It's almost over already?

Hello again followers! It's a rainy day here in George, but hopefully not so rainy over in Knysna where the rest of the team is. I stayed behind this time so that I could finally write the blog I've wanted to write, and with me is Terri, Denzil and Fran. Fran is sadly very sick, so Denzil stayed behind to take care of her, and my mom and I are enjoying our last day here in George spending it relaxing and hanging out with Denzil.

I'll just be honest--I've been sitting here in front of my computer screen for about an hour, wondering how in the world I can possibly condense the past four days into one blog. Not just because of the number of things that have happened, but the sheer depth and intensity of it all--I can't put it all into words. But I will do my best and keep it short, and pray that my message gets across and maybe I can convey how incredible these days have been.

Maybe I should simply begin where I left off.
On Friday morning, the Laughren's took the team for a tour around the city of Graaff-Reinet. We visited the huge church in the middle of town, the Dutch Reform Church, and visited several local shops with lots of interesting goods and souvenirs. I've already bought a backpack and a purse (for my friends who know me very well--big shocker there, right?), along with a few other handmade treasures. Most of the team was saving their money for Knysna (where they are now), but it's hard not to spend money on all the beautiful things around here!

We returned back to our cottages and packed for the last day of VBS, praying for the best. We were all so nervous and excited, and yet very sad to say goodbye to the kids. But once we got there, everything fell into place beautifully, as it always did. The craft was a little challenging (as you can probably imagine, being that there were 763 kids!) but we managed, and had one of the best days of all. We concluded VBS with a slideshow that Ashlyn, Terri and I had put together the night before, and we had no idea what an impact that small thing would have on the kids. For those of you who've never been on a mission trip like this, the kids absolutely adore getting their pictures taken and seeing it immediately after. With this slideshow featuring 77 pictures with as many kids as we could capture, we watched and listened to their ecstatic reactions, and it made for a perfect conclusion.

Then came the weeping, at least for a few of us. Once the tears started, they just couldn't stop. Saying goodbye to the children that day was by far the hardest thing I've done all week. It even brings tears to my eyes as I type this. Following saying goodbye to the children, we had another meal with the church members. This time our team brought the food--KFC! It was also delicious!

The next day we went sightseeing with everyone minus Fran, who stayed behind to rest and get better. We went to the Camdeboo National Park, where we hiked and drove up mountains, got some excellent photos, and had quite a few adventures. Next we visited the game and wildlife reserve of the park in the bus, and actually took our own safari! For all those Disney fans out there, I have to say that Walt Disney World did a pretty good job recreating a real safari with the ride "Kilamanjaro Safari" in Animal Kingdom, because the safari we took here in Graaff-Reinet was almost identical. It was incredible! Pete even raced two ostriches in the van. Oh yeah, it was great.

That night we went to Max and Priscilla's for another meal, and we watched a game of Rugby. It was very interesting--the European version of American football. Another great night of fellowship with the church.

The next morning we went to church with the volunteers of Graaff-Reinet and enjoyed another beautiful worship service. My dad delivered the sermon, and Stefanie and Wanda led the congregation in worship. After the service was over, Brother Max and Brother Pete presented each of us with beautiful gifts to take home with us. We ate lunch with most of the congregation back at their house for the last time, trying very hard not to cry. Thankfully though, we'd have one more time to hang out with most of them at Youth Camp on Monday night. Once we left their house, we were on the road back to George.

Monday morning came bright and early, and most of us piled in the van again to visit the beach. Shortly thereafter, we left for Oudtshoorn, about 2 hours away. First we visited the Ostrich Farms for an educational tour and a chance to ride an ostrich (which Ashlyn, Matt and Elizabeth took advantage of and had a blast)! Next was, my favorite, the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Park! We took a tour (with an excellent tour guide named Craig), and saw bats, otters, crocodiles, snakes, meerkats, porcupines, vultures, storks, wallabies, otters, pygmy hippos, hogs, and best of all, big cats! Lions, tigers, (not bears), leopards and cheetahs! Following the tour, Wanda and the whole Daugherty family took the opportunity to go in and have an encounter with the cats! Wanda went to pet the tiger cubs (adorable!) and the Daugherty's went to visit with two adult cheetahs. It was an unforgettable experience, and we loved every minute of it.

That night we traveled down to the Youth Camp, which was a gathering much like the camps we have at Woodland, but with combined youth groups from around the area. Some of our friends from Graaff-Reinet were there, along with dozens of other middle and high school students from surrounding churches. We shared a meal with them (the last meal made by the wonderful ladies of Graaff-Reinet), worshipped, and joined them in their first "night session", with Andy as the speaker. The lesson was clearly the Spirit-led, because it landed perfectly in line with what the teenagers needed to hear. The worship, however, took the prize for being the best part. Three boys from one of the groups (named David, Peter and Riley) blew us away with their voices--they sang a perfect accapella version of "Holy Holy Holy", and it brought tears to our eyes. I pray that someday a talent scout somewhere will find them because they were incredible. Several other teens had phenomenal voices as well, and we enjoyed every minute of it.

After the service, it was time to say our last goodbyes to the church of Graaff-Reinet. And the tears kept coming. Just about every member of our team had grown close to someone of that church, and it broke our hearts to say goodbye.

Today is our last full day here in South Africa, and we're going to do a little more sightseeing. I'm very excited, yet full of sorrow to say goodbye. I know I personally have never seen the face of Christ as clearly as I have here. I've never seen a church like the one in Graaff-Reinet. I can't help but hear Acts 2:42-47 in my heart when I think of them.

"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostoles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshipped together at teh Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." (NLT)

This is the church I witnessed. These were the people we encountered. I can honestly say that I saw Jesus in every face I've seen here in South Africa. I will forever be changed after this week, and I know several of us feel this way too. I am determined to bring this joy home with me this time--not just as a spiritual high that lasts a week, but to last forever, and to be shared with my friends and family.

I'll go ahead and wrap this up for now. Once again, thank you so much for your prayers. It has been very evident that we've been wrapped in the Holy Spirit this week, and we've all been incredibly blessed. Continue to pray for us as we journey back home, and pray for continued strength and stamina, as most of us are still fighting illness. Thank you so much, and we'll see you all very soon!

PS: The pictures truly take FOREVER to load here. But I promise we'll post them as soon as we return home! :D