Packages...?

Because a number of you were asking, i thought i would throw something up that let you know how to send us stuff; cards, letters, food, large wads of cash (i kid! maybe...). anyways, i have asked around and apparently it takes about two weeks to receive anything by mail here from the States. But if any of you feel inclined, it is always nice to get mail in any form; Blog comments, email, facebook messages, SNAIL MAIL!!!

so here is the address:
Mikey and Laura Fissel
c/o Ten Thousand Homes
P.O. Box 4450
White River 1240
Mpumalanga
SOUTH AFRICA

also, a couple things that i have learned as well. we will have to pay to pick up any packages, and the more expensive the insides have been declared, the more we have to pay -- neat eh?
so, two things are supposed to keep the cost on our end down.
1. mark the package as a GIFT
2. declare the content value as low as possible (not that anyone should be sending us a Rolex!)

as far as i know, that is it!

also, some of you have asked what you can send. well, it's kinda tricky as we are not here for a real long time. the inconveniences of being here for only two months don't give way to extreme need. but, we have noticed a couple things that we can't pick up at the Pick n' Pay in town that would just be nice to have...

Fruity Pebbles
Hot Chocolate
Kraft Mac & Cheese
Nutter Butters
Snyder's Sourdough/flavored Pretzels
Wheat Thins
Reduced Fat CheezIts

as you can see, the bare necessities of life! anyways, just a few ideas for all of you asking.
as always, we are grateful for all the love and support you guys are giving. hopefully we will have a chance to update you soon on more of our adventures here!

but a funny picture in the meantime :)

Partners In Crime

I just wanted to drop a note really quickly for those interested...

i know eventually we will get to the point of just mentioning people by name and not really giving any context for how or why they are involved with what we are doing, so... i have linked a number of our fellow staff's blogs to the left. Some of the blogs are general blogs about life, and some deal with the specific day to day life here in our part of South Africa. They might give you more insight or perspective on what we are doing or who we are working with, so feel free to give them a read as well!!!

Mikey :)

Into the Village...

I am so excited to be writing a blog post! Mikey has done a good job updating regularly, but I have been itching to tell things from my own perspective. Finally, there are interesting things to report from White River, South Africa! Or at least, interesting to me.

Monday we started actual work in the communities. On Monday morning, our friend Carla—one of the full-timers here—sat with us and explained that they wanted our focus to be on the communities while we were here and we were more than happy to agree. The initial plan is to let us experiencing all this goes on during a week and then let us choose where we most feel led to serve in the capacity of our time and gifts. Monday we started in Kabokweni, where they have the biggest feeding program going on out of the home of a wonderful South African lady—Elizabeth. Her daughter Eunice also helps her, along with other volunteers from the community and from Ten Thousand Homes. As far as I can tell, we provide all the food and they cook, serve and clean up all from Elizabeth’s garage and back yard.

FIRST DAY IN A COMMUNITY, JUNE 15^th

I found it more difficulty to start playing with the kids than I thought it would be. I guess I imagined that they would come running to me, curious and open. But most seem guarded—rightly so—and somewhat shy. Without anything but ourselves to offer, sometimes it’s hard to enter in to spending time with a kid. Most of them do not speak any English, especially the young ones. Mostly, the entry point for me has been picking them up, putting them on my lap or holding their hand. It also helps to have their deflated soccer ball nearby to start being playful.

Our first day there, I got pulled into the kitchen by Elizabeth to help serve food and then helped a volunteer--(pronounced Katie-we, but I don’t know how to spell it), a single mom of two daughters and a very quiet, sweet girl--do the dishes. I felt bad that I didn’t spend a lot of time with the kids but I confess that i felt more comfortable with my hands busy and I really enjoyed my time talking to the volunteers.

YOUTH DAY, JUNE 16th

Today was an incredibly long, busy day in the same community. Today, June 16^th, is a national holiday here—Youth Day. It started, I believe, in 1974 when several kids were killed in a march against the Bantu Education act. One of our single volunteers here with Ten Thousand Homes—a recent college graduate named Mongaliso—organized our own youth rally and march from Elizabeth’s home to the local police station. We had banners and a police escort as we marched (a surprisingly long way in the hot sun!) down to the police station with chants and songs. The kids had so much energy and I’m not sure how, but I managed to march the whole way there and back with a small girl on my shoulders. I think I was on the edge of dehydration when we got back, but sitting in the shade with some water took care of that moments later. After the march, we had a program that consisted of several speakers—adult and children--, dances, songs and some drama. All of this was followed by a meal cooked by Elizabeth and the volunteers—our first truly African meal! It consisted of Pap (sp?), which is a cornmeal kind of food made into what looks like mashed potatoes, beets, cabbage, a potato-carrot mash and meatballs with mince meat and onion. It was pretty good—especially the cabbage!—and was really interesting to eat what the kids gather to eat three times a week from Elizabeth’s garage…anyway, all of that lasted from 9am to 2:30 and especially after our long, hot march, we were exhausted. We came home to nap.

