From left to right: Ellen, Danielle, Hanneke, Tammy, Tim, Natasha, Tracy & Me
Not pictured: The Lankfords & Melanie Dill
It's been an incredible experience to land in a foreign country and have an instant family. I'm so appreciate of this crew above and they have most certainly made this journey so much easier for me already.
I love these people. There is something really incredible about the heart of a volunteer. It doesn't seem to matter if it's not their job, or it's their day off, or if someone else isn't doing their job, complaints are few and hard work is abundant. I'm really proud to be a part of this sharp, talented and passionate group of people.
Let me introduce you:
Ellen is a nurse from Holland that has worked in full time missions for the past 13 years. She is joining us after 4 years in South America, 4 years in Asia and 3 years here in northern South Africa. Wow! Ellen will be the only other long term vol nurse here so we will be working very closely together in the next year or so and teaming up to get the many needs here taken care of!
In front of Ellen, is Danielle, a former school teacher, who many of you already know and love, since she was sent out from my home church BBC a couple of years ago. Danielle serves as the Life Skills Educator Program Coordinator and is not only making a difference in hundreds of children's lives everyday, but she also is mentoring and leading a fantastic team of local Life Skills Educators who work in the local schools and townships across Cape Town each day.
To Ellen's left is Hanneke, also a nurse from Holland serving here for the past five months working in our Masi Township Wound Dressing Clinic. Hanneke worked as a home care nurse for 7 years in Holland before her time here, and she has been a great source of information for me in her knowledge of wound care. We are really going to miss her when she heads back to Holland later this month and I know she is going to miss her sweet sister & nephews who live here! Hopefully she will be back soon to visit!
Tammy, in the middle, is a primary school teacher from SA & Great Britain, who is currently working in the Red Hill township running their afternoon club for kids. Through skits, songs, Bible lessons, snacks and games Tammy is building relationships with kids, teaching them about life outside the township and encouraging them in their growth as little people. Her solo commitment to Red Hill has had a great impact on that certain group of kids and she will also be very missed as she heads back to England in May.
Tim & Natasha serve as the Volunteer Coordinators for Living Hope. They are the wonderful people responsible for all of the volunteers being here and technically are my "bosses" for the next long while, which is fine by me! They recently joined the LH team about 6 months ago after a road trip from England to South Africa and have made a huge impact at Living Hope in the short time they've been here. They coordinate ALL of the short term volunteer teams that come here as well as make sure that the long term volunteers are well taken care of. They also lead our Monday night small group. We are all so appreciative of the good work they do and love working with them!
Tracy, in the front on the right, is a vol nurse from South Carolina that is primarily responsible for orienting me, God bless her heart :) Tracy has been here for five months and will also be returning home in less than a month, leaving a huge hole in our hearts and leaving really BIG shoes for me to fill. Tracy's ICU expertise has been a God-send and she really has jumped in with all her head and heart knowledge in many capacities here. She most certainly blazed the trail for me and she has plans to return to us as soon as she can. My job is to hold down the fort while she is gone. She's a great joy to work with and I personally am really going to miss our dynamic nurse duo!
Now you know who I'm talking about when I talk about them! Though this team will be constantly changing as volunteers come and go, I'm grateful for the link we have to one another because of our mutual experiences in South Africa, the unity of our mission, and the part we play in the body of Christ. Looking forward to all that God is doing in this group!
Amy I love reading your post. Prating for you.