Orientation Group

On the last Friday of the month, if I remember right, the new volunteers come to Bethel in South Africa.  Our arrival coincided with this time, and so our orientation was a full new Bethelite orientation. We had a week of learning about our new home and work place.  That means you go and meet all the departments, and learn about what they can do for you and what you can do for them as you get established and start your life here.  We were the only ones not from South Africa in our group.  All of the group were so friendly and kind.  Unfortunately, the names were hard for me so I'm still trying to get a handle that.  My name is hard for them too, but they picked it up quicker than I did for them.  I'm also going to use the jet lag excuse.  (How many days/weeks/months is that valid I wonder?)

Meet our group of fellow newcomers:

 Yes, I'm wearing Matt's suit jacket.  It was a lot cooler than it looked that day when I chose my outfit.  I'm getting nervous about "winter." Maybe I should have brought my heavy wool coat.... At least winter doesn't come here til next summer. Summer for all of you north of the equator that is.  It's so confusing. People ask me questions and I'm all "that was this spring".. but it's spring here now..so then I explain.

We had housekeeping training with our housekeeper. For the first time Matt and I got to work together with the housekeeper that our room is assigned to.  I think this is a great idea.  After all, we will be working together to keep our room clean, and it does give you a sense of responsibility when you know your housekeeper personally and know she is such a wonderful sister. Makes you want to leave your room neat as a pin so she will not have more work than she should.  So far, we've done pretty good.  I have to give Matt his due also, he does as much or more sometimes than me on this, those of you who know him well know that he's a great guy like that!

During our first week we also moved to our current assigned room, rearranged and decorated it.

On Friday we had construction orientation and found out what our assignments are.  I'm not going to reveal that in this post though.  Although some of you already know.  Matt has written his first post in years and took the pictures for it and everything, so he gets to tell you that himself.

On that Saturday we were invited to an evening gathering by Darragh's mama. Remember Darragh? The hand reared monkey at Nigeria Bethel?  Anyways, the sister who raised him is here and it's really cool to meet people who have been places you have been, even if it wasn't at the same time.  We had a terrific time eating pizza and playing a quiz game.  And laughing.  Lots of laughing.

Next time the post will be from Matt so stay tuned, :)