hello, sheep intestine

I have a little bit of time...so this should be longer than usual. Saturday I went to Soweto with some other girls. It was awesome. We went to the Mandela Family House first, which actually wasn't that impressive, except I was excited that Nelson Mandela had been there on May 29th, which isn't too long ago. After that we finally ate real African food! It was a beautiful buffet, and the food was delicious. There was some kind of bean thing, which was one of my favorites, and the bread was fantastic. There was a dish called shakalaka, which was spicy carrots, and it was really good. I made myself try some sheep intestine, which is as disgusting as it sounds, but overall I'm glad I ate it, just so I can say I did. After eating on Saturday, we went to the Hector Pieterson museum. He was the first boy killed in the protests against the mandatory learning of Afrikaan in school in the 1970s. It was pretty fascinating, one of my favorite things that we've done so far
The rain has finally let up, and it has been sunny and warm and beautiful, just like you'd expect Africa to be. Still a little chilly, but I definitely prefer the winters here to Blacksburg winter. The kids are all so happy and healthy, and one was adopted today. It was my favorite, and I miss him a lot...but I'm so excited he has a family. It was a sad goodbye today, though
I'm going to Troyeville Baptist Church right now, which I love. Yesterday I gave a testimony about evangelism, and was asked at the last minute to run the Powerpoint, which I've never done before. I think I did a decent job. Afterwards the Pastor invited myself, Heather, and Russell to his house for dinner on Thursday night. It's awesome to be so involved with the church right away, and the people there are so welcoming, the youth especially. We've made some friends already, which is exciting
I work today and tomorrow, and then again on Saturday, but we have Sunday off so we can help Russell out with church, so it should be a pretty easy week
I'm learning so much here about God. I didn't realize how much I relied on other people when I'm in a good/bad/whatever mood, and it's been a good learning experience to not have that around as much. Of course, the girls here are awesome, as well as the staff, but it's definitely not the same as the huge community I have back at home. No complaints, but God is really using this summer for His glory, and to stretch me in ways I didn't think were possible. Every day is wonderful because there is plenty of time to be in the Word, or practice guitar, or pray, or just spend time with God. We don't have a TV or DVD player which I'm grateful for, because that would be way distracting
I am having fun, though. Saturday night was a mini Johnny Depp marathon with chocolate fondue and wonderful pita. Sunday after church we went to a wonderful Greek restaurant, too. It's kind of funny for me to be eating Greek food in South Africa, but they have all kinds here--Italian, Chinese, Thai, etc...
Ok well hopefully that's a good update for you guys. Thanks again for all the encouragement and prayers. Speaking of...

Reasons to thank God
1 A kid got adopted! That is always awesome
2 We've had some new arrivals lately, and all are in good health
3 Team dynamics are still excellent, and continually improving
4 It's sunny! And so so warm...
5 There's no way I'd be able to learn the lessons I am if I was not here for the summer

Reasons to pray
1 Pray for the kid that got adopted, that he'll grow up in a loving Christian home
2 As always, the health of the kids here. One is pretty sick, and hasn't gotten better lately
3 Rachel and Katherine, the two other girls I'm living with, are moving out tomorrow to stay at a new place. Heather and I will have new roommates, so pray that the transition is smooth. I'm gonna miss those girls a lot
4 Rest. It's so easy to get tired here, especially working such long days. At the end of the day I often feel like collapsing. I'm so happy, but it is exhausting
5 That I will continue to enjoy being here, and not get too homesick. There's some stuff going on that will remain unmentioned, but God knows it

I love all you guys, and I'll post again when there's more news!