I left a piece of my heart in Zimbabwe.....

Endless dust, Chipping paint, broken windows, unsafe water, and unpleasant smells. This was my first impression of the orphanage in Zimbabwe. After looking a little closer I could see the carefully made beds with a single stuffed bear placed on each pillow, the workers quick smiles despite desperate circumstances, and most of all the eagerness that the children had for love and attention. It was wonderful to serve along side the team from my home church, East White Oak Bible Church, Illinois. For many of them it was their first experience in Africa. We had a diverse team with many talents and our activities during the week included maintainance at the orphanage and church, teaching and preaching at a Pastor's conference and church service, Dental exams and procedures, sharing the gospel in public schools and doing a Bible School program at the orphanage. This kept all of us quite busy but we still had enough time to build relationships with the wonderful Zimbabweans that were hosting us. Pastor Jabulani leads Nketa Baptist church and works for an organization that trains pastors called Multi Ministries. Pastor Jabulani is a joyful man quick to give all the glory to God for what He has done in the ministry. Pastor Jabulani was also very thankful for his partnership with EWO church and was so happy to tell us that the pews at the church, the electric fence protecting his home, and his vechicle were all blessings from God through EWO. It is so amazing to see how the family of God has provided for Jabulani in such a practical way. He shared with us that in his church with 300-400 people he can count on one hand how many people in the church have a job and the average weekly offering is $10. This reality made leaving Zimbabwe difficult and continues to make my life in South Africa hard. When I was growing up my Mom always told me that, "Life's not fair". I am feeling the reality of that these days. My Pastor friend cannot go to the doctor because he has no money, other friends have to hitchhike in order to reach home during the holidays, the little children come to the village drop-in centre in torn clothing with no hope of new warm clothes. Life is not fair. Thankfully, in Jesus Christ, we have hope of a NEW LIFE, A PERFECT ENTERNAL LIFE, and it was a joy to share that hope of NEW LIFE with so many people in Zimbabwe! I especially enjoy painting faces at the orphanage and during sunday school at church. The smiles on the children's faces when they looking in the mirror was priceless! Please consider giving a financial gift to help keep me here in Africa spreading God's love! I am so thankful for the many people who are serving God by supporting me with encouragement, prayers, and financial gifts!

Ways to Give to Jenny's Journey:
1. Donations for my account -
www.WorldOutreach.org
Click Donate & select Jenny Kohlrus #152
2. Or, Mail Checks to -
World Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
(designate for Jenny Kohlrus #152)

Proud Little South Africans singing their anthem while wearing their teacher's flag!

A Glimpse of Jenny's Journey at Eagle's Nest Christian School

Lizzy, Markia, Mitzi, Doug, James, and Nathan with Auntie Jane and Pastor Paul in Zimbabwe.


Eagle's Nest was blessed to have these American visitors from Cornerstone Christian Academy come for 3 weeks! Here are there testimonies!


Lizzy Smart:

I will never be the same. Three weeks ago I came to South Africa expecting to find a place completely different from anything I had ever known. I expected to feel like a stranger and a foreigner. I never expected this country and even this continent to feel so much like home. I expected to experience something new, but I did not anticipate that I would fall in love with Africa. The breath taking views, the incredible sunsets, and the beautiful people have stolen a piece of my heart. Although it seems like a simple lesson, I have learned that no matter what country you are in, people are people, water is water, and food is food. We make such a big deal about these simple things, but the most important thing is that Jesus Christ is Jesus Christ, no matter where you go and that He is the solution to the problems of the entire universe. With Jesus as my Source of Life and Truth I am free to love and enjoy new cultures, experiences, and places. I can love life and love people because Jesus Christ is my hope. Because of Him we can look into the most beautiful and most heartbreaking things of life and remain certain that there is hope. Because of these truths, my trip to Africa has taught me to rejoice in all situations and to live life with a new sense of love and thankfulness. I am so thankful for all of my new friends at Eagle's Nest in South Africa and for all the fantastic people I met in Zimbabwe. I feel truly blessed. I am not going back to America the same.


Markia Rogers:

Come to South Africa was something that I never imagined in my wildest dreams. It is s till hard to believe God blessed me with such an opportunity. Eagle's Nest Christian School in Limpopo is so similar to Cornerstone Christian Academy in the US. There wasn't a thing I didn't love about that school. Especially the relationships I made. Everyday from now on I'm going to look back and say that South Africa and Eagle's Nest will always be my home away from home. I also had the opportunity to go to Zimbabwe for an outreach experience. That one week we were there changed my life forever. The two things I will take away from that trip is the beauty and creation of God and how happy and welcoming the people were.



James Barrett:

Through this visit God has given me a heart for Africa and it's people. I will never forget the classes I visited, the students I spent time with, the places I visited such as The Great Zimbabwe Ruins and Kruger Park, or the relationships I formed. The students and teachers of Eagle's Nest, as well as the wonderful people of Zimbabwe, welcomed us with open arms. I feel like I leave behind a family in Africa. I am already looking forward to returning sometime soon.




Doug and Mitzi Pavey:

Coming to South Africa was a dream come true. We weren't sure what to expect but what we experienced exceeded our dreams. South Africa is a country of spectacular beauty. Kruger National Park was one of our favorite places to visit. Observing lions, hippos, zebras, giraffes, elephants and other animals in their natural habitat was breath taking. And the beauty of the land is indescribable. We had the privilege of going into Zimbabwe for 6 days as well. Once again, we were faced with incredible natural beauty. In addition to amazing landscape, the most outstanding characteristic of Africa was the friendliness of the people. We were treated with exceptional hospitality at Eagle's Nest Christian School as well as all other areas we visited. We leave today with mixed emotions. It will be good to go back home to America, but we're also sad to be leaving so many new friends. We leave with a strong desire to return again one day.

Music for Life / African Children's Choir

Then and Now

I took a little walk down memory lane and had fun remembering how little my kids were during tour! I am SO THANKFUL for the chance to visit them in Uganda and Kenya last month!


Auntie Jenny and Bridget June 2011 and Oct 2008





































Julian was such a tiny little girl on tour! Now she is a tall young woman! May 2011 and Dec. 2008











































Auntie Jenny and Jane! May 2011 and Nov. 2007. She is still my "Little Bunny Foo Foo" and loves the camera just as much as the day I first met her!

Dear Washo, Margaret, Jackie, Julian, Jane, Halima, Faulanta, Prisca, Harriet, Christine, Bridget, Sarah, Enid, Hudson, Jacob, Marvin, Martin, Joseph, Peter, Johnson, Daniel, David, Enock, Jerome, and Ibrahim,

Hardly a day goes by when I don't think of you and wonder how you are. I feel so blessed to be able to come and visit you! It is a dream come true! I love you! See you soon!

Love, Auntie Jenny

UNCENSORED

I'm not so sure that anyone reads this blog anymore so maybe it's not such a big risk to type up a blog of uncensored thoughts. When I started this blog years ago it began as a way to share my experiences with others. I also found that it was a good way for me to process the varying experiences I was having while traveling the world. Now, as I have been in South Africa for about 15 months I see that my blogging has really been lacking. Maybe that is part of the reason why is am struggling so much in recent days. I haven't really been taking the time to process the thoughts and feelings of my day to day life here. I think because of that I am suffering. My mind is full and my heart is uneasy. If anyone out there is reading this beware. Here's some candid thoughts about Jenny's life.

I'm so tired. Physically tired. Mentally tired. Tired of trying to be happy and content. Tired of having moments of perfect peace and joy from God but then having them disappear in the next moment.

I miss being with friends. Real friends who know all of my history and faults and love me anyway. People who know me almost as well as I know myself. I miss being able to communicate clearly without even thinking about it.

I miss doing what I am good at. I was a good preschool teacher. I was a good chaperone. Here I just struggle along doing the best I can but often forgetting to lean on God for my strength. He has stretched me and taught me so much. I can lead and confront my staff way better than when I first started but I still lack so much.

Sometimes I look in the mirror and hardly recognize myself anymore. Maybe I just haven't taken the time to process how I have changed and grown in the past year. But I also see things I don't really like. Somehow I have lost a lot of the confidence that I used to have. That confidence wasn't really a confidence in myself but a confidence relating to who I was because of who Christ was in me. Where did that go?

