A Week in the Life of Bryna!

I do not have a 9 to 5 job, nor a predictable week schedule…but I am blessed with daily adventures that often come as pleasant surprises! I thought I would give you a little taste into my life here by sharing with you my last week and the random activities, events and relationships that sporadically fill up my calendar here.

Saturday, May 9th:
Woke up in my friend Christy Wheeler’s flat (we had had a movie/sleep over night). It was a relaxing morning and I ended up journaling for over an hour some of the heart issues that Jesus is revealing to me at the moment. At about 10:00 we drove down to Sea Point and took a nice long walk in the sunshine. I then hurried home by 1:00 to get ready for a lunch that my housemates and I were hosting for about five other women. Around 5:00 the guests had gone and I relaxed a bit before heading out to babysit my pastor’s two children. While the kids slept I watched the latest BBC version of Sense and Sensibility…one of my favorites.

Sunday, May 10th:
Left early for church to pick up a few people on the way. Church supposedly starts at 10:00, but one never quite knows when the service will start…hey its Africa! After church Susie came home with me for lunch. It was a surprisingly warm, 78 degree winter day so like most Cape Townians we were going to take advantage of it! We ended up driving down to the beach in Muzinburg and went for an hour and half long walk on the beach with our feet cooling in the sea. We had a good heart to heart chat. After, we splurged a bit and got cappuccinos and ice cream…a perfect treat on a sunny beach day. Later that night I curled up in bed with my housemate Caroline and we watched 4 episodes of The Office…we are officially addicted to this show! South Africa is a season behind so we only still making our way though Season 4.

Monday, May 11th:
Up early for house prayer. Then to Warehouse by 8:30 for morning prayers there. We were all challenged to believe the Lord for big things this week…mine was to believe for continual financial provision! Spent some time in the morning putting together clothing packs and organizing the ‘threshing floor’. From 2:30 to 4 joined the mom’s group and played with the many children, and chatted with the mums that come in weekly. Home for some personal time before our house dinner (with Caroline, Rene and Linda…we meet each Monday night to eat and connect). That night I shared what the Lord has been doing in my heart over the weekend…was stretched and blessed by my vulnerability with these women.

Tuesday, May 12th:
Up early for prayers again…and then prayers at the Warehouse at 8:30 too. Tuesdays are teaching days at the WH and my group was looking at the power of blessings and how we can strategically pray prayers of blessing over each other. After, was apart of an hour long prayer time for a staff member. Then after lunch I headed home for some admin and reading time. At 4:30 I drove to Tambo Village to tutor Simpamandela. I was about to leave at 6 but his mother said she made a special meal for me…we had yummy fried bread…that was filled with chicken liver! Yes I managed to eat it all (two of them), and a first for me too! I ended up staying until 7:30 just chatting and laughing with this dear family.

Wednesday, May 13th:
Morning prayers with housemates and then worship at the Warehouse at 8:30. After, left with Lara for Khayelitsha Preschool. Typical morning of playing with the kids, but at around 11 one of the teachers asked if I could help them do some errands. They have never asked before, but since I had a car I was happy to help and go on an adventure. Myself, one of teachers and one of the cooks piled into my little car (still running on its Styrofoam part!)…and drove to another nursery/preschool to get another cook. All four of us then went to the Khayelitsha Shoprite, and I will say that I was the only white face in the entire store! I did get lots of glances and puzzled looks. After buying all the weekly supplies for the school meals, we drove to a shack not too far away where we bought some fresh vegetables. Then back to each of the preschools to unload. I was thankful to see the other preschool and am interested to get involved there later on this year. Back at the school I joined the other teachers for a satisfying lunch of chicken and rice.

Thursday, May 14th:
Leave at 7:45 to head to SACS school. Head teacher Camilla is at a funeral so I was asked to assist Tina, her assistant, for the day. Had a great time with the boys and the other teachers, my relationships with them all continues to grow. On my way home I stopped by and visited Liesl, Eliza and Vivian Stewart and joined them for lunch and some catch up time. Back home to read and reflect! Later called a friend in the States on skype.

