Thank You!

This past month I was fortunate enough to have a short 3-week visit back home to the Bay Area.  It was a wonderful time to see my family, to laugh and spend time with good friends, to have my goofy brother constantly beat me in whiffle ball and racquet ball (I swear he’s been training non-stop awaiting my return), to eat some of my favorite American foods, to drink some good Pacific Northwest Micro Brews, to go to a Giant’s game, to hike around Yosemite, and to do all sorts of other fun stuff I’ve missed about home before I’m headed back to South Africa for another year.  For those of you who may not know, I’ve decided to continue on with the mission work at the Holy Cross School that’s run by the monks at the Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery.  I’ve enjoyed being a part of the monastery community so much, and the school does such a good job at providing a foundation level education to children who would otherwise not be receiving one, that even despite all the great things about home, it was almost a no brainer to stick around for another year. 

Before continuing on with this second year, I want to acknowledge all of you who make this mission effort possible.  Your continued support and your prayers mean so much to me and also to the Holy Cross School.  Thank you especially to everyone at Church of the Resurrection for the Olympic Themed Wine Tasting fundraiser!  It was such a fun event and it was so great to see so many familiar faces!  Thank you all so much for your wonderful support!

Pictures from the Wine Tasting Fundraiser:  

(The fundraiser not only benefitted the mission work in South Africa, but also the Contra Costa Interfaith Housing Community, and the Contra Costa Crisis Center) 

Dennis Erokan with a tasty plate of hors d'oeuvres.

The Old Man on the left (wearing his new African shirt) and my friend Adam on the right. 

Kathy Repp at the Italy table.