Student’s exams and graduation dominated this week. On Wednesday I was asked to observe students as they participated in their practical exams. There were 8 stations set up in different rooms at the clinic to test the students on their nursing skills. The stations covered such things as blood pressure, urinalysis, patient lifting as well as brief written section on general hygiene. These stations were manned by the trained staff. It took 3 hours with two groups of 8 students to complete the steps. Marks from throughout the year were then tallied together over the next few days to be ready for graduation on night Saturday.
On Thursday Yvonne was given the morning off to take me to Blyde River Canyon about two hours drive north. We had to be quick as she also had a dental appointment at 1pm back in White River. We set off early stopping at Sabie to refuel and get a hot cup of takeaway coffee. The coffee then spilt on me twice before I finally got to drink it. Fortunately I didn’t get burnt badly and my cloths dried quickly in the heat of the day. We stopped at Graskop for Yvonne to look for some gifts to take back to Aust then passed God’s Window, driving along the edge of the canyon following the Treur River just past Moremel to the Lowveld View point.
Yvonne had been here before quite some time back but didn’t feel it was the place she really wanted me to see so we drove back past Moremel before she realised it might have been a bit further on. Retracing our steps we went a few kilometres further past Matibidi when she spotted the turn off which she recognised towards the Three Rondawels. The view was impressive looking over the Blydepoort Dam in the gorge below. Yvonne was surprised how low the river had become. She said it had previously been deep enough for speed boats, now it was just a trickle through the rocks.
Friday morning I joined the staff for devotions in the chapel. ASM directors had come for the theological and nursing student’s graduation. One of the directors spoke an encouraging message about leaving the past behind and moving on to new things. To embrace change as God begins you to do a new thing. Grasp hold of the new and learn from those new experiences He brings your way. I could really relate to this as my time here in South Africa is winding up and I’m moving on to new things in Uganda. It was also a time for ASM to reflect on the past year and the changes ahead with both students and some staff leaving.
Every day this week it seems the weather has something new. We had a hot humid day on Monday when we explored Kaapsehoop, thunder, lightning and 
hailstorm on Tuesday, when we were running chores in Nelspruit. We were caught in the hailstorm which was quite concerning. I thought the force they were pelting against the windscreen was going to smash it. It reminded me of the hailstorms I had experienced in Sydney where many of the cars were seriously damages. Yvonne pulled over under a tree where another vehicle was sheltering till most of the storm blew over. Many of the roads were awash with torrents of water and large puddles lay everywhere.
On Wednesday it w
as an overcast day and gloomy just like the students sitting their exams, then on Thursday it was very hot and dry and I was sunburn as we wandered around looking at Blyde Canyon. Friday was over cast again and a touch cold sending me in search of my cardigan! We had planned to go out for lunch but that was cancelled as the hectic run around to get things organised for the graduation went on till late.
Then on Saturday the students and their families arrived for the graduation ceremony. It was so cold I wore my cardigan all day while I packed and tidied the house, putting two loads through the wash. That night we all dressed up for the special occasion. It was a lovely night it began with a piper playing the bagpipes ushering in the faculty, special guests and students. The ceremony opened with prayer followed by praise and worship, speakers, students receiving certificates and rewards for their hard work. The Axillary nurses give their nursing pledge as Yvonne held up a lamp, a symbol of Florence Nightingale’s early work as a nurse as well as being a symbol of their Christian service being a light to the world. The evening finished with a prayer for all the students as well as for the new principle and his wife who had only just joined ASM.
Sunday was a brisk chilly morning, I was up early for my last jog. I had a feeling I might not be able to jog in Uganda so was making the most of it while I could. Two more loads of washing were put on and after searching through her belongings Yvonne found a token for the community tumble dryer which had them dry in no time. By 12:30pm we were backed and ready to go. Jenny came and picked us and our luggage up before hitting the road. It took us just over three hours to reach Johannesburg with one stop before dropping me off at Josua and Marené home where I was warmly welcomed by all.
Monday 30 November, I was able to fulfil a promise I had made during my last visit to help Marené with the SIM card for her iPad. Josua had left for work and we were getting ready to go out with the children when Marené received an urgent call from Josua who had left his laptop at home and was desperately needing it for an important meeting that morning. Marené rushed out with laptop in hand leaving me with the children. The younger two burst into tears as mum dashed out the door. After entertaining them to stop the tears they settled down and played happily. The maid then came an hour late and Marené too was an hour later than hoped. She had boarded the wrong carriage on the w
ay home and ended up in one that was exclusively for airport passengers and did not allow passengers to disembark at the station she needed to exit at. She had a similar problem when she reached the airport but this time the doors wouldn’t open to let her onto the parting train so she had to wait for another one. Finally we were ready to go out together to the phone shop where Marené bought a new SIM which immediately connected her to internet. We then stopped for lunch where the children could play and I could help Marené buy a program she wanted to assist her with home schooling. Here is where we hit a snag. The Apple ID was in Josua’s name and Marené didn’t know his password and the email was his old work address which he no longer had access to. 
By this time lunch had arrived so we left the iPad it for when Josua was at home and God willing remembered his old password so that the email address could be changed and the purchase made.
Next stop was dropping me at the airport where I checked in and waited for my flight to Uganda.
Pictures: 1. Flat top African tree 2. Blyde River Canyon 3. Blydepoort Dam 5. Yvonne 6. Hailstorm Nelspruit 7. Yvonne & Val in graduation paraphernalia 8. Bagpipes and students 9. The lamp 10. Drive to Johannesburg 11. Waiting for my flight
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for the wonderful time I have had in South Africa. From Cape Town to Johannesburg and north to White River and the Kruger National Park I have certainly been so blessed.
Praise Him for His continual provision, protection, health and healing. Thank you Lord!
Praise the Lord for a lift with Yvonne and Jenny to Johannesburg and for my lovely family who once again came to my rescue offering me a place to stay before I flew out to Uganda.
Praise Him for the much needed rain. Please continue to pray there is more as many parts of South Africa are still in drought.
Please continue to pray for Yvonne during her four months stay in Australia. Pray she has time to rest as well as visit and ministry while she is there. Pray she also finds the support she needs to return to the work at ASM. If you would like her support her or have her visit your church please email Rochelle Warwick at Real Life Church.
Please continue to pray for the Lord’s protect during my stay in Uganda and for me to know His will while I’m here.
Thank you for all your prayers for my mother, please continue to pray she will remain in good health.