Friday, May 15th:
Slept in, we don’t pray as a house on Friday mornings. The winter rain was pouring outside so my walking plans got canceled and I spent the morning in my PJs bundled up and pottering around the house, organizing and writing to friends. At 2:30 I left with Caroline, Zandille from church and her 4 year old son to Glen Carin for the Sweet Home Farm girl’s camp. One of the ministries at the WH is a girl’s youth group at the Sweet Home Farm (an informal settlement) and this weekend was their first ever camp. The teenage girls were so excited! I was asked to come along for a night and help in the kitchen! It was great fun to be back in a camp mode and we made hot dogs and fries for that first night. I bonded the most with my new 4 year old buddy! The rain came down hard and we had an unsettled night in our cabins…gotta love those bunk beds with snorers and sleep talkers!

Saturday, May 16th:
Up at 6:30 to help with breakfast! Then ran errands with Caroline…the rain came down hard in true South African fashion…in unison with the wind I always feel like I am experiencing a hurricane! Back home by the afternoon to quickly get glamorous for the 2:00 wedding of Gary & Louie Hartwig at Christ Church Kenilworth. She is on staff at the WH. At about 5:00 Caroline and I went to a cozy bar and sipped a much needed glass of red wine after a busy 24 hours!

Dreaming of an Ideal City

It is often fun to dream and envision the places in which we live different from how they currently are. A few weeks ago I was driving out to Khayelitsha with Susie and Lara from the Warehouse and asked them the question: “What would you do if safety were not an issue in Cape Town?”…it immediately got my mind thinking and I wanted to share some of my thoughts to that question.

First of all, if safety were not an issue…I would be living in the townships…living within the communities that I work with during the day! Specifically I would love to be in Tambo Village for this is the neighborhood that my church is in. Despite the poverty and the hardships these townships face…what they do have is rich community and relationships. I live in a somewhat middle class area in Cape Town. Not extremely rich, but definitely not poor either. I am not complaining at all…for our two story house even has a pool! But this house is safely hidden behind…a locked door, a security gate, a high cement wall, a remote controlled gate for our cars…plus a security system that gets put on even if we pop out for a quick errand. I know my neighbors, in the sense that I recognize their faces, or their voices as I can hear them over our back garden wall…but I don’t know them. Partly this is my fault as I haven’t really taken the time to chat with them if we happen to cross paths while driving into our secured properties before locking our doors. In the townships it is different…there are no fences and no gates. People walk to and from each others houses…children play in the streets and often leave for a few hours to play and the parents know exactly where they are. In my ideal Cape Town I would desire to live in a community where I could sit outside my home and chat with my neighbors, playing with the kids as they walked by…and not even worry about security issues!

As I sit here thinking about neighborhoods I reminisce the special season I had on Hilltop in Tacoma, WA. It was a clear call from Jesus to move into the very neighborhood of the families that I was ministering to at the time. I loved just being on Ainsworth St. I loved the summer days of coming home from work and sipping a glass of wine on my porch, chatting with the neighbors coming back from work. Dozens of kids would flock to my house and we would paint each others toe nails, sip lemonade or play ball out front. The Lord had called me to that community and I felt fully present there and so often alive.

I am challenged writing this today on how I can continue to build a community around me here in Cape Town…despite the current security, racial and social barriers that stand in my way.

Another thing I would do in an entirely safe city is walk anywhere and everywhere, at any time of day! Oh how I miss London for that aspect. I am not a runner, nor a gym girl…but I love to walk and miss that daily exercise! People do walk here, don’t get me wrong and most people have to for cars are a luxury. But it is not always safe to walk anywhere I want and by myself. As in most cities around the world, one needs to be wise and know where they are going and what they are carrying.

One of my favorite times to walk in London was at dusk, just as the sun was going down. As I wondered through my Fulham neighborhood, I could glace into the homes that hadn’t yet shut their front drapes. I felt like a detective in that 5 second glance into their sitting rooms…wondering who they were and what were they like (and looking at their beautiful paintings on the walls). I don’t walk around my neighborhood here and even though its relatively safe during the day light hours…it is not very scenic and beautiful. When I have the time I have started to drive down to Sea Point, an area near the city center. In line with its name, Sea Point is on the water and has a lovely promenade that stretches over a mile. It id a very populated area was push chairs, runners, families and dog walkers. When I do get the chance to stroll down there I breath in the sea air and pray while I walk…it has been a real joy.

