Rain rain go away!!!
I don't know what's come over the weather here in Jo'burg as of late. Jo'burg is notorious for VERY dry winters (hence the no snow winters). But lately we've had rain! Today we had one heck of a thunderstorm and dust-storm simultaneously. Talk about nasty weather. Ooooh... if it rains out my braai on Friday I'm gonna be a very unhappy young lady! And of course, when we do have wetness in winter, is it cold enough to snow? No way! I couldn't be so lucky. I keep hoping that by some flook of nature, it'll get really cold tonight and it'll snow JUST a little. Now THAT would be a cool birthday present from God. :) Hope you're all having a wonderful Wednesday!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Hey guys... I haven't updated this in the past few days because really, not much has happened! I am taking this whole "break" concept very seriously. ;) I got to spend some time with the Holidays today, which was quite fun, and very much needed. I'm getting to know them better. Even though we're from the same church, we really don't know each other very well, so we're working on that. Besides that, I've been relaxing and trying to go to the gym as much as possible. Friday's still a go for the braai, and I've got confirmation that my friends are coming, so I'm really looking forward to it! Other than that, I don't have much to tell you. Thanks for checking in on me though!!
CHEERS!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
CHEERS!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Friday, June 25, 2004
Good evening! Well, actually it's morning here now... just barely after midnight, so it's technically Saturday morning. I just got back from celebrating Heather's 22nd birthday. It was a lot of fun. I just enjoyed being able to hang out with them. And every time I hang out with them, I become more and more comfortable and more myself. Most all of them have said they can come to the Braai next Friday, so it looks pretty positive for a great birthday for Bonnie. Hooray!
I also got a wonderful package from my family today. The best thing in it was a video that they had made for me at a lot of different family functions. I miss my family so much, but being able to "see" their faces really helped!!
Alright, that's all your getting from me tonight. Blessings!!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
I also got a wonderful package from my family today. The best thing in it was a video that they had made for me at a lot of different family functions. I miss my family so much, but being able to "see" their faces really helped!!
Alright, that's all your getting from me tonight. Blessings!!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Hmm… what to say, what to say… Honestly, I can’t remember what I said in my last update, so I’ll try to cover what I think haven’t yet. Well, it’s Wednesday night. Tonight Melissa said she'd make my birthday cake! I wasn't even talking about cake and she said she'd do it! Hooray for Melissa coming through for me. Now I just have to pray that my friends come. I'm inviting anyone I can think of... even if I hardly know them because this is the perfect excuse to invite them over! Melissa and I agree that if Sean thinks I have to have a bring and braai, then SEAN needs to do the braaing! Neither of us feels confident to do it, and when I went to the braai at his apartment complex, he said that the men do the braaing anyway. He seemed to enjoy himself that time, so hopefully he won't mind. That can be his birthday present to me. haha
My friend, Heather, sent me an sms about Friday. We're meeting at the mall at 6:30 ("half past 6" as they would say here) for coffee and then the movie is at 8:00 I believe. We're going to see Shrek 2 - it opens on Friday! I know I like these people - they're coffee people just like me! It's taken me 5 months, but I think I might finally be making friends that I can really call my friends... and not just people who I know from church... but NON-Nancefield people! Don’t get me wrong, I love Nancefield people!! But it’s nice to branch out some too. Hopefully after hanging out with them on Friday, I'll be confident enough to invite them to my place the following Friday for “Bonnie’s Birthday Bring-n-Braai.” (Wow, that’s a lot of B’s!)
Hmm... what else haven't I told you? Melissa and I didn't go to school today because one of the guys who works at the school said that the kids haven't been coming since it's the last week of school (yeah, this is Africa, remember?). So, I'm not planning on going tomorrow (Thursday) either. It's a 45 minute drive both ways, and I hate going when things are not normal (which at that school, is just about always). Did you read in my journal about why we didn't go last week? There was taxi-violence, and they closed the major street that we take to get there. So, I haven't seen my kids at Diepsloot in a while, but in all honesty, I'm not all that sad about it. All my attention is on Lilydale right now. Oh, Chantal DID come with me on Monday and Tuesday. I picked her up Monday before club. Club went very well. We had snack (as always) then played a get to know you game. Then I talked for a while about how easily it is for us girls to let what guys think about us determine what we think about us. I sang the song "Plain"... the one I originally was going to do for the musical. I hadn't planned to, but the CD was in the car, so I did it. Then I read an excerpt from a book I have. It's a love story, written about falling in love with this wonderful man named Jesus. It's really cool because it never says His name or blatantly says who it's about. So the girls were all into it because it's wonderfully written. Then I asked them, "who would like to fall in love with a man like that?" And most of them raised their hands. They were somewhat surprised when I said who the story was about. It was a great way to talk about really growing closer to God in a personal way.
After club, Chantal and I quickly came home, I changed clothes, and then we were off to the East side of Joburg for Mexican Night at BIMS!! Did I ever mention that to you? I can't remember. Close to BIMS there is a "Mexican" restaurant, and many of the missionaries go there. The owners are really cool, and often take suggestions that we offer. So... the BIMS people planned a night for the missionaries to all cook some Mexican food (the way we eat it in America!) and 5 of the Banditos people came to taste our recipes! It was awesome... and SOOOO delicious! Earlier on Monday, Melissa and I went to the Holidays' house to help cook. I made a soup that was quite delicious. At the dinner, we had a discussion time, and someone asked the owners if they tasted anything that they thought they might incorporate into their menus, and they said my soup!! YAY! Go me. That was also Chantal's first taste of Mexican food. Boy did she get a treat! After we ate, we stayed at BIMS to talk to a friend of mine. Remember the LSU team? Well, 3 of them stayed in Pretoria, SA for 3 extra weeks. They were all at BIMS Monday night because their plane was leaving on Tuesday. So after we ate, Chantal and I went to Brandi's room and we all talked until about 10:30pm. It was so nice! After that, we came back to the house and crashed! Tuesday Chantal and I went to school at Lilydale. They took an exam I had made for them and Chantal and I attempted to grade them... wow, that's going to take me forever!! Then we had club again, and it went about the same as on Monday - very well. After that I took Chantal home. Then I came home and crashed on the couch for a while. I finally convinced myself that I really needed to work out, but I was too tired to take the energy to go to the gym. So I did some Tae Bo in the living room. I've not done too much today. Slept in, and then watched a movie while I lounged in my pjs. Then I did go to the gym today for a total work out (weights and cardio). Then Melissa and I FINALLY went to the grocery store, so we have food now. Then we got dinner at KFC and brought it home to eat while we watched some TV. I'm getting used to this whole idea of break!!
