November 5, 2009

Samaritan's Feet Youth Ambassadors head for White River, South Africa today. We'll be flying for more than 15 hours.  However, students are extremely excited to get to participate in an opportunity of a lifetime.  More updates are ahead. So stay tuned.

Monica Nyenkan - MLK Middle School

Hello White RIver, South Africa.  My fellow Youth Ambassadors and I have come to donate shoes, wash feet, and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I was nervous while on the plane from Atlanta to Johannesburg because I didn't know if I would be able to finish all of my work and get enough sleep.  I had jet lag. The plane ride was very, very long...about 15 hours.   However, I did as much homework as possible because I knew that we wouldn't have a lot of time to do it while serving.  So, that's why I stayed up to finish my science and math homework. 

November 6, 2009

Monica Nyenkan - MLK

We arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa today a half our earlier than expected.  We had a five hour drive ahead of us to White River.  The van ride was terrible.  We were all squished together with the bags of shoes.  It wasn't a very comfortable ride.  While riding in the van, I was quiet because I was thinking of how this experience was going to change my life.  I also thought about my mom, sister and so many other people.  Even though I am being quiet, I am enjoying myself.  This place is so beautiful.  When we come back people are not going to understand how beautiful it is.  I am content but tired.  I am ready to do a lot of stuff, but I also want to go to sleep.  I still can't get over how beautiful this place is and what we came to do.

November 7, 2009

Renee Smith - Davidson IB

We finally arrived at the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base at 2am.  This morning we had to carry all of the duffle bags.  Now they are all around the house.  I can't wait until we can finally give them away at the distributions.  We didn't get much sleep before getting up.  But when I was able to see everything on campus, the campus here is amazing.  The trees are beautiful and the view is great.  There's too many bugs, but I like it.  Once we finally got going, we went to the store today.  It was a little bit uncomfortable because a lot of people were eyeing us because they could tell were from out of town.  In front of the store, there was a sign that read shop at your own risk.  So I got kind of scared before going in.  But I was okay after we got in the car. 

I was a little concerned on the way back about dinner because I wasn't sure if it going to be something that I liked.  I'm a picky eater.  But when we finally sat down to eat dinner, I really liked it....barbeque chicken, salad, etc.

November 8, 2009

 Ellie Joensen - Davidson IB

Today we arrived at church and I had a great time experiencing a new way of praising God.  I really felt like God was watching over us during the whole service.  Today was very productive because we went to the market and got presents for all of our family and experienced some of the South African culture.  Then we came home and ate dinner.  After a long day, we all got into bed, took showers, and just relaxed.  I had a lot of fun today and hope to be experiencing more days like this. 

Caitlyn Holquin - Davidson IB

Not one time today did I stop smiling.  From the minute my eyes opened I was so full of happiness and joy from the Lord.  During church we did songs we learned before coming to South Africa as well as a dance.  As we looked the people in the eye, especially the kids their light brightened.  After the service, we ate lunch and I played "Slide Baby" with three of the children.  Their laughter melted my heart as well as when they blew me kisses good-bye.  The connection was so strong, that I am looking forward to the same connection later this trip.   

After we left church, we went to the market.  I was actually very nervous about getting a good deal on what I was purchasing and that they might cheat me.  But thanks to some of the chaperones it worked out well.  In addition, bargaining there was a success because after receiving 100 rand back, that gave me enough money to buy other things that were a better deal.  Mental math didn't come right away.  But being able to visualize for a moment and calculate how much things were going to cost me helped.

November 9, 2009

Tonisha Johnson - Youth Ambassador Coordinator

The team is resting and recovering from sickness.  In all my times of traveling overseas with a group, this is the first time, that the majority of team has gotten sick including myself.  However, I must say that in spite of it, I have seen some great leadership amongst those who were not sick.  I commend the students who really stepped up to the plate to show what I call true servanthood.  A few of the girls waited on the rest of the team hand and foot.  Whatever we needed they just asked and did the best that they could to provide it.  I have never seen somethingso great, with students coming together who barely knew each other 6 months ago.  As parents, teachers, principals, and friends, you should be proud.  They have truly represented their schools and families well.  This I can say has been one of the most memorable Youth Ambassador trips to date.

Tomorrow we are expected to distribute more than 700 pairs of shoes to children at Legogote Primary school.

November 10, 2009

Cassidy Mills - North Meck High School

Today the Lord was definitely watching over us.  We expected it to be a rough day because so many people were sick leaving few people to do the shoe distribution.  However, things turned out for the better.  The group was able to accomplish a lot with the help from volunteers from Pastor Piete and Pastor Alton's church.  As a team we were able to give shoes to grades R-4.  You could truly tell they were blessed from the smiles on their faces and the way the children were running around with their new shoes on. 

