Goodbye South Africa. Hello Cold Weather.

Dear Friends & Family,

Wow. I have just got back from South Africa. Minnesota is cold and it is snowing. But it is good to be back. Some of the challenges of coming back that I have had to deal with are: cold weather, having to wear shoes, jetlag…. I am sure there is more, I just don’t know what. ;) All in all it is good.

It has been a while since I have written. Lots of things have happened. Let’s see what I remember.

One of the ministries we worked with was the Justice Dolls. It is A Job Creation Program, for African women with HIV/AIDS. Right now it is very small but growing. The women make these dolls that represent different injustices and seek to bring awareness to them. We met with the women and helped make some doll parts and got to know them. We don’t always try to but a lot of times when we hear someone with HIV/AIDS, we assume they did something wrong or immoral. These women were victims. One of the women Tobega (I am not sure of the spelling) never knew a man but her husband. He ended up being involved with other women and he got HIV and passed it onto her. Tobega has a nine year old daughter, she wonders if she will see her grow up. She dreams of seeing her daughter’s collage years.

They work at a house of this Lady called Mama Edith. Her daughter died of AIDS, and she rents out the house so that she can provide for granddaughter Lolita. She also watches some kids. One day we went there and while my friends helped with the Justice Dolls, I went and played with the kids. There were two, Lolita and Hamzel, that really interacted with me. They were so cute. We played tickle party. They had the cutest giggles. It made my day, hearing them giggle. They would run away but come back to be tickled.

Probably the best parts of outreach for me was giving kids a reason to laugh or smile. These kids don’t always have much to smile about. They come from hard homes and really aren’t given the love that they deserve. They grow up having to be tough and knowing more than a child their age should know. You see their faces at first and then you start interacting, playing, and loving on them and suddenly they blossom. It is AMAZING!

One day we went to this township called Overcome. We decided to bring balloon animals. The kids mobbed us. Everyone wanted at least one. My friend Tammy and I were backed against a wall by like 40 kids. Suddenly it happened. We ran out of balloons. So we did what any normal person would do; an impromptu kids program. We did some kid songs, follow after me actions games and told the kids how much Jesus loved them. It was sweet. We were dying in the heat but having fun. A lot of the kids left when we ran out of balloons but like 15-20 stayed. And for those kids it was worth it.

In the town called Mossi, we did some open air kid programs. For the first one we set out speaker going with music and drew in the kids. There was over 150 of them, plus some adults on the sidelines. We did some songs, skits, our dance and then had a dance party with the kids. They loved it. The second open air we did our speaker wasn’t working. We had had it plugged in to charge it, but forgot to turn on the switch for power. So we ended up putting on clown costumes and played with the kids. Some of us also did face painting. They were two very different times but we did the most important thing with both of them. We loved on the kids.

In Mossi there was a Community Transformation Team there from Kona, Hawaii. They had some of their stuff stolen on Saturday and when we saw them on Tuesday, they were pretty down about it. We were going there on Friday so a friend of mine and myself got this idea. We listened for words for them and make a cake so we could have a party for them. That Thursday we learned that the guy who stole from them came and confessed to them and accepted Christ. We were supper stoked for them. So when we came on Friday they were so excited over all that had happened. And another cool thing is that they were doing a fast and they ended that day. So they could eat the cake. We heard so much after how our words encouraged them. It was pretty cool.

Right now we are back at the base and debriefing outreach. It has been good. I got to go back to Homework Helpers. It was fun to see everyone again. I missed them. I got to tell some of my story to them. It was fun as well as interesting.

There is a lot for me to tell but I will end for now. I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Love,

Haleigh

P.S. This is the website for the justice dolls, if you would like to look it up http://www.justicedoll.org/

Cape Town

Dear Friends and Family,

Friday was our last day of ministry in George as well as in Blanco. We led their ladies bible study. It was a very good time. I was volunteered to teach. Which I did and I had a great time. It was crazy cool how God opened my mouth. What I taught really flowed from my mouth, and even with translation it flowed well. I taught on how we are made in God’s image and how we need to live like we are. It truly impacted them.

