A Move to Seattle & A Visit to Ohio!

I'm sure many of you around the world are wondering what have I been up to...well, forgive me for the silence, my only excuse is not making the time to sit down and write! As you can see I have had to sadly change the title of my blog from “Adventures in South Africa” to “Adventures...” once I know whats ahead and where I will be planted for this next season I will certainly let you know!

I had an incredible 2 months 'house-sitting' for my parents in Tacoma during February & March (while they were in Southern Africa doing what they do best: loving, serving and encouraging those working with the poorest of the poor). The majority of my time was spent investing in family and local friendships...as well as organizing peoples homes (gotta pay the bills!), volunteering in my Aunt Cindy's 2^nd Grade classroom, doing admin for my parents 501c3, and also setting up another blog to share some of my photography (which can be purchased as greeting cards...take a look www.brynasphotography.blogspot.com).

In the few months that I have been back, one of my dearest friends Melisa, has become engaged to a blessed man named Troy Bass. It has been an incredible joy to be present during this special time in her life. I will be attending many weddings this coming summer, which is a real answer to prayer! In June I will travel to Washington DC to attend the wedding of one of my closets friends from high school, Brock...it will be a real reunion of sorts since graduating in London 12 years ago!

My parents returned at the end of March and we had the privilege of spending our first Easter together as a family in 3 years.

My biggest news to share is that on April 5^th I moved up to the 'big city' of Seattle...where I graduated from college 8 years ago. Since moving back to Washington State from South Africa, I have been praying about what is next and kept thinking about this city I loved many years ago and wondered if God would open up a door of opportunity here. My decision was solidified when I received a surprising offer to stay with dear friends, Troy & Alexis Phillips (and their two kids Gavin (7) and Angela (5)), for a few months while I find my feet. I have known Alexis since I was ten years old as she lived with my family for many years, then in 2002 when I moved back to London, Troy & Alexis lived with us there for many months and even had Gavin in that stay. Also in 2007 when I was a preschool teacher in Tacoma I had Gavin as one of my students. So needless to say, it is an immense ease and joy living life with this precious family, whom I have shared a rich history with! You can see in the pictures below that I was welcomed with open arms, and even a banner in my new room.

My first week up here was filled with familiar emotions: faith, excitement and uncertainty! I was back wrestling with my 'learning to be and not do' mindset...for I was ready for God to plant a new job, community, church, ministry and friends in my lap right away...but as I know well, these come in time! I did begin to look into part time work at local preschools and even applied for a job at an after school care program that I interviewed for, and got...but in the end didn't take it as it wasn't quite peaceable. I am also wanting to explore work in international ministries and community development. God continues to burn my heart towards Justice! If you live in the area and anything comes to mind let me know. I am networking and putting feelers out there and trust the right doors will open at the right time. In the meantime I am connecting with many old friends from my past...and just being me!

Shortly after my interview for the after care program, I received an unexpected phonecall from a family in Youngstown, Ohio. Jeff & Maggie Hedrich, and their daughter Ava (nearly 5), have been great friends of my parents for many years and supported me while I was in living in South Africa. It is definitely a God-thing when you are supported and loved by people clear across the country that you have never met. They called to bless me with a trip to come and be with them...to rest, pray and grow in friendship. So after I turned down the job the following morning I booked a ticket to Ohio...why not, what an unexpected adventure! During my stay my heart continued to be softened by Jesus...listening to his voice in new ways and being reminded of who I am and how he has created me. Maggie is Irish and used to live in London before marrying Jeff from Ohio (they have a great story), so in the evenings we enjoyed reminiscing London life with a big glass of wine! When I arrived they were acquaintances...but I left new lifelong friends!















God continues to provide for me in glorious and unexpected ways. I wrote a blog entry a few months ago with some of the fun stories. The latest one happened yesterday: As I was out for a walk early one morning, I saw an envelope in the street. It had been raining hard the night before so it was soggy. My hope was that an address would be on it so I could return the misplaced mail. However, when I turned the envelope over it just read “Daddy”. Inside was a wet birthday card from 2 young kids to their Dad...and also a $25 giftcard to Barnes and Noble Book Store! Unfortunately there were no last names or any clues to who the card belonged to, so instead of leaving it back in the street I took it as a sign that God was gifting it to me! The joy was that B&N has a cafe and I was planning on going to that very day to do some computer work. Not only did God provide me with money for a coffee...but now I can return many times in the next few weeks...and bless other friends too!

