beautiful sunday....

i love sundays here. i didn't have to work this week so that is always nice. i got up at the crack of dawn and did two loads of laundry and updated my blog before church! :) thats impressive yes? :)

church was awesome. we had PJ Smythe in the flesh preaching the last of the series that we have been working on, Jonah in Jozi. i've ordered the whole set of it so that i can bring it back to canada. its very applicable to any country/city. i brought one of the babies down with me and he fell asleep during the worship and proceeded to sleep right through all the preach. i was happy about that! :)

after church BeeJay and her daughter, amiee, geoff and one of the kids from the babies home and I all went for a drive and a picnic. we spent the whole day out and the kids played in a pool and we watched mokeys eat the garbage out the cans. its so funny because what i think is cool and neat, everyone else thinks is a pain and pest. lol. monkeys are way cute in my books...

we have a new pet on the property. i found a large tortoise yesterday walking along behind the bathrooms by the water pumps. we are now keep the gates shut in the volunteers areas and we are keeping 'speedy phobe'for a pet. she is super cute and super fast. she gets all over the yard at a great rate of speed. its very cute. and she is pretty big too! she is about the size of a rugby ball.

today i worked. and had a hard day aswell. i haven't been feeling very well all day and i'm not really sure whats wrong with me. i'm feeling very very very tired and i think i had a fever aswell. i got off work and slept for 3 hours. first i was burning hot and then i was freezing cold and i felt like i couldn't move an inch because of how much i was aching. i feel better now but not a hundred percent so ... i don't kn ow.... i'll have to try to get to bed early tonight i guess.

hi..... for anyone who reads...

soooooo its been a while. but not to worry! i've just been insanely busy. :)

i went to Pilanesberg for my camping trip. it was amazing. the drive down i got picked up by Kerryn and toby and then in four square area we traded all vehicles into the bigger suv/truck ish cars. i drove the rest of the way to the campsite with brad and chanee. it was super fun and we chased bad weather all the way down. it was like we would run into rain and then we would drive out of it, only to run into it again. all the way there pretty much. we stayed in covoy with the other vehicle so that was nice. when we got there it hadn't rained yet but we could see it was coming. so we picked out our campsite and then beat a hasty retreat to the restaurant for a cool drink till the rain sorted its self out. there is no point setting up your stuff while its raining african style. seriously the rain here is drenching. there is no chance of quickly running out of it and staying dry, if you step out the door, you are wet! so we waiting for about thirty minutes and then when it was pretty much done we started setting up camp. now the people that came with us are major major major campers. Ian and his wife, Katie, well actually mostly Ian are so set up its not even funny. Ian does lots of trips into Zim so he is well prepared for pretty much anything. We set up so much electricity in the campsite that we pretty much glowed. He had a fridge and a freezer, a microwave and and then the usual kettle and stove top!!! lol. haha. it was so awesome. it took forever it seemed to set up camp but once we did we were well sorted! i'm telling you!

i got so major help setting up my borrowed tent, which was nice because it turned out to be a massive thing and i didn't have a clue how to get it up! it was funny to be the only single person on the trip with the biggest tent! it was so big , it felt like it was the size of the two of the other tents put together. lol. it was nice i had lots of room for all my stuff.... .... ... and then some to spare.

the next morning we were up at the crack of dawn and at the gate to the reserve by six. you have to get on the road early if you want to see thing. the animals take shelter from the heat after a certain time in the morning and then you won't see anything. we had a GREAT first drive. we saw elephants and zebras and rhinos and impallas galore. we got to see a jackel, and he came pretty much right up to the car. we think he could smell our billtong or something. i spotted a croccidile. we saw hippos and turtles and waterbucks. we saw tons of birds aswell. which was really cool because often we would stop to look at this amazing bird and then something else would catch our eye. we saw an ostrich and giraffes as well. it was totally amazing. i got to see elephants to my hearts content. i mean they were so close to the car that i could smell them and hear them eating. at one point we saw this one bull all by himself and he walked almost right up to the car. chanee had to keep telling me to stop hanging out the window cause i was so excited!!! it was very cool. at about 1030 we headed back to camp for 'breakfast'. and then we chilled out for the afternoon. there was a big swimming pool at the campsite so some of the gang went for a dip. i was boiling hot so i went to the showers and had a very lonnnngggg cold shower. swimming would have felt good but it was so flippen hot and i had been up so early that i just need some chill by myself time.

we went back out on another game drive at 4 and saw lots more stuff. i got nominated an honerary south african when i spotted sternbucks hiding in the grass. apparently they are hard to spot! so yay for me! :) i was happy because i was seeing lots of stuff and i "got the eye" really quick for finding thing. we also got to see a cheetah! apparently there is only one in the reserve so that was pretty sweet!

we had a braai when we got home but and listened to an elephant screaming in the bush. don't know what was causing the trouble but he was upset. it was pretty cool to hear him!

the next morning we got up super early and broke camp and then headed back out for a final drive. we had late breakfast in the reserve in a designated area that was supposed to be fenced off and electric set up, but the elephants had been in and there was poop everywhere. so we kept our ears open for trouble and had a nice breakfast. lol.

all in all we saw so much stuff and got lots of pictures. it was an amazing trip!

i got home sunday afternoon and after doing laundry i begged Antoine to take me to the movies. Taylor caught a lift with us and we met a bunch of people from church at the cinema and we all saw twilight.

