Well I said I was going to tell you all about what I’m up to here. And I didn’t… Sorry! So here it is, finally!
One of the projects I am involved in here is the Oasis academy. I think I’ve talked a bit about it before on my blog. But to save you hunting through to find out about it, I’ll put it in here as well. The academy is a secondary school [for 11-16 year old students.] Oasis were given permission from the government to take over a number of failing schools throughout the country, hope high [now the Oasis Academy] being one of them. Now, with thee Christian influence, the school is doing well and the students are getting access to fantastic resources. I help with a year 7 [11 year olds] group. These students have some learning and behavioural difficulties and are not fully integrated into the mainstream life of the school. I’ve been involved in some cooking lessons [it's probably called food and nutrition sciences or something now!] I am also around during their “creative curriculum” lessons.” Mostly, I work with the girls in the class and will be starting some mentoring with them next week. It is true that these students can be challenging. But I have been so surprised at their reaction to me. One time, I was in the class with them and as soon as I walked in, 3 or 4 of them were saying “can she sit next to me.” They were so fantastic at showing me where to go and even gave up some of their break time to make sure I got to where I needed to be next. Their care and attentiveness towards me have really touched me. I have also discovered that these young people are craving encouragement and positivity. It’s strange to think that although they have so much in terms of play stations, TV’s, computers and the latest trainers, they are, in many ways, in the exact same position as the children in South Africa. These kid are so hungry for praise, so eager for positive attention. The teachers in the academy are doing an amazing job. But sitting down and working with 1 or 2 students, I have really noticed how much difference just being there can make. Simple things, like saying “you’re working so well” have such an impact. I’m really starting to realise that I don’t actually have to do something amazing to make a positive impact on these young people.
Last week, during half term, we ran a holiday club for the local primary school children. We organised craft sessions for them. It was a fantastic opportunity to get to know them on a more fun and informal level. We made pop up puppets, bat and balls and funky fridge magnets. It was really relaxed and chilled out. It was also a fantastic opportunity to build links with our local cafe, where we held the club.
Another of the projects we are involved in is the local youth group. To be honest, it felt like another world to me. I realised just how middle class i am! The life that these young people have is just totally alien to me. There have been so many evenings when young children, still in pushchairs have still been out at gone ten at night, even in the cold and rain. I found it so strange. Also so many of the young people have nothing to do. So they just hang around, drinking, smoking and kicking footballs around. And another scary thing I’ve noticed is that I have real trouble understanding what they are saying. They say something and I think “surely that was a foreign language.” Then a few seconds later it clicks that actually it was english! Hmmm, hopefully this will improve with more practise!
For all of you people who I haven’t been in contact with for ages, and for all of you who just wanted me to mention you on my blog, here it is! All my latest news…
Firstly, I want to praise God for his exceptional planning, timing, and the amazing way he just knows what will happen. From the girl who doesn’t usually know what she’s doing in the next five minutes, I potentially have the next two years of my life planned. Well… Sort of planned… From August 25, I will be joining the millions of citizens in the UK who’s hard earned money goes towards the government’s liking of chinese takeaways! Yes, I have a job!!
I will be the assistant chaplain of Southlands College, Roehampton University. I will be helping to lead and plan services and events in the chappel, as well as being there for the students and brining mor students into the chappel community! God’s hand was so definitely in it! The first job I ever apply for, and the first interview I attend, and I get the job. It’s amazing! I’m really excited to be going back there. The campus is so lovely and I feel such a sense of peace in the whole place. Praise God!
I had such an amazing week last week. Michael came to stay for a few days, and we went to visit some friends who I haven’t seen for ages. They really are such an inspirational couple. They have 2 chilren, both under 2.5 years. The guy is studying for a law degree and they live in the outskirts of Manchester. They are amazing parents. They inspire me so much because the mum is totally blind, and the Dad has limited sight as well. And yet, they are doing a fantastic job and bring up 2 wonderful little boys! I found myself realising that at some point, if I wanted a family of my own, that it would be possible. In fact, it would be more than possible! With God’s help, and the help and support of family and friends, the idea actually makes me smile now!
My family also came up for a couple of days. It was so lovely to see them. We went exploring Manchester. They brought the sun up with them too, so it was pure heaven to sit and defrost! On Thursday we went to a place about 1.5 hours drive away, where they have wild monkeys living in a beautiful forest. It was really nice there. ne monkey had a tiny 3 day old baby. They were all just chilling out in the trees, snoozing in the sun, eating or ambling around posing for photos! They were so cute!
The next few weeks here willbe really bus so it was so nice to spend time with family and Michael and catch up on all the stuff going on!
Hello and welcome back! After a shockingly long and unexplainable absense, here I am, finally back in the sunny world of my blog! And not that I want to encourage any of you… [You know who you are, Mum, Dad, Beth, Naomi, and everyone else who's told me to write 
] but thanks for all the pokes and prods!
