Working It Out

You may have heard me mention that one of the hardest things about being here is that I haven’t been able to develop any consistent exercise habits. I am no gym rat or in line for any awards for my physique (although CSGV likes to reminisce about the time a trainer at the gym complimented my “sweep” and asked if I had been a powerlifter (!?)), but I have been in the habit of leaving from my house for walks along the bayou, through Memorial Park, or going to the gym, often with friends. Here at Agape if I leave the premises on foot alone, I’m only allowed to go as far as Agape 1, which is maybe half a mile away (and if I jogged it I would definitely be the target of unwanted attention). There is a gym in town, but I don’t (yet) have a car to get there, and I’m much less likely to go without a workout partner. Add to this the fact that my schedule revolves around dozens of kids, so it’s pretty unpredictable.

When I got back to South Africa several weeks ago, I was determined to make a plan. I started doing the exercise DVDs Laurel brought for me when she visited. It is something, but it’s not my idea of fun (alone, inside, imitating some ladies on my laptop, and trying not to jump so high that I shake the thin floor of the cabin I live in).

Then last week, Chicas (photo of us above) started leading some exercise classes right here at Agape 2. Chicas is on a holiday from his job (he works several weeks/months on, then several weeks/months off). He’s in great shape because of all the police/law enforcement training he’s been through, and he’s motivated to help me get rid of, as he calls it, “all the dirt” in my body.

Here in the photo and video you can see us exercising in the Agape 2 preschool with Avuyise, Elizabeth, Sisipho and Nina. Behind us are all the school’s toilet stalls. We also go jogging up and around a nearby mountain (maybe more like a hill, but we call it prayer mountain, where men from the church go and pray on Wednesday mornings).

Thankful

Rather than beat myself up for not posting this 8 weeks ago when I intended to, I'll take advantage of the Thanksgiving season to complete this long overdue post.

Moving to the other side of the world isn't easy. I couldn't do it alone, and luckily I didn't have to because of so many people there to help.

Claudia & David, in addition to being wonderful people and friends, are dream tenants in my townhome, keep track of my snail mail for me, and really help me in more ways than I can even begin to list.

MFF, the person who encouraged me to come to Agape for the first time, is a great friend and support and helps me navigate this unfamiliar world of "missions" and church protocol.

First Presbyterian Church Houston, for so many things and for starting this whole thing really. It was while I was sitting in church almost exactly 3 years ago (the Sunday either immediately before or after T'giving) that I heard about Agape for the first time.

Mom and Dad, for being willing and able to help out with anything I need, like expediting an International Drivers License, taking care of Ralphie, and helping me pack, for starters.

Sarah M and other friends back in Houston who held a fundraising garage sale for me last May, and other friends who've supported me financially during my time here.

MS Legal Search, my former employer, for supporting me through this time in an number of ways and being such wonderful friends and great people to share the past 4 years with.

Laurel, for the week-long visit in August in and being such a wonderful friend, for all the laughs, conversations, and special meals and outings during her time here.

Other American friends and friends-of-friends who came to visit me here at Agape, Krista & Ann, Emerson & Heather, Damien & Kara. It really is wonderful to connect my life here with friends from back home.

And to my people on this side....

Deslin, 16 years old, my Afrikaans tutor who lived with me for a few weeks in May/June.

Karlien & Fergusson, and Fransie, probably my best friends here (click links for the previous posts I've written about them).

Gerrit and Ami, the founders of Agape who, as they say, "went crazy for Jesus" about 20 years ago, left their jobs with 4 children to care for. In the civil unrest following the end of apartheid, they did something totally unthinkable. They moved in as the only whites to a township of blacks and coloureds (I promise it is a totally distinct cultural group here and that is the name for it, click the link for more info) where crime, gang violence, drug and alcohol abuse were rampant. White people in South Africa were not well-regarded by the non-whites, especially in those years. Gerrit and Ami started pre-schools for children who roamed the streets, built relationships with the people here, and gradually the ministry grew and continues to grow. Their biological children are grown (and 2nd grandchild is on the way), but Gerrit and Ami still live in the township with 8 younger children, ages 3-18, most of whom they've legally adopted as their own.

Priscilla, Fergusson's sister, who's someone I can talk to about anything. She is 28 and runs youth development programs at one of the nearby farms (farms here are kind of like small villages, like plantations in the old south).

And to God, who through this mystery of the Holy Spirit has been my biggest support during this time, teaching me things and surprising me in different ways almost every single day. I am so grateful for this privilege to be here.

On The Other Side

I was back in the US for four weeks, most of October and into November. It was quite a whirlwind of traveling and trying to catch up on six months away from my previous life. Highlights include: fall color in the Midwest, babies Zane, Freddie, Kien, and Laney, 21 family members, including Mom, Dad, brother, sister, Grandma and Grandpa, my brother in his new hometown of Chicago, my sister in her new hometown of Vail, 8 states, many friends, Memorial Park, Vietnamese hot pot, Chick-Fil-A, Halloween costumes (Emily's and THC's repeat costume stand out as favorites), rummikub and CEF banquet with my Grandpa, Barb & Dad, apple orchard, car ferry across the Wisconsin River, Lake Superior and kayaking in the inland lakes, Happy Hour with my former work colleagues, quality time with the best dog in the world, and Meghan’s caramel apple trifle.

I had a lot of fun and it was so great to see everyone. You have probably figured out by now that I love it here at Agape but I still miss my people 'on the other side.'

My grandma in a shirt my uncle got her; apparently the current academic year's t-shirt of the UW-Madison African Students Association.

With my brother on Navy Pier, downtown Chicago in the background.

Kayaking with my dad in Northern Minnesota. Uncle Terry was a career forest ranger in Superior National Forest and makes an excellent tour guide.