Oh hey! I have a blog....riiight...

Hi. :) TIA. This is Africa. Spent the morning swimming, suntanning, chatting, reading and sipping tea. Not too shabby way to start the day.... :)
The flights over were shorter than last year. Not sure how that happened.
From Minneapolis to Amsterdam, I sat beside a Somalian soccer player on his way to Nairobi for three months of soccer tournaments. Pretty cool.
From Amsterdam to Johannesburg, there were so few people on the plane that almost everyone got three seats to themselves. :) So I just piled up my pillows, stretched out and slept the whole way. Very cool.
Everything's the same. :) The kids' reactions to me waking them up at midnight were priceless. Everyone still gives morning cuddles and can't say enough about all the incredible things God is doing in their lives. And after a whole year apart, we all had plenty to talk about. :)
The weather is beautiful, the trees are green, the sun is always shining. But life is crazy here. The girls told me about a building they visited in the shady area of Joburg...a four-story building where 200 families 'rent' (R40 per month...about $5.70) and care for a couple hundred blind people. All illegal immigrants, desperately trying to make money for their families in Zimbabwe or Zambia or wherever. Sewage drips down the walls and the empty elevator shaft is used as a garbage dump. The flies are so thick that you have to cover your mouth and face so they don't fly in. There are few windows, and most of the building is so dark, you can't see your hand in front of your face. The little children laugh and play because they don't know any other life. And yet, these people held a church service for these girls that went to visit. They all went to the roof and starting singing and praising God....I can not imagine. My Canadian brain does not comprehend a life like that.
God is good. How do we make change in the world around us? What can we do?
Off to TLC now. Much love, God bless. xx

Round 2 - NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FIRST BLOG!

I'm heading back to Johannesburg in a few days. And I wasn't going to blog this trip, hadn't really thought about it. But the other day somebody asked how they'd be able to stay updated on my travels and I just blurted, "I'm keeping a blog!"...so I guess I am. Has it really been a year since I was last in Africa? When I look at updated pictures of the kids now, I don't think, 'There they go, growing up all by themselves'...but rather, 'Only a few more days!'
But I have far more important things on my mind these days. Things that keep my mind off even Africa. My best friend's wedding is coming up, and in fact, she'll tie the knot two days before I get on a plane. I'm the maid of honor, so there seems to be a lot to think about. I can't imagine what must all be going through her head every day. It's fun though, something I've never done before. But strange also...are we really of marrying age?? When did THAT happen? Remember as a little girl when you used to lay in bed and dream of wedding plans? Yeah, someday they actually happen. Crazy, this thing called life.
For interest's sake, I'll be in SAfrica until April 19, then I'm flying to spend a week in Holland and a week in Slovakia, to visit friends in Amsterdam and relatives teaching in Kosice. :) Should be fun. :)
Much love.