I am weary of questioning whether people are "using" me or not. It is so hard to know if people here are asking me favors because they are my friends or just because I am someone who can help them. I almost always say "yes" hoping that it will make our "friendship" stronger and more real. But maybe they are just using me. Or maybe they really are my friend and I am just blind to how much they really care.

Don't get me wrong. Some good things are happening here too. My team and I spent 10 days loving on some orphan children we invited to our school for a camp. It was AMAZING to see how a little love can change them in just a few short days! At the beginning our the week the 2 little twin girls would flinch every time I went to put my hand on their back or reach out to give them a high five. They were expecting to be hurt not loved. By day 5 they were rushing to me for hugs. NOTHING can be more rewarding than that. Showing a child God's love and seeing the result is the best thing in the world. I think I need to spend a little more time processing experiences like this and sharing them because that is why I am here. To love on the "least of these".


UNCENSORED


Thanks to you if you spent the time reading these random candid thoughts! I am still 100% convinced that God is so good to me!

I found this list by Sikhumbuzo who was in Choir #33
He was writing about 2010 (His first year at Music for Life Junior Academy in South Africa)

How was your year?

Good
- because they teach us the Word of God
- because they make good things to us and they tell us what to do
- because they let us travel around the world
- because we went and performed with the Pop Stars in Johannesburg
- because the people we have there are kind and nice to us
- because we have holidays during the year and the months
- because they make sure that we do good at the school and at the hostel
- because they teach us good manners
- because the aunties and uncles love us very much
- because we have good exams at school
- because they let us study every day for our exam

I feel like my life is split into two very different worlds here in SA. It is very conflicting and hard to get my mind around. Last Sunday I went with some co-workers to a village church. We arrived right on time but church didn't even begin until half an hour past the set time. I was one of the few people there that drove to church. Most everyone walked. The church slowly filled up and midway through the service they brought out a wooden bench for the children so that the adults could use the plastic outdoor chairs. The floor of the church was dirt and the roof of the church was an old tarp used to try keep out the hot sun. I was the only white person and actually the only white visitor they had ever had. Visitors were welcomed and encouraged to come share a word, sing or pray. The music and dance was lively with a keyboard and drums and lots of people willing to come up front to sing. Worship was spontaneous with the Spirit seeming to lead people to stand or sit or raise hands or even dance. Several times during the service the pastor asked us to greet or speak to others in the church. Everyone was embracing one another and showing a lot of love. At offering time the people of the church walked forward and gave their money. The Pastor read the word of God and spoke loud words of encouragement to the congregation about how God can change our lives. The heat made my legs stick together and I had sweat dripping down my back. The service was about 2 1/2 hours long. After church was over some people began walking home and many others began packing up the sound/music equipment and chairs.

Today I went to a church in a nearby town. The service started on time and the parking lot was full of shiny vehicles as most people drove to church. The air conditioning was on and the padded seats were comfortable. The color of my skin was not the minority but the majority. Visitors were neither welcomed or encouraged to participate. The music was lead by a few hearty singers who remained seated in the congregation. A sweet elderly lady played the piano. We were told when to sit and when to stand and each of the songs were neatly listed on the overhead. Some men "took up" the offering as we sat comfortably in our seats. The word of God was read at seemingly appropriate times during the service. The Pastor's sermon was quiet and well-thought-out teaching about how Jesus' has called us to live. At exactly 1 hour and 15 min church was over and the congregation fled to the tables serving tea, coffee and cookies and then enjoyed talking and greeting one another.

These two church services could hardly be more different. I can't judge and say one is right and the other is wrong. Only God knows the hearts of His people. The young people whole heatedly singing at the first church may match the sincerity in the heart of the elderly lady loving playing the piano at the other church. Both Pastors may have the same desire to share God's word to others. All I can say is that it is confusing for me right now and it makes my heart feel unsettled. It makes me wonder where I belong.

I am thankful I accepted my co-workers invitation to visit his church. At the end of the service the Pastor thanked me for coming and said, "You have shown us respect by coming to our church." At that moment I forgot how hot and thirsty I was and how my back was stuck to the plastic chair. I forgot how uncomfortable I felt having others dancing around me and singing in a language I didn't understand. I forgot about the fact that I was the only white face in the crowd. I forgot how nervous I felt when I was handed the microphone to speak. Suddenly, I felt God's blessing pour over me and I felt as if Jesus was smiling down upon me.