THINGS TO PRAY FOR:

-COMMUNITY and relationships….people to know us personally while we’re here so we don’t feel alone; strength and courage to pursue relationships with the team instead of always waiting to be pursued

-courage and compassion to serve in the communities (I know that sounds really generic, but it’s harder than I thought to have true compassion—one that looks completely beyond self to empathize with and love others—and I am often so scared to enter into others’ lives for a multitude of reasons)

We love you all so much, and miss you. Your prayers are valuable during an overwhelming time when it’s hard to pray for ourselves; and your e-mails are encouraging when we are so far from our loving community.

Love,

Laura and Mikey

South African Times

Hey everyone! So we are here, in a small village outside of White River, South Africa. We arrived from Johannesburg at the Kruger Airport around 9am local time. From here we were picked up by a full time staffer here named Carla. She was kind enough to show us to our temporary house and around the rest of the campus here at what is called University Village – the base for Ten Thousand Homes.


We were fairly beat, but had time to meet a few of the people here and have dinner before settling in for the night. Sunday was another low key day for us, as we were able to continue to rest from our travels – though we did get our first glimpse of the actual town of White River when we were driven in (only about a 5 minute drive) to buy some necessities (shampoo, groceries, etc.). The evening was capped off with the weekly Sunday night worship session that the staff attends (a little over a dozen people). It was a very warm welcome and we are very interested in seeing what we will be getting into.

Thank you for all your prayers for travel and safety. The week is starting up here so we will soon be finding out just what we signed up for!

We do have limited access to email, so please feel free to send us mail anytime you want!
The Fissels

Adventures in London

So... a few pics from our jaunt into London today. Thought a couple of you might recognize some of the sights and would appreciate what we've been up to. Right now i am trying to fit in this blog before we leave the Milne's House and head to the airport for our 11 hour flight to South Africa.

Our little walk-a-bout today starting with Buckingham Palace, then down to Big Ben and Parliament. A quick look at Westminster Abbey was followed by a walk down the Thames River. We stopped and grabbed a bite at a place called The Brewmaster. Then we jumped back on the Underground and went to the British Museum. I think we learned that it is hard to see nearly any of London in an afternoon! regardless, good times!

Move, Family, London!

Well, the Fissels are in London! i know we have skipped a few steps so i will refresh those of you we have not had the fortune to communicate with.

We did finish our move into the storage unit despite the weather. we had so many friends come to our aide that it was really just a blessing mentally and physically. the stress of moving out, and at the same time, packing to be out of the country for two months was finally starting to wear us down. so, if you were able to lend us a hand over the past few days, or just stopped to give us a word of encouragement -- thank you!

Laura and i were able to attend church one last Sunday where our church family prayed over us in front of the congregation. this has always been one of the things that means a great deal to both Laura and i. something about having hands laid on you and your friends joining you in declaring the plans and dreams that the Lord has is something that words fail to describe.

after this we had an AWESOME lunch with our friends before we headed to RUFFTON to hang out with the Wrights. we were able to get some much needed rest there and eventually at my Mom's house in Davie County before we were carried off to the Greensboro airport around lunchtime Wednesday.


i am sure we will update more on the details of our adventure so far, but let's just say we are here and enjoying ourselves. it's my first time over that "big pond" so i am experiencing jet lag for the first time in my life and it stinks! but we have already had a chance to hang out with our friends the Milnes, who work here in London with the South Asian communities. we have been blessed by their kindness, understanding and love.

it seems hard to believe we will be on a plane tomorrow evening headed for South Africa! well, hopefully we will be able to post again with our London mini-adventure before we leave. we are still able to check email, and we would love to hear from you, so please, email us anytime at mikey@fissel.com or laura@fissel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

all our love...
the fizzes

Rain or shine, right?

Well, today is move day; regardless, i suppose, of the rain pouring down outside. We've spent this whole week packing up our clothes, getting rid of unnecessary junk, acquiring a storage unit and now is the time to make the first transition of the summer.

i finished my last day of school on Wednesday and it was a good finish to the school year. i will confess that my mind has been elsewhere these last few weeks of school, but i was able to close out well. i was very blessed by the generosity and love i was shown at school this last week--i was able to go to lunch with some good friends and colleagues to properly say goodbye and it was touching to have that time and attention before we leave...

we have been spending some time with people in our amazing community to say goodbye, and even though i often allowed myself to be stressed about getting everything done, those times have been restorative and sweet. thank you to everyone who has made it a priority, and has been flexible with our schedule, to be able to say goodbye.

we are over 100% support. isn't that incredible? i still cant believe it. i dont know what else to say but thank you thank you THANK YOU for answering God's tugging at your heart to give. we hope to be a blessing to others through your generosity.

well, the gang's here to to help us move so i'm off. please keep checking the blog this summer so we can share our adventures with you!

much much love,
Laura (and Mikey)