Just some updates: I have a bundle of websites and marketing now for the photography that I will be doing that they wanted us to set up on Monday- so I don't know how long it will be until I switch over to a wordpress blog... or maybe I'll just keep this one and make it easier for everyone. Since we all know how to work it! haha
Today went well- it was freezing in the water, but thanks to all the freezing cold pool runs my family has had- i didn't notice until we were in there for 30 minutes. Amazing! I am now almost 100% certified Open Water PADI diver, thanks to Altus.
Other than that, nothing fancy happened here in the internship except learning bits about editing and SCUBA stuff for the test that was a couple hours ago. But it was all exhausting.
Being in the water, with currents rocking you back and forth while you hold one solid position for as long as possible can really exhaust you- along with canoeing *my favorite thing ever!* like a pro because it's fun :) which is what we did yesterday.
we went to try shooting waterfalls: making the water smooth, with a long shutter speed. SO cool.
Alan is also doing well- last time I heard (which was last night) he said he is getting a bit sick- so please be praying. There's also a hiccup in the next ministry his team was going to be going to- so they may not be going there at all, depending on what goes down. Also, keep prayers for his safety in there as well. The Lord has saved him numerous times *with the team!* while he's been down there, but he can tell you the stories- i won't :)
My family is also good- last I heard (which was Sunday) my mom and dad were enjoying working in the garden for Father's Day- once again i'm away on a special holiday... it happens way too often!.
Continuing on the adventure, Stephanie and I went to eat with her dad and mom and immediately left for her youth group, which was a BLAST! I have never heard rap music at a youth group before, but seeing this youth group was different- it was still really good! We enjoyed our time like crazy, with the black and colored teenagers breaking out into song and hip hop dance as often as Jesus was praised- and learned about fear and why stepping out in faith, no matter what you may think the consequences are, is so important. After that, we talked so much during the night, and woke up the next morning not entirely ready for the touring day ahead of us.
Both of Stephanie's parents have their own business, and had the day off in order to take me around! We went to see Boulders Beach, with all the penguins you've seen on National Geographic, the Waterfront, and the largest mall in South Africa. At night, we went up to Signal Hill to see Table Mountain, which because of the energy problem in South Africa- was not lit up. So instead of getting good photos, I got good stories.
Both of Stephanie's parents are Christians and really helped me to understand the ghettos when we drove through them, and the problems in South Africa.
There are three main political groups in South Africa, which are based by color. Therefore, the blacks take political control even though they are the least educated.
They also helped me to understand that the people who live in the ghetto now, really have their mindset on the ghetto and nothing else. Even many people in Cape Town don't want to leave to go anywhere else because Cape Town has everything they would want it to. Good food, many different kinds of people, places, and fun things to do!
Stephanie's father was from the ghetto, but had it in his mind that he wouldn't stay there, so did everything he could to get out and go to college. His brother on the other hand, got out to go to college and moved right back to the edge of the ghetto with a bit of a nicer house because he was so used to the ghetto and didn't want to move anywhere else.
They also brought me up to date on how Nelson Mandela's decisions affected them, and how the ghettos that consist of people in tin houses are people who have only been there a couple years, and will not be bothered by the government for another 20 years. The ghettos that look a bit nicer have been there longer, protesting longer, and were noticed by the government. It was only a couple years ago that Nelson Mandela made his decisions- but it's affected people's lives until today, and will furthermore.
The weekend in Cape Town with Stephanie was one of the most brilliant ones because she taught me that no matter how far apart the times are that friends see each other- stigmas can be shaken and the relationship can be remade and renewed if both individuals want the friendship :) It was a beautiful reunion and revealed so much to me about the Lord and the way He works.
That weekend, the Lord provided me with food- and let me learn to trust Him to provide my spiritual and physical food, 100%.
And when we think He won't bring anything- He brings a feast :) Of either spiritual or physical food.
He is Jehovah Jireh, the God that provides.
Amen!