Deep Thought for today...

I just had a thought… As you should know by now, my time in South Africa is quickly drawing to an end. (9 weeks from today I’ll land in the U.S. of A – crazy…) Lately I’ve found myself mentally labelling things that I plan to give away to people. Today I thought to myself, “it’s so easy to give stuff away now because I know I can’t take it home with me, and I know when I get home, I’m going to get cool new stuff anyway.” And you know what hit me?? This Earth really isn’t “home” for me anyway. And it isn’t for you either, if you know Jesus. It should always be easy for me to give away my things here on this Earth, knowing good and well than soon (well, soon in the grand scheme of eternity) I’ll be going home. And then I won’t be taking anything with me! And I’ll get brand new everything and I won’t give a second thought to those silly things I’ve left behind. So, my challenge to you all, and to myself, is to live each day knowing that soon you’ll be going home. What can you give away that really doesn’t mean all that much to you, but would make someone else’s day? Or what can you give away that does mean something to you, but could change someone else’s life? Think about it…

Love you all…
Bonnie B.

another day...

Well, I honestly don't have all that much to update about lately... Life's just moving along as usual, and I am totally ok with that. :) I went to the gym tonight... that's something I haven't done in far too long! I've been doing some Tae Bo in my flat, but it's also nice to get out and do something different. I finished reading my book, The Gutter today. I'm sad about that because I really really enjoyed it. In a way I feel like Craig Gross (the author) gave words to alot of the things I've been thinking or feeling in my time here, but that I haven't been able to give words to. I think everyone and their mother should read that book (and probably their father too... hehe). It challenges me, but it also made me excited about being a Christian. And let's face it, how many books really do that?! If you're bored right now... go to your nearest Christian book store, buy the book, come back home and sit down with a nice cup of coffee and get to reading. It'll be worth every single penny and every minutes you spend reading it!!

This past Monday was Nurse's birthday. She turned 20. We had a little surprise party for her at Rand Leases on Sunday and she was over the moon! She later told me that she'd never had a birthday party before. Wow. Do we take stuff for granted or what? I absolutely love this girl. If she was the only person who's life I've touched in the last year and 7 months, then it's been worth it all. Please pray for her and her growth as a young woman of God. She faces so many challenges that I'll never understand, but she's so strong! And she loves the Lord so much. She is a miracle for sure!

Hope you're all having a great Wednesday. We're closer to the weekend!! Hooray!
in Him,
Bonnie B.
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Change is in the air...

So, I thought it was gonna be this big sad day when I left South Africa because… well, my team loves me and will miss me. WELL… it indeed will be a sad day. And my team indeed loves me! BUT I am not the only dynamic of the WGET that is changing!! In a few weeks the Morans are leaving for 6 months for their state-side (furlough) so they’re leaving before me! THEN, somewhere around the end of this year/beginning of next year, the Lechners are moving to Mozambique!! Wow… life sure does throw lots of changes our way. It’s sad for the WGET to lose the Lechner family, but wow… I know God has huge and amazing plans for them. How exciting it is for them to be faithfully following God’s call to pick up and move again. I am constantly learning from this awesome family. But let me just say, I’m glad they leave AFTER me! Someone has to be here to see me off at the airport!! :) So that’s the latest news.

Oh, I went back to see the piercing guy today. No, I didn’t get anything else! I just realized that I was in so much shock after I got it done, that I forgot to ask some important questions like how to change it and when I can change it and all that jazz. My friend Casey was with me this time so I didn’t have to go alone. But once again, the guy was as nice as can be and helpful. I wish I knew the guy’s name. He’s a cool guy… just wish he knew Jesus. Maybe one of these days. Oh well, I’m off to bed soon. Pray for the piercing guy tonight! Jesus loves him... this I know... for the Bible tells me so! ;)
Love ya,
Bonnie

Visuals...

Hey Folks... Here are some pictures from tonight's team meeting. You wanna know how tiny my nose ring is? Charlie (Angie husband) thought it was a pimple. Yeah... great... I may have to look into getting a different colour or SOMETHING! Can't have people thinking I have a perpetual pimple on my nose. The rest of the team didn't even notice it at first!! So it's really not a big deal Mom. You can stop worrying about me. ;) Aren't these pictures cute? I love these people. In case you don't know them, Angie is the lady with me, Abby is her daughter and Joshuwa is the little boy. Hope you like the pictures. I'm tired, so I do believe it is time for me to go to bed!!!
Cheers,
Bonnie
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

self-inflicted pain

Sometimes I wonder why people do things that really hurt themselves. Like… getting their nose pierced, for example… I mean, WHY? I am asking myself that question right now… since I got my nose pierced yesterday. Mom, try not to scream; I’m not turning weird or anything. But I’ve kinda wanted one for a while and I figure that when I have to look for a preschool teaching job I’ll probably have to get rid of it. So I thought I’d try it out while I can. :) Maybe one of these days I’ll put a picture up so you can see it, but really, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s a tiny little (try not to be surprised) pink stud and I think it looks nice. I had an interesting time at the place I had it done. Here’s a little something I wrote about it on someone else’s blog…

I went to get my nose pierced at the mall at a store called "Black Star." While I waited for the guy to get off the phone, I looked around and was overwhelmed with evil... pentagrams, wicca paraphernalia, and other demonic types of clothing and accessories. My first reaction was, "yikes! what is WRONG with these people?" But then I thought back to the whole "don't expect those in the dark to live in the light" concept and I realized that these guys are just lost sons and daughters of Christ. He loves them the same as He loves me, and His heart breaks over their lostness. I was so humbled... especially when the guy got off the phone and was one of the nicest guys I've ever met. The time I was waiting I decided to pray for the guys who own the store as well as those who come in to buy this stuff. And as a bonus, every time I think about how much my nose hurts and wonder what in the world I was thinking, I'll remember to pray for these guys! :) They need Jesus just as much as anyone else, and if I (a Christian) won't give them the time of day, who will? Just a thought...

Anywho… I hope none of you think I’ve lost my mind. Just trying to have a little fun while I’m still young. ;)

Cheers,
Bonnie

USA vs SA

Instead of posting a response to Nikky’s comment, I thought this might be a fun chance to post on the topic… so, in case you didn’t read the comment it says…

“South Africa must be a trip! How is it different from the US (I'm sure there are many differences) and how is it the same?”

So, how is it different? Well…

1)There are MANY more languages here – 11 official languages to be exact. So that makes it difficult sometimes! I am commonly spoken to in Afrikaans and I feel like a complete idiot and try to get out, “ek prat nie Afrikaans nie” which means I don’t speak Afrikaans (I don’t know if I spelled that right)… then that leads into a whole discussion of where I’m from and why I’m here.
2)We drive on the left side of the road, on the right side of the car, and almost all the cars here are manual, so I shift with my left hand.
3)There’s no Hershey’s chocolate here… that makes me sad. BUT, the major chocolate company here is Cadbury’s and it’s quite lovely. :)
4)You can call someone “coloured” and not get in trouble for it. ;) Here, coloured actually refers to a group of specific people and it’s the proper term.
5)When we say that Indians live here, we actually mean people who descend or are directly from India!
6)We’re on the metric system… so I can drive 120 on the highway and not get in trouble for it! :)
7)Sometimes things happen a lot slower here than they would in America. I live in Johannesburg, which is a big city, so that’s not as much of an issue… until you talk about the townships, which are more of what you’d think of as “Africa.” There, I never know what’s going to happen. Sometimes an event is scheduled to start at noon and might not start till a few hours later!!
8)The big sports attractions here are rugby, cricket and soccer. Very few people even know how to play basketball and baseball.
9)We use Rand instead of Dollars. $1.00 equals about R6.50.