And now, here I am… enjoying some time on the internet. I promise that I DO work, but hey, when you get a break, you enjoy it, right?? :) Right. Goodnight everyone!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
My friend, Heather, sent me an sms about Friday. We're meeting at the mall at 6:30 ("half past 6" as they would say here) for coffee and then the movie is at 8:00 I believe. We're going to see Shrek 2 - it opens on Friday! I know I like these people - they're coffee people just like me! It's taken me 5 months, but I think I might finally be making friends that I can really call my friends... and not just people who I know from church... but NON-Nancefield people! Don’t get me wrong, I love Nancefield people!! But it’s nice to branch out some too. Hopefully after hanging out with them on Friday, I'll be confident enough to invite them to my place the following Friday for “Bonnie’s Birthday Bring-n-Braai.” (Wow, that’s a lot of B’s!)
Hmm... what else haven't I told you? Melissa and I didn't go to school today because one of the guys who works at the school said that the kids haven't been coming since it's the last week of school (yeah, this is Africa, remember?). So, I'm not planning on going tomorrow (Thursday) either. It's a 45 minute drive both ways, and I hate going when things are not normal (which at that school, is just about always). Did you read in my journal about why we didn't go last week? There was taxi-violence, and they closed the major street that we take to get there. So, I haven't seen my kids at Diepsloot in a while, but in all honesty, I'm not all that sad about it. All my attention is on Lilydale right now. Oh, Chantal DID come with me on Monday and Tuesday. I picked her up Monday before club. Club went very well. We had snack (as always) then played a get to know you game. Then I talked for a while about how easily it is for us girls to let what guys think about us determine what we think about us. I sang the song "Plain"... the one I originally was going to do for the musical. I hadn't planned to, but the CD was in the car, so I did it. Then I read an excerpt from a book I have. It's a love story, written about falling in love with this wonderful man named Jesus. It's really cool because it never says His name or blatantly says who it's about. So the girls were all into it because it's wonderfully written. Then I asked them, "who would like to fall in love with a man like that?" And most of them raised their hands. They were somewhat surprised when I said who the story was about. It was a great way to talk about really growing closer to God in a personal way.
After club, Chantal and I quickly came home, I changed clothes, and then we were off to the East side of Joburg for Mexican Night at BIMS!! Did I ever mention that to you? I can't remember. Close to BIMS there is a "Mexican" restaurant, and many of the missionaries go there. The owners are really cool, and often take suggestions that we offer. So... the BIMS people planned a night for the missionaries to all cook some Mexican food (the way we eat it in America!) and 5 of the Banditos people came to taste our recipes! It was awesome... and SOOOO delicious! Earlier on Monday, Melissa and I went to the Holidays' house to help cook. I made a soup that was quite delicious. At the dinner, we had a discussion time, and someone asked the owners if they tasted anything that they thought they might incorporate into their menus, and they said my soup!! YAY! Go me. That was also Chantal's first taste of Mexican food. Boy did she get a treat! After we ate, we stayed at BIMS to talk to a friend of mine. Remember the LSU team? Well, 3 of them stayed in Pretoria, SA for 3 extra weeks. They were all at BIMS Monday night because their plane was leaving on Tuesday. So after we ate, Chantal and I went to Brandi's room and we all talked until about 10:30pm. It was so nice! After that, we came back to the house and crashed! Tuesday Chantal and I went to school at Lilydale. They took an exam I had made for them and Chantal and I attempted to grade them... wow, that's going to take me forever!! Then we had club again, and it went about the same as on Monday - very well. After that I took Chantal home. Then I came home and crashed on the couch for a while. I finally convinced myself that I really needed to work out, but I was too tired to take the energy to go to the gym. So I did some Tae Bo in the living room. I've not done too much today. Slept in, and then watched a movie while I lounged in my pjs. Then I did go to the gym today for a total work out (weights and cardio). Then Melissa and I FINALLY went to the grocery store, so we have food now. Then we got dinner at KFC and brought it home to eat while we watched some TV. I'm getting used to this whole idea of break!!
