a day in the life...

Just about every person that I talk to about being here asks me for a description of my daily routine... Here ya go everyone that hasn't asked yet.. =]

My day starts at 7. I walk about 30 paces down to the "Khotso" house and enter with a huge welcome of all the kiddies screaming "AUSSIE AMELIE!" and get bombarded with lots of hugs. Aussie just means miss in Sesotho, and the kids struggle to say my name because of the way the Bosotho's pronounce names so it comes out like "EM-MEL-IE"... the word separated and everything. Haha. Then I walk into the kitchen and grab a bowl of food for one of the little ones that needs to be fed. Sometimes feeding them is a hassle because they think it's a game or they don't want to stop eating and cry when they're finished. Haha. Then I help dress the pre-schoolers and play-groupers. After they leave I help bath the little guys and play with them until they literally fall over asleep. Haha. This usually happens right around 10:30 when it's time for tea. Oh man, tea time, the most awesome thing ever. A break for 30 minutes to drink tea and hang out with everyone... America, when i get back, this better be happening! Then after tea I go back and help prepare lunch. The kids come storming in from their morning play time. They eat, I clean up. I go for my lunch till around 2. Then I go back and wake the kids up from naptime, change them, wash them up, and then we go down together to afternoon play group. I'm right there in the middle of them playing and trying to understand what they are asking me to do. Today we played in the sandbox for almost an hour. My jeans will forever have sand on them and in the pockets. Haha. It's hilarious because they love to watch my make them sandcastles but they love knocking them over even more. =]  Then around 4 they have their snack and wave bye and look up at you with a kissy face and say "Mmba." Then they all get their kisses and I go into my house for the night. 

Thanks everyone so much for the prayers and words of encouragement. Keep them comin', they're always so much appreciated. 

One of the cutest stories that I can think of was one of the first days I was here... All the kids were sitting around eating their snack and they realized that Dillon and I were sitting there and didn't have a cookie... They all decided to stand up, come over and try to give Dillon and I one of their cookies. Still after saying no-thank-you multiple times, they were persistent. One thing that has really just been on my heart is sharing with you all how easy it is to donate. These kids that have basically nothing but are still so giving. The people here are so content with the little that they have. It's sad to say that I see more smiling faces in poverty daily, than I do in the suburbs of Sterling Heights weekly. I know that one of the best things to help with smiles is watching kids smile. The simplest little thing like a pair of shoes will make their year... Not kidding... Well, maybe not a year, but as long as they fit for! Haha. Shoes here for a kid are probably about R35, that's about $5. Think about what a $20 donation would do... It's really easy and will be appreciated more than you know. http://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?c=1231

Oh, keep up the comments too! They crack me up =] Love you guys!

boobs

Yes, the title of this blogpost is boobs. If you keep reading, I will explain in full detail... Ok, maybe not full detail but I will explain!

Tuesday was one of the craziest days of my life. It was my first day actually working with the kids and helping out the house mothers but they asked me to go to the hospital because they were short staffed. So I agreed and went on my way with the social worker, a 2 year old that is going to be adopted soon and a 4 month old that is sick. We arrived at the hospital and the social worker said that I would go with the nurse from BG and take the 4 month old (Hannah) to the clinic. So I get out the car and go with this man into this hospital.... It was so terribly sad. So dirty, JAM PACKED with people to the point of where it was almost hard to walk through, and I was the only white person there... I don't mind being the minority but when you get the looks of "why are you here?" it gets a little weird. After we left the one clinic we had to go see another nurse. I walk into this tiny room and there is about 10-15 Bosotho women sitting in there with their kids waiting for the nurse. I'm holding this infant who is constantly pooping on herself and cries every 3 seconds and these women were trying to talk to me in Sotho and I had no idea what was going on. Then all of a sudden like they had planned it or something, they all breast feeding at once. Let me tell you, these women have no shame whatsoever. They all start basically pulling their shirts off and shoving their you-know-whats in their kids mouths while the kids are shaking their heads. I tend to laugh at things like this, but this was just too shocking for me to even think to laugh. The nurse from the hospital finally arrived but the nurse that was with me... who would translate... was nowhere to be found. This nurse starts talking to me in Sotho and getting somewhat upset with me because I have absolutely no idea what she's saying. Finally we got through it with hand motions and all the half naked mom's trying to explain to me as well while I'm trying really hard not to look at their hand gestures because it's just too close to their exposed parts. The social worker appears after all this happened and asked me if I was doing okay. I responded with a smile. I've never faked a smile so well in my life. Haha. We finally got out of the hospital, long morning to say the least. We made about 239542 pit stops and we were finally on our way back to BG. We got back and their was a pretty face waiting for me. Dillon and I played with the kids for the remainder of the day and did whatever was asked. I made stir-fry for us for dinner and it was pretty good if I do say so myself. Thanks momma for all the cooking lessons throughout my life and just letting me watch you! Yesterday and today were 100% better. I finally have a schedule and I absolutely love the kids that I'm working with. They are so adorable and they make me even more excited to adopt. I've already picked out the one that I want... I just wish layaway was a possibility! And that I could keep him at this age! Haha =] I'm by myself in this house so it gets lonely sometimes at night but it's also nice to have some time to yourself and just concentrate on whatever need be.

