i just live in the land of sllllllllloooow internet. so in the interest of time, here's whats been going on:
the 4 week school holiday just ended, i moved to a small flat on a farm across the river, buddy took my place on Dr. Vedder Street, chewing through romans with maveja, changed up some things with sunday's gathering, met some new people because of that, sam got his visa(!happy!), maveja did not (!nothappy!), praying about that and applying again this week or next, i'm a pro at making flour tortillas now, i discovered the wonder that is Sweet Oshikandela, Todd and Erin left for the States on Sunday, went to Julia's bring n' braai wedding shower, wedding this coming weekend, Buddy's mom is here, Joy Baker is back for the occasion, Josh and Amber arrive on the 9th(!happy!), been planning our fun stuff...ETOSHA, SWAKOP, VICTORIA FALLS...starting to figure out what stuff i'm keeping and what else I can give away, praying for maveja's visa, wondering when it's all going to hit me that I'm actually leaving this place, its COLD HERE, living on the farm means one BIG DOG, two little ones, and tons of cats, found flights for Sam and i - we're arriving in the USA the same day only a few hours apart, loving Lisa J and Amber for all their help with this wedding planning, drinking lots of coffee, praying for maveja's visa, doing a lot of baking, its really WINDY, giving guitar lessons to Christaan, Bible Study with Nelda, Woodcarvers, Christaan played guitar with me for Sunday's gathering and did an awesome job, praying for maveja's visa.....
Peace.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Simplicity and Stillness
Today had that perfect kind of walking-weather that makes me smile. It was clear and sunny, no more than 75-80 degrees with a good breeze and a cool morning and evening that reminds me that it is Autumn. I walked from the Location towards town at around midday which was the hottest part of the day and yet was still quite nice. But better than the former was walking to Spar around 4:00. The sun was heading down towards the horizon and the breeze was blowing the cooler, evening air in to town. It was the kind of weather where one can wear a fleece AND flip flops at the same time and still be perfectly comfortable in both. Ahhhh...peace.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Culture
So after the Woodcarver’s Bible Study Sylvia cheerfully says to me, with a big smile “Ah, Amanda…you’ve put on weight!” Even though I am fully aware that I haven’t actually gained anything and in fact have weighed pretty much exactly the same weight since I came here….and even though I have lived here for a year and half and I completely understand that the phrases, “You’re looking fat” and “You’ve put on weight” are completely complementary here and simply mean, you are looking nice…it still is SO difficult just to smile and say thank you to that! Isn’t it amazing how much the culture in which you grow up shapes your ideas, perceptions and understanding?
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
From Donald Miller’s “Through Painted Deserts”
“You feel like life is always leading up to something, but it isn’t. I mean life is just life. It’s all happening right now, and we aren’t going to be any more complete a month from now than we are now.”
“It’s funny how you think you need soemthing but you really don’t. I mean I remember feeling like if I didn’t have ths girl I was going to die. But I am not dead, and I feel fine, and I think half the time when I like some girl I am really looking for some kind of redemption, some kind of feeling that I matter or am valuable or am needed, and I don’t think there is a problem with that, but it just makes you realize how much we use each other sometimes. I heard once that real love doesn’t ask what is in it for me; it just gives unconditionally. It just tries to take the weight out of somebody’s else’s pack, lessen his load, and it it gets reciprocated, that’s great, but that isn’t what you did it for.”
“It seems to me that life would be better if we could just let go of the thought we need more and more stuff to be happy, more and more of the approval of others.”
“Life is a dance toward God, I begin to think. And the dance is not so graceful as we might want. While we glide and swing our practiced sway, God crowds our feet, bumps our toes and scuffs our shoes. So we learn to dance with the One who made us. And it is a difficult dance to learn, because its steps are foreign. I begin to think about my time at the canyon in these terms, as learning to dance in a new way, the first few lessons had me feeling clunky and awkward, but soon they will give way to a new kind of graceful sway, and I won’t stop at gift shops or hunt for a television, but like [my friend] Paul I will be able to stand over a pot of boiling beans for hours and feel completely content, as though there was nothing in life that I was missing out on. It gives me joy to think about things this way…And I think to myself, There is nothing I am missing. I have everything I was supposed to have to experience the magnitude of this story, to dance with God.”