God has truly watched over Legogote Primary by supplying them with water and shoes.  The school just received water on site within the last few weeks.  The entire area was without water.  Now with the new well, they hope to build a new community garden so that children and their families at Legogote can eat.  Most children that attend the school only get a meal at school which is provided by non profit organizations.  They don't eat again until they return to school. 

Back at the base, the majority of those who were sick were looking bright and cheery.  We hope to finish the rest of Legogote Primary School tomorrow morning with the whole team. 

Pizza is on its way now!

November 11, 2009

Lauren Williams - MLK

Today, we completed the second part of a shoe distribution at Legogote Primary School.  Again there were a whole bunch of smiling faces and blessed people.   I realized that you don't realize what you have until it is gone.   Also, I was able to truly see that some people don't have the little things that I may have.  I learned that we should be more greatful about what we have.  We shouldn't just throw things away, but take care of and cherish what we do have. 

After we left the shoe distribution, we went to God's Window.  We walked up a lot of stairs to see the mountains.  The view was gorgeous.  Now I see why they call it God's Window.  When you go up to the very top, you can see the glare from the sun shining down on the mountains and the trees.  The view and the beauty of the place exceeded my expectations.  On the way back down the mountain, we stopped at the market and bought a few items like jewelry and paintings. 

When we were driving back, we saw a family of baboons walking across the road.  I was frightened by the wild animals on the loose.  I had never seen anything like that before except on tv. 

Salakashay! (Bye Bye)

November 12, 2009

Octavia Kee - Davidson IB

We went to school today at Legogote Primary School.  It was very fun to see how they communicated and played together.  In class,  I found out that their classes are a lot more laid back than those in America.  It was interesting as well because the students were given more resposbility to be in charge in the classroom than the teachers.  While in class, I learned some new words in SiSwati and Afrikaans.  When it was time for lunch I discovered they ate from an open pot.  I thought that was cool and more appetizing than my school lunch. 

Afterwards we had another shoe distribution at a daycare center.  A lot of kids were so anxious to get shoes and to receive Jesus.  It was really hot that day.  I didn't feel so great that day, but while I was helping, I was thankful I got the opportunity to evangelize.

November 13, 2009

Ellie Joensen - Davidson IB

Today we went to devotion in Masoyi and worshipped with MaFlo.  During deovtion Octavia, Josh, and Ms. Oneita spoke.  We read Bible verses and they preached the Word of God to us about the verses. Afterwards, we went to the mall.  The mall was a lot like one in America, but at the same time very different.  There was no food court or sitting areas.  There were only stores.  In the mall, I bought a South African flag. 

After the mall, we went to a shoe distribution at a clinic.  It was a lot different than the others because we had to sit on the ground and wash feet.  It was a little bit easier to wash each person's feet and connect with them while sitting on the ground.  Towards the end, we started running out of shoes, which was disappointing because  we had to tell some of them we did not have their size.  Other than that it was a great success. 

November 14, 2009

Caitlyn Holquin - Davidson IB

It was one of our only days that we got to sleep in.  What we thoughtwould be our last distirbution turned out to be organized, fast paced, and very effective.  A man who sat with me was confused about the love and actions of Christ.  WIthout knowing, I was using the mouthpiece of the Lord.  After 30 minutes, Clerence said faith and love was stronger in his heart.  He trusted the Lord and didn't challenge or question Him.  My spirit rose knowing that I will see another man in the church of Heaven. 

We left to go to an orphanage a few hours later. Seeing a place with wooden boxes as homes was only the beginning of the change of our hearts.  As we arrived, I came to find that even with so little they were so happy.  Mother Esther showed us a paralyzed little boy.  The group kept walking except Ms. Shannon and I.  We prayed for him. 

Our emotions got the best of us when we met a young 15-year-old by by the name of David.  He was injured at school when another boy cut him with scissors across the face.  The telling of this story is when God began to move upon us.  A mighty prayer from Ms. Tonisha and Ms. Shannon filled the air.  I prayed for him myself as well as laid my hands on him to ask that one day he may stand again with strength as God's love surrounds him.  The Spirit of the Lord was upon us.  A few moments later, it was time to leave.

I felt a strong amount of pressure that was on my feet.  Octavia said that God gave me David's burden so that he wouldn't have to deal with it.  We came to find that the next day God was moving, wasling, and being worked on by our mighty God.  We sing praise to our loving, Holy, and glorious Lord.  Thank you Jesus.

November 15, 2009

Brianna Biel - Davidson IB

Today was one of the best days in my opinion.  Even though the power was out the majority of the time while we were getting ready, it came on just in time to make breakfast.  After breakfast we did devotion and we also sang worship songs.  Then we ehaded on to church.  Today we went to Pastor Alton's Church.  I had just as much fun as we did at Pastor Piet's. We all sang and danced.  The time seemed so short even though it was a couple of hours. 

