It's slowing becoming reality-so very exciting and I can hardly believe it!
My dear dear friend Kate leaves tomorrow for Pretoria, SA, where she will be working with a mission organization there writing a book while upkeeping their website and newsletter. Kate will be there for TWO YEARS! I am so very proud of her for her courage, talent, and servant heart. Hopefully we will be visiting each other while we are in the same country. Things like surfing lessons are in the works...
My flight leaves in the evening Sunday, January 23 and I will have a layover in London on the 24th and start orientation in Capetown, SA the 25th!
Looking over my last post I realize I really didn't explain what I will actually be doing in South Africa, well besides the basics of serving and learning and loving and biking and building. Half of the time I will be volunteering at one of five locations: an elementary school, a high school, a prison, a health care center or an AIDS center. The other half of the time I will be taking classes at the University of Capetown in Poverty, Community Development, Social Research methods, and a language class, either Africaans or Xhosa. The program is the CIEE Service-Learning Capetown, South Africa study abroad. Included in the program are excursions, which include cultural, historical, and adventure events. Going museums, dances, plays, rugby games, concerts, historical sites, the bush, mountains and more are all planned. I am beyond excited to immerse myself in the culture of South Africa and the people. And the other students in my program!
Earlier this week I had an online orientation so I found out lots of information about the program and got to meet some of my directors and classmates. It's going to be wonderful.
People keep asking me if I'm ready, and I think I am. Well, I haven't packed, and my visa still has to come in the mail, and I'm only 1/16 of the way through the book I bought about Africa...but I really think I'm ready for this. I am sad to leave so many friends and family, and am ESPECIALLY sad that I will not be here the last few months to help my best friends Kelly and Summer prepare for Bike & Build and see them off- but we shall remain in touch. I can teach bike maintenance over skype.
Speaking of skype....add me so we can still see and hear each other's faces and voices while I am gone! My skype name is kristen_dyke
yes, that would be nice to talk with friends from home on skype.
Yeah, so I'm getting ready. It's getting closer!
much love
kristen
Great blog. It's such a great way to communicate experiences in word and picture. Can't wait to hear about and see your great adventure. You will LOVE the people. We have found no warmer people than the South Africans!!! And they are blessed to 'get' you.
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