Monday i still had a day off and so me, amy lauren and Antoine went to the Lion park. it was so fun because they let you pet the baby lions. so we went in the cage and had a great time with the little cubs. sooooo cute. and then we got to feel a giraffe named Gambit. they are so gentle when they eat out of your hand and their tounges feel so cool!!! i got totally covered in slobber. :)

then you go on a min game drive and the lions are so close to your car that you could reach out the window and touch them if you wanted to. but of course you don't. lol. your supposed to keep the windows shut.... but of course you don't! lol.

monday night was life group. i love my life group here. we had the best laughs.

tuesday Aimee and antonie and i went back to the movies in the evening. its so nice to get off the property and get out and about that even if all it is is going to the movies its awesome. :)

wednesday we had a massive storm come through and the power went out from 7 and didn't got back on all night. so we went next door to Beejays and danced around singing christmas carols with her and Aimee. then we sat in the dark back at our place till like 1030 and tried to tell scary storys.... didn't go very well cause none of us know any. lol

thursday we lost power again and this time on friday they had to call an electrician in to fix the problem. lol. this is africa baby.

friday we had a farewell braai for the dutch volunteers. it was awesome. we played drums and made a massive racket. so much fun and dancing around.

yesterday was urban market and i worked the morning shift at the babies home. by myself, i took nine kids to the market in one go. i stayed down there for almost 2 hours and i was so proud of myself. this was my third market and two months ago when i had first gotten here i could only handle taking 2 kids at a time to the market. now NINE. haha!

after market, Sdu and Gershwin took lauren and i bungee jumping. i DIDN"T jump people. no freaking way! but i got great video for lauren of her jump. it was pretty cool!

last night we all went to the cinema again. :) its the thing to do here. turns out, movie going is a universal form of entertainment. :) who knew! :)

off to pilanesberg

i'm off in twenty minutes to pilanesberg for the weekend. im super excited and worried about the fact that i have no clue how to set up the tent that i'm bringing! ahhh. lol.

wednesday night the volunteers threw a Braai and it was so stunning. not many people came but the ones that did were the best of the best. lol. we made a lot of food and about twenty people came. we ate and danced and had a good time. we will have to do it again because it was so fun.

thursday was another work day and then lounge by the pool day. ":) in the evening i went to another life group with Antwione. it was nice and i met people related to a family in my church back home. andrew and janice you don't read this but if anyone does that knows them, tell them that i've met his sister and brother in law. :)

this week has been pretty stressful with work and everything. so if you think about it please prayer would be appreciate.

will update when i get home. hope i dont' get eaten by a lion or run over by a rhino.... ;)

SUN hallelujah

Saturday was a busy day! two party's in one day. even for me thats a pretty good deal. lol. i went to a canadian/american thanksgiving dinner. i made my sweet potatoes with the yummy nut topping. it was really nice and good to meet other people. the women were all volunteers that have stayed here and married SA guys. we had a nice big dinner and then just chatted and stuff. and then that night i went to another small party on the property. got all dressed up and had another huge meal! lol. i went to bed very stuffed.

sunday was fun. it was my life group on set up so i was there at the crack of dawn. for those reading who do set up at oceanside, i had to be there for 715! :) church starts first service at 8 am. so i went to the first service and then left a little tiny bit early and went to the babies home to pick up my favorite child to take him to the second service. i can't help it, i've got a favorite. he doesn't know that he's my favorite but he is. its been that way since almost day one. can't help it and i don't care. i heart him!!!!!!!!!! anyways, went to the worship for the second service and then took him to lite zone (Sunday school) and then i went and visited with people during the sermon for the second service. its nice to be able to do that. after church and returning my little man home, Me aimee , gershwin and sdu went to the African market in Rosenbank. Gershwin organized the little adventure for me basically, because i'd never been yet. it was gobs of fun! and HUGE! my feet hurt from walking around. so much stuff and so many people eager to sell! i was cautioned not to open my mouth there because they would take advantage the moment they heard my accent. i think it didn't really matter whether i spoke or not, tourist is pretty much stamped on my forehead but at least i wasn't wearing a 'i heart Africa' t-shirt or a 'big five' hat or something. i did find a Christmas tree ornament that i loved and since i collect a new one every year, why not one from Africa. and a gift for my parents. i think i need to say this here and now, i have very little funds and so as much as i will want to bring every single one of you a present home, i can't! :) ( i think i'm writing that more for my self than anyone actually. lol)

after the market i was pretty beat so just spent the night chillen and watching movies with the girls!

