Fun Frank Fotos

Here is an itsey bitsey taste to the "frank family fun" we had when my mom and aunt came to visit me in Cape Town, South Africa.

Good bye Franks

My mom and aunt leave to go back to the states today. Please pray for their safe return. And please lift me up in prayer as it will be hard to say "good bye".

Missing Luggage

My mom and Anne have been here for two weeks now and my mom is still missing her luggage. Ugh! The suitcase not only contains her valuables, but also donations and gifts for Living Hope (and for me!). If you could please take a moment to shoot up a quick prayer for her luggage to arrive safely before Wednesday, that would be much appreciated. (she leaves to go back to the states on Wednesday, so it would be great if the luggage came before then).

God's Rainbow

Last night I had a very intimate prayer time with the Lord. I reflected on His promises and provision for my life. It was quite powerful.

This morning I woke up to the most radiant rainbow right outside of my window. The beginning of the rainbow actually began on my front lawn. What is so astounding is that a rainbow symoblizes God's promise to His people. (Story of Noah's Ark).

Isn't it amazing how God can communicate to us. This beautiful rainbow spoke magnitudes to me. It affirmed the prayers of promise and provision that I had just spoken to the Lord. Wow, God is good!

Fishing

Stanton took me out fishing this weekend. We joined a handful of locals on a dock in the harbor. It wasn't long before I felt a tug on my line. I reeled in what I thought was seaweed, but was overly suprised when I discovered a squid on the end of my fishing pole. How fun! I caught a squid! Cool huh?? Stanton wanted to teach me how to clean and cook it, but I ended up giving it away to a young girl who visited the homeless shelter next door. I figured with my mad fishing skills it would be easy to catch a dozen more. ;)

So Trav, what do you think about that?! Maybe you should come and visit your fisherwomen sister and she'll take you on a guided tour. Book your reservations now...

Training and More Training

I just finished an intense week of training. Last Monday - Wednesday I participated in phase two of Living Way's entrepreneurial development courses. Thursday - Saturday I attended Grassroots training, which is aimed at teaching individuals (and corporations) how to manage, think and lead more effectively. By Saturday afternoon, my brain was fried! To say the least.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in these training programs. I'm not exactly sure how the teachings will come into play in my life but I do know one thing - the Lord is preparing me. A friend recently told me to "Pay attention!". Pay attention to what's going on in your life, to reoccurring themes and teachings that are taking place, to places and to people, etc. Pay attention! Because the Lord is preparing you for what's to come.

With that said, I'm excited to see how my recent business and empowerment training will be put to use. I patiently, yet eagerly, await for God's plans to unfold. Because His plans and His purpose is so much grandeur than we could ever imagine.

Are YOU paying attention to what's happening in your life? Pay attention because it's preparation for what's to come.



More about Living Way's Entrepreneurial Development Training

From Monday to Wednesday I participated in Living Way's entrepreneurial development courses. This is the second phase of the program (the first phase took place in September). Entrepreneurs are essential to the reduction of unemployment (and indirectly, the combat of HIV/AIDS). Therefore, Living Way has put together a program to come alongside prospective entrepreneurs to train, mentor, and support them. Initially I had planned to assist the facilitators in sharing of the material. But I soon became a student with wide eyes and an eager attitude. Each day I walked out of the classroom with a brain full of knowledge.

Approximately a dozen students participated in phase one of the program. Each entrepreneur was given a homework assignment to do market research for their company. They were to instructed to share their findings with the Living Way facilitators in order to attend the classes in phase two. When phase two began (last week), only five students remained. These five individuals have proven their commitment to this program and to running their own company. It's been amazing to watch their dreams turn into a reality. Phase three takes place in November.

Living Way's Spring 2008 Entrepreneurs:

* Tania - Sells diapers and other baby products
* Jeremy - Music production and audio recording studio
* Elizabeth - Car wash
* Mark - Photography
* Bradley - Sports replica shop

Visitors

I have visitors! My mom and my aunt, Anne, arrived on Monday night. They will be staying with me in South Africa until October 30th. I am soooooo excited that they are here. (Thank you, Lord, for bringing my family here safely.) I can't wait for them to see what my Cape Town life is all about. They have already toured Living Hope's facilities and today was their first official volunteer day (painting today and tomorrow, and next week they will be working at the homeless shelter and kids' clubs). I'm also eager for them to see the full beauty of this country. Needless to say, the next two weeks will be jam-packed with days-o-fun. Yippeee!!!

Ps. I'm always open for more visitors...

Helicopter Tour

Yesterday was my boyfriend’s birthday (“yes”, I have a boyfriend). In celebration, we took a helicopter tour of Cape Town. It was so awesome!!! The flight lasted 30 minutes, and boy did we have a great time. We even saw his house and the Baatjes home (which is where I'm currently living). Oh yeah, and the coolest part for me was when we went over the ocean and saw two huge whales swimming together. Nothing like having a bird’s eye view of that! The one downfall was that I got a little bit of motion sickness (go figure). But to be quite honest, it was all worth it. Good times were had!
Ps. God is good!

"The Eve Project"

Recently, I’ve been working on a campaign called “The Eve Project”. Please read below for more information.

The prevention ministries at Living Hope include girls’ clubs that are led by trained life skills educators. These educators have identified a need in their communities for feminine hygiene products. Many families cannot afford to buy these products. Without feminine protection, many young women do not attend school during their menstrual cycle. This results in the young women missing up to five days of school every month (and ultimately some drop out of school). There is a great need for a consistent supply of products to be distributed within communities. Having access to such products will ensure that the young women can attend school regularly and obtain the education that is so important for their future.

The aim of “The Eve Project” campaign is to partner with churches internationally to raise financial support, and to team up with local churches, schools and organizations to provide feminine hygiene products. We’re asking that when women buy a package of feminine products for their own use, that they purchase a second package for Living Hope’s “Eve Project”. All donations will be collected on a monthly basis and delivered to those in need.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or would like to get involved with “The Eve Project”.

Whale Watching

Wednesday, September 24th was a national holiday for South Africa called Heritage Day. My friend, Brenda, and I decided to take a day trip to Hermanus. Hermanus is considered the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world. And it just so happened that the day we visited Hermanus was the opening day of their Whale Festival. How super cool!

We spent the day touring the town, visiting the shops and activity tents, and of course “ooohing” and “aaawwwing” at the spectacular whale sightings. The peak viewing season is October and November as whales come into shore to calve. I can’t explain how beautiful it was to see these humongous yet graceful creatures jump out of the water and return with a huge splash. I tried my best to capture it on film, but my photos just don’t do the experience justice.

(I’ve also seen whales along the coast as I drive to my project site in Red Hill. God is so good to grace us with such a stunning show.)