Day 6- Chickennnn!

To start off, we slept in today. I'm so happy. We didn't even really leave the hotel until 9. We went to the school for a tiny little bit and then had Pastor take us to a public school.

It was really interesting to go there and see all the differences. I actually thought it looked almost better there, just because they had better funding to have more supplies and textbooks, and they had pavement instead of dirt and it was really colorful. You could definitely tell that the kids there were poorer then the ones at St. Peter Middelburg though. Not all of them had shoes and they some of them really couldn't even bring food for lunch. They were all still extremely welcoming and sweet and polite. 

After that we went into the Squatter camps. It was terrible. The houses, if you could even call them that, were made of garbage. They only had one bathroom for about 10 families, and there was no sewage or running water. It made the houses in the township seem like mansions and it really put into perspective about what people here have. Basically, the deal with Squatter camps is that they're people waiting in an area for the government to build more houses for them to move into and own. Once they make a house, the family who was in the camp moves into it. The problem is, that once people move out of the camp more people move into it and it's just never ending. You can really tell that the government honestly is trying to help a lot, and many things they are trying are working. 

Something I found interesting was that they had street lights. Pastor Khumalo explained that it was because during Apartheid, they put them out so they could monitor the outdoors for any hiding blacks. The other thing they said was that the check in center they used to have to go to before entering the township, is now being used as a post office. I think I'd really hate having those reminders in a town, but on the other hand it might be a nice way to see how much improvement happened in such a short time after Nelson Mandela became president. 

After that, we went to a radio station and got to talk on the air. It was really really fun, although terrifying, and the lady was extremely nice and it seemed like actually a really really fun job just to have. 

After we left the radio station, we went back to the school. We got to hang out with all the kids, although I personally didn't teach any lessons. We watched them play some dancing games until school let out and then we hung out with them until their rides came or they decided to walk home. They kept asking us to say words in their language and names and stuff like that, and it was really fun and I'm actually getting better at pronouncing their names. They all think it's funny when we scrunch up our noses and kept trying to get us to do it. After that, they pulled our hair and kept asking if it was real or not. Then we had a breath holding contest and I was good for 82 seconds. I ended up winning! 

Then, we went to their aftercare and distracted them from homework again. We had fun passing notes and teaching them how to "rock on" and how to fistbump and what the bomb diggity meant. I'll try to attach videos. After that, we left the school and went home to hang out for a little bit before dinner which was actually really delicious. It was homemade by the hotel staff. They had giraffe napkin holders and we dressed up one like a bride and hosted a wedding and then made up a whole fake family for ourselves. I'm Ishmael, Jodie's Barbeshba/Barbara/Bar-Bara, Gracie's the mom and Bridget's the dad who just sits there and eats. We've had quite a lot of fun. 

I really saw God today in how welcoming the kids were at the other school, even though they didn't even all know Jesus. I was also feeling like God was watching over everything when he gave the public school a teacher who found it in her heart to come back from retirement and volunteer to take care of the troubled children class. Most of them were dealing with Aids, or losing their parents from Aids, or just having bad home lives. I thought that was really amazing that instead of trying to find another job she decided to come back and help kids who really needed someone to care for them much more then a normal teacher could. 

I'm excited for tomorrow because we're scheduled to go see preschool children, and talk to some people in the Squatter area again, since today we basically just drove through. I also really miss my One Direction bracelet friend, whose name I found out was Percy, and I can actually say it. I also learned he's almost 14, and I think it's really sweet that he's so nice to all the little kids and he helps them out a bunch. He's a really nice guy and he finds me and Gracie hilarious when we dance, scrunch our faces up, try to pronounce things, or get mobbed by kids. So basically he finds our whole lives hilarious and I quite like it. He also tied my shoe for me one time, so I mean, that's always a plus. 

BY THE WAY. I called this one Chicken because in the camp we were at there were tons and tons of them and we kept pointing them out and taking pictures. And then at school when one of the little kids was looking through a camera he was really confused as to why we were taking pictures of chickens, which confused me for a moment before I made the analogy that chickens there are about as common as squirrels or rabbits at home. 

But yeah, that was basically my day. We found out that somehow Jodie and Bridget got the room with the good wifi so I actually might be able to get pictures up, but I'm honestly not really sure and I probably shouldn't say I will in case I don't. Here's the other girls' blogs. 

