Are we truly greatful....

We came across this business on Sunday as we were driving through Stanger. It reminded my of my sister and was surprised that it was the initials of her full name, Cheryl Diane!

This is Tobecka and her friend visiting her from Eshowe. Tobecka has taken a real shining to Josh and Andrew and is enjoying being a big sister to them and teaching them some of the "zulu" ways! I love her hair and the many different ways her mother styles it everyday. This week the kids here are starting back to school after break. Their summer holidays are nov-jan like ours is from june-sept. Tobecka says she is really looking forward to going back and learning again! It is a real privilege to get to go to school and there are many kids that still don't have that opportunity here.

At times we feel like animals at the zoo. Our home's windows are all barred and we live inside the gated compound. Last Friday several teenage boys got into the neigh bores yard, climbed the tree beside our house and where desperately trying to look in our living room window! Although this was not really scary it was intriguing that we (the white people) would be worth that effort to watch and look at!

On Sunday we attended the Mandeni Methodist church and really enjoyed the service. With the windows and doors wide open we sung beautiful hymns and upbeat songs that emanated into the surrounding community! I am sure it was a wonder to many!

On a spiritual note (those not so incline to hear about God may want to skip ahead!!! ) I have been reading through the old Testament and am currently in Exodus. I have pondered and re read Exodus 17:1 over the last few days, unable to move on for some reason. Pondering and meditating the plight of the Israelites, their unhappiness and thoughts of "good old Egypt"! Oh how shaded and short their memories are. How God is so displeased with their stubbornness and complaining. Sadly, I can see our own journey and road to South Africa as very similar to that of the Israelites. I can see how when I ask the Lord to provide for us I am really asking Him to fulfill my own wants and desires. Coming from Canada we have become very accustom to living a very posh lifestyle! I have found myself complaining about the selection of meats, cheese and canned goods. Comparing my lifestyle here with that of abundance in Canada. God so graciously DID provide for the Israelite's needs by raining down Manna every morning and abundant Quail for their taking. Of course similar to us, this was not REALLY what the Israelites wanted in their greediness and selfishness. At times I think we as a family have been brought here to learn about how ABSOLUTELY spoiled we are and selfishly don't recognize it. God did not create us to eat fancy meals and fill our cupboards with a plethora of foods and items. We were created to love; God, family, friends, the needy, the not so lovable! How we forget so quickly what we are here for. Soooo tonight I will delight in the chili, beans and rice for dinner and enjoy that it is the third night in a row we have eaten it. Forget to complain that eating the same thing three days in a row is very boring and unexciting. And remember that Kuhmbalini lost his money and is eating Mangos from the trees till payday!

These are some pictures from The Harold Johnson nature Reserve just above the Tugela river. It is perched up on the top of a hilly plateau overlooking the mouth where Tugela flows into the ocean (some call it the ocean others the sea). We had fun poking around the park and reading the many signs posted about the indigenous trees and bushes. Some reserves you can walk though and others you are not allowed to leave your vehicle. It was nice to be able to walk around and experience the sights on foot. The zebra didn't seem too worried about us and we were able to walk very close to him and get a good look at his unique and awesome coat colour. Some of the pictures may seem hazy as it was "misting" most of the afternoon, similar to the "spot free finish" at the car wash! It was nice to come home and dry off!