For any of you looking for a place to travel, don’t leave South Africa off the agenda. It is beautiful and the people are such gracious hosts. Take a look at the pictures on the dot photo link; I think they speak much louder than I can.
It is crazy to me that we are already on the plane to India. Our ten days in South Africa were jam packed with sightseeing (Table Mountain, Hermanus whale watching, Cape Town proper, Helderberg Reserve, Stellenbosch Wine Country), fellowship (conversations with Pieter and Maven, visiting Cotlands Children’s Hospice, going to church at NewGen, teaching the South African mates a bit of poker, getting killed by the South African mates in a bit of poker, sitting around Estelle’s house sipping coffee and talking for hours on end) and wedding preparation (making table numbers, putting together party favors, setting up tables, lighting candles, eating wedding cake, etc. …), all of which made for a lightning quick visit to our new second home. Three things deserve special attention:
Hermanus was a beautiful drive on the coast but I want to highlight it now for our Father’s glory. The point was to surprise Brooke with a Whale watching Horseback ride on the beach (riding on the beach is on her “Things to do before I die” list). When I called the place they told me nearly every ride had been cancelled that month because of the wind. But we were going to Hermanus for the drive (similar to driving Big Sur) so they said to take a shot at it. When we were driving out, the wind on the bay was probably 40 miles an hour. When we reached Hermanus it was equally as strong. The guide said she didn’t think it would calm but we could ride up on the mountainside and if it calmed then come down to the beach (the horses get real jumpy in the wind and they don’t hear her whistle well). So before leaving for the ride we prayed that the Father would do His will whatever that might be, but that we his children were hopeful to ride along the beach. 10 min. on the mountainside the wind died down. We rode the beach for an hour and a half. We watched whales breach out of the water and land with an eruption of spray and whitewash. We marveled that He would give us such a gift - seemingly insignificant in the whole of the world, but treasured by us that day as He answered. That He would choose to lavish love upon his children in such a direct way. When we returned to the stable the wind howled before we drove the 3 minutes back to the harbor to eat. It never let up the rest of the day.
Cotlands is an Aids hospice for children. They work to stabilize a child’s life, connect with the child’s family, and help the family and child be brought back together with knowledge of how to care for the little one properly as they live (or die) at home. A bleak place one would think, but the smiles remained on the children’s faces when we were allowed a visit. They seemed both aware of their situation and blissfully ignorant of the ramifications. Today was the important thing. Nothing but the balloon in their hand and the swing they were being pushed on mattered. Pieter and Maven both volunteer time there, and the moment Pieter walks through the door little giggling cling-on’s appear from nowhere and attach to his legs and arms. I am reminded of my own need to focus on today with the same enthusiasm. To take the balloon and swing my Creator has given me and enjoy it to it’s fullest. I pray that I run to Him as He walks through the door. I long to give Him the same delight and pleasure that Pieter and I experienced as these ragged little faces ran to him.
The wedding was a wonderfully ostentatious affair from top to bottom, save one thing: the people. Nestled away on a beautiful farm in De Doorns, in the heart of wine country, a garden full of pink and white roses, floating candles on the water, guests in shades of white, a cake made of chocolate truffles served in the wine cellar - it was a wedding right out of a magazine. But the show stopper was the speech given by the father of the bride at the reception. This is a quiet man, one who doesn’t show emotion, one who speaks carefully only what he means when he speaks at all. But on this occasion he apologized to his girls and wife for where he has not been fully who he should have been, told them each that he loved them, and welcomed the groom home as a son (I pray that this man is not far from Sonship himself). I wish you could have been there to understand; out of all we saw on this trip that moment was breath taking.
Leaving brings a dualism of excitement and sadness. Excitement to go to India, a place where we know so little and have few expectations. Sadness to leave His community, a band of believers who both believe and act with consistency. Excitement to know that after thirty years a flower has begun to bloom on a rock wall. Sadness to not see the flower fully open. Excitement to see a young country with so much potential. Sadness to see how many growing pains still await this place. South Africa you have won our hearts, thank you for beauty and grace.
Oh and yes, I got worms, but “I got better” (Monty Python and the Holy Grail).
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