Vulnerability

"Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center, of meaningful human experiences." Brene Brown

When was the last time you were vulnerable? To be vulnerable we are putting ourselves out there. We're accepting that we may be at risk of exposing ourselves. Many times we look at vulnerability as a negative thing, it creates fear and hesitation. We don't like to take risks and maybe "look bad" or "fail" or worse yet, be rejected. 

Vulnerability is a topic we talked about a bit in Tanzania and the two of us had a conversation about today on our bus ride from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein. In order to live our most FULL version of ourselves, we have to be vulnerable. It's necessary for growth. In order to step up to the plate, to become a leader, to initiate change or whatever it is that you are doing, we need to break down the walls that lock in fear or hesitation and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. In these moments we welcome growth and power. 

As we begin this new adventure in South Africa we know we'll experience many situations where we'll be uncomfortable and likely hesitant but we're challenging ourselves to be AWARE of this and to be VULNERABLE. Our challenge is the same to you; pick an area of your life where you feel like you may be holding back because you fear that you might fail or you may be rejected. Be honest with YOURSELF-- make a conscious effort to be vulnerable and see what happens! 



The last 4 days have been filled with travel. We arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon (without bags--these came Monday morning thankfully!). We spent Monday in SOWETO (South Western Townships). We visited a school where Christ Memorial supports SAHAC, which is an organization that runs the Courage Club program. The Courage Club targets high school students and they work on communication, relationships, making positive decisions and ultimately having love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. It was very encouraging to hear from the students on what they like about SAHAC--they had rave reviews! 

We woke up early today to take a 6 hour bus ride down to Bloemfontein. Tomorrow we'll drive over to Botshabelo which is where we'll be living for the next 2 months. We'll meet our team at Setshabelo Family and Child Services and have our first day on the job. We're looking forward to diving right in.

Thanks again for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers as we have traveled many miles-- we are so thankful for safety!

With Love,
Ty + Michelle 

Saying bye to Husain (our driver) in Tanzania. 

Travel day: Tanzania --> South Africa

Ty with his travel essentials-- Pringles and Red Bull :)

Our entertainment in the DAR airport-- Africa's version of Cups--we loved it!

Enjoying our first cup of coffee after 2 weeks without!

Some of the SAHAC staff and one student-- these ladies have such a great program going, it was evident when we heard from the students and they shared what SAHAC meant to them. 

We had dinner right by Nelson Mandela's house. This is a very famous street as two nobel peace prize winners actually lived on this street--the other being Emeritus Desmond Tutu.