Planning for 08

Hello Again from Cape Town,

I just wanted to update you all with what’s been going on out here since I last wrote. Things have definitely started to get a lot busier for me out here, as our work is getting set up for the year. The last few weeks have been filled with meetings and tons of planning. We have been trying to establish a solid foundation that we can work from for the rest of the year.

So what have we been setting up? Good question. We have been setting dates for all of the camps we will do for the rest of the year, visiting and contacting schools that we’ll be working in, establishing our after school programs, as well as make connections for a youth center we’re building, and an office we’re moving into. I have also been receiving training from the Red Cross in HIV and TB education as well as Peer Education for when we will go into the schools.

It’s been pretty hectic and a lot of administrative work. But I actually enjoy the planning and administrative side of things. I think it’s also a testimony to what Africa Jam does in that I don’t feel that we’ll be failing if I’m not with the youth everyday, because there are leaders from within those communities continuing much of the work already. My role of being with the youth will be coming more heavily as we start running with our programs. We are excited to start our programs of educating the kids on life saving issues, having fun with them, showing them Christ’s love, and keeping them off the streets.

I will be spending time with the teens at after school programs and in the schools when we do our HIV/TB/Life Skills training. I will also be more heavily involved with our program in Khayelitsha, which is one of the black townships (neighborhoods) here. The reason I will be more involved is because I will be moving there next week. I will be living with my friend Loyiso there for at least 3 months. I feel that this is where I should be living for now and I am excited but nervous as well.

So please pray for a healthy connection with the community there as well as for our programs to get off the ground well and really serve the youth well. Thanks and continue to send me your updates and prayer requests. Peace - Ryan