Favorite Photos of 2010

Favorite Photos of 2010

There is no way I could post ALL of my favorite photos from the past year but here are a few!!!!!






This is at Prins' house. The team and I were delivering a food parcel to his family. Prins is a part of our MFL Centre After School Program. All of his family is looking at him because they are so surprised and happy to see him smile. He doesn't smile very often. I'm so glad we could bring some joy to this boy's life!






This little one was at the Music for Life Camp we had at our boarding school June. We invited all the children from Orlando, the village next to our school.












Both of these babies were claiming ownership of me by placing their hands on my knee!!!! They already claimed my heart! Again this was at our MFL Camp.












Cute little baby hands and feet!












Choir #33 travelled to Europe in March! This is our team in Cannes, France!












We stayed at this lovely little town called Callian. It was beautiful!












Auntie Jenny with the boys in Cape Town in March












Auntie Jenny with the girls in Cape Town in January
















Our beautiful Music for Life students!

A Prayer for 2011

May God bless you with a restless discomfort
about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression,
and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for
justice, freedom, and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer
from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that which they cherish, so that you
may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that
you really can make a difference inthis world, so that you are able,
with god's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator,
Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word Who is our Brother and Savior,
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, be with you
and remain with you, this day and forevermore. Amen

Franciscan benediction
From "The Hole in the Gospel" by Richard Sterns

Dear friends and family,

Once again, I have to say I am confused by the seasons here in South Africa! December is summer here and it is so hot! It hardly seems like it could be the Christmas seasons when the temperature reaches over 110 degrees on some days! We have just wrapped up the school year here.... which is also new to me with having the school year begin in January and end in December. It was a joy to have Christmas Parties with each of our 10 MFL Centres and share the Christmas Story with the Children.















Merry Christmas from MFL Centres in South Africa!

This is the time of year where we are all looking back on the past year and also looking into the new year with anticipation. Recently I was thinking about a few things God has shown me in the past year.

1)NOTICE OTHERS. One day I was visiting the homes of one of our MFL after school program. The family was so very welcoming and excited to have me and another staff member in their home. I greeted the Grandfather and he asked where I was from. When I told him I was American he shook his head in disbelief and said, “The local white people never come to the villages to see us. Thank you for noticing us and helping us.” At first I was shocked to think about this but then I realized that I was guilty of living this way a few years ago. How easy it is to live in our “own little world” and not think of those less fortunate.

2)WORK HARD AND PRAY. I was having a particularly frustrating day when I found a sign at one of the village schools that reminded me to “Work hard and Pray.” It is not enough to just work hard and it is not enough to just pray. One of my favorite verses say, “Don't be lazy. Work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Romans 12















3)CALL SOMEONE BY NAME. There is a sweet old lady that comes to Komatipoort to sell nuts in the parking lot every weekend. Her name is Susan and she always has a smile. Last week I called her by name and she looked at me in surprise and said, “You remembered my name!”.

4)SAY THANK YOU. During one of my many travel days this past year I was waiting in a very long line at the airport to buy some snacks for my flight. Their was just one man working to check out all the customers. I noticed he worked very fast and was friendly. When it was my turn he thanked me for waiting and in return I said, “Thank you so much for your hard work.” He then told me that in all of his years of work their no one had ever bothered to say thank you.

I pray that we will all take the time to ponder what God has taught us in the past year and begin to make goals for 2011!

Just in case you aren't on my "snail mail" list here is my latest letter.... sorry the photos won't load!

Dear Friends and Family,

For the last month I have been busy documenting the family situations of the children in our after school programs (Music for Life Centres). This has involved visiting the children's homes in the villages. The student's profiles are full of phrases like “both parents have died and the child is living with her grandmother”/ “ the mother isn't working and they don't know where the father is.”/ “an auntie is taking care of 11 children in a 2 room house.” / “The father goes and stays in Swaziland with his other 2 wives.” / “the 18 year old sister is caring for her 3 younger siblings and her own baby.” However, when observing these students while they are participating in the Music for Life Centre program at their school no one would never guess that these are the children that live in such desperate circumstances. They come alive with the music, joy lights up their faces and hope rings in their voices. I believe only the presence of God can bring about such a transformation in these children and I am so thankful to be able to witness it!