We are now in Cape Town. We arrived on Sunday, after a 6 hour drive. We are in a suburb call Fish Hoek. It is a nice little area. We have a house. There are 15 of us in a pretty small space. So there are 4 of us sleeping in a tent. But we are glad for what we have. :) All in all it is very nice. We are like a 15 min walk from the beach.

We did our first day of ministry today. We are in a township called Masiphumelele (I can’t pronounce it either). We walked around and meet people so that we could tell them about Jesus. My group of three went and met this lady named Samantha. She is a follow of Jesus but had moved in the last year and has not had any opportunity to connect with other believers; due to not knowing any. Because of that she was feeling low in spirit. Our coming to her really made her day, as well as ours. A lady with us lives in Masiphumelele and is going to connect her to some worship times and more believers.

God has really blessed us on this outreach. Things that normally are harder are made easy. We praise God for all he has done and has yet to do.

Prayer requests: For our whole team (The names are: Katie, Caitlin, Brendan, Dorie, Tammy, Lara, Ageeth, Jarryd, Courtney, Paul and Michelle, their kids: Lola, Violet and Laim. And me, Haleigh), Travel safety (Paul and Brendan are driving us and it is a little different on the other side of the road), For open doors in our ministry, For boldness in Christ. And anything else you can think of. We welcome the prayers.

I want to thank you all for the prayers that have been already prayed for. We can tell can that we have been covered in prayer. It really has made a difference for us. Thanks so much.

I am sending my love towards all of you. I can't wait till I see you again.

Blessings,

Haleigh

Dandelion

The other day was free and I took a walk with a little boy named Liam. He is around 17 months and a very busy little boy.

Liam is interested in everything. Sticks, weeds, flowers, water bottles, rocks, chairs, broomsticks... Pretty much everything. He wants to know what it is and what you can do with it. I have watched him push a chair over, stand it up, and then do it all over again. He is in awe of the world and how it works.

We were walking along, taking time as he bent down and pick up a leaf or other weeds. Wanting to touch everything. not caring what is was. (I didn't let him touch all that he saw) I picked up a dandelion and showed him how to blow on it. He thought it was the coolest thing in the world. He would blow, not get far, then give it to me to blow. And after want another one.

It made me think. How long has it been since I was so much in awe of God's creation or in awe of God himself. There is so much that can put me in awe of God, yet it has been a while since I have allowed myself to be in awe. I see the world, but do not let it get to me. I want to change this about myself, and I challenge you to do the same.

Let us live life together in awe of God and what he has made.

Thanks to all who have read this blog. It means a lot to me. It is our last week in the city of Gorge. I am going to miss it. But I am excited for Cape Town. And what God is going to do there through us. Each day is exciting in that way.

Something that has put me in awe of God today is:
The kids at Kidstop. We prayed with some of them and seeing God work with them and them having emotional healing. It was pretty awesome to be a part of it. And seeing how God can work though people. God is AMAZING!

I love you all. Sending big hugs! :)
Haleigh

Blanco

One of the places where we work is a township called Blanco. It is a very poor place. There is a lot of drinking going on there. It is one of the highest places in Gorge (at least Gorge, maybe South Africa) for fetal alcohol syndrome. It is not a place where one would go on vacation or where one goes to see the beauty. There is beauty there, but it is hidden. Most people wouldn't see a beautiful place. But if you look closely into the hearts of the men, women, and kids who live there; you see beauty. Sometimes you have to look hard, they have lots of hurts and pain in their lives. But it is there. Just waiting to be found and appreciated.