“It’s funny how you think you need soemthing but you really don’t. I mean I remember feeling like if I didn’t have ths girl I was going to die. But I am not dead, and I feel fine, and I think half the time when I like some girl I am really looking for some kind of redemption, some kind of feeling that I matter or am valuable or am needed, and I don’t think there is a problem with that, but it just makes you realize how much we use each other sometimes. I heard once that real love doesn’t ask what is in it for me; it just gives unconditionally. It just tries to take the weight out of somebody’s else’s pack, lessen his load, and it it gets reciprocated, that’s great, but that isn’t what you did it for.”
“It seems to me that life would be better if we could just let go of the thought we need more and more stuff to be happy, more and more of the approval of others.”
“Life is a dance toward God, I begin to think. And the dance is not so graceful as we might want. While we glide and swing our practiced sway, God crowds our feet, bumps our toes and scuffs our shoes. So we learn to dance with the One who made us. And it is a difficult dance to learn, because its steps are foreign. I begin to think about my time at the canyon in these terms, as learning to dance in a new way, the first few lessons had me feeling clunky and awkward, but soon they will give way to a new kind of graceful sway, and I won’t stop at gift shops or hunt for a television, but like [my friend] Paul I will be able to stand over a pot of boiling beans for hours and feel completely content, as though there was nothing in life that I was missing out on. It gives me joy to think about things this way…And I think to myself, There is nothing I am missing. I have everything I was supposed to have to experience the magnitude of this story, to dance with God.”
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Buddy’s Birthday
Buddy turned 25 last Sunday. Maveja and I wanted to do something for his birthday, so we decided to make dinner. We invited Buddy and Julia over to my place for (of course) a braai. I mean, its Buddy…of course we had a braai. So we made a nice fire and I peeled potatoes and husked millies and helped Maveja follow the recipe for baked pineapple. Buddy got a Birthday Baked Pineapple dessert rather than Birthday Cake, because he doesn’t like cake. And since I never have birthday candles, as now has become tradition - we just stuck one big candle in the center and sang Happy Birthday.
By the way, in case you’re wondering….36 days till Buddy and Julia’s wedding.
By the way, in case you’re wondering….36 days till Buddy and Julia’s wedding.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
after
So glad that taking them out goes a lot faster than putting them in. this is the funky result to my natural hair after being crimped in tiny braids for 2 and a half weeks. i actually think its kind of fun-looking.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Roomies Unaware
well aparently not only do i still have my gecko friend mooching off my hospitality, but the little brown mouse friend is aparently still at home too. i hadnt seen him for about 2 weeks, but tonight he decided to have a little stroll around my living room and kitchen and make his presence known.
this evening is cool and damp - the rain making a nice steady sound against the tin roof. Yes, its actually raining...for tonight anyway. the air is really quite cold and i can tell that Fall is finally setting in. midday can still get quite hot, but mornings and evenings are down to nice chilly temps now. its to the point where its a little too chilly for my bare feet once the sun goes down. so this nice hot cup of Rooibos is keeping me good company at present.
and tonight i made brownies -(Yes Sam, Carol's brownies).
oh, i also made tortellini soup. (i had a tiny bit of tortellini that Elfie had brought from Germany. can't really find tortellini here.) so it was a luxury. mmmmmm!
Maveja and i have started going through the book of Romans together. We are both loving it so much. And pray, because it looks like she has found a sleeping room in the location! She may even be able to move in this week! and this tuesday she'll be going to the US Embassy for her visa interveiw! and we were both blown away by the kindness of the Bowen St. ladies who want to be a part of helping make it possible for Maveja to come meet everyone there and be a part of celebrating with Sam and I on our wedding day. we seriously thank the Lord for you gals and your thoughtfulness!
the wedding planning is moving along. i have a number of the invitations completed but its also reminding me of a number of things i simply can't start doing till i'm back Stateside. Sam is trudging through his final month of classes before the studying for exams begins next month. Pray for him too, because keeping motivated to study and working so hard is becoming seriously taxing lately.