How is it the same?

1)There are malls everywhere, with trendy and expensive shops, coffee places to hang out and movie cinemas (our movies always come out at least a few days after the States).
2)There’s McDonald’s and KFC! (and Pizza Hut in some places, but not around here)
3)Almost everyone carries a cell-phone… even some of the poorest people I’ve met somehow still have a cell-phone a lot of the time.


You know, life here to me is very much like life in America, but for some weird reason it’s hard for me to list ways that things are the same. I don’t know why that is. I mean really, I don’t live any differently than I would in the States! I guess it’s just easier to think of ways that are different, because I rarely think about things that are the same.

I would love it hear from any of you who either live here or have visited. What have you noticed is different or the same??? Do tell! :)
Thanks for checking in on me!

in Him,

Bonnie B.

Correction...

I need to make a correction… I realized that I said basically said that “white South Africans” object to me going into Soweto alone. I need to emphasize that NOT all white South African are like this! There are many who I have met, especially lately, who go against the norm, and I like ‘em. :) Just thought I should make that known!

I’m off to Bible study!
Love,
Bonnie

The Gutter

I’ve recently been reading a new book called “The Gutter,” by Craig Gross. Wow. This guy truly knows what it means to follow the Great Commission. He’s not afraid to get into the “gutter” where people are the furthest away from Christ. After all, that’s what Christ did, right? It’s a challenging read, but also an encouraging one. I hope I can be half as bold as this guy someday. A lot of this book makes me think of many of the responses I get from people (white south Africans) when they hear that I go into Soweto and that I’m [GASP] alone. If more people could get over their own fears of the gutter, maybe I wouldn’t have to go alone! Anyway, I could write a book on that, so I’m getting off my soapbox now… I’m not even half way through yet, but here are a few quotations from the book that struck me:

(On his venture into a homeless community to pass out food…) “Growing up, I was protected from this environment; I didn’t even know this other world existed. But now as a youth pastor, I not only wanted to experience it, but I also wanted others to see it too. I didn’t want the kids in my group to be as sheltered as I was. In my mind, I really thought I was making a difference, but the gutter was bigger than I expected. And more crowded.”

“When I accepted Christ as my saviour, I was lifted out of the gutter, but I was not made better than those who remained.”

“That’s the question we always get: ‘how do you do it?’ We’re able to go to our gutter because we aren’t scared of it. Too many Christians get scared of the world, but when you look at Jesus and the things He did, the way He brought light into darkness, you can plainly see that we have nothing to be scared of.”

“You know what I hear all the time when I go speak at churches or conferences? ‘I could never do what you’re doing.’ You know what I say? Usually something like, ‘well, I understand. This is what God has called me to do.’ You know what I want to say? ‘Why not? Stop being so weak. God did not create you to be a scared, irrelevant Christian. Why can’t you do this? What is holding you back if you know what God’s Word says and you know what He’s capable of doing? Whywhywhy?! Stop being afraid of the gutter and just go get in it.’ The world looks at the Church and sees a bunch of people too afraid to approach them.”

“Don’t blame the dark for being dark. Blame the light for not shining on the dark.”

“While the Church at large is great at telling people to avoid their gutters, I’ve found that this approach just doesn’t work anymore. … Things have changed, and people don’t do things just because they’re told to do them or because those things are expected of them. So we as a Church have to change our approach and get dirty. Modern Christians must take risks and get out of their comfortable pews and classrooms and do something for God. If we don’t, who will?”

“It’s a dirty place, the gutter. But it’s worth it.”

(Craig Gross started a website called xxxchurch.com to reach out to those in the pornography business as well as those caught up in a addiction to pornography. Interestingly enough, while many of those in the business are interested in his work, his major opposition comes from Christians… interesting…)

Adorable kids!

I took this picture yesterday at Braamfischerville and thought I just HAD to share it with you all. Aren’t these kids precious!? :) I sure do love ‘em!


Have a great week!!!

Hooray for Mugg & Bean!

Yay… I got to go to Mugg & Bean again tonight… that makes 3 weeks in a row, which used to never happen. You see, the young adults at Northcliff always go out for coffee afterwards, but I always have prayer meeting to go to. 2 weeks ago the Holidays were out of town, so we didn’t have it, last week I skipped to help out a new friend, and this week we didn’t have it again! Man, that’s nice for me. I mean, prayer is great an all, but to be able to relax and have fun with my friends is also nice… especially since the first half of my Sundays are pretty ministry-heavy (in a good way!). So yeah, Mugg & Bean… a great way to finish off a great day. :)

Yesterday I talked to my Mom for about 2 ½ hours on the phone! Wow… I don’t know how we found so much to talk about, but we did! Haha She told me what my first homemade meal is going to be on the Sunday after I get back (I arrive on Saturday evening… after dinner hour!) and I’m quite excited. I haven’t have a homecooked meal made by Mom in a year and 8 months! And that is entirely too long. It was good to talk to my Mom for a long time, because for once I was actually looking forward to going home (at least for a while). It’s good to have some things to look forward to… like seeing my new baby niece whom I haven’t seen yet! I so can’t wait to just hold her and admire God’s awesome little creation. I also can’t wait to see all the other “little” people in my life… my two precious nephews, my other niece (she was 5 months old when I left so she doesn’t remember me at all!), my best friend’s baby (who is over a year old now!!!). I can’t wait!

Well, tomorrow starts another pretty typical week. Nothing new that I can think of… Life skills tomorrow, then hanging out with Janna Kay for a while, which I haven’t done in a while, so that’ll be nice!! Then I’m babysitting Joshuwa and Ruth Anne for a few hours tomorrow night. Fun times. :)

Alrighty… I need to go get my beauty sleep!! Thanks for checking in on me.
in Him,
Bonnie B.

A new favourite song...

Back when the teams were here, someone gave me a Building 429 CD and I never really listened to it. I just randomly heard this song tonight... at seemingly the perfect time. This is a great song... I wish I could make it so you could hear the song and not just the lyrics, because the song itself is just really awesome. Anyway, here are the lyrics...

