Hello!
Casey writing here. So Cape Town is more beautiful than I had imagined. I thought it would be desert like but it's not at all. I have pictures below. Today was our 2nd day of VBS or "Holiday Club" as South Africans call it, and everything is going smoothly. Everyone who has been on a mission trip out of the country always comes back and says they don't have words to describe what they've seen. I totally understand now. For once in my life, I'm speechless. You hear about poverty in Africa and you've seen pictures of it. Nothing compares to experiencing it. Unbelievable. Entire families living in a one room shack that is smaller than most of our living rooms. The children see EVERYTHING that goes on in that house. They are exposed to things that are unfathomable.
What has been so humbling is attending a church service in a township called Masiphumelele where extreme poverty surrounds and hearing the congregation praise God. A woman gave her testimony and talked about all the great things God has done for her. She has nothing!! Made me feel so ungrateful.
On a lighter note we are having such a good time here. I'm loving bonding with new people and getting to know everyone better. We laugh a lot. The Team House manager, Clynton, has quite the opinion of Americans and gives us a hard time at any chance he can, got the van stuck in the sand. Who saved the day? "Stupid American girls :)" 
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Day Three
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday!
Greetings,
First day of VBS and Construction is complete and it was AWESOME! The VBS crew divided up in our teams this morning and went off to each of our townships. The construction team continued their improvements and new additions at the facilities of Living Way. We concluded our evening with a well deserved South African meal and a relaxing time of fellowship as we shared our daily experiences and also shared with the group how God called all of us in His own special way for this journey. God revealed incredible things to all of us today. It is amazing the joy expressed by the kids and families considering the poverty they endure every day. We all were encouraged and blown away by the Life Skill Educators (with Living Hope)we are working with. Each and everyone of these young men and women are truly a blessing to these kids and their families and we all should praise God for these remarkable leaders. Please contiuing praying for everyone involved with this journey asking Him to continuing leading us. Praise God!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
South Africa 2009- Sunday
We have spent two days here in South Africa absorbing the beauty of this country, meeting the people we will be working with, and getting to know each other better.
Yesterday both the construction and the VBS teams spent time with the phenomenal people here at Living Hope preparing for the upcoming week.
This morning we attended two incredible church services at King of Kings Baptist in Noordhoek and at Masiphumelele Baptist in the township of Masiphumelele. Both congregations welcomed us with open arms and ushered us into the presence of the Almighty in their own unique way. We experienced worship in three languages: English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.
This afternoon we traveled to Green Market Square, Boulder Beach (Simons Town), Cape Point, and the Cape of Good Hope. As we rode around Cape Town sightseeing our bond as a team was stregthened by our time spend together.
Tomorrow the "real" work begins. Please pray for us as the Construction Team begins their work at Living Way and the VBS team takes the love of Jesus Christ to the children in five different townships.
We are so blessed to be here. Thank you for your prayers and support.
"Makanaka"= the Lord is Great!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The 2nd Great Day of Service for 2009!!!
Saturday - September 19, 2009
Almost 900 volunteers served at locations across Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, and Spring Hill! Volunteers cleaned, painted, trimmed trees, prayerwalked, played musical instruments, fed the homeless, visited with the elderly, packed food boxes, and so much more! The rain did not keep BBC members from serving on Saturday for our second Great Day of Service for 2009! Check out these stories:
The South Campus food drive was so successful that Publix ran out of peanut butter!
The group at Brightstone went to be a blessing but said, “I personally believed our group was more blessed by the purpose of Brightstone to the mentally challenged adults and how this service has given them joy in their lives.”
1,500 boxes were packed at Feed the Children – and that was just during the morning shift!
Here’s a report from the class that served at the homes of 2 widows, “It was so cool that when each of the volunteers left their homes in Franklin and Brentwood it was pouring down rain and when we got to our locations in Nashville the rain stopped. There’s the miracle of the rain stopping and the incredible faith of everyone that volunteered to leave their homes in the rain.”
Please check out this link to see the Fox 17 report that was done on a class that held a baby shower for World Relief. http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1457.shtml
From the group that served at Carestone: “The residents especially enjoyed the kids being there. I think for all of us it was an important reminder that even simple things like playing bingo or just visiting can make someone's day!”
“To our new friends at Brentwood Baptist Church, none of this would have been accomplished without your tremendous initiative!!! You are the best!!!” From the art specialist at Kenrose Elementary after a group came and worked outdoors in the mud and rain.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING!!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Graceworks Food Drive Results!!!
Thanks to everyone who participated in Sunday’s BIG GIFT to the hungry of Williamson County.
1,994 people returned to the church in the 8 hour period to bring food.
Graceworks weighed the goods – all 24,000 pounds of it. They are eternally grateful.
Our people truly responded to the increased need in our community. Approximately 1,400 participated last year. So – we saw a 33% increase both in people involved and groceries provided.
Interesting fact – in past years, our gifts have kept the food pantry stocked well into December. However, with the increased demand, our increase in donations will still only last them TWO MONTHS. Keep Graceworks and the hungry in your prayers.
Thank you!