Pictures: The Joy of Family

Annamarie& Ben's kids: Jonathan & Alaina

Britlese & Jesse's girls: Kesley & Abigail

The Joy of Sisters

Cuddling with my new niece (born Oct 23rd)

Miss Abigail...smiling

I am very blessed to have all 4 grandparents in town!
Dick & Joan (Dads side-left)
and Dick & Rosemany (Moms side-right)

3 Generations: Grandma Rosy & Mama Becky

Christmas Day walk with my parents at
neighboring Chambers Golf Course

Jonathan turned 4 on Jan 7th
someone blessed him with this awesome
Lightening McQueen cake!

Celebrating New Years at an art event with
dear friends Erika & Melisa

Transitioning!

Nearly a year ago a friend of mine was asking for advice from recently moving from the UK back to her hometown in the US. She was undergoing what my parents have always called, “a season of transition” and was asking me for encouragement and advice. As I sat down to respond to her email, memories and emotions began to flood my mind and my heart. Transitioning, especially cross culturally, was something I had experienced many times throughout my life. This past week I went to find those notes I had written earlier in the year, for I was now needing to hear some of my own encouragement.

I left Cape Town, South Africa well over a month ago...my heart was sad to move on from a city, community and culture that had become my home...but I was excited to return to my family for Christmas. Now the holidays have past, the decorations are down, and friends and family members are busily back at work. As I continue to wait on Jesus for what is next, my different environment and changed heart are struggling to settling back into this American culture and city.

In an article called Returning Home, it states “It is common to feel confused, disoriented, frustrated with materialism, overwhelmed by the amount of choice in supermarkets, or to have a sense of loss.” Ahhh, I thought, I'm not alone or going crazy! I continued to read, “Difficult aspects of resettlement include: communicating the overseas experience, fitting in again, finding work & a lack of money.”...how do they know me so well?!

One of the greatest adjustments has been returning to the same city I left over a year and a half ago...but, returning changed and returning to find a church, ministry and friends who have also moved on in many ways. I could force myself to slot back into the old, but I don't seem to fit anymore. I was telling someone the other day that I feel like a puzzle piece that now longer fits in the puzzle...and as I look closely now the image on the puzzle has changed too. The scriptures say in Isaiah 43, “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” I don't know how long God will have me based in Tacoma, but this season ahead will look new and different. What does stay relatively consistent though is relationships...my life and ministry will always be about relationships! Loving my friends here in Tacoma and around the world is what I spend much of my free time doing. Even now being stateside, it has been a joy meeting up with friends and families, and talking with others on Skype and email. As I made an effort to blog for my American & English friends while living in Cape Town, I now desire to do the same for my South African community while I am here.

There has been an inner joy as I have been able to recognize how South Africa and my community there, personally helped transform my mind. Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” If I had returned from my season in Africa completely the same, what would have been the point of even going? The joy of living a life with Jesus is that we are constantly changing!

So you may ask whats changed? Well let me try and put some thoughts to words:

• I have grown in my desire to be an advocate within my generation...opening up people's eyes to the poverty and injustices around them (and around the world).

• I am wrestling in a new way with the wealth and materialism we as Americans consume. My eyes have been opened afresh to worldly idols and things that block people from seeing with their heart.

• I have learned so much about community development and how partnered with the power of prayer...true transformation is possible in hearts and communities.

• I have grown in the simplicity of loving children...hugs and words of encouragement speak more volumes than fancy programs and electronic toys.

• I have seen and experienced the extreme gap between the rich and the poor in South Africa...and now I see these gaps around me here in the US. The walls between neighborhoods and communities are tall and treacherous!

• I have grown in my love for God's church and my desire to see the church truly be Christ's hands and feet in serving his poor & rejected around the world.

Please pray for me as I continue to discern what is next...I know that God will lead me in due time! My parents have recently left on their next 2 month African Adventure (I will not deny that it was quite hard to drop them off at the airport, as we have somewhat switched places...and the fact that they are returning to Cape Town for a visit too)...but the blessing is that I am house-sitting their cozy “cabin” which is a haven to me, and a place to call my own these next few months. As I continue to transition, I am taking up hourly cleaning/organizing & babysitting jobs to pay the bills...and investing in the many relationships (especially family) that are here in this city!

All my love...Bryna

I'm in a new country & culture!

A little list of things that remind me that...Yes, I am no longer in Cape Town:

• It gets dark at 4:30pm

• I am back driving an automatic car on the right side of the road (happy to say I have only driven on the wrong side once and thankfully was in the car with my sister who quickly reminded me what I was doing!)

• I have only one house key on my keychain and no remotes

• No alarms, walls or electric gates

• My coffee intake has doubled and sometimes tripled per day!

• I can watch anything online without controlled bandwidth and uploads are fast

• I look out my window to two snow covered mountain ranges (& if I had the money I could drive an hour away to go skiing)

• I wake up to the daily joy of seeing parents and sitting with them besides the fire in their cabin, then we walk 3.5miles around the neighboring golf course which looks out over the water and mountains. Bliss!

