Everything Here Is Opposite!

I'm in freakin' Africa!!!! That's how I've felt since our plane touched down around 9:30 Thursday night. haha..I'm so excited, exhausted, overwhelmed, and blessed!

The couple that picked us up from the airport are Frank and Joy Pretorius. They have been such a help to Susan and I. I am very thankful that God put them into our path during our time here. They are very encouraging and very faithful. Frank is the chairman at Door of Hope (the orphanage we will be working with) so he informed us of some things there. He also helped us learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road and took us out for dinner last night. It was really good to have them with us on our first night.

We also went to the orphanage yesterday. The kids are so great and all of the "Aunties" are wonderful....here in Johannesburg calling someone "Auntie" or "Uncle" is a sign of respect, similar to our "Miss, Mrs, or Mr." All the of the volunteers and full-time staff that work with the kids are "Auntie" or "Uncle," starting Monday I will be one too!! An Auntie that is...........haha.

It really is totally different here..Johannesburg is a very "Americanized" city, but it is nothing at all like America! There are so many different people groups here, and there is not much unity. Racial barriers, even though they were legally ended in 1994, are very noticeable. Since it was so recent, there is still a lot of revenge in people's hearts. I haven't heard or seen anything major yet, but you can still feel some tension in the air.

People have different sayings here.

"Honk the Horn" = "Blow the Hooter."

"Napkins" = "Diapers."

"Robots" = "Traffic Lights."

"Boot" = "Trunk."

"Glove Compartment" = "Cubby Hole."

and there are a lot more..those are just the ones I can think of right now. Also, there is soccer stuff EVERYWHERE because of the World Cup. It's really exciting! I want to buy everything I see for my brothers, Matthew and Davis, but unfortunately I don't have enough money for that. haha! People here in South Africa are really hoping that the World Cup being held here will help bring unity to the country, so we'll see how that works...but it really is awesome to see so much soccer stuff and I really want to see some of the players, but I doubt that will happen...

We've already made new friends! Becca is 18 and from England. She is really sweet and does not seem 18. She volunteers at Door of Hope (aka- DOH) and I am really excited about hanging out, working with, and getting to know her better! Also, Lindsey and Ferdi are in their 20's and they work full-time at DOH. Lindsey is from New Jersey and Ferdi is from Johannesburg, they were married in January. They have been a big help to us. Ferdi went with us to get some groceries since he knows all about the money exchange and the best foods and selections. He also helped us get our car yesterday. Lindsey went with us to the mall today and helped us drive. It was really great to talk to her since she just moved here from the states a few months ago. She has such a great heart and really wants to do some amazing things.

On Monday, we have orientation at DOH and then our first official day of work is Tuesday. Seeing the kids yesterday was so great. We were so overwhelmed and trying to get used to everything, but as soon as we walked into the orphanage it was like a feeling of calm came over us. I just thought, "This is why we were are, this is it." I am so thankful that God gave me this opportunity and has set everything into place. I know that I do not deserve it at all, but God is merciful and uses those who trust Him. I am so happy to be here - even though I miss home like crazy and my body is mad at me for sleeping at the wrong times. haha! I am ready to start being with the kids and showing them the love of Christ!

Ok, so I guess that might be all I have to say right now...I feel like I just rambled on, but I don't know what else to do in these blog things..

I hope everyone has a great day!!

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)