Jodie's: JodieHermann10.blogspot.com

Bridget's: bridgetsafrica.blogspot.com

Gracie's: graciescannellsouthafrica.blogspot.com

Day 5- J-J-J-Joy

Last night when I wrote Day 4, I don't think I added me and Gracie's amazing shower war. Basically, what happened was that we were arguing about who got to shower first and then we fought each other with a hairbrush and a colored pencil. Gracie eventually ran into the bathroom and locked the door, but what she forgot about was that the light switch was on the outside. I turned off the light which terrified her and she practically ran out of the bathroom. Then, Miss Stel said that if we didn't stop arguing in 2 minutes, she'd be the one to shower first so we sorta speeded up on our fight. It eventually ended in me running into the bathroom and locking the door and then just showering in the dark when Gracie tried to do the same thing. It was actually quite fun.

I woke up super proud, because last night was the first night that I fully slept through! I went to bed at 11:30 and slept all the way until 6:55 and it's the most sleep I've gotten this whole trip, and probably actually the whole month. We ate breakfast at the B&B and decided that Gracie was the evil older sister I never wanted.

Next up, we went to the school and helped organize their library, and then we went to the kitchen and buttered hot dog buns and made lunches for an hour and a half.

After that, we went to the bakery. If my dad's reading this, I didn't buy your yeast because it was 40 US dollars. So deal with it. The bakery was quite interesting anyway though. They make 600-800 loaves a day and sell them all in 5 hours, and the only machines they had in the building was a big thing to make dough and an oven. They kneaded and cut the dough up all by themselves. And they only sell them for 75 cents!

Finally, we got to go hang out with the kids. We taught two lessons, one being Religion and one being math. We also got to play some games with Grade R aka Kindergarten. We tried doing sharks and minnows, with Jodie being the first shark, but instead of trying to run away from her and getting to the other side, they all ran directly to her and hugged her. It was absolutely hilarious. And then after that they were all fighting to hold my hand and I like tried to get them to stop and then the kid who was holding my hand was just laughing at my efforts.

After school ended we played games with them on their playground. Most of them we didn't really know, but they were fun anyway. Some kid was doing ninja moves on me and then he rammed his head into my tummy and I was just really surprised so I like shrieked all girly like and they all bursted into laughter and imitated my scream. Then they were laughing really hard at Gracie when she tried to dance because we all agreed that she has no rhythm. And then we were all joking about how Gracie was the favorite of everyone until she started dancing. Right before we left we “helped” some kids with homework, even though we mostly just distracted them. Apparently they didn't know what the bomb diggity meant or how to fist bump, so we had fun teaching them that and trying to pronounce their names and just getting laughed at.

Finally we went to dinner and had a very African style dinner of cheeseburgers and mac and cheese. Oh, and had an in-depth discussion about how Peeta was a very important character, even though he didn't do much to help in The Hunger Games, but it was mostly just me talking... Oh well. The waiter also had the coolest accent and he sounded a lot like Louis Tomlinson from One Direction.

I really saw God today in all the kids and how excited they were to see us, and how much they really just wanted to hold our hand. Plus, I saw it in the fact that they were really happy to just be at school, when most kids in the USA hate it with a passion.

Alright, well I have to go because Miss Hartmann and Miss Stel are acting like a teenage girls. Some of the best parts were “Omg I haven't even taken like a selfie today” and “He posted on your wall and not mine?! Oh my gosh he totally likes you better then me!” It's absolutely hilarious and I'm like, dying of laughter right now.

Welp bye! I'll leave you with these cute videos of the kids. Also, if you watch in the background, you can see some of the kids imitating Gracie dancing and laughing at her.

Day 4- "Teacha"

Today we went to the school for the first time. It was the absolute best. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that. The kids were so excited to see us and when we walked in and couldn't stop staring at us. Miss Stel introduced us to a little girl and she led us out to the "playground", which was really just a patch of dirt with some tires and then we said hello to everyone else. They all seemed so so scared at first, and sometimes wouldn't even answer our questions.

We went through the day doing all sorts of lessons. I taught religion for every class because somehow everyone else decided to go to the other options and teach, but I loved it anyway. We taught the story about David and Goliath and told them about how they could be strong and courageous just like him, because God would always be on their side. We also let them sing us some of their songs and we taught them one or two. The best one by far was called Joy and I'm going to try to get some sort of recording up tomorrow, or later tonight depending on when I end up actually posting this.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when these boys around my age and a bit younger were walking me to a classroom since I had no clue where it was and they noticed my rubber One Direction bracelets. They immediately started asking about them and how I made them and where I got them and what they said and then practically begged me for them. I definitely passed them out to the five boys who were there and they freaked out, looking so so happy. Apparently they told other people and then I had lots of kids asking for my bracelets. I gave away every single one I could except for my hairband and my Mellark one. I can always tell who they are now because they're the only boys I've seen with pink 1D bracelets. It was really really cute though.

