Aussi Aussi Aussi!

As many of you know, I have been blessed with the wonderful oppurtunity of participating in a Round Square Exchange to Alice Springs Australia. In the third term of this year, we had an exchange from the school that I will be going to, come to our school. Her name was Rachael and we became very close friends. When it was getting time for Rachael to leave to go back home, we made a plan that I would try to go visit her in 2011 for exchange just as she did. So I've been working on it ever since!

The plans would be that I would go to St. Philips College in Alice Springs for six weeks of the first term of 2011. I would be staying with a girl who I have recently come in contact with over Facebook for those six weeks. My exchange and I have spoken and have found many things in common! I can't wait to meet her and become good friends. However there are always the technicalities...

My exchange will cost in total, about $3000. This includes the following: Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon 3-day camping trip, Hot Air Balloon Ride, Camel Ride, Uniform hire, Book hire, a doctors appointment if needed or any other incidentals, and my ticket fares. About $3000 will completely cover all expenses of my six week trip. The ticket is what is needed most urgently. Airfare from Johanesburg to Alice Springs ranges at about $2,055 round trip. I will need to book my ticket in about a week in order to finalise my plans. Without it, my whole trip could be called off.

Please be praying that God will provide the funds to send me on this very exciting journey. I feel it would be very beneficial for me to experience more of the world than I have seen thus far. Thank you so much for your prayers and support already and if you would like to donate to my trip please contact me on Facebook or email Carla Shaw at cshawbunch@gmail.com

God bless,
Rae.

How do things get solved in South Africa?

Strike! Last July the Municipality workers were unhappy with their pay.... what did they do to solve this? They went on strike. For weeks there was rubish in all the streets, the water of some places was switched off, and sometimes even the electricity. Now, for the past three weeks or so, there has been another strike going on. The teachers of the government schools are on strike, as well as nurses of government hospitals. There is even talk that petrol attendants are now starting their strike. This strike has been tragic for many people. Alot of children in the areas that we work in are fed at school and that is sometimes their only meal. With no school for over three weeks these children are desperate for food and education. In government hospitals, stories of babies being simply left in the pediatric ward, sick people dying because of no treatment or help, and a mass shortage of employees makes things that much more difficult. Please be praying for the people of South Africa, that their daily lives will not be inturupted any longer, that the children will get the food, love, attention, and education that they need, and that the sick will not go unhelped.

Danger and Disaster..

Ode to Kenzie:

Kenzie Disaster Hovis. This girl is more than just my best friend.. It sounds cliche I know it, but there's no way to describe her. Kenzie, you are always there when I need you. Noone NOT ONE person knows me better than you do and for some reason, you still love me regardless. We can talk about anything, laugh about anything, and sometimes even cry about anything. There's not a problem in this world that I couldn't come running to you with. I know that no matter what it was, you'd still love and accept me just like you always have.

We've always had the best of times. No matter what the situation. It never ceases to amaze me how close we got so quickly. Mostly while I was gone. You were the only person to continuously and successfully keep in contact with me when I moved and I realised how much you cared.  Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for always loving me. Thank you for accepting me and everyone around you. Thank you for being straight forward with me especially when I needed it. Thank you for encouraging me and most of all thank you for being the blessing that you are. I don't know what I would ever ever do without you. I love you Disaster. Love, your Danger.

After all... a picture's worth a thousand words.

As some of you may know, I really enjoy photography. I've recently started considering Photojournalism and I've been taking my camera out to Mbonsweni on Wednesdays when I go to help at the feeding program. I've fallen in love with the kids there and just thought I might share some of the pictures I've had the pleasure of capturing...

Deep thinking

Running!

Add caption

THE face

The Simplicity of Nature

I recently went to the Botanical Gardens with Miki and we saw some really beautiful things. It never ceases to amaze me how absolutely stunning nature can be. What amazes me more is that it's just simply beautiful. Everything on this Earth was perfectly designed, and no other creation except humans stress about how to go about being "beautiful". Nature just.....is. It's that simple. The plants don't worry about how colorful they are, they just are. It's simple. It's meaningful. It's artistic. Anyways, here are some of the shots I liked.

Starting over...

So this is my first new blog! After a failed attempt at keeping up with an old blog, I've decided to start fresh. So this will be my new blog. My photography, my songs, my creative anything will be here.. Along with any thoughts I may have or interesting people to meet. Stay tuned and remind me every now and then to keep things updated... Thanks ;)