Sunday, March 13, 2011

Friday/Saturday










Just got home from a GREAT Sunday morning church service! The others are working on fettuccine alfredo for lunch, so I'm taking a quick moment to cram two full awesome days into one blog post.

Friday, we shopped around Welkom in the morning. Andi, Laurie, and Mal all bought African dresses. The salesman was VERY excited to help them! Louis said it was for two reasons; 1- no white people wear those clothes. 2- no one under 40 wears them either. :)
We shopped at a store in the mall and bought gifts for children in the hospital and the hospice. We also wandered around the grocery store and bought some African sweets. After a quick lunch, we drove to Boskoppe Lion Park. It was AWESOME! We had the best, most informed guide to tour with us. We all got the chance to play with baby lions, tigers, and lynxes, but the coolest part was when Louis, Chris, Amanda, and Jeff got to go in the cage with 10-month old leopards! We got some sweet pictures and videos to show you when we get home! All four escaped with just a few teeth and claw marks. :)

Saturday, we all slept in a bit and met in the park at 10AM. On the second Saturday of every month, Welkom has an outdoor market with lots of vendors. None of the items were very African, but it was still fun to walk around check out everything. After lunch, we left to tour Thabong. Okuthle, who attends the church here, let us see her home. We also visited one of the cemeteries for children. Most of the afternoon was spent canvasing for the church. We split into two groups and visited almost every house. People are SO friendly and welcoming! After we met back at the church, some teenagers were there; they were shouting for us to come into one of the classrooms with them. Louis said we could go, so we followed! The teens were practicing a play/musical and performed the whole thing for us! Of course, much of it was in a language we couldn't understand, but the singing was beautiful. It was an awesome experience. In our car on the way home, a few of us took time to pray that the canvasing would be fruitful. God answered in a BIG way!

This morning at church, we had about 70 people! Last week there were 40. God is always good. :)

So many more things left out, but not time to share them all. Thanks for your prayers.
-Abby for the team

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing the photos (wow, fun mixed with scary :0). It's great to hear about your experiences and we're so thankful God is already working through your efforts!

Walkers

reeces said...

Lol, We can't wait to see the girls in their African "Old Lady" dresses.

Unknown said...

Good to hear from all of you today. And PTL for the good number who attended the church service there today. Have been enjoying the pictures and updates on the blog.

Love and prayers. Judy

Hiz Dotter said...

Hello South African team!! \o/ <---that was me waving. I just love these photos and seeing the lions so close but I am sure it was AFTER lunch time...right? I want to see photos of the dresses Mal, Andy, and Laurie bought even if they are young ladies wearing old ladies dresses as I am sure they are fabulous. It sounds as if you are all being fruitful and multiplying 40, 70...soon 100. The play sounded as it would have been wonderful. It speaks to me of when the Spirit of the Lord moves and we are in one accord we are ministered to regardless if we understand the language or not. May you all be blessed now and on the rest of the journey.
Jodi from back in the U.S. Colorado Mountains

Stephanie said...

So great to hear from you all this morning! I'm glad you are working hard and having fun. It is wonderful to see how God is greatly blessing your ministry. I will continue to pray for you! Hopefully the weather will aide you with a productive week. See you all Friday!!!

Jim P said...

Wow , just saw your pictures and read the latest post. Mom says you must have had a roaring good time. Just like her! I expect you to wear your new dresses to church at least once. We just got back from Minnesota. You missed the 1 1/2 foot of snow and piles beside the street and driveways up to 4 feet. Blowing, cold, etc. etc. Good to hear how God's working. Love to all.

Pastor and Jeanie said...

Hey Team! It was great to Skype with you Sunday and hear the latest. I'm relieved to know that Louis, Chris, Amanda, and Jeff only inflicted minor bites and claw marks on those poor little leopards! :)
We're prayin' for good weather and a productive week ahead...
The Michaelsens

Anna Beth Wivell said...

Really, no one under 40 wears traditional clothing there? You should come to Chad - women of all ages wear colorful traditional clothing there. But from all I've heard of South Africa, it is quite different from Chad, so maybe it isn't fair to compare the two.

Will Mitchell said...

those pictures are so awesome! thanks for sharing!

Mary Lynn said...

Sounds like you are all having a great time. Praying for you all. Enjoy the pics and seeing what God is doing while you are there.