Zip Lining through the African Forests!

Ahhh! Zip lining through the Forest was AMAZING! Such a rush and such a beauitful way to see the "canopy" level of the Forest! Above I am stuck on the line at the highest point and wow, I had some anxiety that I had never really had before but it was GREAT!

Entance to the Botanical Gardens..The Girls and I saw a concert here and it was interesting..think techno mixed with some poppy DJ? I didn't care for the music but it was a fun experience.

FINALLY A SUSHI OUTING!!! Not the best sushi but hey, it will do!! The top 5 things I miss include: TARGET, STARBUCKS, SUSHI, CARROTTS & HUMMUS, and CHOCOLATE COVERED EXPRESSO BEANS! If anyone sends me all 5 in a box, I will love you forever!!

Ngiyakuthanda :)

Ktina and I at the Valentines Day Dinner and Dance

Hike in the Drakensburg Mountains..so beautiful!

Still Running with the Zebras..I just cant get enough of it :)

I am still loving my time Africa...rejoicing in the God who goes before me..and seeking joy in living completely open to what he wants to teach me during my time here. Or as open as I can be because there are always challenges when I want do things my own way. But there isn't much opportunity for me to try and control much here..it is kind of interesting to let the day unfold as it comes and to not be so invested in my schedule and planning as I would at home. And I mean I am not even much of a planner at home, so here I am really challenged to be present and in the moment, taking the day as it comes :)

The other day at one of the clinics, I got to to work with Moms and Babies and it was just great! As some of you may know, I really want to go into Labor & Delivery or Pediatrics so this area of the clinic was perfect for me! I got to do assessments on the 6 month year old infants and they were just precious! It is also just such a blessing to see healthy babies born to mothers with HIV. Continue to pray that these children wont be infected and that the Moms will take all precautions in avoiding infection of her child. The morning was such a happy and joyful time but then the afternoon took on a different mood. A Mother came to the clinic for a follow-up with her 10 month year old child since she had a cold that wouldn't go away. She also got tested for HIV yielding a positive result when she had previously tested negative at the beginning of her pregnancy. You could just see the devastation on this Mother's face not only with her positive HIV status but, also at the likelihood that she also infected her child...then my Nurse had to tell the next Mom that her 3 year old was HIV positive..it was a happy day but it was also very heavy. It is encouraging to see the Zulu people respond to their status because I have often experienced here that those that are newly infected do not take it seriously and often laugh at their positive status, requesting grant paperwork from the nurse in order to get money from the government..it is a very interesting dynamic and I am thankful for the exposure even if spins me into an afternoon of thinking about all of this...

Last weekend, we all got to go to the Beach and lay out in the SUN! That night it was time to cheer on the Sharks at a rugby game..which we all knew nothing about but it was still exciting..! My community project is also starting progress and head in a great direction so, thank you to all for being in prayer about that! Please continue to pray that it will meet the community needs and that it will be a sustainable resource for the community even after we leave...!! Ngiyakuthanda to all... Love to all..!

Exercise Time at Mpophomeni High School

I have been honored with the nickname FALLING LEAF..haha because I often lead the nursing girls in yoga before clinical days..Ohh, how I cannot wait to get back to my yoga classes at home :) but yoga outside at this beautiful place will work just fine for now :)

One of the major projects of this semester is to provide educational teaching to 3 of the classes at Epophomeni High School. I got to teach on exercise and pretty much talk to the kids about the importance of it and then got to lead a class..teaching them how to stretch, along with some cardio and strength training exercises. It was so much fun and the kids had a blast! I am so grateful that God used me to bring some fun and energy to their day!

Etembeni..A place of Hope..

Last Week, I was given the opportunity to complete my Clinicals at Etembeni, a ministry in the town of Epophemni. It is amazing to see the community among this township and how even in poverty, these people are thriving both in mind and spirit. Etembeni is a unique ministry in that it sends their own people out as volunteers into the community to offer spiritual care to those with a positive HIV status. It is neat to see because I often have come along side ministries in which outsiders try to push prayer and encouragement onto a group of people..yet, here it is their very own people who are just so evidently loving on and caring for the community at hand. We walked up and down the hills through the community as the volunteers and nurses do all their home visits ON FOOT! My nurse reminded me that we walk because of Love..because oh wow, it was tiring but so worth it! It is amazing to see these people rejoice in our God..even when they have lost family members to AIDS, when they are HIV positive, and even when they have infected their own children with the disease. I am so encouraged by their spirits and their hope!

