Friends in South Africa

We had some great times with friends in South Africa, but not many photos to show for it!


Clive gave us a wonderful welcome and was a very gracious host while we stayed at his home near Durban on and off for two weeks. He even gave us strawberries and cream on the night we arrived, and French toast the next morning! He's breaking the bachelor stereotype (maybe we'll attribute that to his girlfriend, Jo, who often dropped by). Also pictured is our friend Sue. We attended homegroup at Sue's place one night, and had a great time.


We stayed at Dave's friend Pete's place for one night. Pete is a sugar cane farmer and we went out with him to watch the burning of the cane. Quite a sight! The hospitality Pete and his wife Sandy showed us was amazing, as we stayed in the "rose suite" complete with notes and soap on the pillow!


Clive opened his home to lots of Dave's other friends while we were there. I appreciated the opportunity to get to know Rowena and Elise (pictured), as well as other friends. What a blessing it is to arrive in an far away place and see familiar and much loved faces. Thank you God for friends!

Caring for orphans

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27.

When we were in South Africa, Dave and I were blessed to be able to visit iZulu Orphan Projects. We spent over an hour there, and learnt a lot. We have become increasingly convicted that God wants us to care for orphans, especially since there are so many in Dave's country of origin.

Here are some of the reasons why we were impressed this project, and feel confident that it is worth supporting . . .

• Chadd and Kate Bain live amongst the people they are working with. Chadd lived there as a child as well, and speaks fluent Zulu. They have given up their whole lives to serve needy local people. Chadd's testimony of the way God turned him from trying to get away from South Africa to England and convicted him of his responsibilities to the poor is wonderful!
  
• The initiatives they have come up with include plans to help the people become more self-sufficient, rather than dependent on them.
• The project is very well organised, with a number and information written down for each of the 550 orphans who live within a few kilometres of them.
• Most importantly, this is not just a charity. Kate and Chadd are actively spreading the gospel. They are members of the Gideons and distribute Bibles in Zulu. They also encourage everyone to come to a church service on their property once a month.

My only concern with iZulu Orphan Projects is that Chadd and Kate Bain may be taking on too much! They have the support of a local church, but may need more practical assistance. This is a 24/7 work, with people contacting them at all hours. We're praying they'll get enough rest and support!

I have spent most of my life so far ignoring my responsibility to care for orphans. If you are like me, why not consider supporting this project? I was shocked to hear just how many orphans there are, and the needs they have. In some cases, one young woman is caring for all her dead siblings children. In other cases, a HIV positive grandma may be caring for many children - some of whom may also be sick with HIV.

While I believe that we can question how much attention Christians should pay to relative poverty, which is calculated on the basis of how people compare to others rather than whether or not their basic needs are met, there are some things the Bible makes clear. If we want to live out pure religion, we must care about orphans and widows.

The link to iZulu Orphan Projects is not working for some reason! You can type in the address and it will work: www.izuluorphanprojects.co.za/

Here are a couple more links, which may work!

A charity site gives an overview and contact details for iZulu Orphan Projects.
You can also read the iZulu Orphan Projects blog.

Our Anniversary

Here are a few pics of our wonderful first anniversary night away. It was very romantic! We went to Giant's Castle in the Drakensberg (Dragons Mountain). My Afrikaans improved a little while we were away, as we talked about these kinds of place names!






We walked up one of the peaks for a tour of some San rock art. Facinating!


Dave is doing one of his favourite things: drinking water fresh from a stream!

Time with Dave's parents

One of the main reasons we went to South Africa was to visit with Dave's parents.

We took the top layer of our wedding cake over (which had been frozen all year). Dave's parents were not at our wedding so it was a blessing to be able to share some cake with them!


Cutting the cake for the second time! This was a couple of days before our first anniversary.


Here we are out to dinner together.


We enjoyed a number of meals with Will and Di during our time in South Africa. On this occasion I ordered pizza with banana on it!

Thanks for welcoming us, Dad and Mum!

Addo Elephant Park

After our time in Stellenbosch, Dave and I drove to Knysna where we stayed the night and went to church. We are so glad we took the time to attend church. One of our passions for this trip was to fellowship with other Christians. Dave was able to assist some refugees whom he was sitting next to and the pastor even had a Tasmanian friend!

That day we drove to Addo and set up home for the night in this cute rondawel.



Dave treated me to my first ever SA style braii (BBQ). You'll note that the equipment used is quite different to that in Australia. It was delicious!

The next day we saw an amazing number of elephants! I was most delighted with several sightings of babies, some of whom suckled from their mummies.

At one point a lone male elephant advanced deliberately toward our car in what appeared to be a semi-threatening manner. We decided that reverse was the best option.

Cape Town

It was a privilege to visit Cape Town. Our time in the Cape provinces was really an indulgence - a bit like a "second honeymoon" as we did not have any family or necessary business there. We did have a few friends to catch up with, but apart from that it was just us!

We arrived from Singapore early in the morning, and climbed Table Mountain that day. We also visited this lovely beach, near to where Dave's parents and grandparents once lived. Dave pointed out landmarks from Table Mountain and as we drove.


We stayed in Stellenbosch and made a day trip into Cape Town. We visited the castle in Cape Town. This was fun! Here is Dave on the roof.


Kirstenbosch gardens was also a hit with us. Beautiful! It is the only Botanical Gardens that is a world heritage site.


The Rhodes Memorial was nearby, but it is a little neglected looking. Maybe fewer people feel proud of Rhodes these days?

Stellenbosch

When Dave and I arrived in South Africa, we stayed our first three nights in Stellenbosch. This picturesque town is the place where Dave received a scholarship to come and study his undergraduate degree in Forestry. Dave's time there had a big impact on his life. He has often spoken of various incidents, and now I could see the places where they happened!


