A Delayed Departure

Today was another ‘Cape Town Adventure’…this time while heading back home from the preschool in Khayelitsha. This morning I drove myself, the two Warehouse interns and two young visitors from Australia all squished into my newly borrowed VW Citi (my previous car was only on loan for just 3 months...so now the Lord provided this car which belongs to a friend’s brother who is living overseas). After a typical morning of serving at the Preschool...playing with kids, copying worksheets, serving lunch, singing etc., we were tired and ready for lunch.

As we drove away, probably a mile from the school...my accelerator pedal broke! I put my foot to the ground and there was no more pedal?? The car just drifted to the side of the road. It was the strangest thing I have ever felt and couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. We were now stuck on the road…a car full of white faces, in a black township and a confused driver who was trying not to panic. We called the Warehouse but there was no one available to help…then thankfully I remembered that I had Linda’s (the principal of the preschool) number on my phone. Linda is never at the school on a Wednesday, but for some reason she had been there today…it was my first time seeing her in 3 months. She immediately answered her phone and said she would get help. None of the teachers drive and there are only a few cars in the whole neighborhood so I was expecting to have her walk to us. I now began to wait, in a car full of hungry teenagers, with many curious faces peering in on us as they walked by.

About 20 min later Linda pulled up in a car with her cousin, and the cousin’s son who was driving (they just so happened to show up at the school for a visit right after we left…coincidence, I think not!). The young guy came and looked at the pedal and started to fiddle around…I still have no idea what he did but he fixed it?! It was so the Lord! I quickly asked him to show me what he did so I could fix it if I got stuck again…he said there was an old piece that kept two parts together that crumbled off due to old age...he then went to the side of the road and began looking through a heap of garbage...I had no idea what he was doing, but he came back with a piece of Styrofoam that he used to make a new part?? What ever he did it worked and we were soon to be on our way! Then, the scariest part of the afternoon was when I asked my new mechanic friend to do a test drive with me to make sure the car was running fine…so I gave him the keys and I slid in the passenger’s side. Let’s just say I was anxious to get back at the wheel! This young man admitted to me that he had recently learned how to drive in just two days (!)…we drove to the stop sign at the end of the street and then he did a u-turn in the middle of a 4 way stop!

Well, sooner or later we were back on our way…heading away from the Cape Flats and towards the majestic Table Mountain. Oh, and the ride home went smoothly, except for the goat I nearly ran over…thankfully that adventure was saved for someone else!

April in Pictures

Enjoying a walk on the beach in
Bloubergstrand

Touring Natalie & Dave Thompson
around windy Cape Point

Fun on Easter Monday
We had a ball (not egg) hunt

Taking my new friend Alberta
(whom I met at Home Affairs)
wine tasting

Relaxing at Moyo's with Susie and Lara
(after a long morning at the creche)

Waiting…a joy of being in Africa!

Today I’m on a mission…my goal – to pick up my extended Visitor’s Visa at the downtown Home Affairs office. As any local would tell you, this is often a scary endeavor! Like in many other countries when it comes to customs, permits, visas and passports…its no easy matter and God’s peace and patience is definitely needed!

In the past I have traveled only 10min from my house to the Wynberg office…but it has recently closed down so they have sent me downtown…to traffic, busy streets, mobs of people and simply utter chaos! I attempted to come down here early Saturday morning…woke up well before my normal Saturday rise, and drove 20min into town to be there when the building opened. However, after finding a parking place and being yelled at by a drunk homeless man…I arrive at the door to find a stern faced woman who told me they are closed on Saturdays…WHAT?! I asked why it says they are open on Saturdays on the website…she just shrugged and looked away. Obviously it wasn’t her problem. As the Lord does…he did turn the mishap into good and I drove down to the waterfront and had a nice long walk on the SeaPoint promenade only a few minutes away.

Well, as I write at the moment…Monday afternoon, I am currently sitting in the Home Affairs building, on the second floor, in the queue to pick up my visa…well at least I think it’s a queue? I was told to sit here but in all honesty have no idea what I’m doing…nor do the people around me. I have been sitting for at least one hour already! The ‘funny’ thing is though there is no one behind the counter…I am with a mass of people waiting for no one! Sometimes there is an individual behind another counter, but at times they leave too…and sometimes there isn’t a single worker in the entire room with over 100 individuals cramped in and confused. Everyone is anxious, tired and like me probably hungry (I should have eaten before I came!) I have just made friends with a girl named Alberta, sitting in front of me…she is from Holland, 20 years old, in an internship… and like me is extending her visa. It makes the time go a bit faster as I chat with her.

The time keeps clicking away on my clock…and the tension in the room grows…only about 6 people in front of me is a guy who has been here over 2 hours…I keep saying that if he gives up and leaves I will do the same…but I continue to stand firm. I have no plans this afternoon so what do I got to loose (other than my sanity!)

I’m reminded as I wait of the many others around the world who WAIT daily…waiting for more crucial things that a visa. Lord forgive me for complaining! I know there are men, women and children everywhere who wait for healthcare, medication or to see a doctor. I can’t imagine carrying a sick child in my arms while waiting for help! I sit her with a book (which I’m fortunate to read), with a phone (which I can ring friends on)…and with a God who I know is sitting right besides me in the midst of this crazy room. Lord bless those who wait around the world this very minute…give them your peace!

Suddenly out of nowhere, after almost 2 hours, a woman emerges and asks for 5 receipts (which we have come to turn in, in exchange for our visa). Not respecting the so-called queue…people push their way forward! Alberta and I jump up feeling the injustice after waiting so long and seeing people who have just arrived shove their papers forward. We were now ready by the counter for the next 5 and began to stand like un-wavered trees…I almost lost it and was going to take off but thankfully held in there. Finally, the lady came back and Alberta and I literally pushed ours into the next pile. We then went to another queue to wait for our name to be called. I was enjoying getting to know Alberta and asked if she ever wanted to go to church with me…she said yes, so we exchanged phone numbers and I know we will probably see one another again soon. God certainly has his unique plans! About 20min later I was holding my newly stamped passport in my hand…gave Alberta a hug and walked out the door. I texted my housemates “Victory…from Hell”. Wow, glad I won’t have to do that for awhile…I guess 2 and half hours wasn’t too bad. Another day in Africa…right?!

A New Student!

A new addition to my week has been tutoring a precious 6 year old boy named Sipamandela. His name means “Give us Power”. Sipamandela is the son of my good friend Nokuzola from church. I met Nokuzola shortly after I arrived in Cape Town, and had the privilege of staying in her home for an overnight last August. She runs a small bed and breakfast business (giving up her bedroom to guests), which allows foreign visitors to experience the township life and culture. She is a single mother of two children, Tembisa (16) and Sipamandela. They are a very sweet family and love Jesus very much.

Last month Nokuzola approached me with the humble request to tutor her son who is struggling in school (taking the first grade for the second time). Due to my love for her and the flexibility in my week, I of course agreed…but initially hesitating a bit as I had never done this before. Would his work be in English? Would he understand me? Could I give him the specific tools and practice that he needs? Well my doubts were quickly depleted. Now, every Tuesday at 4:30pm I drive out to “Tambo Village” the neighborhood where my church is located to spend time with Sipamandela. We do some basic math problems, practice the English letters and sounds, practice writing his name and simple words…and then read lots of books. Each week I bring with me a big bag of Children’s Books and he gets to pick a few for me to read. I love reading to children…it is honestly one of my greatest joys. Thank you Jesus for giving me this new opportunity!