Going Private

Due to the next stories that I am about to share, I feel that I need to close my blog to the public. If you read my blog and would like to keep up with more of my trip, please email me and let me know...at cassgwyn@hotmail.com. I'll add you to the list so that you can still have access. :)

Love you all and miss you.

FIFA Confederations Cup 2009...so close!

This post is long overdue, but I was waiting until the mourning period was over. We were so close...but Brazil dominated in the second half...anyway. South Africans live and breathe soccer so while we are here...we do too. This meant that we brought in an antennae, set up it just right in order to view the games, borrowed a projector from the high school, popped popcorn, and watched several days of soccer. We do it up big here in the SA. Musa and I decided to take a picture of our reactions during the game...you can tell our emotions during the first US goal (excited), the second US goal (smug), and finally the loss to Brazil (upset). We also had a few minor interruptions during the final game...some SA technical difficulties and a little green visitor that sent all the girls running. :)

Makaphutu Kids!

Last week the children at Makaphutu started their "holiday" or winter break. This means that those children that have any living relatives get to go visit them for three weeks. Unfortunately there are a few children who do not have any family to go to. We've been spending our time with them. We had a "family meeting" with all of the children before they left and it was wonderful. We ate chicken curry, listened and danced to music, jumped on the trampolene, and had a devotional. There was also open floor time for anyone who wanted to say something before everyone parted ways for the break. I, of course, started crying as I told them that my love for them was what brought me back and that I hoped they would enjoy their time with their family. It is important that they keep whatever connections they have with extended family so that when they graduate, they might have some resources and support. Although I am sad to see them leave for awhile, I am glad that they will have this time to build relationships. I am also looking forward to spending time with the 12 kids that will still be here. We want to make this time as enjoyable for them as we can. Here are some pictures of the memories that we have made at the children's village over the past two weeks. We've been dancing, jumping on the tramplene, took a trip to the beach, watched movies, and just yesterday started a "winter school" with them. We're helping them with math and English to give them a little boost before they go back to school. I love love these kids.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Park

We just got back from a three day stay and amazing time amongst many many animals. The most amazing sight came just an hour after arriving. We stayed at Hilltop Camp which overlooks the park and we spotted some elephants in the riverbed below. We went on a hunt to get as close to the riverbed as possible so that we could get a better view. What we did not expect was the more than 100 elephants that surrounded our car as they passed through on the hill. We were charged only once as we got so close to a Mama Elephant and her baby. It was a scary and exciting experience. Here are some amazing photos of the land and animals that we were surrounded by. Enjoy...I know we did.

Zulu Lessons

We had a crazy fun evening at Makaphutu when Barbara, one of the house mothers, gave us some Zulu lessons. She taught us how to carry a huge tub of water on our heads as well as how the Zulu women strap their babies to their backs. Of course, the older girls wanted in on this which is why I have some children larger than babies on my back. We are definitely beginners (much to Barbara and the kids' amusment), but we promised her we would practice. Here are some pictures of how it all went down. We are so Zulu. :)