But there are some who are making a difference in their community. There is a group of woman who are looking past their own hurts. They have sought and received Christ in their lives. And are making a difference in the life of their neighbors. These woman in extreme poverty, run a soup kitchen for the elderly. They meet on a weekly basic for a bible study. They don't believe that they can't make a difference because they don't have much to work with, they do what they can, and let God supply the rest.

We have worked a good amount with these woman and with the kids in Blanco. The kids have stolen my heart. We go up to a place where there are swings and a place to play. The kids gather, like ants upon a picnic. They are just craving love. That is all. But love is something that most of them are lacking. A statement I heard going though my DTS was that "Hurt people hurt people". It is true in all people but especially here. The parents are hurt and then the kids are hurt and the cycle continues. It is not something that can be changed by money. Yes, some money is needed; but what is needed more is people who care and can make a difference.

One of the kids who stole my heart name is Waldo. He is a six year old boy. Sometimes he is naughty, looking for attention that he doesn't seem to get all that often. But looking past that, there is so much more to him waiting to be discovered. He understands some English, but doesn't really speak it. But when I spoke about Jesus to him. And how much Jesus loves him, he had the biggest smile I have ever seen on him. He didn't understand it, but he got something from it.

One day, I was playing with Waldo and he beckons me to follow him.  I follow a little ways but then turned back. He wasn't too happy with me not following, but continued on. When he came back he had to pieces of candy with him. One for him, and one for me. Not knowing what it was, i put it in my mouth (it was tightly wrapped, so i didn't have to worry about germs and things), it turned out to be gum. (if you know me well, I hate gum and can't stand chewing it) But I chewed on it and enjoyed it. It was one of the few ways he had to share something with me. This poorest of poor kids buying me gum. Enjoying it with me and enjoying that he had something that he could give. It was quite important to him that I chewed it.

Waldo was the first miracle that I had a part in. He had a hurt very close to his eye. It looked really bad. Some people in my team prayed for it, and I prayed for it as well. A couple hours later it was greatly improved. It wasn't completely gone but it was better than it should have been. It wasn't normal how quickly it improved. It was totally cool seeing God work.

No matter how many times I have seen God work here, it never ceases to amazing me and to have me in awe of his power and works. The more I see of God and his works,  the more I want him in my life. God constantly amazes me and life is never boring with him. 

I pray that you all are encouraged by this note. Thanks so much for supporting me with prayers. All that I am doing would be a lot harder if I wasn't covered in prayer like I am. I am so blessed having all you in my life. If you have any questions, I encourage you to ask them. I am not the best at answering but I will do my best.

Love,
Haleigh

Christmas!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

To describe to you this week is almost impossible. So much has happened. But I will do my best, thousugh you are missing lots... (Doesn't that make you curious? Hehehe that is my plan. ;) )

On Monday we helped out at this place called Kidstop. It is run by Youth for Christ and is put on by this AMAZING  woman called Aunt Betty. It is a place for kids to go to keep them off the streets. We help by entertaining the kids and putting on a program for them. It is a lot of fun. :)

Tuesday we went to this place called Options in the morning and in the afternoon we went to Golden Valley. Options is a place of counselling for teens who get pregnant and are not sure what to do. It is really cool place. It is run by a Lady from Minnesota, Chanhassin (I can't spell by my Aunt Cheryl lives by there). We went there and we weeded the place for them, as well as did other odd jobs that they don't get to that often. Golden Valley is a very poor district. Also called the Blanco district. We went and played with the kids there.

Wednesday was the day we went to the drug rehab center. We were there all day. And also weeded their garden. This garden was a lot more work though. That evening we did a service for them. I was the one who spoke. Which was very nerve wrecking. But it taught me to relay on God and he really did get me though it and it turned out really good.

