Day One

Annagail arrived last night with no complications in the airport or anywhere else. The traveling went really smoothly. We took them back from the airport and got them situated at the seminary and talked for about a half hour about what to expect and just some basic things they would need to know for their time here and then we sent them to bed.
This morning was a little earlier than they would have preferred with breakfast at 7:15, but they managed. We had group devotions and then headed out to King's Hope, a care center in the township of Oleivenhoutbosh. We spent about two hours there taking a tour of the place and getting an idea of what they're doing in the community and how they're helping people who are sick and dying. We spent some time praying with the patients in the hospice and we toured the clinic that is currently under construction on their property.
From there, we headed to an orphanage that houses 46 kids called Phahella that is run by an amazing woman named Grace. She's gone through a lot for the sake of the kids in her care, even losing her husband because he couldn't handle the strain of all of the kids being everywhere. But, through it all, Grace has kept a great attitude and God has truly blessed her ministry. The band played a few songs for the kids and then we hung out with them for about an hour before we had to head home. Today was the beginning of an overview for the team of what South Africa looks like.