In conclusion to these thoughts, I realize that there is no ideal location, neighborhood or community. Unfortunately the sin of this world is in every city I have ever lived. Crime, division and hate come to steal our peace of mind and relationships with one another. I am thankful I have a God who watches out for me…keeping me safe and giving me a conscience to listen to…but I am also challenged to be willing to break out of my own patterns…patters of fear and protection, that may hinder me from experiencing more of Jesus in this city he has called me to!

A Delayed Departure

Today was another ‘Cape Town Adventure’…this time while heading back home from the preschool in Khayelitsha. This morning I drove myself, the two Warehouse interns and two young visitors from Australia all squished into my newly borrowed VW Citi (my previous car was only on loan for just 3 months...so now the Lord provided this car which belongs to a friend’s brother who is living overseas). After a typical morning of serving at the Preschool...playing with kids, copying worksheets, serving lunch, singing etc., we were tired and ready for lunch.

As we drove away, probably a mile from the school...my accelerator pedal broke! I put my foot to the ground and there was no more pedal?? The car just drifted to the side of the road. It was the strangest thing I have ever felt and couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. We were now stuck on the road…a car full of white faces, in a black township and a confused driver who was trying not to panic. We called the Warehouse but there was no one available to help…then thankfully I remembered that I had Linda’s (the principal of the preschool) number on my phone. Linda is never at the school on a Wednesday, but for some reason she had been there today…it was my first time seeing her in 3 months. She immediately answered her phone and said she would get help. None of the teachers drive and there are only a few cars in the whole neighborhood so I was expecting to have her walk to us. I now began to wait, in a car full of hungry teenagers, with many curious faces peering in on us as they walked by.

About 20 min later Linda pulled up in a car with her cousin, and the cousin’s son who was driving (they just so happened to show up at the school for a visit right after we left…coincidence, I think not!). The young guy came and looked at the pedal and started to fiddle around…I still have no idea what he did but he fixed it?! It was so the Lord! I quickly asked him to show me what he did so I could fix it if I got stuck again…he said there was an old piece that kept two parts together that crumbled off due to old age...he then went to the side of the road and began looking through a heap of garbage...I had no idea what he was doing, but he came back with a piece of Styrofoam that he used to make a new part?? What ever he did it worked and we were soon to be on our way! Then, the scariest part of the afternoon was when I asked my new mechanic friend to do a test drive with me to make sure the car was running fine…so I gave him the keys and I slid in the passenger’s side. Let’s just say I was anxious to get back at the wheel! This young man admitted to me that he had recently learned how to drive in just two days (!)…we drove to the stop sign at the end of the street and then he did a u-turn in the middle of a 4 way stop!

Well, sooner or later we were back on our way…heading away from the Cape Flats and towards the majestic Table Mountain. Oh, and the ride home went smoothly, except for the goat I nearly ran over…thankfully that adventure was saved for someone else!

April in Pictures

Enjoying a walk on the beach in
Bloubergstrand

Touring Natalie & Dave Thompson
around windy Cape Point

Fun on Easter Monday
We had a ball (not egg) hunt

Taking my new friend Alberta
(whom I met at Home Affairs)
wine tasting

Relaxing at Moyo's with Susie and Lara
(after a long morning at the creche)

Waiting…a joy of being in Africa!

Today I’m on a mission…my goal – to pick up my extended Visitor’s Visa at the downtown Home Affairs office. As any local would tell you, this is often a scary endeavor! Like in many other countries when it comes to customs, permits, visas and passports…its no easy matter and God’s peace and patience is definitely needed!

In the past I have traveled only 10min from my house to the Wynberg office…but it has recently closed down so they have sent me downtown…to traffic, busy streets, mobs of people and simply utter chaos! I attempted to come down here early Saturday morning…woke up well before my normal Saturday rise, and drove 20min into town to be there when the building opened. However, after finding a parking place and being yelled at by a drunk homeless man…I arrive at the door to find a stern faced woman who told me they are closed on Saturdays…WHAT?! I asked why it says they are open on Saturdays on the website…she just shrugged and looked away. Obviously it wasn’t her problem. As the Lord does…he did turn the mishap into good and I drove down to the waterfront and had a nice long walk on the SeaPoint promenade only a few minutes away.

