an hour of play time outside.  It was fun and the kids loved our attention.  We still are not convinced we are needed and sort of feel like the Principle is just being nice by letting us be there. 

Our time with Joy-Lynn and her husband David was great.  Emily really likes Joy-Lynn and Dave and I seem to get along well too.  Joy-Lynn actually shared about her organization during our lecture phase of the DTS one Friday late morning.  They make dolls for different organizations or projects all over the world.  She has a humble little shop just around the corner from Masiphumelele.  It’s on a property that is like a business park except only organizations or businesses who’s purpose is for training, equipping, or educating people are allowed.   

David has a wood-shop that he makes different little and big Africa shaped wall decorations, tables, benches, chairs, you name it.  In my opinion, the COOL thing he does is his design of 2 different  pre-fab “shacks”.  The majority of houses in townships like Masi are simple corrugated metal walls and roof; sometimes just corner posts and no studs.  Most of the time the metal roofs are just held in place by cinder blocks resting on top.  He raises the money to buy the materials usually about $4,000 Rand which is less than $300.  It only builds out to about 100 sq ft. The amount he charges the person/family depends on their situation.  The example of he gave me of his current project was R2,000.  He’s even designed a 2 story shack! 

So, Emily will be working with the lady’s making the Justice Dolls on Wednesdays while I take the kids and go talk/meet/pray for people on the streets in Masi.  Tuesdays I get to work along side David building the shacks or assisting in other smaller projects!  I couldn’t be more excited this opportunity!  This will all start next week.

Wednesday.

I had a meeting with the DTS department this morning.  I was a little nervous about it and was unsure how exact they wanted specific requirements and the semantics to be articulated for the outreach phase.  Seeing as how we have put all the foot work in with making the connections, meetings, arrangements, and scheduling I was ready to be defensive of what we have put together.  But the meeting went really well.  I was definitely in the wrong with my assumption of how the meeting was going to go.  They apologized for how things have gone for us and said normally we would never have to do what we have done.  The seemed happy with the effort and outcome of those efforts.  The biggest concern for them now was making sure we are plugged in to the YWAM family.  It’s currently an odd season considering a lot of staff has either left or is leaving to go home for furlough and everyone else we know or are close to has left for over seas Outreach or is moving back home because their school is finished.  It was right on time because we have been struggling a bit, at least I have, with some mild depression and disconnectedness.  We are going to try and plug in with the current DTS lecture class for some of their prayer and worship meetings as well as, hopefully, running the coffee shop at Base on Mondays.  The people who were running Lekker Brew(the coffee shop) are gone on furlough and there is no-one to run it for the class that’s there now which, is another opportunity to connect with the people on Base.   

Tonight we also went to a meeting p
ut together by Calvary Chapel Cape Town, where we’ve been going lately, with 3 crew members of the Logos Hope ship.  It’s a world-wide sailing cruise liner that has a book fair with 5000 titles on the floor and 800,000 below deck.  They also have health care services, gospel presentations, and theatrical performances aimed at serving the needy.  Logos Hope is in town till June 11.  We are hoping to visit next week.

Thursday. 

We have been looking for accommodation for quite some time now.  Our current place needs us to be out by Aug 15.  It’s been difficult scouring the local online classifieds, Facebook groups, word of mouth etc. trying to find a place we can afford.  Prices seem to be all over the road and they don’t last long once advertised.  Every place we can afford that we have contacted has said they’ve already committed it to someone else.   In the meeting with the DTS staff yesterday one of the elders made a contact for us of a place she knew was available.  We went and saw it, struck a deal, and move in Aug 1.  It’s an apartment building which is a little different for us but it’s fully furnished from big furniture all the way down to linens and cookware.  Plus, its at the bottom of our price ceiling(we cant afford more).  Its a fairly safe 5 minute walk to an artsy area with plenty of shops, coffee, and trinket shops.  It’s basically a touristy area and the sea is across the road.  It’s only a 20 minute walk to the YWAM base and it’s price is the same as where we are currently renting.  I can only say that our Father has worked this out for his children.  We are thankful for His favor.

