lunchin' with the sistahood!

Yolanda, Pinky, Sam and I enjoy a dinner together at La Romantica. Pinky is the 'daughter' of Gary and Marnelle Helling and Yolanda will be our newest room-mate in 2 days. We can't wait! She's awesome, has a great sense of humor, is highly dramatic and LOVES to do dishes...okay...not the last part. :)

Am I in a city?

Third World Country? Developing Country? First world? Honestly, every person you talk to will give you a different answer. Along with India and Brazil, South Africa tops the records for the greatest disparity between the rich and the poor. Along the coast, first world. a few miles away, grossly impoverished squatter camps. We have the pleasure (?) of experiencing this cultural whiplash every day in the Paarl Valley. The cows in front of my car were blocking the road as I was leaving our black township, Mbekweni. They take their sweet time...just like the people and everything else in this country.

My tired bakkie!!!

Only 3 days into our mission's outreach to Rundu, Namibia, my car pooped out. Praise God, it ended up only being a radiator problem, but it meant we had to hire a car for the next couple of weeks. Bad news, it wasn't in the budget. Good news, car hire is cheap in Africa. We continued on our journey in the heat and humidity and made Rundu without missing a beat. While there we taught in the government high school (their life skills classes), held an after school club at the local Christian school, did various 'devotional' gigs and worked in the villages. We showed the 'Jesus film' in the village one evening. It was so cool. The film was showed in english and then a guy translated it into the local tribal language...it was one of the highlights of the trip. Then Yolanda shared her testimony as local Shebeen owners (bar) and the local chief heckled and tried to derail us. But they all settled down, God removed obstacles, and, working with a local missionary to the villagers, we were able to minister out in the middle of the desert.

massive boabab!!!!

N'Kwazi Preschool

In Rundu, Namibia, we had multiple opportunities to bring hope and good news, but the preschool was a definite favorite! How can you resist the little ones who are faithfully attending preschool to learn English. By the time the children are in 4th grade they are taught exclusively in English in the government schools, but the children in the villages stand little chance of learning English before they are 10 so they are put back into 1st grade while their english speaking peers move ahead. The drop out rate gets progressively worse. So the Valerie and Wynan, the owners of the N'Kwazi Lodge, have opened a couple of preschools for village children to ensure that when they finally get to a government school they will be equipped for moving up with their class. Their dream is to start 30 more preschools in the next few years. Currently they are using America's ACSI Christian Curriculum. It seems to be working for them!

Makora Magic

On Safari (Swahili for 'journey') in Botswana, after the outreach. We took a cruise around the Okavango Delta in makora's; hollowed out wooden canoes propelled by pole-carrying native. Sam rode with Josh, while Bec and I followed about 6 other MCM duos. It's pretty amazing to know that hippo's and pythons are below you somewhere and you're floating only 3 inches above the water level. We took a little hike on the island and, although we could see elephants across the way and spotted lion paw prints, mostly we just examined differing dung...

"It smells in this truck."

Our trip was the equivalent of driving from Seattle to Florida...only a quarter of it was on dirt roads (way off-roading) and crammed 5 per bakkie in the cabs. Consequently, we became quite familiar with one another...as if we weren't already! :) Sam and Yolanda are fast friends forever...even though Sam looks only mildly enthusiastic in this photo.

Girl's High Rocks Lukhanyo

Girl's High Rock Lukhanyo!

Last week a group of strong, devoted young women from Girl's High, joined our discipleship team as we ministered in Mbekweni.
I was so impressed by not only their preparation and their boldness, but they were sincerely merciful and tender hearted. Most of the girl's had never been into the Township , although they only live a few miles from it. Their overwhelming response to serving the children was sheer joy! The big question as we drove home in their GH Combie- "when can we do this again?" - The youth, the balladeers and artisits...world changers.

Blessed Efforts!

Coastline Community Church- check out the garden that you cleared the weeds, rocks, boulders, tree stumps and garbage out of in 110 degree weather (+ humidity). Your labor was not in vain! The community have planted a garden and the vegetables are coming up like crazy! Come back any time, guys...there are few who have worked as diligently as you all did!

