Africa was what I expected. The homes I visited were as small and ill made as I saw on TV, the children were as beautiful as I expected, and the poverty was as vast as I thought. But thoughts and expectations are nothing compared to the reality of actually being confronted first hand with the good and bad. We shot thousands of photos and dozens of videos, but those don't do it justice either. Africa was awesome. It was incredible to see it all firsthand.
I think the most incredible thing I witnessed were those serving the children. In the community centers staffed by Children's Cup, volunteer cooks work 5 days a week to serve meals to children. These meal were often the only one's they would eat that day. Teachers in these centers teach children whose parents are often dead or dying, HIV or TB positive, and struggling to feed their families. Missionaries organize aid for these kids, which provides schooling, food, clothing, and love. These people are allowing these disadvantaged children to succeed in an environment that is challenging. These folks are the people who impressed me the most in the short time I was in Africa. God is doing a great work through these people, and they will continue to be in my prayers, and hopefully yours as well. Check these folks out at Children's Cup.
Aa
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
More Africa Pictures
Passing out "sweets"
The women who volunteer to cook for the kids everyday
My sweet friend, Tuli. She is so bright, and she speaks English very well, but she doesn't go to school because it is too expensive.
My brother, Mason, hanging out. The kids loved him and he made a great jungle gym.
My sister, Emily, working on handstands!
Twin boys at my care point.
I met these kids on the road and gave them some candy. The kid in the middle can't take his eyes off it!
We did some crafts with the kids.
Can I bring this one home?
The women who volunteer to cook for the kids everyday
My sweet friend, Tuli. She is so bright, and she speaks English very well, but she doesn't go to school because it is too expensive.
My brother, Mason, hanging out. The kids loved him and he made a great jungle gym.
My sister, Emily, working on handstands!
Twin boys at my care point.
I met these kids on the road and gave them some candy. The kid in the middle can't take his eyes off it!
We did some crafts with the kids.
Can I bring this one home?
Return from Africa - Kate's thoughts
How was your trip? For those of you who have been on trips like this, you know how hard this question is to answer. For me the trip was amazing, overwhelming, and exhausting. Our trip got off to a bit of a rough start because we missed our flight from D.C. to South Africa by about 20 minutes. Considering how difficult it is to find 31 open seats on the next flight, we had to split into two teams. One group flew to South Africa the next day and the rest of us took a little detour through London. The first group arrived in South Africa, got on the bus, which ran out of gas because of a gas strike in Johannesburg, and when they got to the border of Swaziland it was closed, so they were forced to stay in South Africa for the night. The rest of us arrived in Joburg on Monday and got to our hotel a hour or two after the first group. So needless to say, I was exhausted before we even got there. Unfortunately all this travel took 2 days off of our time there, so that was disappointing, but we jumped right in!
We spent a few mornings digging a foundation for two new care points. Care points provide school for about 40 kids in the mornings and then after-school Bible clubs for up to 200-300 kids. The kids also get a meal there, usually their only meal for the day. There were several care points throughout the city, so we split into different groups and hung out with the kids and would read a Bible story, etc. When we were with the kids, our main objective was to love on these beautiful children, many of whom are orphans. We hugged, high-fived, played soccer, got in circles and danced, and passed out "sweets" (the kids went nuts over the candy - we got nearly trampled a few times!). I can't describe how cool this time was. The kids loved our digital cameras, so alot of the time was spent taking pictures and showing it to the kids.
In the middle of the week, Aaron and I got to meet our sponsor child, Bheki...but that deserves a whole posting, so more on that time later.
The organization we worked with, Children's Cup, was incredible - you should check it out. The missionaries and Swazis that are there are incredible people. Aaron and I had the privilege of hanging out with some of the missionaries one night while everyone else went to a game park (a travel doctor suggested I avoid overnight trips to game parks, because of a small malaria risk). It was so great to connect with the missionaries. It really reminded me of our time in China with our team. Part of me finds their lives very appealing, and it makes me wonder how it would be to be in Swaziland long term. Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to go to Africa, and this trip did not disappoint. In a way, I feel like if I can keep going back to Swaziland, I would be fine not going anywhere else in the world ever again. Aaron and I are at such a crossroads and I have to admit that going to Swaziland long term has crossed my mind...and the fact that we were being heavily recruited by the missionaries doesn't help much!
