Check out the festival video posted on the Ubuntu Blog!
Casey
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Big Five
Five Reasons Why Kieren is a Genius
1. Kieren loves to build. And not in a strange, non-interacting way, but in a fun, come and help me way. She builds leggos and blocks and cups and anything else around. Genius.
2. Kieren is showing her true artist heart and has started to sing. She loves most to sing the 'Dora the Explorer' theme song, but really just makes up her own tunes all the time. I mean, come on, even Mozart wasn't creating music this young. Genius.
3. Kieren thinks all men are scary except her Daddy. Genius.
4. Kieren is also developing her comedic skills which we might take on the road soon to start a college education fund. She remembers things that she or others find funny and brings them back again and again. She loves to throw her head back and laugh from the bottom of that beautiful belly. Genius.
5. Kieren has started to say 'love you.' Genius.
1. Kieren loves to build. And not in a strange, non-interacting way, but in a fun, come and help me way. She builds leggos and blocks and cups and anything else around. Genius.
2. Kieren is showing her true artist heart and has started to sing. She loves most to sing the 'Dora the Explorer' theme song, but really just makes up her own tunes all the time. I mean, come on, even Mozart wasn't creating music this young. Genius.
3. Kieren thinks all men are scary except her Daddy. Genius.
4. Kieren is also developing her comedic skills which we might take on the road soon to start a college education fund. She remembers things that she or others find funny and brings them back again and again. She loves to throw her head back and laugh from the bottom of that beautiful belly. Genius.
5. Kieren has started to say 'love you.' Genius.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Fashion Show in Ocean View!
This week, on Tuesday morning I had a unique privilege to be a judge in a fashion show held here in Ocean View. It was the brilliant idea of the support group leaders at the Living Hope organization to hold an event that would encourage and love on the women and they came up with this! The large room was decorated in many colors and with flowers everywhere, even surrounding the long runway for the show. There were a few support groups there, but the largest representation in the show was Granny Jacoba's elderly group that meets twice weekly to encourage one another. They are a hilarious group and Kieren is loved by them all. Then my HIV support group members came to watch and another group of woman from 'Mountainview,' which is a township right near Ocean View that is much worse off with poverty and violence than the View. It is mostly filled with 'rastafarians' who don't work, smoke a lot of marijuana, and hurt their wives. So this group of women is a new group who are learning to trust one another and open up to God. Granny's group modeled first and had a BLAST with it. They were dancing and strutting their stuff! It was awesome! Of course Granny got the highest marks from me, but with my scores combined with the other two judges she was not crowned one of the Princesses, Queen, or 'Miss Personality.' Granny will always be MY miss personality :)
Then the younger women had their show, and at first only three ladies were signed up to walk, but as the show progressed more just kept jumping into the fun! We all clapped for them and cheered them on as they strutted down the runway smiling away. It was incredible. Then we crowned our winners for the younger women and those who were crowned queen and princesses jumped up and down, hugged their friends, and actually CRIED they were so happy and humbled. Honestly, it was so beautiful just to have a moment where they felt special and beautiful.
I seriously LOVE days like Tuesday where I reminded WHY we do what we do here, and how important it is to make people feel beautiful and special. Praise our God!
Love,
Sarah
The modeling runway with one of our elderly 'models' strutting her stuff
All the attendees having an impromptu dance party in between events!
The younger 'models' who were crowned at the show! The two in the middle were the ones who cried when receiving their prizes!
A woman, Joanne, who lives in Mountainview who I have worked with before. A beautiful woman who loved the day!
Uh oh, it's Granny Jacoba strutting her stuff. You KNOW she loved this event!
Granny's best friend, Auntie Katie walking the runway at the end of the show. That is NOT her real hair, but she swung it around like a top model!
The three winners of the elderly fashion show. Beautiful!
Miss Personality. Seriously.
Then the younger women had their show, and at first only three ladies were signed up to walk, but as the show progressed more just kept jumping into the fun! We all clapped for them and cheered them on as they strutted down the runway smiling away. It was incredible. Then we crowned our winners for the younger women and those who were crowned queen and princesses jumped up and down, hugged their friends, and actually CRIED they were so happy and humbled. Honestly, it was so beautiful just to have a moment where they felt special and beautiful.
