Brief Update

On Wednesday I finished a week of general orientation in Akron, PA and the past two days were spent in route to South Africa. Today is my first official day in SA and I will be spending the next 12 days here in Pietermaritzburg for an in-country orientation. The MCC offices and housing are all located in a compound that used to be a prison (primarily for political prisoners) up until the 1980's. In fact, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi both spent time in this prison. Pretty cool. You guys can read a little more about it here if you would like (http://www.projectgateway.co.za/History_of_the_Prison.html). Project Gateway now owns the property and uses it as a school campus along with job skills training initiatives.

The majority of orientation will involve intensive Zulu language lessons (a prominent language in the Kwazulu-Natal province). Other than that, this orientation time is to get a sense of the culture and to learn some of the ropes. Although I am aware the transitional process of adjusting to a new place can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, I currently feel lots of energy and excitement for what is to come. I'd appreciate prayers for a continual source of energy and optimism as I engage with this new place!