Day #52-53

Yesterday was my last day working with Robyn at the church. As always, it was such a pleasure to hang out with her as we got a few things accomplished. I constantly remind Robyn that she was my very first friend here in South Africa. I told her yesterday that we (mostly I) have come a long way in the past 8 weeks!

After working with Robyn, Dalene and the boys picked me up to go get milkshakes. I can already tell that they are going to be the hardest goodbye of all. The love I have for the Reyburn family is unfathomable. I don't even want to think about how challenging it will be to part ways with them at the airport.

After milkshakes, I met up with a different Robyn for round two of shopping! Not too long after, about 15 of my friends from Eastside met up for a farewell dinner. As I sat and enjoyed the company, my heart was overwhelmed by several different emotions. Although I’m normally not one to cry in front of other people, saying goodbye to all my Eastside friends left me no choice.

As we finished up dinner a huge lump in my throat began to develop and I knew that the next few minutes were going to be difficult.

Mark and Tam were the first people to leave and they literally broke the barrier between tear and eye socket. I just lost it. As we said our goodbyes, I was heartbroken to know that it would be quite some time before I would see them again. They are truly remarkable people and they have impacted me in so many ways since I’ve been here.

One by one, they all said their goodbyes as I somewhat quietly sobbed on their shoulders. It was a tough night to say the least.

 

 

This morning at around 5:45AM, I woke up to get ready for a prayer walk. Six of us went to Faerie Glen to walk up one of the hills just after sunrise. As we reached the top and overlooked all of Pretoria, I reminisced on all of my time here in SA. Like an old film, my mind slowly played clips of my favorite memories. Again, the lump in my throat slowly began to develop.

As we all went around praying for various things, I was completely and utterly humbled. I was humbled to have had the opportunity to come across the world to do Gods work as a missionary intern. Humbled to have friends that support me and encourage me both emotionally and spiritually. Humbled to have the chance to grow in my faith and become a better disciple and leader. Humbled to have met such amazing people that made me feel at home even when I was halfway across the world. Most importantly, humbled to have had the opportunity to give light and hope to those who were lost and broken.

I will not dwell on the fact that my time here is over but rather rejoice and be thankful that it occurred. This trip has taught me so many new things and changed me in numerous different aspects. I have grown stronger in areas where I was once weak. I have mended bridges that were once broken. I have looked past my “imperfections” and realized that God made no mistakes when he created me. I have grown tremendously in my walk with the Lord- I have truly been transformed.

So as I finish packing up what is left of my stuff and preparing to say goodbye to the Reyburn's, I will remember and know that it is not goodbye, but rather see you later.

xoxo

America

Please pray for safe travels as I head home this evening. Pray for a sense of peace & ease, as well as, rest on my long journey back to the states. Also, please pray for my health and that I will stay as far away from the Ebola virus as possible while traveling. I'll see ya'll Americans tomorrow!



Dalene & I

Robyn

View from this morning

My incredible friends

Day #49-51

The past few days have literally been a blur. In the midst of preparing to come home this weekend, I knew my final week would go by quite quickly. However, I never imagined it would go by THIS quickly! I'm trying to enjoy every single minute I have left as they are dwindling away.

 

Today was a spectacular day. Debbie and Lonnie took me to a few different places in my last efforts of being a tourist. We first went to a lion park in Johannesburg. This was by far the coolest thing I have ever done. We literally got to walk into an enclosure of small lion cubs and casually take pictures and pet them. I made friends with the giraffe and was able to get ridiculously close to her as I fed her. After that, we rode through the different lion/lionesses paths within the park. Mr. Lonnie gave me numerous anxiety attacks as he fearlessly (and carelessly) left his window down (although the sign clearly said not to) while driving within a few feet of these humungous, WILD, beasts. However, it was such an incredible experience to see these beautiful animals. Thank goodness we made it out alive!

 

After the lion park, we traveled to one of the local markets. This particular market is a lot like the markets you would find in the Bahamas. All of the vendors want you to buy their merchandise and promise to give you a "special price". They are all quite competitive salesmen and women. They also look at foreigners, especially Americans, to be easy targets in making good money. WRONG. They clearly were not aware that I am the daughter of Michael and Renee Felts. I was raised on coupons, sales racks and always making a deal. Those poor guys didn't have a chance in pulling the wool over my eyes. Needless to say, I got all of my souvenir shopping done within a reasonable budget. (:

 

Later this afternoon, I had coffee with Kurt, and then went shopping and had dinner with my friend Robyn.

Tomorrow is looking like it will be just as busy as today. I can not believe that it will be my last full day here in South Africa.

 

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Spending time with Scott and Cameron is always extremely special to me. Not only have these boys taken on the role of my little brothers, they have also claimed a large part of my heart during the past two months. I would not trade for anything in this world the countless interrupted FaceTime conversations, toys left in my room, violent hair brushing from Scott, homemade arts and crafts made for me OR the big bear hugs.

 

In the midst of our busy schedules, I have not gotten to hang out with them very much in the past 2 weeks. However, I got to spend just a few minutes with them today in between going here and doing that. During that time they reminded me of something very simple.

 

As we sat around the table, we started to tell knock-knock jokes. Each one making less sense than the next one, we all laughed hysterically. In that moment of just true happiness and joy, I realized that it is the simple moments like this that count more than any other. I've realized that life is what happens when work, school, and other things consume your time and attention. Sometimes, you just have to enjoy the silliness of pointless knock-knock jokes and the company of those that you love and care about. You just have to enjoy laughter.

