New Ubuntu Blog

Check out Casey's new Ubuntu blog, now up at www.ubuntusports.blogspot.com.

Here We Go

Good morning friends and family,

I am writing this Monday morning and just trying to get some things done today! We are learning about the pace of life here in Africa, and it seems that weekends don't include any time for tasks and getting things done. Pretty much most of the weekend people are coming by the house, calling, and hanging out. It was also BEAUTIFUL weather (finally) and so everyone wanted to be outside and enjoy it. Some of the highlights of the weekend were: enjoying watching the kids play soccer in our yard on Saturday, dinner with American and African friends on Saturday night, hitting up the crazy 'market' near the beach on Sunday, a birthday 'braii' (or BBQ) for Andy celebrating him turning 19 years old on Sunday night. Many things in between, but it was certainly a great time. We are really blessed to have so many wonderful people already in our life here, and it's just a joy to share it. Kieren is the icing on top (and I really love icing!) and just makes every time with friends an extra joy as we watch and enjoy her. This week we hope to catch up on some loose end details, and both move forward with some more details of our ministries. Casey hopes to get into schools and meet up with principals and teachers he can partner with. I want to clarify more my role with Living Hope and then hopefully spend some time getting to hear more about the groups and leaders I will be supporting.

Hope you all had lovely weekends as well; lots of love to you!
Sarah

This is Why...

Today has been one of those wonderful, holy, and special days that I hope I can remember for a long time. It was a slow morning, we ran a couple errands and caught up on emails in the morning, and then drove to a nearby township called Capricorn. This area is much more poverty stricken and 'hard' then where we live, and it's a place where I did a good amount of work when we were here before. It is also where our Congolese refugee friends live, Antoine and Mathy. We shared wonderful times of ministry and friendship with them during our time here before and have kept in touch while in America. We reunited with them a week ago, but today were invited to Mathy's support group with is made up of refugees from the Congo and Rwanda. By about 15 minutes into the meeting the room was filled with women and their children and us three Americans. I should have seen it coming, but didn't; because Mathy asked if I would bring the devotional for the meeting today. So I shared something that God has been teaching me out of Hebrews 11 and 12; how we are called to live a life of faith and fix our eyes on Jesus as we run forward trusting the life He has for us. It is very applicable for these friends and as I shared there were many nodding heads and 'amens' in the group. I should add that only a few speak some broken English, so my sharing was translated into French for these new friends. It is always so deeply humbling and fulfilling at the same time to share God's word with people like these women, who I know live in the midst of dire struggle and hardship. They are all refugees from other African countries, living as outsiders, many of them without jobs and the means to provide the basics of life for their families, even facing real persecution and harm in their own communities just for being from a different country. And yet, the promises of God are just as true, palpable, and meaningful to them as they are to me, even though mine seem superficial and trite in comparison.. I have to tell you though, it is in those moments of sharing the power of God and the strength of Christ with people like these that I feel so alive. It was what I was created to do. After I shared each one of them shared how we can be praying for them. Each one of them asked for basic things; protection for their families, jobs, food for their kids, a peaceful home. I loved that one woman said she prayed that 'doors would be open this year to the promises of God.' Great imagery. Then we all stood up together, I asked if we could hold hands, and I began to pray for them. Little did I know the power of prayer in the heart of these women! They all began to pray aloud in their native languages, and the prayers and exclamations of God filled the room! It was deeply moving and I could truly feel the presence of God in that place! Mathy then closed the prayer in French and well all said 'amen.' It was a beautiful and holy moment. Afterward we shared some time of tea and snacks (as we Africans love to do!) and just talked. It hit me suddenly that this time with these women was exactly like so many times I have shared back home with my women friends. There were kids everywhere playing, eating snacks, fighting here and there, and the women were talking, laughing, and truly 'walking through life' together. It was awesome.

The whole time we spent there was only just over an hour, and I could have stayed much longer, but it was precious time for me. These moments certainly don't happy every day; that is not the reality of missionary life. But they DO happen, and what a treasure they are. I am so thankful that God has brought us here and today He reminded me why. Praise God!

Lots of love,
Sarah

Going to the Chapel...

Tonight our friend Shagmie came over after work.

He’s a Life Skills Educator for Living Hope. We grew close with him when we were here before and we quickly and easily reconnected since we’ve been back.

Shagmie is getting married in February to a young lady named Lauren whom we really adore. Her family invited us in to their home when we were here before and that one evening convinced us that we should live in Oceanview. So, as a couple, they are very special to us.

Well, Shagmie came over to ask me to be the Best Man in his wedding!! I’m so totally humbled! He said amazing things about me being a man that will hold him accountable to the things he is promising and that they really look up to Sarah and I for our marriage.

I’m so excited about this day. It’s a wedding on the beach in Fish Hoek, I get to wear white linen (!), and we’ll get to party with our colored friends. But mostly, we’re just so excited to have connected with people here in this significant way. To be invited into someone’s life for such a significant occasion is just amazing. We were just hoping to get invited and now I get to stand up there next to Shagmie.

Thanks be to God for connecting brothers across cultures, nations, and distance.

Where the Wild Things Are

In our Yard!!

A mini soccer league has cropped up in our front yard. Kids are there EVERY DAY for several hours. We finally paid the price yesterday. Somebody missed the goal on a much too powerful shot.

We were actually very fortunate, because Kieren usually watches the soccer from that window, but happened to be further back on this occasion. Sarah was sitting on that couch right there at the window. But both of them were fine.

The church, gracefully, took good care of us to keep it from raining in last night. Hopefully it will get fixed today. And I think we’ll be making some changes to our field!

