tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12094945955707000892024-02-19T13:38:18.051+02:00Heather McNielI could live a flawless life, never cheat or steal or lie. Always speak so kindly, smile so warmly, and go about doing good. I could dedicate myself to do what everyone else wants me to, listen to them, compliment them, and say the things I should. I could achieve success on earth, but success cannot define my worth, and all these actions, all these words, they will not matter in the end. So as I strive to serve you won’t you make it clear to me, that if I do not LOVE, I am nothing.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-8281592685078344072009-08-19T01:19:00.003+02:002009-08-19T01:38:00.044+02:00Warm WishesWarm summer greetings to all of you. I can say that it is not so warm out this way. We are in the middle of winter, of course, and it has been very very wet recently. There have been so many changes since I last wrote. Thank you for your patience. <br /><br />As I wrote before we moved forward with the opening of the safe house! We have prepared and fenced the land for a total of six homes, but the first was build and occupied in July. It was very special for me to be a part of the screening and preliminary preparation for the girls as several of them were in emergency situation and required removal from the homes prior to the building of the house. We were able to locate temporary living situations for four of the girls until the house was ready to be occupied. We had a fantastic opening ceremony with much community support from both inside and outside of Kayamandi. We are still seeking sponsorships for these girls and have delayed the building on the second house until early next year because of this. We want to have all the needs met for the first house before opening a second. We have 3 great partnering organizations helping us with construction and other costs; World Help International, Hope Builders Global and Threads Africa. <br /><br />I have neglected to mention this previously but Kuyasa does send out a quarterly newsletter and it can easily be forwarded to anyone who is interested. If you send me an email regarding this I will be sure to get it to you. We have our winter newsletter coming out in a few weeks. <br /><br />Another change has been that we have built new sport courts on a portion of the land. His has really bought in more youth and is helping to keep them off the streets and get them into our learning centre and other programs. The fields are in use none stop. It poured rain today, buckets and buckets and still the kids were out there in the cold and wet playing soccer until they were soaked. <br /><br />We have moved into a new Hats & Glasses loft with the group and are working on getting it fixed up, we have some old couches and mattresses that we uses to sit on in our meetings. The roof is still pretty leaky, but it is special to have our own space. We are now meeting with Hats & Glasses 4 times a week. <br /><br />Mondays we have separate boy/girls support groups and bible study. These new groups have taken on the names WOW (Woman of Wisdom) and POP (Pillars of Peace). The girls are going through a study about brokenness, healing from past hurts and using our suffering to help others and gather wisdom... and the boys are doing a study on how to overcome and understand fear (fear of rejection, suffering, death, abandonment, failure, many different types). These groups have really been amazing! The kids are sharing their hearts and past experiences with one another openly and hungry to love and be loved in these new communities. We meet on Tuesday and Wednesday nights as a large group, this year alone we have grown from 15 regular attenders to well over 60 at each large group meeting. We continue to leave the large meeting open for new members and have new people coming each week. The smaller Monday groups we will close to new members at the end of the month, allowing the kids to really have a solid, consistent community till the end of the year. We hope that this will create a solid base for the larger group and strengthen the committed members so they will be more confident as they share with and encourage their peers. Because the large group is so big we discovered that trust and intimacy relationally is really hard, so the small groups are helping with this now. <br /><br />We have invited 3 new girls to be a part of the youth leadership core of H&G, these are the people who steer the group and make all the decisions about the group activities, budget and material used to facilitate sessions. We have a solid ten core leaders between the ages of 16 and 26. Most have been in the H&G group for 3 years. We meet together every Thursday to plan together. Currently we are planning several service projects in the community, the end of the year camp and trying to get the loft together. <br /><br />Over the June holiday the H&G crew ran a Super Heroes Camp for 200 children from the community ages 3-13. They were absolutely amazing, keeping the kids active, learning and laughing all day! For two weeks they got up early everyday to come and serve during their break from school. They were exhausted by the time they went home each day, but the impact on the lives of the kids they worked with was and continues to be really amazing. The kids did not need Superman or Batman our H&G crew became the super heroes for these kids and their relationship continues in even today. <br /><br />They have also been patching roofs! This was my hope and desire even in May. We had a local bank donate large rolls of thick black plastic and staple guns. We located families very easily and went for it. Our list of “holey” roofs is very very long and we hope to go out and do more soon. We have organized two full days of roof repair but still the list grows and grows. <br /><br />The H&G have also begun a solid relationship with another group of Young Leaders from Khayelitsha called the Friends of Daniel (FOD). They are planning camps and service projects together and have come to visit each other often. They have had a total of 7 events together just over the last 3 months and can’t seem to get enough of each other! They really have connected in many different ways and will continue to strengthen each other, I am sure. The staff Facilitator of the FODs is also a very close friend of mine, so I enjoy that we are seeing more of each other also. <br /><br />In the month of June we also had our first annual Youth Leaders Training Retreat. Jenny and I realized that all of our programs are partially or completely run by youth. This is exactly as it should be; however, we had given no real formal training to these leaders and much of what we expect from them we had not been clear enough about. SO!! We stole them away for four nights and trained them all together! Youth Leaders from all our Performing Arts Programs, Visual Arts Programs, H&G, Sharing Views, the Prayer team, all the team captains from our sports teams and the Adventure Leaders. We were about 32 in total. It was completely mind blowing, not only did they learn so much and stay engaged and active in the learning throughout the week, they bonded! As leaders from many different programs they were meeting each other for the first time, some of them, but because they discovered that they shared the same passion to see the youth of Kayamandi change and were committed to the same things, they immediately drew strength from one another and became close. To see them connected and proud of themselves and their fellow leaders, standing together, strong together, was really amazing. We treated them as leaders and geared ALL the learning to equipping them to lead and help others. The feel of the camp was totally different than any other camp we have done. They were not there from themselves! They were there for the kids that they are leading, the ones that they were helping to get off the street, leave their gang, stop drinking, start going to school again, stop sleeping around and start to value themselves and their future as people created and loved by God. And they got it, they really got it and they got passionate about changing their community together! It was truly an amazing time and I pray and hope that we will have the resources to do this every year. It was very special, unlike anything we have done before. We used alot of the ALICT Level I material; it was like a mini ALICT. <br /><br />Speaking of ALICT, I have also had the opportunity to spend extra time with the class of 09 as they are training now. They are, as in the years previous, absolutely amazing people. Students from Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, DRC (Congo), USA, South Africa, India, Paraguay, Gambia, Cuba, Honduras, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Jamaica, Uganda, Malawi, Indonesia, Romania, and many more places—all living together and learning together for 3 months. Every time I visit I get to hear more of the special life stories, community work, faith and the perspectives that they have gathered working in their respective cultures. <br /><br />I hope things are not too warm that side. Blessings and love to all of you. I will have to return home to renew my visa toward the end of the year, so I hope to visit with you all, share more stories and hear all of yours.