Sontraal fun

Thanks Crosswinds church for the craft supplies that you left with us. They truly are the gift that keeps on giving! I've also done a cotton ball/lamb sheet with the little ones there. :) The women at Sonstraal continue to stream in and out of the Hospital. I've been blessed to add Nthombienkosi, a Xhosa friend from my South Africa WOW group, to my Thursday visits. So now we have all three languages represented which has been a blessing as we pray together and minister to the women's emotional needs.

Sam and The Band (is their haha name)

Photo's all courtesy of Jesse's web site where I ripped them from....Thanks Jesse! :)...I had...uh....camera problems....

Camp was a success!

While the rest of South Africa was buzzing and writhing under the fear and confusion of Xenophobic attacks and retaliations, Monte Christo Ministries was holding it's first ever multi-cultural youth Leadership Camp. We took 85 students from Mbekweni (Xhosa), Paarl East (colored) and Central Paarl (white Afrikaans) to our farm about an hour and a half away. Literally, we drove through mob scenes in order to pick the teenagers up from our partnering community centers. MCM has been in the communities long enough to establish a pretty good reputation so even while driving through streets lined (and filled) with confused mama's, angry youth or little ones just enjoying the energy of the scene, we felt safe and were allowed passage. Sometimes you can see God's angels part the waters.

The camp was sweet and exciting. Diverse in more ways than language. We erected several big army tents and held our meetings out in a field, generally in the pouring cool rain. Jesse, Joey and Sam lead worship (Joe/bass and Sam/drums). Quentin did the teaching...making all of the appropriate adjustments as we realized after the first evening that probably half of the kids there were not believer's in relationship with the Creator. About 25 students ended up making first time commitments and another dozen or more made a significant decision to move closer towards a Christ-centered life.

We divided the students up so that they bunked/ate/ sat interracially. They never balked. I love teens, they are so open, so willing for others to get to know them better. Azusa Pacific University (sans Jenna :( ) had a short term team here and they were very helpful in implementing the program that the MCM Interns had designed. We've had about 5 students show interest in coming alongside MCM's discipleship programs in the communities and helping with our Bible studies/soup.

Yes, it's true, we had to come home on Sunday, back to a valley in the middle of political and civil unrest, but we did what we could to broaden their views of their 'brother in Christ' and trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in their lives even as we go our own ways.

Thanks to all of you who prayed feverishly for the success of our camp, including those MCM Staff members who fasted and prayed in shifts for the two weeks before the camp...we had enough left over in that prayer account to sustain us through the refugee crisis as well! :)

Monte Christo Leadership Camp May 23-25,08

Sam and his posse....

Friendship comes in all shapes, sizes and ages...

A week ago we had a bunch of kids jump into the back of the bakkie after church and join us at the house for lunch and some crafting. (Shash and Linda- do those wands look familiar? Thanks for the supplies!) I love these girls and they love to be loved!

Sam teaches drums

Cheslin and Huston, both from Lighthouse family church in Paarl East, came by last Sunday to hang out for a while. Sam gave a few basic drum lessons and they watched a SpongeBob DVD. Simple pleasures.

Joe and his constant companions: mentors, Lubablo and Jesse

Joe put in some hours working at the coffee shop today. He really enjoyed himself and working alongside Khanya was a kick in the pants. So between Bass guitar, english class, poetry, ‘Rock Band’ and ministry goings ons- he’s a happy, busy boy. He, Luba and Jesse spend plenty of time together and delight in torturing Jenna over the internet and eating spicy chicken.

I'm so lame...