• Everywhere I go I hear Christmas music! In the Los Angles airport they played only Christmas music but not one song was 'religious'...ahhh how many times can you hear White Christmas and Oh Christmas Tree?! There are also many radio stations here that only play 24hour Christmas music.

• All my extended family, sisters and grandparents are all 5-15min away by car

• There is frequently sports on TV and talk about games...guess I'm back living with my Dad!

• Upon going to the petrol station, I have to pump my own gas, but can pay outside by the swipe of a card.

• All plastic grocery carrier bags are free...although I'm going to start using my reusable bags!

• Good wine is more expensive!

• No nic naks or ginger beer
  

• Drive thru everything...coffee, pharmacy, banks, dry cleaning, fast food

• Christmas lights on houses, big plush Christmas trees...and a life size nativity set that I grew up with as a child now outside my parents home (its been in storage the last 15 years).

• One pays for every phone call or text received on a mobile phone!

• My choices of breakfast cereals has quadrupled!

• I can leave items on the seats in my car

• I don't have to hide my handbag under my legs while I drive

• DVD can be rented from a vending machine for only $1 a day

• I can wash my clothes in 20min and then put EVERYTHING in the dryer for another 25...to have clean & dry clothes in 45min...in the winter...seems ridiculous (but nice)!

• One of my greatest 'culture shock' moments was when I was on a walk...I saw a lady pushing a small stroller (or push chair) and thought does she have a baby in that? But as I got closer I realized it was her little dog...its a doggie stroller! They range from $60-100. The amount of money that people here spend on their pets is sickening (I dont mean to offend anyone as I am not a pet owner...but a dog stroller...come on!?)

I will have to add to the list as the weeks and months go by....

Saying Goodbye

It was a full last two weeks...saying goodbye, or "see you later" to the two preschools I have been volunteering in, my Khanysia church family, my Warehouse family...and a countless number of friends! As I have loved hard...it hasnt been easy to part ways, but I am trusting that God will be sending me back to beloved Cape Town soon.

As pictures often say a thousand words, here are shots from my last two weeks!

Back in a familar season...

Written December 5th:

Back in a familiar season...

a season of saying goodbye...or as we say in my family "see you later"...there are moments of joy when I think of being reunited with my family...especially as Christmas approaches (still bizarre for me listening to Christmas songs with hot sun outside)...but there is a deep sadness too...a sadness to leave this continent and a community that has taught me so much!

I have been seeking the Lord the last few months for direction as to what is next. My sense has been that my time in Cape Town would be coming to an end...not indefinitely (!) but just in the way things have looked. I know God may have more opportunities in the future for me to return. Sometimes God speaks clearly, and sometimes he is more silent, having us wait and rest for his timing. Part of my ongoing faith journey at the moment is to return to Tacoma with no agenda or plan...just as I did arriving to Cape Town a year and a half ago. I am confident that he has a greater purpose for my life, more children for me to love on, more people for me to encourage and a greater life of faith to be lived.

The scripture that I keep going back to is Lamentations 3:19-26:
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

I would greatly appreciate your prayers during this next season of transition. I know it is not always going to be easy, but I am thankful for my various communities around the world that support me and love me in so many different ways! I am incredibly grateful for my mom and dad, and the life of faith they have shown me (I will be based at their cabin in Tacoma). They too have said goodbye to London and Cape Town over the years...just as I have done...and unlike anyone else, they understand the pain of leaving, but the joy of returning. I respect they ways they have continued to be obedient to Jesus, even when the world thinks they are crazy.

I have one more week left...filled with goodbyes and special parties! This past week I had my last days at both the schools I have been working at. The teachers in Khayelitsha pooled some money together to surprise me with a gift of 120R! ($15)...it was so unexpected I broke down in tears...and the teachers at SACS blessed me with a surprise picnic, in a hidden garden...with wine and gourmet sandwiches! I have had dear memories that I will take with me. I also took the boy I tutor out for dinner to a popular hamburger restaurant, a special date after a good year together. Yesterday we had the Warehouse end of the year party...it was a blast...lots of kids running around, laughter and food...but my heart aches to leave that community! Tomorrow is my last Sunday at church, then I'm having a braai (bbq) here at my house with church friends...then Tuesday is my Warehouse farewell, and Wednesday a surprise party being planned by my friend Caroline. I leave Friday evening the 11th, and arrive into London the 12th staying til the 18th...will be busy time there, seeing friends and connecting with that dear community.

Thank you again for journeying with me!

Lots of love,
Bryna

PS. My address will be: 4247 Sunset Beach Rd West, University Place, WA 98466. I do NOT have a cell phone as it got canceled when I left in July so I can be reached at 253-460-8155, until I get a new number.