After church was over, we dropped Josh off at the African School of Missions and we grabbed sandwiches before heading off to KFC.  The KFC tasted amazing, but it wasn't the food I was excited for.  I was more excited to go back to the orphanage.  The kids there are some of the sweetest I have ever met and the lady that worked there, Ms. Esther, was one of the wisest people I know.  She was speaking to us about forgiveness and how we're all going to be together in Heaven.  She also talked about their blessings and what they had rather than talking about what they didn't have.  She also told us that after we prayed with David that he began to feel better.  That just showed us the power of prayer. 

I could tell she was very appreciative of the KFC and the shoes that we brought everyone.  I'm so glad that we decided to do a shoe distrbution there.  It was one of my favorite ones that we did.  All the kids were so happy and once everyone got their feet washed, they all sang to us.  We also got to talk to the kids. I remember there was this one little girl that I held. She kept grabbing my hand.  Once I finally put her down I went in to see David and found out that yesterday was his 15th birthday.  We sang to him and we prayed with him until it was time to leave.  Then we said our goodbyes to everyone.  We were about to leave, but we had trouble getting the bus started.  After a little while of showing the kids some of the dances that we know, we got on the bus and sang all the way back to YWAM.  Now, we're just relaxing, taking showers, and gettingready for bed.  We're all excited about the safari tomorrow.

November 16, 2009

Kamron Kenan - Davidson IB

Today we went on the safari.  It was at Kruger Park.  It was a little cold to me, even though everyone else thought it was freezing!!  We rode in jeeps.  There were three rows and two seats in the front for passengers and the driver.  We took a restroom break before we started our safari after we got in the gate. 

For the first few hours we were all anxious.  No one was saying anything.  But once we started seeing animals, like impalas and different types of antelopes, we got very excited. We made a breakfast stop at 9am and left for the next part of the safari at 10:15am.  During our stop we ate at the cafeteria and shopped at the little gift shop they had.  When we left again, we saw three of the "Big Five" (that is the animals that are considered the most dangerous).  We saw four lions, a rhino, and a buffalo.  We even saw some baboons crossing the road in front of us.  A rhino also crossed in front of us!! In addition, we saw three giraffes and a zebra.  The next thing we knew, we heard a zebra calling its' mate and three other friends.  And what do you know, four more zebras came across the road answering his call.  It was so cool. 

At the lunch stop, a monkey came up and took Monica's jelly bean with success! Then some of the other tourists were attacked by monkeys.  JoAnn, our driver was laughing at us when we told her this.  On our way back, we saw a lot more monkeys and baboons.  We also saw three elephants.

After the safari, we got a chance to say goodbye to "Excellent" (he had been helping us the entire time with our shoe distributions).  Then we went shopping at Mr. Price.  What a tiring day!

November 17, 2009

Tonisha Johnson - Youth Ambassador Coordinator

Today is our last day at YWAM.  We got up early this morning and loaded up the van and trailer to head back to Johannesburg.  After a long five hour drive, we got to the Airport Game Lodge and checked in.  However, we were a few hours early.  So, we left and headed to the University of Johannesburg.  With nine campuses in all, we only took a tour of a small portion of of one campus. 

The students had an opportunity to learn about the School of Tourism and Hospitality and the School of Design and Architecture.  Student artwork from original clothing and jewelry designs to product designs for household cleaners and even tools that companies would want to use.  Each campus has a specialty.  So depending on what a student majors in determines which campus they will attend school. 

After that, we went to the Museum of African History and learned more about those who suffered and fought during the Apartheid era.  We also learned about Sophiatown and how black South Africans were forced to move of out the area so that white South Africans could move in.  Now that Apartheid has ended we were able to learn about the shift that took place after that and how jazz became an important part of the times.

Oneita Williams - Chaperone

"Listening With My Heart"

As we rode through the city of Jo'Burg, it was a site to see.  It seemed like millions of people working, walking, talking, to places they needed to be.

We visited the Museum of African History.  An exhibit there stayed with me strong.  It told of the families living in Sophiatown, who were forced to leave their homes.  Their stories told of laughter that soon turned into pain and how they were forced to give up what they owned for someone else's gain.

When I walked from the location that was to the place where they were removed, I walked, I saw, I pandered and listened with my heart."

November 18, 2009

Kenny Smith - Chaperone

Today we started with a very emotional devotion session and then we packed our bags to head home.  As I looked around the room during the devotion, I thought about how we had grown close and worked hard together during our two weeks in South Africa.  I also thought about ways we can continue to maintain the spirit of compassion and comraderie after we leave South Africa and return home to our family and friends.  In some ways it's easy to focus on doing God's work when you're out of the country and you don't have your day to day routine to distract you.  I knew that God placed a seed in all of us (Luke 8:8) during this South Africa mission trip and I pray that we remain "fertile ground" for Him when we go back home.

During the trip, more than 230 souls were saved.  Many re-dedicated their lives back to Christ and many desired to be baptized.  Over 1200 pairs of shoes were distributed.