Wow, SPI is finished

I just got out of my last class. As usual, times flies!

I'm sad that, on this last day of class, the announcement is made about the US funding arms to Syrian rebels. All my Syrian friends want is for foreign nations to stop funding weapons in their country. So it's sad to say goodbye on this note.

I have so much much to learn and want to go read about many different countries and conflicts that I had never heard of before.

I'm tired and full - my mind and my heart.

I'm also excited about applying for a possible internship at the Centre for Study of Violence and Reconciliation in Cape Town! Praying for visas, a place to live, and something for me to do in the NEXT life situation. Somehow, I feel more continuity since my most recent professor spent 15 years in South Africa.

I haven't posted pictures because it can be a security threat to people here. And I'm sorry that some of these posts are boring, repetitive, or disjointed, but it has been therapeutic for me to write during this crazy season. I'm off to the laundromat now!

I hate visa application processes.

I'm so tired of this checklist and all of the hoops. Last year, India visas drove me to tears, and this year, South Africa has, too. Please pray that things will work out and we'll be able to get on our flight July 3.

On another note, class is so interesting, heavy and inspiring. Regarding interrelated subject material, my first class was practical, my second was spiritual, and this one is philosophical. And I'm making new friends and really enjoying the stories shared. I'm so tired. We finish on Friday.

Weather here is beautiful - not too hot, rainy somedays, amazing clouds that are sometimes in front of the mountains...

Yeah. Mark and I both appreciate your prayers.

Oh, hello, stress. I forgot what you were like.

My last class "Biblical Foundations for Justice and Peace-making" was incredible. I learned a lot and am really humbled (in a good way). It was very intense to be in class all day, talking about this deep stuff, then come home to read, sleep, and do it again.

I did a presentation on the Church as "God-ordained Peace-Bearers" to the world like Israel was intended to be to the nations. There was so much great stuff to sort through, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with some of you!

Last weekend, we had a great camping trip with David and Kristen Okada, meeting halfway between here and Atlanta - Lake Watauga in East Tennessee. It was pretty, and we saw some cool waterfalls - still need to get pics, sorry! But visiting with them was by far the best. We stayed up late by the fire both nights just talking. I'm so thankful for good, like-minded friends.

Tomorrow, I'm starting my last class - "Building Justice: Transitional and Indigenous Applications in Post-War Contexts." I'm excited about the professors, my fellow classmates, and the discussion. I'm not excited about the reading, presentation, and papers. I'm leaning toward not getting credit for the class since I don't have the pre-reqs and am feeling ill-prepared academically. I want to enjoy it and to be able to absorb, not just blow through with focus on getting stuff done.

Also, prayers appreciated for:
1. Everything to come together for our South African visas.
2. Me to trust God about our South African visas.
3. Wisdom about Mark applying for a post-graduate fellowship with Blue Ridge Legal Services.
4. That we'd both make time to receive whatever God has for us here.
5. Whether I should take this class for credit.
6. Relationships with people here and how to make time for them.

Thanks for reading.