And now, here I am… enjoying some time on the internet. I promise that I DO work, but hey, when you get a break, you enjoy it, right?? :) Right. Goodnight everyone!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Monday, June 21, 2004
Monday Morning… LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!! Yeah, I’m just a little excited about that. hehe I’ve finished writing the exam for my Lilydale kids. All I have left to do for this week is prepare the story for Lawley on Wednesday and write an exam for my kids at Diepsloot. After Thursday I am on break and schools don’t start back until July 19th. The volunteer team from the Summit (my church) gets here July 13th and I can’t wait!! In the time between the end of this school term and the 13th, I plan to rest, and recoup! I’ll get some planning done for next term as well, but mostly I just want to rest and work on building some of the friendships with people I’ve met lately. God has been so good in helping me to meet some people who might actually become my friends! That’s been a real challenge for me since I don’t really do much with people my own age. Thank God for my friend Sean at church. Since he goes to the Baptist college, he has friends our age, and he’s been a blessing me helping me to meet people! And just in time for me to be able to have a lekke birthday next month – hooray! Well, today I’m going to girls’ club at Lilydale. Then I am going to the East side of Jo’burg (to BIMS) to enjoy some “Mexican” food! There’s a Mexican restaurant close to BIMS, and every time IMB workers go there, they give them pointers on how to really make Mexican food… since we live closer to Mexico than South Africans do!! So… they’re closed on Mondays, and missionaries are getting together and cooking Mexican dishes to show the restaurant employees what Mexican really is! I’m really looking forward to that. But now I must go make myself look decent for the day before I go. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Happy Father's Day! I got to talk to my Dad this evening (along with other family memebers too). Yay for talking to family on the phone. :)
The youth weekend went SO well this past weekend at Nancefield. God really rocked the house last night at the concert, and the youth pulled off a nice musical tonight. I think the highlights of this weekend were a bit different for me than for the rest of the church though. Both Friday and Saturday I got to go out afterwards with some new friends. Saturday night I went out to this cool coffee place with some people from Sean's band (also people from the Baptist college). My friend, Heather, was also there and we got to catch up. I already have plans with her and some friends to see Shrek 2 (it's just opening here now) since it will be her birthday. Then the next weekend, they are helping me have a "South African" birthday party! Wow... I have plans for Fridays already! Now, this is what I've been wanting. God is so good!
Tomorrow I have girl's club again. Please pray that all goes well. I'm not sure yet if Chantal is coming again, but I hope she is!
That's it for now. Check back later for more! :) Cheers!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
The youth weekend went SO well this past weekend at Nancefield. God really rocked the house last night at the concert, and the youth pulled off a nice musical tonight. I think the highlights of this weekend were a bit different for me than for the rest of the church though. Both Friday and Saturday I got to go out afterwards with some new friends. Saturday night I went out to this cool coffee place with some people from Sean's band (also people from the Baptist college). My friend, Heather, was also there and we got to catch up. I already have plans with her and some friends to see Shrek 2 (it's just opening here now) since it will be her birthday. Then the next weekend, they are helping me have a "South African" birthday party! Wow... I have plans for Fridays already! Now, this is what I've been wanting. God is so good!
Tomorrow I have girl's club again. Please pray that all goes well. I'm not sure yet if Chantal is coming again, but I hope she is!
That's it for now. Check back later for more! :) Cheers!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Friday, June 18, 2004
I must be quick. But tonight was a fabulous night! The youth service rocked. Worship was intense and quite lekke (really cool). Sean brought the Word like nobody's business... spoke on our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit... good stuff. Sean also brought a friend of his with him, Ralph. We hit it off right away and I knew we'd be friends because we were teasing each other within 5 minutes of an introduction. Then after the service, some young adults (some from Nancefield and some from visiting churches) went to hang out at McDonald's. Oh, the sweet fellowship around McDonalds' tables! hehe Good times... good times... I met lots of new people! But now it is late, and I'm freezing my fingers off typing this. So it's bed time for Bonnie! Goodnight!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Howzit?! I am in a really good mood right now. Any guesses as to why? Here's a hint... it's Thursday night... I just got back from sangin' practice at Nancefield Baptist. This weekend is "youth weekend" so the young team is singing Friday and Sunday (and maybe Saturday too, I'm not sure). We had a grand time tonight getting ready for this weekend, and I'm so excited to have things to do every night this weekend! Hooray! We realized tonight that the next time we practice, two weeks from tonight, it'll be a special day! Anybody know why? Well, you should... it's my birthday!! Where better to celebrate than in God's house singing' His praises with some cool friends? :)
Well, today I didn't go to school/work. You'll never guess why... taxi-violence! Two taxi companies were fighting (like with burning vehicles and shootings... serious stuff) and they closed down a major highway, which meant I couldn't get to school! So... I got another holiday today. Only one more week of teaching and then I am really on holiday! I truly canNOT wait. I'm looking forward to the break and to my friends coming to visit! I have so much to look forward to.
Ok, time to be going. I'll write when I can!
Love you all!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Well, today I didn't go to school/work. You'll never guess why... taxi-violence! Two taxi companies were fighting (like with burning vehicles and shootings... serious stuff) and they closed down a major highway, which meant I couldn't get to school! So... I got another holiday today. Only one more week of teaching and then I am really on holiday! I truly canNOT wait. I'm looking forward to the break and to my friends coming to visit! I have so much to look forward to.
Ok, time to be going. I'll write when I can!
Love you all!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Hello from the Lechner house! Once again, I am back to “pay-by-the-minute” internet. I got so spoiled while staying at the Moran household! So I’m trying to type my updates in word and then copy and paste it as fast as possible once I am online!
Well, today was a very good, but tiring day! I went to Lilydale this morning and taught 10 classes about the story of Joseph. I think 10 classes just makes for a long day in itself! But today was also the 1st day of the Tuesday girls’ club. It went very well. We hung out, had snack and then decorated our name cards like yesterday. Then I gave my testimony and told them (like I did yesterday) that if they doubted whether they were Christians or not, that they could come talk to me at ANY point and I’d love to talk to them. Well, yesterday no one came up to me, but today a girl was waiting for me. It broke my heart when she said, “I don’t know if I am a Christian because I keep praying for my mother to get better and she is still sick.” That really challenged me and I had to think fast! I talked to her for a while about God answering prayers in His own time and His own way. Then we talked about what it really means to be a Christian. I asked whether or not she had ever asked Jesus to personally come into her life, and her answer was very vague. I’m not into pushing for an immediate decision, so I left her with that to think about. She said to me, “I will do what you said to do,” which referred to admitting sin to God and asking Jesus to take it away. Please be in prayer for Nomvula as she prays and thinks about the things we have talked about!! After that, another girl was still waiting to talk to me. She said, “my mother and my father are both dead. I prayed for them to live and they didn’t.” I already knew this girl was in this situation before she was in club. I explained to her that we do not live in a fair world and that bad things happen to good people, even God’s people. I admitted that I can’t say that I know how she feels, but that God does because He watched His only Son die. I said that she can continue to pray for peace and that God will take care of her. She seemed pretty bitter, and it breaks my heart to see a 12 year old girl already bitter with God! Please pray for Lebo!! Pray that God will comfort her in her loss as she is still grieving long after the loss of her parents.
