Hello!

Update number 3! It seems like ages since I last did one! Hmm what’s happened since then?! Maybe I should work backwards!

Well, this week I had my birthday! 23! My first birthday abroad! And also my first birthday in winter! I received some cards from people at home, and a package from Mum, Dad, Amy and Levi with some presents! I’m told there are other parcels on the way, but I’ve not received them just yet! It’s exciting that there’s stuff on the way though! :) It was also lovely to have birthday messages on Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp, both from people at home and over here! I was so blessed, and some of those messages really made my birthday!

Sarah and David took me to McDonalds for tea on that day, by my request, as I’ve missed the Golden Arches since being away! I can’t figure out if I actually miss the food, or if it’s the memories of the company I keep there! It was tasty anyway! I also went to a life group, and they had a cake for me! Everyone over here has been lovely! We’re heading to a comic book store (my first ever!) on Saturday to continue the celebrations!

I also got a not-so-nice present on my birthday of Timothy putting a large fake spider in my bed! Argh! I was not happy! It took me 5 minutes to think about touching it to move it, even though I knew it wasn’t real! Then people have been filling me in on the real large spiders they have out here! Oh my word! I might actually run straight to the airport if I ever have to face one!!!

On Sunday, I went to church in the morning with Sarah and David, and then we went out to Canal Walk (a mall) and had some food. I also went to a wine farm with Sarah & David and Rozanne & Mark and the kids in the day, as it was also Rozanne’s birthday on Tuesday! We sat on the terrace and took in the beautiful views and ate cake! Timothy lost his rugby ball in the dam, which he was very disappointed at, so David decided to wade in and fetch it – the water went up to his neck! This gave the rest of us, who stayed out watch and dry, much amusement!

There was a Baptism service in the evening – 15 people got baptised, and it was great to gear the testimonies of how God is changing people’s lives! I also went afterwards to eat (again) and meet with some people to hear their ideas about Young Adults stuff in the church.

On Saturday, Taryn took me into Cape Town to Greenmarket Square, where I acted like a real tourist – taking photos and buying souvenirs! Pastor Pedro is heading over to Wales next week, so he’s going to be postman and bring some gifts back for people for me!

The previous Saturday, we went to the aquarium with Taryn’s lovely niece, Tatum. It was great fun (and much better than Rhyl Sealife Centre haha!) We saw sharks and huge stingrays, penguins and of course lots of fish!

If you want to look at any of my photos they’re all on Facebook in my “South Africa” album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150837924970100.466752.657625099&type=3&l=6b5e5dfde4

Maybe I could also tell you what my week generally looks like…

I always enjoy Mondays in the office – it’s mainly meetings including service planning and preaching team, (#meetingsMonday) but I find that I learn so much on those days! I look forward to Mondays, and my hand is usually aching by the end of them from taking so many notes in the vain effort to remember absolutely everything! Mondays also start with connecting over coffee with the rest of the staff, which is a great way to start to week.

Each weekday in the office we start with a short prayer meeting at 8:30, this is great just to refocus on the centre of everything we do – Jesus. We’ll pray for the week, the running of the church and also for any prayer requests that come in. We also thank God for answers to prayer, which also come in on praise report cards.

Tuesdays are normal office days, and depending on whose life group I am visiting, life group on a Tuesday night. I’m currently visiting a couple of life groups to find one I fit well into!

Wednesday nights is Mentoring, with a group of lovely ladies! That’s at 6 at the church, so I tend to stay in the office until then. Mentoring is really stretching mw and helping me grow in God.

Thursdays are quite quiet in the office as anyone who works on a Sunday e.g. preaching is off. In the evening, like Tuesdays; I could be at a life group!

On Friday afternoon and evening is the kids and youth ministry, I’m not involved in any of these but I’m hoping to take a look at Fusion (the youth) at some point since I’m involved a little in youth back home.

Saturday is a day off – for chilling or going out. I’m trying to do some touristy activities while I’m here, but of course these all cost money so we have to spread them out! Also, it’s coming into winter over here, so the weather might not be amazing (although compared to British winters, it’s pretty good!) and a lot of the tourist destinations are outdoors.

I feel like I’m growing a lot, getting deeper into the Bible and learning to rely on God a lot more. I get time to do more reading than usual too, so I’m learning that way as well! I’m reading The Shack at the moment, it’s really challenging how I see God, and I’d recommend it to you! I’m finding especially when things come up at home, that I’d normally “do” something about, I obviously can’t out here. God’s teaching me the importance of prayer, and how actually it shouldn’t just be a last resort because I can’t “do” anything else about things, as we so often do. “Pray constantly”! I’m also loving talking about what I’m learning; after all, we don’t learn just to keep these things secret!

Part of what’s happening in Edge Church is their passion to disciple people. Discipleship means “increasing my love for God and others” and it’s really sinking in. I’m learning to love God more by getting into His Word, and through that, learning to love others. It’s sounds so easy on paper, but we have to constantly remind ourselves about it, especially when our feelings get in the way. This week I really feel like I’m re-learning what love is! So, it’s a learning curve, building character and relationship!

Wow! That was a really long blog post! If you’re reading this, well done, da iawn, you got to the end! As always, I’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, email or good ol’ fashioned snail mail! Just ask for my details!

Hey! Howzit?! (As they say over here!)

Sooo…my next blog post! What have I been up to?

