“But when we are honest, too much of the time our service projects cover up the reality that our way of life is what makes the service project necessary to begin with. In that way service projects don’t function to change the status quo, or even push against it, they actually function to maintain it. TheyContinue reading “A World Where Short Term Trips Aren’t Needed”
Author Archives: Steph E
“I feel like a Queen in a palace now!” Gretta exclaimed after she saw her repainted kitchen at Sbukosezwe creche. The team of 8 from Leek, England, had spent the morning repainting it, and helping Gretta with the 67 three to five-year-olds that were attending the creche that day. While iThemba doesn’t like to makeContinue reading
Holding up their Arms
These past two weeks, I’ve been working with 6 Azusa Pacific University students in Sweetwaters. This team has really stood out because of their hard work, great preparation, and initiative. They’ve been able to partner at a creche, organize a fun day to say thanks to our Sweetwaters teenagers who volunteer with us in theContinue reading “Holding up their Arms”
Development: Getting to the Root Causes
I joined the APU lectures on Community Development this week. Even though it was the second time hearing them, they were still very inspiring. We were given permission to take some videos to use in preparing teams to come out and serve with iThemba. Here is the famous “Drowning Babies” story that I wrote aboutContinue reading “Development: Getting to the Root Causes”
Welcoming the Stranger
“How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?…They oppress your people, LORD, hurting those you love. They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans. “The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Jacob doesn’t care.” Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? Is theContinue reading “Welcoming the Stranger”
Meet Gugu!
Gugu, which means “precious” in Zulu, is very precious to the iThemba team! One of our new discipleship field workers, Gugu has a passion to see people’s lives changed. Her life was changed by Christ at her uncle’s funeral. Gugu had helped out in her church for many years before this. “I liked to go andContinue reading “Meet Gugu!”
This is How we Know what Love is
This week, the iThemba Ladies had a Valentine’s Day party (albeit a bit early!). David was away with his 8th graders on camp, so I saw it as an excuse to be as girly as possible. Anna, our Danish short-termer helped decorate and made the amazing dessert, and Karabo helped with games. We also watchedContinue reading “This is How we Know what Love is”
Meet Anna!
Anna is our newest short-term volunteer. She is taking a gap- year before starting university, and has chosen to come and help iThemba for the next 4 months! She spent the end of last year waitressing to raise the money to come out here, and now that she’s here, she’s spending her time teaching art.Continue reading “Meet Anna!”
Reason for Hope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Vyj9b1NyY This video is from an advertising campaign put out by a South African Bank. I think its really inspiring to hear our young people speak out against some of the problems we are facing in our country, and call people to action. (The ANC didn’t like it, which you can read about here). OneContinue reading “Reason for Hope”
Why Teams?
The hassle of accommodation, food, and transport, the cost of traveling thousands of miles—is it really worth it, for a team from another culture who cannot speak the language and will only be there a few weeks? I have to answer this question to myself and others at least once a week. Here is myContinue reading “Why Teams?”
Stephanie Ebert 