This was our second week serving along side Pastor Ivan and his wife in Lavender Hill near the Cape Flats.  Emily did face painting again.  The kids LOVE it so much it’s hilarious to me.  Even some of the bigger kids want their faces pained.  Last week the line was never ending. This week Pastor Ivan was more privy to the demand and selected a specific number of kids who raised their hands to get faced.  I played soccer again with some of the bigger kids.  The whole time we were there I kept picking up shards of glass and jagged rocks out of the sound/grass where we play.  Some kids play bare or in their socks. Considering how well maintained and clean Pastor Ivan keeps the place it’s crazy how much glass hides in the sand.  It’s only our second week but we are already beginning to connect with the kids a little better.  It, obviously, helps to be regular and consistent with anyone to establish yourself with them.  I can see us being involved with Pastor Ivan’s ministry even after Outreach is over.  Remembering names is hectic.  I still don’t have even one kids name down. Right now I’m trying to remember every kids name but I forget each one.  I think I need to correct my thinking and just pick like 3 kids a week to remember their name.  This is not my first rodeo trying to remember so many kids names in a place like this but its taken me a 3rd week to remember my strategy for conquering this first and vital step in relationship building!

Friday.

The house we are currently in is a two story cinderblock and concrete home.  Its a fortress.  The wind was blowing so hard last night I swear I felt the whole place sway a couple times. And the rain was coming down in such big drops and sideways from the wind that I’m pretty sure it penetrated through the block and plaster and chipped the paint across the room. (not really) Half the windows in the house only close about 80%.  When the kids would come in to our bedroom  because they were scared from all the howling of the wind or to go potty they always leave the door open and it makes the room a wind tunnel!  Needless to say, sleep was more of an “On and Off” type thing that seemed like days instead of just one night.   

Our morning routine was a slow start with a warm breakfast.  We did our weekly grocery shopping in the afternoon but our family schedule was thrown off kilter by the wet 45F temp in the house for the whole first part of the day so we decided not to go to Lavender Hill it was still windy and chilly outside too.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that we decided not to stay at the Awana club since we weren’t really needed there and are going to be at Pastor Ivan’s place on Fridays.  There is no official program happening but the kids from the neighborhood still show up while he is there working on other projects.  The plan is for us to go and just be with the kids and play games with them in the afternoons and continue building our relationships. 

It’s still cold right now but the sun is supposed to be out in clear skies for the next three days!!

June 20-24                                  ^Eisley, Everleigh, and Shammah looking in a hole on the ouskirts of Masi

Monday.

Outreach seems to be falling on to our shoulders to put together.  Some of the leadership from the DTS Department are helping but there doesn’t seem to be much fruit coming from it.  If we were to just wait on them to put it together we’d still be waiting and wouldn’t have even started yet.  So far we have a week completed and have started our second week today. 

One of the requirements to complete the Outreach phase is to have a minimum of 3 hours of Worship/Intercession. So, we went to Calvary Chapel Cape Town Sunday for their weekly worship service.  We got to see a family we knew from our time here in 2010 that we originally met at the Calvary Chapel Pastors Conference and who I also spent a week with in Lesotho.  Some other people that we maybe only briefly met at the Conference 6 years ago remembered us from back then too.  We also go to Base worship for all of YWAM on Thursday nights. Both of those services will count towards our 3 hour requirement.

Today we met with a local pastor named Pastor Ivan.  He and his wife run a ministry in an area called Lavender Hill.  Our friend that directs the organization called PACT made the introduction for us.  Emily, the kids, and I will be going in to Lavender Hill on Thursdays to minister along side Pastor Ivan and his wife to kids in the neighborhood.  There is an after school program and neighborhood feeding programs that we will assist with.  We are pretty excited and Pastor Ivan and his wife seem like really good and genuine people. 

