Friday 1st March - Friday 8th March

Sorry first of all for the complete lack of communication this past week... I have completely settled into African life now so it's far too hectic for blog writing haha - will definitely try and do a little better!

Friday 1st March
Friday morning started interesting... the previous week Clo and I had somehow managed to removed the handle from our bedroom door. This morning when we tried to get out of our room, the pin had moved and the door was complete stuck... and we were trapped! We ended up climbing out of the window, running round the side of the house to try and fix the door. Winnie was sat on the porch and look at us with complete bemusement at the fact that we had had to climb out of the bedroom window. We spent the day in HCC basement, chilling and skyping ect, I had a lovely chat with Mum and Grandma and Grandad. Late afternoon we headed over to Sarah's new cottage, borrowed her shower and chose some clothes to wear to the wedding. After having a nice British cup of tea at Sarah's, we headed back to HCC for junior and senior youth.

Saturday 2nd March 
Today was wedding day! We headed up to the bride's house about 10am to start taking photos and filming and we didn't leave until 5:30pm! A very, very full on day of Zulu weddingness! The wedding procession down to the service was complete madness. The cars swerve across both lanes of the road, the horns blare the entire time and they keep their hazard warning lights flashing! In Zulu culture it is quite rare for people to get married due to the dowry situation, so when weddings occur they like everyone to know! The day was very long due to the fact that everything was in Zulu, they break into song and dance every 5 minutes and we had no idea what was going on! But it was a very interesting experience. We spent the night at Sarah's relaxing after the long day, and then headed back to Pops later on in the evening.

Sunday 3rd March
We started Sunday by heading to the Zulu church. The service was so, so good, Justice preached in English and the Zwe translated the whole sermon into Zulu, all the worship was in Zulu though, so we had no idea what they were about! After the service, we went to get Sarah and we went to Piggly Wigglys for the afternoon. We looked around loads of really cute, quirky little shops and had the most amazing lunch!! We came to the basement after Piggly Wigglys and had time to Skype which was really good, before heading to the HCC youth service. The weather has been so, so good these past few days!

Monday 4th March
We had today off to pack up our stuff as we were moving out and into our new houses after Durban. It was quite weird for Chloe and I to have to pack up and leave Dudu, Winnie and the kids! The team (minus Gidz) headed to Howich for lunch and had a Nando's. We spent the rest of the afternoon looking around the shops, relaxing and just enjoying each others company, the weather and the surroundings. Dylan was taking Eli, Gidoen, Chloe and I to his varsity's rugby  match on Monday evening which was really good. It was so nice to just be out and socialise in a situation that we are much more use to at home! Chloe aced beer pong and won loads of crazy prizes. It was a good break from working, and was just really nice to be our with young people and watch the game! Clo and I had a great night, and were braze enough to experience South African beer!

Tuesday 5th - Thursday 7th March
We headed to the Durban Tuesday afternoon for the mission conference. All 6 of us, Sarah, Esme, Grant, Londy and Zwe went and it was such a good few days! The venue of the conference was amazing because we could just sit out on the grass and enjoy the view of the sea and the city. The weather was so good, so we managed to sun ourselves in our tea and lunch breaks which was lovely. The conference was good, and it was really interesting to see how mission works all across SA, but also how many communities need so much help! The worship was also really good at the conference, it was Andy and Jenny Flanagan, and one particular verse really hit me hard...

"We are blessed to bless a world in pieces, we are loved to love where love it not, we are changed to be the change you promised, we are freed to be your hands O God."

Chloe and I stayed with the most amazing host family. They were so lovely to us, and had a beautiful house. We really enjoyed homemade, Western food (missed it so much!) and just enjoyed being able to sit out by the pool at midnight, and not even be cold, and star gaze, Skype, email, realax in a family environment and have a movie night! Love a good Bridget Jones (even if it's the middle of summer!). Don gave us loads of advice for holidays and activities to do, which was so helpful. We headed down to the beach on Wednesday night which was incred! Love the beach, the sea was so warm obvs because it was the Indian Ocean - so beautiful. The journey back to Howick was interesting.... it was largest T&L storm I have ever seen in my life!! The lightening bolts were huge, and so beautiful! We have all moved into our new houses now, so all the girls are living together (still in the township) with Londy which is really nice to be able to spend some girlie time.

Friday 8th March
Today has been our chill day at HCC... We had to do our team food shopping this morning, and then came to Chinwags (our fave cafe/coffee shop) for lunch and we sat out and enjoyed the weather. Esther and I hae headed up to the basement so Est can Skype and I could write this. The rest of the team have gone down to relook at the kiff (SA slang for amazing) painting of 3 elephants that Chloe wants to buy. We are heading to a youth rally thing this evening after junior youth which could be interesting because we have no idea what to expect!!

Anyway, I hope that this seriously brief update has given you an idea of what I have been up to... And I hope it's not to cold over there...

Lots and lots of love!!!!!!! Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx