This weekend was civilization free.  By that I mean we were at an authentic South African bush camp for the weekend (Welkom in die bosii = welcome to the bush).  Our rooms at UCSA were booked this weekend, so we all had to move out to their bush camp.  This place has no electricity, heat, running water, anything.  Pretty sure I got 4 hours of sleep all weekend because it was literally freezing temperatures, but it was great.  It was really interesting to see God's African creation since Jeffreys Bay is very civilized and full of stores.  We were able to rappel down a cliff, paintball, or do archery.  It was a long weekend of cooking over a campfire, warming by the campfire, freezing in "cabins" made of plywood and no insulation.  But God is good.  I learned a lot through the different activities.  One of my favorites was when we were given red clay from the river and asked to make something we really care about.  Then we discussed those and the story in Matthew where Jesus asked the rich man to sell all of his possessions and follow Him.  The question is still ringing in my mind of, "If you were to lose that, would God still be enough?"  I think it's that way with anything, family, friends, favorite activities, anything.  If it were gone, would God still be enough for you?

    The last night we were there, we were lead (blindfolded) into the woods and given a rope to hold on to with the instruction of "find the end".  The leader was shouting instruction as we walked around what we later found out to be a circle of rope without an end.  He began by saying, "If you want help, raise your hand."  and ended with, "If you want to find the end, you need to ask for help."  Personally, my ‘asking for help' was, "How do I find the end?"  It was amazing to me how seemingly unwilling I am to allow other people to help me.  It took me three attempts before I finally raised my hand and said, "Help me."  And I was led to a warm fire (it was only 2 degrees C, hardly above freezing, yes, I am in Africa, I promise!). 

    This week, we will find out where our ministry sites will be.  Our team of 41 students will be split between 9 different ministries, based on where we see ourselves best fit, where the leaders see us as best fit, and, most importantly, where God sees us as best fit.  Because, if He has a plan for us, it will happen, no matter what order I placed on my list for where I wanted to be.  I will not put in here what I listed as where I want to go because, for all I know, where God wants me could be the last choice on my list.  So, I will let everyone know where I am when it is selected and finalized. 

    Well, we just sort of moved into our cabin, we may or may not be moving out again in a few days.  With AIM, we are learning to be flexible with our plans and just go as we are led.  It is difficult to not be able to completely settle in, but we are kind of having fun being nomads at the same time. 

    Anyway, I am typing this as I am in my room (I type them before I go to the internet café so I don't use too much time there as I have to pay by the hour).  And my roommates are very giggly tonight.  It's amazing.  We have ended up with a very wonderful room and I will post pictures asap!

    Much love from Jeffreys Bay,

        Bri