Also, It’s freezing here.  Not literally but the homes here are made of cinder block, concrete, and tile and are not equipped with heat.  The house we are in till August is too big and open inside to even consider a space heater.  It gets down to about 45 inside in the evenings, nights, and mornings.  If the sun doesn’t come out, which it doesn’t a lot in the winter here, it doesn’t warm up much during the day either.  It’s humbling in light of the fact of how many people around us live in informal settlements and have corrugated metal for walls and are anything but air tight. 

On a more positive note, we are excited about our opportunities with Pastor Ivan and Fridays we will be serving along side a church in a Coloured Community with their Awana Program and youth outreach.  I am hoping for some regular/weekly opportunities to serve in a Township called Masimphumelele on the other side of the mountain from Muizenberg.  I don’t know why but i’ve loved being there when we have visitied.  I even asked Emily if she would want to move in but the answer was a quick “NO” haha. 

Tuesday.

The majority of our class leave tomorrow so today was sort of a day off while everyone gets ready to leave. We spent it finalizing some of or our outreach details and I think we’re getting close to having a full blown schedule!  I had coffee this morning with a friend for a couple hours.  I shared some things that I believe the Holy Spirit put on my heart to talk to him about. It was all well received and was an encouraging time.  I’m excited to see what God has in store for him! 

We also had our monthly appointment with our Midwife today in an area called Plumstead.  It’s about a 20 minute drive.  It was sunny and warmer today and the kids and I played games and chased each other in the well kept yard at the Midwife Office.  Emily is about 25 weeks along so far and is doing great.  The midwife said the baby is currently sitting breach but for how young he/she is there is zero reason for concern right now.  So, all good too report on the baby’s health and Emily’s. 

Tonight we had the entire class and leaders over at our house to spend some time with everyone before they leave.  Some of them we won’t see again due to visa issues and re-entry in to South Africa.  Everyone we are close to is basically leaving and i’m a little fearful of the next couple months being cold and alone.  Haha, that sounds SO depressing.  Maybe, only take about half of that intensity and apply it to the next couple months. 

Even though we sort of had a day off it’s been pretty busy and it’s late so I’m going to bed now.  we are spending the day tomorrow in a Township on the other side of the mountain.  So I’m going to try and sleep now. 

Wednesday.

Masimphumelele! Try and say that out loud around your friends!  Masi is one of my favorite Townships in Cape Town.  There are pretty much zero drug dealers in the entire neighborhood.  They have rallied together as a community and have forcibly removed such people. Not only drug dealers but they as a community, and by community i mean the people, have zero tolerance for rape, child sexual abuse, etc.  The means in which they deal with such criminals isn’t what we as a Americans would consider a right to a fair trail but they are making progress none-the-less.  The community is not with out its hardships or short comings but they are being intentional and deliberate about change.

Nceba, a friend of ours who grew up in Masi, was our host for the day.  This is the same Township I have gone to with Nceba a few times on the weekends at night just to walk around and see the culture and meet the people.  It’s basically what we did today.  We walked around with our little group and talked with people and even ate lunch in a garage that sold raw meats then they “braai” (grill) it for you right there. 

We met the principle of the pre-school that Emily, the kids, and I will be at Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, till the end of Outreach.  She was a very nice lady and I think it will be a good fit for our kids to be there while Emily and I help with the teachers.  Our first day will be this coming Monday and it’s going to be “Safety Day”.  I’m hoping for the opportunity to be able to teach the kids some exploitation/trafficking prevention education before out time there is over. 

Also, this morning most of the class left for their perspective countries of Outreach…Germany and Thailand.  With the exception of the three Kenyan siblings.  Shamma, Don, and Wendy. They will leave on Friday morning.  I will be taking them to the airport at 4am 🙁  Not looking forward to that commitment!  haha,  I’m mostly not looking forward to saying goodbye to them.  We have become quite close with most of our class and it was hard to see them all go.  Most of them will be back to graduate the DTS.  However, the Kenyans were not able to get a visa to return for graduation so it was really hard to say goodbye since we don’t know when we will see each other again.  It’s funny how someone can become such big a part of your life out of nowhere and trying to imagine life without ever knowing them is near impossible.  We hope and pray the Lord brings us back together for longer seasons at a time. 

