Camping Season

I know that back home summer is the main camping season, and no surprise, it's also the main season here. The difference being that summer here is December to February. Also, schools year are based on the Calendar year so the kids actually start school in the middle of January and go to school for four terms with two or three week term breaks in between. They don't get much in the way of a summer vacation like we do in The States. However, schools here often and sometimes every term go on "overnights" or "outdoors," basically, they go camping. So we have had many schools here during the weeks, these camps often focus on leadership and team building, as well as experiential learning since the city kids sometimes have no idea what sugar cane even is! 

Nathan, Me, and Anina with my best friend the Bull Horn

Because it's camping season we also spend our weekends hosting church groups, youth groups, Sunday school groups, adult groups; people looking to retreat from every day life and spend a weekend getting closer to God. These groups are always interesting because they can have kids with an age range of 3rd grade - 7th grade in one camp; unlike the school groups which are typically just one grade, and in some cases even just one gender (there are a lot of single gender schools here in South Africa). 

6th grade boys doing a water study

We are blessed because almost all the schools that come have a Christian ethos, even if they do not have specific prayer, or church services at school. Therefore, we are allowed to freely share the Gospel with these school kids. It's so cool to see them soaking in the devotions and Gospel lessons that are brought out in our daily activities and experience these kids going away from camp being just a little deeper in their walk with God. 

Taking 1st graders on a kayak ride around the dam

I am blessed because when the church groups come, I get to learn more about the Word and MY walk with God gets to go a little deeper. Kids that have been brought up in the Word always have so much to offer. I am always inspired by their faith, and I always strive to have the childlike faith like of our campers that God calls each of us to have. 

So we have basically had non-stop camps for the past three/four weeks/weekends, which has been exhausting and amazing. I spend my days hiking to waterfalls, swimming in the dam, leading leadership activities, hearing devotionals, serving camp food, saying "stop talking" "no you can't eat that" "no you don't have to wear shoes" and "yes, you must clean you room" too many times. But I have loved every minute of it. 

Leading the SCA club at The Wykeham Collegiate

In these camps, I am fulfilling not only my SALT job description, but I find my soul very filled by getting to guide and lead these young people in their faith journey and life. I very often have moments where I feel like I'm not doing enough, but then I get a huge hug from a camper that tells me "this is the best camp ever" and how can I not feel like I was meant to be a part of that? 

I haven't really been off of the farm much lately except for the odd shopping trip with Rae. But, MCC did take us to a rugby game a few weekends ago and that was a total blast! I actually understood what was going on most of the time (except for the scrums). But it was nice to get out and do something with all the MCC people in my area. 

Rugby with Sokea, Dinar, Adam, Karen, and Cath

In addition to camps I have gotten to do some "hard labor" on the farm. I got to help finish our new church building, which was a lot of fun and a different pace from sending 100 emails a day in the office! I helped with the decking, painting, and cornices; as well as moving all the furniture around from the old hall and common area, now our "Fellowship hall" type space. We had an official hall opening for the church where we ate warthog that we cooked on a spit! It was so delicious :) It was definitely a nice way to celebrate! 

Helping Philani put up cornices 

Tammi and Anina are the students that are here doing the gap year/discipleship course. I live with these two in our little log cabin in the woods (which got like 15,000 likes on instagram when a cabin themed page found a picture of it!) They are lovely and I am really enjoying getting to know them, learn with them, and from them. It has been amazing to watch them grow so much in the Lord in such a short amount of time, as well as see them grow in their personalities as they have more and more responsibilities during camps and in between camps. I have absolutely loved reading the bible with them every day (We are reading the bible cover to cover this year...yes I plan to continue the reading plan even when I get back home). It has been so cool to discover all that the Old Testament has to offer alongside them. 

Tammi, Anina, and Me leading a cold and rainy camp

Me, Anina, and Tammi painting our cabin

Now I am waiting on the arrival of my parents! Look out for a blog post about their visit to South Africa very soon!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me through prayer and messages. I really love hearing from you. Please feel free to keep updated through my facebook and Instagram. Peace and blessings to all.