<br />Love, HeatherHeather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-29247423242324704042009-05-14T12:37:00.003+02:002009-05-14T12:47:22.511+02:00Good News!Winter has arrived and with it the cold and flu season. We are giving alot more food out this winter than last thanks to an increased contribution from a donor. I enjoy the winter much more than the summer, but that is because there are no leaks in my roof. Many many people here have water coming into their shack, it is close to impossible to stay warm when you are wet. I am hoping that some of the teams that come out to help this winter can water proof shacks for us. <br /><br />If you have not heard, I have purchased a car!!! And it has truly changed my life in many positive ways. I am able to help in many difficult circumstances and seem to be using it daily to help individuals and families in the community. It, of course, helps me as well. Because I live in the same community I work in, getting a real break is very difficult. Having the car lets me participate in church stuff, dinner with friends and has generally made life much easier than it has been. Having the freedom to go to the beach on Saturday or the doctor any time I need to. There are thousands of ways that it has and will help me and others. I am excited that people feel free to request things from me when they need them, this shows that they are comfortable with me and I am really grateful to have the means to help them in this way. <br /><br />The work here is still eternal, in more ways than one : ). We are going to open a safe house for teen girls the first week of July. This is very very exciting. As you know I have experience working with teen girls in difficult circumstances and have wanted to see this happen in Kayamandi for more than a year. The home that opens in July can accommodate six girls. It will be the first of six homes to be built here to give shelter to children and youth that have no other alternative. We have been working closely with Child Welfare and liaised with other more experienced organizations to ensure that the set-up of the homes is done well and according to government regulations. With the help of child welfare and our own program managers we have found four girls for the house as well as safe temporary placement for them until we are ready to move them in. We have also secured a special caregiver for the girls. I have had the opportunity to work closely with three of the four girls and hope to continue to build a relationship of trust with all the girls who we have in the home. <br /><br />In addition to other projects, I am currently writing up the policy and procedures for the safe house as well as behavior agreements/contracts for the girls and job description for the caregiver. Things are always busy and there is never enough time, but I continue to enjoy what I do, rain or shine and am grateful to be a part of the lives of these people and to have them a part of mine.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-39362856293716408212009-05-14T12:36:00.001+02:002009-05-14T12:41:23.105+02:00New HappeningsThis was written at the begining of April, but I could not get it to post!! So here it is...<br /><br />Just a brief update regarding what we have been up to at Kuyasa in the last few weeks. Most of you know that I was given the opportunity to go home and visit as well as speak at the Women’s retreat and Bible study in February. From this ministry and time of connection there have been approximately 720 Bibles donated for youth attending Kuyasa programs. <br /><br />This has been a very special gift to the youth here. Many have never had the opportunity to own their own Bibles. Bibles are considered books for adults only and a child or young person is considered ridiculous and thinking too highly of him or herself if they are wanting a Bible of their own. Bibles are used primarily by pastor’s but some “spiritual men and women have them. Some of the kids are hiding their Bibles so they are not ridiculed in their home, but they are so glad to have them. <br /><br />We have been running summer camp here in April, the last few weeks of the hot season. The kids are out of school for the Easter holiday and we have had up to 300 per day on site for games, food, art and craft projects, dramas and puppet shows. It has been a mad and crazy fun filled time! Our new sports fields are also under construction ( not the best mix with so many children!) we have poured the cement for the new basketball court and are excited to open things up soon and get as many youth here making use of them as possible.<br /><br />We have found a new assistant for Pumla with the sponsorship program and are making quick headway on the development and administrative details regarding the Safe House for teenage girls that will open in the first week of July. We have a strong candidate for the house mother position but are still really struggling to find funding to pay her. We have the house, land and construction paid for (donated) and there is a great need for girls to have a safe place to stay, but without a caregiver we will be unable to open. Please pray that we will find the right girls, that are truly in need and that our partnership with the child welfare department will continue to improve.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-5933393570025899172009-01-13T16:18:00.001+02:002009-01-13T16:48:58.466+02:00Happy New Year!Happy New year everyone! I trust that you have enjoyed the holidays and are most likely in “full swing” for what needs to be done in this New Year. <br /><br />Kuyasa had a very nice close to the year including the Hats & Glasses camp, completing some renovations on the facility and several focused planning sessions for the coming year. <br /><br />All of our programs winded down well in 08, but the Hats & Glasses went especially well, as we were all able to get away and learn in beautiful place. We spent seven days reflecting together about true discipleship, how Worldview affects our lives and what it means to be a servant leader. Please email me if you would like more details about our time together. <br /><br />Personally, I was able to house sit in town for the majority of the holiday and enjoyed spending time with kids from our Kuyasa programs without the pressure of other work related tasks. I was able to stay with and work with a friend and colleague in Khayelitsha for some time. This was a productive and rewarding time with my friends family as we worked together to see her NGO get a great start for 2009. I learned a considerable amount about Khayelitsha and the areas where she lives and works. Khayelitsha is the second largest Township in the country, Soweto being the largest. I was able to drive her organizations mini-bus nearly every day as we took care of all that needed to be done. This allowed me to get my bearing better in this huge place and become familiar with several areas there. <br /><br />Currently, I am back with my family in Kayamandi and enjoying a feeling of “home”. I have been more officially been given the tasks of Human Resource Development, Hats & Glasses oversight and management of the Visual Arts programs for 2009. In addition to other projects/tasks I am working on these responsibilities will most definitely keep me busy in the coming year.<br /><br />I was blessed to have access to a car for the last month and got a feel for the opportunities and freedom it can bring. I was able to get groups of kids out of Kayamandi! Out to the beach or just for an ice cream. This was very special to me and to them. Also, I was able to make myself available for family of a friend in the hospital and transport others to train and bus stations as they left to see family. In addition to these things, I lived with an enormous peace of mind knowing that I could access things I needed when I needed them and take time to be away from township life and work when I needed some rest. So after a lot of prayer and conversation with many of you, I am in the car market. I hope to find something reliable but older that will fit in well here in Kayamandi. I will be able to park the car at the office so it will be secure. I really do believe it is time and that the positive impact on my life and the lives of others is well worth the cost. <br /><br />If you have not heard, there is more exciting news, I have been given the opportunity to come and visit the States for a short time this February! The Woman’s Ministry at North Coast Calvary Chapel has invited me to speak at the Bible Study’s and Winter Woman’s Retreat in February. This is a very exciting opportunity to share and learn with the women of my church and to re-connect with many of you. I will be arriving in San Diego on the 11th of Feb, spending some time with my brother’s family and their new baby Benjamin and then again be in San Diego from the 15th of Feb to the 23rd. I believe there will be a reception and get-together at my parent’s home on the afternoon of the 8th and I hope that many of you can find the time to come. <br /><br />I look forward to seeing family and friends and catching up on all the new things going on in your lives. I am so grateful to have had a very blessed, rich and special 2008 and look forward to being a part of what God is doing this year as well. <br /><br />Blessings and Love to all of you!<br />HeatherHeather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-44594981446167609182008-09-25T18:09:00.003+02:002008-09-25T18:35:26.119+02:00Back in SAHello everyone,<br /><br />It is hard to believe that it has been nearly two months since I was there in the States with all of you. It was such a special thing to see everyone and have some special moments with friends and family. Thank you for opening up you hearts and homes to me. Being with you brought confirmation again that reconnecting is vital, and though the plane ticket is costly I want and need to stay connected to all of you! Email and phone (Skype, of course) is very helpful in this regard but I do need to see you and squeeze you all every once in a while. My next visit is tentatively planned for December 2009, so I am going to have to plan more time in for Skype conversations!