Homestretch

Hi everyone back home! Kayce writing here...It's hard to believe we're all on the home stretch of our AMAZING journey here in Cape Town. It's late here (11:30 PM), so I apologize for any typos, random sentences, words that don't make any sense, etc. And, in the spirit of wanting to convey the day, yet being incredibly tired, I am going to keep this short and sweet and give you a lot of info packed into my favorite form...lists. So here goes:

Our Favorite Things Today
1. Serving tea to the teachers at the Maitland Garden Village. These teachers have an incredibly hard job. They are packed into a small "container" (imagine a school trailer back home, except half the size and without air conditioning), often with over 45 children. To be able to serve them and pray with them was awesome. They have the capability to lead a generation and to serve them was an honor.
2. Having an 'American Day" with the girls of Camp Sonshine. We taught them about America through arts and crafts projects...things like making American Flags, glitter and paint (because what says America like glitter? Yea, I thought so), and t-shirt making.
3. Spending time with Community Groups from Southpoint Church. These wonderful people opened their homes and served us and learned more about our mission here with Camp Sonshine. And, on a sidenote, I now know way more about the game of cricket than I ever thought imaginable!

Is it Just Me or...
1. Do we have an awesome team or what? A few things about our group:
2. The roles have been defined. See below for a few highlights:
3. Thank you Brad for being our resident Security guru. The cars are locked and the seatbelts are on. Our parents, significant others, and family and friends back home thank you as well.
4. Dana, you get the award for the best laugh I.Have.Ever.Heard. I laugh listening to you laugh! If laughter was a spiritual gift, you would own it.
5. Matt and Joy, your randomness makes all of us laugh on a daily basis. Thank you for keeping us all refreshed and light and providing a breath of fresh air!
6. Tracey and Shawnie, your kindness and your heart are why these children see Jesus through our team.
7. Melissa and Karen...you both lead in a way that makes the rest of our team better.
8. Me? Well, I am still known as  "the gymnast" around Camp Sonshine. Who knew a few tumbles would be such a big hit?

Finally...and I will not be using the list on this one...it is tough to convey the experience we have all had here (and have yet to have in the short time we have remaining). So often, back home, our circumstances can seem bleak; whether it is a difficult time at work or a tough financial situation or a difficult relationship or a death in the family. Whatever our circumstances, let me tell you something, we have been blessed beyond all that we could imagine or think. Just by being born an American, we are in the top 3% in terms of the world's wealth. Y'all (yes, we have brought the word y'all to Cape Town...you're welcome), we are so blessed!!! When you see the poverty and circumstance of the people in the Maitland Garden Village and the children at Camp Sonshine, it puts things in perspective. So, I leave you with this...It is my prayer for this team and for our friends and family back home, that you will pray and ask how the Lord can use you. How can you serve people in your own community?

"Share with God's people who are in need; practice hospitality."  Romans 12:13

Until tomorrow...good night!