Diary of a blushing Bride (to be)

Since getting engaged I have learnt loads of things ... and have had many experiences that may make you laugh or cringe so thought I would resurrect this blog :)

Hey hey

Its been a long time, but heres a quick up date.

Flooding
Lots of the townships are lying in low lands, which flood. We had loads of rain and sure enough these flooded. The one township we are working in a lot was hit really badly - so badly that that was where all the TV and relief apeals were filmed from, it is also the poorest of the poor.

We took blankets and clothes, then fortunately the plastic sheeting we ordered some time before came and we had 3 days sun, which enabled people to put plastic sheeting over their shacks in time for the next rain.

It was horrible that a 55 year old women was living in a waterfilled shack 4 days after the flooding started emptying it out with a margerine contaner. Fortunately we got some massive paint containers, so they could clear the water out faster.

The Warehouse
Its amazing we pack clothes and empty the shelves and more come in its amazing to see how people give and Gods provision! We needed blinds for a HIV Support group and didnt ask around, but 2 days later someone gave us blinds that fitted the windows exactly - how cool is that!

I have also been packing food parcels and clothes for Aids orphans. Today the monthly supplies went out and coats for the children - amazing! I was taken to a church where they were given them out it was so cool, I understood one word and that was Hope the rest was in Kossa (or however you spell it), but they sang and spoke about how they were and prayed etc we arrived late adn left early but was still there for 1 and 1/2 hours....then the car stopped working....but we got back to the warehouse eventually. Is so sad to see the grandmothers of the children looking after them becuase the parents are dead. Its such a big problem and not necessarily down ot lack of education becuase there is so much being done on that front.

The Townships
Nothing can really explain or convey how bad and how vast they are....the poverty is crazy.

Gangster and Prison
So I have been into Pollsmoore Prison where NMandella spent a few years. Some people are doing a restoration Justice course with Juviniels so went there to help, also met an ex - gangster who talked about one of the areas created after the forced removals and the problems they face there. It was really interesting becuase I am reading his book at the moment.

The rest
Ok so this is a very quick update, because I would be here forever doing a detailed description, I am exhausted emotionally and physically. Words really cant describe how I feel adn the things I have seen or stories people have told me, there is hope and dispare, happiness in the poverty yet crazily on the opposite side of the road there are plush houses. Cape Town is beautiful and its easy only to be involved in the first world areas, but you have to be here and look around to understand how life is for most people. I love what I have been involved in and will hopefully come back. i will try adn upload photos when the computer lets me, but I havent really taken that many, because I dont think its right to treat these people like zoo animals to be photographed becuase of the conditions they live in, but if people have taken photos when I have been with them i have used their photos so at least there is only one person taking th ephotos....hypercriticall maybe.

Ok I still cant load photos up - sorry!

The Warehouse

This is Rene and Kate in the warehouse working....which is where I am working currently....it really is this cold!!!!!!!!

Check out www.warehouse.org.za

Photos

I am sorry I cannot upload photos for some weird reason.....will try soon!

Day 6, 44 Days left!

So I have been here nearly a week, it has gone quickly, but yet again slowly. I am enjoying it here, but missing home too.

On the weekend I went to see a rugby match between two rival teams…West Province vs. Bulls. We lost (WP) but it was good fun. I also went to an organic market, which was fun and cute, but the best thing was the shop where they have locals making stuff out of rubbish or recycled goods e.g. a clock out of a tuna can, curtain things from milk bottle tops etc. One amazing thing was the teddies, black material embroidered with the most fantastic colours and gap has ordered a load off them. The sad thing is they will probably get peanuts for them and the work is incredible!!!!!

Sunday I went to Hout Bay – beautiful, had fresh fish and chips, then went for a walk around the harbour and beach…amazing scenery. My host was a social worker in the area and took me to the fishing village, it was where the Black community was forced to live during the apartheid. They have the most stunning view, and the rich and poor live next to each other, but the contrast is incredible.