I seriously LOVE days like Tuesday where I reminded WHY we do what we do here, and how important it is to make people feel beautiful and special. Praise our God!
Love,
Sarah
The modeling runway with one of our elderly 'models' strutting her stuff
All the attendees having an impromptu dance party in between events!
The younger 'models' who were crowned at the show! The two in the middle were the ones who cried when receiving their prizes!
A woman, Joanne, who lives in Mountainview who I have worked with before. A beautiful woman who loved the day!
Uh oh, it's Granny Jacoba strutting her stuff. You KNOW she loved this event!
Granny's best friend, Auntie Katie walking the runway at the end of the show. That is NOT her real hair, but she swung it around like a top model!
The three winners of the elderly fashion show. Beautiful!
Miss Personality. Seriously.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Interesting Study
CNN posted this article about this interesting study that the Pew Research Center did about religious knowledge in America. It's a bit frightening, check it out here.
Not to brag, but TOTALLY to brag, I got 10 out of 10 right on the quiz. I'm SO smart and spiritual. ;-)
Casey
Not to brag, but TOTALLY to brag, I got 10 out of 10 right on the quiz. I'm SO smart and spiritual. ;-)
Casey
BLOG about Festival is finally up!!
Check out the blog about the Community Festival that Ubuntu Sports Outreach hosted this weekend. It was quite the big undertaking for us. It's all here at: www.ubuntusports.blogspot.com.
ENJOY!
ENJOY!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Festival Thoughts from one of the TEAMS!
Hello friends and family!
We apologize for the late update today - but I (Sarah) am sick with a sinus infection and Casey has been busy all day working on some Ubuntu stuff that's been falling behind! We are going to do a big update from the weekend with stories and pictures from the festival - coming VERY soon!
In the meantime, we have some of our 'girls' here hanging at the house, and they had a team of their own, so I thought we would get some of their thoughts!
Some thoughts from the 'Seven Stars' Under 11 team (made of ALL girls!!)
The team was Meagan, Roxanne, Annestacia, Courtney, and Chandre.
"It was good, and cool. We played against boys and we thought we were going to get hurt but we didn't get hurt. We played good and it was very, very nice. Our team name comes from where we live because there are seven flats in our area. We liked the t-shirts that Casey and them had on because of the colors. During our last game I (Roxanne) was going to kick the ball and I kicked the girl and I had to sit down for two minutes. But we still won the game. It felt nice and exciting to win the game. We think all the other kids had a fun time too. We thought we would lose against Seapoint, but we did beat them. We like playing against boys better because they can't hurt us and we laugh them out. We scored first! The Two Oceans guys kicked the Africans (black kids, as these were coloured kids). We didn't have a half-time with our first game and we felt bad about that. The game started late because the other team was taking photos. There wasn't a referee there and Antony came late, but he is a good referee. And 5-Stars guys played on the trampoline at the creche (preschool) (the girls are telling on them because they weren't supposed to do that!). Casey did a good job because he told us when we were supposed to play the games on the microphones, and scores, and halftimes, and when it was finished."
Wow! Not sure if you can follow that all, but those are the thoughts (recited to me as they are 'plating' or braiding my hair :) They now just asked if there is going to be another One Valley Festival again - so that is a good sign! It was a wonderful day and we can't wait to share more soon!
Lots of love,
Sarah and my girls :)
We apologize for the late update today - but I (Sarah) am sick with a sinus infection and Casey has been busy all day working on some Ubuntu stuff that's been falling behind! We are going to do a big update from the weekend with stories and pictures from the festival - coming VERY soon!
In the meantime, we have some of our 'girls' here hanging at the house, and they had a team of their own, so I thought we would get some of their thoughts!
Some thoughts from the 'Seven Stars' Under 11 team (made of ALL girls!!)
The team was Meagan, Roxanne, Annestacia, Courtney, and Chandre.
