South Africa - a land of many contrasts

We've just come back from a wonderful break. The WR office was closed for the holidays. The first week we stayed in Maputo and did some work as well as relaxed. Then we went to South Africa. We stayed at Mercy Air, a missionary aviation ministry that has some extra housing. They are in the country with beautiful grounds and mountains in the background.
We were greeted by a troop of monkeys climbing through the trees. We were also entertained in our apartment by a toad just as we were getting ready for bed. Hmmm, Steve took that one out but then I saw another one hopping behind the kitchen cupboard. We decided not to pursue him. The next morning I was keeping my eyes open for him but he was nowhere to be found. I went to straighten a sofa cushion and who should be looking up at me but Mr. Toad! I was surprised to say the least. Good thing I didn't sit on him.


Our apartment was built around a big rock which protruded out of the wall--a bit unusual. Here's Steve trying to rearrange the furniture.


We spent a full day exploring waterfalls, canyons (the Blyde Canyon is the third largest in the world), and just enjoying some of God's incredible creation. They say pictures are worth 1,000 words, so here are a few.







Friday we went to visit some folks that we met through Ancient Paths, who live close to Johannesburg. We drove through corn fields and it all looked like the Midwest. It was very strange to think that we were still in Africa. Then we began seeing what looked like nuclear energy plants. Later we found out they produce electricity, liquid fuel, fertilizer and chemicals from coal which is mined in the area. The strip mining doesn't look so pretty. I guess some of the mines are like underground cities with roads and street lights.

We've heard about all the crime in Jo'berg but in this community there is not much besides petty thefts and carjackings. (Yeah, watch out if you have a nice car.) We found it interesting that people don't have guards like they do in Maputo. In our hosts' big yard and house, it really felt like we'd been transported to the U.S. But then sometimes we'd be driving along through the countryside and there would be a mud hut, or a township with houses/shacks made of tin. We were reminded that we were still in Africa and that S Africa is a very complex country. The rich are getting richer and the poor are still poor. Apartheid hasn't been gone that long and though they have come a long way, there is still evidence of some attitudes and separation between the races.

Saturday we watched the videos of Level II of AP without the small group part. We'll do it right later, but it was good to get the lecture content. It will take more than one time through to really grasp the concepts.

Sunday after church we took off for the other world we live in 6 hours away. We were happy to sail through the border. Going into SA was another story as many miners are heading back to work. It looked like they would have to wait many hours.

Now we're back to reality with plenty to do and a WR staff member from Malawi coming to spend the next several weeks with us.

I'll leave you with one last picture of one of the strangest flowers I've seen. I'm constantly reminded of how creative and imaginative God is!