monday i did my usual sojourn down to the shops to return the movies with Lauren. halfway there my slip slop broke and i had to walk back up, get different ones and then try again. good thing i brought all my slips because i wear them every day non stop. they are wearing out as you can tell. and i'm getting the most amazing tan lines on my feet. :)

monday night i worked and then went to life group. we had pancakes and i brought the blueberry cheesecake ice cream topping. the pancakes in SA are totally different than in canada and you have them with lots of different things rolled up in them. they are kinda like crepes but thicker and yummyer! last night we had them with spinach and feta, mince and cheese, ice cream, and cinnamon and sugar. not gonna lie to you, it was soooooo gooooood!!!!!!!!!!! to my south african friends in canada....WHY HAVE WE NEVER HAD A PANCAKE NIGHT BEFORE!!!!!!!!!! :) i'm hoping to learn how to make them before i leave here thats for sure!

today is another day shift. yay. later after work i'm hoping to get some pool time! it a rough life i'm telling ya. :)

feels like canada here!!!

helloooo from rainy rainy south africa!!!! may i just say its freezing cold and wet here.
i had to put the heater on in my room last night because of how cold i am!!!! that where i am right
now, because its the warmest place on the property! right here snuggled in my room. i had to
do laundry today because i've run out of warm socks to wear and i'm hoping that putting the
clothes on the rack right here by the heater will get them dry sometime before christmas!

that being said, the weather is making it seem like home sweet home! tomorrow the canadian and
americans here in africa are getting together to celebrate thanksgiving and it feels so much
like home right now that its going to be just exactly like i was there! lol. i'm making my
sweet potatoe recipe and its gonna be devine.......lol i hope.

wednesday night i went with Taylor and Johanna to Monte to watch the hillsong 'i heart revolution"
movie. it was the one time showing and it was a packed theater. very cool movie and very convicting.
it was very powerful. i hightly recommend people to see it. it was also neat because everytime they
feature something in africa it felt so much more real. because i'm here now and i've seen it
and i have a much better understanding of it now then i ever did before. the poverty especially.


i got a phone call late wednesday night from canada and i realized how very homesick i really am.
unless God drastically does something, i'm sticking to my original leaving date. i've been feeling
like i might want to stay here longer because of how much fun i've been having but after talking
to 'home' i realized...no...i want to come home! i had a bit of an epiphany thursday morning while
i was doing my hair actually, staying here in africa would almost be an easier step of faith then
coming back to Canada. in africa, i have a job and a place to live. i know im not paid but other than
that, everything is a sureity. i know what i would be doing and my situation is set. coming back
to Canada means heading to a place where i have no job, no home and i will have no money. if i'm lucky
my car will start and i will be coming back to a cold winter. its actually very daunting. but i'm
coming. God will provide.

thursday was a chillen day. i walked down to the shops with Lauren and did some stuff around
the property and then worked. actually i went grocery shopping again this week with Barbara and that
was cool. she is teaching me the ropes of the shopping for Botshabelo so that when she goes
on vacation in december i will be doing the shopping. wow. :) so cool

neat God story: i went with her last week and we ended up speaking with this guy in the parking lot who
was helping us park the car ( background info: in south africa in every single parking lot there are
these guys that help you park, show you spots, help you back out and put your grocerys in the car.) anyway this
guy, james, helped us and barbara ended up inviting him to church. he didn't know the way tho
and we didn't have a map or anything, and so she told him that she would be back the next week
and bring him directions if he wanted them. so this week i wasn't even meant to go with her shopping
at all but it ended up that she asked me and i was released from the first part of my shift to go
with her. and as i was getting into the car, something (God) dropped this guys name into my head
and i was like "do we have directions for James"! . it was so cool because uup till that point
i think that both Barbara and i had completely forgotten the whole thing. so we grabbed some stuff
from the church and when we got to the shops sure enough there he was and he recognized us right
away and came over to us. so we'll see but i think he is going to be showing up for the 10 am
service this sunday. i know thats its seems like a small story but i think its pretty cool
how God speaks in the smallest ways to us when we stop to listen.

today is my day off.i'm going to be enjoying them, tho amy just came over from the babies home and
said that one of the kids was asking for me. pretty much my favorite little man!!! im not even
joking, if there were any reason for me to stay here in africa, its this little boy. i heart him
to death! all i want to do it take him home!! so i may have to go over and get some hugs....

cold dayz!!!!!