No One Else Knows
My world is closing in
On the inside
But I’m not showing it
When all I am is crying out
I hold it in and fake a smile
Still I’m broken
I’m broken
Only one can understand
And only one can hold the hand
Of the broken
Of the broken

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in your arms
Again

I need no explanation of "why me?"
I just need confirmation
Only You could understand
the emptiness inside my head
I am falling
I am falling
I’m falling down upon my knees
To find the one who gives me peace
I am flying
Lord I am flying

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in Your arms
Again

I have come to you in search of faith
Cause I can’t see beyond this place
Oh You are God and I am man
So I’ll leave it in Your hands

Now, I'm sure you're thinking that I am really depressed or something, but I'm really not! (Mom, don't worry, your little girl is fine;)) But I was feeling a little wierd tonight... partly probably because I'm overly tired from not much sleep last night, partly because a friend of mine let me down. Also, lots of people asked me when I'm going home tonight at Bible study and I had to repeatedly tell them when and then explain to them why I'm not excited about leaving... they all seem to think I should be excited... I think they forget that it is not an adventure for me as it would be for them!! :)

Anyway, about the song... how right it is. And not just in my case. I wonder how many people (South Africans and Americans alike... and anyone else for that matter) go through their days feeling like no one understands them? That makes me sad for people. I wish I could help them and understand them, but it seems like we all have such mucked up lives that we can all only focus on our own issues. Why can't I stop whining about having to leave SA and start caring for other people as much as I care about myself? I think the sin of selfishness is a strong one, and a sneaky one that slips in without being noticed for a long time. I pray that God will make me more aware of times whem I am focused so much on myself that I cannot see the obvious needs and hurts of others. Lord, make me aware of where you can use me to care for your sheep. Help me to understand them and show them Your love. Amen

Now, that was my 'deep thought' for the night. On to another quick note... tonight at Bible study we divided into new small groups. Last time I was in an all girls group and I really liked it, but something happened and somehow I was not in that group anymore. So... meet my friends! (Some of whom are kinda new to me, some whom I've known for a while!)
From left to right we have... Stacy, Moses, Charisse, Chris, Eric and me. :) I think we actually ended up with the most 'diverse' group - so hooay for diversity! I think it'll be a fun group... most of these people are pretty silly, but can calm down and be serious when needed, which should be a recipe for a great small group. Let the good times roll! (See Mom? I'm not depressed;) haha)

Thanks for checking in on me!! Goodnight!
in Him,

Bonnie B.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Who needs sleep?

Note to self: never drink a mocha freeze from Seattle Coffee after 7pm! Last night Heather and Megan (journeygirls from Grahamstown) were spending the night with me, and whenever they're in Jo'burg we have to go to Seattle Coffee because it's the closest we can find to Starbucks. So... they both got theirs decaf, but I wasn't aware of that and didn't even think about it. I was definitely awake until at least 2am this morning and thenn woke up at about 5:30 because the girls were getting up and getting ready to leave. So now I am quite sleepy, but since I'm awake I don't want to go back to bed. I don't have anything today until a life-skills class at 11:30, so I think I'll do some Tae Bo this morning and then once I'm ready for school I'll take some much needed time to read. That will be nice. :) So... goodmorning everyone! :)
Cheers,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Hooray for Naps

I just woke up from a long nap, and wow... it felt nice. :) For some reason I was so tired today after the Sunday Schools! They both went really well though. Nurse impresses me more every week. I honestly think that she will continue to be a great (and even better) teacher once I leave. Today I was saying how once I go home, the kids in Braamfischerville won't get fed after class anymore. (The Rand Leases kids get sandwiches that people from Northcliff make, but Braamfischerville is not a Northcliff thing so I bring stuff and the kids make their own snadwiches - it's quiet fun!) Anyway, she said, "but I will keep coming and teaching them anyway... they will still come." I believe that. Nurse has grown so much since I met her. I am not claiming any responsibility for that, but it's been such a blessing to be able to watch her grow in the Lord!!! Well... after that nice nap, I must get ready for church. Yay for Northcliff!! I really love that place. Thank the Lord for pointing me in their direction! :)
Cheers,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Megan's Housewarming :)

This is my dear friend Megan. She studies with me at ICBM (the International College of Bible and Missions). She and her twin (and I mean completely identical twin!) just moved into a flat not far from me. She had her housewarming party tonight and that was a lot of fun. It's beginning to freak me out now when I hang out with one group of friends... and in walks other people that I know. It is so awesome how God has blessed me BEYOND measure with cool friends in South Africa. I definitely will have lots of fun people to come back and visit - hooray!

Thanks for checking in on me! :)
Love, Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Ruth Anne and Ivy (her pony :))

On Sunday I took Ruth Anne to her horse riding show, where she one a 1st on one test, a 2nd on another test, and then their team won the over-all, out of 52 teams!!!!

Self-shot of Eric and I (Eric came as a cowboy and said he left as an "indian", thanks to Ruth Anne's face painting... he was representing the "new America" - ha!)

Happy 4th of July!

RAH and I being 'country girls'! (thanks for the hat, Eric!)

Ok, so for some reason blogger is having a hard time uploading pictures, so for now I'll go back to posting one picture at a time. Here is Ruth Anne and I showing off out country's flag. :)

a picture's worth a thousand words!

Hey friends... this past weekend was definitely not a normal one! I stayed the whole weekend with Ruth Anne Holiday (one of our MKs "missionary kids"). Her parents went to Mpumelanga to the wedding of one of the pastors that we work with here. Ruth Anne had a big horse-show this weekend that she really didn't want to miss, so they asked me to stay with her all weekend. So... I did. Fun times! (mostly... hehe) So, here are a few photos from a couple things we did this weekend...
On Saturday, we went to a "4th of July" party that the Northcliff Union young adults put on. It was actually put on by my small group. The funny thing is, it was a South African who insisted that we celebrate it! Crazy, hey? We had lots of fun though. My Mom sent us lots of decorations and things to help make the party more "genuine." We had the "bbq" at Dave and Aprile Sleight's house... they are American missionaries too. Dave made a CD of all sorts of songs that mention US states or cities. And he played the national anthem and we had to sing along before we ate! Funny...


Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

It's for real...

I'm really leaving... I have flight details and everything. I still can't believe it, and to be honest, I'm in a bit of a state of shock. I mean, I knew I was leaving and all, but now that I have a time and everything it's like, "oh my gosh.... I am really leaving". *sigh* I guess I should let you know the details, hey? :) Here goes:

I leave here at 8:10pm Friday, 4 November (or 20h10) (1:10pm for you East Coast Americans!)
I fly through Frankfurt, Germany and
I arrive in NC at 8:27pm (NC time) on Saturday, 5 November (You Jo'burg folk will be fast asleep!)

Wow... I can't even form real thoughts right now. I think I'm gonna go cry myself to sleep now. (ok, not really...) :)

Goodnight everyone!
Love ya,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

New Orleans Jazz, Black Eagles and Christmas in July!

No... those three things do not have any huge connection, except that they all have to do with the amazing day I had today.

After church I met a few friends (mostly old and one new!) at the botanical gardens for their periodic "picnic concert." Today's was New Orleans Jazz!! Man those guys were so amazing, and it was so cool to just sit on a blanket with my friends and a lunch from Subway. I felt like I was really at home... whatever that means. :) Good friends... good music... good food... can one ask for more!? hehe

Once the concert ended, we took a walk around the park. I'd been down to the waterfall before, but I didn't know there was a place to hike up to the top of this place. Well, the guys wanted to go, and I didn't want to be left behind, so I trecked up to the top with them, and wow! What a great view. I almost forgot I was in a big city. To make our afternoon even better, just before we were about to walk back down, we saw one of the black eagles flying around and we were very excited. Then, to even more of a surprise, another one started flying around! So we got to see 2 of the black eagles today. Quite a sight. :)

At one point during the afternoon my friend, Craig, started singing "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." I really have no idea why he did, but no one understands half of the things Craig does, so I don't ask questions anymore. :) Well, I have that song (the Nat King Cole version) on mhy i-pod, so I listened to it in my car on the way home. Well, then I remembered an earlier conversation that I'd had with someone about how it was ok to listen to Christmas music because of "Christmas in July." So when I got home I dug out my favourite Christmas album (Switched on Santa... a very old album that my parents actually copied from an LP to a tape for me!!). I listened to it tonight and had a wonderful time pretending that it was Christmas time. :) It did make me excited about being home for the holidays this year!

