There were so many precious people to say goodbye to! I was completely overwhelmed by the love, support and encouragement of friends and family in the build up to leaving. There are too many of you to mention each by name but know that I am eternally grateful for all you have so graciously given and sacrificed to help me realise this dream!
Although the goodbyes were really painful, they were possible because I am certain that this is where I'm meant to be for this season of my life.
After a tearful goodbye to my family at the airport, Mac and I went through the security gates which signalled the start of our adventure! We both stared out the window of the plane as we took off, wondering what on earth we were doing!
The journey was pretty uneventful compared to last time and before we knew it we had landed in Joburg. The place has such a distinctive smell, kind of warm, sweet and dusty!
We got through immigration without any problems and were greeted at arrivals by Shaun and Jenna Stols who we stayed with for the first few days.
Our first evening in SA we were invited to go to the Passion tour 2012 with louie giglio, Chris tomlin and Christy Nockels. We worshipped under the stars with thousands of other people. Such a powerful evening and exactly the right way to start this year. God had so gone before us!
The next day we visited TLC (the home for orphaned and abandoned babies which I have volunteered at several times over the last 8 years.) It was amazing to see how much the big kids had grown and changed and the little ones were as gorgeous as ever! It was special to go back and TLC will always hold a precious place in my heart, but I know God is calling me into a new chapter.
Our time in Joburg was great. It was such a blessing to start our journey there, to take a breath of south African air and reflect before we started work at the Village!
Touching down in Durban felt so surreal. I had such a sense of peace although it was hard to comprehend that this was going to be home for the next year!
Arriving at the village was pretty special. It looked so vibrant and light, bursting with life. So much has changed in just 6 months! When the kids saw us coming they're little faces lit up and they came running over shouting 'Hannah Montana!' and 'Coach'! I was so surprised how many remembered us as we'd only spent 3 or 4 days at the village last time!
The first week after we arrived the kids were on half term so Jonathan and I were asked to run a holiday club for them with 2 other English volunteers! It was quite a challenge trying to entertain almost 70 2-13 year olds all at once but we got through with the help of a laptop, projector, water balloons and guitar!! Was great to be able to spend quality time with the kids we knew from before and get to know all the new ones! They really are beautiful and I feel god is breaking and expanding my heart for them more everyday!
As I spend more time here I can see a 'Hannah -shaped' hole more and more and I'm excited to be able to start using my gifts to be useful to this amazing community.
My role is mainly going to involve overseeing all of the medical/therapy side of things at the village.
So far that has involved accompanying kids to the local clinics, visiting one of our girls in hospital, sorting out medication doses, and reviewing kids with everything from broken wrists to chicken pox! I'm also working with a specialist HIV team who are coming to the village to run a training and education programme for the kids, mum and staff. They also have a specialist counsellor who will work with and support our HIV positive kids.
My main task for the first few weeks is to sort out the medical admin and create individual medical records for each of the kids. I've had to go through each child's file to find out their history. It's been really traumatic to see in stark black and white some of the horrors 'my' kids have been put through in their short little lives.
Iv had to hold on tight to the hope we have because of Jesus and trust that the future is bright for these children because of Him. How awesome that their bleak beginnings don't have to dictate their futures, and what a privilege it is for me to be able to be a part of their healing. Jonathan and I are also volunteering in the kids church at the village which includes children from the squatter camp in the neighbouring community. It's a great opportunity to invest into the spiritual lives of our kids and make links with the locals. Please pray for wisdom & integrity as we teach and show them what it means to follow Christ.
I'm living in a place called Umdloti (pronounced um-shlo-tea) with 2 other girls, Carita and Lee, who also work for LIV. My flat is really nice, just a minutes walk from the beach! The only downside is the constant threat of monkeys who break in through the windows! They've already got in a couple of times since I arrived, eaten all my food and pooed everywhere! They might look cute but my word do they stink!
Our prayers for a vehicle have been answered :) And no its not pink! We have been loaned one of LIVs bakkies (pronounced Bucky) which is an old pick up truck! I look hilarious driving it, like a proper farm girl, but it's great to have our own set of wheels! Its only needed jump starting by my neighbours twice so far! Grateful it's always happened somewhere I can get help easily though. I asked God for an adventure and I'm sure I'm going to get it! I do really appreciate your prayers for safety, especially on the roads.
I had a bit of a scary experience last Monday night when I woke up to the sound of 2 men trying to break into my flat! Thank god our security guard saw them climbing up the side of the house onto our balcony and managed to scare them away. The police came and a few shots were fired but i think the guys got away. I immediately felt tempted to be fearful but as soon as
I realised this was a spiritual attack I was filled with such a peace! I would value your prayers for continued protection, both physically and spiritually! Iv also come down with the flu this week which has kept me in bed for the last 3 days. I'm taking the attack as encouragement that I'm on the right path but again please, if you pray, ask that I would be back to full health again soon so I can get back to the village!
On the Church front, we've been going to a church called Olive Tree in Durban City. We were invited to go to an evening for newcomers last week where the pastors and elders shared the vision and values of the church. Was great and we've signed up to join cell groups and get involved in the life of the church.
If you've made it this far Congratulations! (and thank you!) I will stop there although there is lots more I could share! God is doing incredible things! I promise I wont leave it so long until my next update!
God bless and much love,
Hannah x
A beautiful TLC baby
Jonathan misbehaving as usual!
One of our beautiful LIV kids
And another!
Some of the houses at the Village
We took 42 LIV kids to the Sharks rugby game on Saturday!