 

Life is a beautiful thing. It is often taken for granted, and under-appreciated. It is often blasphemed for not being the equivalent of our standards of perfection. It is often misused and under-valued.

 

Today, I am making a promise to myself that I will never let life pass me by. I refuse to lose sight of the importance of companionship and just simple conversations. I will always try my very best to cherish each day that God gives me because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

 

Life's knocking at your door (see what I did there?), it's up to you to make the best of it.

 

xoxo

Taylor

 



 

Day #47-48

I attended my last church service at Eastside last night. As Mark called me up so that they could pray over me, I was overwhelmed with a number of mixed emotions. As I shared a little bit with the congregation, I expressed to them my sincere gratitude for all that they had done for me in the past two months. What incredible church Eastside is. I am so thankful to have become a part of their church family during my time here.

I am staying with Debbie and Lonnie while the Reyburn's are out of town for the celebration of their anniversary. Since we did not go out to any of the under resourced centers today, Debbie and I independently worked on our own projects. For me, I had quite a large task to accomplish...a sermon. The following weekend of my arrival back home I am preaching a sermon at my church (CBC) based on all of my experiences and growth in my faith.

Knowing that I will be quite busy catching up next week, I decided there was no better time than today to start preparing. Miraculously, I am 85% finished with all of my preparations. Praise Jesus!

Debbie is making chicken fried rice for dinner tonight. I am so excited!

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You may know the story of the lost, or 'prodigal' son that Jesus told. It's in Luke 15:11-32

It’s a story about a son who forgets about his father, take his inheritance, and walks away from the family home to live for himself (verses 11-16). Eventually, he comes to his senses (verse 17) and decides to go back to his father (verses 18-20). He’s expecting to be punished for his behavior, and is willing just to be a servant in his father’s house, but he’s surprised by his father’s reception. In the story, the father doesn't interrogate his son, he doesn't tell him off, he doesn't do anything except show love. All he cares about is that his son has returned.

In reading the story, I'm reminded of God's great love for us. As Christians, we often stray from God. Or at least I know I do.

However, even in those times of God's disappointment in our disobedience and unfaithfulness, all he is really concerned about is our return back to him. He doesn't dwell on where we have been or who may have taken part in our loss of focus. Instead, he is excited; thrilled actually. Like an owner of a lost puppy that has been returned home. Like I was when my precious iPhone was returned to me when I left it in a random McDonald's bathroom before my flight to SA. Like a family who finally is reunited with their soldier.

Similarly, I think of God's reaction to us as we find our way back to him. Or as his good and faithful servants are welcomed into the gates of Heaven.

What an incredible God we serve. He is a God of forgiveness and mercy. He welcomes us back with the same joy each time we stray from him. He anxiously awaits us and wants us to one day stand before him in Heaven. He desperately wants the opportunity to express to us how proud he is of our work as his disciples.

God's return policy is quite simple. It doesn't matter how many holes or stains you may have. It doesn't matter how many times you may have changed your mind. It doesn't matter the paths you've taken or the choices you've made while absent from his presence.

All we have to do is return.

xoxo
Taylor



 
 

 

Day #45-46

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday! It's extremely difficult to have the brain power to blog when getting home late after being constantly busy all day.

Yesterday I worked at the church with Robyn. We were quite productive for once. I even hung some pictures on her wall in her office that she printed out about 5 months ago. Mid-morning we went to one of the nearby schools to do a short lesson with the first graders during their break. Although at first shy when meeting me, they quickly warmed up to me after they found out that I was American. It's shocking what your nationality will do for you in a foreign country.

After working, I went to a friend's for my first sushi experience. There was a group of nine of us that hung out and ate together. As they all awkwardly stared at me as I took each bite, I was so proud of myself for trying new things. Although I wouldn't order it on my own ever again, it was a good experience and I enjoyed it. After sushi we went to KFC (yes, they have KFC) to get ice cream. I'd say it was a rather successful day.

Today, I literally did absolutely nothing until about 2pm and it was great. Around three, I started to prepare for South Africa's first ever BBQ (they call it a braai). I made two bacon/cheese potato casseroles, salad, and an apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Adolf grilled all of the meat that everyone brought (thank goodness). I was a little nervous at first when preparing because I wanted everything to be perfect! Most importantly, I wanted them to like the food. Thankfully, I got all compliments and everyone was very pleased.

After dinner, we all played Pictionary for about an hour. The laughs were endless as we guessed what each horribly drawn picture was. At about 11:00pm I was ready to start shoving people out the door. Just kidding! I had such a fun time and was so glad that everyone enjoyed the BBQ.

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I heard a quote yesterday that stuck with me. It read
"Until God opens the next door, praise him from the hallway."

What an incredible reminder.

Over the past few days I have grown tremendously in my faith and trust in the Lord. I have drawn closer to God and relied more on his word for understanding. In doing so, I have realized that there are far more things to be thankful for than things to be grumpy about. I have realized that I am so blessed to have such great friends both in America and South Africa. I am blessed to have family that love me and never cease to show me even halfway across the world. I am thankful for clothes, a bed, food, and a million other things on my never ending list.

And so I will do just that. I will praise him from the hallway. Because surely he deserves it.

xoxo
Taylor