"It was good, and cool. We played against boys and we thought we were going to get hurt but we didn't get hurt. We played good and it was very, very nice. Our team name comes from where we live because there are seven flats in our area. We liked the t-shirts that Casey and them had on because of the colors. During our last game I (Roxanne) was going to kick the ball and I kicked the girl and I had to sit down for two minutes. But we still won the game. It felt nice and exciting to win the game. We think all the other kids had a fun time too. We thought we would lose against Seapoint, but we did beat them. We like playing against boys better because they can't hurt us and we laugh them out. We scored first! The Two Oceans guys kicked the Africans (black kids, as these were coloured kids). We didn't have a half-time with our first game and we felt bad about that. The game started late because the other team was taking photos. There wasn't a referee there and Antony came late, but he is a good referee. And 5-Stars guys played on the trampoline at the creche (preschool) (the girls are telling on them because they weren't supposed to do that!). Casey did a good job because he told us when we were supposed to play the games on the microphones, and scores, and halftimes, and when it was finished."
Wow! Not sure if you can follow that all, but those are the thoughts (recited to me as they are 'plating' or braiding my hair :) They now just asked if there is going to be another One Valley Festival again - so that is a good sign! It was a wonderful day and we can't wait to share more soon!
Lots of love,
Sarah and my girls :)
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Funeral Service
Today was the funeral of Godfrey Jubelin, a man whose family attends and serves at a church, but a man I had never met. The family had been visited by my co-pastor, Kyle Woodward, but he is out of town this week, so they called me in. Stepping into something like this would usually seem like a burden to me, but since meeting this family I have been so inspired by their story. The man who died, Godfrey Jubelin, was married in Ocean View and had kids, and then left them all to start another family. He had 25 years growing another family in another part of Cape Town, and still called his kids frequently but never visited Ocean View. Then his second wife got sick and died, and then he was diagnosed with cancer. Facing death alone, he approached his first family here in Ocean View and asked if he could come back to them. So his ex-wife allows him back in the house, and the entire family cares for him for the last month of his life. And when I asked them how they did this, how they took him back and forgave him, they just said simply, 'Well, Jesus has forgiven us, so how could we not forgive our father?' Like it's really that simple, but to them it is. They honestly feel that it was a privilege to have Godfrey with them for his last month of life, and had great grief as we celebrated his life today. It is striking and beautiful. I feel so honored to have done this funeral today and serve this amazing family. Below is my 'sermon' that I shared at the funeral. I am humbled and thankful for this place of ministry and the amazing saints that God allows me to know and serve.
Click here to read the sermon.
Lots of love,
Sarah
Click here to read the sermon.
Lots of love,
Sarah
This is my profile picture on facebook now, and it is getting many 'likes.' It is Kieren's favorite doll as of late, and it's from our friend Vivan who works for Nickelodeon. When we were in NYC this summer we visited a group of friends who work for MTV and Nickelodeon who served in South Africa this past year. Vivan took us to her office and was so excited to give Kieren a 'Blue's Clues' stuffed dog. Kieren was a bit 'crabby' at the moment, but was under-enthused about the dog. She waddled around the office and spotted this 'Little Bill' doll on a chair. She promptly grabbed and hugged the doll and they have been buds ever since. I call the doll 'brown baby' and am SO proud that Kieren chose her brown friend. It looks like her friends here in the View! I have now decided that Kieren will only have brown babies in this house if I can help it!
Love,
Sarah
A Letter
Hello all!
I thought this week I would share some bits of ministry I am doing here in the View. This is a letter I wrote to Felicity Jaffta, who is the daughter of Katie Jaffta who died a couple weeks ago while I and others were surrounding her in prayer and song. The family wanted me to share at Katie's funeral but Kieren felt it was time to leave (which was shared in a MAJOR outburst) and so I was not able to speak. Instead, I wrote Felicity a letter about our time with her mother and gave it to her. So here it is if you are interested!
Click here for letter.
