So Where To?

After what seemed like ages, we finally arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa. After a few hours of sleep, food (fish and chips and cheesy SNAILS), and a much needed shower, all 53 of us headed out like jet-lagged zombies to explore the city of Johannesburg. This place is huge (the largest populated city in South Africa) and has a remarkable history.

In 1948, when Apartheid was initiated in South Africa, the whites wanted all of the non-whites out of the center of the cities. Forced out of their places of the living, the non-whites said "So where to?", thus forming the township of Soweto.

Our tour was mainly of Soweto, which stands for southwest township (of Johannesburg). This was the ghetto that the non-whites were forced into during Apartheid. This city still remains a thriving place even after Apartheid ended. We saw the homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu, as well as the Freedom Towers. A variety of economic classes live there, from shacks with outhouses to million dollar mansions. It was interesting and somehow heart breaking to see the first world and third world clash in this township.


We then had lunch at an authentic South African restaurant which consisted of just about everything you could imagine. And they surprised us with entertainment-traditional Zulu dancing!

Welcome to South Africa :)

When I applied to study nursing at APU, I did so with every intention of studying abroad in South Africa my senior year. I wasn't sure about much more at that point in my life (and not much has changed), but of study abroad South Africa I was certain. It is a competitive program, so for the next three years I had intense times of prayer ("please, please, please let me go to South Africa...") along with the occasional melt down as I envisioned the possibility of me not able to go.

When I read the email that I was going to South Africa in post-conference at the end of one of my clinical days in Spring of 2013, I cried. Ridiculously hard. People were concerned. I cried for the end of the suspension that I thought would never end; I cried for the answered prayers; and I cried for the amazing things that were to come in this country. I continue to feel that God is going to do something BIG this semester-what that looks like I have no idea, but I eagerly anticipate what is in store!

So here I am. I am about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. For the next 15 weeks, I will be studying, learning, growing, and fellowshipping with 52 other college students in South Africa. Here I will share my adventures-the good, the bad, and the ugly. And the best part is, you get to share with me. Please be praying for me! Here we go!!