At the end of the day, I came out to the playground to see Jodie and Gracie mobbed by first graders and being hugged and having their hair petted and things like that. I laughed at them for a bit and then Gracie was like "Oh, why don't you go ask Kayleigh what game to play?!" and before I could even move they all had me surrouded. There must have been 30 of them all hugging me and once and fighting for a chance to hold my hand. The cutest thing ever was that they kept calling me "Teacha" and telling me all about their day and funny things and looking totally proud when I laughed at how goofy they were being. It was absolutely amazing and I felt so loved. After we freed ourself from the huge crowd, we helped in the kitchen and then got to watch the little girls do "Drummies" which is basically really, really simple cheerleading. It looked quite boring to me, but they loved it, and they were excited about the fact that they got to wear matching white shirts.

This day was absolutely amazing. Like, I can't even describe how absolutely perfect it was. The kids are absolutely adorable and so enthusiastic and sweet. They really just want to hug you and have you listen to them and just honestly be around you. They love you no matter what you look like or how you seem, as long as you seem friendly. I really think that people in America need to learn how to do that better, because really, so many friendships don't get started because of first impressions or looks or someone rubbing you the wrong way, but honestly here, you're just always loved and it's beautiful.

You can completely tell that God is here working constantly, just by how loving the little kids are and how kind they are even if you really didn't do anything to deserve it. Also, I'm really thankful that God answered all of our prayers about Miss Hartmann's phone and put it in someone's heart to call her father and tell him that they'd found her phone, that we'd thought was stolen, or at least lost forever.

Day 3- No Creative Title

This morning I woke up late. I'm really happy that they let me sleep through breakfast, I really think I needed it.

Then, we went to church. For three hours. I was actually a bit nervous about that because I barely make it through hour long church services without yawning, and this one was in another language! It was amazingly fun though anyway. The kids in front of us kept looking back at us and Gracie and one of the little boys had a weird face contest. He was also extremely interested in her braces. I didn't really mind that much that I couldn't understand anything, because just the way Pastor talked in such a passionate voice made you want to believe every single thing that came out of his mouth. The singing was absolutely beautiful and everyone was so into the service and participated so so much. We even got to go up to the front and get welcomed with a song! Everyone was smiling so big and clapping for us and singing amazingly and I loved it. Finally, I was extremely impressed at the fact that everyone could clap in perfect rhythm.

Next up, we went to Pastor Kumalo's house for lunch. His wife made the most amazing food ever, and it was very yummy. I loved listening to him tell us stories about things he went through when he was younger. He even got arrested the night before his wedding! He really has just the most amazing stories.

After that we went to Bothshebello. It was basically a park area with all sorts of historical things. It's in the area where a town was created by 2 missionaries. They went here to help christians have a safe environment to practice their faith without being persecuted. The town was made in the 1800's and it was completely self sufficient, which was awesome to me because at it's high point, it had 315 people living there. Then, we saw some traditional huts that were remade to teach people about what it was like back then to live there. Some of the huts seemed safer to live in then the houses at the township, which sorta bugged me because they weren't even being used for anything and they could totally move them in over there and they'd be so much safer and warmer. Something really cool I heard from Sam, Pastor's friend and our tour guide, was that the huts only took an hour to make. They actually looked really really good and that amazed me completely. Oh, and also the fact that in order to become a man you have to go out to a mountain and live there alone for 4 months and take care of yourself, and then if you survive and come back, you're a man. And, finally, that marriages are arranged and that the future husband has to buy gifts for the wife and all her friends and relatives, including like.. A bajillion cows.

This blog came out a bit longer then I thought, but everything was really important to me to add. I felt like God was there with me when I saw how enthusiastic everyone was at church and I felt extremely important and helpful when everyone kept wanting to talk to me and the group.

Day 2- Livin the Dream

Sorry I didn't get this up last night, so much happened and I was exhausted!! Here's the recap.

First off yesterday, we ate breakfast. Now, this wasn't any breakfast. This was the breakfast of rockstars. They had every single food that you could possibly imagine. Even cheese. Oh, and if you want the best bacon in the whole world, you know where to go. They had this epic toaster too, and it was the coolest thing ever. You put the bread onto the conveyor belt thingy and then it dropped it out the bottom. When I'm rich, that's the kinda toaster I want. Finally, they had MEAT JAM. MEAT MIXED WITH JAM. I just can't anymore. This world is evolving into such a great place. 