<br /><br />Things are going well here. There was and continues to be a period of re-entry back into the community and the work. I had anticipated this, but had never done it, so I did not know what to expect. Things have gone well, though repair to relationship and “catch-up has taken time. I am still working on a few neighbors, hoping that the realationship can be as it was before I left. For the last two weeks I have been staying at a friends flat and caring for the high school student that she took in temporarily. We are working on the paperwork to have this girl come to the States to finish her studies. She has no family to care for her and is essentially without accommodation. <br /><br />You may remember Nana, another young girl that I helped to care for last winter. She connected to a wonderful family in the States through one of our volunteers who was here for five months. Nana is currently living with them and attending school in Ohio. Though they did not formally adopt her she is very much their own and has already taken to calling them “Mom” and “Dad.” Her father died the day after her birth and her mother passed several years later. It is really special for Nana to have found a new mother and father. Especially because she has never called anyone “Dad.” This same family would like to take in the girl I am staying with now and we are getting all the visa paperwork together in hopes that she and Nana can be sisters in this new home. They know each other and were good friends here before Nana left. The girls are looking forward to being sisters. Please pray that everything will work out for them.<br /><br />Here at Kuyasa, we are gearing up for Summer Camps and working on the end of the year programming. I have had the special opportunity to help some of our girls who are graduating look for a dress to wear to their Matric Dance (which somewhat like Prom). Recently we had a slumber party at the flat and experimented with make-up. This was the first time they had tried or even seen things like blush and mascara. After explaining that blush is not used on the forehead, somehow I still felt like I was unleashing a monster, ushering them into this new world of image and western fashion. But they had come to me and asked if I would help them learn and the youngest was 17. There are plenty of people here that wear make-up here, so I was not exposing them to anything unfamiliar. From the look of it, I doubt that any of them will wear makeup regularly, it will just be a special thing for the dance. We were all in hysterics for several hours; they could not understand why women do this to themselves! Two of the girls are going to come and get ready here at the flat I am staying in before the dance. This is really special that they want to share this big night with me, I am so excited to help.<br /><br />My life is still such a strange one, both personally and professionally I feel like I have my feet in two different worlds. Staying in the township, I have the opportunity to live life with and learn from the community and the kids I work with, but at the same time I visit friends in nice homes in town, sing with a choir at one of the most prestigious Universities in the country and share skin color and language with those who are the wealthiest here. Also professionally, my life is filled with amazing kids and youth, I get to lead groups, teach guitar lessons and help with homework, but on the other side I am attending a USAID conference on grant writing and best practice for structuring the Board , drafting all the employee contracts and facilitating the Strategic Planning process. There days I wish I never had to go into town again, then there are days that I consider living there. There are days where I just want an office that has a door to lock and wonder where all my time goes and then there days when I just want to throw out all the logistics and what feels to be worthless western rig-a-ma-role and build relationships only, just listen and learn and counsel, just share life with these incredible survivors that surround me. <br /> <br />As I write this I am realizing that, again, my time a Casa was excellent preparation for this life (at least on the professional end). I am more free here and need to learn to allow myself this freedom. I have to trust that this freedom that I have will allow God to lead and direct me, if I am aware and in-tune, I will know what to prioritize when. It seems somehow I learned that “hands-on” work and the “more important” things that keep us huddled in an office, writing dates for meetings, memos and reports must remain separate. Here I have been blessed to have the chance to question this. How effective are all those meetings, memos and reports? <br /><br />If as a Christian I am called to see the world be changed from the inside out, beginning with me, will these things I am so busy with get me there? If this is the true “target” how can the principles I understand regarding effective managing and planning be merged with my relational priorities and firm belief that lasting change comes only though real relationship. I have the “luxury” of seeing people I work with and supervise as more then assets or liabilities. I have been given the opportunity to step out of the pressure cooker that mandated performance and into a world that can take time to see people as created human beings. I get to change the questions around; not “what can they do for me and the organizational goals” but “What can I do to see them learn, grow, SHINE and become what God placed in them to become?” I am no longer auditing, I am treasure hunting. I don’t need all the lines and divisions that I have been taught. Personal/Professional, Hands-on/Management, Spiritual/Secular, Emotional/Intellectual, Rich/Poor, Black/White, Educated/Uneducated...the list goes on. The question is, can I let these go even if those around me don’t? Can I live in an integrated, ambiguous now; a life that prioritizes being over doing and remembers that at our core we are all in it for the same things; people to call true family, a purpose that will out last our small life and peace that is long-suffering, enduring through our greatest pain.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-64066011212760220942008-05-27T17:32:00.003+02:002008-05-27T18:49:17.593+02:00Safe and SoundI have received several concerned messages and wanted to post and assure everyone that I am safe and doing well. I know that there have been quite a few news stories about Xenophobia in South Africa recently and there has definitely been serious violence here. It has impacted the area I stay in, as well as the areas I visited while in Johannesburg. I did have to “evacuate” on Friday night and stay in more safe accommodation last weekend. I am back in Kayamandi now and feel safe, things have settled and the general sentiment is that there is no longer an increased risk to my safety. <br /><br />"Xenophobia" here in SA is primarily black South African people groups persecuting black immigrants from other African countries(most of which are refugees). Those who are encouraging the violence say that these immigrants (nearly all illegally in the country) are taking jobs and wives away from the native South Africans. Considering the importance of tribal heritage and blood lines, for many black South Africans the issue of taking wives is even more serious then taking jobs. <br /><br />However, as with most mob violence like this, it has become an opportunity to commit crime irregardless of race or ethnicity. In Johannesburg, I read headlines that estimated 42 people dead and 15,000 homeless. Here in Kayamandi we had riots and looting last Friday and Saturday night. The information I received was that 230 people were escorted out of the township under police protection after mobs attacked them with rocks, fists and firearms. We are a fairly small township so 230 people feels like a lot. I am sure there were more attacked who were not lucky enough to make it out with the police. One of the boys I work most closely with had a gun stuck in his side and was threatened. This was very scary, Friday night things started while we were still here in the office and it was very frightening. We have fantastic security staff who anticipated the riots and tripled their staffing. They were also armed. Myself and another American volunteer were escorted out of the township by one of the South African staff. I still had my bag with me from my time in Jo-burg (I had the privilege of being sponsored to attend a conference on Child Psychology there). So I was already packed to spend the weekend in safety, thank you Lord. <br /><br />Nearly all the shops in Kayamandi are owned and run by foreigners, primarily Somalians, but recently we have had more refugees from Kenya and Zimbabwe moving in. These shops were completely gutted and many structures knocked down or damaged as people frantically grabbed all they could carry. Homes were also looted. There were so many people involved that the police did nothing about the theft, realizing they did not have the man power to do much more then insure the safety of those under attack. <br /><br />Like I said things have calmed now. I met many people in Jo-burg who had lost nearly everything and send family back to their home countries for fear that they would be targeted. Please continue to pray for these people and their families. <br /><br />This is the third post I have made today. So please read further to get updated on the other happenings over the last several weeks. Thank you for all your love and concern for me.