Well, folks... this girl is sleepy. It's been a long and tiring day, but wow... such an awesome one. Thanks for checking in on me!!

in Him,
Bonnie
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

playing catch up!

Ok, now that I have a good internet connection, and lots of time to write, the hard part is updating you on everything that's been happening without boring you to tears. :) I'll try to be brief! :)

Bible Studies:
They have finally begun! Last Saturday I went out to do the study with some pre-teen/teen girls from my life-skills class who were interested in having a Bible study. They actually remembered and showed up!! I was surprised because I was actually 30 minutes late. I was driving there with all intentions on be on time, and I got stopped to let a funeral procession go by. This is normal, but apparently someone important died because I think every police car in Johannesburg was part of this procession! Everyone was decked out in their finest apparel, and atleas 200 cars slowly inched past me for about 35 minutes while I sat there and prayed that the girls wouldn't give up on me! Thank the Lord for answering my request! There were 7 girls there and I think more will be there this week. One of the best things about this one is that there is an 18 year old girl named Promise who takes a lot of the lead during the study. This is amazing because hopefully she will continue to lead the girls when I leave in 3 months!!

The other study was harder to get started. One week I went and the lady had gone on holiday. The next week her phone wasn't working. Finally we were able to have the Bible study this Wednesday!!! Zandile (the lady I've been talking to) wasn't even there, but her sister (Mbali) was there and she went and got some more people to come! At first there were 4 ladies and me but a few more trickled in as the hour went by. Let me please ask you for your prayers for next week!! These ladies have obviously been in touch with lots of different people from lots of different religions and cults and they are so confused! They asked me lots of questions... some which I could answer and some that I had to answer that I honestly didn't know, but would come with an answer next week! They literally followed me out to my car and continued to ask me questions until I finally said, "ladies, I am a growing Christian just like you and I don't have all the answers. Right now I am exhausted and all I can tell you is that if it's not in that Book (a lady was holding a Bible), I don't believe it." When I left, I was literally more spiritually and physically exhausted than I have been in longer than I can remember. There was some serious battling going on in the spiritual realm, that's for sure!! PLEASE, remember to pray for the ladies and me next Wednesday!

ICBM (no, I'm not talking about missiles)
I am taking 2 classes at ICBM (the International College of Bible and Missions) this term: Advanced Biblical Counselling and Comparative Religions. Both classes seem awesome so far. It's hard for me to believe that I am on my third term there already!! I've met a few interesting people this term in my classes. It's always really cool for me to meet other people who are in ministry and to see what they're up to. It's refreshing to know that at least if I have to leave, I am not leaving a country that has no workers. There are many workers here in Johannesburg, and many more who have much potential! Anyway, the comparative religions class is really interesting. I really don't know a lot about other religions, even though I should! So ya... college is going very well. :)

In other random news... Cara Beth, a girl that the Lechners knew from home is here visiting them for a few weeks. If you remember me talking about Chris last year, this is his sister. She's so much fun!! I've hung out with her and Angie a couple times so far, and I hope to see more of them before she leaves. :) ... For those of you who are still a bit unclear about my plans for the future, I am going back to the States to teach next year. I'm still not thrilled about it, but unless God changes the plan, that's what I'll be doing. I'm sure there's a reason for it, and trust that God has big plans for my little ole life in North Carolina! :)

Well, Joshuwa wants to go play outside, and I did come here to watch him. So off I go! :) Thanks for checking in on me. :)

Cheers,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

long time no post

Hey guys... sorry for the lapse in postings... I've been a bit under the weather. I hardly ever get sick. In fact, I hadn't really been sick the whole time I've been here. But I guess my time was over-due. Anywho, I'm definitely on the up and up, but I've got a few ick days every once in a while still. Well, I'm going to the Holiday's house tomorrow, so I'll update this when I can take my time on the DSL (hooray for DSL!). Just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive!! :)
Cheers,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Twenty-something...

Love ain't the answer, nor is work

The truth elludes me so much it hurts

But I'm still having fun and I guess that's the key

I'm a twentysomething and I'll keep being me

-Jamie Cullum "Twenty-something"

Life as a twenty-something can be such a trial... so many of my twenty-something friends seem to be struggling right now. (I'm speaking of my South African friends... I have no clue what goes on in my old friends' lives in the States...) I don't mean that our lives are falling to shambles or that we're in a bad place, but we're struggling. We're questioning things we never questioned before. We're begging God for answers, and to us it seems He is slow in responding. I know He's not slow though. I know His timing is perfect, even though I struggle to understand it. I'm fighting God for the first time in my life. I think it's the first time anyway. God has basically shut the door for me to stay here next year, and I am kicking and screaming - begging Him to change His mind. But He's God. I don't think He changes His mind. And it hurts to think of not being here next year... I don't mean hurts emotionally; I actually mean it hurts. My stomach hurts when I think about it. I get all tied up inside - really. I don't like God's plan right now, and wow, that feels SO weird to say. I've always been one to go along with God's plan and be all happy about it. It's so odd to feel this way! Is this normal? Is this OK? Is it OK to disagree with God? I mean, deep down I know that His plan is best... I really do. I'm just having a hard time accepting it. I don't want to let go of what I've made for myself here. I've pleaded with God on so many occastions in the past 18 months to give me friends here. And you know, He was so faithful and wonderful to answer my prayer a hundred fold. To have the kind of friends I have here, and to have only been here 1 1/2 years is truly amazing. Lord, let me never take them for granted. But now I am fighting with God because I don't want to let them go. Or rather, I don't want to go away from them. My friend Craig made a great statement tonight. He said that something he's realized about being twenty-something is that at any given moment, in 2 year's time, he'll probably have a completely different life... different work, different passions, different friends. And he said that it's a freeing thought. He said it helps you to not hold on to friends, but rather to hold onto the God in them. Now, he didn't mean that there's a god in every person... he's not weird like that. :) He was saying that I must hold onto what God has done, spoken, and shown me through each friend I've made in this amazing journey. And man, he's so right. God has used my friends here in incredible ways... ways I would never have imagined. He didn't give me silly friends (though I may have thought so from time to time). When I really think about it, He put really strong people in my life... people who would challenge me, inspire me, and love me for who I am. He's truly amazing. How can I question His intentions for my life?? I still don't like the idea... I'd still rather be here next year... But I do surrender to His will. I may have to let go of what He has given me, but I'll never ever let go of the God I have seen in each one of my blessed South African friends. To God be all the glory. Amen!

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Vain?

