Studying & Celebrating

Studying: On my first week back in Cape Town I had the privilege to attend a course in Christian Social Transformation, taught by the Warehouse's training department. The course's purpose is to equip people working in communities with appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes for effective Christian social development. There were 25 students in my class, from all over the country (even 5 fellow Americans). Those who attended work with various churches, ministries and non-profit organizations around the city. I attended under the umbrella of the Warehouse and was joined by 4 other staff members who had not yet taken the course. Our group became a real family in that week, learning together and sharing our hearts.

The course was fascinating, and I was most intrigued to learn about the process of moving from relief, to rehabilitation, to development and then to transformation (a visual known as the Valley of Transformation). How often do we come in to help others, but keep them dependent in the relief stage, without the process of encouraging self-sufficiency & true transformation? These basic concepts have further opened my eyes to some of dynamics in the communities I am currently working in, especially the Pre-School I volunteer at in Khayelitsha. Over the next ten weeks I will be implementing some of the specific techniques that I learned on the first stage of the course, in the form of a focused, supervised project, and then return for the second week module in mid-October.

We also learned a lot about how to appropriately enter and research communities, before coming in to offer relief. My teachers used the phrase “what's in the basket?”...meaning what are the customs, traditions, mindsets, and historical backgrounds that are present before we arrive. The most difficult day of the week was when we focused on what is in South Africa's 'basket'...and one cannot deny the difficult and unjust past of Apartheid. We did a lot of sharing that day and telling of personal stories. Our group was racially diverse and everyone was deeply effected by the evils of the Apartheid in some way or another. There is healing in honesty, sharing and forgiveness...and I continue to learn so much from my brothers and sisters here in South Africa as they seek God to redeem and heal this devastating past.

Celebrating: On August 9th, South Africa celebrated one of its many national holidays - Women's Day. My church, Khanyisa, put on a special celebration the Saturday before. Women of all ages and races, true to the diversity of the church, sat at beautifully decorated tables for an afternoon of tea and entertainment. There were traditional songs by the 'Mamas', modern dances from the youth and a great talk about finding our identity as women in Christ. Its a joy for me to be back with my lovely church community and to celebrate with these women. Many of them have faced hardships that I have never known. There is an almost epidemic absence of men in the lives of these women, whether those raising children alone or those who have grown up fatherless, but it is amazing to see them love each other and proclaim the goodness of the Lord (their Heavenly Father) in each others lives. Their faith reminds me of Proverbs 31:25, “she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” That is what I believe so many of these fearless women are doing..standing tall and pioneering paths of HOPE towards the future.

Bon Appetit: Part of being in a new culture is trying new things, especially food. I am proud to say that within my first week back I had the privilege to try a very fine delicatessen...chicken feet! Ok, I wasn't that brave and didn't eat a whole foot...but I did try a toe...mainly consisting of cooked skin and cartilage!

Heading Back to My Other Home

I know it has been quite some time now since I last updated my blog, and filled many of you in on my life. I hit the milestone of 30 years old on the 10^th of June, and was able to celebrate in the three cities that I call ‘home’: Cape Town, London & Tacoma. That in itself was the best birthday gift of all, being surrounded by my family members and so many of my precious friends from around the world.

Over the last month I have been based in Tacoma, Washington…living with my parents and getting lots of quality time with my sisters, nephew, nieces, extended family and many friends. I returned to the sunshine, which in the Northwest is an incredible treat, full of beautiful sunsets, bonfires, boat rides, walks, and frappachinos! I have also been sharing my organizing skills and selling cards of my photography to earn some money. I was blessed also to once again get the opportunity to speak on South Africa to groups of kids, as well as some adults. My passion grows for the city of Cape Town as I share what Jesus has done in my heart and all that I have learned from living over there.

What’s Ahead:

I leave tomorrow morning at 5am (I know…Yuck!...that means getting up around 3:30am!) to fly to Denver, then to Chicago & then to London…oh the joys of traveling low budget! I then have a day with a friend in London and arrive on South African soil on August 1^st. My heart is getting excited to being reunited with dear friends and children. From August 3^rd-7^th I will be attending a course the Warehouse provides called the Social Transformation Course…what a privilege it will be to learn under the wisdom of the Warehouse’s teaching staff!

I will then continue the commitments that joyfully filled my week before I left:

-Spending a few days a week serving at The Warehouse

- Serving one day a week at the Preschool in Khayelitsha

-Serving one day a week at SACS boy’s school in Newlands

-Tutoring 7 year old Simpamandela

-Serving at my church Khanysia on Sundays (I will be joining the Children’s Ministry)

Please Pray:

-For Safety as I fly back, and as I live and work in the city of Cape Town.

-For Health

-For God’s continued Provision, specifically for living costs in this next season (food, petrol and rent)

-For greater Intimacy with Christ, that he would lead me and direct all that I do!

Please check my blog over the next few months to read updates and of course fascinating stories and adventures. I will try and send out reminders every few months too.

All my love, Bryna

A few photos from a proud Auntie:

Kesley Thomas (20 months), Jonathan Windham (3 and 1/2 years) & Alaina Windham (22months)

May in Pictures

My Warehouse Family...I Love them so much!

Lunch after church with
Sue Gray, Caroline and Mhinti Pato

Juantia and Jamie at church

Favorite past time: Reading to Stewart kids

Fun lunch with Boys: Ricky Pato,
Michael Eney and Derek Lovegren

My Boys at SACS


Last Day in Khayelitsha
at Preschool (til Aug):

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)