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-54492177162719632662008-05-27T17:22:00.002+02:002008-05-27T17:28:48.444+02:00Wonderings and WanderingsI have been reading from 1 Corinthians recently and was reminded that Paul was the first real missionary—after Christ that is. In chapter 9 Paul clearly states his methodology of missions. It is nice to read in the New Living Translation. The content of his message is written in other places, but the means by which he chose to deliver the message is there in chapter 9. Reading this with the words in proverbs that speak about truth or wise words given at the right time are like “golden apples in settings of silver” has been a real encouragement to me. Christ was the first example of what Paul speaks about here in chapter 9. Paul calls himself a slave to all, and of course this is what Christ was, deity illegitimately born into the world, in a town no one wanted to visit, a blue collar guy, homeless for most of his adult life, possessing nothing, he came to live as a slave in service to those he hope to save, even unto death. Then as we read, Christ spoke with divine wisdom and places these difficult to decipher apples of gold in the perfect settings. When people ask him questions he responds contextually. He nearly near gives a straight, plain, flat answer. He places his meaning in a context, a beautiful setting through, story, analogy and metaphor. He says himself that those who are not ready to hear what he has to say will not hear it. They listen, but only the heart that is ready can unlock the truth that is there. And of course it is the Spirit of God that prepares the heart to receive this. <br /><br />I am still so much in the pre and introductory phases of an incarnational witness here. It can take years to become a fairly integrated part of any community even in your native culture, with people who speak your native language.<br /><br />I am not sure where God will land me. Maybe here in Kayamandi, maybe Liberia, Rwanda or Mozambique. But I am definitely in cross-cultural Kindergarten. Washing in a basin, greeting mean looking guys with a smile, using a bucket for a toilet, riding in make-shift combies with 15 other people, eating pap and sour milk, making peace with the cockroaches and mice, expecting 36 interruptions a day—these things have become second nature, but there are so many other things that still feel foreign. I am hoping that this “basic training” coupled with many other forms of training and education that God has given me will be of benefit wherever I end up. <br /> <br />Thank you all for your patience with me. I never feel like any of you have a “Produce, Produce, Produce!” mindset or that you expect that I become the next female Billy Graham. You are patient with me as I am work to be patient with myself. Your grace extended and support has been my greatest encouragement next to the Lord. I am excited to be able to come and visit with all of you soon. This year has been very exploratory (as I had never been in a township prior to arriving). I am excited to plan, pray, and prepare with all of you for my return to Kayamandi; as well as learn more about what your lives have been like over the past year. <br /><br />I will be arriving in San Diego on the 22nd of June and will stay through the third of July. Jen Ryan, my sponsorship coordinator and my mother will be helping to organize several group gatherings. There will be a dessert and meeting at my parent’s home on the 28th of June. I would love to meet and share with any of you individually as well. <br /><br />Love and Blessings,<br />HeatherHeather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-79321710573632273062008-05-27T16:53:00.002+02:002008-05-27T16:58:04.150+02:00Hello everyone, I apologize for taking so long to write. So much has happened recently. It is hard to believe that it has been two months since my last post!<br />I am still living with my colleague and friend, Sis Pumla and her son Monde’ in Kayamandi. I am making real progress with Xhosa, so people tell me, and I have a great tutor from the community who walks me through Kayamandi and coaches me as I speak to my neighbours. It is definitely a challenge.<br /><br />I had the privilege visiting Pumla’s family in the Eastern Cape at the beginning of May. After a 12 hour bus ride, 5 blocks walking with our luggage in a grocery cart, 2 make-shift combie taxi rides and another 20 min walk on dirt roads, we arrived at the Qualinge family home. Over the next seven days I was given a new family in South Africa. I made Mnqushu, (traditional African dish) over the fire and help to make Umqombothi (traditional African beer). I assisted with the slaughtering and cleaning of many chickens and participated in a traditional ceremony that welcomed me as one of the family. I was able to meet the patriarch of the family and three of Sis Pumla’s six siblings along with their children. More than this, I was privileged to be given a very intimate and internal view of family roles, dynamics and traditions within the Xhosa culture. <br /><br />Below is a quick update on the projects I am working on here at Kuyasa, I will be speaking in more detail about these when I see you all in June.<br />• 70% of the 36 lesson curriculum for children suffering from PTSD<br />• 75% of the Standard Procedures for Kuyasa<br />• Annual All Staff Training Modules<br />• HR consult and assistance with hiring, creating the application and interview process<br />• The annual contracts and job descriptions for all full time and part time staff<br />• Guitar lessons once a week with students<br />• Worship band, practicing once a week (We recently received funding for a drum set!)<br />• Art Program, mentoring a young man from the community who is doing a <em>FANTASTIC</em> job creating lesson plans and structuring the program<br />• Implementation of 12 Sponsorship Program Training Modules to train up sponsorship administrator from 4 different NGOs locally<br />• IT classes for staff and studentsHeather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-67920341241926334052008-03-25T11:25:00.015+02:002008-03-28T20:49:13.734+02:00Welcome to my Home<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/heatherthailand/MyHome/photo#5181304663840306434"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/heatherthailand/MyHome/photo#5181304663840306434" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hello Everyone<br /><br />This photo is the walkway to my front door. Follow the link to some photos and a short video of where I stay in Kayamandi. Most of the photos are of the homes and areas just outside my home. I took some other video footage but am having trouble uploading. I will continue to try. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-16230874063136169152008-03-05T10:48:00.006+02:002008-03-28T18:21:25.462+02:00Taking Deep BreathsToday my heart is bursting. It is a day of having your head out of the window as the car drives on the highway. There is so much to take in and it is hard to breathe. <br /> <br />Living in Kayamandi is more than a special thing, it is has opened up a new stomach in me. There is so much to learn; I am starving. Honestly, I feel like a Kindergartener most days. My heart is breaking for so many things today. For the white people in South Africa, who even now continue to miss and disregarded such an incredible wealth of humanity, strength, love and family sitting right next to them. My heart is breaking for other developed nations, that we disregard the impoverished and the wisdom that God has given to those we call fools or the strength in those we call weak. But more than anything else I am broken today by the potential for real change that is so severely restricted through our own human darkness. There are so many resources, there are so many people, there is so much real potential. We have the raw resources, but fear, power and pride, keep us from connecting to each other. Keep us from relating in a way that recognizes what others have brought as they sit next to us. People, organizations, leaders and governments that cannot partner and insist on their own agenda, loose enormously. We don’t meet on level playing fields; someone’s chair always sits a little higher at the table. This is not about money or education or social group; this is a choice each individual makes. In our hearts we choose how high we will sit. We are focused on what is in our pockets, bequeathing our vast expanse of knowledge, money and expertise, all the time missing the greater possibilities if we simply look over into our neighbours lap. If we take a closer look we will be startled at the kind of wealth those in poverty seem to possess. So much more can be gained if we could see that those we are working with are the most significant players and contributors; that they bringing things of value that money cannot buy. Those that sit lower they also make a choice. Either through submission to social norms or other experiences they expect to sit lower, and they also loose, missing what they have to bring and how using this can enable not