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!

Third year here I come!

Dear diary in cyberspace,

Thought I'd try out left aligned and see how it feels.

So I'm meant to be finishing off my apologetics module and I started off well, I promise. I wrote 600 words in 90 minutes before I get a text from mother dearest that second cousin Jacob is at our house. Peoplework before paperwork right? So I pack my mac, Bible, Deluded by Dawkins? and put God Delusion back in the library. Can't believe they don't have Deluded by Dawkin's in the library shelf. Surely if you have the atheistic view you should consider the Christian perspective also? Maybe it's not politically correct or the library simply doesn't know it exists. I asked the lady at the enquiry desk if they could order but she said I would need to pay for it. Strange. Needless to say, I said no judging by my current situation although might pop back in tomorrow and ask how much. If it's a few bob I wouldn't mind if it means the general public would have access to it.

Back home, 3 year old Jacob is cute as ever. We watched 2 episodes of Peppa Pig, Postman Pat and Teletubbies (extended version). Didn't even know Teletubbies had an extended song, I personally feel a bit robbed the last 10 years. Suddenly really want to eat tubby custard now. Strawberry custard nom nom. When I get a disposable income I will definitely treat myself to a bit of Ambrosia. Mmmmm...

Today is Thursday and it's scary seeing as Saturday 2pm will see the arrival of the prospective training centre (TC) students. I'll be embarking on my 3rd school (Saturation School of Missions) and will be the first student to be doing 3 consecutive schools. Most would do a year, save up and do a second. Of course, some have done several years but remain in the same school but going to become student leaders, staff, house parents etc. 

*sigh....

Never thought I'd be a student this year. Never liked education much but then I guess this is more a centre to equip people to live life skilfully. It is not the distant teaching from tutors that one may experience at a normal UK university. I'm the only student that I know so plenty of accountability choices to choose from! Also this year is non-residential so it's my first time being in the TC but living outside of it. Slightly sad because I won't be around students 24/7 but then also quite excited!!!

Finally I can use my crockery again and have my own room yay! I can look out the window during my quiet times and paint to my heart's content at night. I have images of doing morning runs, coming back for a banana milkshake, shower, quiet time then pack my bag and head off to lectures. It probably won't be like that. I'll run for 2 weeks before realising that actually doing a paper round is plenty of exercise for my little Asian body and painting would be a once in a blue moon activity judging by the degree workload. Still, if I conduct master management properly...

Ah rambling when I should really be writing on how to answer theological questions. Bought the long-awaited September issue of UK Vogue yesterday. Few things make me so happy. I haven't bought a magazine in a year so this is a real treat. But, at £4.10 my wallet felt very empty indeed. Interesting read though. There was an article about the Head of Fashion Louise something at Central St Martins. The fashion world seems to evolve constantly and I have long jumped off of the bandwagon. Oh the photography! The use of light, composition, colour, concept is so inspiring. Makes me to upgrade to an SLR. All in good time :)

Did some calligraphy today, the Tudor kind, mind. Sister Ching-Yee got a set for her birthday but being the Asian that she is, decides to save it for a special occasion. I broke into it for her :) let me let you the nip fitted into the pen perfectly. The ink was Windsor & Newton and was truly exquisite. Now all I want to write in is gold and jet black.

I digress.

So...last 3 weeks have seemed unproductive, probably due to the fact that i procrastinate, get distracted and end up doing things like cook lunch and write on this blog. I've spent many times meeting up with London friends to interview them, which is acceptable as it is for my module. But. I can't help but feel like time is just flying by. Wastebook has eaten away many hours. Selling clothes on ebay also takes a while. Then again, why do I need my summer holidays to be productive? Am I being a Martha for the sake of feeling organised? Joanna Weaver's book about Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World has really convicted me of my performance mentality. SATs is constantly on my mind because I need to do it but then I find it hard to switch off when I am having Mary time. Guess it is all a choice.

Today was a lot better. I went for a run around Highgate in the morning, prayed in the gardens, came back, read the Word, reflected in my journal, read Vogue(!), made lunch, did book-binding, calligraphy and that was that.

Life is still busy but I realise how much momentum is actually externally generated. Although I am pretty good at building momentum myself, it sometimes feels a trifle lonely in the big city. Guess it's time to go back. Bought my 90L rucksack, hiking boots, running trainers, gators. I'm ready for South Africa in January! UK for this term. Wonder what Jesus has in store for me? Probably continue to work on my pride, don't think this stronghold will be completely dealt with for a while. Independence, performance mentality, grace giving and receiving, quick speech, the list goes on really. It's been a humbling experience knowing that in my weakness He is strong and despite my shortcomings He still loves me before I even do anything. A friend said that YOT is very much about finding out the bigger picture, SSOM is how you fit into this picture. Well, 2nd year on CAA stretched me in my art and my dancing, at least now I know my capacity is greater than I actually think. And hey, at least I'll come back tanned and fit with a slight Afrikaans accent!

Ah wow my brain is everywhere. So much information. In nutshell life is great, God is even greater and 2012/13 will be a momentous year in finding out what the gospel of the Kingdom looks like!

[insert goodbye in Afrikaans!]