Bush Camp

13th - 14th April

This weekend was the Newsong Bush Camp. Those that really know me understand I have to work hard with new people... it's not my natural inclination to go up and talk to people I don't know. I have been in plenty of situations at uni where I had to do this, and I still find it difficult. Even harder when I'm the new one!! I decided to go away with the church though, as however intimidating the prospect of a whole weekend with strangers was, it seemed preferable to a weekend twiddling thumbs in my room. And I want to get to know these people right? So take a deep breath and let them get to know you!!

We drove about an hour and a half out of Cape Town to a place called Stanford, just outside Hermanus - the whale watching capital of the Garden Route (in season, of course). The Bush Camp was called Wortlegat (pronounced Vortlehat, with the attractive throaty thing thrown in there) but despite the name it was a lovely place, on the side of a lagoon and not far from the beach. We stayed in cute little dorm cabins, which were connected to the main meeting hall and toilets etc by wooden walkways - all very rustic. Unfortunately Friday evening was some kind of freak weather event, and the temperature plummeted down to really really cold. It had been much cooler this week, signs of South African winter on it's way, but this was crazy cold. England cold. So cold you could see your breath. And our cute little dorm wall did not join up with our cute little dorm roofs, so you can imagine that however cold it was outside, it was that cold inside as well. Not fun. I think my nose froze during the night (the only part of my body I allowed out of my sleeping bag).

Thankfully the rest of the weekend warmed up significantly, and Saturday night was much more pleasant. The general mood of the weekend was chilled, a chance to hang out and build relationships (so no getting away from the awkward talking to people you don't know moments) but I found that people were incredibly welcoming and they sertainly seemed to realise that I would be feeling a little out of my depth. It really challenged me to think about how welcoming I am to new people at home. I don't think I make them feel this much a part of things, mainly because I am quite shy myself... but is that really a good excuse?? Maybe not so much...

Sat morning we had a time of worship together and then were sent off with some Bible passages and questions, to find a quiet spot for some "solitude and reflection" with/on God. It was good to be given a specific time to do this, as most often life overwhelms any intentions you may have, but all I could focus on was that I still was unsure about why I was here (generally in South Africa, rather than at Bush camp!) and God was still pretty quiet on that front. In the afternoon we went to one of the most amazing, powerful beaches I have ever seen - it was incredible!! Huge surf, waves pounding up these rugged sand dunes and a regal mountain range in the backdrop. It was certainly worth the hour's walk to get there!! And Sat evening heralded my first South African braai, a true cultural experience not to be forgotten! Where as in the UK the BBQ is seen as mostly a male domain, all are equal here and girls are expected to cook alongside the boys. We ate around a bonfire and told jokes and stories under the stars... beautiful!

Sunday we headed back to Cape Town the scenic coastal route, which was fabulous as it was a glorious blue sky day and the sea was amazing. Even managed to stop off for some ice creams, yumm!! :) Went to church as usual Sunday evening, but there was something different... I knew people!! I felt a real shift in the way I percieved my position within that group - the power of shared experiences. And I felt God say "this is good".