simply another program or project, but real transformation of lives, communities and nations. <br /><br />The HIV/AIDS issue is a great example. Billions have been thrown at this problem in Africa alone. But if you speak with people here they will tell you AIDS is not spreading due to lack of education and awareness. In South Africa the infection rate is 50% and it seems every other day they are speaking about HIV/AIDS in school. Every Youth Program in the nation runs workshops, hands out pamphlets, conducts awareness campaigns. From commercials on TV during the most popular shows, speeches from movie/music celebrities and political figures to conversations with grandma; youth here can tell you more about HIV/AIDS than you have most likely heard from any other source. This is good, of course, it is important, but it is not stopping the spread of the disease. WHY? Why is it that youth can give tell you which 4 out of 9 neighbours that live near them are HIV positive, who may have even watched their own parent(s) die a slow death from this disease and still they engage in risky behaviour that may ultimately result in infection. They have the information, they have seen the effects first hand, they have experienced loss and heartache because of this thing in their own families. Clearly, there is a deeper problem. Could it be that many issues of this kind, issues linked to poverty, are too complex to be solved without pulling up a chair, sitting next to (not above) the leaders of suffering communities and asking “How can we learn?” before asking “How much do you need?”<br /><br />I will step off the soap box now. Thank you all for being a sounding board and a family for me. You have all asked both of those questions with me and I am grateful. God's Blessings and My Love to you, HeatherHeather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-29304263667222377262008-02-12T20:47:00.001+02:002008-02-12T20:47:46.349+02:00My New HomeHi everyone<br /><br />I haven’t posted in a while. Things are going well at Kuyasa, I am staying very busy putting the Policy and Procedure Manuel together, writing up Contracts and Job Descriptions. I feel like I have done an enormous amount so far, but there is a lot more to do. <br /><br />I have also moved into Kayamandi to stay with Sis Pumla in her 2 beautiful shelters. One for the kitchen and her son Monde’ the other has a small living room and our bedroom. There is electricity but no running water or plumbing. It is a very big transition for me, I am learning a lot everyday and I am really grateful to be able to stay with her. <br /><br />A friend sent me a beautiful camera and I will be posting more photos and possibly video(!) soon. I will say I am feeling pretty stressed, particularly over the last two weeks. Pray that I could find peace and time for relaxing. There is so much need here and as I build a more solid rapport with the teens and kids here they are telling me more about their situations. This is difficult, what we would consider abuse just comes with the territory here—this has also been a very difficult transition. I am coming to love these kids more and more—and I feel myself stretched in so many ways. I need real wisdom and I need real love, peace and discernment from God in many areas. Please pray that my heart will stay open and that I will trust that God knows what I need to be what they need. <br /><br />I miss you all, I wish so much you could come and see my new home. It is beautiful.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-25677784863469239772008-01-16T11:32:00.000+02:002008-01-16T17:05:16.061+02:00PHOTOS!<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/f/img/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/heatherthailand/KuyasaMyRideToWork"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/heatherthailand/R43JtmmA0SE/AAAAAAAAAaA/F3Y0kdoqV8o/s160-c/KuyasaMyRideToWork.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/heatherthailand/KuyasaMyRideToWork" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Kuyasa & my ride to work</a></td></tr></table><br /><br />Some photos from work and my ride into Kayamandi today. Feel free to brouse my web albums on Picasa--I think I am acctually up and running with photos for the blog!<br /><br />After arriving at Picasa by clicking the link above, simply click "Heather's Public Gallery" to be taken to the rest of the photos.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-32540828913899642052007-12-15T22:55:00.000+02:002007-12-15T23:00:03.447+02:00More About Life, Work and KayamandiSo I am settled until the end of January. I have a bed room, even a window and I am grateful. It is secure and I feel safe there. I stay with two other girls and our place is about 270 sq. ft. We are a 20-30 minute walk from Kayamandi. It is a great place and I am thankful to have so much support here. I am feeling comfortable going into town and finding my way around and have even found a place that offers a bottomless cup of coffee : ).<br /><br />I am feeling settled, but have plans to move in with a co-worker in Kayamandi soon. I was invited by Sis Pulma the social worker I am working with here. I am really excited about the opportunity and feel privileged that she would want me in her home. It will be a different life though; I will not be able to walk alone after 5:30-6pm and never after dark. I will also not be able to keep things of value there—I will keep my guitar at the office and other items of value—just take my books and clothes. I have had a lot of requests for guitar lessons from the kids and have already given three lessons. We have a couple of guitars at the office in addition to mine but the strings are really bad. I am hoping that living in Kayamandi will help me learn Xhosa more quickly—tough stuff let me tell you.<br /><br />As far as work goes I have narrowed my scope considerably through March/April. I am working on Kuyasa’s the Policy and Procedure Manual, Job Descriptions, Contracts and some other structural elements. This will take quite some time to get together. Please pray that I will be wise about everything here, I want the system to be more than functional but really make things easier for the people on the ground not more complicated. It will also require some change—so pray that we will all weather this well.<br /><br />My second work focus is the Group Therapy lessons for 8-12 year olds. I am hoping to be able to use the curriculum with some the kids at Kuyasa in conjunction with Pumla and possibly another lay councillor. I have been given a larger role and am revising, adding, creating and redoing much of the material under the Project Director’s supervision. I am really motivated, the material is creative and powerful; I enjoy working with it. It is basic, "user friendly" and the best part is that it is so universal. It has been drafted to fit any context; though putting it through the trial run in various contexts will be proof in the pudding regarding its versatility. Please pray that God would open doors with this project if it is his will that I continue with it, it is an opportunity for me to do something that I really feel is deep in my heart. Briefly, the Lessons are based on emotions that typically result after trauma (sadness, fear, avoidance, anxiety, guilt) they help children identify what they are feeling, how it effects their thinking, body and life generally, why they feel it (normalizing)—what is the root, understanding the importance of expressing the emotion and then giving safe coping skills to handle and express the emotion in a constructive way. It also teaches life skills, crisis and emergency intervention skills, as well as, enhancing self-esteem and training children to identify “safe” versus "unsafe" people around them. Each session uses puppet shows, metaphoric stories, games, experiential learning activities, Memory Book pages, visual art and Bible stories to walk the children through the concepts. The objective in to crate a safe and supportive environment for them to heal, learn and build resiliency. It will be tested in Liberia come April/May, the idea is to train group facilitators in many different countries and have these lay people be the ones to conduct the sessions under supervision. There is a general core curriculum composed of 20-32 sessions depending on the severity of the children and then additional 10 lessons that focus on coping after specific situations (Loss due to AIDS, sexual abuse or rape, war, Tsunami). So that is the basic concept—really exciting and also somewhat intimidating, but there is a solid team working on the project, so I feel good about the chances for success.<br /><br />Other areas of focus that will be on-going are language skills and relationship building with our kids and the community. Xhosa is very difficult for me, it requires that my mouth make sounds and shapes that it has never made before—sounds that used to be reserved solely for special effects that accompany highly descriptive stories are now a part of everyday language. We have just returned from Summer Camp were myself and others helped to lead 80 youth through four days of Adventure—Experiential Learning Activities and Value Based Bible lessons. It was a lot of fun. I got to focus on a group of 11 smaller girls who dubbed themselves the Pink Shooting Stars (our group bandannas were pink). We had a lot of fun together complete with shadow puppet stories on the wall before bed. This was a fantastic opportunity to build relationships. The Pink Shooting Stars are meeting weekly for Bible study and shooting star fun. Our cheer “WE ARE! WE ARE! THE PINK SHOO--TING STARS!” We made our group poster last week. The oldest in the group is 12, I thought we would have a nice time colouring together and read a few verses—instead we had a lengthy conversation about Apartheid and what it means to be part of the Born Free Generation (at the request of several group members) as well as voting on how many friends each member should be allowed to bring next time. Pray for my stars. Especially Zintle and Abulele, they have a tough time following directions.