Its been a year since we set off on our South African adventure
with a group of 5 other insane girls and no idea what to expect, the 6 months
certainly exceeded all expectations! Having been back in the country for 6
months none of us were expecting any more hard questions from Ali... we were
wrong....
Hey
ladies! Can't believe it's been a year since I last read your blog. If you
re-read it now would you still
agree with yourselves? How have you grown and changed in the last year? In what
ways is your time
at LI affecting now? Ali B
Well
a lot has changed- for example we are all now spread across the UK again
meaning its a lot harder for me to persuade someone else its their turn to
write! Another important change that needs to be mentioned is that I now
regularly find myself drinking cups of tea- something pre SA Catherine would never do, not
even dentist Catherine who had to make countless cups of tea for Ali!!
But knowing Ali he is going to expect a deeper answer than that!
I
think its very easy to imagine that you would return from such an experience
and be very grateful for everything, but the truth is it isn't that easy.
I don't leap out of bed grateful that I can do so without shaking the bunk
bed so much that Hannah's life is at risk. I sometimes think my shower could
be a little hotter, forgetting that for months I had no hot water and for many
people that's the same for their whole life. I complain that uni costs 9
grand a year instead of thinking how lucky I am to have had an education
that means I can go to uni.
Having
said that, there are several times when I am very grateful! If I go to the
doctors I instantly remember the hospitals I saw in Phoenix and I am
so happy to know I have free, good healthcare and no insurance
paperwork to fill out. If I cut myself (a
very common occurrence at the moment) Im grateful that I
live in an area where my first worry does not need to be about the high
risk of HIV. I appreciate having my own bedroom, as much as I love
the girls to pieces spending 24 hours a day together for 6 months is
quite a bit of time!
Some
things haven't changed since returning from SA- I look at the time and then
consider if its an acceptable to ring home, in my head there must still be
a time difference!!
I
haven't looked back at our blog but if I could go back and tell the 6 of us
anything it would be-'don't worry, just keep trusting'. Whilst we were
away we were incredibly blessed to be surrounded by inspirational
people who trust in God huge amounts! I would say dont worry about the car
(and the many issues surrounding it) its all in control, and if some
days you cant get to work appreciate the time to relax and slide down
the stairs on mattresses. Don't worry about not doing what you imagined,
those weeks driving round were the best use of your time at that point. Don't
worry about trying to run a holiday club with no money, all those kids
will end up fed and having a fun filled week. In every little (and big)
situation just keep trusting God!
The
time spent at LI has had a huge impact of life back home. I talk about South
Africa all the time, to the extent that my flatmates greeted me on my
birthday singing the circle of life (the only zulu song they know) and
there has been more than one occasion where we do a bit of zulu dancing (well
try to!) Also been crazily blessed with the fact that one of my friends at uni
was also in SA last year (Hey Lara!), nice that someone understands me
when I say braai, checkers and wakaberry, although if we start talking
about SA (one of our 3 main topics of conversation) I think we annoy everyone
else around!
Whilst
I was away the children's stories we heard didn't hit me too hard but coming
home its been adifferent story. I've realised that 'break my heart for what
breaks yours' is a brave prayer to pray. There are people I think of all
the time, one girl in particular, and I get this gut wrenching ughhhhhhhhh
feeling. My heart has been well and truly broken for Amaoti. There were many
times when we were away that I thought 'this is why I'm going to study
psychology' and coming back there have been just as many times in lectures
where I hear about what an impact a persons childhood can have on their later
life and I picture the kids I know. I wonder how being brought up such
neglectful and
abusive environments is going to to affect their education, their relationships
and what can be done to give them the future they deserve.
I
could go on forever about the way South Africa wasn't just a 6 month trip but
has had long lasting impacts
but I'll stop for now! You never know, maybe one of the other girls will decide
to write from
their point of view! (hint hint)
Over
and out,
Cathy
Keyz
xxx
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Missing
these views!
