Posts Tagged ‘South Africa’

Listen with Me

On Friday afternoon, we hosted all of the farm staff for an appreciation braai (cookout) at our house.  I should have known that in an attempt to bless them… I would be the one left feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.  The staff came all dressed up for the lunch- Ntate John (older man, probably close to [...]

The Village Will Hear

As part of Dave’s field research- he got introduced to Ntate Tatsi; and 80-year-old man who is considered an expert on Sotho culture; he’s even a featured weekly radio guest in Qwa Qwa.  Dave meets weekly with Tatsi at his modest home made of mud bricks and a tin roof.  They sit together and go [...]

The Circle of (Farm) Life

*disclaimer: graphic farm-life described…
I live on a farm. In South Africa.  More than distance makes it a long-way-away from what I’ve always known as home.  And this week, I’ve realized that part of me will always be a city girl (did you know I’ve always wanted to live in Chicago???).  We’ve had some hunters here [...]

One of Those (Great) Days

At the end of my day yesterday- I found myself almost speechless. It was one of those “I’m so thankful I live in S. Africa” days. There was nothing out of the ordinary or super special that happened… it was just the daily grind of my life… but it was good. Really, [...]

I Knew Him When

This is Mike.  Eight years ago… we used to hang out with him a few times a week, at a place in town called “the tables”. He was living on the streets- not because he was an orphan- but because he could meet his basic needs better on his own, through begging.
Fast forward to last [...]

Our Day @ Royal Natal

One of our favorite places in South Africa is Royal Natal National Park… and we went there for a family outing a few days ago- on kind of a spontaneous whim… but we had a fabulous day.  And it was awesome… to share a place that is so special to Dave and I with our [...]

Giving Thanks…

We had a wonderful day… just have a look:

I See

On my drive to town today- I was intentionally mindful of what I was seeing. There are so many differences here that I’m already not noticing as easily as I used to. So, before I forget…

It takes effort to see through the colored metal fences with spiked tops… and to divert my eyes [...]

Field Work

So- this day has been a crazy one… but I’m going to ignore all of that and just share this… it was field work day!  Want a few more details?… Dave has been filming a documentary on the Basotho custom of painting houses.  Today was his last day with this family… finishing up their house… [...]

The Fight

My mind works more like a movie than a novel.  When I think about things… I think more in images than words… So, I “watch” a story unfolding (if you will)… and then sometimes… if I’m lucky- I can capture it adequately in words.  So… I love seeing things that make me think, make me [...]

Darkness Tries to Look Beautiful

South Africa is a spiritually charged country. I’m not sure why… maybe it’s because there aren’t as many distractions…but what I do know… is that you can’t hide from the unseen here… and you have to be sure-footed in your own heart… because sometimes… the darkness can try to look beautiful.
Dave had an interesting [...]

Part III: Views on the Farm

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A Day In Our Life…

Here’s part 1 of a video series on life here in South Africa.  What better way to begin than with a morning cup of coffee?!  Check out our view…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAJJqgMSnWg&hl=en&fs=1]

Blog Action Day: Poverty

The insulation between the haves and have-nots is relatively non-existent in South Africa.  The poor are visible and they are so numerous that they can not be ignored.  So- I find myself challenged as I’m thinking about poverty…here in this place… where just up the road I know there are literally thousands of people living [...]

Wednesday's Window

The biggest new happening this week….

Cereal!!!
And for Si-guy… being a huge hit in Lesotho… he was very unsure of all the attention…

Setting Up House

We moved several tubs of our belongings up into our house today.  It made my heart excited to know that within the next week, we’ll have our own spot to call home.  We’ve been co-habitating with friends and family for four months now…
So, as we’re setting up house- I’m excited but I’m also struggling a [...]

T.I.A. #2

This is South Africa…

Joyce, one of the basotho staff people here, got a total kick out of my Bjorn (front baby carrier).  After her chuckles… she explained that in her culture, they would never wear the baby on the front…always on the back.
When you’re at the pump and totally aggravated by how much of [...]

Wednesday's Window

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Leadership Day

Ellie was sleeping in my arms with her head against my chest as the singing started.  The effortless harmonies and the rhythmic clapping made my heart dance…there’s nothing like a large group of Africans singing together.  I looked down at my sleeping daughter and wondered if somewhere in her heart or her spirit…she was dancing [...]

Our History Here

There’s some history that makes us being here seem almost surreal.  I think it’s worth sharing.  When Dave and I worked with Niel and Alece back in the day (2000-01) we lived in a flat in town, that was connected to a house that served as the ministry base.  When we needed a break from [...]

God's Whisper

I hopped into our truck solo, rolled down the windows, reminded myself to “stay left and shift with the left” and I headed to town. The majority of the drive is on small dirt roads that aren’t ideal for anything motorized, but they are drivable nonetheless (there is a paved road that is normally open [...]

T.I.A. (This is Africa)

So it’s time for another bulleted list series- all about South Africa. There are lots of things that we’re experiencing everyday that could be full posts in and of themselves… things that I don’t want to forget, things that I want to share, and things that will probably become so commonplace for me that I [...]

Traveling Tales

Departure day came quickly… we woke up around 7am on 9/11 and loaded our 7 packed pieces of luggage into two vehicles- and the journey began.  Silas could tell that something was going on- and our arrival at the airport was hard on him.  Saying goodbye to his Poppy (my dad) was even harder.  He [...]

Down to Hours

Can you believe it?  Our departure for South Africa is now hours away. Part of me wishes I could just fast forward to Thursday morning- when the goodbyes are over with and we’re on our way (…or if I’m skipping time… perhaps I should skip the full days worth of travel too!) because the anticipation [...]

Down to Days

Tomorrow is the last day in the month of August.  Then my calendar will flip to September… and starring at me will be September 11th.  Obviously, this date stands out to all of us… but this year it is also my departure day. My family is moving to South Africa in 12 days.
How am [...]