Needless to say, after club (I was there for 2 hours today!) I was exhausted enough. Then I had to go the house and pack up all my stuff to move to the Lechner’s house. I’ve been moving and rearranging things since. I’m trying to make my room feel like “home” as quickly as possible! I will be here a little over 3 months, so I should enjoy it while I can. I’m so tired now. I am going to bed early!! Tomorrow is a public Holiday in South Africa… Youth Day, celebrating the day that began the Soweto uprisings against Apartheid. I get a day off! Praise the Lord!!
Love you all! Thanks for checking in on me. :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Well, today was a very good, but tiring day! I went to Lilydale this morning and taught 10 classes about the story of Joseph. I think 10 classes just makes for a long day in itself! But today was also the 1st day of the Tuesday girls’ club. It went very well. We hung out, had snack and then decorated our name cards like yesterday. Then I gave my testimony and told them (like I did yesterday) that if they doubted whether they were Christians or not, that they could come talk to me at ANY point and I’d love to talk to them. Well, yesterday no one came up to me, but today a girl was waiting for me. It broke my heart when she said, “I don’t know if I am a Christian because I keep praying for my mother to get better and she is still sick.” That really challenged me and I had to think fast! I talked to her for a while about God answering prayers in His own time and His own way. Then we talked about what it really means to be a Christian. I asked whether or not she had ever asked Jesus to personally come into her life, and her answer was very vague. I’m not into pushing for an immediate decision, so I left her with that to think about. She said to me, “I will do what you said to do,” which referred to admitting sin to God and asking Jesus to take it away. Please be in prayer for Nomvula as she prays and thinks about the things we have talked about!! After that, another girl was still waiting to talk to me. She said, “my mother and my father are both dead. I prayed for them to live and they didn’t.” I already knew this girl was in this situation before she was in club. I explained to her that we do not live in a fair world and that bad things happen to good people, even God’s people. I admitted that I can’t say that I know how she feels, but that God does because He watched His only Son die. I said that she can continue to pray for peace and that God will take care of her. She seemed pretty bitter, and it breaks my heart to see a 12 year old girl already bitter with God! Please pray for Lebo!! Pray that God will comfort her in her loss as she is still grieving long after the loss of her parents.
Needless to say, after club (I was there for 2 hours today!) I was exhausted enough. Then I had to go the house and pack up all my stuff to move to the Lechner’s house. I’ve been moving and rearranging things since. I’m trying to make my room feel like “home” as quickly as possible! I will be here a little over 3 months, so I should enjoy it while I can. I’m so tired now. I am going to bed early!! Tomorrow is a public Holiday in South Africa… Youth Day, celebrating the day that began the Soweto uprisings against Apartheid. I get a day off! Praise the Lord!!
Love you all! Thanks for checking in on me. :)
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Monday, June 14, 2004
What a wonderful Monday!
This morning I got to chat online with some of my good friends back home. Then I went to the gym, where I actually ventured out and tried some new weight machines. Go me! haha Then I ran some errands and got ready for girls' club. I went to pick up Chantal, but she was really late! So I was nervous that we'd get there too late and the girls would leave. But thank God, we got there RIGHT as the gate was opening to let the kids out. We had 11 girls there today, and I really think they had a good time. We did a craft and had snack and listened to music. Then I shared my testimony with all of them. They actually listened to me! What a concept... I LOVE having a small group! Also, Chantal was such a blessing. The kids really like her, and she loved helping. Hopefully she'll be doing more with me in the very near future. We also had fun just talking, so please pray that we can maintain a friendship! Club went so well today, and I pray that tomorrow will go wonderfully as well!
Tomorrow (Tuesday) the Lechners are leaving. :( That means I will be moving to their house. I will be losing this excellent internet service, and I won't be able to update this web-log as often, but I will do my best! Pray that our move will go smoothly and that I will feel somewhat at home in their house for the next 3 1/2 months!
Ok, time for this tired girl to go to sleep! Goodnight world!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
This morning I got to chat online with some of my good friends back home. Then I went to the gym, where I actually ventured out and tried some new weight machines. Go me! haha Then I ran some errands and got ready for girls' club. I went to pick up Chantal, but she was really late! So I was nervous that we'd get there too late and the girls would leave. But thank God, we got there RIGHT as the gate was opening to let the kids out. We had 11 girls there today, and I really think they had a good time. We did a craft and had snack and listened to music. Then I shared my testimony with all of them. They actually listened to me! What a concept... I LOVE having a small group! Also, Chantal was such a blessing. The kids really like her, and she loved helping. Hopefully she'll be doing more with me in the very near future. We also had fun just talking, so please pray that we can maintain a friendship! Club went so well today, and I pray that tomorrow will go wonderfully as well!
Tomorrow (Tuesday) the Lechners are leaving. :( That means I will be moving to their house. I will be losing this excellent internet service, and I won't be able to update this web-log as often, but I will do my best! Pray that our move will go smoothly and that I will feel somewhat at home in their house for the next 3 1/2 months!
Ok, time for this tired girl to go to sleep! Goodnight world!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Exciting Sunday!