November Happenings

Sisiza Ukhanyo Preschool Graduation

During the first weekend of November, a month before the end of school, the 5 year class celebrated their 'graduation', anticipating their move to Grade 1 in the new year. I was blessed that my housemate and friend Caroline said yes to joining me out in Khayelitsha for the memorable afternoon. I must say that it was quite a typical African event! We were told to arrive at noon, so sure enough that is just when we came! The rented hall was already full of familiar faces as my young friends greeted me with hugs and their family members stood by smiling...however the principal and teachers were no where in sight...we waited and waited...and finally by 1:30 the event was almost ready to begin.

I was asked beforehand to share as I was 'the volunteer'...and also a white face, perhaps giving the preschool better status? I was excited by this opportunity as I really wanted to publicly bless the school and teachers I had gotten to know so well! Caroline and I had a laugh for when the programs were handed out there was clearly a type-o inside...I looked to find when I was speaking and it shockingly said “Brenda/Caroline: Traditional Dance”...hmmm we thought, maybe we could do Michael Jackson's Thriller dance. In the end there was a lady who danced after I spoke...praise the Lord! Another hilarious aspect was the gospel singing 'guest performers'...they seemed professional with matching outfits, a scratchy sound system and a keyboard...but I was shocked they lip synced all their songs?! What made me laugh the most was the main singer insisted on holding a mic which was appeared broken, but held it as a prop. Caroline and I stayed til 3:30 and tried to slip out quietly, as we had another event to go to...but I was thankful we left when we did as I heard the ceremony and meal went on until 8:30pm. Needless to say it was definitely an experience!

A Visit from My Best Friend

Stephanie arrived the second week in November. Her trip was a whirlwind of 6 full days...as a mother of 3 she couldn't be gone too long, but I was blessed she made the trip to see me and experience my world! Here a few pictures to give you an idea what we were up to:

We put together clothing packs at the Warehouse
to give to the Preschool teachers for Christmas








We had lunch in an informal settlement called
Sweet Home Farm (Christina standing in the back is the chef)









We played with the 60+ kids at the
Sisiza Ukhanyo Preschool









We enjoyed lots of indoor wine tasting
(especially as we had an unfortunate week of rain)






We toured the Cape and prayed together
for greater Hope in our lives at the famous
Cape of Good Hope!






Camping on the Coast
During the last weekend in November I joined 27 others for a big camping trip in Onrus...this small holiday town is on the coast about an hour and a half from Cape Town. I was thankful to enjoy the sun while I still have it and get so much one on one time with friends in my community that I love. I have probably done more camping in South Africa the past year and a half, then the last 15 years of my life! We barbecued, had marshmallows, swam, napped, played games, sang by the fire and told stories. Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Living amongst poverty and injustice

Jesus has been opening my eyes to the poverty and injustice that surrounds me like never before. I cannot escape these two looming giants here in Cape Town. But, it's not just here...they will be wreaking havoc wherever I go in the world.

It makes me question...are our eyes OPEN? Do we see what Christ sees...or do we go about ours days, too busy to notice? When we take time to see, there is often a cost...are we prepared to ask the question 'what do I do'? Are we prepared to respond in obedience to what Christ may ask of us? Micah 6:8 states, “...and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.” I have learned while living here that responding can be as simple as making eye contact, or as hard as sacrificial giving such as time, money or possessions. I do not have the answers for this...as I am on a journey and a process with the Lord as he is simply opening up my eyes in a new way. Here is a story of something I experienced last month:

“One afternoon I was taking a walk near my house to the local shopping center. As I walked along I ate an apple. Half way during my walk I tossed my apple core into a dustbin along the sidewalk. Once finishing my errands I headed back home nearly an hour later. As I walked along I could see a woman up ahead of me who was digging inside a rubbish bin; only as I got closer did it occur to me that it was the very bin that I had used shortly before. The woman upon seeing me approach, quickly grabbed something and began walking past me. In a matter of seconds I realized that what she had pulled out was my discarded apple core! A bit in shock, I turned and asked the Lord if I should respond or give her some money for food, but by this point she was far behind me. I walked home stunned, confused and tender as I thought about the moment I had just witnessed. Why God did you allow me to see that? I know that it was no coincidence that I happened to pass by an hour later the very second she found my apple core. My heart broke and something began to happened in that moment and in the days ahead. A new compassion was building up inside of me...a heart for those that are suffering in this city, and a desire to see afresh what often gets missed.”

I think back to that memory and wonder where that woman is...does she have food tonight, does she have a place to sleep, does she have any friends? With sadness in my heart, I wish I could go back to that moment...but it has passed. However it wasn't wasted, it was a part of a deep process that Jesus is doing in my heart...and I need to trust that he is holding that woman wherever she is.

I was once told by a friend that it can often be a dangerous prayer to ask “Lord open my eyes!”...but at this point in my life I am ready to see so much more...and to journey with Jesus as he leads me to respond!