Thursday morning we went into the community around RivLife, called Cinderella Park. we went back to a Kulus house (kulu is grandpa in Isizulu) that is blind to do his laundry. we washed four of his blankets for him, which was fun because we learned how to do wash like them! they put the blanket in a big bucket with soap and water and then stomp in it - almost like we were squishing grapes! it was fun and then we rinsed them and wrung them out (or at least as much water as we could get out) and then hung them out to dry. one of the girls that comes in the afternoon usually to RivLife, named Sindy, lived next door and came over with her sister to play and be with us, and helped wring out the blanket a little bit - she is just so cute!!
The afternoons at RivLife with the kids are some of my favorite times, even when they are all screaming or crying, they seem to be fine a few minutes later laughing and singing with us. they play nonstop and never get tired, even when its BRIGHT AND SUNNY. on thursday afternoon we sat in the shade for a while with them and painted the girls nails. it was adorable and they loved it, they always look at our nails that are painted so we thought it be fun to paint theres, and it was! Azola, one of the little boys that has stolen my heart, spent most of that afternoon on my lap in between his trips to the water spicket to fill his mouth with water and then come back still with a mouth full of water he would plop down on my lap and either swallow the water slowly or spit it out, which he found so amusing. he is just too darn adorable and i absolutely loved sitting with him and laughing with him.
On Friday we went to the womens support group again and they took us around their community to home visits of other women who are also HIV positive, one of whom has full-blown Aids. it was an emotionally draining morning as we took in the images we were seeing, but seeing the women being there for other women and praying and singing with them in Isizulu was a memorable and touching moment to say the least. i will never forget the feeling of being in the house listening to the women sing the most beautiful song i have ever heard that also was so sorrowful. the woman that we visited (who had been blind for a few years and had full-blown Aids since 2003) began to tear up while she listened. its in that moment i knew God was breaking my heart and im not sure what its going to look like when He mends it back together - but i KNOW He will and He will make it with a soft spot for the people here in South Africa.
All of the women in the support group inspire us by what they do in their community and how they are there for one another. i love spending time with them and dancing with them :)
Friday afternoon we painted at the new day care center - we used the kids hands to make a rainbow in one room, big colorful flowers and butterflies in another, and in the last room a big and bright smiling sun that will say above it "Jesus Loves You" in English and Isizulu :)
RivLife has been one of the most life-changing experiences, and i still have 3 more days!! i couldnt tell you exactly how it has changed me, but i KNOW it is changing me and i know i will be processing my time there for a long time after i get back. the women i get to serve there with are some of the most genuine and heart-felt friendships and the experiences we are able to have give my heart joy.
Today (Saturday) we went to Ushaka - which means "shark" and is a water park and "sea world" - it was the perfect day to feel like we were kids again going on all the slides and going through the aquarium and watching the dolphin show!
Every day i get to spend here in South Africa is special to me and i am having the most fun and the most life changing experiences all in the same day sometimes! i have had "de ja vu" (or however you spell it) A LOT here and i just keep telling myself its cause ive been dreaming of this semester my whole life :)
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