Well, most of my time has been spent in the office, which is great - I get to spend time working and connecting with some awesome people! I also get to learn a lot about what they do and what I can pick up from that. This week I’ve attended some brilliant planning meetings; so inspiring and I can’t wait to get back home and get some strategic meetings planned (hEllo NCC leaders ;D)! I’ve also spend some time with Jackie, the media team leader, having a look at what she does and getting stuck into some stuff! 

I seem to be settling in pretty well; I already seem to have made my mark as the superhero nerd (nerds are cool…); and manage to get called Irish almost every day by Ryan, because Ireland is closer to Wales than London. This is apparently logical and makes a difference…! xD

I’m living with David and Sarah and their children Timothy and Rebecca. They’re lovely people and Sarah is also from Wales! We get on really well and have already shared lots of jokes! They’re really making me feel at home, and are feeding me lots of meat woohoo! :)

On Friday, I went to a Marimba concert with Taryn, Francois and Melise. A marimba is like a large wooden xylophone. The concert was great - they played some traditional music and also some current tunes! I enjoyed the Coldplay!

Today was mothers day in South Africa, and the Erasmus’ kindly invited me over to join them for lunch. Daniel cooked an amazing dinner, and I totally felt part of the family!

I’m starting to learn some new words! A few of the words I’ve learn are: ja (yes), yo (kind of like woah!), kiff (cool), lekker (niiice!) :)

Still missing people back at home, and have struggled a bit this week with not being able to be there for people, and give hugs! But I’m also making friends over here! Woo!

Again, feel free to email, Facebook, Whatsapp or even write me, I’d love to hear from you! I realised that some of you can’t Whatsapp me as you’ll need my new number - ask and you shall receive! :D

Hello!

So, my first update from SA! I’m currently sitting at my new desk in the office at Edge Church!

My first flight from Manchester to Dubai was great - I managed to move to a seat next to a window with 3 spare seats, which meant I could lie down and sleep! #boom! My second flight from Dubai to Cape Town was also ok - I used the opportunity to chill and do some reading, and watched a couple of movies and TV programmes! (Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Tintin, and several episodes of Dexter, for anyone interested!) Only downside was the lady sitting next to me, who seemed to have a slight personal hygiene issue… :S

I arrive at the airport at about 5pm local time on Saturday (We’re an hour ahead of the UK over here) and was greeted by Rozanne & Mark and their daughter Sarah who I’m living with for the first couple of days. They also have a daughter called Robyn. I will be working with and learning from Rozanne a lot during my time here! Had an early night on Saturday to be ready for Sunday!

It was an earlyish start on Sunday to be at the Melkbos Congregation for the 8:30am service. After that service, we went to the Edgemead Congregation for the 10:30am service. Lunch was back at Rozanne’s - we had a braai (BBQ!) and connected with some people (CONNECT - you’re going to hear a lot of that! :D) 

It was then back to Edgemead for the first evening service at 5pm, and another at 6:30pm. It’s a massive change from our 1 service with lots of chill time either side of it! I must admit that I struggled a bit towards the end of the day - I missed my “normal” Sunday a lot - I think maybe that’s because I knew what everyone back at home would be doing!

After church, Joel & Candice and Dan & Leandri took me out for food, which was lovely to eat and get to know some people a bit more! They totally made me feel at home! :) 

I had a great sleep on Sunday night, and was ready to leave for the church office at 8am with Rozanne. I had a look around the church building a bit more, then sat in on the counting money. We then “connected” with coffee with the staff that are in today. (Tomorrow - Tuesday - is a public holiday, so a lot of people have taken today as leave so they can have a long weekend!) They all introduced themselves and told me a little about themselves.

I then went to a shopping centre with Taryn to try and get a SIM for my iPhone so that I can get data to use Whatsapp so I can speak to guys back home, and airtime so I can speak to guys over here! Lots of people have Blackberry phones over here - it’s a lot cheaper than other smartphones. 

And now I’m at my new desk, in my new office - my work home for the next 6 months! Tomorrow is a public holiday, so we get the day off! Hopefully I’ll get to see a bit more of Cape Town!

Missing the guys at home, but making new friends here too! Feel free to email, Facebook or Whatsapp me with your news! :)

Kerry x

There’s not much more attractive in a man than one that praises God; in his words, in his actions.

That’s what I want. A good friend of mine once said “Don’t settle for second best”, and do you know what? I’m not going to.

You will not find me settling for someone, just because they’re there, just because they say pretty things, just because I’m feeling lonely, or just because other people expect it of me.

Whoever you are, you’ll love the Lord. You will live for Him and praise Him, and He will be your first. You will be a man of God, a leader of your future house and filled with the wisdom He gives. You’ll have maturity, and be filled with life and fun also.

“And I will know you… because when you speak I will be reminded of Solomon’s wisdom,
Your ability to lead will remind me of Moses,
Your faith will remind me of Abraham,
Your confidence in God’s Word will remind me of Daniel,
Your inspiration will remind me of Paul,
Your heart for God will remind me of David,
Your attention to detail will remind me of Noah,
Your integrity will remind me of Joseph,
And your ability to abandon your own will, will remind me of the disciples,
But Your ability to love selflessly & unconditionally will remind me of Christ.”

And I will strive after God. To love Him first and foremost, so he can shape me and change me into the woman he intended me to be. To be filled with His Spirit, so that I can step towards Proverbs 31.

I cannot wait to meet you!