<br /><br />Some big news that is more on the personal side--myself and six other single adults, have made the choice to take in a 16 year old girl. Her name is NaNa. Cindy (my current roommate) and I are the primary care givers—she is living with us. Neil, Cindy’s fiancé’ is helping quite a bit. NaNa has been attending programs at the Center (Kuyasa’s Center) and built a strong connection to several staff. There were no options for her accommodation—this is really the short version, but I want to be careful with her story. I wish you could all meet her. She is a special girl; I am going to post some of her poems on my blog. We committed to take her in for one year and find good accommodation for her if we can’t have her next year. Cindy and Neil are very committed to caring for her and when I move out, Jenna (another Kuyasa staff person) will help Cindy care for NaNa. I will be spending Christmas with NaNa—just her and I. I am really looking forward to it. If you’d like to know a little more about her feel free to email me.<br /><br />I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!!! Mine will be different but good. I love you all, thank you for your continued prayers and support!Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-34209415040353809282007-11-12T18:33:00.000+02:002007-11-12T18:42:15.896+02:00New Work<p>Hello Everyone,<br /><br />I have made the sad but exciting transition out of ALICT to full time work at Kuyasa. I miss my friends from many nations and have been emailing regularly with many of them. <br /><br />I want to thank all of you who were willing to help my friends that were mentioned in the last entry. One in particular is still in great need. He works as a Missionary in northern Ivory Coast and is struggling to feed his family and keep a roof over their head. I wish that all of you could meet him, he is the most gentle, humble and full of faith man I have ever met. His trust in God is amazing. Please let me know if you would like to get in contact with him or would like more information about him. I would love to help him find some on-going supporters. I will be sending a portion of my tithe to him. <br /><br />I am in my second week at Kuyasa. I have been praying and thinking through all the options with both Kuyasa and continuing with projects linked to ALICT. I have been observing the Kayamandi community as well as Kuyasa and another NGO in Kayamandi called Prochorus. I have a lot of amazing options and everyone needs help, of course. The difficult thing about everyone needing help is that it is easy to do things because others express a desperate need and sympathy is very compelling but, it is important to take the time to find what will be the most effective in this context as well as, what God has put in me to give. <br /><br />I have been using a lot of the information I received in training at ALICT to connect to the community, do research and network with different NGOs. The strategic planning of projects is also something that is and will continue to be a really important tool in the next several months. It is important for me to be able to finish what I begin here and ensure that my objectives are realistic. The following is the narrowed list of projects that I would like to be involved in over the next two years. Exploring the specifics of each project, my role and the partners I will be working with will be the focus of the next few weeks. Please pray that I would have wisdom and understand how to use my time the most effectively. <br /> </p><ul><li>Creating and illustrating 14 page manual for children and youth on creating Food Gardens to be used in schools in Madagascar and other Africa nations </li><li>Research and writing of Policy & Procedure, Program and Job Descriptions for Kuyasa</li><li>Research and recording a transferable model for the Kuyasa Programs and set-up</li><li>Continue to help the young woman here who I met thought ALICT working to begin her own business and community classes in sewing</li><li>Participating in the creation of 16 weeks of Trauma Support Group curriculum for ages 8-12</li><li>Conducting a Trial of the curriculum here in Kayamandi in partnership with the Child Rape Services through Prochorus</li><li>Enhancing Workshops for parents and Orphan Caregivers</li><li>Creating curriculum for Parenting Workshops</li><li>Teaching and creating an annual curriculum for the Crafts and Fine Arts Program</li><li>Participating in the research and writing of a Musical that will tell the story and history of the community of Kayamandi</li><li>Helping to direct and coach Kayamandi Youth in the preparation and performance of the Musical</li></ul><p> I have also been helping with the Learning Center and Feeding Programs here. Each day approximately 250 children come to Kuyasa to receive a hot meal, approximately 40 stay regularly for tutoring in academics. This is not what I want to be doing regularly, but they really need help and we all fill in where there is a need. I will also be helping with the Kuyasa Kids Performing Arts Group, offering some technical support for local shows. They have two this weekend. </p><p>Please pray that God will help me say no when I need to and set limits with my time. Thank you all for you prayers and care. I love you all and will try to post again next week. <br /> </p>Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-86782148357259139862007-10-13T00:21:00.000+02:002007-10-13T00:39:17.394+02:00An End and a BeginingHello everyone,<br /><br />Thank you for your comments and emails. I am just coming up for air and I need to catch up with my communication. We have been busy with 2 projects in the community and many many assignments, in addition to 8-10 hours of lecture/teaching daily. I did not make it to bed last night--Over the last 8 days I have been able to grab 0-4 hours of sleep a day. But it has been worth it and now everything will be down hill from here. I just turned in a 16 page project charter this morning that was very time intensive. I feel good about it though, and I feel <em>really</em> good about all the very practical knowledge I have received in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ALICT</span>. <br /><br />I helped to coordinate a Compassion Day where approximately 300 children came together to serve in their community. We painted play structures, planted gardens, painted classroom buildings, cleaned up the streets, parks and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-school. We really had fun with them, taught them about the Savior who loves them, played SO many games, sang SO many songs and loved them, working next to them to bless the community. I really can't tell you haw amazing this day was. God was there and filled me with strength and love like I will never forget. <br /><br />Also I have been working with a young woman in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kayamandi</span> who has a dream to start her own business and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NGO</span>. Together we have had many meetings at the government offices getting her ready to register with them and partner with many different people in the community to take the next steps toward her dream. She is such an amazing young woman, 27 years old, the mother of 2 small children, a Christian and truly driven to use her skills and energy to change her community. <br /><br />It has been so easy for me to have these people at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ALICT</span> grow into family for me because I have had the mindset to create a new home here and they have been my community. So I am already facing some sadness knowing that we will all leave each other on the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span>. But at the same time I am excited to move forward with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kuyasa</span> here in SA. I am convinced that God has a plan and that his plan he placed in me from the beginning of my life. I have been busying myself with excavating it for many years and I believe that this entire process has been a part of God's plan. I have to hold everything lightly and not rush--that is so easy for me to do. God will do what he will do despite my striving. I think if there is anything I must watch for now it is pushing in my own strength and getting ahead of God. <br /><br />I have begun speaking with people at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kuyasa</span> and have arranged accommodation for the next 4-6 months. I will be living in an apartment that is being rented by other American missionaries working for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kuyasa</span>, they will be going on sabbatical for a while and asked that I help them with rent while they are gone. I feel good about this because it will give me time to build relationships in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kayamandi</span> and ready myself to move into the township. <br /><br />We are going away to