I have enjoyed getting to know the children a little more during home visits. Lucas is 9 years old and lives in Orlando (The village right next to our MFL Junior Academy). Lucas was kind enough to direct us to the homes of many of our MFL centre students. When he was riding along with us in the Land Rover he told me that he wanted to be a “traffic cop” when he grows up. Jokingly, I said, “So when you see me driving this Land Rover a little too fast will you forgive me and not give me a ticket?” Lucas quickly said, “No, I must give you a ticket or I will be chased from my job!”. Later one of our Music of Life staff bought some bananas at a road side stand. When he offered one to Lucas he refused. When one of the aunties asked him why he didn't want a banana he said that he wasn't allowed to take food from anyone. I was struck by the sense of honestly and integrity in this little boy and wondered what would happen if he became a future
leader of South Africa. MFL in South Africa is blessed to pour into the lives of hundreds of children just like Lucas.

Another highlight of the past month has been the School Assemblies that the MFL Centre Students have performed at. Each group of children has been able to perform for their entire school during an assembly to show what they have learned this year. The kids were so proud (and a little nervous!) to sing and dance for their peers and teachers!

Please Pray:
*Thank God that the strike for public workers is over and the children are back in school
*Thank God for Kristine who is my temporary housemate (until Dec.). She is teaching at our school.
*Pray for our former choir children who are in Secondary School as they will be taking exams soon
*Pray for God to increase my leadership skills as I lead the MFL Centre Staff

Thanks again for all of your love, support and encouragement!

Love, Jenny

I found her in the village. She is the tiny girl who I fell in love with at first sight. I show people her picture and kinda of make a joke saying, "I wish I could take her home with me." But it's true. I really wish I could take her home with me. And not just her. Lots of them. Bring them home and love on them with all the love in my heart. Make sure they are clean. Give them something nice to eat. Teach them about Jesus. Sing songs and tell stories together. I know God wants to teach me something through this longing in my heart. Maybe He wants me to have just a tiny glimpse into the way He feels about ME. If my heart can long and ache for this little child, whose name I don't even know, how much more must my Heavenly Father long for me.

How great is the love the Lord has lavished on us that we should be called the Children of God. And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

My South African Home

Jenny's "Hide-Away Hut"




Sweet friends have let me borrow the furniture I needed













































Yes, I am completely spoiled and have a sweet little pool in the back yard! The yard needs a "little" work and I am hoping to plant grass soon!




And these are my wonderful co-workers and friends that I hope to bless with my new home and pool. I took these photos when we took a little day trip to Swaziland. We had a blast! Please pray for me as I build relationships with these friends and encourage them in their walk with the Lord.








Eating the Rice Crispy Treats I made for them! I had to introduce them to an American Tradition! :)

"Today, for the first time, I bought clothes pins and they aren't for a preschool craft project."

That is what I wanted to put on my facebook status update today. (funny how everything seems to come back to facebook these days!) or I thought about saying, "My choir kids can handwash clothes much better than me!" But I thought that too many facebook friends with good intentions would misunderstand and make sympathetic comments about my simple life here in South Africa. I don't think I could handle that at the moment.

I have just moved into my own place here and because of a recent visit far into the village next to our school I now have a different perspective on my living conditions. Finding a place to rent here in Komatipoort was a bit of challenge as it seems as if everything is either really nice and too expensive or really cheap and in an un-safe area. But God is faithful and has provided a wonderful place for me to rent that is in a nice neighborhood and has a reasonable rent. It is what the Africaans here in town call a "rondoval" (not sure of the spelling) but I would call it a round brick hut with a thatch roof (which I have now named "Hide-away Hut"). It is more than enough space for me even though it is just 3 rooms. It has a bedroom, a huge bathroom (with a big tub AND a shower.... anyone remember my tiny bathroom in Bloomington?) and a big room that is the kitchen and living room. The kitchen has a single sink and stovetop burners. Kind friends here in Komatipoort have let me borrow a table and chairs, a couch, a TV and DVD player on a stand, a bed and a night stand. All of this is MORE THAN ENOUGH for me and I feel greatly blessed. Did you notice that their a few "normal" things missing.... washing machine, dryer, oven, and fridge (not to mention a desk, book shelves, artwork, comfy lounge chairs, decorative pillows, and all the other things that fill up our western houses)? No washing machine or a dryer means hand washing and hanging clothes out to dry. I thought about taking my clothes to the boarding school to use the washer there (which maybe I will do once in awhile) but I can't really justify doing that often considering that the majority of employees at the school don't have washing machines either. I never see them using the machine for personal use. I thought about buying a microwave but I looked at the price and then thought of the people in the village having only an open fire to cook over then I remember to be thankful for my electric stove burners and the new toaster I just purchased. Right now I am using a cooler with ice as a fridge. Not convient or easy but it works. Honestly, I probably have enough money to buy a little dorm-size fridge and will get one in the near future but for now I am just cooking simply. (and trying not to have leftovers!)