Girls Afternoon Lunch in the Secret Garden!

The Girls and I went to this adorable lunch and tea cottage called the Rosehurst. Its is in an English style garden with unique items such as rose iced tea and all kinds of scones, and such! There is an endless garden with beautiful flowers and various reading rooms full of books off to the sides along with a boutique with such unique gifts! It was ADORABLE and we got to have a very leisurely lunch which was so appreciated! It was also nice to get off campus and explore...once again, I was reminded of God's peace and beauty.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not let them be afaird" -John 14:27

Cappuccinos and Clinical

The hills are so beautiful and green!

Cappuccino at the Mugg & Bean!! such a treat!

I cannot believe we have been here now for a week! Time goes by slow yet fast..its really weird and hard to explain but, everyday here just seems to get better and better! I cannot believe I am studying abroad, I feel like I am on a retreat! I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am to be here and how it is just so peaceful and restful as I actually have time for LIFE..thank you nursing school for putting that on hold for me, haha! But really, I am truly blessed to actually have time with people and to sit down over a cup of coffee..instead of being rushed through it, having my mind on the next thing as I always do back home in the States. Praying to be PRESENT is something I often pray and I feel like it is now that I am finally experiencing it. Thank You God :)

I finally went to the mall and got my goods..and sat down for a nice cup of coffee with Ktina..and oh wow, we are missing Starbucks! It is such a treat to be able to get a REAL cup of coffee off campus but that happens about once or twice a week. I am not complaining but as I stare at the picture of the cappuccino I had a couple of days ago, I realize how much I take for granted being able to run out for a cup of joe! Also, on Friday me and some girls went out to Dinner which was so nice to have dinner in a new setting and be out and about! We sat there for THREE hours and it was so great to enjoy conversation over a loooonnnggg dinner as usually back at home, I am in and out in a hour tops for dinner. The act of SLOWING is such a beautiful thing :)

Yesterday, I went on a wild hike with a group of girls and it is probably the closet I'll ever come to being an avatar, being Indian Jones or the crocodile hunter...!! I heard the word hike and ran to get some clothes on to make it before they all left. Little did I know that this hike was NO joke. We climbed a steep waterfall, slid down mudslide type terrain, and came back totally muddy, wet, and late for dinner but it was so great. I officially felt like I was in Africa as we trekked through the jungle-like area. I just LOVED it! I have some good bruises and scratches but it was well worth it!

Clinicals are still going so great..challenging and eye-opening. On Thursday, Katelyn and I took blood pressures and blood sugars, and walked through the town of mud-houses on our break. It is beautiful to see the community among the people..how they all support and provide for each other..I pray that we can experience even a glimpse of that back in the States. I know for myself, I often want to accomplish things on my mine and be self-sufficient but God created us to live in community. Why do we fear it? Hmm..Anyway, we only had 3 lancets to do the blood sugars, which is a self-projecting needle..making blood sugars quite simple and precise. Of course, we ran out and had to start using a sharp metal sword-like object. I thought for sure we would be sued in the states if a nurse were to use such an object on a patient but, hey it worked! I am thankful that we have access to nice medical supplies and that the health-care staff in the states utilize gloves and wash their hands often! I struggled a lot in nursing post-conference when Kara shared how at her site, a Mom kept coming back to the clinic inquiring about the blood of her young child as they were trying to see if the child was HIV positive or not..it turns out this is the third time that they have drawn blood and each time the childs blood is missing. The nurse explained to Kara that often somewhere in the system, someone takes the blood, claiming it as their own because if it is HIV positive, a grant from the government can be given to the patient. I was totally taken aback by all that! Please join me in prayer for those in the health care system and the patients awaiting to her their diagnosis.