So here I am, sitting in cropped trousers and a t shirt, with the sun shining outside, wondering if this really is Salford. Is this, I ask myself, really the same place where 2 weeks ago, I discovered that my trusted trainers, which withstood the dizzying heights of Table Mountain, are incapable of surviving a Salford downpour? Is this sun drenched corner of God’s beautiful world really the same place where I told my family to bring me up more jumpers and my walking boots last week? So anyway, here I am, topping up my tan and feeling much more at home in the sun!
So what’s been going on in the crazy and recently silent world of Nicolaland? It’s only now as I try and figure out in what order to put down all my updates that I again pledge to be better at blogging. I will try not to get this far behind again! Well I think that my news, along with the general goings on here in Salford deserve their own entries, which I will post now. But until then, I’ll leave you with this thought…
Isn’t it truly incredible that God has provided us with such a beautiful place to live, such inspirational and wonderful people to share it with, as well as giving us hope and excitement for an amazing eternity?
It’s funny isn’t it. Here I am in a house with internet connection the whole time and yet it takes me well over a week to get around to posting on here. But in South Africa, where I had limited and very dodgy internet, I did a much better job of keeping you up to date! Well appologies in advance for my poor and inconsistant blogging while in Salford!
Well it’s been an eventful time so far. I’ve met a lot of the local young people and they are all very interesting, lively, exuberant and strong willed! I’ve learnt a lot so far from spending 2 Monday evenings in the youth club! I’m also in the process of getting to know the year 1’s and 2’s at a primary school. We go in at lunchtimes twice a week to sit with them and play in the playground afterwards. It’s a lot of fun! I made the fatal mistake of showing them how my cane works and since then they all always want a go… And another go… And just one more go…
We have organised to work in the Oasis Academy, which is a secondary school 2 mornings a week. I will be based with a group of year 7 girls, and, believe it or not, I’m going to be their mentor! They all have varying social and/or behavioural issues so I’m going to use all my powers of persuasion, creativity, pleading and bribery to get them to trust me enough to open up!
I’m starting to get to know all the members of our church as well which is great. I got to do a presentation on Sunday about South Africa and I’m helping plan upcoming services and events. We went to some people’s house on Sunday for a barbecue and we’re being taken out on Thursday evening by a lady who is very good friends with lots of Manchester United players and personell.
I am so so lucky to have two awsome housemates. They are so much fun! We all love cooking so I’m eating so much amazing food at the moment. But it’s ok… I’ve joined the gym!
I found out something today which I didn’t know. Apparently schools up here have 2 weeks off for half term. Is this the same everywhere? If so, how is it possible that I have a boyfriend, mum and sister who all work in different schools and I didn’t know?
Welcome to Salford!
Yes I’m writing this from my new house in Salford. I moved in yesterday. We live in a counsil estate, but it’s pretty green aroundus.
I went to church this morning and met most of the members. They all seem so lovely and welcoming. I’m so excited about getting to know them all more and working with them!
You know it’s amazing how perfect God’s plans really are. this time last year I was feeling a bit upset that I wouldn’t be working in London. But now, having done the training and met the team, I can really start to see why God brought me here. One of the things that the church here wants to explore further is their worhip, and possibly finding a worship leader. This is a dream of mine so hopefully I will get the opportunity to use my gifts, if this is what God ants for me.
So thanks for joining me on my South Africa adventure. And I really hope you will stay with me on my Salford journey as well. I really appreciate your support, comments and prayers.
Ok So I’ve been pretty quiet over the last 2 weeks. Well the main news, as most of you will already know, is that I’m back, safe but cold from South Africa. I’ve spent the time with family, Michael and catching up with friends. It’s so fantastic to see everyone again. And I even managed to bring some sunshine back with me, well at least for a few days! But sitting here in my house, leaning against a warm radiator and with a perfect internet connection, I can’t help thinking about my house in Cosmo City. It’s true, there are some things I won’t miss that much. The flies, everywhere… All the time! The trully rubbish cake! A washing machine that must be supervised at all times to make sure it doesn’t wander across our kitchen spluttering water everywhere!
But there are so many more things that I will miss. The community health workers singing so enthusiastically. The kids knocking at our gate. The beautiful sunny mornings. The amazing warmth of everyoen we meet. People’s absolute and total faith in God’s provision.
So am I the same person? That same Nicola who left London back in October?
Well in some ways yes, but in more ways no! My faith in my amazing God, my rock, my strength and my hope has grown enormously. My determination to try new things and overcome problems is, if anything, more pronounced than before. My ability to show emotions has improved incredibly; Not I cry at anything! But I think the thing you all most want to know is…
Am I still Girlie? Did I leave Girlie Nic in SA?
Well I’m proud to say that she arrived safe and happy back in the UK and is settling in well to life in England! Although she does maintain that jeans and trainers are still the most comfortable things to wear!
