Considering Mission Work?

Hello everyone.

If you are 21-30 years old, I encourage you to pray about the Young Adult Service Corps. It is an experience that will challenge, confuse, and stretch you to new limits, through which you emerge with newfound strength and faith.

Their webpage has further information, including this video of former YASCers:  

Application deadline is January 4th. Direct link to the application is here.

Do you have questions? Would you like an honest, frank glimpse into the life of a YASCer? Let me know, and I will happily talk. Email: cameroninafrica@gmail.com

Give it some thought and prayerful consideration.

In Christ, 
-Cameron

Christmastime- Video

No recaps this time, just a glimpse into our Christmas play :)

 

Christmastime

Hello everyone!

After 4 weeks of rehearsing, students performed their Christmas play! The play itself, and the 2 rehearsals leading up to it, occurred in the Monastery chapel.

Walking to the Chapel for Rehearsal

Rehearsal, day before performance

By the time the play was over, each group of characters (angels, shepherds, etc) was featured, giving every student a chance in the spotlight.

The play drew enough people that late-comers had to stand!

Performance!

All talking parts were in Xhosa, and the singing was a mix of Xhosa and English.

The performance was simple, spirited, and well-received.

A lovely shepherd, right after performing

The next day, Br. Rob and I stayed after school to assemble Christmas presents. Thanks to your support, there was an abundance of gifts.

Sorting gifts in a spare classroom.

We had quite a few of these

...and these.

2 hours later, the bags are assembled!

Each bag had a mixture of cards, socks, dolls, Candy Canes, Jolly Ranchers, model toys, soap, more cards, and more socks.

(If you sent chocolate: We are storing it until Easter. There were enough sweets to cover both holidays.)

After some last-minute touches, the gifts were ready to go!

In the assembly room, waiting for children. This is one of two tables for the students.

Classroom gifts.

The giving itself was quick but meaningful. Br. Rob and I handed out the packages as students left for the year.

Thanks to Stephen Smith and our student teacher for the following pictures!

For some children, this might have been their first Christmas gift. We explained that these presents came from very far away with lots of hard work. Even if a child did not fully understand what was done for them, I feel we made an impact beyond material wealth.

More specifically, I feel YOU made an impact beyond material wealth. The school staff, including myself, were simply vessels through which your generosity was expressed. This would not have happened without your effort, sincerity, prayers, money, and generosity. If you supported this Christmas giveaway in any manner, Thank You.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” -Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

Thank you, truly, for following along in this journey, and for partaking in it yourselves through prayers and lovingkindness.

Servant of Christ,
-Cameron S

A lot happens on Thursdays

*creates blog post*
*looks it over*
“Huh, this all happened on the same day….”
It seems Thursdays are the day for blog-worthy events :)

Enjoy!

Morning:
After a quick counting drill, students split into groups and matched the English name (“one”), Xhosa name (“nye”), number (“1”), and number of dots (“*”) for numbers 1-10. This activity was the main component of our math-focused morning.

Chaos early on

Success!

I had an impromptu counting test with a few students who finished early.

Playtime:
I have been fortunate to receive various postcards from friends and family in the US. This week was the first time a card arrived during school; hand-delivered by Br. Rob!

 

As you might guess, children love getting their pictures taken. As such, the postcard quickly became a magnet for photo shoots :)

Thank you to 815 (Episcopal Church Headquarters) for the touching message. 

Also, thank you to all who have sent me mail these past 4 months. The pictures and messages are wonderful reminders of home.

A glimpse into my room

Laptop Class:
For the past 2 weeks, we’ve been focusing on a maze game that familiarizes students with arrow keys. Several students have struggled, but nevertheless you see an overall increase in computer comfort level.

As you probably know, children can learn computer skills with ease. Considering the role technology plays in our world, I am glad to see these students learning at an early age.

After School:
Christmas is here!!!!!! …well, it’s close :)
Thanks to your response to our wish list, we have a plethora of gifts to give children. You can expect a post later about the impending give-away (and a post about our Christmas play, which was performed this week!!! We’re still sharing pictures with each other, hence no summary yet), but for now I give you this sneak peek:

Have a blessed week :)

In Christ,

-Cameron S