I am still absolutely LOVING my time here. While being challenged with a lot regarding health care and equality, I know God is a God of justice. I have been continually reminded since being here that our God is the God who goes before us..he will never leave us nor forsake us..he knows us better than we know ourselves and that is something we can find peace in. I am so grateful that I am made by a God who knows my every word and every move before they are even made. I pray that YOU can rest in knowing that YOUR God goes before you every minute and everyday!

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord you know it completely" -Psalm 139:1-4

"For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future with hope" -Jeremiah 29:11

Running with the Zebras!

Tea Time with the Nursing Girls



At the HIV clinic with fellow Native Nursing Students

Wow! It is amazing to wake up in the morning and go on a run with ZEBRAS!!! On Monday, Me, Kelly, and Kara went on a run through the game reserve and saw 6 zebras..we also saw them this morning (Wednesday) so our plan is to visit them very Mon, Weds, and Fri on our runs! woo!! It makes running that much better..!! I haven't been able to get a picture with them yet because I keep forgetting my camera but hopefully I will soon..!!

Yesterday (Tuesday) was my first day out at one of the clinical sites. I was at Mason's Clinic, which is an HIV clinic that serves a more rural area. I have been told the statistics of AIDS and HIV, that about 50% of the population here is infected..that statistic became so much more real today seeing patient after patient who was either HIV positive or had AIDS. It was also mind-blowing to hear the patients as they talked about family members who were also infected, including children as young as three years old. I also just couldn't grasp how some of the partners of the infected patients do not get tested at all. The Doctor explained to be that they just don't want to know that they are sick or have a disease..he also explained that even after they do find out they are infected, they are in denial and often do not treat it until over a year after the initial diagnosis. This was hard for me to wrap my mind around since often Americans are so careful and precautions with their health..and its just hard because since there is a denial factor, the disease continues to spread. It makes me so grateful for the education I do have regarding health and health issues..please pray for these people, for healing and for the Doctors and Nurses to continue to pour into their lives, educating and motivating them to combat this widespread disease.

The Doctor I worked with was so great. I learned so much and he allowed Katelyn and I to do assessments on the patients. I learned that the side effects of the HIV medication makes the females loose their fat, specifically in the butt and calf area...and the calf's turn more into muscle. The women complain because they take pride in their more full-figured physiques and Katelyn and I were blown away at how different it is from US culture, where woman often strive to obtain a certain thin physique. When asked the African nursing students at the clinic, what they thought of Americans they quickly responded with "fast-paced and rich". I am so grateful for the slower pace I have taken on here and hope to take parts of it back with me to the US. It is so important for me to slow down and acknowledge the God who goes before me..and I just can't seem to have enough opportunities to that in the States because of my 100 mile pace.

On Sunday, we attended a local church..which I always love worshipping in a new country. It always blows my mind that we are worshipping the same God in a place that is thousands of miles away. I have to say I did get rather distracted and had to kinda giggle with my friends when we sang "Why should I gain from his reward, I cannot give an 'AUHHHNNNSWER'" instead of the oh-so poetic way we say AAAAANSWER. haha the English accents are just precious! They also call the stop-lights "robots" and sweaters "jerseys". We are catching on quickly to the lingo but learning Zulu is a whole other story!! I just cant get the clicks in the right places or remember the words!! Tonight is my first Zulu class but it was fun to practice yesterday in the clinic, it added some humor for the patients!

Today, is very exciting because I get to go to the MALL for the first time. I have been in need of some shampoo and conditioner..!! Wednesday is the nurses day off, or rather our time to do our online nursing research class but today is different in that we have History of South Africa and Zulu..both of which I'm excited to take even though it is our day off because I am itching to learn more of both..which is neat to experience. I have valued my education before but being here and see education is just SO important makes me appreciate even more. On Mondays and Fridays, we are in nursing classes pretty much all day including Community Health and Nursing Ethics. But, when I say ALL DAY that includes breaks for tea, which are just amazing! Our profs are great..one is a Doctor and one is a Nurse and they really are a great team together. On Tuesday and Thursdays, we go to clinics and I cannot wait to return to Mason's tomorrow. Hope all is going well at home..love and miss you all..keep me updates when you can!!

"Be strong and bold- have no fear of them, because it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you" -Deut 31:6