Land of Contrasts

South Africa is often referred to as the land of contrasts and it is very true - last time I wrote I was full of the joys of holidays and the priviledge of being able to travel and see different places. However since returning to work life has been filled with a lot less fun and laughter. At the hospital we have had a terrible few weeks with a large volume of children coming to us in extremis, often with little we can do or offer in terms of medical care. Our paediatric mortality has shot through the roof since the 1st of April as we have lost litterally a child every day. In turn it is upsetting and depressing staff, as we search for reasons we begin to second guess ourselves and question our own skills, however I believe we are continuing to give the best possible care that we can. One aspect that is very striking in our search for answers is the number of children we have had recently who are very ill but who are HIV -ve. For example in August any child admitted to our hospital with malnutrition you could safely assume to be +ve however in the last number of weeks we have had a number of children admitted with severe malnutrition and some have died who have been negative. It seems that across the world food and energy prices have been climbing and we certainly can see a significant increase in our supermarket bills in the nine short months since we arrived here - however for those in this community who previously were just managing to survive it has been enough to tip the balance and already the children are suffering.
Please pray for the poor in the world at this time and especially remember the children.
K x

Happy Easter!

HI everyone, hope you have had a blessed Easter weekend and not eaten too many chocolate eggs! We started Easter Sunday at a Dawn Service on St Michaels beach - the sunrise was stunning and it was a really wonderful time. We will put some of the photos on flicker, just now.
Last week we were up at Hluhluwe game reserve with Stephens parents. I slept in a tent for the first time in my life - it was tough, but since it was a posh tent with real beds, electricity, a bathroom and hairdryer provided I muddled through:-) We were treated to a rhinocerous with baby in tow right outside our tents the afternoon we arrived and saw a lot of game on a guided drive. We also took a cruise up St Lucia estuary where we saw a croc and lots of hippos. All in all it was pretty cool. Photos also posted on Flicker!
For anyone who hasn't heard - I got the ST3 job in paediatrics which is pretty cool so the trip home was worthwhile if a somewhat exhausting flying visit. It is hard to believe it is eight months today, since we left. Time is flying in and we really want to make the most of the time we have left here. Tomorrow is back to porridge for both of us which will be great after all the holidays etc.
Bye for now
K x

Just found this!

Wow it’s been busy. The first month of becomers is over and everyone is settling into a routine of studying, they are studying a variety of courses from law to sports coaching, and getting involved in ministries from youth work to helping in the Genesis Care Centre. There have been a few challenges with accommodation and timetabling but the group has a lot of potential and we pray God will use them mightily for His glory. We had a Braai and pool party at our place for all of them it was a fun night and gave Karen the opportunity to get to know them.

Back in the middle of January we started with a training week at Oribi Bible Camp (which is beautiful) the becomers were joined by 32 Scripture Union workers, it was a really useful camp, though with all the preparation and presenting I was wrecked by the end of it all! I had the opportunity to preach in one of the evening devotions which I really enjoyed and felt guided by the Holy Spirit.

Another new job I have started this year is teaching RE in Port Shepstone High School, I share the load with Jess an SU worker and Thinus a Becomer, so far the pupils have been great and really responsive to what we have been teaching.

Otherwise all the youth stuff has started again at the church, Junior youth at Izotcha Primary, Friday night senior youth and Overcomers who are as lively as ever.

Time is flying by and Karen will be home in two weeks for her job interview, I will be staying here as the flights are weak expensive! It will be nice to have some peace and quiet too! Keep in touch, bye bye for now

Stephen

Beginings

Hi guys, hope you have all had a great start to 2008. For us it has been hectic. Stephen has been busy furnishing accomodation for the 12 Becomers who started at the church this week, and when I say furnish I mean everything from kitchens to toilet brushes! Needless to say leaving a man to make such domestic arrangements resulted in some rather frantic last minute activity. The group are now all happily training at a local Bible Camp where Stephen is organising training for both his group and about 30 Scripture Union workers who have come to South Africa for a year, there is even someone from Bangor!
For me the time had come around to apply for jobs back home, boy was that stressful! I felt very out of the loop being 6500 miles away with a limited number of sources of information. Regardless it is all done now and we can only hope and pray for the best.
To add to the chaos in our house there has been a major increase in the amount of load shedding by the electricity company. We are now having up to 9hrs of powercuts in every 24hr period. They are really helpful too because they put it off in the morning so you can't do your hair or have coffee before going to work and then it is off again when you come home so you can't cook or do any housework. But it reminds us we are living and working in the 3rd World! Which is fun.
Last weekend we went to Asissi childrens home with some new clothes for the kids and the SEEDS group had bought school uniforms for the new term. It was so amazing to see their excitement at getting brand new clothes and school things. These kids really don't have much and what they do have is usually second hand. The kids were so thankful and there were beautiful smiles and hugs all round. We will put some photos on flicker for you to see.
Thanks for all the cards and gifts people sent, some of the cards we sent don't seem to have turned up so please don't be offended - there is no rhyme or reason to the postal service in this country! Time is flying by and it won't be long til we are home but please continue to keep in touch this half of the year
Karen x

Seasons Greetings!

Happy Christmas Everyone! Hope you are all well and enjoying the frosty weather. We had a lovely afternoon at the beach and then went swimming here at the apartment. Thanks to everyone who sent us cards and gifts they are really appreciated. For those of you who had given us some money before we left we have distributed it in a variety of ways - Christmas gifts for the patients at Genesis Care Centre, Tshirts for the children at Asissi Childrens Home, an outting to the Snake Park for the Overcomers at church and Bible reading notes for kids at Junior Youth. Thank you all for your support - it has been great to be able to respond to a need whenever we see one and there is still some left to spend in the New Year. Have a wonderful Christmas, Love Stephen and Karen.

Christmas Chaos!

Wow the South Coast has been invaded by holiday makers! The traffic was so bad yesterday the police were directing traffic at every set of lights in our area. It is bizarre though wearing shorts and listening to Christmas music about snow and sleigh bells in the shops! Tonight was the Carol Service at church, a little different from what we are used to but very interesting to see how they tried to create the atmosphere. Everyone had a lit candle but it was still bright outside!!!!

Last Sunday we went with Seeds to decorate the Genesis Care Centre and then we went to Assisi Childrens Home to do a Christmas Party. The kids were so cute as they stuffed marshmallows and other goodies into their mouths but the food was soon forgotten when we brought out the toys and gifts! We have lots of cute pics we will put on flickr for you to see.

Enjoy the Christmas chaos wherever you are
K&S

Summer Camp

Wow it was hot! Very hot! Summer Camp was a great experience there was great teaching and the worship was fantastic. Many of the kids we took from Norwegian Settlers were strengthened in their walk and some made committments for the first time. It was a tough week lying about by the pool or river in 30-40oC! Thanks to Nivea Kids Factor 50 I didn't get burnt. It was encouraging to see 1000 teenagers on fire for God and the potential they have to impact the world. The challenge for us as leaders is to channel that enthusiasm in the other 51 weeks of the year.

I discovered something very interesting this week - if your battery runs done on your XDAIIi mobile you loose everything, yes everything - all your contacts, all your telephone numbers, all your photos and videos EVERYTHING! So please would you all email me your contact details or if you don't want to hear from me - don't!

On the up side I learned how to make balloon animals at a kids club this week and it's great fun:-)

Hope you are all managing to keep warm! S