A Trip Down Memory Lane...how original!

So it's been a while but better late than never! Just had some dinner with the folks and my mind drifted off to my time in sunny South Africa. It's become a regular occurrence and although it makes me a little sad to be so far away from a home I have grown to love so much over the six months, I'm also quite happy that nobody could take this memory away from me. So here's a little snippet of my time there.

Us on top of Kranskop Mountain, Nylstroom

I think this photo was taken sometime in the second term (April-July). As the training centre plus Jan, the senior pastor, we climbed up the mountain that overlooks the town of Nylstroom. The South Africans were, true to form, very good at climbing the monster. I, on the other hand, was a bit slow on the uptake. Going up the mountain wasn't so bad. Sports direct were very good in selling me some Karrimor hiking boots so didn't slip one bit. It was the going down that was a challenge. This is a bit embarrassing to admit but...I held onto one of the first years on the way down. He was very nice and patient about it but I must say I felt like a bit of a wuss. Thought I had conquered the fear back in Dartmoor but guess it was an opportunity to cement the victory. My one big highlight of the Kranskop climb was praying over the city. We spoke words of life over Nylstroom and asking God to place men and women of influence to bring kingdom order over the town. I hope these Yotties would continue to press on. There's hidden potential in each and everyone of them and I can't wait to see how God is going to use them for HIS glory.

Kylie, Lisa and I on the charity Cansa run

This was the Cansa Run. That's Kylie on the left there from Reading. Good girl, went over to SA to save the animals at the Vet's. Was great just hearing a British accent from another person. Lisa's one of the leaders on Saturation. She can run and run and run. I run...at a glacial speed! Yea. Sports isn't quite the thing for me. I enjoy encouraging more and egging people on. But hey, I DID run the 10K with Leah from Phagameng. Wonder how she's doing now. So yea, the Yotties did a marvellous job helping to set up and set down. One lady gave me a word of encouragement at the time when I needed it most. She saw something in me that I couldn't see in

myself. Thank You Lord for people like her! God made us all so differently. I wonder how He chose the different combinations. There MUST be a reason why He didn't build me with long, runner-like legs, right?

A truly wonderful and loving cell

These are my cell leaders, Fred and Colet and their two beautiful sons, Cobus and Erick. This was my family for the 6 months I was there. Colet's such a sweetheart. On Bretville night, where the whole church dressed in 50s gear, she came to the Centrum and picked me up to her house. She started cutting at this piece of black and white polkadot fabric, held it around my waist, then minutes later was off on the sewing machine. Yup. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this Afrikaaner lady made me a skirt from scratch! It was so sweet. I was beaming from ear to ear as she was curling my hair in her roller skates, whilst Fred was a metre away combing his

hair with more grease than needs be. Oh it was a beautiful night! We danced the night away and LeeAnne, the TC oversight, stole the show with her epic line-dancing techniques. 

Please don't bite me, I got a plane to catch!

Yea Erick's a lively character to say the least! He's always been the hospitable kind, running up to hug me on the sunday mornings and making sure I'm alright. On the penultimate day of SA, he gave me a beautiful pencil drawing of the Cross for me. Besides 9 year old Jonny from Lerato who made me the Valentine's Day Card (in May!), I don't think anyone else has drawn me something before. Cobus is also very sweet. I remember when we went as a cell to Temple, a nearby holiday resort (I know! These South Africans party in style). We all swam in the outdoor heated pool. Cobus was telling me what school was like and suddenly, I was glad I wasn't a teenager anymore!

Girls receive their pressies from Tanie Ching on the day I left

This is Karlien and Angie! Gorgeous gorgeous girls. Karlien's the quiet type. Took a few times swimming in the pool to get her to open up but I enjoy her sensitive nature. She has taught me more Afrikaans than anyone else. Seriously, here is a teacher in the making. And her artwork! In January during the building project. She and Marne were married to my art box. Yea. No joke. My watercolour set was half empty by the time they were done with it!

Angie is just random. You know Audrey Tatou in Amelie? She's a bit like that. Angie was one of the first friends I made. I don't care she's 9, ok, she's AMAZING! I'd be in the TC kitchen making congee because I miss my mum and how she'd make it for me when I was ill. Then Angie would prop herself next to me on the breakfast bar. She'd point her tiny fingers towards my bowl. 