The morning of Thursday we went to the Hospital. Some people dressed as clowns, others facepainted, and the rest went where we were needed. We prayed with a lot of people. It was cool. That afternoon we went and did a street connect. Which means they dropped us off at one end of the street and we would go so far and pray with whoever we met. It was really cool.  My group ended up spending most of our two hours with this Lady (Esther) and her son, Praise. Esther, we learned had already has a relationship with Jesus. What we ended up doing was filling each other's love bucket. I spent most of the time playing with her son. We had a great time. He is a sweet little boy. He was fascinated with my camera. Didn't really get that you could take pictures with it, just liked seeing things though it. My two teammates prayed for Esther and the back-pain that she has had constantly for the last four years was gone. It was amazing.

On Friday we went back to Kidstop. If you would like to know more see Monday.

We had a flu bug that past around our team. It was awful. It made stuff come out both ends, if you know what I mean. I got it Friday evening. But it looks like it is over now. We are all better and no one else is getting sick. Praise God!

Sat was our day off. I spent most of the day in bed recovering. But stuff was staying in.

Sunday (or today) we went to church. Then went to the Blanco district and handed out packages to the kids. little Christmas gifts. It was cool. After we went to Kidstop and helped give them a Christmas lunch and read them the Christmas story. Than we came back to where we are staying and had a very AMAZING Christmas dinner. It was fabulous. Afterwords we opened secret angels gifts. (everyone picked a name and secretly bought them a gift) Than we had a big surprise. Our School Leader Deb, had secretly contacted our families and they sent a gift with us. We all knew that today was Christmas, but it didn't really have that Christmas feel. No snow, family, family gifts or cold. It was head knowledge, getting a gift from my family made it heart knowledge  It really made Christmas, Christmas. (If my ma isn't crying by now than something is not normal with her) Thank you everyone who sent a letter to me. Words cannot say how much I  love getting them. It really made it feel like Christmas. Thanks Ma for the bright idea to send people's letters to me. It made my day. (Now I am guessing the tears are even bigger) I love you Ma! Thank you so much everyone! I really felt the love.

To my CMA buddies. I met someone here who is thinking of joining CMA. It is AWESOME. I am halfway around the world and still found a biker buddy. ;)

I miss you all. MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Love,
Haleigh

Finaly South Africa!

Dear Family and Friends,
We have made here. :) It was a long journey and it is good to be here and alive. :) It is so beautiful here. And it is nice and warm.
This afternoon we have been preparing kid skits. We have yet to start minstriary(sp). Tomorrow we start. :) We are sharring testamonies at church and will also be doing a drama. The drama is really cool. It is called the dolls skit. Lots of fun.
On Monday we are helping out with a program called kid's stop. It is a street kids minstriary.
They keep us busy here.
I love you all. Thanks so much for supporting me.
Love,
Haleigh

Africa this Monday

Dear Friends & Family,

This Monday I head off for South Africa. I am so excited. I am looking forward to God changing me and to experience missions at a deeper level than I have before. Also to getting to know my team better.

If you asked me if I felt fully prepared, I would say no. I don’t think one could ever be fully prepared and there are so many variables. But I believe that I am equipped enough to do what I need to do, and let God do the rest.

This is how Monday/entire travel to SA looks. At 9:30 we leave to go to the airport, our flight leaves at 12:30. We have a 3 hour or so, flight to Washington DC. A five hour layover there, then an 8 hour flight to Germany. A seven  layover in Germany, than a 11 hour plane ride to SA. After we get to SA, we have a 5 hour ride till we get to George. Then it looks like that evening we will be doing some kind of ministry. It will be a really long day/days. So prayer that we make it through, would be wonderful. :)

Praise Reports: Our whole team got the funds to go. It was really close, but God provided. :)

Prayer Requests: Health [I am getting sick :(], Travel, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom, and anything else you can think of.

A really BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me and prayed for me. It has meant a lot to me, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Me minus you equals very sad and deprived Haleigh. I have been so blessed by you. Words cannot describe.

I will try to Blog occasionally, but it may not happen. Due to the trouble of getting on line.

My love to all,

Haleigh Haaland