I pray that this update finds you well and healthy! Despite being so many miles away from many of you, you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!

February & March in Pictures:

As I stated in my last blog from January I have been spending LOTS of precious time with my family.  Being based in Tacoma these last few months has given me almost daily time with my sisters Annamarie and Britlese.  They are incredible mothers & wives and I respect them so much and appreciate their friendship!

 

A few weeks ago I organized an afternoon outing to the Tacoma Art Museum...does that surprise you?

Chihuley Glass Bridge

Painting in the art room

 Near the end of February I was blessed to fly down to San Fransisco to see one of my best buddies JJ.  We were meant to join up with some of her friends in Tahoe on the Saturday but icy roads changed our plans, so we drove south to Carmel & Monterey.  It had been a dream of mine as a kid to visit Carmel...as this is the hometown of Doris Day!

Celebrating Stephanie's 30th

Birthday party for my friend Jessica's 2 girls, (friend Melisa is holding my niece Abigail)

Every Friday is Cooking Club at my aunt Jane's house in Gig Harbor.  My sisters have been doing this for a few years now but I have loved joining them weekly while I have been 'home'.

  

Creative Provision

One of my favorite books is Rolland & Heidi Baker's Always Enough. That title is so true in my life, and has especially been so these past few years...Jesus has always provided for me, and even though my finances remain tight, it is always enough!  Time and again in my life he has proved to be my intimate provider and I love sharing stories of His faithfulness.  A year ago I started a 'Provision Journal' to record the many ways that Jesus provides for me...its been a reminder to me of His power, creativity & love!  Here are some stories from the last month:

• Last month some friends gifted me with a little money that I assumed should go towards gas (petrol) or food, but what I really needed was new pair of jeans...so I just prayed that Jesus would surprise me in the week ahead.  Well, the very next day I was in Gig Harbor with my sisters and we stopped by Ann Taylor, a very nice clothing store, as they were having a sale. As we were casually looking I immediately spotted a pair of jeans...when I went to try them on they fit perfectly! The best part was that they were originally priced $70...and get this, I got them on sale for $4.98!!! God is the best shopper ever! I fully believe that he saves items on racks and shelves that I am meant to find.

• I have also been recently blessed with designer shoes! A few weeks ago my grandmother called and she had a pair of shoes from her friend who had recently passed away...they were just my size and she wanted me to try them on. 'Granny Shoes?' I thought. Ok, it wouldn't hurt to look at them and then say no thanks. However when I saw them I realized they were brand new COACH walking shoes...surprisingly cute and they fit great. Once home I looked them up online and was shocked to find they were worth $125! I probably could have resold them on ebay to make some cash...but I love walking around smiling in my shoes...laughing with the Lord at his creative ways of providing!

• Another fun story is that I was in a Thrift Store (Charity Shop) last week looking for some children's books. I was quickly perusing the CDs and saw a title that I recognized...it was called Holy by Matt Gilman & Cory Ashbury. They are two worship leaders from IHOP and I think the CD came out last year. Well, just last week Britlese was playing their music and I was commenting on how I would like to get their CD. Well here it was in front of me, and the best part was that it was brand new and still in the plastic! When I went up to pay for it, it was significantly cheaper than the other CDs as it didn't have a $2.99 sticker on it...so I got it for 99¢! Thanks Jesus...

• Lastly, last week I received a surprise card in the mail from some overseas friends, which said they were praying for my transition and included a check for $200! Little did I know then, how significant this check would be. The very next day I was meant to start working for an old boss doing admin for the month of March...however, at the last minute the job opportunity fell through.  Despite the unexpected change, I was so full of peace...and had a $200 check in hand that would cover March payments.  Jesus definitely knows what I need and when I need it!

The Lord has also provided through countless meals, free rent (as I'm still house sitting for my parents), airline tickets, gas and lots of fun hand-me-down clothes! I am blessed by the exciting faith adventure that I get to live!

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!