Today (Sunday) God just got me really excited about something. I went to visit a different church this morning... the one I went to with the LSU team. Well, I didn't enjoy the service very much. They spoke a lot of Afrikaans and I didn't enjoy their music when they WERE singing in English! (You know music is a big thing for me!) It wasn't really terrible, but I was thinking when I left, "I probably won't be visiting here very much." Well, after church I was standing around talking to a few of the people that I met a couple weeks ago and I met a new girl. She was very blunt, and said I should give her my number because she's been praying for a friend and someone to do things with. She also is not working right now. She's been volunteering at an orphanage in Soweto, but is taking a break for a little while. I mentioned what I do, and she wants to come with me! She was so excited that she wants to come with me tomorrow already. This is a great thing for multiple reasons... 1)she's turning 22 soon, so she's close to my age, and maybe she'll be the friend I've been praying for (and maybe I'LL be the friend SHE'S been praying for!) 2)it's always good to involve people from here in the ministry, that way when I go home there's more of a chance that it will continue. Isn't this cool? Her name is Chantal. I'll let you know how it goes with her tomorrow! I think it will be nice too, to have her with me in the girls' clubs. It'll be nice to have someone from the same culture as the girls. Even when I wasn't thrilled about my choice of churches this morning, God knew exactly what He was doing!
Tomorrow (5 months in SA!) Chantal and I will be going to Lilydale to meet with the first group of girls for club. It will be fairly informal... very "get to know you." We're gonna have some fun for once! I want them to know that this is NOT classtime, and they can be real with me. I plan on sharing my testimony with them too. I think it's important for them to know where I came from. On their applications, all of them said they were Christians. Most of their answers to the question, "tell me the story of how you became a Christian" includes something about their mothers or grandmothers taking them to church, or going to church all the time. I hate to tell them (well, I look forward to it, actually) but when I was their age, my family took me to church whenever possible, and I enjoyed going, but I wasn't saved yet. I hope they can see from my testimony, that going to church doesn't make you a Christian! Please pray that the story of my own life will get through to them... even if it doesn't happen right away! Also, please pray that I will have discernment to know which of the girls really are Christians, and which are not. Pray that they have fun and want to come back next week! Also, pray for Chantal - that God will use her in great ways as she works with me this coming week!!
Ok, that's it for now. Oh! The gym was back open today, so I went and did my usual... the circuit weights and the treadmill. Today I walk/jogged 6.2 kilometers! Which is almost 4 miles! Woohoo! I can do it! Pray that I can keep this up!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Today (Sunday) God just got me really excited about something. I went to visit a different church this morning... the one I went to with the LSU team. Well, I didn't enjoy the service very much. They spoke a lot of Afrikaans and I didn't enjoy their music when they WERE singing in English! (You know music is a big thing for me!) It wasn't really terrible, but I was thinking when I left, "I probably won't be visiting here very much." Well, after church I was standing around talking to a few of the people that I met a couple weeks ago and I met a new girl. She was very blunt, and said I should give her my number because she's been praying for a friend and someone to do things with. She also is not working right now. She's been volunteering at an orphanage in Soweto, but is taking a break for a little while. I mentioned what I do, and she wants to come with me! She was so excited that she wants to come with me tomorrow already. This is a great thing for multiple reasons... 1)she's turning 22 soon, so she's close to my age, and maybe she'll be the friend I've been praying for (and maybe I'LL be the friend SHE'S been praying for!) 2)it's always good to involve people from here in the ministry, that way when I go home there's more of a chance that it will continue. Isn't this cool? Her name is Chantal. I'll let you know how it goes with her tomorrow! I think it will be nice too, to have her with me in the girls' clubs. It'll be nice to have someone from the same culture as the girls. Even when I wasn't thrilled about my choice of churches this morning, God knew exactly what He was doing!
Tomorrow (5 months in SA!) Chantal and I will be going to Lilydale to meet with the first group of girls for club. It will be fairly informal... very "get to know you." We're gonna have some fun for once! I want them to know that this is NOT classtime, and they can be real with me. I plan on sharing my testimony with them too. I think it's important for them to know where I came from. On their applications, all of them said they were Christians. Most of their answers to the question, "tell me the story of how you became a Christian" includes something about their mothers or grandmothers taking them to church, or going to church all the time. I hate to tell them (well, I look forward to it, actually) but when I was their age, my family took me to church whenever possible, and I enjoyed going, but I wasn't saved yet. I hope they can see from my testimony, that going to church doesn't make you a Christian! Please pray that the story of my own life will get through to them... even if it doesn't happen right away! Also, please pray that I will have discernment to know which of the girls really are Christians, and which are not. Pray that they have fun and want to come back next week! Also, pray for Chantal - that God will use her in great ways as she works with me this coming week!!
Ok, that's it for now. Oh! The gym was back open today, so I went and did my usual... the circuit weights and the treadmill. Today I walk/jogged 6.2 kilometers! Which is almost 4 miles! Woohoo! I can do it! Pray that I can keep this up!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Happy Saturday!
It's only the middle of the day, and it's already been fun. :) This morning Frank and Sherri cooked Melissa and I omelets for breakfast... nice, huh? Then I headed out to Irene Market with Frank and Sherri. I've never been to this market, but it was really nice! I've seen most of the same kinds of things before, but this one was set up very nicely and all outdoors. I've started buying Christmas presents already (yep, Christmas presents!). I figure, if I start now and send some home with the Summit team (they leave the US a month from today!!!!) then I won't be going crazy and mailing stuff home in December. Look at that, sometimes I really do use my head. :) After the market, we came home and I took a nice nap. That's pretty exciting for me, you have no idea! And now after I finish typing this blog, I must get ready for dinner. Chris Walker (the volunteer here) is taking Melissa and I out to dinner as a thank you for letting him work with us these past few months (as if he needs to thank us!). So I'm pretty excited 'bout that! Tomorrow morning I am going to visit a church that I went to when the LSU team was here. It's called New West, and it's in the neighborhood of Westbury. I am interested in seeing what it's like when they don't know that a bunch of white people are going to be there! So, lots going on this weekend - that's the way I like it!
