He gives us eyes to see

Something that I’ve been continually learning throughout my time here has been that you really can’t make assumptions about a culture until you’re in it. My first two posts were my initial reactions. Those initial reactions are constantly changing and rearranging themselves in my head. For instance, not all of the locals dress conservatively; in fact from my observations it depends on the location of where you are. Some wear short shorts and tank tops, others wear full on winter outfits, but most dress just like we do in the states. That is just one of the little things I continue to learn, you can’t dig deep into a culture in the matter of days. Things that may be observed at first, may change the second you turn around.

Now I still want to be modest, but tank tops and shorts are actually fine here and in 90-degree weather the heat is almost unbearable unless you are wearing one, the other, or both. Today was an incredible day. Tell fill you guys in, last night was a difficult realization I had to come to. Cape Town is known for their incredible party scene; almost everyone in my program last night went out late to the bars or clubs. Personally it sounds like fun, but something that would distance me from me true focus here, which is walking as Jesus walked. So as I politely declined on the many invitations to go out, while receiving strange looks from most of the people going out, I went to bed and curled up with my bible.

They’ve kept us so busy here it’s been hard to listen to God and see his plan for me, but today, I saw Jesus. I saw him in the face of a child reaching out her tiny little hand to me as she sat in her stroller. Her big brown eyes looking up at me completely entranced in the small game of peek-aboo I started up. I saw Jesus in the hands of the homeless man, sitting in a pile of filth, begging for change just outside of the shantytowns. I saw Jesus in two men, who are carrying a big dream, a dream that could change the lives of youth in the townships for ever, when they smiled, when they dreamed, when they hoped, I saw Jesus. He is all around me, and when I just take the time to look, He is there. Today was a special day.

We were given the opportunity to visit some of the volunteer sites available to us. Now these sites were from a minimum of 25 minutes to an hour away from campus and yet I am fully willing to commit to at least two of them. The first we visited was the Brooklyn Chest Hospital, where most of the children and adults suffer from tuberculosis. Due to cognitive delays many of these children need to have occupational therapists help them to improve. It sounds like an amazing place as it also uses music therapy to reach the children, which is definitely something I would like to look into. The second option, and the one that I know I will want to work in is a place called The Arc. It is a place for orphans, non-orphans, women and men of all ages, even animals, to come and find a refuge. A refuge meaning not just found in shelter, but also in Jesus. It is a faith run program, with mostly volunteers working there and God finding ways to provide for the 800 or so people who come and go. They run a homeless shelter, a school, a rehab clinic for drug and alcohol addicts, as well as a bible school. From the second I entered this massive establishment spread out directly across the street from I believe the biggest township in South Africa, I could have cried from the emotions I was feeling. Pure joy as I heard the owner talk about Jesus to our group. He talked about how instead of writing letters first for support or fundraising, they take it up with God. They ask God and they have seen how much he has provided.

After The Arc, we then journeyed to a look out tower to stare at the one million people crammed into the townships in just the single area we were looking at. Then these two men, one who plays on the South Africa basketball team, spoke about their big dreams of bringing sports and the arts to schools spread around the townships. It really is a big dream once one thinks about how much has to go into it, but I know that their dream will be achieved because I saw the passion, drive, and hope behind their eyes for how much sports can improve a child’s life, reminding them of what it truly means to be a child.
The last place we visited was right on the outskirts of a township. No one on our bus got up because we didn’t actually think we were going into the townships but we did and it was great. It was a place called Ubuntu, and it’s an after school type program for kids in the townships, giving them a warm meal, and plenty of sex education as almost all of the children are HIV positive.

This evening, we were told to dress semi-formal and be ready at 6:15 to go to a wonderful restaurant in Moyo at Spier. It was completely and absolutely the most amazing restaurant I have ever been to. As we drove past the city and past the townships along the farmlands and past the vineyards, we finally arrived at Spier. It was so incredible, and the most fun night I’ve had here so far. Walking in was like a fairytale with the beautiful flowers lining the walkways, a clear view of the mountains in the background, and incredible lawn tents with outdoor tables and fountains lining the perimeter. Live African music was playing and after enjoying a buffet of the most interesting and delicious food I’ve ever had, including impala and ox tail, we went towards the live band and danced the night away. I was with friends who I could completely be myself with as we laughed, smiled, and were full. Full of life and happiness, adventure and wonder, nostalgia on the day we have had, and excitement for the future. As I sat with my new friends, a full meal, and African drums beating, I looked up to the sky. The stars seems so much closer here, so massive, and expansive and for that brief moment, I was suddenly reminded of how small we all are. When those stars were sparkling and shining, full of God’s glorious creativity, I thought to myself, this must just be a small taste of heaven. We left not only with full hearts and stomachs, but also with a great batch of memories with some amazing new friends.