Anyway, after we ate our breakfast of the champions, we headed to the Apartheid Museum. The roads to get there are terrifying. Our catchphrase was "Gun it, Mrs. Klein." No one drives very well, and the streets don't always have signs with what they are. Plus, our car isn't really the best, and occasionally it would like stop for a minute or so until someone like restarted it or something like that. I dunno, but we sure got stuck a lot. 

The Apartheid Museum was amazingly moving. I loved their little motto on their brochure. It basically said "Apartheid is exactly where it belongs- in a museum." I just really liked that. It was really scary though, because all the things that went on with that time in their history basically happened in the 90's. That's around the same time as like.. Blues Clues came out and they were still in the time of thinking that people are unequal because of something they can't control. It's just sorta crazy. 

Next up, we went to an animal park. That was my favorite part of the entire day. First, we went to see baby lions and went in the cage with them! We got to pet them and hug them and take pictures with them. It was the best. Can you say that you got scratched by a lion while you were trying to pet it?! I think not! Next, we got to feed giraffes. That was amazing, but terrifying. Next, we got to drive through this safari like thing and see all sorts of huge cats extremely close to the car. I'll never have to go to a zoo again. 

Finally, we got in the car to go to the Bed and Breakfast. I love this B&B so much. It's beautiful and feels very safe and everyone's extremely nice. 

I feel like God was really with us all the times that I was terrified we were going to crash in the car and be killed, because we clearly weren't and I'm alive!! Yay! He was also definitely with me when I was homesick. Everytime I was upset he blessed me with having people happening to wake up and distract me. It's really a huge blessing to come here and I'm very excited for Monday when we all get to see the kids. 

Day 1- Fun Deprived

Alrighty, first blog of the actual trip. Let's see if I can do this.

Basically, today we really were just traveling. I suppose a lot happened anyway. Gracie and I sat together for all 3 flights, but we couldn't sleep much because we were uncomfortable. At the beginning of the trip I was extremely excited because I had coloring books and puzzles galore. Fifteen minutes in however, I was so bored that I was playing tetris on the mini screen in front of my seat.

If I were to write about this ride, all you'd see were some delusional comments about bread making a good pet, disgusting food, and me occasionally watching movies or reading a book. Boring. Very, very boring. Even just to type.

There was only like... One memorable part of the day, and that was the bathroom.

 Basically, there's this bathroom and we went into it right after we got off the plane before we got our passports checked. Now, we had a lot of amazing things to say and play with in this room. First of all, there was this ad when you walked in, advertising an Elephant ride place. Their slogan was "Not your average elephant experience." We laughed about that for a solid 3 minutes before continuing on to make many jokes about our personal average elephant experiences. The next thing we noticed was that the toilets flushed the wrong way. The water goes backwards! This also amused us for a full 3 minutes as we all went into stalls and flushed the toilets to make sure Bridget wasn't just making this up. Finally, we held a soap war, which was pretty epic and self explanatory. And that was it. Yes. I just wrote a full paragraph about the bathroom. That's how you can tell we were seriously fun deprived.

***GRANDMA GAGA STOP READING NOW. SERIOUSLY.***

The end of the day wasn't quite as good. I got into the car to go to our temporary hotel, and was very very queasy. I was alright for half the ride but then ended up throwing up the peanut butter cracker I tried to eat. I was really sad and freaked out for a bit because, uh, here I am in a third world country puking up a cracker. But I really think that by the end of the trip I'll forget about it. I just really hope I start feeling better tomorrow morning when I wake up:)

***GRANDMA GAGA START READING AGAIN***

Despite the deprivedness of fun and how I almost practically died, although I'm keeping that very vague as all the readers reading this part did not read the last part. It was a good day.

PS: The reason I have a blog but the other girls don't tonight is because I'm all alone in the room recovering! I'll link their URL's later.

I don't know how to do pictures on here yet. So you're all gonna have to deal.

-Kayleigh

Messing Around With Settings

Goodness, this is hard. I keep trying to fix my picture. I dunno if it's just slow connection or not. OH WELL. This'll work fine.

ANYWAY. It's 2 days before we leave, and I'm really excited. The only problem is, my bag is not packed. Well my carry-on at least. Oh well. As time keeps going I'm getting so nervous. Because I'm actually going to another country. Wow.

I'll be posting pictures and stories about my experiences there each day! Feel free to check back and comment as much as you want! Thanksssss!


-The Official Kayleigh:)