Of whom shall I fear?

I went shark cage diving on Saturday and it was a powerful experience. We were only anchored for a few minutes when one swam past. Some are lucky to see one on a trip, some boats 100m from us didn't see any, we saw 16! 9 while I was in the cage. Most were 2-3m, not the huge guys, but big enough. The white sharks are really a beautiful creature up close and I was one of the first in the cage. It really was much scarier thinking about then doing. One swam up and nearly bumped the cage in front of my face. His fin was actually inside as if he were reaching out to touch me. Another went up over the cage and hit his chin on the top of the cage on his way down rocking us forward. It was incredible and I learned a lot. While I still respect them, I no longer feel afraid.

Monday night Byron and I led the youth. Once again I was a bit intimidated to speak to 30 kids on a difficult topic anywhere, but a little more in a country with high poverty. I spoke about sharing our possessions and the program went great. We had the kids split by world population (thank you elev8 for the idea) and the ones in first class had a number of drinks and snacks to choose from. The second were given descent things and the last, the largest group, got only water and a few crackers for the whole group. It was great because last Thursday one of the ladies had mentioned that she thought in the colored areas that people shared less and looked out for each other less. Ursula mentioned that many people from overseas did more for SA then the middle class in SA. The program went exactly as such.

Immediately when it started a girl in the third group went down and began breaking the crackers up for the group. After being served drinks and some time passed the first class decided to share their snacks with the third. After watching the first go the second followed. It was really amazing to watch it go that way I couldn't have planned it better. We had a wonderful discussion to follow and Byron shared about how moved he was to see the kids at Bap and how it changed him. Many kids raelly enjoyed the program and want to help be part of the change. I'm working with Ursula and some of the youth leaders to get a cultural tour for the youth. Many of them drive past the poverty often and don't know it or see it up close. Hopefully visiting will change their hearts.

I also went on a cultural tour again Monday where I went to a new project. A women named Beauty, who has AIDS and should have died some time ago according to doctors, started a B&B and a sewing project in Khayletcha. She is a Christian and said that God has gotten her through. Her roof is full of holes and the place is quite in bad shape, but she is making it, loving life and trying to teach others in the area to sew so they can create work for themselves. She has two sons that live under a tin roof full of holes. I gave her some money myself and will design business cards for her and try to help her how I can.

Yesterday I went to the soup kitchen and the school again. There were 80 students in the class because they don't have substitutes (think about that teachers in the US that want to complain about class size :) ) firing questions at me again. It's been a great personal experience and my comfort in front of a crowd, not normally a strong one for me in front of any age, is starting to improve. I also brought one of the Aviva volunteers to the school. He's going to try and get his middle school in the USA to adopt the school and help the kids pay their fees and maybe get some improved things for the school itself.

Today I visited another orphanage. This one may be able to use me on a regular basis. One of the ladies rides the bus from our area to there. I might be able to do that so this might be finally the project that I can work with on a regular basis besides the soup kitchen. I'm excited for the opportunity!

This weekend I'm hoping to purchase (thanks to Mike O'Malley aka Dad) chairs and tables for the education center that Ursula supports. He told me would donate some money and then Ursula mentioned she wanted to buy chairs and tables for her ec and then she would move on to helping Beauty's B&B get a new roof. If anyone wants to contribute or help with any of these projects let me know!