Lots of love,
Sarah
I thought this week I would share some bits of ministry I am doing here in the View. This is a letter I wrote to Felicity Jaffta, who is the daughter of Katie Jaffta who died a couple weeks ago while I and others were surrounding her in prayer and song. The family wanted me to share at Katie's funeral but Kieren felt it was time to leave (which was shared in a MAJOR outburst) and so I was not able to speak. Instead, I wrote Felicity a letter about our time with her mother and gave it to her. So here it is if you are interested!
Click here for letter.
Lots of love,
Sarah
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Hello friends and family!
Our busy week continues and there are so many things we have to do! It feels exciting that there is so much going on and we are finding ourselves enjoying getting ready for all that is ahead. Tomorrow I will hold a funeral at our church for a man I have never met, and yet the story of him and his family has touched me deeply. I will share my 'reflections' from the funeral tomorrow. Also on my mind is my sermon for Sunday where we will be celebrating 'Women's Day' which is a national day here in South Africa that actually happened while I was in the US, but will be celebrated by our church women on Sunday. The women I love will be very active in the service and have been on my mind all week while writing this sermon. Also, I am in the works to create a Bible study for the women of Ocean View with both teaching and small groups, launched in January, but the thought and potential of it all has me excited and prayerful. Casey is running all around and busy for the festival happening Saturday and there are SO many teams signing up everyday! It's going to be a HUGE event! So I guess, in addition to the excitement of it all I just feel thankful to be involved in such great ministry. God continues to walk ahead of us and give us incredible opportunities to love and serve His people and it's so cool. We will keep you updated on the week and how things progress, but would really love your prayers for all of this!
Lots of love,
Sarah
Our busy week continues and there are so many things we have to do! It feels exciting that there is so much going on and we are finding ourselves enjoying getting ready for all that is ahead. Tomorrow I will hold a funeral at our church for a man I have never met, and yet the story of him and his family has touched me deeply. I will share my 'reflections' from the funeral tomorrow. Also on my mind is my sermon for Sunday where we will be celebrating 'Women's Day' which is a national day here in South Africa that actually happened while I was in the US, but will be celebrated by our church women on Sunday. The women I love will be very active in the service and have been on my mind all week while writing this sermon. Also, I am in the works to create a Bible study for the women of Ocean View with both teaching and small groups, launched in January, but the thought and potential of it all has me excited and prayerful. Casey is running all around and busy for the festival happening Saturday and there are SO many teams signing up everyday! It's going to be a HUGE event! So I guess, in addition to the excitement of it all I just feel thankful to be involved in such great ministry. God continues to walk ahead of us and give us incredible opportunities to love and serve His people and it's so cool. We will keep you updated on the week and how things progress, but would really love your prayers for all of this!
Lots of love,
Sarah
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Book Review by Sarah
"Friendship at the Margins" by Christopher Heuertz and Christine Pohl
I have been looking forward to this book for months, and I finally got my hands and head around it after hearing about it all winter. Casey read 'Friendship in the Margins' with our Ubuntu 'interns' and they all loved it and the conversations that naturally flowed from the challenges within this read. Chris Heuertz is a 'friend' of ours as he and his wife did some work at Duke Divinity before we went to South Africa in 2008, and we have followed their incredible organization Word Made Flesh for years (www.wordmadeflesh.org). The missionaries in this dynamic organization and community live among the people they serve all over the world in the poorest and darkest of places. They do not go in with clear goals and objectives for people, but rather allow ministry to grow and develop from the friendships that are born there. Honestly, WMF and their theology of ministry deeply formed our vision for ministry here in Ocean View and planted many seeds that we are now living and working out. Chris pushes his readers to a deep encounter with those they serve and invites us to move from a cause-based mission focus to a vision of friendship and coming alongside people. What we find in friendship is a place for building, learning, growing, and a mutual experience of God. This book hit me in some deep places because it speaks right into much of what we hope to do through living here in Ocean View but is very honest about the challenges in this kind of radical life. The hardships are not just the 'dangers' of living among people who poor and desperate, but the issues that arise as people who are wholly different in many ways come together to learn and authentically relate. I am humbled that God has given us a place to do this way of life and ministry and pray that God will continue to teach us how to truly honor Him and our brothers and sisters among us.