Thursday.

I had coffee with the director and intern of PACT this morning in Kalk Bay at a trendy little spot called Bootlegger.  I’ve been filling extra time in between our Outreach schedule with PACT helping to organize, plan, and produce some material for exploitation/trafficking prevention stuff for children.  I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store with this relationship!

At 2:30 every Thursday now we are in a Township called Lavender Hill.  Salome, the director from PACT, introduced us to a local pastor named Ivan.  Pastor Ivan has started an awesome ministry after school in Lavender Hill where he also has a church established.  The property is massive and beautiful.  Kids show up as early as 230 and we split up in to groups and play cricket, rugby, soccer, or children’s games with the smaller ones.  I played soccer with a big group of boys
and Emily did face painting for an un-ending line of children.  Another cool thing they do every week is Pastor Ivan’s wife, Bronwen, picks a different girl, sometimes two, and gives them a sort of make-over.  The little girl that was picked this week was so shy yet pleased with her new hair-do it was really cute.  Paster Bronwen said another reason they do this for the girls is as a ministry to the mothers.  It’s something the mama’s don’t have to worry about that weekend or feel bad for not doing.  I think it’s such an awesome, unique, and needed, idea. After the games the kids are gathered and a message of Christ’s love and acceptance was shared with the kids from Pastor Ivan and then the kids get fed.  It was a great time and we are excited to be a part of what Pastor Ivan has built there in Lavender Hill. 

It wasn’t quite the quiet finish to the day that we had planned.  Eisley and I went to the Base to pick of Shamma, one of the Kenyans, to spend the evening with him at our house before he leaves for Thailand.  While we were at Base we noticed a giant smoke stack rolling up into the sky and over the neighboring houses in Muizenberg, just above a small artsy section called The Village.  So Eisley, Sean(a friend and YWAM staff), Wendy(a member of the Kenyan trinity), and I went rubber necking.  There was a house that had caught fire but the oddest part of it was there was not one emergency vehicle.  By the time we had walked up to the scene the fire had been burning for quite some time.  It was beginning now to burn through the ceramic tile roof and we could hear the heavy tiles caving in and sliding off.  Nobody was inside and the owner was on a neighboring roof with a garden hose.  The Fire Brigade had been called quite sometime before our arrival but no emergency crew had even made it yet, not even the police.  We ended up leaving earlier from the blaze of destruction than I wanted because Eisley was starting to get a fright.  So we went back to Base and picked up Shamma and returned to our house where he and I made stupid YWAM memes and then watched Life of Pi.  It was a nice evening with a friend that became a brother in three months and is leaving in the morning with no idea when we will see each other again.
<Saying Goodbye to the Kenyans.

Friday.

Yo! I’ll tell you what Awana, I really really wana

So tell me what you wana, what you really really wana

Awana, Awana, Awana, Awana, Awana, really, really want, zigzag ha.

OK, maybe with out the Spice Girls reference. . . Awana.  Tonight we helped out with an Awana program in a Township called Capricorn.  It wasn’t quite what we had expected.  They have some big area wide Awana Olympics competition coming up that the kids are practicing for.  So that was the focus as opposed to the usual games and relationship building with an emphasis on bible lessons and a teaching time.  It was fun but I think with the Awana Olympics preparation there isn’t much need for us to be there.  We are going to talk with Pastor Ivan from Lavender Hill on Monday and see about doing stuff with the neighborhood kids there on Fridays instead. 

For dinner tonight we went to a neighborhood market that everyone just calls “The Friday Market”.  Lots of local vendors selling all kinds of hot foods.  It’s a fun little community thing that happens weekly on Fridays year-round rain or shine!  With the completion of today we now only have 6 weeks of Outreach left to meet the required 8 weeks to graduate.  We are excited about our new routine and encouraged that it’s basically the same thing every week.  Since we are taking the whole family with us and having to plan lunches, dinners, breakfasts, homeschool work, nap times, and parenting around our Outreaches commitments having a consistent schedule that we can fall in to a rhythm with is such a blessing!