Well, as I write at the moment…Monday afternoon, I am currently sitting in the Home Affairs building, on the second floor, in the queue to pick up my visa…well at least I think it’s a queue? I was told to sit here but in all honesty have no idea what I’m doing…nor do the people around me. I have been sitting for at least one hour already! The ‘funny’ thing is though there is no one behind the counter…I am with a mass of people waiting for no one! Sometimes there is an individual behind another counter, but at times they leave too…and sometimes there isn’t a single worker in the entire room with over 100 individuals cramped in and confused. Everyone is anxious, tired and like me probably hungry (I should have eaten before I came!) I have just made friends with a girl named Alberta, sitting in front of me…she is from Holland, 20 years old, in an internship… and like me is extending her visa. It makes the time go a bit faster as I chat with her.

The time keeps clicking away on my clock…and the tension in the room grows…only about 6 people in front of me is a guy who has been here over 2 hours…I keep saying that if he gives up and leaves I will do the same…but I continue to stand firm. I have no plans this afternoon so what do I got to loose (other than my sanity!)

I’m reminded as I wait of the many others around the world who WAIT daily…waiting for more crucial things that a visa. Lord forgive me for complaining! I know there are men, women and children everywhere who wait for healthcare, medication or to see a doctor. I can’t imagine carrying a sick child in my arms while waiting for help! I sit her with a book (which I’m fortunate to read), with a phone (which I can ring friends on)…and with a God who I know is sitting right besides me in the midst of this crazy room. Lord bless those who wait around the world this very minute…give them your peace!

Suddenly out of nowhere, after almost 2 hours, a woman emerges and asks for 5 receipts (which we have come to turn in, in exchange for our visa). Not respecting the so-called queue…people push their way forward! Alberta and I jump up feeling the injustice after waiting so long and seeing people who have just arrived shove their papers forward. We were now ready by the counter for the next 5 and began to stand like un-wavered trees…I almost lost it and was going to take off but thankfully held in there. Finally, the lady came back and Alberta and I literally pushed ours into the next pile. We then went to another queue to wait for our name to be called. I was enjoying getting to know Alberta and asked if she ever wanted to go to church with me…she said yes, so we exchanged phone numbers and I know we will probably see one another again soon. God certainly has his unique plans! About 20min later I was holding my newly stamped passport in my hand…gave Alberta a hug and walked out the door. I texted my housemates “Victory…from Hell”. Wow, glad I won’t have to do that for awhile…I guess 2 and half hours wasn’t too bad. Another day in Africa…right?!

A New Student!

A new addition to my week has been tutoring a precious 6 year old boy named Sipamandela. His name means “Give us Power”. Sipamandela is the son of my good friend Nokuzola from church. I met Nokuzola shortly after I arrived in Cape Town, and had the privilege of staying in her home for an overnight last August. She runs a small bed and breakfast business (giving up her bedroom to guests), which allows foreign visitors to experience the township life and culture. She is a single mother of two children, Tembisa (16) and Sipamandela. They are a very sweet family and love Jesus very much.

Last month Nokuzola approached me with the humble request to tutor her son who is struggling in school (taking the first grade for the second time). Due to my love for her and the flexibility in my week, I of course agreed…but initially hesitating a bit as I had never done this before. Would his work be in English? Would he understand me? Could I give him the specific tools and practice that he needs? Well my doubts were quickly depleted. Now, every Tuesday at 4:30pm I drive out to “Tambo Village” the neighborhood where my church is located to spend time with Sipamandela. We do some basic math problems, practice the English letters and sounds, practice writing his name and simple words…and then read lots of books. Each week I bring with me a big bag of Children’s Books and he gets to pick a few for me to read. I love reading to children…it is honestly one of my greatest joys. Thank you Jesus for giving me this new opportunity!

