This past weekend we spent our time in
Ocean View, a local township, with a variety of host families that opened their
arms to our students. Emily L. and I were placed with the Marshalls, Auntie
Alice and Uncle David. As soon as we arrived, everyone went their separate ways
to their own families and the experience began. Right off the bat Auntie Alice
and Uncle David made us feel right at home. Dinner was ready and we talked and
talked and talked. They told us of their rough backgrounds that are actually
unimaginable and how they made it to where they are now. Auntie Alice is one of
thirteen and witnessed her father dying. At a young age she was faced with
heartbreak and poverty. But she never lost hope. They both came from nothing
and now have big plans for themselves. Through out the weekend they told us
time after time, “you can lose everything in this world, but don’t lose hope.”
Needless to say Emily and I were in tears on the first night and that was only
after a few hours together because before long we had dance lessons to attend!
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| Emily L, Auntie Alice, Uncle David, Christina |
The community can be a rough one at
times with gang violence and drugs so one way they try and keep the young ones
out of trouble is to do dance lessons every Tuesday and Thursday. That Thursday
night we were lucky enough to ballroom dance with some of the kids. I have to
admit that they were way better than
any of us but in a way that in itself was satisfying because it meant the kids
came regularly meaning they stayed out of trouble regularly. It’s a great thing
the community is doing and it was an amazing night taking turns dancing and
laughing with the kids.
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| John playing with kids |
Friday morning everyone came to
Auntie Alice’s daycare and we spent the day with the kids. They were so excited
to have so many new people to play with. The girls flocked around anyone that
sat down and immediately started playing with their hair and then the boys…
well boys can be boys running around playing catch and climbing all over us. We
were basically human jungle gyms. We then took them on a big scavenger hunt
bringing them to various places around the community such as the library,
police station, and a field for an Easter egg hunt. The day was long and tiring
but extremely rewarding. The kids were so loving and their happiness was
utterly contagious that day.
Saturday it was just Emily and I
with our host family. We spent most of the day walking around Fish Hoek, a
nearby town, and took a long walk along the water’s edge. They told us more
about their lives and we talked a lot about faith. Both Auntie Alice and Uncle
David are ministers and the stories they shared with us all weekend were both
spiritual and inspiring. We ended the beautiful weekend with a service they
hosted Sunday morning in their home and a family braai (BBQ) afterwards. During
the service they brought Emily and I up and blessed us. I was both shocked and
utterly grateful because people I barely knew were so kind and welcoming and
heartfelt that they took time out of their busy, hard lives to bless and pray
for us, who are more fortunate in various ways. It really showed how hope and
happiness can really make a difference in the world.
In the end, good food, great company, and a
roof over your head is really all you need in life.
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