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!”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
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
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). One ofContinue 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?”
Privilege
Living in Hilton and working in Sweetwaters means I am constantly confronted with my own privilege. It’s not just a matter of working in schools that are understaffed, under-resourced, and under-qualified, when I know I went to amazing schools just minutes away in Hilton. It’s not just a matter of sitting at Life Groups inContinue reading “Privilege”
Thankfulness
We celebrated thanksgiving here in South Africa with 15 other American missionaries. Thinking back over this past month, I certainly have a lot to be thankful for! David has a job teaching 8th and 9th grade math at Grace College, a local high school in Hilton. The Jabulani Kids Club Christmas party was a success! WeContinue reading “Thankfulness”
Real Life Hero: Gretta
“Eh, it is so quiet here today without my students, Steph.” Gretta said to me yesterday when I dropped by to say hello. Gretta runs a creche (preschool) in Sweetwaters with over 90 kids. She does an amazing job of keeping them all in line, and helping them learn. The students she was talkingContinue reading “Real Life Hero: Gretta”
A Reason to Celebrate
I don’t usually give people lifts. Partly because I want taxi drivers (as evil as they are) to have jobs. And partly because South Africa has extremely high rates of hijacking. But today there was a lady struggling up the steep hill next to my house (which I know all about, since I walk upContinue reading “A Reason to Celebrate”
Teens Camp
Did you ever go to a Christian camp as a teenager? Did you ever get that feeling, like God was right there listening to you and speaking to you? Of course, we all know that God is always with us, continually speaking and challenging us–but I think sometimes we don’t listen as well in theContinue reading “Teens Camp”