Forgotten Voices' Mission:

"Demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ by equipping local churches in southern Africa to meet the physical & spiritual needs of children orphaned by AIDS in their communities."

Thursday, June 12, 2008

6/10: Bus, Car and Foot

Friends - it has been a busy day and bedtime has come for us so this will be quick. We'll have far more time tomorrow night and Thursday morning to write more for you.

In recap: we left our place margate for good at 815 this morning. Got a ride into "work" at project positive ray from an American couple working in SA on AIDS related issues through an org called Two Tunics. It was sad to say goodbye this morning to our friends, especially the
2 year old, who we became quite fond of. As we were closing the door goodbye this morning, we could hear her saying in her adorable zim/british accebt: "pip, pip, todalo ryan & katie."

We spent the day looking at unique AIDS programming being done in "informal" settlments, factories, and schools. Then met a capacity building expert consulting NGOS to discuss how funding has impacted some of the groups we may look to help. The day was a fascinating day
of contrasts that we look forward to writing more about.

Then, we caught a bus to durban from a gas station, then met some guys for our rental car (an odd experience that still has plenty of stories in it and issues to be sorted tomorrow), then drove 2 hrs in the dark through a small mountain rane - left handed stick up hill, at night on
the left side of the road in the smallest car I've ever driven... It was super fun.

We arrived at about 7 hrs into Pietermaritzburg. Staying with some friends of mine from Zim now living here. They have 4 kids, all of whom are incredible! Soooo excited about that.

We'll be here for 5 of the next 7 days, looking at more church run orphan care work and meeting with another seminary called ESSA. Tomorrow (wednesday), we are looking at ESSA's ECAP program, which helps pastors learn about orphan care models they can use for their own church.

A lot to do in our final 10 days here in Africa. Please continue to pray for Zim and pray also for me... Still feeling sick and really need to get better. Being around dying people is not good for their weak immune systems or mine.

Thanks all. Pray on. Love you lots. Pip, pip. Todaloo. "See you in the morning." (my 2 year old friend here says that every night).

-Ryan & Katie

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ryan and Katie,
I just read through your blog posts and was so encouraged by all that is going on in South Africa. You will both be in my prayers as you see where God is leading Forgotten Voices in South Africa!

Best Wishes,
Audrey Martin

Anonymous said...

Ryan and Katie...two of our very bravest friends. I am praying for your health. There is so much to do and it's a million times harder when you don't feel well. Hang in there! I'm so glad you are together this trip. Keep him rested Katie! Prayers of safety, health and God's guiding hand go out to you!

The Daniels