Monday i slept in and then walked down to Spar to get some food supplys with Lauren. its really not that far of a walk but it takes time and so you have to kinda plan your trip. :) and sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day. :)

after working afternoon shift i went to life group. loving my life group. they are pretty much so much fun and so very challenging. its cool to be connecting and talking things out with each other. Life groups, home groups, cell groups whatever you want to call them, if your someone who has trouble connecting in the church, or your NEW, or you just want new friends, its really the best way. the church is just so big and there are just too many people in it, sunday morning is not the way to meet people! lol .... thats my little rant of the day

Tuesday was my day off. i slept till amy woke me up..... well actually people slamming their doors loudly next to me woke me up but then amy heard me awake and pounded on my wall on the other side and we had a nice chat before actually getting up. and before my complaining seems like something you should feel ssorry for me about, the actual time i was woken up was 1030. hehe. it was a cloudy freezing cold day and thats why i think i got to sleep late for the first time really. the birds were quiet and i was cold so i was burrowed under my blankets (TWO) to keep warm. and then i slept.... mmmm

i've learned that no matter what plans i make for the day, i should not hold on to them tight at all because something will always come up. i made my way down to the coffee shop for a hot chocolate to warm up and got an invite to go shopping with someone. so amy and i tagged along and had a two hour adventure..... well really we just went errand running but somehow it was an adventure with tons of giggles. we ended up at a pet shop (well....in canada you would call it a pet shop.. ish) and amy and i bought each a gold fish. they were like R20 which is like......2 or 3 bucks canaidian i think. lol. we have named them rhubarb (amys) and Custard (mine) and they are pretty cute.

after i got home Taylor and I watched some movies. we watch movies and people come in and out and join us and then walk away and then new people join us and walk away. its pretty distracting actually. lol. while we were watching we got invited to a concert, ...mmm let me think about it... ummm Yessss LETS GO!!! haha. "Finding Noah" were playing. so around 7 five of us crammed into Johanna and Luke's car and drove down to the venue. Luke was subbing in as the drummer for the band so we all carried a piece of equiptment into the venue an avoided the R40 cover! hehe. naughty!! it was a super fun night. just a small venue really but the music was rocking (mostly, the last band was BAD but even that was fun because of how bad they really were) the first two bands were awesome and loud! wow my ears were ringing. i got some fun photos and videos! hehe

i'm at the half way point right now of my stay here. i need prayer this week please. i feel like i love it here and tho i miss home greatly, i'm very disconnected from my life in canada right now. i got mail yesterday from Danielle and it was my first mail since i got here 2 months ago... it felt so good!!!!!!!!!!!!! and so strange at the same time. its not that i'm forgetting home sweet home, but since i have limited internet, i don't read facebook like i used to and i rely only on emails and messages from people really..... and i definitly have the feeling of life moving on and me being out of the loop. lol. i write here and everyone knows all my stuff but i know nothing about yours. its hectic really. anyways, i don't know what i'm doing just yet but i'm thinking about extending my stay here. financially i don'tknow how i will do it, but as someone here pointed out to me, i serve a HUGE GOD!!!!!

love to you all.
Gwyn

Church by the Pool in the Shade

last night was awesome. i went to a birthday party of a lady in the church who i didn't even really know. all i know is she was one of the first people in the church to greet my on my first sunday. her and her hubby. but thats the first and last time i've spoken to her so when someone invited me to a party i dint'really know who it was for but i was totally in!! haha. we got there a little late but just in time for dancing and so it was a great night that ended with sore feet!! :)

today there was a cycle race in Jo-burg and because of the race all the main roads were shut down including the one leading to the church. so there was no church today. but wayyyyy earlier in the week, BJ and I decided that it would be super fun to have our own church. so we asked Taylor to preach. and so we invited everyone on the property to come (tho a lot didn't unfortunatly for them... :) and we were going to have church by the pool. but it didnt'have much shade at 10 am so we had it just near the pool. hence our name "church by the pool in the shade"it was really sweet. BJ and I led the worship time. all the kids from the babies home came for it and the preach was sweet. all in all it was almost an hour long service! so much fun!!! it ended with Me, BJ and Taylor jumping in the pool with our clothes on. just for fun. i havne'tbeen swimming in my clothes since i was little!

afterwards we all got into our swim cozzies and had a pool party. other people showed up and there was a LOT of people in the tiny pool. it was a great morning/afternoon.

i worked at 130 and then after i got off a bunch of us played ps2 games and then card games till 12. and now i'm here. i'm nursing my sunburn and i actually don't want to go to bed because that means laying on it... lol.