By Shawna Donnell
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

It all started when my long-time, childhood neighbors called and asked me to go to Africa in the summer. My neighbors, Ken and Mary Beth Huff, have been missionaries for many years. They take short-term trips to South Africa to build churches.

I have never had the desire to be a missionary or to go to South Africa. However, after weeks of praying and thinking, I finally decided to go.

The trip was sponsored through Samaria Mission. Hennie Ventor started the mission more than 20 years ago with the vision of building 200 churches in rural areas across the regions of southern Africa.

After 20 hours of flying and six hours of driving, our team of 14 men and women arrived in Vhudi Mdilwi, Venda. Venda is in the northern corner of South Africa.

During the next week, I did laundry, an exciting experience in the middle of the 'African Bush,' worked with the children of the Vhudi tribe and helped cook for the team. The men on the team built a church for the local people.

In four days the men bricked four walls, attached a metal roof and were putting in windows. No other team has ever finished that fast. Thanks to the three professional brick masons we had with us, it was a piece of cake.

Building the church was not the only reason we made the journey to Venda. A large portion of our time was spent with the people.

The Vhudi tribe lives in small round huts made of mud and thatched roofs. They call their huts Rondamos, which literally means "round house."

Each morning part of our team would go with interpreters to the houses and visit with people. It was incredible to see how they live and listen to them talk in their native language.

I got to spend my afternoons with the children. More than anything I wanted to connect with them and let them see love in my eyes. Each day I learned new and interesting things about their daily lives.