Me: Erm...dit is rys met baie water...jy wil dit?
Angie of courage: Ja.

Tentatively, I grab an extra bowl, slosh some congee in it, bit o' soya sauce and off she goes. Before I know it she's polished the bowl. Angie rocks. 

Another time, she grabbed her dad's samsung and put some Afrikaaner slow jamz on and started singing. I still remember her blue eyes as she stared at me intently and performed on the stoep. The battery died so she ran back to Meerkats room, charged it, came back, sang. Battery died again. Meerkats again. Charge. Back again. This happened for about 5 times, alright, but I couldn't face telling her to stop. She was just too adorable at that point in time. 

Miss her loads. Think out of everyone, she's the one I've missed the most. Love the way she walks bare feet in that long pink gypsie dress, taking a billion photos with my camera whilst Lilo and Stitch are barking in the background. Oh Angie, will you ever know how much of a big impression you have made on me? 

Ok that's it. I'm going to pray that when I have a daughter she'd be just like her. Sans the blond hair and blue eyes. We all know that with my strong oriental genes that it's not possible. 

Asian invasion must proceed. 

Here's a view from the auditorium looking out past the swimming pool and party den. Isn't that just wonderful? I remember going for walks along the farm to get away from the business of it all and God just ministers to me there and then. In fact, it was in the pool where I felt God spoke to me the most. If only I could capture this scene on camera. It was truly magnificent. This is where Psalm 46 is made real to me where I HAVE to be still and know that He is God. He is the God above all creation, the God who redeems, who rebuilds, who restores. What a beautiful artist He is to paint the skies and colour in the fields. There is no sun like the African sun and I thank You, beautiful Father, for letting me watch it descend upon Effata. 

再見.

Zimbabwe Missions 2013. Yea. That's right.

At Acts of God Church, Bulawayo

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is the moment you've all been waiting for. Yes, after all this time, FINALLY I get to write a post. I should be studying right now, although I thought that if I didn't write at least one decent post in South Africa I'd be sorry. 

So the most recent exciting venture would be our missions trip as Saturation School of Missions along with a team from Koinonia and Acts of God Church to Zimbabwe. WHOOP!!! It was baie wonderful. Never thought that a Chinese girl from London would be livin' it large in Bulawayo. 

For 12 days we did things like going from house to house and praying for people. I learnt how to balance a bucket of water on my head - yes please. Give me more. Also ate pap with our hands - many thanks to our wealth of experience in rural village missions the past few months. We also learnt how to sing in Ndebele. It was truly amazing. One of the pastors gave us a bedroom to sleep in so us girls got to sleep on a mattress. They also killed a goat so we could eat well. The ladies worked night and day stirring pap. I tried, it was tough. I don't get it. They're so slight frame-wise and yet they got core strength like a wrestler. Hats off to the Zimbabweans. 

Cansa Charity Run 

This was a while back but I felt it needed to be included. It's not that I ran a long distance but it was more the fact that we did it as Koinonia Training Centre plus peeps from Koinonia Church. 

Every mile or so there were people handing out soft drinks - GAME ON. It made us strong. I mean, look at the photo! The SA Yotties did a fine job putting the stands up and being a general hands and feet.




So we have 9 more days until we fly back to the UK (*gulp). I don't even know where I'm going to live after graduation yet. Very happy that God knows. Not fully sure how I've felt about my time here. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends. Really missing my sister and brother at the moment. We used to have so much fun when we were living together. Can't wait to go to London, kick back and relax a bit before the next season of whatever God has in store for me begins. 

On the flip side of things, I don't want to leave South Africa. Made some good friendships here. Love their hearts in wanting to give. Then there's Angie, Henk's (one of the Yotties) daughter. Oh she's cute. I love how weird and quirky she is. 9 years old and she goes around barefeet picking up Bella the cat and just...you know what, I don't know what she does exactly but she's awesome. Love it when she sings in Afrikaans. 

It will be a bittersweet moment when we drive off to O R Tambo airport in Jo'berg. 

But hey, there's still a week to go. Still got Equipping Week here at the TC with Pastor Isaac and his team from the Free State. Still got time to soak up the sun. Still got time to do my SATs Christian Ethics and Introduction to Biblical Languages. Lord give me supernatural strength! Last push before I can wear my mortar board and the scroll of epic-academia-intellectual awesomeness. 

Anyway, must dash now. SATs ain't gonna write itself. 

Yebo!

Sabbath - Dit Is Die Tyd Vir Verf! Ja

I was hoping for a descriptive post but alas, I have noodle time with the lovely Eme Spies! But this is better than nothing, right?

For Sarie

For Tanie Brenda

Pretoria Urban Missions Part ONE

25 May 2013

Hi!

Firstly, apologies for not being very present on this blog the last few months.

Alright! So where do we begin? At the start I suppose.

I have just had one of the most eye-opening and emotional weeks of my life. I am not exaggerating. We had urban missions in Pretoria Mon-Fri working with homeless people and prostitutes. I must say that when I first got to the city that I was not 100% prepared. But who CAN be? Our friend aka man of peace was with us. We walked together along the streets where the ladies would stand to find business. Every one that I saw had bruises on her legs. I never understood how you would get a kick out of beating someone up.

Then we walked to a nearby stall famous for good chicken feet and skewers but it was already closed. Fear not, though, the stall next door sold similar things! Chicken feet were R1 each, skewers R5 and chicken wings R5. How on earth do they make profit? But oh my HAT they were good! We sat by the Art Museum monument and chowed. Our friend went to the cornershop and got us a bottle of coke and loaf of unsliced bread. We knawed at chicken feet and threw the bones on the grass for the animals.

After we went to the Union State Building. The view looking down at the city was incredible. Kind of reminded me of Alexandra Palace but more...I don't know the word at this point in time. Anyway, we posed next to a canon, pulled some funny faces and then the girls and I used the gent's. I know. But we couldn't find the ladies'! Ben, Josh and friend looked out for us. Well, guess it's something to tell your grandchildren.

This was only on the first night but it was one that I would remember when I return to the UK. Our friend's a really cool guy also. Praise the Lord that there are people like him who would rise up, take the baton and just run with it. You can see he has a passion for people and hearing their stories. It certainly made me feel encouraged that someone so young would take big risks and fight for social justice. Plus, he's just a normal guy, just like you and me. Anyone can make a difference. You just have to make a choice and stick to it and pray with utmost sincerity that God would bless your path and guide you on the road. Oh. And the nittty gritty things along the way. Maybe I need to do that more.

I'm rambling and it's almost eleven at night. I should be either in bed or studying right now.

Night!

The Doggett Fam are here!

Yes the descendants of the Doggett lineage are in fact currently residing in Modimolle. The Chingster is very happy indeed. Long live alumni of the Creative Arts Academy!

Jamie's ginger. There. I said it. He dyed his hair peroxide blond along with Simon to raise money. The blond faded to review a full mane of the red variety.

It doesn't look that bad. Compared to carrot-orange. 

Anyway, enough about his hair.

Today was pretty good actually. Went to Lerato and did the final instruction: Take Part & Have Fun! Doggett fam came with and we played games and danced (a lot). 

Arvo was filled with EPIC planning for a teaching I will do in the near future. Quite excited but also quite nervous. Last time I spoke in public was in YOT. But hey. Holy Spirit you will guide my tongue and give me inspiration on what to say, when to say and how to say hi. Plus, nothing can be as bad as the Jeremiah preach (*shudders at traumatic experience). 

Had mince with nachos for din dins. Ben's rents are quite sweet. His dad knows an awful lot about vegetables and the factors needed for optimum plant growth. Charlie Dimmock eat your heart out. His mum is also very lovely. She's one of those people where when she talks, you actually want to focus and listen. Very engaging. 

Eme made fudge. I like her. Michelle asked me about Buddhism. 

"What do Buddhists think about Jesus?"
"They don't."

There were other questions but I am fast running out of blog space. 

Thought I lost my SD card, turns out it was in my shorts pocket. 

Erm...think I've covered just about everything. If I missed out anything, it probs wasn't worth remembering.

Tis now 2253 hours and running is at 6pm. My muscles are still on fire due to the lactic acid build-up from not stretching properly. When will I ever learn? 

Tot sins!

Easter break in Suit Afrika! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Sorry for the late entries. It's been a while. With 'while' being 3 months. I know. But hey...

