271111, Sunday morning, early.

Rain is falling.  Again… I just got back from Bomvu about 2 hours ago.  Stayed to watch the sunrise.  It reminded me a bit of that time in London, that New Years when I thought the sun was rising outside, because they showed the video of a sunrise...  So I ran outside only to find darkness and lots of cloudy, rainy sky.  I only saw the sun for real about two weeks later.  That was London for you.

What I really want to write about is my friend Lucy.  She’s possibly been the best friend I’ve ever had.  Wow.  She’s helped me so much with this land situation, been my translator and so much more.  Almost like my agent with the community.  She’s waited with me in wind and rain, walked with me up and down the hills to find the headman and sort out my case.  She’s even gone without me in the pouring rain and waited to have meetings with the community for me.  Making sure I don’t get cheated.  Setting my best case.  I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve a good friend such as this.  I pray so many blessings on this friend of mine.  

The neighbours are playing their tunes again as per usual on a Sunday. They’re not letting themselves be put of by the rain.  Which has been absolutely non-stop.  I’m sure the bridge will be flooded again by now, the third time in one week… Not much I can do other than stay in bed.  I’m not complaining.  Had a little sunshine moment yesterday morning, went for a walk and got some washing done.  

241111, Thursday, somewhere amidst a fat rain cloud

Feels like it’s been raining for weeks.  I’m sure that bridge will flood again any time now.  Thankfully I’m cosy in the caravan and not going anywhere today.  If I’d still been parked at my previous spot, I would’ve been having some problems again at about this time…  But, all’s good here, only one or two small leaks, nothing serious.

The kids finished their exams today and I’ve been marking some papers.  Mostly they didn’t do too well.  The problems can be ascribed to a variety of factors.  I reckon I’m also part of the problem since I’m not a trained teacher, but I’d say another major factor is that many of the kids really have a limited understanding of English and general knowledge of the world out there.  Things that seem like common sense to us, is like something from another planet to them. 

One of the questions in the Arts & Culture exam was to explain the word ‘collage’.  All of them said that it’s a place to study after school.  That just made me realize again how difficult a task it must be for them to cope with subjects given in a language pretty much foreign to them.  What chance do they have?  Also, they don’t seem to have much motivation to study very hard…

Other than the school business I’ve been dealing with the land issues.  As expected it didn’t come without complications.  The initial land that got allocated to me had some problems.  It had previously been allocated to someone else and I found out who it is and realized this person won’t be willing to give it up, although the story goes that if someone has land for 3 years and don’t use it, the community has the right to take it back. 

Anyway, so I talked to the headman again and with the help of a very good friend of mine, I managed to find another piece of land. It’s taken some days to sort it out, but today, in the rain, the community got together and decided that it was good for me and they marked the borders for me.  I wasn’t even there when they did it, but the word has spread to me that I have more than one friend that was standing up for me and making sure that things go right.  I feel very humbled to be blessed by friends like these and I wish to never disappoint them.  I am thankful to God for His favour and pray that he will bless this land and that everything here will happen according to His good and awesome will.  I am thankful and amazed at His awesomeness and all He asks from me is to trust in Him. I am hopeful and excited for the future that He has planned for me…

221111, Tuesday. Bye bye Mydog...

So this was the day.  I finally took Mydog to the SPCA in Umthatha to end his suffering.  Every day I thought maybe he would get better, and some days he was better.  But then those days come when he was just in pain...  Distemper.  Please don't let your dog get that.  Get him vaccinated as a puppy.  

I tried to remove myself emotionally as much as possible from what was happening. I pretended to Mydog that this was just another day.  But I think somehow he knew it was his last day.  When we got to the SPCA, the person giving the injection wasn't there, so I could leave him there without going through that process with him.  I don't think I could have handled that.  He's only been my dog for about two months, but he's been such a sweet, good dog and he's going to be missed.   I'll forever remember him standing there, wagging his tail and quietly looking at me as I walked away.  

20112011, Crazy date!

Well Friday was one of those unexpected and unplanned for days of, let’s call it ‘fun’.  In the morning I was able to get petrol (first time since a week ago!), which in turn enabled to drive to the shop (20km outside Coffee Bay)  to draw money and get gas!!  Yes, that’s right, gas problem seems to be of the past now!