stay in a church on the most Southern tip of Africa this Saturday night. They say that you can stand in one area, spread out your arms and you are holding the entire continent in your hands. This will really be a necessary time of prayer and absorbing all the spiritual elements of the lessons that have sat as notes in my notebook for the last week because of the busy schedule. <br /><br />I am praying for all of you. I think of family and friends often especially with this transition coming up and the "Cabin" next month. I will admit I try not to think of the cabin because it is so sad to think I will not be a part of things. But I have peace too and I know I am where I am supposed to be. I feel confident that God will show me what to do and where to focus my time, energy and resources. I will be giving some money to a few of the students here who are closest to me--it is my tithe. They are incredible people doing amazing things and I know them, I have ate, slept, studied and lived life with them for three months. Out of 26 students I feel compelled to give to only 4 a men from <strong>Benin</strong>--working in sustainable agriculture, training and empowering the poor--particularly pastors who are unable to feed their families, <strong>Ivory Coast</strong>--working to give spiritual, medical and social aid/healing to a unreached and Muslim populations in the North that are AIDS infested and dealing with civil war presently, <strong>Bangladesh</strong>--working to increase awareness and irradiate the trafficking of women and children from the poor villages--these are lured and then trapped in prostitution and camel jocking in the cities, <strong>Tanzania</strong>--this man is a prayer warrior, fasts for days on end to see the youth of his nation empowered to become the next generation of leaders who serve God. These have really inspired and amazed me with Christ <em>ALIVE</em> in them, their passion to serve the poorest of the poor and their drive to work hard in everything God gives them to do. I want to invite you and any others who you think might like to pray about helping them to consider working with me to send them back to their communities with some seed money to begin with the Projects that they have planned while here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ALICT</span>, which I listed after their countries. If you want more information please email me. they have all written 10-15 page project charters that detail their plan once they return to their nations and I can send these out over email. <br /><br />I am so grateful to have all of you. I sit here at this computer--(hoping that I won't loose my Internet connection) and I am seriously humbled by what God has given me in all of you. So many people who love me, not because of anything I do, just because God has given me to you and you to me and so we love each other. This really baffles me sometimes, especially seeing how isolated others are in the impoverished situations I have encountered. Poverty has so little to do with money and so much to do with community. <br /><br />Please pray for me--I am a bicycle, and all of you have helped me gather and assemble parts of how and who I am and even helped me to see how to use the things God gave me. Your prayers have oiled my chains and spokes and tightened my screws. I am who I am because God gave me people who love me and have helped to assemble my insides. I need God to hop on, I need the Spirit to do the pedaling, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">steering</span> and keep me moving at the right speed--keep me balanced and not wobbly. Your prayers do this. And I pray for all of you too that God would enjoy, and empower the ride of your life. I love you guys.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-41659182954538594932007-09-20T22:35:00.000+02:002007-09-21T23:01:22.845+02:00Birthday Parties and Community ProjectsHello everyone, I recieved your greetings from Cassie if you visited with him at NCCC and also met Simon this week, I know he was with you also. Simon and his team trained us here in a series of 8 workshops this week, what an incredible man he is. My time at ALICT is two thirds complete. The learning we have done here has really been unique. They expect so much and facilitate learning in very unsual and experiacial ways. This has been really effective for me even though it is challenging. The navigating and working in this kind of extream diversity has given me more than a year of intercultural course work could. It continues to be one of the greatest experiances of my life and without question a privledge. Let me share one thing that has been very special to me.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am heading up our "Social Events" committee which consists of two other student one from Latin America and one from Ethopia. Basically we plan Birthday Parties which consist of putting up streamers, giving some small item as a gift, having our Auntie Zena (who cooks for us) bake a cake, blowing out candles, prayer for the person celebrated and singing "Happy Birthday". We sing two ties in English, two times in French and two times in Spanish. We celebrated our third and final birthday on the 17th and I have to tell you these parties have been one of the most significant experiances I have had here. Africans, generally, do not celebrate their birthdays. In fact some have never attended a celebration like this for themselves or anyone else. One of the men we celebrated was turning 35, he is from Ivory Coast. He thanked us in tears and could not believe that we would honor him in this way or celebrate his life as such a special thing. He explained that there had been some foriegners in his counrty many years ago who had given him a birthday party, but that this one was the second he had ever experiance. We celebrated his life and his friendship together and the group lifted him to thier shoulders and surrounded him with hugs. And he cried. It was one of the most significant moments of his life, one he will never forget.<br /><br /><br /><br />For a moment I wanted to devote my life to ensuring every child in the world had the opprotunity to experiance at least one birthday party. It had never occured to me that the majority of children in the world will never have their life celebrated in this way. We spend unreal amounts of money on children birthdays how can it be that so many never have this simple gift----I want to write more, but I have to go---I will add/edit later. I love you all.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-84181045869149681942007-08-26T12:34:00.000+02:002007-08-26T16:38:35.817+02:00Mountians and ValleysHello everyone, I am sorry that my time is so limited when I have Internet access. Last week I was hopeful to write and visited an Internet cafe, but the connection was so poor that it took me 45 minutes to bring up only three pages and I did not have time to write. But here I am and I am thankful to have a few minutes to connect.<br /><br />The reality of 26 different cultures and backgrounds living together is beginning to set in. The group still enjoys each other, but I think we are having a harder time setting ourselves aside for the other person. We become irritated with each other more easily, but the challenge is good and shaping.<br /><br />I have not written about our mountain adventures yet. During the course of our training we are exposed to 5-6 wilderness training activities that incorporate spiritual and physical disciplining with teamwork and community building.<br /><br />7/27/07---Our first day together before the sun rose, we climbed into "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">combies</span>" (mini vans), wearing the warmest clothing we had and drove in the rain almost 3 hours to a place we did not know. There we were dropped off in a field in front of what look to be an old church building and were told to get into teams. We did not know each other, we were all from different nations and many people on my team did not speak English well. We were given two poles of bamboo, one rope and trash bags for raincoats. Our instructions were to create a structure with the poles and the rope so that, as a team, we could carry one man. We were given a small map and told that we must carry one man over the mountain and he could not touch the ground. It was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but I learned so much about myself and the others on my team. I felt like the true self in each one of us was pushed to the surface as we struggled, bled and hurt together. These people who had been strangers to me became a part of my heart in 6 hours time.<br /><br />This passed Friday was our second "adventure" we were told to wear warm clothing and left for the mountain. We began climbing in two teams of 12 at 6:30 pm. We were told that the trail was very dangerous because of how sheer the drop was, how narrow that path was and how strong the wind would be. Each team was tied on to a rope together. The rope between myself and the person in front of me was too long, so in addition to the loop around my waist, I had the rope wrapped twice around my chest and once around my stomach. This was done so that if one person fell they would not be lost down the mountain, but the others could pull them up again. We didn't know how far we would go, but we knew that we would not be back until the following morning. The sun set as we hiked and meditated . We had small wind up flashlights in addition the moon. We rested for ten minutes every hour and continued to to top of the mountain as a team. When we reached the top at approximately 2 am, it was explained that we would have 20 minutes to rest and then travel down again. It was an amazing view even in the dark. Large water falls, thick vegetation, enormous rock faces, slowly creeping mist and incredible stars. We arrived, utterly exhausted, at the trail head again around 9:30 am. We had been angry, tired, excited, encouraged and many of us injured (I re-injured my right ankle), but we had done all of this before God, together.