This week we've been able to build up our relationships more with the people at philangethemba and the youth at the church. The youth at St Agnes are so welcoming and friendly...we have been taken to the Gorge, the beach and to the cinema twice (so ive been keeping up my busy social life lol) so we feel we have really fitted in well at the church.

One of the youth at the church called Jordan has had a vision for some time about creative evangulism which he has just put into action by setting up a project called the 7 stones involving dance, drama, film, visual art, music and poetry, at the church, which im quite excited about as ive voulenteered as one of the leaders in the visual art part (suprise suprise) so have been going mad with artistic ideas :)

As for down in the valley...we have been doing more lessons, getting a bit more involve, which can be quite challenging at times as some of the classes are of students not much younger than me, and they can be quite a loud and scarey class when they want to be. Me and Alice also went and played soccer today with some of the kids in the valley and that was really fun (i scored a goal :) ) and they all wanted their pictures taken when they saw my camera which i couldnt say no to.

We also got a chance to go on safari at the weekend too which actually was amazing :)

I think thats pretty much it at the mo...but could people pray for the project Philangethema as we have very much wanted to work within the HIV clinics in the valley but havent been able too as the relationships between Philangethemba and the clinics havent been good but thats on the mend, so just some pray that it works out, the relationships restored and we are able to go in and help in the areas needed within the clinics.

Yesterday had to be one of my favourate days so far...we went to a primary school in the valley and helped teach a life orintation lesson which involved doing some dramas on rights and responsibilities. But before we did the lesson we arrived when it was their break time so were helping set things up when we were swamped by the younger children :) i think i must have had about 6 children trying to hold onto my arms and they followed us around till the bell went. None of them could speak english but they were so fasinated by even the little things like our sunglasses, bags and it was just so lovely. We then had class and had groups of grade 7s which we did our dramas and performed them.
One of the other project philangethemba helps is income generation, today we went in to see the ladies who were making bags, which they then sell and send some to england and other places i think for fairtrade, and i asked them if i could commision them to make me a bag and they got very keen, showing me all the different bag styles and materials and i had a great time rumaging though and choosing materials :) :) so im very much looking forward to getting my funky blue and red flowered bag :)

The last couple of days we havent been down the valley but have done alot with the church back up in Kloof. On sunday they have 4 services and we attended the morning family service and the youth service in the evening which was very fun and lively. They also have a zulu service and a very early morning traditional service too but as i dont speak zulu or like getting up at 6 we didnt go to the others lol. I have some pictures of the church and services which i will put up soon.
Erm...i talked about the school we helped with down in the valley in my last and to answer some questions...there are 2 schools we are working with and im not sure exactly how many students they have but id say around 200 and most know some english but their main language is zulu. Ive learnt a few words but knowing my language skills im not expecting to be fluent anytime soon.
Today we met up with the rest of the durban teams and the couple out here who work for soul action so it was nice to catch up and ask questions.
The food out here is lovely, and yes Paul we do have sausages :)
....and Esther Ive found you some popcorn that is multi-coloured when it pops!

Well...today was such a long day, after managing to get out of our drive (its almost vertical and im not even joking) we went down to the valley again and this time we were able to properly get involved teaching in one of the schools there. We helped to run a PE lesson (yes in like 30 degree heat!) and guess what sport i got to teach...skipping...ha of all things hehe so there are a few durban grade 7's who now know a few skipping tricks :) and sarah your like this...on our walk back from that school we walked past a creche and they all would run up to the fence and wave at us they were actually the most adorable children ever!!
We then helped the Church back in kloof to set up a board at the back of the church showing what the project Philangethemba has been doing and then went on the help with one of their youth clubs. We then had the hard job of going along with some of the elder youth from the church to an arts festifal who had a concert going on tonight at what looked like a very lovely school, so that was really nice to relax and worship and see a big group of south african christians meeting to celebrate God. So yeh a great but busy day so very much looking forward to my day off tomorrow :)

Well I've only been here since yesterday evening and it already feels like such a long time. Our flight was ever so slightly long but i was extremely happy that our first plane was showing both episodes of friends and glee!! :)

Im staying with a family in Kloof, slightly inland of the city, and they have a lovely house with 2 children and a dog so we are very fortunate with our accommodation as we have both an on-suite, access to internet and are having meals cooked for us.

Today we went into the valley of a thousand hills which was such a beautiful place yet full of run down shack like homes, there is where our project is based called philangethema. We got to see one of the schools we will be helping teach in and some of the women from the income project program sowing items of clothing, if I remember correctly is for selling as fairtrade clothing. As we drove back up the hills we saw all the children walking home from school some much have only been of the age of 3, walking alongside busy roads but they all gave us massive smiles and waves as we drove past.

Im sure ill have much more to write shortly as today was only our kind of briefing session so it was more of listening and taking in information rather than getting involved. But i get what you mean Dan about South Africa getting under your skin, I love it :)