Life has twists and turns like a road zigzagging through the mountains. I feel like I’ve travelled a long distance on that road in the last six weeks. I came to South Africa to help at a mission house – and for two weeks, I did so. Then a shootout in Hillbrow meant that two mission workers and I had to be moved to a safe house for two weeks. Following on from that, we travelled together to Impendle where my eyes were opened wide. As you’ll see from the photos, this is Africa in the rough. Mud huts, limited fresh water, and no electricity. The toilet was a long drop and we bathed in the river. In spite of the simple lifestyle, I felt safe there. The locals did not speak much English but their body language, smiles, and laughter showed me I was accepted.

I met a woman dying of AIDS in Impendle and was able to apply salve to open sores on her body. She died a few hours later and I saw firsthand how a Zulu funeral is conducted. The whole experience was overwhelmingly sad, especially when you consider that there are millions of people in South Africa who are HIV positive. That brings me to the AIDS orphans. Their picture is near the bottom and I wished I could provide more than just a little food for them. The need in South Africa is immense. Until I lived among the locals, I could not comprehend just how big it is.

One big surprise was discovering an Aussie in the middle of Impendle. She works as a nursing sister and has been there for over two years. We had dinner with her one evening and it was a lovely time of sharing stories and talking about Australia and New Zealand.

At the moment, I’m in a motel in a city by the name of Pietermaritzburg. Why I’m here is a story for another day. I’ll be flying home soon and suffice to say for now that the air conditioned comfort feels decadent after the rawness of Impendle. I still have dirt engrained in my feet and feel almost guilty when I see hot, clean water swirling down the drain. My skin is browner, my hair lighter but I know that all of this will eventually revert to normal. My prayer, however, is that the internal changes are here to stay. I know that fragments of Africa will be embedded in my heart forever and I think that’s a good thing. In fact, I’ve asked God to keep them there as a reminder of how He’s changed my life for the better. Of how He’s helped me turn pain and tragedy into healing and blessing.

I look forward to seeing all of you again soon.

With every blessing, Savannah