This is my 3rd attempt to load a larger photo...if you are related to me and your last name is Taylor...and I nursed you at one point...do not log on and tell me how lame I am at this game...I already know that! :) XXOO

Let me try again

I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMill

June 7th is gearing up to be an eventful day here in Paarl. The Lukhanyo Community Center in Mbekweni is going to make history by renting the Paarl Town Hall and bringing their youth (and an adult choir) across the great cultural divide to extend a hand of friendship. The organization's only goal is to invite white and colored South Africans in to Mbekweni by coming across the invisible barriers first. What a noble and maverick leadership Lukhanyo has at the helm!
Sidwell and Wellington approached me, on the counsel of an MCM staff member...who now owes me big time...and asked if I would direct the entire effort. Actually they didn't ask. They merely put a deposit down on town hall and then handed me the keys. I love these guys and have the same passion they do for doing cross cultural ministry, so with the help of Andisiwe, Yolanda and Mphati, as well as the Lukhanyo staff and MCM team, we are well on our way to creating a cultural sampler platter using acts from Paarl East (the colored community), Mbekweni and Paarl. White, black and colored...all the colors of God's rainbow.
The photos are of Yolanda and I watching a talent show in the community as we try to narrow down the 6 hour program (typical Xhosa talent show- I love it!) to a 2 hour palatable experience. (I'm the Caucasian in the middle) The girls in school uniforms are 'Sarafina', a dance troupe. They are AMAZING!!!!!
Yes...you are absolutely correct in thinking I'm right in my element!

Xhosa Funeral

Every weekend you can make a sure bet on two things. Laundry will be hanging between every shack in the community and a half a dozen funeral tents will be erected and filled. A Xhosa funeral is easy to spot. The family puts up a big circus type tent (they actually look like our fumigation tents) and fill the yard with as many chairs as they can come up with and for a week family members from all over South Africa come and eat, drink and make merry, all while paying their respects to the departed and the immediate family.
I was struck this week by the devotion of the Mbekweni community as hundreds of people came out for the funeral of a middle aged woman who had been very active in the neighborhood and a positive influence over youth and local politics. Whether people had a relationship with her or not, they came to the funeral. It's what you do here. When a member of your community falls, you pick each other up. You all feel the effects of someone else's loss. It's really a beautiful quality that demonstrates the African Philosophy 'Ubuntu'...which means 'I am because we are'.

CrossWinds strikes again!

Hey CrossWinds! You guys rock! Holiday Clubs totaling over 700 kids, hosting and running the women's retreat, helping out at the TB/HIV Hospital, loading up water bottles on the truck, repairing all of the MCM chairs, moving the Taylor's into their new home, worshipping at 2 indigenous churches and countless hours spent encouraging me and making me laugh...ahh ...American humor and wit, how I've missed you. :) I love you all! You can all come back anytime!

So much for the poof....

Jeanne loves to be pampered, but this was ridiculous. :) She just sat and let the girls run their little dirty hands through her hair, lice and TB be damned! When you are in the presence of such love, such vulnerable need, you throw caution to the wind and allow the Holy Spirit to run the whole show...just the way He likes it. I wasn't sure if Jeanne was going to get back on the plane, so moved was she. Now, if we can only get Eck here...but what would the kids 'fashion' on him? He's completely hairless (a body builder).

Just us girls!

The second American team that visited Paarl this year was from my home church, CrossWinds , in Dublin, CA. The team was lead by the beautiful and talented Emily Nelson! Seeing that Jeanne, Cindy and Em are some of my most favorite people ever I had a wonderful time laughing, praying, talking and soaking the glorious friendships that can only be found through the bonds of time. These 3 have helped walk me through the last 3 years and I am here because of their prayers and encouragement. Throw in an atomic BLOM and it's a wild ride (the South African in the green shirt).

Every good and perfect gift....

Our new living space. Entertainment center courtesy of our landlords, all other furniture courtesy of MCM friends, wall hanging courtesy of Noni and Otto and Gigi bought the rug. So many others have contributed gifts that have helped us set up house, and for that I am deeply grateful. We came to this country with about 20 boxes...most of them books. We knew we were going to have to trust God for everything else and I'm constantly baffled/amazed/smiling at a God who meets our every need and then some! The house is plenty big for visitors...so what are you waiting for? You know you've always wanted to come see what God's doing in South africa. Now is the time!

