Well Happy Canadian Thanksgiving all!

I was supposed to go to a Canadian thanksgiving dinner yesterday but I was under the weather so I did not go. I definitely miss my mom's turkey!

Last week we looked at the "Character and Nature of God" in my training and I was challenged by some of what God promises for example that he will always provide...this is something I still do not trust him for specifically for finances to sponsor me as a missionary. This was discussed in our class and our speaker spoke of many exciting ways that he and his family of 4 boys had been supported for him to do mission work. I then felt like I needed to donate $30 to a young couple in my class who do not have all their fees paid for their outreach(mission) phase of this DTS and I was delighted to get an unexpected $50 in my paypal account within 24 hours and again today to got another $200 from a past client whom I did not expect to receive such a generous donation from. The message was as missionaries as we rely on the support of others we need to be EXTRA generous ourselves and I am now beginning to see this is true!

Last week I went into Cape Town which takes about 50mins on the train and I bought a bunch of beads to make jewelry from. I still need some clasps and some tools but I plan to make the jewelry to sell on the base as a fundraiser and possibly to send some back home to be sold at my friend's christian bookstore. I had always had an interest in making jewelry but never found the time for it! I am excited to get creative with some of South Africa's treasures!

This week in our lectures we are talking about relationships and ultimately how God made us to be relational...I am struggling with this as I am feeling very overwhelmed living with so many people and not always finding time for myself. The irony was that when I was at home living alone and working alone I felt lonely now I am surrounded by people 24/7and I am over stimulated. I stole an evening away last week when the whole base went to the church for worship I scrubbed the tub of a room of some of the other students (which was very therapeutic as I love to clean) then I had a phone call with my sister and then a cup of sleepy time tea , some Tracey Chapman and a 1 hour bath with a book! It was heaven...trust me I am now starting to realize what I took for granted while I was at home...including an Internet connection that was reliable and faster than dial up!

I am excited for what else I will learn this week I feel it will be pivotal to how the rest of the training goes!

We have started to talk about our outreach locations and Thailand, Kenya and South Africa combined with Swaziland are on the map. I feel compelled to stay in Africa but ultimately I want to go where I will be of most impact and be most challenged to grow to help prepare my heart for future mission work I will do.

I have realized that there is no end date on this or when I will come home. When I left I said 1-1.5 years but if I am meant to be here longer the money will be there and so will the ministry where my skills can be used...it is exciting and nerve wracking all at once!

I promise to try write more yet it all depends on the Internet connection.

Until next time be blessed!
Kisses,J