2 Months In...

Well, it has now been 2 months since I set off for my adventure. While my first month didn’t seem all that quick, the time between my one month post and this one seems very quick! I’ve settled into more of a routine here now, and the days are fading into weeks. While the first month here more felt like me just holding on for dear life and trusting Him with every bit I could, this month God’s really been showing me reasons why He has brought me here, things He is wanting to teach me and areas for me to grow in. It seems like every time I open my Bible, He has something new to reveal to me! This has made me feel so much better about my time here, and helps me have a renewed vision and focus for this time. Going in hand with that, homesickness has faded a lot. I still miss people, and can’t let myself think too long about 3 1\2 more months without seeing them, but the sting is far less. Faces are starting to become fewer acquaintances and more friends. I do feel more disconnected for the most part in terms of some friends back home, but I’ve also been pleasantly surprised with packages and letters, which SO make your day when you are so far away from home.

The last week or so has been filled with some fun sightseeing things that Holly and I had on our list to do before July. On Saturday, we and a few others went to Groot Constantia, a wine estate. The grapes on the vine were the best I’ve ever tasted. We explored the vineyard then headed to the wine tasting, which was a lot of fun. We then headed to Chapman’s peak drive, a scenic route overlooking Hout Bay on the Atlantic. It was I think the most beautiful thing I’ve done yet. James, our friend who took us, told us of a little cave just down the cliff a little bit…you had to climb over the fence though. Most likely illegal and not very safe maybe, but incredibly worth it to climb into a little nook inside a massive mountain wall and watch the sun and the ocean meet! Afterwards we headed into the Bay for fish and chips.

Last Monday, we climbed Lion’s Head, a very rocky, steep mountain here. It was hot and sweaty, but so much fun! We reached the top and had beers and snacks while watching the sun set over Cape Town. As soon as it did, we were on our way down quickly, to try to get down the rocky steep part while there was still light. At one point there’s a drop off, and you have to use a chain to help scale down. That was a little intense even for my adventurous self, but it was fine. Walking down the mountain as the city lights grew brighter on a summer night has been one of my favorite moments, I think.

Friday morning I fly to Durban, which is on the Eastern cape of South Africa. I’ve heard the weather is very different there, very humid..maybe it will just remind me of a Missouri Summer! I’m going with three other girls, and the first part of the week we will be in the Drakensburg, a mountain chain a couple hours out of Durban. We’re planning to hike and explore all over it, and then also to have some times of worship and prayer. I’m looking forward to it. The last part of the week we’ll be in Durban, and I’ll return to Cape Town the following Saturday. I probably won’t blog until after then. So, on to month 3!