Thursday 5th January
After having a relaxing day yesterday it was time for us to get thrown into the deep end. At 5.30 my alarm went off and I got up to go and help set up the multipurpose hall that we are having the conference in. I was helping set up the sound desk that they have and over my 6 months here I plan on becoming more involved with the sound for Church and Monday devotions.
8.30 and the conference was underway with worship to kick it off. We sung in English as well as Zulu before Baba Smith (the original founder of LIV village) came and spoke about visions, the vision for LIV and future visions. After a tea break the Pastor of the village Pastor Ann came and gave a talk on the Agreement. Then Gogo Smith (Titch’s wife) came and shared stories and testimonies with us. After lunch we each chose an elective to go to. I chose one on Culture of Honour where someone spoke on the differences between performing for people to get love and honouring because you know you are loved.
Then we all went and sat in the sun (27℃) and used a bit of wifi. Then some of the older boys on the village asked us if we wanted them to give us a little tour of the village so most of us went and saw the cluster of houses and many of the younger children (who are all SO cute and always want to hold your hand and ask many questions), we saw the horses, the playing fields, the gym and the school. We also met some of the mothers on the village who were very welcoming. After a relaxed evening meal filled with laughter, I went to the gym with some others and did a small workout before going to use the wifi again and calling home to say hi.
There is so much joy on this village and everyone is so happy and positive, something very different then back home. It is so refreshing to see someone you’ve never met and for them to come up and say hi and have a long conversation with them about their work on the village and everyone is saying how excited they are to have us LIV4Change students here! I know I am just as excited as they are to be here and can’t wait to get stuck in!
Friday 6th January
Up at 5.50 this morning to go on run around the village with two of the girls from my barrack which as so nice, until it started raining… After a quick shower and some breakfast we headed back to the multipurpose hall for the second day of the conference where we had worship then heard from Jono and Chester. We were then given a cooked lunch by the students training in the culinary school. After lunch we looked in the LIV shop on site where they sell their merchandise and then we were taken on an extended tour (two and a half hours!) by Leon, one of the guys helping with the LIV4Change students. After a really yummy dinner we chilled for a bit and one of the guys Danny and I had a little jamming sesh him on the guitar and me on the ukulele. Today we also had the former Irish rugby player Brian O’Driscoll visit today. Something i haven't mentioned yet is the amazing wildlife. So far I have seen birds with tails the length of a 30 cm ruler called mouse birds, loads of frogs, geckos, multicoloured locusts, cockroaches but luckily no snakes so far!
Saturday 7th January
We have been given the whole day off today which is lovely to just relax and settle in more before next week starts!
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