- Casey

Great Reminder

I helped to lead a Bible study at my new church, Ocean View Methodist, Wednesday morning. They started the time with the singing of a hymn, and it was a great reminder for my personal life. Hope you enjoy!

Sarah

I Need Thee Every Hour


I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

(Refrain)
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

Refrain

Ocean View Life Happenings

Hello people,

I'm here at the internet cafe connecting with email and people, just trying to stay dry and warm here in South Africa! It's supposed to be summer here but it's COLD (well, 50 degrees almost at 60) and very windy and rainy which makes it feel awful outside! I am going to overdose on hot tea because I crave it all the time in this weather! Despite the weather we are having a good week, finding ourselves busy each day with many things as we settle and venture out further into ministry. Casey met with another school principal in our area this week, and continues to try to being forming relationships with schools in order to start Ubuntu programs there. So far he has been very welcomed and well-received. I have been meeting with some support group leaders and met with my 'boss' Avril for Living Hope on Monday and will soon clarify my roles more fully with them. This morning I went to the Ocean View Methodist church and led a Bible study there - it is open for all but is attended by about 10-15 of the older generation at the church. It was a wonderful time of study, discussion, and just getting to know these new friends. And as is almost required in South Africa, it was followed with hot tea, cookies, and more conversation. Things are so much slower here in pace and it's really enjoyable! I am thankful to get to know the church here more and more and they are so welcoming and open to me!

Well, I will be off to work through some other tasks of the day. Hope you week is also moving along beautifully! Enjoy the changing and falling leaves for us - we miss them (but not raking them up...).

Love,
Sarah

Kieren Pics :)

Happy Baby

Kieren at our front gate hanging with the soccer boys

Kieren's Halloween 'Costume'

Mailing Address in South Africa

Hey peeps,

Everyone has been asking about our mailing address here in South Africa, so here it is below. We get letters right at our house, and they come into a box that is locked with a key so they will be safe. For packages, we will have to pay a tax on them by the size, so know that when you send them. Anything bigger than a letter, we will get a notice in our box to pick it up at the post office. Bubble envelope mailers are easiest to send because they are cheapest for us to receive and pay tax on. I hear it takes around 10 days to receive something from the States (but I think it's probably longer...). Thanks everyone, and we would love to get any mail!

Casey and Sarah Prince
c/o Ocean View Methodist Church
1 Zodiac Way
Ocean View 7975
Republic of South Africa

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men' yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
- Ecclesiastes 3:11

Hello from Sarah and Kieren

Would you like to be a part of a special day?

Hello friends and family,

Just wanted to see if you want to be involved in something we are doing for a special group we work with here. Last time we worked here I helped to lead a support group of persons living with HIV, and I am helping to lead the group again. Most of the members are still in the group and it has been wonderful to reconnect with them again and share Kieren with them.

In December, the new leader (and my friend Bernedette) is planning an outing for the group to Cape Point, which is a beautiful site and the southernmost point in Africa. We want to see the site and have a picnic lunch for them. We would like to provide the food for the lunch and Bernedette and I will prepare it. This is a bit out of our budget, so we would love some financial help if you would like to donate to this. Please let me know if you are interested by emailing me at sarahcprince@gmail.com.

The outing will be December 8th and I will share the pictures and stories soon afterwards!

Blessings,
Sarah

UBUNTU SPORTS OUTREACH update

There is an update on the Ubuntu Sports Outreach blog. Check it out: www.ubuntusports.blogspot.com

Tuesday

Hello friends and family!
It is mid-day on Tuesday, and Kieren is taking a nap giving us a few quiet minutes to update you. We wish you a belated Happy Halloween and hope you are enjoying some great candy stashes! Here they really don't celebrate the holiday. In the malls you saw a few places where you could get some Halloween stuff, but especially in the townships it is ignored and really considered something that worships or celebrates demonic things. They did have some 'festivals' this weekend, but nothing related to the holiday. We sure missed our candy corns – and how cute would Kieren have been as a fat pumpkin or something?? Our church had a 'bazaar' on the lawn which also happens to be our front yard, and they had a jumping castle, games, food, and booths selling small items. It was a great event to meet some people and enjoy the beautiful day. We walked to our community library which was so much fun and got our very own cards! You can get books, magazines, games, and dvds there, so we plan on visiting frequently. It's also just a nice thing to meet more people here and be among the community.
Sunday we visited our new church, Ocean View Methodist Church, for the first time. We were welcomed in and began the awkward process of meeting all our new family here and learning about this church. It honestly made me miss our church in Raleigh, Grace Community, and just how it feels to know everyone and what is going on. But I know this is a new season for us from God and we have to welcome it even when it feels uncomfortable. I went to a meeting of sorts last night at the church, it was some of the leaders and was supposed to be a bible study but ended up being a big discussion about some of the problems in the church. It was striking at how similar the issues are to what I have experienced at our church in Raleigh! I already love these leaders though because they are spunky and have a great attitude, and it looks like much of my work at the church will be helping to lead and raise them up. I am greatly looking forward to it, but again not sure how to start this process – it's just so new and so many new people! I would love prayers as I begin to wade into these new waters!
We are experiencing beautiful weather here right now and trying to enjoy it with walks and runs and sitting out on the lawn with Kieren. Summer is on the horizon and it feels great (don't mean to rub it in!). One strange thing about the weather is that many days it is unbelievably windy, where it can even be hard to walk around outside and the wind howls and beats on the house all night. It is hectic!
With lots of love,
Sarah

Video of our House

I put together a little video of our house for the Youth Ministry at Grace.

Thought you would enjoy. It should help you envision it so much more.