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!
Yesterday we organised a big prayer day in our office. Each room was for something different. We had a silent prayer room, creative area with paints, music, communion, verses and news stories on the walls. The main time was between 12 and 1.30 yesterday lunchtime. All the Oasis staff, community health workers and various other volunteers who could come were there. For most of the time I stayed in the garage, where people could pray out loud and together. The community health workers took it upon themselves to worship and glorify God with the most amazing singing I have ever heard. It truly is inspiring to hear around twenty-five people singing with all their hearts and souls, praising and worshiping our awesome God.
But for me the most amazing part of this is the fact that it is the community wellness project which is in most need of funding, and is therefore in most danger of closing down. This would mean that none of the community health workers would have a job and would lose the income they get from Oasis. Yet despite this threat, they choose to really put into practice the phrase in Romans 12.
“Be Joyful in hope… Patient in prayer.”