So here’s a huge thank you for following me on my amazing journey. I really hope you will come with me to Salford, Manchester in 2 weeks time for my next big adventure!
Wow. I can’t believe five months is over. So now I have to pack all my clothes, presents and memories back in my suitcases ready for the long flight home tomorrow night. But, in true style, we are filling our time with ten thousand and one things…
On Monday we went to the hospice for the final time. It was hard saying goodbye to all of the patients, but so amazing to see their progress. Tuesday I went to my favourite pre school. The kids there were as adorable as ever. Wednesday found me with the bridge the gap students. Yesterday was the final soup kitchen. Then we had a presentation from a policeman about drugs here in South africa. We visited Nicola in the afternoon. Saying goodbye to her was hard, she’s been such an amazing mentor. Last night we went out for drinks and desserts with our friends. This afternoon we will give a presentation to the Oasis staff of our time here, which includes lots of silly and incriminating photos! Tomorrow morning we are having a huge braai before we go.
As I sit here in our office for the last afternoon, I can’t decide how I feel. I’m so excited to see you all, but I am totally sure that part of my heart will always be here. All the people I have come into contact here, from our boss, to volunteers, children, people in church and strangers on the street have shown me so much abuot what it means to be a real community, and just how amazing it is to have God working with you.
One of my favourite things about here is the openness to talk about God and acknowledge him in people’s lives. I also love how chilled out it is here, how you can work with the children, smile at someone without causing people to wonder what you want, and say good morning to people you’ve never seen before.
I’ll write more when I’m back home, but for now, this is it, my South African journey so far.
I thought I would update you on my weekend…
Saturday was a momentous day for me. It was the day when I ceased being the same age as any of my fellow team members and became, acording to them, officially an adult. Yes it was my 22nd Birthday! And a strangely upside down experience it was to be wearing a knee length strappy dress and chilling in the sun!
I got up on Saturday morning to find the team had decorated and made me breakfast! Part of their birthday present for me was to book me a facial. They have already learnt that I don’t treat myself enough. It’s something that I keep meaning to get around to finding time to do… But well I’ve been busy! Anyway it was so nice! I’m sure the girl used more products in half an hour than I would ever consider using in a whole year!
We spent the morning making a mountain of sandwiches for my English picnic! We had cheese, turkey salad, peanut butter and even some jam ones as well. We decided that as we have been exposed to the most South African of braais, it was time to repay the favour with a traditional bit of englishness! So, armed with our cool boxes filled with triangular sandwiches, coctail sausages, cheese and pineapple, pringles and amazing cake, we ventured forth to the Botanical Gardens.
It was a beautiful afternoon. We took some of the local children and they were totally enchanted with the waterfall and spent the time exploring! It was so nice to chat to everyone and enjoy the sunshine! In true english tradition, we had a short sharp shower just as we were leaving! But that just added to the englishness!
I have to tell you that everyone hear has been aiding and abetting my girliness by buying me more jewellery! It’s a good thing I’m getting a new suitcase tomorrow!
Some of you will know that one of my good friends, Colin, has been very ill recently. He has been in hospital since December with pneumonia and has been on a ventilator with a tube in his neck since then. As a team we have been praying so much for him over the last eight weeks or so. A few weeks ago he was no better and I had a huge rant at God for not performing a miracle and healing him. His condition was described then as “precarious” even by the most optimistic of people.
This morning I found out that he is finally off the ventilator, which means he is able to talk again. He is expected home in 2 weeks if all goes well!
Praise God!!
On Thursday mornings I get up at an unearthly hour to go and spend a few hours at the HIV hospice in the centre of Johannesburg. Over the last five months we have done various activities with the patients there, from dominos and Jenga to biscuit decorating, making Christmas crackers, mug painting and creating works of art to put on he walls.
Some of the patients were so sick when we first arrived. One lady was really weak, with no energy to talk or sit up. But now she joins in with whatever we are doing and has the most fantastic sense of humour and infectios laugh ever! Another guy there has just become so much more chatty now and is so happy to see us. Another of the ladies has been struggling a lot recently with illness but is now getting better. But the best news is that all of these amazing people have been discharged from the main hospice into out patients!
There is a lady who stays at the hospice who is a teacher from Zimbabwe. She arrived in December and has always been so enthusiastic and pleased to see us and join in whatever we are doing. Yesterday she wrote us such a lovely letter, saying thank you for all our love and care for her over the last few weeks. It struck me so strongly just how much I will miss all of these guys and I wonder what will be in their futures!
I’m so glad we have been able to spend time with these wonderful people and make even a small difference to them. But will they ever know what they have done for me? The sense of hope that each person there has is truly inspirational. One of the things that I will always remember is the children’s room. On the wall above the beds of these kids with HIV are the following signs.
“Jesus loves me.”
“God is my friend and keeper.”
“I am very special to God.”
Amen to that!