Oh! I have a cell phone and a mailing address. Email me at amelie_boulanger@yahoo.com or message me on facebook if you would like either.

first week with success

It's official. I have lived my first week in South Africa. I am still alive and doing well. Homesickness hasn't hit hard yet but I sure do miss all those crazy Michiganders... and some Floridians too!
I must say, this whole time change is making me look like an "early" morning person. For some reason, I can go to bed at any time of the night and was awake around 8. It's pretty wonderful actually, this whole morning thing. Haha.
It was really great to spend some time with Momma Sue and really get to know her, Dill was away in Swaziland for a few days learning some new artsy ways, so we were able to spend some time together. She's everything Dillon said she was and really makes me feel at home with that "mommy touch."... And cooking! It was awesome getting to know the girls again too, really cool to see how much they've grown up in the last 2 years since I saw them last. They are absolutely hilarious and are the biggest entertainers in the world. Teka is so sweet and asks 101 questions about 201 things...And then there's Lineo, the diva, one day that chicky will be famous, wait and see!
Dillon was able to take me to some gorgeous places after he got home that were not even 10 minutes away. The mountains around here are beautiful... There's a spot where there is this crystal clear water that is surrounded by mountains... The boys went cliff diving... Oh! The boys, well, Dillon has an American version of himself. Brian has been helping at beautiful gate for the past 7 months. He's a really neat guy and it's been nice having that American accent around. Haha. Also was able to meet Dillon's childhood best friend Charan, who sat out and chatted with me while the crazy boys were in that freezing water. This weekend was probably one of the funnest I've had in a really long time!
Today is my first day officially staying at beautiful gate. Went grocery shopping for the first time on my own... I've decided that vegetarian during the week will be the way to go for me... I bought a weeks worth of groceries for about $40. I'm loving the cost of living here. Also got a cell phone and a bunch of airtime for about $30. Even though the cell phone is a lot like the one I had in 5th grade... It was only 30 bucks so I could care less... Haha.
Now I'm spending the night relaxing by myself and attempting to upload all these beautiful pictures. Flickr is taking much longer than expected, but if you have a Facebook most of them are on there.
I'm not asking for mail, but if you'd like to send me something i'd be more than happy to give you the address ;] Haha. I'm also willing to send some African gifts in exchange for some American! =]
Love you guys and miss you lots!

written specially for my curious grandmother.. love you!

Well, I suppose I should start before my travels...

The word busy does not even begin to describe the time up to leaving. It was so wonderful having the Haakonsens staying in the Boulanger household. Two very happy family's together in one house makes for an awesome time! I also threw a surprise 21st birthday/ going away party for Dill. He has commented before on how he has never been surprised. His face was absolutely priceless when he realized that all of my exaggerations of why we couldn't go to the house earlier were because of how many people were waiting there to say surprise!  The last week at home I did the absolutely brilliant thing of going to visit Tina at Grand Valley and leaving myself with less than 24 hours to unpack and then pack up again. It was really great though and it was so nice to spend time with Cass and Teen before leaving. We went to art prize (art festival kind of thing in Grand Rapids) and watched Tina dance on stage.. But packing ended up getting done quickly and easily.

