Valentine's Day Weekend!

This weekend was so much fun! So on Saturday we spent the day at the Indian Ocean in downtown Durban. It was a beautiful, hot, and sunny day! We packed lunches and spent the day in the water and eating ice cream. It was so crowded at the beach. I don’t think I have ever seen a more crowded beach in my life. The swimming area was jam-packed as well because they only let us swim in a certain area. Theft is a big issue here so our group of 53 constantly had to be careful with all of our stuff laid across the sand. One person had some money stolen, which was a bummer, but it is definitely a reality check with not being so trusting of everyone.
I didn’t put on much sunscreen because I thought that I had enough of a base tan that I wouldn’t burn… but I was WRONG. I definitely frieddd! Haha (sorry mom). The sun is definitely way more intense here. At least it feels like it compared to California. Anyhoo, it was fun!



On Sunday (Valentines Day), I chose to go to a different church than the first week. I went to an Indian Church and it was awesome. It was in a small air-conditioned building with about 50 of us in the congregation (about 12 of us were from our group). I loved the entire service. Everyone was so welcoming and it was such an amazing feeling to be in this foreign place, while all of us worshipped the same God. It just sort of hit me when I was in there. It was an indescribable feeling to realize that we are all able to come together (complete strangers and different races) and have a common ground of loving God and worshipping Him. At the end of the service, a lot of the teenagers came up and introduced themselves, already inviting us to their youth group and really just reaching out to us. It was so welcoming and I am excited to return to it next Sunday.

Later that day, a few people from our group planned a VERY special Valentine’s dinner and movie night! It was a lovely night and it was fun to get dressed up and take pictures with everyone. I honesty did not think it was going to be as fun as it was but their was a candle-lit dinner with fettuccini Alfredo, salad, and watermelon! So delicious! We turned on some Latin music and many of us danced afterwards. It was just a feel-good night : ) After dinner and dancing, a bunch of us watched the movie, “50 first dates” and ate lots of popcorn. It was definitely the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had.

I am a little ancy to finish up these next three weeks of school because I am craving to get out into the community and work at our service sites. But I know I want to soak up every little thing about being here, so I am trying to enjoy all my classes and taking advantage of the information that I am learning. One aspect that I've enjoyed about my classes is that all the stuff we are learning, it relates somehow to the African culture which is so interesting to learn about. I have realized how much I am unaware of in terms of other countries. It makes me sad that I have had no knowledge of what this country has been through before this, but I am glad that I am able to learn now.

The highlight of my Monday so far has been laying out next to the waterfall for a few hours this morning. It was bearable to be in the sun because the waterfall gave off a light mist that cooled off your entire body. I had some great conversations with two awesome people while we sat and enjoyed this spot. I have found that I love having deep conversations. I think there is so much to learn from everyone, and that by sharing and opening up with each other that we are able to encourage and motivate each other that much more. So I thank God for that opportunity this morning to just enjoy laying next to the waterfall and talking with friends. Ok so I lied. I have another highlight of today. I went on a long walk with my friend, Amberly, and had a great opportunity to have another deep conversation with her. She is such a great encourager and really just pumped me up about God! I thank God for those conversations I had today. I hope you all are doing well and that great things are happening in all of your lives!!

A verse that I really enjoyed in church this past sunday:
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" -Proverbs 16:9
--> I really found comfort reading this because it is so true for me. I try to plan out the way I want my life to go. I go to college, pick the courses that I want to study in, choose the type of friends I want, etc. But it is God who really determines my journey. It is Him who chooses my path.
<3 Jamie