Happy Belated Easter! 

It's been a really eye-opening experience the past few months. I don't think I can sum up this last term in a few words but I'm going to try. 

I got to work into a local school for reception to grade 2 kids. Oh man, it was AMAZING! I know people say 'amazing' every other sentence but I really mean it. As soon as we got there these kids ran and hugged me so hard I almost fell over. I had pup, onions, beef and veg. After that meal I wanted to eat with my hands at every meal. That would save a lot of washing up of cutlery. 

Then there was the hospital. At first the kids were a bit shy and suspicious but after a lot of smiling and toys they opened up. Note to self: less talk, more toys.

Food is great. I had my birthday during building project. Albert & Loren's cell decked out the whole mess hall with green lanterns and chopsticks and we had a stir fry. Loren also dressed up as woman dressing up as a man dressing up as a woman. She called me up and we made a cake consisting of bleach, vinegar, salt and I don't know what else. I've never been so speechless. AND...I got a goodie bag of toiletries and baie baie chocolates. I was a very happy bunny. 

Easter break Ben, Kaat & myself went to a place called Nelspruit. We went to the Krugar Park and saw the Big Five: the elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo & rhino. We had about 10 lionesses and cubs walk past our bucky. Then there were 20 elephants that just decided to walk in front of us. The baby elephants didn't quite know what to do with their trunk. It's like a kid learning what to do with their feet when they're walking.

There's lots of other cool stuff that I've missed out. Aventura Resort with this epic slide where you go down in rubber rings with 5 other people.  Zipline Adventures where we did 11 zipliness, ALL of which are longer than the ones you get in the UK. 

Arrrrrgh I need to do an interview for my degree now. But in a nutshell these are a few of the highlights.

Tot sins!

Ek is in Suid Afrika!

Dear Cyber Diary,

It'a official. I am in the Southern Hemisphere! Yes ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, Ching-Hang is experience summer TWICE this year. Word. 

We flew from Heathrow to Cairo. It was weird. I thought I lost my Japanese 15 to 100 degree water bottle (complete with ice block capsule) so I ran from the gate back to the conveyor belt place. Couldn't find my bottle BUT I saw out of the corner of my eye my left flipflop on top of the metal bin. SCORE! It was bought in Hong Kong and good for indoor use, so I would have been gutted if I didn't have it. YES left AND right slippers. 

So...land in Jo'berg and it was only then that it hit me. I am here for 6 months. I managed a brave face when we waved goodbye to the Jubilee TC but when I was on my own, I was faced with this pseudo-grieving process. Yes, I spent as much time with my family as I could have, but I wish I did more. I wish I told my friends how much I treasured them and what an honour it is to call them as such. I suppose looking back now I am glad that I have friends and family TO miss. Some people are loners. Still, I felt stranded. Might as well be marooned on an island. OK that sounds very inward-looking but it's true, I genuinely felt lost.

Next few days was a challenge hey. My lungs were being a pain and the home sickness kicked in. Wish I could have said 'Pull yourself together, you're here now' but no motivational speech could have lifted me.

Looking back now, I ought to have spent more time with God and rested. Instead I turned to other things. 

Anyway, on the first day off we went on the zip-line for roughly £13 for 11 - bargain! Genesis was hard though so Anna tandem-ed me. I cried. Carl helped talk to me and egg me on and everyone else on my team. After Genesis, I did every zip-line by myself. I LOVED it!!! Imagine if I didn't even go for it, what would have been robbed.

Second day off we went Adventura in Warm Baths. The tube was fun (dingy going down slide and round and round). So much fun when there's 5+ people holding onto one another to drag each other down the slide. Whoa!

Alan, Phil, Gavin and Steve left. It was hard to see them return to UK. 

YOTTIES arrived for TC launch. Exciting times. Oh Sonja was fab with the food presentations. Rentia, Emmerentia, Lucy, Omar, Gilberts, Anita, Magda were all fab. Such servant hearts. 

Koinonia Church sent us off. Albert & Loren prayed for me. I wept. Hugged everyone. Eme cried. Lourdi Vickus and his dad Simon came to see us off too. It felt like we were family already. It was nice AND Danie & Magda gave us copious amounts of biltong. 

Anyway. I need to go to bed. Shall continue this entry another time. 

Sin julle later!