Sam, Joe and Jesse want to get a monkey...

My favorite part of the new house...the arboretum. The house is actually two small houses that the were conjoined to form a bigger home. The arboretum was the space between the two houses, so the windows you see are actually bathroom windows. :) Needless to say- this is my favorite part of the whole house. I think I'll just move my bed into the hall and sleep under the trees every night.
And, NO, boys, we will not cage it all in and get a pet monkey. Any pet that throws poop is not allowed in the house...or near the house...

I'm baaaack!!!

God speaks loud and often in South Africa! That's a saying you hear many times in this country, and I have found it to be very true. The boys and I have been here over 8 months now , and even though we have some routines and many South African friendships, I still feel as though I am in a steep learning curve. I struggle with the languages (there are 4 locally) and I struggle with understanding how and when to help the poor. They are on my door step every day, picking avocados off my tree, digging through my garbage cans and looking in my windows from the sidewalk, hoping to catch my eye in case I'm in a merciful, giving mood. Often times, I politely wave them on, sometimes I firmly wave them away...and then I cry out to the Lord- "Father, I don't know how to do this. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. You say the poor will always be among you, and they are. If I'm not immersed in their community then they come over the river to mine."

I am energized by the cross cultural experiences that MCM has been enjoying lately. We have had some real ground breaking experiences...which I will blog on about later, but for now I can log off and know that my family will stop emailing me telling me to update my blog! :) Love you guys! See you 8 months!

Coastline Community Church makes an impact in Paarl East and Mbekweni!

What a blessing for the boys and I to have Coastline Community Church from San Diego, CA come for 2 weeks! It was a special joy for me, given the Senior Pastor of their church , James Cristoferson,is an old friend of mine from way way back. James and Kelly and Ty and I did ministry together for about 12 years at North Coast Pres Church in Encinitas. I'd forgotten that James and I are two peas in a pod, so the laugh riot was never ending and the brain waves were all firing on the same circuits! The whole team, which actually came from 3 different churches, was moved by God in a mighty way!

One of the community service projects that the Coastline Team helped with was the painting of the Lukhanyo Community Center. Sidwell, the manager of the center, chose the color scheme...we just painted and worked in the garden! Needless to say. you can see the center now from a long way off! Thanks Coastline for the labor of love!...in 110 degree whether no less!

On Top of Table Mountain

When the short term teams from the US come and visit, sometimes we tag along and do some sight seeing. One destination that never disappoints is on top of Table Mountain. Sam and Joe and I obviously spend a lot of time together, but they have some good friends in the intern program and Sam has a few buddies in Paarl East. The only hard part for the boys is that , generally speaking, the races tend to stay in their own communities and don't mix it up much. Since the boys made friends with mostly guys in Paarl East and Mbekweni, they don't 'hang' too much, unless it's with Jesse, Lubabalo, Josh or Lungile. Keep praying that we find a church home and that the boys make some new friends.

Sherline was a big hit, as always!

I had the great blessing of having Sherline Montgomery, one of my dearest friends from California, come and visit for a couple of weeks. We did a load of sight seeing and she was able to accompany me to a couple ministry centers. Being a teacher for 27 years and a children's pastor for 10, Sherline is always a big hit with children, whether she speaks the language or not! Hugs are universal! Thanks Sherline, for traveling half way around the world to come and spend time with us!

Jesse and Lungile disciple at Lukhanyo.

Jesse and Lungile are busy discipling their small group at the Lukhanyo Community Center in Mbekweni. Jesse is a new edition to our ministry. He joined us in late Jan and is living in the MC House with 4 young adults from Mbekweni and Josh Keen, from California. I'm still writing discipleship lessons for our large group Bible studies and enjoying watching the Interns walk out the program. I'm teaching a couple of mornings a week in the Upper Room; Biblical overview, Boundaries, some Spiritual Formation classes, for now.

After 8 months....we're HOME!