Anyway, I had to go back to the school to copy some exam papers and when I was finished and on my way home, I was stopped in my tracks at the bridge.  It was flooded completely and no ways my car was going to make it over that…  (It had been raining for a few days straight)

So what could I do?  I went straight to the Backpacker side.  Bought some tjips at the River store and met up with a little Asefika looking not so happy and in one of his ‘not talking’ moods.  So I offered to share my tjips with him, which he couldn’t resist of course.  After a while he was laughing and talking again.  He hasn’t been going to school for a while now and I asked him what he would like to be doing so he said he wants to come with me.  Actually I also like that idea.

After the tjips we went to visit baby Seza and Snooks also arrived shortly.  Had a glorious time with the kids and eventually ended up checking out a little drum circle and all the kids were dancing around like the fairies they are. 

Later we got a bit peckish and I remembered I had some bananas and a fresh bread from earlier, still in my boot.  So me and Asefika and Snooks had a little late lunch of banana sandwiches, which was in it’s own a fun experience, cause everyone had to slice their own bread and bananas and we made a royal mess in Bomvu’s eating area.

I spent a bit of time with Sarah, doing some experiments with my hair, which is getting a little out of hand…Mmmm we’ll have to wait and see how that works out…

The rest of the evening I was forced to join the party and dance the night away, poor me– there was no ways I was getting over that bridge and safe to my warm bed…but no fears, cause many good people around to offer me a bed on that side.  And it was another good night in Coffee Bay.  Met a lot of people, locals and backpackers and went to sleep a little late.

In the end I stayed in one of Jah Drum’s snazzy new tents, thanks guys for your hospitality!!   And I have to say your new bathrooms are pretty awesome too!  If anyone is still looking for a place to stay in Coffee Bay in December, try the tents at Jah Drums…Sleeps 2 I don’t think they’ve advertised yet, you may be lucky.  Not sure how you’re going to get a hold of them though…

Yesterday was a day for relaxing and catching up on lost sleep, the weather outside was still miserable. Only Aphiwe came around to draw some pictures and read a bit.

Today I went to the headman again to talk about some land complications, I pray we'll have it all sorted out tomorrow! 

161111, Wednesday, land affairs

Today in Coffee Bay, there is no gas (haven't been for 2-3 weeks), there is no petrol (haven't been since last week) and no water from the tap (just today so far - luckily there is also a beach close by and it's hot enough for swimming).  

Today was also the day I had to meet the headman and the elders of the community at the piece of land, so we could discuss the final details and I could hand over the crates of cool drink, beer and brandy for their celebration.  That means they have decided that it’s all good and I’m allowed to use the land for development. 

We agreed that I have to pay for the fence and poles that is already on the land.  That actually suits me, cause that’s one thing I would’ve had to do anyway.   Then I had to give the headman his share and all that’s left now is the money for the chief and getting the papers from him.  After that, it’s getting the permit to actually be allowed to build anything on the land.  That one is going to need a lot of prayer. 

But for today I am happy.  Everything’s been going very smoothly and the elders are very happy with my idea for a library and eventually a place where the women can do their sowing crafts as well.  So they’re giving me a big discount on the money I have to pay for the chief.  That’s absolutely awesome. 

So if there is anyone willing to contribute anything to the library (which is going to be called “The Rainbow Reading Hut”, whether second hand books (easy reading – especially for children of all ages) or funds to help build the rondavel (it can be done at relatively low cost, around R6 000) please let me know… You can be a part of something absolutely awesome here in Coffee Bay!  There are no libraries at any schools or anywhere even close!!! 

(I would also like to eventually be able to build a volunteer hut for people coming to help, so I reckon if you contribute to the building of the hut, you’ll have a place to stay for free when you visit Coffee Bay…good idea?)

My email address is lavonnebosman@gmail.com 

1111111, What a day! (I wrote this a few days ago...)

Wow I’m not certain I’m able to explain the amazingness of this day, in all the small things.

Woke up around 5, it was light already, but heading for another rainy day.  The thought that I don’t have to teach tomorrow inspired me to get up early again and face another day at school, which I’ve related to the word ‘hate’ for just about every day for too long now.  The red tape.  That’s what I hate.  The kids I love.  But the paperwork surrounding it wasn’t meant for me. Sorry, gotta get out of there.  And I trust in my Lord to make a way for me.  Thank You Lord.

