So yesterday at the afterschool program I was helping some 5th grade boys with their pronoun homework. It was not the easiest of times.  This goes out to all the teachers out there as a huge thank you for what you do!! You have a great gift and I am so thankful for it.  Who ever would have guessed that pronouns are so hard to explain…why can’t we just use their name!? So thank you :)

Accompaniment. This word, this verb is the core of the YAGM program.  It is what is preached and taught to us from the beginning of our journey and into foreign lands, we are reminded of it daily as we walk among our new friends, coworkers, and strangers alike. In one handout we (Muddies-MUD4 YAGMs) received at our orientation, it stated that our year ahead should be thought of through the “lens of accompaniment,” as seen in the Bible story in the Gospel of Luke, “Road to Emmaus” and additionally based on the theory, the Circle of Praxis.  The Circle of Praxis, a process termed by Paulo Friere’s in “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” seeks to focus on five verbs. To see, to think, to act, to evaluate, and to celebrate.

Yet, I would like to add another piece to what we think. For example, in many of our home churches there is usually an organist or a pianist or a worship band that accompanies us from beginning to end of the hymn.  However, here in South African churches, it is the voices of the people that carry in song and rhythm from start to finish.  I would like to think that this is simply a metaphor for how I have been a witness to South Africans living their lives as such.  The black South Africans especially, having been oppressed for years, unaccompanied by anyone other than their own brothers and sisters. As the times are changing and the races intermingling more than before, it is clearer to see black, white, Indian, and colored walking alongside one another in daily life joys and struggles.

Through these 8 months I have taken accompaniment to mean so much more than its literal meaning: to walk alongside someone.  Honestly, it happens every day.  In learning, listening, experiencing, doing, conversing, and sharing [just to name a few].  I am thankful for all of these opportunities; through both joys and struggles.  It has strengthened me and opened my eyes to so much more of this world and God’s creation. I believe that through it all my mentality and mindset has been changed and widely expanded to be much more comfortable and open to the unknown that constantly surrounds each of us.  I have learned to lean more on God for understanding and to be specific in my prayers to bless those in my community.

 “If you give a man to fish, he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.”

This quote is a perfect fit for accompaniment and all that I have experienced here thus far. 

Sammi and Isaac visited for the weekend. 

Sammi, me, and Annika hanging at home playing Monopoly Deal. :)

L>R. Lucas-sat at the front of the Jeep with a keen eye for spotting animal tracks. Tim- our ranger. Incredible knowledge of the park and everything in it. Waterbuck.

He was determined to have us leave him and his family alone. He succeeded.

The internet is back for a bit so I thought I would update you on life as I know it in South Africa.  

*My family has come and gone but our vacation was perfect! We saw so many places and things and absolutely loved the Safari that we went on. Of course…like in an Rimmereid situation, we cannot go without an adventure.  We missed our first safari because what should have been a 5-6 hour drive turned into a 15 hour waiting and driving period. In a nutshell we suffered from 3 flat tires and had to wait an extended period of time for another rental car…needless to say we were exhausted and so thankful when we finally arrived at Kapama Game Reserve

*Shortly after my family left for home, the YAGMs of SA reunited again in Pietermaritzburg for a final retreat with Brian, Kristen, and Khaya Konkol.  We enjoyed our time very much and were excited to spend time with each other again.    It was a reflective and inspiring final retreat.

*After the retreat, Elise, Jaime, and I went back with Jordan to visit his site near Estcourt, SA.  His site is very different than mine, such that it is rural and very peaceful.  However, they make communion wafers, pastoral outfits, and sell handwoven baskets! The wafers are made using a machine that looks like a waffle maker, except without the classic waffle pattern. Instead was the design of the wafer, that is imprinted on the top of it. The men and women working it were a well oiled machine.

*Before the retreat Jaime and I visited PMB early and caught a glimpse of Elise working at her site. We went to her creche (daycare) and played with the children as well as helped to sand an old playground set that was donated to the creche.  It should be exciting for Elise to finish that project and to have the kids play on it soon. 

*Time is running as April is practically gone and May is fast approaching.  It is crazy to think that my time here in South Africa is almost over, as I finish at DAM in early July. 

*Good Friday Service with my family was wonderful.  They were able to experience a SA service and were lucky that the sermon was in English! There was lots of singing and choruses and dancing. Of course..we were ushered into the first row of the overly crowded church and introduced part way through the service. 

Hope you all had a blessed Easter and are enjoying Spring weather…as I begin to settle into Winter weather. Ok ok ok. It is not as cold as MN typically is in wintertime..but to go from blazing hot to chilly and cold rains…not fun. All I want to do is curl up with cup of tea/hot cocoa a book and a blanket.  Sounds like a piece of heaven to me.

:)