In Full Swing... Almost

Things are beginning to feel normal and get in full swing, but not quite. This week was the first day in the classroom, second week of jewelry making class, first day in Transformation and Peacebuilding, and first week of our Arcadia course in Cape Town. There are still a lot of firsts taking place and a few things that haven’t quite fallen into place yet. The Learning for Sustainable Community Engagement Course is seriously a huge privilege. I have to remind myself that I am really lucky to be going out to these schools every week to help these children and learn about community development. I wanted to learn more about community development and urban planning before I came and I have recently started thinking a lot more about graduate school. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but I am running with the feelings I have inside. I think to be really happy with my degree from Meredith I am going to want to use my design skills in an urban setting. I am excited to start this Transformation and Peacebuilding course. I would never be able to take something like this with my busy schedule at home, but I get the chance here. It is a very interactive class which taps into your emotions and how you really feel about certain situations or conflicts. Jewelry making remains fun for the first part, but this week I got very frustrated but I polished and repolished my bookmark. I was ready to move on, but next week we get to move on to making rings. The Arcadia may get a bit frustrating because it is later in the day and we have to ride into Cape Town every week, but hopefully it will be informative and a good way to get closer to the other Arcadia students.

What I would really like to fall into place is something to take up a bit of my time on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I want to find someone working in the urban planning field, so I can see how they work and what they are doing in the surrounding communities. I also want to see if the local organization Atheart (an HIV/Aids organization) can use me for activities that take place throughout the week. Another big hope is finding a church that I can attend ever weekend I am in Stellenbosch and not away on vacation. I have realized how much it means to have my community group back in Raleigh and how much I love calling Vintage21 my church every Sunday. I have got to attend the first membership class series possible when I return! I am very happy about the things going on in the church back home and about what the people in my community are doing. I know that I need to plug in more to the beautiful city of Raleigh when I get back home and not just at Meredith, because after all I only have a year left there. There are a lot of emotions I feel like I had to leave at home, and I have to remember that every problem I left that wasn’t completely solved will not get solved any better 5,000 miles away. I have to remember the Lord is present in every place I go and he will help bear my burdens, because I am his. I am a daughter of the most High God.

I was reflecting on Hebrews 13 the other night and it was a comforting passage to come across, because it reminded me that Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever (v8). It also talks about the city which is to come. I reflected on this and realized that the city of Raleigh, of Stellenbosch, the community of Lyndedoch, they are all cities which have not been completely transformed. There are things to be done in this city, in Raleigh back home and in every community everywhere. People must find their place and work to create something great.


Flee from the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart -2Timothy 2:22