Lessons Learned as of Late

cheetah! his name is enigma
nelson mandela's cell


we hiked the mountain behind us
robben island

at the south-western most point of the african continent



peninsula tour
Me and baby Parker
Homestay family! teresa, jordan, corrine, luke, me, and paul
jordan holding parker!
teresa and me with the boys!
bungy jumping!

Well....I've been wanting to update this more...but time and internet connection has made it quite difficult. Homestays were AMAZING. The family I stayed with had a 3 week old little girl, a 7 year old boy, and a 12 year old boy. They were absolutely amazing. They welcomed us with open arms. By the end of the weekend I felt like I was a part of the family. The homestay put an entire new perspective on things for me. The family I stayed with was poor. They don't have much, but they seemed like they had everything. Teresa and I were talking with Paul (the dad) one night, and he told us how he views himself as extremely wealthy. He said he had a roof over his head, a car, a job, healthy children, a wife, food at night, and a bed....he said to him that makes him extremely wealthy. This really hit me. In the US...so many of us have all of that...yet we still want "more" and we strive to get more. What would happen if we just were content with what we had?

Then this week has been full of homework, final papers, excursions, and all that. Tuesday we went on a tour of the peninsula...absolutely breathtaking. This city is so gorgeous it is unreal. We even saw Africa penguins on the beach!

Wednesday I went to town with my cultural mentor, sal, and another cultural mentor. So fun!

Thursday we went on a tour of Robben Island. This was the main prison for apartheid political prisoners. It was also where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. It was intense, and the way the prisoners were treated makes me sick.

Friday we went to the Cheetah Rehabilitation Center! I got to pet a cheetah! It was absolutely amazing!

Saturday we hiked table mountain. One of the hardest hikes of my life. It was all literally straight up hill with no flat parts. INSANE.

Sunday I went to Hillsong Church Capetown...it was wonderful as well.

We are coming to a close rapidly on my SA time. Definitely bittersweet. I cannot wait to go home...however....I am extremely apprehensive about many things that are awaiting me. I have changed into a completely different person. I have noticed this, and the leaders here have seen it as well. This brings so many new challenges and choices into my life when I return. However, I know that God will bring me through it and guide me the whole way. Miss you all! Can't wait to see everyone!