"The stories of friendships at the margins remind us of the power of hospitality and a hospitable presence. People are transformed when someone is willing to listen to their stories, to share a meal with them, to find their insights and concerns important or interesting. They are able to recover a measure of self-respect and a fuller sense of identity. But hospitality works both ways, and people on the margins also gain self-respect and recognize their own gifts when someone is willing to receive their hospitality." -Friendships at the Margins
Click here for Casey's thoughts on this book, from our blog in May.
Click here for a piece from 'Friendship at the Margins' in Relevant Magazine
Video interview with Chris Heuertz here
Monday, September 20, 2010
Pictures of Visit with Roxie and Ben Cash!
Roxie Cash with her son, Ben Cash. We loved our times with the Cash's!!
Our Monday support group, which Roxie attending - and the ladies all loved her!
Roxie and Kieren playing - they loved each other!
Kieren cheering on the Tar Heels!
Bubble time in front of the church
Casey, Antony, and Ben
Roxie and Sarah
The Prince's at the sunset at Noordhoek beach on our last night with these great friends!
Our Monday support group, which Roxie attending - and the ladies all loved her!
Roxie and Kieren playing - they loved each other!
Kieren cheering on the Tar Heels!
Bubble time in front of the church
Casey, Antony, and Ben
Roxie and Sarah
The Prince's at the sunset at Noordhoek beach on our last night with these great friends!
Weekend Update
Hello everyone!
It was a fun weekend once again for the Prince family! Friday night we had our farewell dinner with Roxie Cash and our boys at the 'Toad,' one of our local favorite places to hang. It was such a fun time with her last week! Saturday we all did a bit of relaxing, Casey went to play soccer with the Fish Hoek team, and Granny took Kieren to a birthday party. I just got the update this morning from her, and it seems Kieren had a FANTASTIC time, dancing, playing, and running around with all the kids! I loooove it! She says pictures will come soon, can't wait! As an aside, I took Kieren to a birthday party a month after her accident here in Ocean View and she was timid and scared the whole time and I hated it for her, so it was such a JOY to hear she had a great time this go-around. Kieren is healing in all ways! Saturday night we hung at home to rest a bit. Sunday morning began early with church at Ocean View Methodist and our little friend 'KaKa' finally came back around! He is one of the boys we hung out with a lot before we went to the States, but after some of the other boys got in a bit of 'trouble' while we were gone, Kaka has also stayed away. So since he was at church I decided it was a good day to take a crew to the morning service at Hillsong. We packed the car full with a Treswell, Stacy, Cindy, the Princes, and Kaka in the VERY back (trunk) of the car. Don't worry, the trunk is open to the rest of the car, so he can breathe, etc. :) We had a great time at Hillsong together as it was a family day there. Then our friends drove our car home and we stayed downtown Cape Town to meet Jenks for late lunch and to watch the Manchester United soccer game. Afterwards we headed BACK to Hillsong for the night service (I know, we are SO spiritual) to hear the co-pastor Lucinda Dooley speak - and she was amazing as always. Then we finally drove home with our VERY sleepy Kieren and had friends over for a late pizza dinner. Whew! I'm tired just writing it again! This week should be a busy one as Casey is preparing for the ONE VALLEY festival on Saturday, and I will hold a funeral at Ocean View (a family I don't know) on Thursday and preach on Sunday. Hoping for a slow day today!