We then went to the craft market, where my host saw people she knew so we stopped to chat with them, they live in the townships, but through various projects have been able to start up businesses one selling crafts and beads and another pancakes. The first guy has invited us to that particular part of the township to see how the real South Africans live and gave me a south African flag he made from beads. The other guys were a cool family we were made an honourery pancake – caramel, banana and nut pancake! Lecker (tasty), but very sticky! I played with the children, and the little guy (7) had no crayons or anything so used leaves with water to make a green colour and chalk and mud to make white, brown and red. Amazing that you can just use what is around, but also so sad that they don’t have things we take for granted and don’t care about.

Monday (today) I was at the warehouse, we packed men’s clothes into boxes to be given to men that attend a info drop in thing, where one of the guys help with getting legal ID cards, advice about work etc. Most of the men live on the streets or are from the town ship, so have little mean of getting clothes etc. The rest of the day I spent trying to get my microphone working.

Its amazing what they are doing at the Warehouse, helping churches in the areas met the needs that are there rather than going in all guns blazing, they are trying to empower people not make people dependant on them! Prayer is central and 1 hour a day is spent before work begins praying and then as every sub groups meets throughout the day or as often as felt needed they pray.

People here are lovely and welcoming, but the weather is a mixture yesterday in t-shirt walking in lovely sun on the beach, today 3 t-shirt and 2 jumpers huddled whilst it lashed down outside. It may snow on Thurs….crazy this is South Africa!

Hopefully I can up load the photos I wanted to share with you all!!!!! Other than that I’m fine J keep emailing and texting,
Rhianwynx

Day 1 or 50 Work

So people, as promised my instalment from South Africa……can’t believe I am actually here, its feels weird.

So Tuesday I was at the airport and John had to push me through to the place where they check you have a ticket and passport before the scanners. I so did not want to come, since I had heard so many horror stories and started to realise how much I would miss my family, John and friends; well it’s not a cheap, quick flight back is it!

Ended up on a plane with babies and kids in front of me, but they were mostly ok, then ended up by the window trapped by 2 people who had taken sleeping tablets…..by the time breakfast was served I was busting for the loo and needing to walk around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did however see an amazing sun rise!!!! But 11 hours is too long in an aircraft!

Got here and started on a Transforming communities course, which ties in with uni stuff and is brilliant, went to meet people I would be working with during the next few weeks, all seem lovely and friendly! Then went on a drive…amazing scenery! Table mountain, devils and lion peaks, the 12 apostles to name a few, the coast line was amazing and the surf looked brilliant! I then watched the sun go down (6pm) – it’s so wrong to see the sun set, rise and set again when you haven’t slept at any point in between! I am in the cabin at the bottom of the garden, lovely room with ensuit and kitchenette, but unlike the rest of the house no bars or alarm or anything…..hmmmm.

I am so tired! And home sick, I don’t think I will manage 7 weeks no matter how amazing a time I have here. Its also quite a challenge that amazing, big, spectacular houses belonging to the wealthy are right next the townships, which even though I have seen photo of are crazy and I guess it will be challenging to work in them!

Everyone here is so God focused, they bring God into everything, the Warehouse starts work with an hour prayer, then there are prayer walks etc. Even the people I meet bring God into everything, in some ways they remind me of some people I worked and socialised or associated with in Germany.

Just one more thing…..I am going on a shark trip on Saturday………please email, text and respond here it will help!

South Africa

Hi guys, just as promised at firsst oppertunity I am updating this...unfortunatly what I wrote is on my laptop adn I cannot get that to go on the internet so something very brief for now.

I have finished a course and will have the weeken to chill and then start at the charity on Monday...should be good. Its rainin here today but has been hot and sunny.
Please keep texting and emailing becuase it makes me happy!!!!!

Yes and the contrast between the rich and poor is stark, strange and can be heart breaking!!!!
Missing you all,
Rhianwyn

Hey there people of the world

So no pics but back from Germany and now off to South Africa tomorrow much to many peoples upset....but I will be back and this is where I will post photos and informaiton on what I am doing out there!