The flight was long. REALLY long. The flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was hard at first because I kept randomly bursting into tears... I ended up exhausting myself and fell asleep for a long while.. When I woke up I was not feeling to great but got off the plane and grabbed some coffee that was $6.... But Dill felt bad for me so he chipped in and "bought" me a massage... That boy!! =] haha. Then we boarded the next flight and I was feeling close to passing out... But for those of you who know me well... That happens quite often when I don't eat... And me eating and being sad do not mix... Thennnnnn Dillon and my seats got mixed up so I ended up being between two middle aged men for the 11 hour flight... I had to escape quite a few times because of nausea and made good friends with a wonderful stewardess.. Who had so much wisdom and such a motherly touch it made it difficult for me to still be sad... She told me that Dutch people (we flew KLM -- the royal DUTCH airline) cry because it's natural but Americans are too stuffy and need to learn to cry. haha. Then after my tears left I was still feeling sick so she took my temperature... It was 101 degrees..... Yeah, leave it to Amelie to get sick on an 11 hour plane ride. She made me lots of tea and kept me hydrated and I went back to my MIDDLE seat... I then made friends with the Belgian man siting next to me because I was getting up every 5 minutes to empty my ever-so-small bladder. 

We finally landed and all of our baggage made it safely, even Dillons precious longboards... =p Greeted by some happy faces that I could finally put with names... Besides on facebook! haha. Stayed with the Wood's the first 2 nights.. Awesome people! Experienced my first ever braai... Sorry my American friends, they win with the BBQing... By a landslide! Another thing that I really think Americans need to pick up on is the drinks with EVERYTHING. I hear "cuppa tea, coffee, coke, water..?" about 50 times a day and I love it!! Haha. It was so awesome getting to see Dillon interact with his family and finally get to meet these people that he's spoken so highly of for these past so many years. The drive back to Ladybrand was beautiful and apparently this drive wasn't even that nice compared to the majority of SA! Sitting in Dillon's room with him was probably one of the weirdest experiences I've had in a while... We kept on looking at eachother like.. "this can't be real!" But then a good pinch brings us back into reality and then there's some huge smiles. haha. The girls were so excited to see Dillon and I... I love them =] When they found out that we weren't just here for a small visit they were even more excited! The house is beautiful and I'm being spoiled having my own little room to myself. Their dog reminds me a lot of Luc and the kitty reminds me sooo much of Max. Even though saying I miss all of you does not even begin to explain it.. I feel very at home here so not to worry my loves =] 

Well, it takes about 5 minutes per picture to upload so if you go to the left top box on this page... There's a website with a bunch of pictures on there! Sorry but it was just taking toooo long with all the pics. 

Love you guys =]

thank you!

I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who has responded and for all the prayers. I couldn't be more thankful to all of you who are praying for me and helping me get everything accomplished.

New Beginnings

Hi everyone! This whole blogging thing is pretty new to me, so you're going to have to stick with me until I get the hang of it.
Well I've received many questions lately regarding the whole Colorado ordeal and why I'm not going and what not... I've decided to let everyone know as a whole rather than telling every single person individually.
So, here we go... As you all know, it was my plan for several months to go out to Colorado Springs to serve and seek. I was pretty much all prepared to leave on August 25th but on August 20th my parents sat me down and shared their hearts with me. My Dad had been praying for a while about going and He was extremely uneasy about the situation. For one, God did not give him one bit of peace about any of it. Secondly, finances were just not there. It would have been a HUGE sacrifice for my parents and me as well. I would have had to support myself 100%. I would have been working full time, going to school full time, and having church meetings several hours a week. Although I know that God would have seen me through, putting that kind of stress on an 18 year old that is hundreds of miles from her parents is not wise. I was upset, obviously, when my parents first told me that I was not going anymore but there was no initial devastation which I think was my first sign from God that He had even more in store.
In my eyes, the innocence of children is the most precious thing in the entire world, I find it fascinating and beautiful.  I have had the dream for several years now to "play with little black kids and teach them about Jesus." I firmly believe that if you give a child a strong base in love through Jesus Christ, they will always have that to fall back on.
One of the things that I had really been seeking God about this summer was that I would be following His heart no matter where He would take me.
For those of you who know me well, this will not be shocking, but God has opened up a door that is the most amazing opportunity I have ever received. On October 8, 2010 I will be leaving to serve my God at Beautiful Gate in Lesotho, Africa. http://www.beautifulgate.org/BGLesotho/about.html
Yes, that is Dillon's parents orphanage and I couldn't be more excited to have the opportunity to work with these awesome people! Yes again, Dillon is coming as well. He finally get's to go back home and be with his family and show me around the place that he loves so very much!
I know there isn't a ton of details in this, but I will explain further in later posts about the ministry. But as for now, go check it out! =]