Christaan and i have been meeting for guitar lessons once a week and he is picking it up so fast! soon he'll be playing for our time of worship music on sundays...i can't wait for that day! i'm totally going to love just sitting back and singing praises while someone else plays. and i will definitely have to take pics of him playing so you all can see!
fyi - 117 days!!
this evening is cool and damp - the rain making a nice steady sound against the tin roof. Yes, its actually raining...for tonight anyway. the air is really quite cold and i can tell that Fall is finally setting in. midday can still get quite hot, but mornings and evenings are down to nice chilly temps now. its to the point where its a little too chilly for my bare feet once the sun goes down. so this nice hot cup of Rooibos is keeping me good company at present.
and tonight i made brownies -(Yes Sam, Carol's brownies).
oh, i also made tortellini soup. (i had a tiny bit of tortellini that Elfie had brought from Germany. can't really find tortellini here.) so it was a luxury. mmmmmm!
Maveja and i have started going through the book of Romans together. We are both loving it so much. And pray, because it looks like she has found a sleeping room in the location! She may even be able to move in this week! and this tuesday she'll be going to the US Embassy for her visa interveiw! and we were both blown away by the kindness of the Bowen St. ladies who want to be a part of helping make it possible for Maveja to come meet everyone there and be a part of celebrating with Sam and I on our wedding day. we seriously thank the Lord for you gals and your thoughtfulness!
the wedding planning is moving along. i have a number of the invitations completed but its also reminding me of a number of things i simply can't start doing till i'm back Stateside. Sam is trudging through his final month of classes before the studying for exams begins next month. Pray for him too, because keeping motivated to study and working so hard is becoming seriously taxing lately.
Christaan and i have been meeting for guitar lessons once a week and he is picking it up so fast! soon he'll be playing for our time of worship music on sundays...i can't wait for that day! i'm totally going to love just sitting back and singing praises while someone else plays. and i will definitely have to take pics of him playing so you all can see!
fyi - 117 days!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
a little eerie
last night i found a very small scorpion in my dish cabinet. then he met my flip flop. may he rest in peace. ICK!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
hair, hair everywhere...
PLating: Round two...this time the whole head actually got plated.
and 12 hours later it was finished...
Julia did a nice job.
Maveja played photographer while I modeled.
Should be fun going to the Bible study at the school tomorrow. I'm sure the kids will have some comments!
and 12 hours later it was finished...
Julia did a nice job.
Maveja played photographer while I modeled.
Should be fun going to the Bible study at the school tomorrow. I'm sure the kids will have some comments!
Friday, March 30, 2007
More quotes from good books
"We have it so easy that we can begin to be lulled to sleep, thinking that life should be easy or that it will always be easy. Once it gets a little difficult, we tend to become consumed with trying to make our lives comfortable again. But by doing so we miss a great spiritual opportunity. Ask yourself this question: Would I rather live a life of ease and comfort and remain immature in Christ, or am I willing to be seasoned with suffering if by doing so I am conformed to the image of Christ?"
- Gary Thomas "Sacred Marriage"
- Gary Thomas "Sacred Marriage"
The Economics of Rebirth
"Poverty was created not by God but by you and me, because we have not learned to love our neighbor as ourselves. Gandhi put it well when he said, 'There is enough for everyone's need, but there is not enough for everyone's greed'...Even though there is enough for everyone, greed and injustice will always create poor people in the land, so God teaches us personal responsibility to our poor neighbors. God also establishes rhythms of rest for the land and structures of providence such as gleaning, where the poor are able to gather food from the fields. And God sets in place a plan for jubilee, regular intervals when inequality is dismantled."
"True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left, especially when we look at the needs of our neighbors."
"The early Christians used to write that when they did not have enough food for the hungry people at their door, the entire community would fast until everyone could share a meal together. What an incredible economy of love. the early Christian said that if a child starves while a Christian has extra food, then the Christian is guilty of murder. One of the fathers of the Church, Basil the Great, writing in the fourth Century, put t this way: 'When someone strips a man of his clothes we call him a thief. And one who might clothe the naked and does not - should he not be given the same name?'"
Exodus 16:16
Deuteronomy 15
Leviticus 25:8-55
good reading from Irresistible Revolution by Shane Clairborne.
"True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left, especially when we look at the needs of our neighbors."
"The early Christians used to write that when they did not have enough food for the hungry people at their door, the entire community would fast until everyone could share a meal together. What an incredible economy of love. the early Christian said that if a child starves while a Christian has extra food, then the Christian is guilty of murder. One of the fathers of the Church, Basil the Great, writing in the fourth Century, put t this way: 'When someone strips a man of his clothes we call him a thief. And one who might clothe the naked and does not - should he not be given the same name?'"