Special class with the 8-9s.  Even Mbuso was there, even though he pitched up late.  I didn’t prepare anything to read for them – actually I’ve been becoming rebellious because I get asked to read/pray every week at the teacher’s meeting, I don’t have anything to share every day. Mostly I don’t want to even speak. (I am actually kind of an introvert…) But when it comes to the children, God always gives me such urgency in my heart.  I feel like it might be the last opportunity I get to give them a message from God and I don’t want to waste it.

 I have special urgency for a certain 2 students, but also for every other single child in class and also the 6-9s and even everyone in the school.  Today, I had no idea what to read and God guided me so.  I ended up with Ephesians 2, which I read from the little Bible and it was like the first time I read these words in the Bible.  God made it so alive to me again.  I pray the children understood it the same way I did.

 It is such amazing words – it says that God loved us even when we were objects of His wrath, (meaning we deserved Him being angry at us and punishing us...) it says that His mercy and grace is so ridiculously big that He even loved us when we were sinners and dead in our transgressions.  And that He made us alive in Jesus His Son for MAHALA!!! (That means for ‘FREE!!!)  Just because in the ages to come, He wants to show us the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in His Son Jesus...

Wow, I even shared that  at the one backpackers with one lady on the dance floor.  Don’t ask me how we got to that topic, but I had the sudden urge to tell her just how much God loved her and she said, “but smoke, drink…”  And I had the freedom to be able to tell her that God loves her anyway, that He even loves her when she’s drunk and when she smokes and that she doesn’t even have to do anything to deserve His love.  I told her that He didn’t like it when she was drunk, but that it didn’t stop Him from loving Her.  And that He is so patient to wait until our eyes open to see that it makes Him smile when we don’t get drunk or don’t smoke and eventually we catch on to try and make Him smile all the time, because He makes us so happy and does so many wonderful things in our lives every day.

And that was just one amazing thing that happened today.  

101111, Thursday, back to the Bronze Age

These kids really wanted to see the concert and was close to causing a mini trampling.

Some super cute grade Rs saying their say.

Dinner tonight:  baked beans
(For lunch I was actually spoilt - I took a container to the school to get leftovers for Mydog - today's special was mash with butternut, I had more than Mydog.

Due to no gas for cooking (or for my fridge),  I have now resorted to a little paraffin stove, seems cost effective, but otherwise extremely slow for cooking, doesn't get very hot, unless I'm just doing something wrong...

Earlier tonight the electricity went off as well and I really felt like we're going just too far backwards for one week.

Been very blessed with water for about 2 weeks now, many other people in Coffee Bay has been without water most of the week!  Today it's raining again like it's the middle of winter.  And I'm feeling it in my body, haven't managed to get well again after the flu..

My kids at school has really been testing my patience this week, I guess it doesn't count in their favor that I'm not feeling well.  Plus I'm really trying to get these question papers done!  Made good progress today.

Also popped in at the end of year grade ceremony of another school not too far.  A mother wanted me to take photos of her twins in grade R.  Very cute.  Was almost thrown into photographing all the kids, but really couldn't cope with that today.  Needed to get to a non-windy place with some warm tea...

081111, Tuesday, feeling a holiday coming on...

Koos the monkey

One of the beautiful ladies

A mama and her Xhosa pipe

One of the other mamas, very happy to see me.

Pretty much most of the weekend I spent resting from my flu or whatever it is... Not completely gone, but definitely getting better.

The kids at the school were driving me a little crazy today, because I had all the grade 6-9s together for an unplanned double lesson.  They have also not had a holiday recently and are not in the mood for working and my discipline management have not improved that much.  I mean it's amazing how quiet they are when another teacher comes close, but when I'm there they like to just be themselves and throw a party.  They are always happy to have a class with me of course.  I'm not sure how productive it all ends up to be, but we'll see in the exams who's been paying attention...

There is going to be no gas for cooking for an unknown period of time...  So tonight I made a nice fire and had an awesome braai all by myself under the full moon.  My mother left me some yummy tjops and I couldn't wait any longer to get my teeth into that.  Mydog was also pleased.  I must say, I haven't made too many fires before, but tonight everything was so perfect you'd think I'm an old pro.  Very proud of that attempt and the potatoes were also superb...

Yesterday there was a  Christmas braai for all the pensioners at the lodge, so of course I had to go check in and say hi to some mamas...

