Update from South Africa

Sawubonani!!!! “Hello Everyone”
I hope you all have been well in nearly the last month. I have been here in South Africa just over 3 weeks, and am absolutely in love with the country. I have settled into the African Enterprise Campus and have been VERY busy with my classes. Although they are difficult, they are also very stimulating and interesting. I have gotten close with the other 52 students, and together we have formed a little American family while abroad. Culture shock hasn’t really reached me because I am always with the group or at least some of it.
In my free time here I go walking through a game reserve that is right next to the campus. I have seen a lot of zebras and other animals. There is also a nearby mall with super cheap things, and an amazing ice cream place to make me feel right at home. Oh yeah, and we also shoot the monkeys with paintball guns…. (they are evil and will take things.) They even run into classrooms and the dining hall, always looking for food… I love my little chalet, except for the fact that there is no HOT water in ours, so I have taken some very cold showers. I am now also addicted to tea and peanut butter/jelly sandwiches (the later just being random, not really connected to this country at all..)
In the last few weeks there have been a lot of new experiences. I have tried out new churches, met many new people, and have tried new foods (including some very authentic Indian food, and a banana and bacon sandwich- which was really good!). I spent one Saturday seeing birds or prey and actual wild lions, not zoo ones. I also spent an entire weekend in a place called Umzinto, which is outside Pietermaritzburg. On the way there, one of our 5 caravan vehicles broke down, and we got stranded in the middle of nowhere for 5 hours! That weekend some others and I preached at an Indian church (which I was unaware I had to do until the moment we arrived), and had lunch with the pastor and his family. The Indian culture is very interesting and different than our American one, and it was a great opportunity to be the minority in a place and experience life, and Christianity, outside of the “American” way. I also took my first steps in the Indian Ocean, and watched the sunrise over it early one morning. It was amazing!
This upcoming weekend I am going to a beach in Durban, and then will also be turning 20 on Sunday! So very strange, time goes by too quickly. I will be done with a few classes in 3 more weeks, and then starting work at service sites in nearby communities. I look forward to interacting more in the communities through the service sites, and continuing to see what God has to show and teach me about people, life, and Himself through this experience.
Inkosi mayibe nawe ngalo- “May the Lord be with you always.” (I hope I spelt that right…)
Sincerely,
-Emilee Cook