March Preschool Update

SACS (South African Collage Schools):

I left this past week filled with joy as I realized that I have now memorized all 50 of the boy’s names! This remains a powerful tool…especially as I am now able to greet them personally and call out those that are misbehaving or not listening! I have started a good routine of spending the morning slot, 8:30-10:00 with one class, and the afternoon slot from 11:30-12:30 with the other. The hour and a half between is lunch & outside play with all the boys. The boys who didn’t see me in the morning are certain to make sure at recess that I will going to class with them. Once seated around the circle inside I always have many little boys fighting over who gets to sit by me (I must say that still being a single woman, having boys fight over me, despite their age, feels like a compliment!).

My favorite time of the day is recess for I can catch up with the teachers, talking about our lives and getting to know each other more deeply. I had a great chat with one of the assistant teachers named Tina the other day. She asked how I was earning money while I was here, and I was able to tell her about living on faith, and some of the incredible stories of how Jesus has provided for me. It was a sweet moment and I could see her fascination in my lifestyle. I also love immersing myself in play with the boys…not simply just standing guard and supervising, but actively playing with them…children come alive when they recognize that an adult is stepping down to their level…into their world. A few weeks ago I let the boys bury me in the stand pit, but only up to my knees. Of course, as you can imagine, one or two buckets made their way on my lap and shirt…and I wasn’t too happy when a small bucket full ended up in my bra! They love to be chased, tickled, pushed on the swing, watched, and especially listened too! These are the many reasons why Jesus has me here!

Khayelitsha Crèche:

Unlike SACS, I have not learned any of these children’s names yet. Language continues to be a barrier and I am never with a single child for more than a few minutes. However, I am proud to say I have recently memorized all the teachers’ Xhosa names! This just shows that at SACS right now Jesus is using me more for one on one time with the children, and at the Crèche more one on one time with the teachers.

Every Wednesday I continue to load up my car, with different woman volunteering at The Warehouse, and travel 45min into the Cape Flats to the vast township of Khayelitsha. It has been a difficult month for a few of the teachers. A few weeks ago we showed up to the news that Nombongo (the 4 year old teacher), was away from school as her brother had been arrested. It wasn’t until the following week that we heard he had burned down the shack of a local witch doctor, in retribution of a curse, and a child was accidentally killed (he is now in prison, possibly for life)…horrible spiritual situations such as this one happen daily here! The community rallied in anger and unfairly turned against this young man’s entire family. Nombongo is now forbidden by the community to come back to the Crèche and teach! Rumor has it that she has moved...fearing her safety. I will most likely never see her again. Her departing words a few weeks ago keep ringing in my ears… “I love you guys”. Jesus protect this young woman and her family…may you bring justice and love into this situation!

The day I showed up to the Crèche to find Nombongo gone, was also they day I met Nikkolo (the new 4 year old teacher)…it was her first day and she looked rather wide-eyed at the out of control group of 40 four year olds under her care! My friend Lara and I stepped in the best we could. I pulled out every song I could think of from my preschool memory tank and did my best at entertaining the unsettled group. At one point the many children craving some personal attention began to pull at my arms and then my skirt. So many bodies were around me and pulling at me that I could feel my legs give way and I actually fell to the ground! The children thought this was hilarious and I had to tag team with Lara for the rest of the morning to try and pull off the kids that were now deliberately trying to push us over. Later, the art activity for the day was getting the children’s hand print (in runny paint) on a piece of paper…this was clearly not my idea! There was absolutely no order! Can you imagine one bowl of red paint and forty little hands pushing and shoving, trying to get in at the same time? Paint was dripping on clothes, on the floor and all over other children’s artwork. Remember I don’t know the language…and these little ones with their teacher gone were not listening to “NO” and “STOP”!

At one point during that day as I looked around at these precious children, I began to feel overwhelmed…holding back tears I thought, “Jesus what can be done?...These little ones need so much love and attention. They are desperate for love…and I find when I am with them that I am desperate for more of You…desperate to hear Your voice and to be obedient to Your call." Later that night I wrote in my journal:

“There is so much loss and injustice around me here in South Africa, that it often gets overwhelming...thinking that the needs and pain I see in peoples lives is too much to bear...but Jesus continues to LOVE through me...giving me the strength to be his hands and feet, and proclaiming the faith and hope that he brings.”