<br /><br />I learned enormous lessons here about community, God's connection with me, asking for help, loving others, taking risks, changing my understanding of pain and the power of bonds for good and for evil. I am still sorting through and processing the experience. The trail was so narrow and the drop was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">absolutely</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">terrifying</span>, there is really no other way to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">describe</span> it, nearly straight down for what looked like a mile. I was thankful for the dark because it forced me to stay <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">focused</span> on the path, if someone slipped with just a potion of his foot sliding on some wet plants, it would be over if he did not have others to pull him up by the rope. I am thankful for that night, the lessons and for my sore muscles today.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-72380950823792229432007-08-11T07:41:00.000+02:002007-08-11T08:08:23.083+02:00Continuing to Learn and Connecting with FriendsHello everyone,<br /><br />It was good to hear from a few of you over email or here in the comments. I am still amazed everyday with the learning and relationships I been given here. We have had lecture on all types of topics <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">relevant</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Biblically</span> based Community Development. This week we studied short-term project planning and assessing the needs of different subsets in a community. We were also able to develop project plans in a team and later in the course we will be implementing a project in the community. The team I worked with included 7 people; men from Uganda, Benin, Liberia, Nigeria, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba and one woman from Egypt. <br /><br />Last night I was able to see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kayamandi</span> for the first time and this morning we are walking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">threw</span> the township to quietly pray for the needs there. I am really excited to see my new home up close and on foot. <br /><br />I was also able to meet up with the team here from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NCCC</span> and work with them last night as they began a marriage conference/retreat for Pastors and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">their</span> wives leading churches in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kayamandi</span>. It was such a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">privilege</span> to meet them and to talk with them about the most difficult issues they feel the community is facing. Has also been great to have some familiar faces here with me and share my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">excitement</span> about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ALICT</span> with them firsthand. Jan, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Singrid</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">PJ</span> took a tour of the facility and cabins we are in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">yesterday</span> and were able to meet some of my close friends. It has been special for me to be able share so much of my life here with people from home. <br /><br />I love all of you, please write and let me know how you are. I would love to hear from you : )Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-86197079281362613472007-08-01T17:49:00.000+02:002007-08-01T18:11:32.720+02:00Learning with a Community of Leaders From More Than 20 NationsHello everyone! If you did not hear from my parents, I have made it safely to South Africa and have begun my training program. I apologize for not being able to write earlier this is the first opportunity I have had to get to an Internet cafe. They have given us only ten minutes each and so I will have to be brief. I am hoping that we will have Internet access at the school facility soon. <br /><br />There are 26 individuals here in the program with me from some of the following countries: Cuba, El Salvador, Uruguay, Togo, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Congo, Benin, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Madagascar, Egypt and Burundi.<br /><br />We are living and learning together. It has been and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">believe</span> will continue to be the single most amazing experience of my life. These people have been have been orphaned by genocide, beaten, seen family killed right in from of them, they work with rulers of nations and have perspective and understanding like I have never been exposed to. They are leaders in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">their</span> nation doing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">amazing</span> things to serve the people. I am honestly overwhelmed to have been given this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">opportunity</span> and am treasuring every meal, conversation and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">assignment</span> we are able to have together. <br /><br />The teaching is also blowing my mind. I have to go and wish I could say more, but it is challenging me, the whole of my person, more than any other studying I have done before. For the most part, our sessions run 6 days a week from 8:45am-8:45pm, with meal and tea breaks. I will write more as soon as I can. I love you all.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-11476570468683271282007-07-24T19:09:00.000+02:002007-07-24T19:25:31.950+02:00Wonderful Visits and Final GoodbyesThe last six weeks have been an amazing time of connecting and re-connecting to people that have been and continue to be the largest source of strength in my life. It has been a long month of goodbyes, but I have felt God present and helping me prepare in so many small ways. <br /><br />In just a few hours I will be on a plane above the Atlantic on my way to South Africa. I am so excited and blessed to be at this place in my life and in my heart. I am learning how to let the excitement and grief mingle and be at peace with all the unknowns. I am so grateful to have all of you in my life. I arrive in Cape Town late on 7/25, I will try to post as soon as I can once I've arrived and got some sleep.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-17639064071339640582007-07-13T19:13:00.001+02:002007-07-13T19:21:27.411+02:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReh_1a2Z9l46Za_g8yy3qX_w-Yx9qsQ09ZAlcuCXUK9acd3qGKmlWYBfg0nSqdu20gHWtAP7ShtdLuJQOuBuiONuP5HLeVryFJUf97Ckl5jlUX-hspiWIfy-uGujtiw_7Q499sR-Xl1oG/s1600-h/129F.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReh_1a2Z9l46Za_g8yy3qX_w-Yx9qsQ09ZAlcuCXUK9acd3qGKmlWYBfg0nSqdu20gHWtAP7ShtdLuJQOuBuiONuP5HLeVryFJUf97Ckl5jlUX-hspiWIfy-uGujtiw_7Q499sR-Xl1oG/s320/129F.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086732662962178866" border="0" /></a><br />Visiting <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Beautiful Baby Asher</span> and Matthew and Catherine in Chicago till 7/19.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-15584598667701896292007-07-08T06:39:00.000+02:002007-07-08T06:44:11.282+02:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJRQm6xwcJQwBqgG1J_kHZJhfTjzQPeoljwWPQjOYUVbUCsVb8P11HXTVVIsLhkdU9FshcfoTXpx6y0Z856l_QdPR0IlRRJQLAkPhZricper50VKNUJ4KAgm4cm-Go_kbniTWJnqaolIo/s1600-h/Ireland+5-2007+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJRQm6xwcJQwBqgG1J_kHZJhfTjzQPeoljwWPQjOYUVbUCsVb8P11HXTVVIsLhkdU9FshcfoTXpx6y0Z856l_QdPR0IlRRJQLAkPhZricper50VKNUJ4KAgm4cm-Go_kbniTWJnqaolIo/s200/Ireland+5-2007+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084682253027258354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Visiting Melissa and Jeff till 7/11Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209494595570700089.post-6122798239599612692007-07-06T08:34:00.000+02:002007-07-06T09:10:08.697+02:00Friends and FamilyHello.<br /><br />Thank you for visiting my page, I am glad you are here. I will be writing about my work and learning as I live with the people of Kayamandi, South Africa for the next two years. I am hopeful that these posts will help everyone stay informed and engaged while I am away.<br /><br />Currently, I am visiting family as I make my way to Washington D.C. where I will depart for Cape Town on the 24th of July. From there I will be in training through the third week of October and then transition to full-time work in Kayamandi.<br /><br />Feel free to comment or ask questions here on my blog and I will do my best to respond quickly. You may also visit <a href="http://www.kuyasa.givengain.org">www.Kuyasa.givengain.org</a> for more information on the work being done in Kayamandi.Heather McNielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01733619175917689625noreply@blogger.com1