Last week MFL had a day camp for the children who live in the village next to our school. I have drove by the village 100's of times and even gone to church there but I had never been very far "into" the village. The day before camp we took the Land Rover and ventured in to invite children to come to our camp. First we saw many of the houses that are made of concrete blocks that they make and sell in the villages here. They have corugated metal roofs. Lots of them even had some kind of electricity hooked up. We then drove by the "public toliets". Think of what you might see at a State Park Camp Ground. These homes don't have indoor plumbing. Thankfully, every few houses or so there were water spikets in the middle of the yard that the neighbors would share. In this part of the village we saw many people. Women were sitting outside on a mat braiding each others hair with children running and playing all around. Most of the yards were neat and tidy and we saw some pretty nice looking vegetable gardens. Men were working in the yard or sitting and chatting with one another. Many people we walking along the dirt roads with some sort of purpose in mind. Then we took a road that went to the back of the village. It was very quiet here. No one seemed to be around. There weren't houses anymore but shacks. The people had made their homes out of trash.... card board boxes, old tarps, old pieces of wood. I couldn't believe the conditions that these people were living in. It is hard to describe. I would have liked to take photos but it didn't really seem appropriate. I did sneak in one photo of these little boys who were just hanging around. You can see what types of homes they live in when you look in the background. (Click on the photo to make it bigger)













My experience that day was very "real" and it changed my perspective of how I should live. Honestly, right now, I really feel guilty living the way I do when my "neighbors" have so little. I was originally going to post pictures of my new house here but now I feel too embarrassed show the "mansion" I live in. It is most definitely a mansion compared to where these little boys sleep. In their eyes my bed (a bunk bed from the school with a foam mattress) is a luxury. So is my comfy couch. The shower and tub are meant for a princess. In reality I know that God has given me a home so that I can bless others with it and I honestly know I shouldn't be "embarrassed" by how God has blessed me. But at the moment it is too hard to get my mind around it all. I think I'm going to look and pray for ways to sacrifice in order to be a good neighbor. and maybe handwashing my clothes is just the beginning.

glimpses of reality

Some days it seems impossible to process all the differences between my life here in South Africa and what my life was like in America. In the past week I have drove up and down the dirt road to our school many times. Tonight I passed lots of people carrying firewood back to the villages that they will use to cook their food or maybe keep warm in the cool winter night. Last week I stopped on the road 2 times to give some children bread. The first time I paused to give out bread to about 6 little children playing outside of their home. They were kids about 2-4 years old playing next to the road without an adult in sight. Later the same day I stopped by the trash pile by the side the road were 2 boys were digging through the trash. When I pulled over and rolled down the window and began to speak they immediately started practicing their english by saying "fine, fine" knowing that I was going to say, "Hello, how are you?". :) I asked if they wanted some bread and one of them jumped off the trash pile, clutched the bread in his arms like a prize, and ran away with his friend with a huge smile shouting "siyabonga" which means "thank you". I also spent countless hours this week going through the clothes that our children keep at our boarding school. Most of the clothes were something no one at home would even bother putting out at a yard sale but yet it is all these children have and they are thankful for them. I wish I had some profound words to share about these experiences but honestly, maybe it would be silly to try to make lesson out of these glimpses of reality. Paul said, "When God's people are in need, be ready to help them." (Romans 12:13) and I pray that we can each find a way to do this wherever we live.

In March we had a team of two Americans, two Canadians,
and one South African come to Nkomazi to serve
with Music for Life. The team and MFL staff
worked together to organize and facilitate camps at
two of our Music for Life Centres.