Tonight it had been about 4 weeks since I'd seen any of my church friends here in Jo'burg... with all the teams and such, I just hadn't been able to make it. I was so happy to be able to go tonight and worship with my community of friends and just see them again! For some reason... various people, all at different times and sererately from each other, told me that I looked pretty tonight. One girl even kept looking at me funny while we talked and then just said, "you just look so pretty tonight." Now, I don't know why this happened, but really, I'm so chuffed that it did. (Chuffed = really happy/surprised/excited... did I spell that right?) I'm in such a good mood right now. Part of me though is like, "wow... am I so vain that people telling me I look pretty puts me in this good of a mood?" But I also think it's ok... I think it's normal to feel great after people say such nice things. And I mean, it wasn't like these people were purposely trying to make me feel better or something... they all seemed genuine. And it's almost as if they were God's mouthpiece, reminding me that I am His beautiful girl. :) And I am, you know. I am beautiful... no matter what this stinkin' world thinks. And you are too! (or handsome or whatever suits you best;)) haha... man, I'm in such a great mood tonight. And no, it's not ALL b/c people told me I looked nice. I'm also just really excited to be in a place in my life where chaos has the potential to ruin me, but I am refusing to let it. It's like I'm saying, "Ha! Devil - get your booty outta here... I'm not listening to you and your confusing words anymore! I have a better authority to listen to and He is not the Author of confusion. And He has great plans for me, so just bug off!" *sigh* God is so good. I learn that more and more everyday. Goodnight world...
in Him,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Canceled plans...

You know, it's always been a major pet peeve of mine when I think something's going to happen and it doesn't... but I am learning! As of earlier this week (and this morning) I had two possible plans... both of which eventually fell through. Was I a bit peeved? Yeah... Did I get over it? Most definitely... and I ended up having a decent evening catching up with two lovely ladies who, at this time last year, were a major part of my life. Besides getting a killer headache half-way through the night, the evening was quite nice. (2 advil and some coffee kicked the headache to the curb, no problemo!) It was so nice to just sit and chat with the gals (Heather and Melissa, if you know who they are) and really not talk about a whole lot... I know that makes sense to none of my male readers, but ladies, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Sitting for hours, talking, but not saying all that much. Sometimes that's annoying, but other times it's so nice and relaxing! And tonight was one of those relaxing times. I think I needed that. I didn't realize how lonely I've been the past few days/weeks... the teams are so cool, but they're not like friends here or people who really know me. I definitely must just purposelessly hang out more often! hehe (is purposelessly a word??) I found out that Heather knows the people at the one school I am thinking of applying at for a job next year. (If you didn't know that I'm thinking of working here next year... well, the news is out... and it's not for sure... just testing my options at the moment!) Anywho... she knows the principle personally and everything. Nice, hey? She also said though that they don't seem to hire many young teachers (like me!) with not much experience. I think the one thing in my favour though is that she is very persnickity about hiring Christians, and well, I am one... and I think the fact that I've been here for 18 months doing children's ministry will look good on my CV! (pop quiz: anyone besides Rog know what a "CV" is? if you read my blogs... you should know now! hehe)

Also... blog of note! I've only stumbled upon this guy's blog recently... I don't even remember quite how to be honest, and I am loving his writing. You really should enter the blog world with me and check this stuff out. :)

And before I go to bed... I realized 2 very random things about myself tonight... 1) I am addicted to toast and jam. I have no clue why, but recently I just love it. Crazy, hey? 2) I really like green tea with no sugar. I've been drinking green tea for a long time and just tonight I thought, I'm gonna try it w/o sugar, and what do you know, I love it! Who knew!? ;)

And now that I've rambled on and on... it's time for me to attempt sleep. Thanks for checking in on me! Goodnight world!! :)

in Him,
Bonnie B.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

I’ve been reading a lot lately, and I just wanted to share a really great few lines from a book that I have been reading, “Searching for God Knows What,” by Donald Miller…

“…life is complex, and the idea that you can break it down or fix it in a few steps is rather silly. The truth is there are a million steps, and we don’t even know what the steps are, and worse, at any given moment we may or may not be willing or even able to take them; and still worse, they are different for you and me and they are always changing. I have come to believe the sooner we find this truth beautiful, the sooner we will fall in love with the God who keeps shaking things up, keeps changing the path, keeps rocking the boat to test our faith in Him, teaching us to not rely on easy answers, bullet points, magic mantras, or genies in lamps, but rather in His guidance, His existence, His mercy, and His love.”

I am definitely in that place of God shaking things up, changing the path, and rocking the boat. I also realize that this is the way I see it, but I bet to God He doesn’t see it as shaking, changing, or rocking anything. I may feel like He’s rocking the boat, but to Him, this is just the way Bonnie’s life is supposed to pan out. He had it planned out all along, and who am I to question His plan? I don’t know yet what the next steps are for me, but I do pray that I will be willing, and by God’s grace, able to take them. I really don’t enjoy being confused, but one thing I have certainly learned in my 18 months here is that it always seems that the times I am most confused, I learn to lean on and trust my Father more and more, and that’s worth the confusion. I suppose if I knew everything, I wouldn’t have to ask Him and seek His desires, and that would be a most terrible place to be in. I don’t know what the next 6 months hold for me. I know that I go home in 4 months. I know that somewhere in the first week of November, I will board a plane in Jo’burg and (hopefully!) land in Raleigh Durham, NC the next day. I know I’ll see my family and I can’t wait for that!!! I know I’ll go visit my home churches and give lots of missions presentations (quite possibly even in churches I’ve never been to before!). But I don’t know what else will happen… I can’t see that far, and I don’t know what the steps will be. But I do trust my Dad. He knows it all, and He knows what’s best for me. Man, I love that! I love that I can trust Him and not have to worry and fret about my life. He’s pretty awesome, isn’t He? :)

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

What a day! I actually just finished "relocating" a seemingly lost lizzard! For some odd reason, he (or she) seemed to think that the Holiday's bathtub was it's new home. I disagreed with the lizzard and kindly removed it to it's proper location - outside! Don't worry... the lizzard was not hurt in the relocating proccess. ;)

Today I went to Dhlamini to do the first Bible study, and well... it didn't happen. I picked up Promise (Nomthandaso) on the way. She is a young lady that came to the Holiday Bible Clubs and helped us translate and lead the kids. She was such a blessing! Well, we got to Zandile's house (where the study was supposed to be), and some man told us that she was on holiday! GEEZ! So much for that! Promise said that she wanted to see where I lived, so off we drove to my apartment. Promise likes to talk as much as I like to listen, so the drive worked out very well. She told me some great things that God has been doing in her life, and she said she truely belives that we met for a reason. How awesome if that!? On the drive back to her house, we had a random conversation, which seemed to come out of nowhere! Here's how it went...
(we were both singing along with a CD that I had recently been given by one of the last team members...)
Promise: (insert African accent, if you know what that sounds like) Bonnie, when you get married I want you to call me so I can attend.
Bonnie: Oh, really? You think I'm gonna get married, eh?
Promise: Oh yes, I know it.
Bonnie: Well, am I going to marry an American or a South African?
Promise: You will marry a South African.
Bonnie: Ha! Well, he's gonna have to make a move soon ... I only have 4 months left here!
Promise: God will make it happen. I know it. You will get married here.
... I think from there I just quietly laughed to myself and we went on singing as before! How funny is that!? Wonder if she has the gift of prophecy! hehe Only time will tell I suppose!!

