Eish. (a South African phrase I have picked up)

Boys hanging out on the trampoline

We are always trying to get a good picture
of this girl!

March has been a difficult month.  I have been having a hard time getting used to being at Lily only part time.  I have so enjoyed my days a Lily.  Being with the kids, working on different projects and being apart of the community again.  Though leaving at the end of the day is still difficult.  I hate having some of the girls ask me over and over again "Are you coming to youth tonight?" "Is there going to be a movie tonight Miss?" "Are you going to stay for the dance party tonight?" Eish.  I don't like saying no each time.
I have also still been having a hard time connecting with the iKhethelo kids.  I know a big part of that is my heart is not here.  On the days I work at iKhethelo I often just spent time with the younger kids because they are easier to connect with.  Even so my heart is not fully in it.  And I feel bad that I don't try as hard as I do with Lily kids.  These kids are just as loveable and have gone through similar situations.  They are also children of God just as much as the Lily kids are.
The green beast (the Landrover I have been driving) has been giving me difficulties.  Which has added the stress on to getting to and from Lily.  Mike and Lori have been champions with being willing to come and pick Dominik and I up the last week.

Laura and one of the boys

Who doesn't love a pool noodle fight!?

On top of things here, my heart and head have been home a lot this last month.  With having my grandfather in the hospital not doing well.  He was struggling a lot with his lungs the last few weeks.  On the 25th in the early hours of the Saskatchwan night he passed to be with his Lord.  And is no longer struggling with each breath he is taking.  I had decided to stay here in South Africa to continue to serve, but have been struggling not being with my family as they prepared for his funeral that took place yesterday.  I do wish I could have been there to help celebrate his life.  Even so I have had a great group of people close to me to help comfort me during this time.

Papa and Mikaela (my sister)

Even through the difficult times during this month, I have had a gracious God who helps me see to see the good and beautiful things that happen around me.  He helps me to be able to put aside all the hard things after I have acknowledged them and to see be able to be happy and see the joy that is still in this world.  Things like teen girls learning how to sell and make pizzas and working together as a group; having one of the little babies be incredibly joyful and run towards me when she sees me (She call me "Ma" yesterday, Eish. She is stealing my heart); an opportunity for my whole family to be together and enjoying each others company; being able to be in contact with my family so easily; and there is so much more I have been able to see and enjoy over these past few weeks.  I have way more to be thankful for even if there are some difficult times.

Goggles!

Now as I head in to a new month, my goal is to refocus.  I have been selfish with my view point on how I think things should be, how I am feeling about what should happen with things at Lily, and so much more.  I am praying for God's guidance on things.  I want his guidance on how I should be interacting with my kids at Lily and at iKhethelo.  I am wanting to be his light in this world.

Getting away from the hot sun sitting under
the play structure 

Some of my prayer request for this time would be:
- A change in my heart, with helping me to have God's heart for all the people I come in contact with.
- Strength for my family and I as we deal with the loss of my grandfather.
- That conversations I or other volunteers have with each of the kids be uplifting and encouraging to be the best of who they can be.
- Not to be overwhelmed with the all the struggles that the kids have faced and are facing.
- Praise, that the holidays for the past 2 weeks have been good with the kids not having school
- Praise, that there has been safety at Lily.

Until next time, give someone a hug! (Only if they want one though!)