How quickly time passes

Hello!

I know it has been a while since my last update. I am amazed at how quickly time passes! There have been so many things in this past month, at home, at work, and in day to day living to experience and process- it is difficult to organize it all into a simple update.

At work I’m starting to get the hang of how things work, the challenge is now to find balance in all of the things I am responsible for. Each week there are more people to meet with, visit at home, consult with my manager about, and work to create solutions for, and while I am starting to feel like I understand how things work at RSS, the amount of work I need to do can sometimes feel overwhelming and very tiring.

Although the work load can be quite large, I am also learning the joys and the challenges of working with refugees in South Africa. One of the things that I see all the time here, yet is still devastating, is the poverty that so many live in. Most of the people I see suffer greatly, struggling each month just to scrape by. At times, it can be devastating to consider the pain that some of those I work with have experienced and the struggles they continue to face in a place where they sought refuge. There are also challenges in the reality that a piece of my job is to determine who is and is not deserving of some kind of financial assistance- a very difficult task when all things are considered.

In the midst of all these things, there are still many moments of hope and joy that remind me why I do this. I am always encouraged by those who, in spite of the many challenges up against them, are willing to do anything to have something better for themselves and their families. I am also encouraged when people return, thankful for anything that we can offer them. I am hopeful when I see refugee women celebrate at the end of a training course- with gratefulness for an opportunity offered for them to become better prepared to enter the workforce. I get excited when I hear reports of refugee children excited to learn English as they prepare to enter school in the 2013 school year. Lastly, I am so grateful for the women I work with- for their patience with me as I learn, for their kindness in caring for me, and for their support when I am struggling.

With my host family, I am beginning to feel more and more at home. Last week, I walked into my room and was greeted by a goofy drawing of “my friend frank.” I find that it is being included in things like family jokes such as this one, bring me the most joy.  Also, my host sister Raessa and I are soon going to have a contest to see who can learn each other’s national anthem! I think all of us are excited about it J I just have to learn theirs- which is in English, Zulu, Sesotho, Xhosa, AND Afrikaans- oh my!

In my town, I am also starting to feel familiar with my surroundings. I have been going to a small church right down the road from where I stay where I have found a wonderful group of people to fellowship with. Those in the church have made me so welcome in their church and in their lives which has been wonderful for me.  I have also gotten to know some of my neighbors as well as those that I pass regularly in my travels around town. Getting to be part of and feel welcome in the area how been so wonderful.

Prayer:

-That I would find balance in my work- finding ways to care for each of those I interact with, yet still have time to complete all of the things I have to do.

-That I can continue to make connections in my community.

-That I would have energy for the things I need to accomplish & rest as I often feel very tired.

-Grace as I continue to learn the ins and outs of living here in Durban.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I am overwhelmed by the ways that I have been cared for while I am in South Africa!