Next week Melissa and I are moving into the Lechners' house. I can't believe it's already the middle of June!! Monday afterschool I will have my first girls' club meeting at Lilydale. Please pray that all goes smoothly!! I'm really excited about it, but I'm also a little nervous. Pray for my nerves to produce positive energy with the girls. They seem really excited about coming, so I hope they will be committed to the group!
Alright, I'd better go make myself look decent. Thanks for checking in on me!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
It's only the middle of the day, and it's already been fun. :) This morning Frank and Sherri cooked Melissa and I omelets for breakfast... nice, huh? Then I headed out to Irene Market with Frank and Sherri. I've never been to this market, but it was really nice! I've seen most of the same kinds of things before, but this one was set up very nicely and all outdoors. I've started buying Christmas presents already (yep, Christmas presents!). I figure, if I start now and send some home with the Summit team (they leave the US a month from today!!!!) then I won't be going crazy and mailing stuff home in December. Look at that, sometimes I really do use my head. :) After the market, we came home and I took a nice nap. That's pretty exciting for me, you have no idea! And now after I finish typing this blog, I must get ready for dinner. Chris Walker (the volunteer here) is taking Melissa and I out to dinner as a thank you for letting him work with us these past few months (as if he needs to thank us!). So I'm pretty excited 'bout that! Tomorrow morning I am going to visit a church that I went to when the LSU team was here. It's called New West, and it's in the neighborhood of Westbury. I am interested in seeing what it's like when they don't know that a bunch of white people are going to be there! So, lots going on this weekend - that's the way I like it!
Next week Melissa and I are moving into the Lechners' house. I can't believe it's already the middle of June!! Monday afterschool I will have my first girls' club meeting at Lilydale. Please pray that all goes smoothly!! I'm really excited about it, but I'm also a little nervous. Pray for my nerves to produce positive energy with the girls. They seem really excited about coming, so I hope they will be committed to the group!
Alright, I'd better go make myself look decent. Thanks for checking in on me!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Hello world... What to say... what to say... I'm having a strange night. I'm sleepy, but at the same time I have had too much coffee (in an attempt to stay warm) so I'm also NOT sleepy. I know, I told you it was strange. And in case you're wondering, YES... it IS cold here in Africa. Really, it snowed down in Cape Town last night. Crazy, huh? I wish it would snow here, but I'm told that the last time it snowed even a sprinkle was back in 1981 (a good year, if you ask me!). I dare say it's time for another sprinkle of snow!
Well, the last time I wrote was Monday, and I said I was in a "funk." To be honest, I still feel like I'm in it, but I'm sure it will pass. I'm just not teaching as well lately as I was for a while there. I'll probably get my skills back just in time for school break (which is coming later this month *insert Halleluia praise chorus*)! Tuesday wasn't a bad teaching day, I just didn't feel as good as I used to about teaching. We learned the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They acted out the story and then I talked about it for a while. Actually, the more I think about it, parts of the day went very well. I had lots of chances to be serious with the kids and let them know that even though they're young, they can stand strong in something they believe in. In one class I told them that I'm 22 and still a virgin. Good golly! You should have heard their gasps!! I said, "see? People don't expect young people to stand for what they say they believe in, but it IS possible!!" Plus in some classes I shared other parts of my testimony. So... Wow, maybe it wasn't a bad day! I should update this wobbles more often - it helps me process. Don't you just love being a part of my processing? Haha
Today we went to teach at Lawley. We finished up teaching about Moses today, and I must say, hooray! I am grateful for Moses, but I feel like I've been teaching about his for a really long time. Next time (2 weeks from today) we move on to the birth of Jesus. Tonight Melissa and I went to the Lechner house to hang out with Angie and the kids (and Chris). They're leaving soon for stateside assignment. :( We ordered pizza and watched Cheaper by the Dozen and then the basketball game (which is still going on now as I speak - we're a little behind, but at least we can watch it!). And now, here I sit... at my usual nighttime spot, the computer. What would I do without it? Sometimes I really wonder... but enough wondering. I think I should try to sleep, since I do have to teach tomorrow. Goodnight!
Thanks for checking in on me!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Well, the last time I wrote was Monday, and I said I was in a "funk." To be honest, I still feel like I'm in it, but I'm sure it will pass. I'm just not teaching as well lately as I was for a while there. I'll probably get my skills back just in time for school break (which is coming later this month *insert Halleluia praise chorus*)! Tuesday wasn't a bad teaching day, I just didn't feel as good as I used to about teaching. We learned the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They acted out the story and then I talked about it for a while. Actually, the more I think about it, parts of the day went very well. I had lots of chances to be serious with the kids and let them know that even though they're young, they can stand strong in something they believe in. In one class I told them that I'm 22 and still a virgin. Good golly! You should have heard their gasps!! I said, "see? People don't expect young people to stand for what they say they believe in, but it IS possible!!" Plus in some classes I shared other parts of my testimony. So... Wow, maybe it wasn't a bad day! I should update this wobbles more often - it helps me process. Don't you just love being a part of my processing? Haha
Today we went to teach at Lawley. We finished up teaching about Moses today, and I must say, hooray! I am grateful for Moses, but I feel like I've been teaching about his for a really long time. Next time (2 weeks from today) we move on to the birth of Jesus. Tonight Melissa and I went to the Lechner house to hang out with Angie and the kids (and Chris). They're leaving soon for stateside assignment. :( We ordered pizza and watched Cheaper by the Dozen and then the basketball game (which is still going on now as I speak - we're a little behind, but at least we can watch it!). And now, here I sit... at my usual nighttime spot, the computer. What would I do without it? Sometimes I really wonder... but enough wondering. I think I should try to sleep, since I do have to teach tomorrow. Goodnight!
