The last two weeks (or so) have been some of the most rewarding, extraordinary days of my year thus far. I had two different but equally amazing experiences, and I thought it was worth sharing with you.
Tshepo Foundation Sea Trip
On May 8, the Tshepo Foundation (where I volunteer) embarked on a very progressive, worthwhile and awesome project. We took 23 orphans and vulnerable children to the sea for the first time in their lives. We all packed on a mini bus and left Bloemfontein around 4am and headed south. Our destination was Jeffrey’s Bay, a surfing town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Jeffrey’s Bay is actually considered one of the world’s best surfing locations on the globe, and the plethora of surfer dudes in the town are a testament to its ‘supertube’ waves.
After our long journey of 11 hours, we finally made it to the sea. We stayed in a nice Christian operated hostel, only 2 blocks from the beach. The kids were so excited to be there that they couldn’t wait until the next day to see the ocean. So we walked them down to the beach, and their reactions were priceless. They all sprinted to the water from the edge of the beach, and dipped their toes in the water. They didn’t know quite what to do with the waves, and the excited apprehension was a beautiful sight. The smiles and pure joy were plentiful, and it was such an incredibly special moment.
All of the children we took to the sea are in great need, and are either orphaned or living in extreme poverty. None of them had seen the sea before, and many may never have had the chance if not for Tshepo Foundation and this trip. Throughout the week, the kids couldn’t stop smiling. It was a week of pure bliss, of forgetting the troubles and struggles back home, and time to relax. I, too, couldn’t stop smiling the entire week. Sitting back and seeing the kids discover the wonders of the crashing waves, endless sand and surplus of sea shells was incredible.
For me, the beach is a very spiritual place and probably where I feel most connected to God. The awesomeness of the ocean and the beauty of the ecosystems along the water are a constant reminder of the power, love and grace of the Lord. And I think the kids got the same feeling.
The Steele’s come to South Africa
Immediately after the sea trip, my family arrived in South Africa to spend 10 days with me. I was elated to welcome them to the Rainbow Nation, and was excited to show them the people and places that have so greatly impacted me over the last 9 months.
Despite being jet lagged, my family was a bunch of troopers. We had a few hiccups along the way, most notably the manual car with the wheel on the right, all while driving on the left side of the road. I had to do quite a lot of directing and navigating from Shotgun as my parents adjusted to driving here. (Oh and the massive flat tire we got in Lesotho was a bit of a hiccup.) But we persevered through all of the adversities and made a plan in every situation.
On May 15, we shared a very special church service with my home parish in Bloemfontein. My parents were in the service, and it was one of the coolest cross cultural religious experiences any of us Steele’s have been a part of. My father gave the sermon, my mother baptized two children and they both gave Holy Communion. My mother, bless her heart, had tears in her eyes the entire service because of how incredibly special, loving and spiritual the day was. Afterwards, the Steele’s had a braai, (or BBQ) with the Monama’s. So this was a time where my American family got to spend time with my African family. We feasted well into the evening, and I was so happy to be able to have both of my families finally spend time together.
Later in the week we headed to Lesotho, the place that first changed me and planted the seeds of service deep within my soul. It was important for me to show my family the place that has played such an intricate role in shaping who I have become, and it was an equally inspiring experience for them. There is just something about those Maluti mountains and the Basotho who live simply but with so much love.
And to end the week we spent time in Kruger National Park in northern South Africa, a wildlife reserve the size of Wales. We spent time on game drives observing the wildlife and weren’t disappointed in what we saw. We saw many animal species, from the common Hornbill to the rare Cheetah. And being in Kruger gave us a spiritual feeling, for it is a place of such enormity and endless wilderness, that it reminded us of God’s awesomeness.
I continue to be blessed during my time here, and the last two weeks have continued the trend. Being a part of such a unique trip to the sea with such wonderful children was a great opportunity. And being able to share my life for the last 9 months with my family will always be something I cherish and something my family will always share together. I look forward to the final two months of my service and will start mourning the approaching departure date from this amazing country.
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