Lots of love,
Sarah
It was a fun weekend once again for the Prince family! Friday night we had our farewell dinner with Roxie Cash and our boys at the 'Toad,' one of our local favorite places to hang. It was such a fun time with her last week! Saturday we all did a bit of relaxing, Casey went to play soccer with the Fish Hoek team, and Granny took Kieren to a birthday party. I just got the update this morning from her, and it seems Kieren had a FANTASTIC time, dancing, playing, and running around with all the kids! I loooove it! She says pictures will come soon, can't wait! As an aside, I took Kieren to a birthday party a month after her accident here in Ocean View and she was timid and scared the whole time and I hated it for her, so it was such a JOY to hear she had a great time this go-around. Kieren is healing in all ways! Saturday night we hung at home to rest a bit. Sunday morning began early with church at Ocean View Methodist and our little friend 'KaKa' finally came back around! He is one of the boys we hung out with a lot before we went to the States, but after some of the other boys got in a bit of 'trouble' while we were gone, Kaka has also stayed away. So since he was at church I decided it was a good day to take a crew to the morning service at Hillsong. We packed the car full with a Treswell, Stacy, Cindy, the Princes, and Kaka in the VERY back (trunk) of the car. Don't worry, the trunk is open to the rest of the car, so he can breathe, etc. :) We had a great time at Hillsong together as it was a family day there. Then our friends drove our car home and we stayed downtown Cape Town to meet Jenks for late lunch and to watch the Manchester United soccer game. Afterwards we headed BACK to Hillsong for the night service (I know, we are SO spiritual) to hear the co-pastor Lucinda Dooley speak - and she was amazing as always. Then we finally drove home with our VERY sleepy Kieren and had friends over for a late pizza dinner. Whew! I'm tired just writing it again! This week should be a busy one as Casey is preparing for the ONE VALLEY festival on Saturday, and I will hold a funeral at Ocean View (a family I don't know) on Thursday and preach on Sunday. Hoping for a slow day today!
Lots of love,
Sarah
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Guest Post
This is a guest post from our Raleigh friend and recent favorite person, Roxie Cash. Roxie just finished two weeks in South Africa and spent this past week with us in Ocean View. I promise we didn't pay her to say any of this - she is just too generous and nice!! Love you Roxie!
I have been hanging out in Ocean View with the amazing Prince family. Oh yes, I actually had the opportunity to see their life in their township first hand. I am going back to the states with a clearer understanding of what they mean to the people they live with in Ocean View.
I have come to South Africa to spend some time with my son Ben who is going to Cape Town University. Ben took me everywhere while he was on his Spring break since it is spring here in S. Africa. I mean everywhere. I saw more in 18 days than I have ever seen on any trip anywhere. He showed me an amazing time. And I got to hang with Antony Burton who most of you know as well from Raleigh. He is in school here too.
But back to Ocean View, since I want to relay my moments there. First, Casey and Sarah and Kieren are so loved by this community of people who have more needs for love than I could ever fully grasp. I am convinced without a doubt that God surely put them here to love on these people. For sure, they are unique to the township. They are the only white people in Ocean View. They are a “stand out and be noticed” family. You would look at them and know that they are living among people that do not expect them to be living in their community.
However, strangely they fit right into the people’s lives. And that is not just by chance, of course. It is God’s work indeed. Casey is doing very good work with soccer. He is spreading the gospel through a sport that is so loved in this country. He is working with children who never would have the opportunities unless Casey was among them. Awesome.
I had more time with Sarah. The first night I sat in on a support group with women from the township. Wow – I mean really wow. I immediately heard their take on the Prince family and there deep love for Sarah and the changes her messages about Jesus have had in their very hard lives. I watched Sarah as they shared their prayer requests with the group and her sincere desire to have them hold God’s hand as they walk towards a better place where they can make real changes in their situations. They understand why she is there among them and they told me over and over that without the Prince family living in that house in that township at that time, things would be much worse. They really have hope for the first time. I met really loving people who have little reason to hug me like they did and take me in so quickly. I loved them right away.
Ok, that is a piece of the community, however. Sarah and Kieren took me on a walk around Ocean View. Some of the people live in homes that are small but nice. But most of the people live in shacks. Kids everywhere and men with little to do but just hanging out. Not a stroll through the park certainly. Sarah walks and waves and talks to everyone. She remains confident and smart about her surroundings. I’m pretty proud of her handling of a tough area to live.
