Blog 2 from Mica in South Africa
This trip is amazing! Over the weekend I will be gone on a trip to Tsitsikamma. I am going to bunjee jump too…the tallest in the world.
I don’t think I could ever do mission trips for months or years at a time because I can’t stand to be away for that long. I am having a pretty good time though. Today was intense. We went to a grade school here and about 20% of the children are HIV positive. They all wanted their pictures taken. They sang us their national anthem and a children’s song that Jessica and I have one each recorded on our cameras. We were given a tour and they told us about the programs they offer. They have vocational type programs for adults who need skills in order to go out and get jobs and they go up to about grade 7 for the kids. We then went into a home to speak to a man who is infected with HIV. We asked him about his life and saw the small shanty he lives in. He recently got electricity which is on a prepaid system. He has running water that is provided via allowance per month or something along those lines. The lady that is in charge of the center that does home care read a religious message and then they all sang The Lords Prayer together. Between that, his humble story, and the sallow conditions it all brought me to tears. You know me!
I have just seen so much and been affected by so many things here. It has only been a week! I went to the little craft market today and bought a few things. They barter here so the prices are pretty much whatever you are willing to pay. If you want an African mask or serving spoons or bowls or jewelry please let me know and I can get them for a good price. Or for gifts if you want me to bring back anything special for anyone. -Mica