| So it begins |
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Through Gods strength alone i survived the first week here in South Africa. There was jetlag, altitude sickness which made me feel tired and dizzy, sickness/cramping, random bugs biting me and running from bee’s nests. But there was none of the usual despair when I get sick and I have found this place totally awesome. I have also done a lot here in the first week. We visited an orphanage, and a bible study in one of the poor townships. I have helped out around the WEC centre here mainly cutting the grass since it is growing so fast! I have visited an Indian church which was cool, they all spoke English and I knew some of the song we sung. The team is here is really cool, the other trekkers or short term missionary have welcomed me in and I now feel a part of the family. I have fitted so seamlessly into life here that some team members seem shocked when I reminded them I have only been here for just over a week! I am ecstatic to be here and when I do feel down I take encouragement from knowing that I have people praying for me, thank you so much.  I find this place amazing, there is a shopping mall five minutes drive from where I am staying which could happily fit into New Zealand, five minutes in another direction is a slum or township as they are called here. I find these pockets of wealth and poverty so close together confusing. Why can’t the wealthy stop wasting money and just give money to the poor. But will this really help them? Are people who live in little houses with just enough to eat each day really poor if they know God? Compared to the faithless, materialistic, rich neighbors? The hardest part to take is the people begging in the streets for money, especially at traffic lights where you have to stop. Here there is no racial discrimination, whites, coloured and blacks are all begging, and it hurts to see them all. I am feeling much better now but could you please pray that I stay healthy and strong. Also that nothing weird bites/attacks me. Pray for the team here, especially the leader’s Carol and Peter Campbell. The couple who are looking after the trekkers, Richard and Lindsey. Pray for my trekker family here, my brother Daniel and sisters Theresa and Julia. Pray that the grass dies! (yes its a weird request but I’m not the only one sick of mowing!) That I continue to engage and help those around me.  God Bless Andrew  |