But I am pretty sure that most of North Raleigh would not be hanging out in places like Ocean View. That is if you just were driving by, but if you took the time like Casey and Sarah to stop and live within the community, you would see it differently. I had the chance to see it more like they do. And I loved every minute I spent with them and the community. I could go on and on about the stories I heard, the people I met, the conditions I saw, the daily lives of Casey and Sarah and sweet Kieren. Kieren will be such a better person for this experience. I love the beauty and sweetness of that little girl. I love the type of woman she will become because of this time in Ocean View and for having such wonderful parents. But if I tell you everything about Ocean View then you won’t have anything to see when you come to visit the Princes in South Africa. I hope some more of Raleigh will come while they are here. It is worth the time.
I just want to end with thanking Casey and Sarah for opening their home and hearts up to me while I was in S. Africa. I felt so comfortable there. Oh – Sarah is quite the cook. She fed Ben and me well. Awesome food. I love you all so much and will remember my time in your home forever. I will pray for you and I will share my stories about the work you are doing through God in Ocean View.
I have been hanging out in Ocean View with the amazing Prince family. Oh yes, I actually had the opportunity to see their life in their township first hand. I am going back to the states with a clearer understanding of what they mean to the people they live with in Ocean View.
I have come to South Africa to spend some time with my son Ben who is going to Cape Town University. Ben took me everywhere while he was on his Spring break since it is spring here in S. Africa. I mean everywhere. I saw more in 18 days than I have ever seen on any trip anywhere. He showed me an amazing time. And I got to hang with Antony Burton who most of you know as well from Raleigh. He is in school here too.
But back to Ocean View, since I want to relay my moments there. First, Casey and Sarah and Kieren are so loved by this community of people who have more needs for love than I could ever fully grasp. I am convinced without a doubt that God surely put them here to love on these people. For sure, they are unique to the township. They are the only white people in Ocean View. They are a “stand out and be noticed” family. You would look at them and know that they are living among people that do not expect them to be living in their community.
However, strangely they fit right into the people’s lives. And that is not just by chance, of course. It is God’s work indeed. Casey is doing very good work with soccer. He is spreading the gospel through a sport that is so loved in this country. He is working with children who never would have the opportunities unless Casey was among them. Awesome.
I had more time with Sarah. The first night I sat in on a support group with women from the township. Wow – I mean really wow. I immediately heard their take on the Prince family and there deep love for Sarah and the changes her messages about Jesus have had in their very hard lives. I watched Sarah as they shared their prayer requests with the group and her sincere desire to have them hold God’s hand as they walk towards a better place where they can make real changes in their situations. They understand why she is there among them and they told me over and over that without the Prince family living in that house in that township at that time, things would be much worse. They really have hope for the first time. I met really loving people who have little reason to hug me like they did and take me in so quickly. I loved them right away.
Ok, that is a piece of the community, however. Sarah and Kieren took me on a walk around Ocean View. Some of the people live in homes that are small but nice. But most of the people live in shacks. Kids everywhere and men with little to do but just hanging out. Not a stroll through the park certainly. Sarah walks and waves and talks to everyone. She remains confident and smart about her surroundings. I’m pretty proud of her handling of a tough area to live.
But I am pretty sure that most of North Raleigh would not be hanging out in places like Ocean View. That is if you just were driving by, but if you took the time like Casey and Sarah to stop and live within the community, you would see it differently. I had the chance to see it more like they do. And I loved every minute I spent with them and the community. I could go on and on about the stories I heard, the people I met, the conditions I saw, the daily lives of Casey and Sarah and sweet Kieren. Kieren will be such a better person for this experience. I love the beauty and sweetness of that little girl. I love the type of woman she will become because of this time in Ocean View and for having such wonderful parents. But if I tell you everything about Ocean View then you won’t have anything to see when you come to visit the Princes in South Africa. I hope some more of Raleigh will come while they are here. It is worth the time.
I just want to end with thanking Casey and Sarah for opening their home and hearts up to me while I was in S. Africa. I felt so comfortable there. Oh – Sarah is quite the cook. She fed Ben and me well. Awesome food. I love you all so much and will remember my time in your home forever. I will pray for you and I will share my stories about the work you are doing through God in Ocean View.
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