Sundays

So this first picture is of my hair cut...more like a trim...but took a lot off!!!






So part of my parent's job is to go around to different churches each week and encourage them. The church we went to last week and this week were totally different! This second picture is of a really strong church and they're actually planning on building a new building! Anyways, this was definitely a shock to the system! It was supposed to start at 10:30, but only started after 11. The service was a total of 4 hours! We danced and sang and had a great time! We didn't actually even have a sermon...we just had praise reports the whole time.






This week's service was very different (left). We arrived a little late. We told them that we would be there at 9. The first lady arrived at 9:30. Then she kept telling us how the others were on their way...well she finally sent someone to look for them. By the time we got the grand total of 3 women, 1 man (who only stayed for half the service), and 7 children it was 10:45. We had a great time though! If there's one thing you want to bring when you go out to the rural areas it's a ball. Even though my sister and I had to wear a skirt to church we got out there with my brother and some other kids and played soccer till church started!
Anyways, it was different, but a lot of fun!

Small unsaid things...

Each day I'm here I find something else that amuses me or something that I miss...or both! Today my mom and I did a little shopping. My mom parked the car and as we were walking inside a lady with a bright orange vest said hello to us. We were only inside for about 5 mins. Now, when we exited the store we're expected to pay this lady for watching our car...why? Because she said hello and we acknowledge her! Nothing was said about watching our car!
A similar situation happened when Sarah and I had just arrived at the airport. This man came up to us and asked where we needed to go and started pointing us in the direction. He lead us across the floor, up an escalator and pointed us to our final destination...though he said nothing about being payed for his 'services' we were expected to.

Arrived!

So Sarah and I finally arrived in South Africa last night. I've been really lazy today and almost fell asleep a bazillion times. The flight was good though...we had space to stretch out! 

Sarah and I didn't have seats together so when we saw there was space then we moved to 2 seats together. Then when we got to Dakar, Senegal this other girl came on board and we were sitting in her seat and she said she wanted that seat cause it was next to the window. So Sarah and I moved back to our original seats and once we move all our stuff the girl changed her mind and said we could stay there. If she was going to make that much of a deal out of it (and did I mention she had the flight attendant wake us up?) then she should have just stayed there. Anyways...it worked out in the end.

Anyways, we're in Grahamstown now and trying to get over jetlag. Hope we get over it soon!

-This picture is of Sarah and I in the A340 at DC on our way to Dakar!

Preperation

So it's coming down to the last few days before I leave and I'm getting butterflies in my stomach. I've already left Lynchburg and am now in Yorktown congratulating my cousin on his graduation and counting down the last 55 hours of being in the States. There's so much to think about before I go with packing up and getting everything together and balancing out my suitcases so they don't weigh a ton! But there's also the mental preparation of leaving which, I think, is the most difficult for me right now. There's a lot of emotion going into this trip. There's the excitement of finally seeing my parents and brother after 1 1/2 long years! I miss them all so much! I can't wait to see Grahamstown, our house, my old room and to see our cat and dogs all of which I haven't seen for 2 1/2 years. But there's also the fact that I'm leaving Lynchburg and very close friends. I've lived in Lynchburg, including summers, for the last 2 years and it's starting to feel like home. I'm truly going to miss it and all my friends I'm leaving behind...even if it's only for 2 months (I'm an emotional person if you haven't figured that out yet).
Another thing that adds to the emotion is the fact that I would have graduated yesterday with so many of my friends, but didn't. Because I'm starting the Aviation Mechanics Training in January I have to stay an undergrad to use my scholarships. So yesterday I celebrated the end of my BS, but will not have my diploma or walk for another 2 years.
Please pray for me as I prepare for my trip over the great Atlantic!