You know, I'm being so spoiled here with this DSL. I have become addicted to the world of BLOGS! It's like they're all connected somehow is this strange internet world. You read one, and it somehow leads you to another one. I don't know what I'm going to do when I go back to my flat tomorrow and don't have DSL. Sad day in the life of Bonnie! I guess high speed internet is something I can be looking forward to going back to the States for. I've got to find something to be excited about (beside seeing my family!!!).

Well... hopefully the Bible studies will start next week. I'll call Zandile tomorrow and see what's up. Schools start back next week too. Some of the girls from Emadlelweni want to be in a Bible study, so I'm going to get that started as soon as I can in one of the girls' homes. That'll be fun! Wow... 4 months left here and the Bible studies are just starting. God's got funny timing, doesn't He? Guess He wants me to finish strong!!

I'm going to get back to reading random people's blogs now. Hooray! ;)
Thanks for checking in on me!
in Him,
Bonnie
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

I'm on holiday! Ok... not really, but I'm pretending to be on holiday (vacation)! I am house-sitting for the Holidays (the family) while they are away. I'm enjoying their DSL and DSTV... luxuries I don't usually have! I've taken the time to update my photo album online, so please check it out when you've got time. You'd think that since I have all this time to be online, I'd have a ton to write about, but really, I'm having writer's block! The team from Mississippi has gotten home safely. I have been trying my hardest to relax as much as possible before school starts back next week. Tomorrow (Wednesday) I go to my first Bible study in Dhlamini!! I pray that people will remember to come and that some of the people we met at the Holiday Bible Clubs will be there too. I'll admit, I'm kind of nervous - this being my first adult Bible study to lead and all. It's exciting though!

Well, I've been loving the DSL here and I've been reading a lot... here's a good article I stumbled upon... have a look! Hopefully I'll have more to write about tomorrow! :)

in Him,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Happy 4th of July!!

Now that that's out of the way... I'm moving on, since I don't get to celebrate that here! ;) ... You know, I think I've come a long way since I've been here. One of the ladies on the team knows a family who is from the States and is working here in Jo'burg as missionaries. There is a daughter my age, and the lady was just SO excited to get us to meet each other. Well, I met her today at the mall. She's a nice girl, and really I didn't get much chance to talk to her one on one, but I realized that I don't get all excited about meeting other Americans who work here anymore. Now that I have some great South African friends, I don't feel so dependent on Americans anymore. And I think that's a good thing! Now... maybe the reason I didn't really click with this girl is because I know that she's here with her mom and dad, and therefore she will never understand all that I have been through (and continue to go through). If my Mom and Dad were here I'd stay for life! She has no clue what it's like to be alone every night in your home. She has no clue what it's like to hear about family vacations back home, or to be here by yourself when all your friends and co-workers go on vacation (or 'holiday') with their families. I'm not bitter... just a little sad. (Mom, don't worry!! :)) I do miss family and family outings and get-togethers. There's just something amazing to be said about being part of a group that knows everything (or almost everything) about you and loves you to the core anyway. Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE being here. A friend of mine recently commented that there are always sacrifices to be made with every decision we make. And that's never fun, but it's almost always worth it in some way. :) So... everyone enjoy your red, white and blue decorations, have fun with the sparklers (please don't burn your fingers... that was always my fear as a kid!) and savour every one of the amazing and beautiful fireworks tonight... enjoy them for me please!! :)

Love you all!!
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Ok, so by random chance I stumbled upon this little test to find out which "Alice in Wonderland" character I am. Man... I'm not deluded? (or am I!? hehe) And I don't know about you, but whenever I escape into a different world, I am quite happy! ;) Anyway... it's a good thing these things are all in fun! Feel free to take the little 5 question test and let me know what your results are. Horray for good clean fun! hehe

Take the test!

Wow... I don't think I ever knew that I shared my birthday with Canada day! *sniff sniff* I'm feeling a bit... patriotic... oh wait... I'm not Canadian, just my name is! :) You'd be surprised how many times I get asked if I am Canadian though, especially with a French last name!

I have had SUCH a great birthday this year! Today some of my teammates sent me birthday SMSes (text-messages), lots of awesome friends remembered and also sent me messages, my best friend from the States called me (which is VERY rare!!) to sing happy birthday, and my Dad called me and also sang to me! I got a cool e-card from my big brother (and family) and a few other e-cards from people back home too. I have also heard that my post-box is full of b-day cards, so I need to go check that out tomorrow morning. It's so nice to be remembered... both by people across an ocean as well as people just a short drive away.

Well, the team from Mississippi arrived today. There are 18 of them!! YIKES! I'm glad they're staying at the Days Inn. I like 'em... but that's just a lot of people... they make me go on American-overload. :) I think I'll have a little more free time with this team... as in I might actually be able to maintain some semblance of normality while they're here. I'll try anyway. :)

Thanks for checking in on me... and Happy Canada Day! ;)

Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

A Very Merry Unbirthday to ME!

(if anyone can tell me what movie that's from, you get major points...)

Today I was planning on going to a "ladies's lunch" with Angie and Janna Kay. So I arrived at Angie's house at 1:00 and was surprised with a day-early birthday party with the team!! :) I LOVE my team!!! Tomorrow some more volunteers come in in the morning, so we couldn't do anything then, so they wanted to celebrate a day early. I am such a lucky girl to have this wonderful "family." God is good!

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Tonight I turned the heaters on in my bedroom, cuddled up in my strawberry shortcake blanket (yes, I have a strawberry shortcake blanket - don't laugh!), and watched some Shirley Temple movies that my family sent me for my birthday. Man, that took me back! It felt so good to feel 6 years old again. I remember once when I was little, a bee stung me on the foot, and the only thing that would make me feel better was putting on the movie, "The Little Princess" (a Shirley Temple movie). :) Sometimes I miss being a little kid. Being a kid means trusting and believing everything you're told by anyone older than you. Being a kid means not really having to think for yourself. But, as I approach another birthday on Friday, I come to the realization that I am not a little kid anymore. And that means I do have to think for myself. I know I've not been a little kid for a while now, but I'm kind of "re-realizing" (if that's a word. :) Not being a kid means that I have the responsibility to think. (ugh) God created me with a very capable mind and the ability to use it. And as great as that is, lately it's been more of a burden. At times I just want to go back to believing everything I've been taught and told. That's so much easier! It's almost as if I'm afraid to think- to question what I've been taught. I'm a missionary ... I'm supposed to have everything figured out, right!? Obviously, I don't have everything figured out... and if that makes me an inadequate missionary... well, I'm done in 5 months, so just let me finish, ok? ;) Now, if you're reading this and thinking I've gone off the deep end, or I'm doubting my faith, that's NOT the case!! I promise you! In fact, lately I have so much of a desire to really know Christ... to know what He'd really do today... to know what He really wants me to do today. I've started reading through the Gospels recently with a new agenda... Get this... I'm just reading them! No notebook. No highlighter. No commentaries. I'm just reading them. I'm trying to get a good picture of who my Saviour is and what He's like. And I'm trying to do that without the opinions of theologians. (I'm not saying theologians are wrong! I just want to read for myself!) Anyway... well, this has been a different blog post... as opposed to my typical "this is what I did today" post. Hope you don't mind. So... if you want to do something for me for my bday on Friday, please pray for wisdom and guidance that only God can give! This is gonna be a great year - I can feel it. Now... strawberry shortcake is calling my name!
Thanks for checking in on me!
in Him,
Bonnie

I love this picture of the work at Rand Leases. The two kids here are Moo-moo (the girl) and Mpho. These two need a little encouragement to dance and sing along with the rest of the kids, but once they get going, they're the cutest!! I just LOVE these kids!!!