Thanks for checking in on me!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Monday, June 07, 2004
Monday Monday...
Life is slowly getting back to normal (if that even exists!). I had a nice, relaxing weekend... I think the after-math of having the team here finally hit - I wanted to be alone all the time! But hey, that's normal for me. =) Saturday night Melissa and I went to a movie "Win a Date with Tad Hammond." That was fun, and a bit normalizing for me! Sunday I went to church at Nancefield. It was once again, my turn to sing on the praise and worship team. I'd only been gone for 2 weeks, but it seemed like I'd been gone forever. After church I stayed to help with the youth musical, and when it turned out that no one had done anything with one song... I got appointed to sing it! It's a cool song, and I really think God wants me to sing it. The words of it are so much a part of my life (past AND present!) I'll share them with you:
"Plain" by ZoeGirl"
It made you feel plain,
when he forgot your name,
Let me tell you something,
I have felt the same.
I know you're in pain,
but there'll be another boy along the way,
God, He made you beautiful and,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
You are a jewel, you are a treasure,
You are one of a kind,
And you shine just as bright as,
The stars in the sky,
You're a rare kind of wonder,
Created just right.
So keep your head up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
You tell me you're not the type,
The kind of girl that they like,
And you're a little insecure,
About how you look in their eyes,
Well fashion will change,
And trends come and go everyday,
But God only made one of you and,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
You are a jewel, you are a treasure,
You are one of a kind,
And you shine just as bright as,
The stars in the sky,
You're a rare kind of wonder,
Created just right.
So keep your head up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
See your mind is precious,
Though your heart may be restless,
And your eyes they will see,
All that you're meant to be,
'Cause your spirit is strong,
And your soul carries on,
You'll keep your head up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain,
Ya know I have my days when,
I feel out of place, yeah,
I look at how I am, cover what I can,
I wish it all would change but,
Take the make-up away,
You'll see the same girl still remains and,
She may not feel that beautiful but,
There's nothing about her that's plain,
You are a jewel, you are a treasure,
You are one of a kind,
And you shine just as bright as,
The stars in the sky,
You're a rare kind of wonder,
Created just right.
So keep your head up no matter the pain,
And I'll keep my head up no matter the pain,
We'll keep our heads up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain,
You may have felt pain,
God, He knows your name,
Let me tell you something, yeah,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
I just love that song. It's almost as if God knew what was going on in my own heart, and is using this song to minister to me first, and then to others. I love the way He works sometimes!!
Today has been nice. I got lost of errands run - Mondays are good for that. *I also finally went back to the gym! Yay! I got someone to teach me how to use the circuit too, which is basically using lots of different weight machines. Now, if I can only KEEP going I'll be in shape. =)
Tomorrow Chris is going with me to Lilydale. It's so weird now, going there without Melissa. It's more stressful!! Tomorrow we're learning the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The plan is for the kids to act out the story - pray that all goes well. Tomorrow I also must tell the girls who is in the after-school Bible clubs. I actually haven't decided yet who is in the clubs. I've got it narrowed down some, but I need to do some more narrowing! This is NOT the fun part. I just pray that God gives me wisdom to know who should be in the clubs! Please pray that none of the girls will feel hurt that they are not in the clubs. I don't want them to be angry with me!
So, that's Monday for ya... nothing all that interesting, but good stuff. I learn to enjoy the mundane here in South Africa. :)
Until next time...
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Life is slowly getting back to normal (if that even exists!). I had a nice, relaxing weekend... I think the after-math of having the team here finally hit - I wanted to be alone all the time! But hey, that's normal for me. =) Saturday night Melissa and I went to a movie "Win a Date with Tad Hammond." That was fun, and a bit normalizing for me! Sunday I went to church at Nancefield. It was once again, my turn to sing on the praise and worship team. I'd only been gone for 2 weeks, but it seemed like I'd been gone forever. After church I stayed to help with the youth musical, and when it turned out that no one had done anything with one song... I got appointed to sing it! It's a cool song, and I really think God wants me to sing it. The words of it are so much a part of my life (past AND present!) I'll share them with you:
"Plain" by ZoeGirl"
It made you feel plain,
when he forgot your name,
Let me tell you something,
I have felt the same.
I know you're in pain,
but there'll be another boy along the way,
God, He made you beautiful and,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
You are a jewel, you are a treasure,
You are one of a kind,
And you shine just as bright as,
The stars in the sky,
You're a rare kind of wonder,
Created just right.
So keep your head up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
You tell me you're not the type,
The kind of girl that they like,
And you're a little insecure,
About how you look in their eyes,
Well fashion will change,
And trends come and go everyday,
But God only made one of you and,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
You are a jewel, you are a treasure,
You are one of a kind,
And you shine just as bright as,
The stars in the sky,
You're a rare kind of wonder,
Created just right.
So keep your head up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
See your mind is precious,
Though your heart may be restless,
And your eyes they will see,
All that you're meant to be,
'Cause your spirit is strong,
And your soul carries on,
You'll keep your head up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain,
Ya know I have my days when,
I feel out of place, yeah,
I look at how I am, cover what I can,
I wish it all would change but,
Take the make-up away,
You'll see the same girl still remains and,
She may not feel that beautiful but,
There's nothing about her that's plain,
You are a jewel, you are a treasure,
You are one of a kind,
And you shine just as bright as,
The stars in the sky,
You're a rare kind of wonder,
Created just right.
So keep your head up no matter the pain,
And I'll keep my head up no matter the pain,
We'll keep our heads up no matter the pain,
There's nothing about you that's plain,
You may have felt pain,
God, He knows your name,
Let me tell you something, yeah,
There's nothing about you that's plain.
