Bhuti! Bhuti!

After thirty plus hours traveling to the bottom of the world, I have made it to Grahamstown!  Well actually I have been here for about a week. Sleeping a lot (darn jet lag!) and assimilating into my role at Holy Cross School has taken up most of my time and postponed me from writing this blog post.  My first week has been absolutely amazing though and I have quickly assumed my multipurpose position at the school.  I will be doing everything from being a teachers’ aid, to teaching a computers class, and being the school librarian.  Tuesday was my first day at the school, Brother Daniel, the Prior of the Order of the Holy Cross Monastery in Grahamstown,  gave me a tour around the school, introducing me to the teachers, staff workers, principal, and of course, the students.   It amazes me how quickly the children grew accustomed to me working there, within five minutes of me being at the school on Tuesday,  I heard tons of little voices shouting “Bhuti! Bhuti!” (Bhuti is an IsiXhosa word for brother, but it also is a term of respect for young adult males).  They were calling me to play soccer, to push them on the swings, and to read to them.  It was a great way of spending my first full day in South Africa.

Wednesday was my first full day working at the school, and it was a great day to start.  Fieldtrip!  The grade 3 class went on a fieldtrip to a local sheep farm, and I accompanied them on their trip.  We saw the whole process of how they remove the wool and the process to prepare it for sale.  It was a great experience to see the kids learning first hand on a trip like this.  I saw the excitement and the joy on their faces from their new experiences.  Throughout the week, I witnessed this similar desire for learning amongst all of the students at Holy Cross.  Their desire to learn and the staff’s enthusiasm to fuel this desire has made my transition much easier.  I am excited to wake up and head to the school every morning.  

    I am ending my first week in South Africa with a lively and energetic church service in the Monastery’s Chapel and a Braai that the brothers are throwing for my safe arrival to South Africa as well as Brother Roger’s safe travels to America later this week. I hope everyone has a blessed week!

Bhuti Ryan

 The view from my morning commute to school!

 

The students watching the sheep shearing.

Hi, I'm Ryan.

My name is Ryan Zavacky, and I am a parishioner at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Alma, Michigan.  I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts from Alma College last April, and this summer I will begin my year as a missionary for the Episcopal Church.  

The National Episcopal Church chose me for one of their Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) missions.  YASC sends about 15 to 20 young Episcopalians to foreign Anglican diocese to do service work each year. I was selected for their South African Mission in Grahamstown, South Africa.

While in Grahamstown, I will live and work at the Order of the Holy Cross Monastery.  The Monastery runs an elementary school for disadvantaged children in the area, and my job will be to help the teachers and to run the after school program.  I will get the opportunity to play soccer with the kids, help them with homework, and plan plenty of other activities with them.  


More importantly,  I am also there to be a presence in their society. I am to immerse myself in their life: learn about life from a different culture.   Ultimately, my goal is to bring that knowledge back to our Church and grow our church’s understanding of new cultures and new perspectives.

Holy Cross Monastery in South Africa

All of this does come with a cost. I must fundraise $10,000 for next year’s mission trips.  Bishop Ousley has graciously helped me by matching each donation with Diocesan funds, so - for example - if I make $5,000 the Diocese will give me another $5,000.  

To reach my goal, I need your help.  Your donations will help make this life changing mission trip possible. And always, whether you are able to donate or not, prayers are always appreciated and needed. 

Click here to donate.