Heather and I at Carnivour

Kelly and I at Wilro Park

Nathan preaching at Wilro Park Sunday night

Todd and I at Carnivour!

This was so cute... at the end of the ope-air, some people were being prayed for. These two kids were standing amongst the adults and following right along! We start 'em young in South Africa. ;)

Here's a picture of us singing at Braamfischerville. Do we look choreographed or what!? 'Twas much fun... :)

Oh yeah, Friday night we went to a Lion's rugby match. It was quiet cold! This is me, Nathan and Todd. The Lions won... I don't remember the score exactly, but we won by like 40 points or some rediculously large number like that. go Lions!!

Here's the Summit team with the folks from Good News Baptist Church, the church in Braamfischerville. Tumi is the guy in the middle and his wife, Hilda is in front of him with the white shirt on. The open-air service was in front of their house.

Yesterday was a fun day. In the morning we went to Braamfischerville to take part in an "Open Air" which is like an outdoor evangelical service. We had told people a couple days before that it was from 9:30-12:00. Well... we got there and then were told that we had to wait until the funeral that was going on next door was over. They said it would be over at about 10:30. I left at about 10:15 to take the ladies from the house we had the service at to the gorcery store. They decided they wanted to have a braai for us. We left the shops at about 11:00 and I was thinking that I would have already missed some of the service. Oh no... it hadn't started yet. We had to wait for the funeral to be over and for the people to leave. The big bus (to take them to the grave-side) rolled up at about 12:00, and once they left we finally started. Talk about working on African time!! I've been here 17 months now and I really think that this was my most "african" experience so far! I think the service officially started at about 12:30 and we finished around 3:00. We also had to sing in the service! It was so funny... on the fliers that we passed out on Thursday morning, the flier said, "music by Gospel USA singers and local singers." It didn't take us long to realized that "Gospel USA singers" was referring to us!! Yikes! So, Friday night we stayed up late and worked out some music to sing for them. On top of that, at the begining of the service Pastor Aaron asked us to come and do an "item," which means some kind of music. So Todd, Kelly and I sang a song.. but apparently we didn't sing
long enough, because we had to sing more! I think we ended up singing 3 songs before the actual service started! Crazy, I tell ya...Some of the girls and I had prepared a program for the kids too, so we took the little kids behind the house and had some good ole-fashion Sunday School fun. :) Apparently lots happened while we were gone! Nathan preached, some more of the team people gave their testimonies, the local guys sang again, and at some point during all that 4 ladies prayed to give their lives to Christ! Talk about exciting! All of them live near Tumi and Hilda (they live in the house where we had the open air), so it looks like we'll get some good discipleship going on there too, which in my opinion, is neccessary after something like that. Anyway... so, at 3:00 the finished and we had the braai. Thankfully, the ladies had been cooking the whole time, and everything was ready by the time we finished. So we had some mealie pap, chakalaka, rice, chicken, vors, and some other kind of meat that looked kind of scary to me! It was all good, but we were trying not to eat too much because we knew that we were going to Carnivor later that night. We weren't planning on going to Carnivor, but one of the guys on the team decided to pay the extra for everyone. (The team leader had enough money to go out to a regular restaurant, and this guy forked out the rest for everyone!!) So, that was nice. I enjoy going now more than I used to because I know what I like and what I can pass up, so I don't leave feeling like I just ate everything in sight! Well, after that, the girls staying with me and I went to Heather's birthday party! We were pretty late, but Heather was nice enough to let us come anyway. :) And oh my word! The house it was at is literally the biggest house I've ever been inside! It's her Aunt and Uncle's house and she's housesitting while they're away. They even had their own tennis courts! I don't think I need to say anymore! The girls were shocked to see a house that huge after working in townships and squatter camps all week. Anyway, it was really cool to hang out with some friends and chill out for a while. I think the girls enjoyed seeing a bit of my "real life" here and meeting white South Africans (we've only really worked with the black culture). All in all, yesterday was an amazing day. So many great things happened!
Today 2 of the girls (Joy and Melissa) went with me to Rand Leases and Braamfischerville for Sunday School. Joy wanted to steal the kids and take them home to clean them up. :) I assured her that it was a natural response, but that if I'd taken home every kid I wanted to, I'd have a house full!! The girls really enjoyed spending more time with the kids. The other group went to Jabavu Baptist Church in Jabulani, Soweto. I don't think they did all that much, except Nathan preached. I think Joy and Melissa got to experience and do more! Of course, I'm partial to my kids. ;)
Well, now we're all just hanging out that the Holiday's house before going to church later tonight at a white church... Wilro Park I think. I personally don't think that's a great note to end their trip on, but I don't make the plans! I'd better get going... I'm sure more people want to use the internet. Thanks for checking in on me!!
in Him,

Bonnie B


Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Shopping day! Today we took the team to Bruma Market, a pretty nice souvenir-type market on the other side of town. It was such a great day to shop. It was cold, and in the middle of the week, so people were eager to make a deal and we were able to bargain quite a lot!!! Usually when I take teams there I'm not doing much shopping, but this time I was. :) I am sending a suticase of stuff home so that I won't have to bring it back with me in November, so I was finally buying a lot of the things that I've wanted to buy for a while. Shopping is fun when you're actually buying things!! :)

Tonight the team met with some of the people from Ridgecrest Family church and we had a discussion about all of our favourite Christian books. Very insightful! Now, if only books weren't so dang expensive here!!!

Yesterday went very well as well. We went to Emadlelweni Combined School and did an assembly for the kids. We divided the kids up this time so that we could use a translator for the little kids and it went very well!! After that, we went to Vlekfontein and prayer walked. We found 2 places that want to host a weekly Bible study in their homes - hooray! Such an answer to prayer. :)

Well, I'm at the Holiday's house and someone else needs to use the computer. Thanks for checking in on me!!
in Him,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Today was really cool... this morning the team went to Lake View to do an assembly. We actually beat the principal AND the deputy principal there! (go figure...) Anyway, the kids seemed to enjoy it. We taught them a song geared more for the little kids and then Todd gave a talk about purpose and God having a plan for their lives. The little kids didn't really understand, but they still seemed to enjoy the novelty of 11 white people (and Americans to boot) being at their school. After the assembly 4 of the team members (Todd, Cheryl, Heather and Kelly) came to class with me. Todd brought Angie's guitar and we taught them a song (Lord, I Lift Your Name on High) and basically had a question/answer time. They tried to work in little "lessons" into their answers, and fun was had by all. ;) The team members learned a lot too by asking the kids questions!! While we were teaching, the rest of the team went prayer walking Dhlamini and they met a lady who wants to have a Bible study in her home!!!! WOOHOO!! We have been praying for this for so long, and I am so excited to finally have the chance. After that we went to the mall so they could exchange money. It became a little crazy when my friend Craig learned that we had US dollars to exchange and he wanted to exchange over 6000 Rand... since it's easier to exchange dollars for Uzbek currency. It was madness... to say the least!! But in the end we were able to help him, and we got a better exchange rate with him than we would have with the exchange people! (But we didn't jip him, I promise!!) After that I took Nathan to the college I study at so that he could meet Dr. Gregory, an American missionary who teaches there. Nathan wants to teach somewhere like that someday, so it was cool for him to get to see what goes on there and what he'll need to do to be able to teach at a place like that someday. After that I came back to the Holiday's house and everyone was taking a nap!! So... I took a nap too ... kind of... I watched the movie, Spirit, with Joshuwa and we tried to sleep.... but sleeping with a 3 year old is no easy task. It's all fun though. :) And NOW... it's dinner time! Hooray for Janna Kay's cooking! Later!
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

PS- Pray for Craig today... he and the team he is on leave for Uzbekistan sometime this evening!!