Exodus 16:16
Deuteronomy 15
Leviticus 25:8-55
good reading from Irresistible Revolution by Shane Clairborne.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Two Months and Counting...
Countdown to Buddy and Julia's wedding...that's right June 2nd is right around the corner, and yet probably seems like an eternity to them at the same time, if they are anything like another engaged couple I know. here is a rare picture of Buddy and Julia...I got her not to hide from the camera for once! She's camera shy and yet I have no idea why, I mean look at her...she's gorgeous! Anyway, here's the happy couple:
Matthew 28:19-20
Today was a blast. Maveja and Nelda were baptised at Von Bach Dam. With boats buzzing and people swimming in the background, 16 adults and 5 children sat along the shore, the sun beating down on us as we sang worship to God, listened to His Word - the Gospel - prayed together and celebrated with our two dear sisters as they took the big plunge. It was glorious.
What a beautiful thing to witness two lives proclaiming outwardly what God has already done inwardly, conquering fears, and bodly proclaiming to family, friends, and all that through Jesus they have died to their old lives and rejoice in their new life in Christ.
After the baptism we all came back to my place to celebrate together and share a very boere meal (as Sam says). We braaied boerewors, and ate broetchens and about 10 kilos of potato salad (thanks to Buddy and Julia).
It was seriously a great day.
What a beautiful thing to witness two lives proclaiming outwardly what God has already done inwardly, conquering fears, and bodly proclaiming to family, friends, and all that through Jesus they have died to their old lives and rejoice in their new life in Christ.
After the baptism we all came back to my place to celebrate together and share a very boere meal (as Sam says). We braaied boerewors, and ate broetchens and about 10 kilos of potato salad (thanks to Buddy and Julia).
It was seriously a great day.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Mini Picture Update
Bird friend I like to call Zazu:
Shower gecko...didnt get a name because he pulled a disappearing actand I havent seen him since
The longest my hair has been in 2 years
Shower gecko...didnt get a name because he pulled a disappearing actand I havent seen him since
The longest my hair has been in 2 years
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Long time...No post
I know, I know....
lots going on, yet no motivation to write about it. but i'll give it my best bullet-pointed effort.
* Back on African soil, er...dirt anyway
* Still not a lot of raining action going on
* Working on Inviations, and WEDDING STUFF!
* Maveja is getting baptized at the end of the month
* Reading "The Irresistible Revolution"
* Creepy text messages = going to the police station
* Todd and Erin's first baby! Gloria Grace Hammerstrom
* New students for the OSS Bible study
* Visits from Zazu...you know the bird in The Lion King
* Had a shower gecko for a day, but I think he let himself out
* Drinking lots of Casablanca coffee, as Maveja's family calls it
* Missing MY FIANCE'!! Praising the Lord for Gtalk.
* Enjoying the Church and seeing them using their gifts
* Vollunteers meeting for Coffeebar was well-attended
* Pray for Marco and wife Sarafina - Woodcarvers - Marco had a stroke
* Sylvia and family found a house and are all moved in
* Riding my bike. A lot.
* Letting my hair grow long again
* Looking forward to my best Mitchums being in country
* Can't believe I only have 4 months left in this beautiful place...
lots going on, yet no motivation to write about it. but i'll give it my best bullet-pointed effort.
* Back on African soil, er...dirt anyway
* Still not a lot of raining action going on
* Working on Inviations, and WEDDING STUFF!
* Maveja is getting baptized at the end of the month
* Reading "The Irresistible Revolution"
* Creepy text messages = going to the police station
* Todd and Erin's first baby! Gloria Grace Hammerstrom
* New students for the OSS Bible study
* Visits from Zazu...you know the bird in The Lion King
* Had a shower gecko for a day, but I think he let himself out
* Drinking lots of Casablanca coffee, as Maveja's family calls it
* Missing MY FIANCE'!! Praising the Lord for Gtalk.
* Enjoying the Church and seeing them using their gifts
* Vollunteers meeting for Coffeebar was well-attended
* Pray for Marco and wife Sarafina - Woodcarvers - Marco had a stroke
* Sylvia and family found a house and are all moved in
* Riding my bike. A lot.
* Letting my hair grow long again
* Looking forward to my best Mitchums being in country
* Can't believe I only have 4 months left in this beautiful place...
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Opposites Attract...
| You Are Midnight |
 You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends. |
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