This is the seminary where the theology of apartheid was engineered.


There were many lovely old buildings to look at. We stayed in one of them - the oldest hotel in South Africa!


Dave took me to see the places where he studied and lived, as well as this cafeteria. Some girls once stole his slippers from his room and hung them from the balcony at lunch time!

There are many beautiful mountains around Stellenbosch. The town is about 70km from Cape Town.

There is so much about our time in Stellenbosch that pictures don't show . . .

Martin, who approached us on the street and asked if he could wash our car windows. He had HIV, and needed to get to a doctor's appointment.

The mould in our pot at one self-catering hotel, and the lack of any cutting implements!

Noel, a Zimbabwean refugee selling beautiful beaded baskets. He wanted to go back home, and he wanted peace.

The little craft shop up an alley.

The stream that runs through the village.

The atmosphere at night in restaurants beside open fires.

The delightful bookshop where I could have spent hours!

The ladies who span silk outside the silk shop, talking all the while . . . and so much more.

The song for the brides

One of the unique experiences we had in South Africa was attending a Zulu church service. The small church is located near a township, and the service was mainly in Zulu. The pastors are friends of Dave's, and they gave us a warm welcome. At one point during the service they decided to sing a traditional song for brides to myself and another newlywed young woman there. The congregation came around us and sang in their usual enthusiastic way, and I just smiled as I had no idea what they were saying! I later found out that they were singing that we'd cook for them all, and wash for them all!

Now Dave and I are on our way home from South Africa. We are in Singapore airport right now.

For me, being in South Africa means . . .

Feeling bathed in the goodwill that seems to surround Dave wherever he goes! Dave built many positive relationships here, and we are often welcomed with enthusiasm.

Telling a small brown skinned girl that my favourite colour is pink, and hearing her reply "you have pink on your face".

Feeling stressed on some roads as Dave had to respond to the actions of agressive drivers.

Listening to "A Vision for Africa" on the radio in a parking lot, and feeling very inspired, only to lift my eyes and find a beggar outside the window.

Realising that people here see the idea of us moving back as less crazy than people do in Tasmania, because of course they do live here. Many do so quite happily, too!

Wondering how South Africa will ever move on fully from the horrors of segregation between "races", and the racism that seems to still dwell in so many hearts, and the cultural divisions.

Laughing at the sight of an African man in a well cut suit riding on the back of a bakkie (pick-up truck or ute) with his tie flying, while he chatted to two glam looking ladies who were riding in similar fashion.

Dave's parents' warm welcome. Sharing a beautiful dinner with them, and watching monkeys from their windows the next morning.

Understanding Dave better, through sharing those places and people that have shaped his life and heart so deeply.

Goats near the highway below huge houses, and a collection of tiny, run down houses on the other side of the road.

Hearing stories of Dave's ancestors, and realising just how long Dave's heritage here is as his Dad recounted the story of a great-great-grandfather who was killed by a leopard.

Re-focusing on the wonder of the gospel that transcends our sin, our colour, our theological and political differences.

The wonder of seeing a large group of elephants emerge from the bush, and watching a baby elephant suckle from his mother.

Knowing that this place is more colourful and complex than any other place I have ever visited. It is so different to the place where I have always lived, Tasmania, that they are almost incomparible.

Long road trips, punctuated by singing along to worship CDs.

Feeling "other" in a mall full of people with dark skin.

Realising that HIV/Aids is devestating communities in ways I cannot even imagine, and the orphan problem is huge yet invisible to many South Africans.

Having a drink near a restaurant fire and hearing Dave define what he hopes our priorities will be as a family: Hospitality, Generosity, Faith, Holiness.

Marvelling at the beauty of the 'berg, as we sat in our chalet overlooking the mountains with the river gurgling in the front and the fire crackling behind. Relaxing on walks with my husband, and celebrating our first anniversary with joy!

Submitting my fears to God, as I know he will not allow anything to happen that is not part of his plan.

A Zambian immigrant at a craft stall asking after Kevin Rudd and John Howard, and being amazed that he cared to know the names of Australian political leaders.

Feeling incredibly blessed. Being scared by the blessing we've been given, as I know that "of those who have been give much, much will be demanded". Asking the question: What will we do with what we've been given?

Knowing that everyday must be lived for Jesus, because there is nothing else worth living for.

And so much more . . .

Singapore

Right now we're at Singapore airport waiting for our flight to Cape Town. We spent one night in Singapore. A few highlights iof our trip so far . . .

* swimming in the beautiful pool at our hotel - Singapore is wonderfully warm!

* eating pizza at a beachfront restaurant

* Going to the beautiful Singapore zoo. We loved the white tigers. There was also a wonderful section devoted to tropical crops. It was fun to see soy beans and other plants we'd never seen before. There was also a wonderful moment where a butterfly landed on us! Wow! Sometimes I feel so blessed that I get a glimpse of God's undeserved favour to us, seen in the small moments of joy he brings.

A few insights/thoughts from the trip so far . . .

* The vast majority of people here live in high rise flats. You have to be very rich to own any land. Dave and I have been reminded of just how blessed we are on a world scale to have room to grow food. Our home is spacious, on a block of land, and looks out on a lovely view - not on row upon row of other blocks of flats.

* I've seen a few elderly people here working in jobs like picking up litter from the ground. We also spoke to two men who work 14 hour plus days. Again, this has reminded us of how blessed we are, and how little we have to complain about.

* Judging by the number of churches we've seen, there appear to be many Christians in Singapore.

We're flying out at 1:30am, and hope we'll sleep on our flight!

Off we go!

I'm in Melbourne airport on my way to Singapore, where we'll stay a night before heading to Cape Town. How exciting is that?

We're so grateful for God's provision of this trip at this time.