Here is a blog from on of the current Jeffrey’s Bay participants, Chelsea Short. Enjoy.
One night last week I came home and a few of my teammates were sitting in our student room. Candles were lit and they were drinking coffee. It became a late night of deep talks, one of my favorite activities. We sat around and just got to know each other a little better. You would be surprised how much you have to learn about your teammates even though you have all lived together for two months. Topics ranged from what candy bar we would be to our greatest fears. One question really hit my heart; if we could change one thing about Jeffrey’s Bay what would it be. All of our hearts ache for the people here and it is hard to think of only one thing. I decided that I would get rid of the drinking. Most of all I want the children here to feel that their parents love them, but how can you make parents love their children? I know that if drinking were to be eliminated, there would be a lot less heartache. Other people said that they would love to get rid of the segregation between the blacks and the whites. There is such a clear line between the races in Jbay. Obviously America is far from perfect, but it hurts to see that there are people here in Jbay that are capable of the work that we came from America to do. Others said that they want love to become more apparent in the community. One of my favorite ideas was to break the cycle of life here. Everyone who lives in the townships were placed their during apartheid, and they don’t know any other life. If the people that lived in the townships, Tokyo Sexwale, Pelsrus, and Oceanview, could break out of the cycle that they are in, life here could be different. If only they knew that there was something better for them. It is possible for them to get a better job, or to move away from someone that is abusing them. It is possible for them to cross the race barrier that has been created here this town.
In my class at Ithemba yesterday I learned that no one has taught the children that there is something better out there for them. Peer pressure was the topic for the day, and stealing seemed to be the biggest problem among the kids. The kids have all learned by default that they have to fend for themselves. An interesting point of the conversation was when the kids said they expected others to give them things, but if they ever have anything to give they would never share. How can I open their eyes to the fact that it is possible for them to change the way their lives are. I am honestly open to ideas from all of you; because yesterday Nomsa and I sat in disbelief after the students said when they get older and they make money they will never help kids who are going through the trials they went through as children.
Although it is hard, I am learning so much, and I love the kids to death. It has been awesome to build relationships with them. I love when I walk through the gate and they flock to us, but the best part is when they remember my name. Something about hearing it makes me feel like I am making a difference. My heart hurts for the kids but if I can love on them for only three hours a day, then that is what I will do. I love the funny stories we have about the kids. Scube, which sounds like Scooby, has been the topic of many discussions lately. He is the most adorable three-year old boy, but he is hilarious. His eating habits are often on the topic of conversation. Almost everyday when we walk through the door Scube is sleeping or he is eating. Somehow throughout the whole day he will always have some sort of food in his hand, if he is not sleeping. Lately he has really been coming out of his shell, and he has the cutest laugh.
I have felt blessed by the Lord in the past week. I really enjoyed my time with Him and I had a blast. I climbed a mountain, saw a movie, played with a baby lion cub, ate some really good pizza, went to the gym for the first time in Africa, took some Afrikaans lessons, shot off bottle rockets, made a fire in our side yard and swam in the ocean right next to a dolphin. Life here is not always easy but God is here through everything I do. Please continue to pray for me and my team as we finish the next few weeks before Christmas, and pray that our support will continue to come in.
One last side note, today I ate a chicken leg!
