Seeing the Good through the Bad

Saturday was our field trip day through Pietermaritzburg. I woke up from a bad stomach ache and I assumed that it would go away shortly but it didn't. In fact it stayed with me all day : / ... Being healthy for this day would have made it a lot more fun but I tried making the best of it.

On our outing, we went to this bird watching place which was really cool. They had the prettiest to the most ugliest and most unique looking kinds of birds that I have ever seen. I had no idea some birds could look like that. Then there was a Bird show which was so cool! They have trained the birds to fly way out and come back and show off their hunting skills. It was very interesting.







Next, we went to this place where we could see lions. Unfortunately, only a few of us got to see them because this one African lady ended up flipping out at a bunch of us because of safety precautions.. haha. Our bus didn't get to see them but the other one did! So I am crossing my fingers that i'll be able to see a lion in the near future or on our safari that we'll be going on in a few weeks! While at this lion place, I still wasn't feeling up to parr so I was sort of thankful to leave when we did because at this point I just wanted to get back to our campus and sleep.

But this wasn't the end... then we did a tour of the city of Pietermaritzburg. We went to the railroad station where Ghandi was taken. It was really cool. Yet at the same time, I was a debbie downer and just wanted to be in my bed so I can sleep off the pain.

But throughout the day since I sort of outcasted myself from the group a little bit, I was able to have two really deep, meaningful conversations with people whom I was not close with. I am very thankful for the time that I had speaking with each of these individuals. Also, I was so amazed at how loving and caring eveyone was towards me. Everyone want to help me and do whatever they could to make me feel better. It just reminded me of how lucky I am to be surrounded by such great people. This may sound different, but I find that I like to try to see the purpose in all things. So I am thinking that maybe there was a reason for my sickness today because it allowed me to talk and see a different side to people that I normally would not have if I was feeling good? My mind just likes to think that way...

So even though yesterday was a rough day physically and mentally, I believe some good came from it. I also really missed home yesterday. I have not been physically sick in such a long time and to be away from home and from my family during it was not fun and made me homesick. But I was able to skype my mother who made me feel much better : ) Thanks Mom. [Sorry for cutting your mall run short] haha.

Ok well this morning we had church service and a bunch of us went to Reg's church which is called Northhill church. Everyone was so welcoming as soon as we got there. I was surprised to be singing a lot of the same songs as we do back in the states. I really enjoyed the worship and the preaching was different. The pastor preached on Revelations 5:11 which states: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" He said it over and over and gradually increased his volume and repeated until the whole congregation was clapping and applauding for Jesus. It gave me goosebumps and got everyone pumped up. Afterwards, the whole congregation was led out to the open field where they demonstrated all the successes we can have during our life here on earth and on how the things that matter are the only things remaining after it is all burned. He showed this by burning straw and sticks (which were the successes in our life like going to college, being financially successful, having a family, etc but also considered unimportant when it came to judgement day) In other words, It matters more on how you live your life with the success you've been given. The only things that remained after it was burned down was the gold and silver which represented deeper things like serving other people and glorifying God through many different actions. It was a very powerful message and I enjoyed the church.




There are three different options for church services each sunday. I enjoyed this church service but I think I may try another one next weekend just to see if there is another place (as John Bogle puts it) where "I can fill a hole" within that church.

Alright well today my Sunday consists of Homework (mainly for my Life and Teachings class) and then just relaxing before the next school week! I hope you all are doing well!
Mucho amor,
Jamie