041111, Friday, it is confirmed: Yes, still winter (and a windy one at that)

5 ‘O clock on Friday afternoon.  I should really go out and visit some friends.  But it’s unpleasant outside, it’s been windy since 2 days ago and I feel certainly under the weather.  When I got home from teaching this morning, I went straight to sleep for about 4 hours.  I feel better now but it might only be the medicine talking. 

Just drove the 20km to Ngcwanguba for gas, only to be told that there might only be gas again on Tuesday… Nice.  I’ll try not to cook until then.  Hopefully the wind dies down so I can make a fire. 

Today is the 4th of November.  My younger sister would’ve turned 32 today if she hadn’t driven into a tree that morning before Christmas in 2005.  Still seems surreal, I guess it was never meant to feel real.  That event has impacted my life so much, it is possibly one of the greatest  factors why I’m sitting right here where I’m sitting today.  In Coffee Bay, at my little caravan table, typing on my laptop, looking out at the banana trees outside my window.

The morning before my sister died, the last time I saw her, we were walking across the road when she told me about a dream she had about me the previous night.  She said that in her dream she couldn’t believe that she had me as her sister and that she was so proud of me.  She put her arm around me and shouted to someone she knew opposite the road.  She said: “Hey Coenie, this is my sister, did you know this is my sister?”  And she went on about how proud she was of me and I said to her, but why, I haven’t done anything to be proud of, you’re the one that we’re proud of!  (She was a chef and had just opened a restaurant in Greyton, which was getting great reviews – she was only 26 and this was the first attempt at anything like this)

Anyway, so I’ve always felt that these last words of her to me was some form of prophetic message about my future and not my past.  And the realization of how short life can be – it can really end in any instant, made me driven to follow my dream in any way I can.  I’ve always dreamt about travelling through Africa and taking photographs and connecting with the people of Africa and share in God’s love with them, so that’s why I gave up my security and comfortable city existence and closeness of friends and here I am in Coffee Bay. Some days are really not easy and a lot of struggle, but I’m happy and I see moments of God’s glory shining through.

I can’t tell exactly where this dream is going from here, only God can tell you that.  It might be that I just stay here and do whatever I can, or perhaps, who knows, I might still see the rest of Africa as well…

All I know is that God has a plan for me and I have reason to believe that it is a good plan… 

011111, Tuesday, Still winter?

Tuesday evening and it feels like not much has been happening.  Actually it feels like I’ve just been drifting in a bubble for some days, not really touching ground.  It’s been windy and chilly and I feel like a slight cold might have gotten a hold of me, so I’m boiling some water for tea with a lot of lemon juice squeezed into it.

 I’m really missing having a decent camera most of the days, running out of old favourites and am really looking forward to December when I can have a camera and good lens again!  (Not sure if I said this before, but insurance is replacing my camera and lens! Hallelujah!!)

I’m supposed to be setting up exam papers for Arts and Culture, grades 7 and 8 right now, but I’m finding it near impossible to get focused on that.  I honestly don’t think I was made to be doing this sort of school thing.  School curriculum’s has never been anything I wanted to get into.  I really pray that for next year I can spend my time in a slightly different way.  I’d like to be teaching children, but definitely not in a school setup.  Extra classes for English or reading/writing is good for me.  And working with individuals or very small groups.  There’s just too many other thing I’d like to be doing instead of trying to figure out this curriculum thing… (Forgive me, but I’m just really not a school teacher!)

I’d much rather be doing further research on the whole Permaculture thing (check www.trees.co.za) and I get excited about dreaming of having a piece of land that I can live on as well as start a garden and the little library and whatever else God wills to go along with it.  I have given up on the school’s garden for now.  It’s just too far out of sight and out of mind to inspire me any longer.  I’d like to start something small from scratch and do it decently.  And let it grow from there. 

So, if all works out I’m planning on going to see the headman or chief soon to talk about some land.  (These guys are apparently very busy and even if you’ve made an appointment it doesn’t guarantee getting a hold of them.)  I’m having second thoughts about renting Lucy’s land, since I’ll be paying her rent and I’m just thinking about the future, if perhaps I can’t pay her anymore, what will happen to the library?  So, it would be better to have my own land if that is possible!  So, we’ll see…

I’m very thankful for two people who have blessed me with some money in my account!  I don’t know who you are, but thank you very much and I will use that money wisely!  And may God bless you a hundredfold!

News on Mydog:  I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but apart from becoming really picky about his food, he seems to be doing a little better each day…