"Just chill guys..."

This was a big week for me. I began work at the Academy and moved into my new flat! With the exception of the early morning wake up (5:45am!), things are going great. As of now, I am teaching 10th grade English, 8th and 9th grade computers and math. The students are really far behind in math so it requires the most attention. Since they need to catch up before the end of 12th grade, they are working at their own pace so that students who are getting it don't get held back by the students having difficulty. For the 12th graders, time is of the essence in regards to them being caught up by December so I am teaching a separate class for them to try to give them a chance to get there. Meanwhile, I'm relearning everything! If anyone needs to know the area of a circle, just ask. I'm pretty smart now. It's so awesome working with the kids and that "ah-ha" moment when it clicks is priceless. So week one analysis? I've definitely got my work cut out for me, patience will be majorly required and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.

My new flat is awesome. I was in a temporary place while I looked for a permanent residence and it feels so good to finally be settled. I moved out of my apartment in Torrance the weekend after Thanksgiving and have been living out of suitcases since then so finally unpacking was glorious. My place is pretty much a studio apartment with a great amount of space for me to feel at home. The couch pulls out into a bed, too, so...if anyone wants to come visit, I've got you covered! Anyone? Anyone at all? ;)

I've already begun to see that life here can get insanely busy. I'm up so early (which if you know me at all is a miracle in itself) and so exhausted by the time I get home that going to bed early is a must. I've already seen how easy it will be to let time go by without pausing to spend time with God. And since the concept of "quiet time" has always been a challenge for me, I really need prayer in this area. John 15:1-8 has literally haunted me for the past month or so (I'm not typing it all out. Go get your Bible!). Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and the branches and the concept of bearing fruit. The verse that has lingered in my mind is verse 5. He makes 2 main points: 1.)abide in him and you will bear much fruit; and 2.) apart from him you can do nothing. As I wonder why God has me here and what I can actually contribute (with NO math skill or teaching experience), as I wonder where I fit and how I can connect with the people here, as I think about how to maximize my time here and not miss out on whatever God is doing, I MUST remember that abiding in him should be my main focus. I can work and work and work at "bearing fruit", but my focus can not be on the fruit itself. It must be on Him and abiding in him, because it is only then that MUCH fruit- good, healthy, pleasing fruit- will actually be produced. On my own, I can do nothing. I may not capable, but I am willing. 

And all that rambling to say (my impact girls are all too familiar with my ramblings!), please keep me in your prayers! Continue to pray for safety and wisdom and strength, but also please pray that God would equip me with the ability to teach as I take on this new challenge. Oh and please pray for the girls in my devotion group, that they would go deep and be real and fall more in love with Jesus every time we meet. We'll leave it at those for now :)

I will leave you with something that should make you smile. The kids were getting loud in class the other day and I instinctively said, "Hey guys! Just chill!" WELL, one of our youngest girls, Yanga, decided to adopt it as her new slogan. Whenever I'm around now she tells the other kids to "just chill, guys". Makes me laugh every single time. Awesome. 

Settling In...

So I officially live in South Africa. I even drive on the wrong side of the road on the wrong side of the car and shift gears with my left hand. Every now and then I still turn the windshield wipers on instead of the blinker, but even that only happens rarely! I've moved into Somerset West which is really near the beach. It's strange how just being able to see the ocean makes me feel so much less far from home. Not to mention it is absolutely beautiful here. 

Even though I hadn't forgotten the conditions here, the number of townships within just an hour from me is astonishing. Rows upon rows of shacks set up practically on top of one another stretching as far as you can see sometimes. And then, just down the road, you'll find mansions and malls and restaurants. I wonder if I will ever get used to the sight. I hope not. I hope it never ceases to leave me unsettled. 

So far I've just been settling into life here. I will begin work at the Academy next week, which I am super excited about. I drove up to the farm (where the school is) yesterday and saw all the kids for the first time since I've been back. It was SO good to see them. After relaxing and getting settled for a week and a half, it felt so good to see their faces and be reminded why I am here. Our devotion groups met for the first time yesterday and I have three girls: Zikhona, Pretty and Thobeka. I am so excited to dive into the Word with them and grow closer to them as we all grow closer to the Lord. They seemed pretty excited too :)

I have begun (actually from day 1) missing my friends and family alot. I think it is human nature to want someone to experience amazing things with you. So the countdown has commenced until the RHCC team comes in April, including friends, a few of my awesome former high school girls, and my amazing sister! But until then, I've had a lot of time to actually be alone with God, which didn't happen much in the States. I've also read ALOT, which also didn't happen as often as I would have liked at home. So, I am enjoying my alone time and using it well. 

I'm not sure how many people will actually read this. I've never had a blog before so maybe you just fool yourself into thinking people actually care to take time to read your ramblings. Or maybe there are a few of you who actually do care to waste your time reading. And for those people, from now on I will do my best to be real, go deep, share my experiences and encounters with God, and hopefully make you smile (or maybe even laugh!) here and there. I am so excited to be here and thankful for everyone who has and continues to support me throughout this adventure. Please keep me in your prayers. Pray for safety, wisdom and strength. Get started with those 3 and I'll give you some more as the journey continues ;)