I was especially blessed to discover that two of the
western team members were people I had met while
touring with ACC30 in 2007/08! Lisa is from Rich-
mond, BC and she remembers me talking with her
after a concert about short term volunteer opportuni-
ties. She has now come to South Africa twice to
volunteer! Jen was Detail Person and host family
member when ACC30 was in Omaha, Nebraska!
Honestly, I don't really remember talking specifically
to Lisa or Jen but I am now thankful to have confir-
mation that at least two out of the thousands of con-
versations I had had while touring were actually
important and possibly life-changing!


Lisa and I


Jen teaching Music with my friend/co-worker Selby


The camps went very well! There were around 300
children each day at the first week of camp in In-
jabulo and 200 children attending camp at Mzinti
Primary School during the second week.
The western volunteers along with our SA Staff held
Dance, Music, Bible Stories, Science and Games
Activities for the children. It was also fun to have
five of our former Choir members—who are now in
Secondary School—to come and help during their
school holidays. I really enjoyed playing with the little
kiddos and had a great time blowing bubbles with these
small kids!


The community seemed happy to host us and there
were children waiting for us to arrive each day. We
received a letter from a student's mother after the
first day of camp. It said,

“Dear everyone at Music
for Life, We would like to thank you for giving our
children this opportunity. They are very excited.
They woke up very early and are very happy. And of
course the Bible lessons teaches them to be obeying,
respectful and responsible children. We thank you.
Please continue to do the good work.”

This letter was more than enough encouragement to
keep us going to finish the week strong! 􏰀

My Grandma

Memories of Grandma Figg

Today my family is gathering together to honor and remember my Grandma who has just passed away. I have been thinking about her a lot lately and I have many sweet memories of spending time with her. Please let me share some memories with you....


My Grandma called herself a “hair dresser” in her younger years. I can remember climbing into her chair in the “shop” to get my first hair cut. The “shop” was a converted mobile home that sat at the edge of their property in Iroquios. It was bright and sunny with lots of Grandma's plants in the windows. Many local women came to get “permanents”and hair cuts. Grandma cut my hair for many years. Most of the time when I needed a haircut she would get her scissors and we would go outside where I would sit on the picnic table while she trimmed my hair.

Many of my favorite memories are from spending time in the kitchen with Grandma. Grandma always let me help with meals. When I was small she would let me pick the cool-aid flavor and taste it to make sure it had enough sugar. I can vividly remember the smell and taste of Grape cool-aid from a wooden spoon. My Grandma made the best home-made noodles in the world. Chicken noodle soup at Grandma's was the best. I can remember helping roll out the dough and cut the noodles. My brother's favorite food from Grandma's kitchen was her home-made bisquits or rolls which were always eaten up quickly!

My brother and I loved to go and stay the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma would move the coffee table and make up beds for us to sleep on the floor in the living room. In the mornings Wes and I would sit at the breakfast table eating toast with lots of cinnamon and sugar.

Another favorite place at Grandma and Grandpa's was the front porch. When I was little, Wes and I would sit on the concrete porch and play with the little plastic cowboy and indian toys or marbles while Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa would sit and talk. As we got older we sit and read on the porch while watching for the hummingbirds that Grandma loved.

The yard at Grandma and Grandpa's house was a wonderful place to play as a child. I used to spend hours in the “climbing tree”. It was a great place to get away from the world and as I got older I would often take a book up with me. Wes and I and my cousins would have lots of fun playing with the toys Grandma kept for us. We would get out the frisbees and yoyos to play in the yard.

I love hearing stories about my Grandma's life when she was a young mother. She was a true homemaker.... busy cooking, cleaning, sewing and gardening in order to take care of her family.

My Grandma loved flowers and gardening. My Mom and Grandma would usually walk around the yard and look at the flowers and plants. Now I do the same thing with my Mom at her house and I love flowers and gardening just like Grandma and Mom.

Thank you Grandma for letting me experience life with you.... You showed me what a blessing it is to enjoy creation and also create things with my own hands. You were an artist creating beauty in whatever you did... making a pie for your family, painting a picture or planting beautiful flowers. You introduced me to joy that comes from enjoying the simple things in life and you will be greatly missed by all.