happy thanksgiving!

We've had an amazing thanksgiving here in South Africa. After an awesome game drive on Wednesday where we saw giraffes, rhinos, zebras and many other animals, the team spent Thanksgiving day working with meals on wheels (yes, it does exist here) and enjoying at feast and fellowship at Ft. White.

In the morning we packed up the vehicles with food from the garden, and headed to the Meals on Wheels facility (using this term very loosely, since it is a tiny house with very few amenities) in Dimbaza, a local township. Part of the team prepared food for the afternoon, and others worked in the yard tearing down fences and clearing out the yard for a future garden.

Once the food was prepared, we gathered with those waiting to receive the meals for singing and prayer. Once those who came to the house had eaten, we piled the food in the truck and headed to a church up the street to distribute the remaining meals. For many of these people, the only meals they eat come from the 2x/week distribution from Meals on Wheels. More people came out for food than the anticipated amount. Once those who had registered for fed, the next to eat were those with the greatest need...and that is difficult to assess. It was hard to see such need, and it served as a great reminder of how much we have to be thankful for.

After this moving experience, we headed back to Ft. White for Thanksgiving meal. Becky prepared food for roughly 40 people attending this feast...it was amazing. After the meal, we spent the night talking around the fire outside and decompressing a day that illustrated how truly blessed we are.

school days...

We're still on the adventure of a lifetime. Tuesday saw us back to work at Ft. White doing various projects to get the space ready for future mission teams...everything from fixing walkways, prepping the fields and sorting out rock for the septic system. It was hot here today (roughly 90 degrees), but all of us enjoyed the summer treat in November!

After some projects at Ft. White, we headed back to Debe Nek school to paint and play with the kids. Roughly 92 kids were ready and waiting for the team. As you'll see the in picture the kids took quickly to the group, and are full of love and warm smiles to share. The first coat of paint is set, and the teachers are delighted. We were happy to see that the community that came together the day before to help us, had finished clearing the garden in between our visits. Maybe the motivation of our team has become contagious!

The team has grown very fond of Ft. White, with the outstanding hospitality of the Fudges. Ms. Becky is quite the cook, so don't worry, we're eating very well.

Today we're on a break and off to Inkwenkwezi for our game drive. Sure there will be a lot to report in the next blog.

We're here...hard at work

After almost 26 hours of travel, the team arrived in East London safe and sound. After a much needed night's sleep (by the way the sun rises at about 4:30 am here), the trip kicked off with a visit to Bethany Emmanuel for church where we were treated to warm hospitality and a great Christmas play by the kids at the school.

After changing out of our church clothes, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work at Ft. White. Projects included plowing a field for future crops, fixing a walkway, sorting out rock for a septic system and removing fences to be used later for the perimeter of the property (to keep the goats out of the crops).

Now we're finishing our second full day here and it was a treat. After some sorting of old school and dormitory furniture, we headed to Debenek, a local primary school (grades K-7) to help paint and prep their overgrown garden fields. We were greeted with song, dance and huge smiles as we drove up by the kids and teachers. It was a fantastic community event, working side-by-side with the people to help restore a valuable part of their community.

More updates to come...back to the school tomorrow for another great day of work.

How we'll be serving...

We have an exciting update as to the service we'll be doing over the next week. As those of us who've been to South Africa know, it's important to be fluid, as plans will likely shift. Our service will include painting and renovating schools in a nearby township, hosting a sports camps for the kids in the township (roughly 92 kids ranging from age K-7), community outreach promoting the Ft. White school that is coming and various renovation projects at Ft. White.

Included are some photos from the summer to 1) give you glimpse of Ft. White and 2) show you some of the smiles that this type of work brings to the kids in South Africa.

Keep us in your prayers as we travel. The group leaves Friday (11/20) morning and will be in East London on Saturday afternoon (11/21).

The Fudge family...

In this trip to South Africa, we'll be working with the Fudge family, an amazing family of 5 who are leading the charge in renovating the property and getting the school up and running. Some of us were blessed to spend time with the Fudges in July for a few days, and we know this trip will be amazing. To learn more about this family and their journey, you can visit: http://thefudgefive.wordpress.com/

The countdown is on. We're just over 1 week from leaving for this amazing trip! More details and photos to come over the next week. Keep praying for us as we prepare.

The Journey is headin' back to SA...

It's only been 3.5 months since our last trip, but The Journey is heading back to continue assisting with the renovations of Ft. White into a school. For a little history on Ft. White, please visit: http://www.servingafrica.com/fortwhite.htm

We'll be updating this blog while we're there, but please take the time to pray for the 15 of us who are making the trip back to South Africa. The excitement is growing as we're nearly 2 weeks away!