I just love that song. It's almost as if God knew what was going on in my own heart, and is using this song to minister to me first, and then to others. I love the way He works sometimes!!
Today has been nice. I got lost of errands run - Mondays are good for that. *I also finally went back to the gym! Yay! I got someone to teach me how to use the circuit too, which is basically using lots of different weight machines. Now, if I can only KEEP going I'll be in shape. =)
Tomorrow Chris is going with me to Lilydale. It's so weird now, going there without Melissa. It's more stressful!! Tomorrow we're learning the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The plan is for the kids to act out the story - pray that all goes well. Tomorrow I also must tell the girls who is in the after-school Bible clubs. I actually haven't decided yet who is in the clubs. I've got it narrowed down some, but I need to do some more narrowing! This is NOT the fun part. I just pray that God gives me wisdom to know who should be in the clubs! Please pray that none of the girls will feel hurt that they are not in the clubs. I don't want them to be angry with me!
So, that's Monday for ya... nothing all that interesting, but good stuff. I learn to enjoy the mundane here in South Africa. :)
Until next time...
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Friday, June 04, 2004
WOW! I am loving the new additions for blogger... I can do all kinds of things. Hooray! Now I can put a picture or two on my weblog every once in a while. What fun. :) If you don't know already, this girlie's name is Cleolynn. She is the cutest little girl I've ever held in South Africa. I want to go back to these apartments and find her!! And don't think I'm kidding... I just might do it someday soon. :) This picture was taken while the LSU team was prayer walking in Westbury last Saturday.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Sad day in the life of Bonnie. The team is on a plane as I type this, headed back to America. I'm sure it's a happy day for all of them, but I am quite sad!! (As was expected.) Today Melissa and I went to Diepsloot to teach, but when we found out that Melissa's students were taking exams, we made the decision to leave and go meet the LSU people at Bruma Market (a really cool market here in Jo'burg). So we showed up there and surprised them. Yay! 'Twas much fun. I bought way too much there, which is pretty typical, but I had fun hanging out with my friends too! I rode the bus back to BIMS with the team and then hung out until it was time to say my goodbyes... *sigh* Goodbyes are never fun, but I know they are inevitable. Such is the transient life of a missionary. I thank God for the new friends He gives me, and I pray that some of us will be able to successfully keep in touch (perhaps better than others from my own home town...) After taking lots of photos and saying lots of goodbyes, the team finally left for real this time. Then I hung out for a while with Steve and Monica Allen, a couple missionaries who are staying at BIMS for a while. After that, some of us missionaries went to eat at a MEXICAN restaurant!! It was nowhere near as good as in the States, but hey, we take what we can get. :) It was a fun blessing to get to spend some time with the missionary family! So, all in all, it's been a long, FUN, but tiring day. LSU folks... if you read this, know that I miss you already!
Much love,
Bonnie B.
**Oh! Newsflash!*** I forgot to announce that my very best friend in the whole world is a new Mommy! My bestfriend, Shannon Godfrey, gave birth to Savannah Currie Godfrey this past Monday. Congrats, Shannon!!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Much love,
Bonnie B.
**Oh! Newsflash!*** I forgot to announce that my very best friend in the whole world is a new Mommy! My bestfriend, Shannon Godfrey, gave birth to Savannah Currie Godfrey this past Monday. Congrats, Shannon!!!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Howzit...
It's Wednesday night right now, and I don't have a clue why I am online! I should be going to bed, but I want to take advantage of this unlimited time online while I can. :) I am really sleepy... I think this is just a hard week for me. I don't generally handle transitions well, and this week has been FULL of them!! Tuesday night I went to a restaurant called Carnivor. The LSU team went there and they paid for us South African missionaries to eat there too! Hooray! I got to sit with my friends, and all was wonderful. I'll get pictures online as soon as I learn how to on this computer! I thought I'd be saying my goodbyes then, but it turns out that I get to see them one last time tomorrow afternoon before they leave. I can count on some tears. These people have grown very dear to me, and I will miss them a lot. I've been kinda in a "funk" this week in class. I am doing my best, but I still don't feel very motivated. I need to just readjust to being quiet and alone rather than constantly surrounded by people like I have been the past 2 weeks!
Lately God has been opening my eyes to SO MUCH. It's been cool. I got to learn just about as much as the LSU team did. We went into some areas where I'd never been before, and I definitely want to go back.
Well, I guess I do need to get some sleep. I don't want my last impression on the LSU folks to be one of a Bonnie with bags under her eyes! It's bad enough that they'll all remember me with lots of tears!! Goodnight world!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
It's Wednesday night right now, and I don't have a clue why I am online! I should be going to bed, but I want to take advantage of this unlimited time online while I can. :) I am really sleepy... I think this is just a hard week for me. I don't generally handle transitions well, and this week has been FULL of them!! Tuesday night I went to a restaurant called Carnivor. The LSU team went there and they paid for us South African missionaries to eat there too! Hooray! I got to sit with my friends, and all was wonderful. I'll get pictures online as soon as I learn how to on this computer! I thought I'd be saying my goodbyes then, but it turns out that I get to see them one last time tomorrow afternoon before they leave. I can count on some tears. These people have grown very dear to me, and I will miss them a lot. I've been kinda in a "funk" this week in class. I am doing my best, but I still don't feel very motivated. I need to just readjust to being quiet and alone rather than constantly surrounded by people like I have been the past 2 weeks!
Lately God has been opening my eyes to SO MUCH. It's been cool. I got to learn just about as much as the LSU team did. We went into some areas where I'd never been before, and I definitely want to go back.
Well, I guess I do need to get some sleep. I don't want my last impression on the LSU folks to be one of a Bonnie with bags under her eyes! It's bad enough that they'll all remember me with lots of tears!! Goodnight world!
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)