Anyway, enough for now...I'll attach pictures, because pictures really do tell a better story.
Ncamiso and Prudence - two of the Swazi teachers
My dad
My mom playing with the kids while others work!! :)
My brother-in-law, Heath
Preach it, Aaron! :)
We spent a few mornings digging a foundation for two new care points. Care points provide school for about 40 kids in the mornings and then after-school Bible clubs for up to 200-300 kids. The kids also get a meal there, usually their only meal for the day. There were several care points throughout the city, so we split into different groups and hung out with the kids and would read a Bible story, etc. When we were with the kids, our main objective was to love on these beautiful children, many of whom are orphans. We hugged, high-fived, played soccer, got in circles and danced, and passed out "sweets" (the kids went nuts over the candy - we got nearly trampled a few times!). I can't describe how cool this time was. The kids loved our digital cameras, so alot of the time was spent taking pictures and showing it to the kids.
In the middle of the week, Aaron and I got to meet our sponsor child, Bheki...but that deserves a whole posting, so more on that time later.
The organization we worked with, Children's Cup, was incredible - you should check it out. The missionaries and Swazis that are there are incredible people. Aaron and I had the privilege of hanging out with some of the missionaries one night while everyone else went to a game park (a travel doctor suggested I avoid overnight trips to game parks, because of a small malaria risk). It was so great to connect with the missionaries. It really reminded me of our time in China with our team. Part of me finds their lives very appealing, and it makes me wonder how it would be to be in Swaziland long term. Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to go to Africa, and this trip did not disappoint. In a way, I feel like if I can keep going back to Swaziland, I would be fine not going anywhere else in the world ever again. Aaron and I are at such a crossroads and I have to admit that going to Swaziland long term has crossed my mind...and the fact that we were being heavily recruited by the missionaries doesn't help much!
Anyway, enough for now...I'll attach pictures, because pictures really do tell a better story.
Ncamiso and Prudence - two of the Swazi teachers
My dad
My mom playing with the kids while others work!! :)
My brother-in-law, Heath
Preach it, Aaron! :)
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Swaziland or Bust
DID YOU KNOW...
Thanks for your prayers and support. We will see you when we get back in about 10 days. I am sure that we will have many pictures and stories to fill our blog with...so stay tuned!
- Swaziland is a small African country between South Africa and Mozambique?
- The population of Swaziland is approximately 1,175,000?
- Nearly 40% of the country's adults are living with HIV/AIDS?
- An estimated 16,000 children under the age of 15 are themselves infected with HIV?
- The average life expectancy in Swaziland is 32 years of age?
- On Friday my whole family along with a team of 24 other people from North Carolina will be flying to this country?
Thanks for your prayers and support. We will see you when we get back in about 10 days. I am sure that we will have many pictures and stories to fill our blog with...so stay tuned!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Camping in CO
Last weekend we camped in Colorado with good friends and family. It was a great venue for hanging out and enjoying beautiful Colorado.
Wish you all could have been there - it would have been one killer party!
Wish you all could have been there - it would have been one killer party!
Cell phones, South Dakota license plates, and a baby
My life (and my body) is going through multiple changes. I am wandering through North America wondering where my home is. It is great to spend time with friends and family from "back home." But is this where I belong? Some days, it's a resounding YES, and other days it feels less certain. Besides my emotions being in constant motion, there are other changes that are more evident to the outside world.
The first one and maybe one of the most life-altering would probably be the cell phones that we recently purchased. Yes, we have entered the 21st century much to my dismay. But to make matters worse, we got not just ONE cell phone, but yes, count them, TWO cell phones. Yes, life is more convenient and I can call my mother while driving down the interstate, but I am now in the majority with a cell phone rather than the minority, and frankly I felt pretty cool telling people, "NO, I do not have a cell phone." Well those days are long gone...I now understand the world of "minutes" and needing to call people after 9pm.