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

I'm feeling like a Mom this morning. I got up before everyone, turned the heaters on, took a shower, got ready, made coffee and put clothes in the washing machine... all by 6AM! Craziness... Today the team is going to Lake View Primary, my regular school, to do an assembly and then some of them are teaching with me. Todd (one of the guys) is using Angie Lechner's guitar and is gonna teach the kids some songs. I think they'll love it. :) After that is some prayer walking in Dhlamini. Then it's off to the mall to exchange their US dollars for SA Rand! Well, this "mom" has to have some QT before really starting the day, so I'll be off. But check back fpr regular updates of the Summit team! :)
in Him,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

The team is here! Hooray! The team from The Summit is here and everyone arrived safely with all their luggae. That is quite an achievement in itself. :) They're all pretty sleepy right now, so we're probably going to be going to bed pretty early tonight!! Oh, AND I got a whole suitcase full of wonderful birthday presents! (Thanks, Mom and Dad! ;)) They also brought me lots of great American goodies like splenda, Lipton green tea and real chocolate chips! Yay! I'll have to make some cookies sometime... ;) Fun times! Alrighty, I'm turning in.
Love ya!
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Anyone know how to write a CV? I really don't know how... I'm in the process of trying to find out online... we'll see how far I get. Thank the Lord for the Holiday family having DSL - I can take as long as I want to to find out. :)

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Hello my faithful readers! I'm sorry that I haven't been very good at keeping up to date recently. Not too much has been going on though... nothing all that new anyway. I've been feeling kind of tired the past few days. I don't know why, and I don't have any other symptoms of being sick, so who knows! Last weekend I watched a lot of movies and kinda vegged out. It felt really nice. :) Yesterday the Lechner family was finally all well enough for me to hang out with them, and I pretty much stayed there all day. Angie and I played scrabble and then she said, "what are we doing? We should be singing!!" So, after dinner she got out her guitar and we spent a good while singing together. I have really missed that! I love singing with Angie. :) This week Nurse and I played games with out students. They've been writing (taking) exams, Nurse is writing exams, I'm studying for one this week.... everyone's stressed, so we had fun with them. I know Nurse and I enjoyed the break, and I'm pretty sure the kids liked it too. Well... this Sunday the team from my home church get here! Hooray! I am so exicted about them coming, even though I only know 2 out of 9 of the team members. That's what happens when you leave and the church continues to grow. :) So I have that to look forward to - yay! Thanks for checking in on me!
in Him,
Bonnie B.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

So... who can tell me what's different about me in this picture?? If anyone besides my Mom figures it out you'll get major cool points in my book. It's pretty obivous to me, but others are slower than me. ;) I don't have very much to update on this week... nothing very new has happened. I am about to start writing my last Biblical Counselling paper for this term. I canNOT believe that this term is almost over already! Time is flying WAY to quickly for me lately and I don't like it one bit. :( I guess I can't do anything about it though... I'll enjoy every minute of the time I have left!! :)

Alright… here’s the long awaited update. ;) Today there were 56 kids at the Sunday School at Braamfischerville Baptist Church!! Wow… it continues to grow each week. I don’t know what we’re going to do when we have even more kids – we’re running out of space in the classroom they gave us to use! (The church meets in a primary school.) Today two women from the church sat in and helped with the Sunday school, which was SO nice! One lady looked like she’s gonna need a little practice with kids, but she has a willing attitude and that is all we need! The other lady was great – she got right in there amongst the children and was singing and dancing right along with them! Now THAT is what we like to see!! :) I hoping that eventually we can split the kids into two groups by age. There are a lot of 10-12 year old kids coming, and they’re totally different than a 5 year old. Once the new ladies have a grasp for what’s going on we hope to split and then I’ll kind of go between classes and make sure we’re all on the same page. I really like this role as a missionary… being more of a trainer or facilitator. This way I know that when I leave I am not leaving an empty space. Instead I hope to be leaving a strong, flourishing ministry!!! We did have a bit of a mess this morning though… there’s another church that also meets at the school and today one of the ladies very rudely confronted Nurse and said that our kids are not disciplined and that she needed to do something about that. Now mind you, most of the kids coming have never been in church and have no idea what they’re “supposed” to act like. Does anyone besides me hear a familiar bell ringing of our Saviour saying that we should come to Him like these little children? No rules, no presuppositions, no ‘proper’ dress… just a love of Jesus! Oh to be like these little ones!! Anyway… most of the kids get to the school before Nurse and I can get there, so they just play outside. Imagine that… kids playing… what a concept. ;) We did tell the kids today to play on the other side of the classrooms until we get there from now on so they don’t disturb the other church. I wouldn’t have been so upset by this lady’s actions if she’d been kind about it. But she was so rude. It makes me sad to see they way Christians are letting Satan get a foothold. How are we (Christians) ever going to make it if we bicker with each other about petty matters. One would think that the other church would be happy that someone is reaching out to the kids in the neighbourhood, but I guess that’s too much to ask of them. Sad, isn’t it? I absolutely hate this type of division among so-called Christians. I have such a vision to see people working together for a common goal. Call me optimistic… We could just do so much more is we’d just put aside the dumb things that divide us. *sigh*

That brings me to a different topic, and one with a little more hope and happiness. :) Like I said, I have a vision to see Christians working together. Lately I’ve randomly met other missionaries (mostly American but a couple others), and it seems most of us are going in totally different directions. I asked my team tonight if there had ever been anything planned for the different missionaries in our area to get together and meet each other. They said no, but that someone should organize something! Well… I may be just one person, but I am going to try my hardest to get something going! I just think that if we all met each other and shared about our different ministries, we may see some areas where we can help each other. Or in the very least, we will meet other people with common goals and desires and we’ll be able to pray for and support one another in our efforts. My first step is just to ask around to the people I know and see if the others are even interested in this… Please be praying for this endeavour! It seems pretty daunting to me at this point, but I must remember… “one step at a time.” I’m pretty excited about it!!

Alright folks… I’m exhausted! (That seems to be a common thing in these blog updates…) I must go get my beauty sleep. ;)

in Him,
Bonnie
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

All I have the energy to write is this... It's about 2:30am right now and I just got home from playing an almost 6 hour game of Risk! Yikes! No, I didn't win, but I was the last girl to hang on to my territories. :) I am way too tired to write much more than that though... so I'll just say goodnight, and I'll do a real update tomorrow sometime.
Cheers,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81