Another change is our car. We turned in BC plates for SD plates a couple of weeks ago, and my other confession is I now feel a little less cool. Don't get me wrong, I love SD, but it was pretty cool to drive around with BC plates and our bumper sticker that says "Don't Hassle Me I'm Local". It's the end of an era for Aaron and I.
Perhaps the biggest change, however...this one is actually more life-altering than the cell phones...is that we are having a baby in December!! It is now becoming evident to the world as my belly gets a little more full each week. We had an ultrasound last week with our new care provider in SD and things look good, so far. Next month we will find out if it's a boy or girl and we will let you know when we know! This is definitely an exciting time for us, but it has been interesting as well, considering that our lives are in such major transition. We keep telling people...We will be homeless, unemployed, almost 30 with 2 Master's degrees, living with my parents and having our first child! What better way to bring our first child into the world!! :) All I can say is that we are completely blessed to have such amazing, supportive families.
So these are some of changes in the Walters' World right now, but I trust they are not the last. We'll keep you updated as things continue to change and evolve. The next adventure will be our trip to Africa next week! Keep us in your prayers! Love to you all!
Kate
The first one and maybe one of the most life-altering would probably be the cell phones that we recently purchased. Yes, we have entered the 21st century much to my dismay. But to make matters worse, we got not just ONE cell phone, but yes, count them, TWO cell phones. Yes, life is more convenient and I can call my mother while driving down the interstate, but I am now in the majority with a cell phone rather than the minority, and frankly I felt pretty cool telling people, "NO, I do not have a cell phone." Well those days are long gone...I now understand the world of "minutes" and needing to call people after 9pm.
Another change is our car. We turned in BC plates for SD plates a couple of weeks ago, and my other confession is I now feel a little less cool. Don't get me wrong, I love SD, but it was pretty cool to drive around with BC plates and our bumper sticker that says "Don't Hassle Me I'm Local". It's the end of an era for Aaron and I.
Perhaps the biggest change, however...this one is actually more life-altering than the cell phones...is that we are having a baby in December!! It is now becoming evident to the world as my belly gets a little more full each week. We had an ultrasound last week with our new care provider in SD and things look good, so far. Next month we will find out if it's a boy or girl and we will let you know when we know! This is definitely an exciting time for us, but it has been interesting as well, considering that our lives are in such major transition. We keep telling people...We will be homeless, unemployed, almost 30 with 2 Master's degrees, living with my parents and having our first child! What better way to bring our first child into the world!! :) All I can say is that we are completely blessed to have such amazing, supportive families.
So these are some of changes in the Walters' World right now, but I trust they are not the last. We'll keep you updated as things continue to change and evolve. The next adventure will be our trip to Africa next week! Keep us in your prayers! Love to you all!
Kate
Monday, July 9, 2007
We made it!
It's been only 2 weeks since we left BC, but it has been a whirlwind to say the least. We loaded up our trailer and headed south thinking it would take 2 days to get to CO. Well when you are pulling more weight than your car can handle and you hit real summer weather, you're bound to go slow. In fact, 4 cylinders + heavy uhaul = new clutch. We made it to CO on day 3 only to break down 3 hours from Aaron's parents. Luckily (more like DIVINELY) we were a short drive from my great friend Jenny's house and we got to spend the day with her and her adorable daughter, Tamsen, while our car got a new clutch! We unloaded the trailer in Colorado Springs, stayed a 2 days and got back in the car again be with Kate's family in South Dakota. And since we arrived it has seriously been non-stop. We have camped, biked, ate, played Settlers of Catan, ate, shopped, hit up the rodeo, ate, cheered at the 4th of July parade, visited with lots of family, and ate again...we are pooped! Thanks everybody for your prayers and good wishes for our trip. We are here safe and sound and will connect soon. I feel like we've been MIA for the last 2 weeks, but we are about to resurface - once we finish the chores my mom gave us!!! :)
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