3 Men and a Little Lady

Last week I hosted three American guys who I actually went to university with but we never knew each other then. Two of the guys, Dan and John, I met in Tanzania this past July (they have been doing ministry in Zambia)…they were joined in SA by another friend from Seattle, Andrew. Having guests means that I get to also enjoy and discover the many tourist sights all over again. It often reminds me of my former life in London…touring people from all over the world around my favorite city…giving dozens of tours around the National Gallery and visiting Big Ben for the millionth time…but continually loving every moment of it! Perhaps it’s sharing the joy with someone and getting to see their first impressions of a spectacular city. Anyway, for 4 very packed days I enjoyed Dan, John and Andrew’s companionship. I can’t remember the last time I got to enjoy a “triple date” for an entire weekend…meals, petrol and other commodities covered as I was their ‘guide’.

The greatest accomplishment for me over the weekend was climbing to the top of Table Mountain, an endeavor I hadn’t had the privilege of completing yet! Now, I’m not the most athletic girl…as most of you know…but to the surprise of many, I do enjoy hiking (especially if I can stop and take pictures along the way and pause for MANY breathers too!). Well, these dear guys were fantastic, letting me lead and holler out “I NEED A BREAK!” after each bend up the mountain. We took the Platteklip Gorge route which is the shortest (1-2 hrs) hike up but also the steepest. I will proudly say that I made it to the top with my faithful friends behind me all the way. We celebrated on the top with a bottle of SA wine (a good motivation while I was climbing!).

Will I do it again?...Yes! Anytime soon?...No! But, perhaps in the New Year…and I might pray that the Lord flies over some more American men to be my companions!...ummm, or any men as a matter of factJ!

Sweet Home Farm

What an idyllic name, one would think…but Sweet Home Farm is one of the many ‘informal settlements’ that weave their way in and around this vast city. The informal settlements are unlike the many townships…for these settlements never started with city planning or basic infrastructure…they consist of shack dwellings made with wood, metal and other found objects, not brick and mortar. In this way people can up and move when they need to (or are forced to). Generally, there is no running water or electricity, however some settlements, like Sweet Home, are slowing gaining basic commodities.

Due to many relationships, The Warehouse and a couple of its key staff members started to get involved in the Sweet Home community around 2004. It was also in this year that I visited Sweet Home Farm for the first time with my family. We spent the day there walking around, meeting people and playing with children. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit once again, with a group of new trustees and their families from The Warehouse. We had the privilege of eating lunch at a new restaurant in a shack…just started by a woman named Christine. We were honored to support her new entrepreneurial business and eat her fantastic food! We had roast chicken, rice, beets, sweet potatoes, bean salad, green salad and lots of fizzy drinks.

Despite the daily hardships these families face…there is a great sense of overcoming difficulties and an immense spirit of joy, that is not only evident on their faces, but also in the way they cherish community and the life around them. Women take pride in their shacks, sweeping debris away from their entryways and creating ‘homes’ out of others rubbish. I was blessed that day to witness children of different colors and backgrounds playing together, a new business sprouting up, and heartfelt programs that are actually working and bringing hope into people’s lives! I have little to teach these brothers and sisters, but so much to learn from them in the days and months ahead…

Caroline with a new friend

A georgous view of Table Mountain-

no matter where you are in the city!

Ready to eat at Chritine's new restaurant

Eliza made a new friend

Two new friends pose outside their 'home'

Old & New Friends

Mid-October brought the arrival of dear friends, Mike and Cindy Riches. They were former pastors of mine from Tacoma, who are now living and ministering in London. They came down to Cape Town for two weeks to do some teaching at various churches here. It was a blessing to sit under their teaching again, but also fun to tour around this fabulous city with them too. Near the end of the month I was thrilled to have Michael & Jessica Green and Alan & Louie McCormick in town, with their children. Both families have been friends of mine for years, and it was rather refreshing to be with people who have known me for almost 15 years!

I have recently been blessed with a car to use for my last 6 weeks here in Cape Town and have loved to use the car to serve others, as I was so taken care of by friends for the 6 weeks I didn’t have a car. The Lord continues to bring fellow Americans and other non-Africans my way who are new arrivals in this city like I was. Here are some of my new and old friends:

Breakfast with Mike & Cindy Riches and my beautiful housemates

Daisy McCormick with friends from church

On a boat ride with Jessica Green and Elijah and Apollos

Champagne toast with Cathy Cordle

Visit to Hout Bay with Elizabet from Sweden

Ice Cream with Allison from N. Carolina and Judi from the UK

With Noomsa at a Diversity Celebration at church

Dancing Queen!

The title is not from the musical Mama Mia, although I will admit that I have seen the film a total of three times in the movie theater here. A friend of mine said the other day, “I don’t think I would tell people you saw that three times…it sounds pretty sad”…But he doesn’t know me that well and the fact is I LOVE musicals! Ok, back to my main story…the reason I am now known as the dancing queen is because I danced in front of the church this past Sunday! Surprising I know, but to be honest Africa has restored some beat in me and I actually find myself dancing quite frequently…especially in church! Well it was a normal morning of worship at Khanysia, as the young and old were out of their seats dancing in praise to Jesus around the room. At one point our pastor, who is originally from the UK, began to tease the Brits in the room on how they dance, swaying ever-so slightly and barley moving their feet or lifting their hands. We all laughed. Then he asked the English within the room to come up front and prove him wrong…we laughed more and danced while the music started up again. After, Nigel looked directly at me said, now let’s see how the Americans can dance…ahhh I was stuck and knew that I had no choice but to bravely go up front and have fun with this amazing congregation. I was no longer a visitor, but a friend to many, and I think the only American who is regularly attending Khanysia at this time. As I stood up front, I looked around and wondered if anyone else would join me, for there are always American visitors coming and going on Sundays…just then two others came up and the music started. Thankfully I was wearing a fun skirt and twirled and danced across the stage, while everyone was up on their feet clamping as they rooted us on. Once we were finished, they did the welcome and had newcomers stand and introduce themselves. I was shocked to find that not only did we have a few American visitors that morning, but 15 people from a church in Atlanta, and about 4 others besides them! Well, I guess I was the brave one and thankful for the opportunity as that was definitely an experience I will never forget, nor the church!

Monet in a Township

My church Khanysia, decided to end there normal cell groups for the rest of the year and start focus cells to allow people to meet new church members doing various activities they enjoy. One could join cells ranging from cooking, drama, dance, music, drumming, learning Xhosa and art. Of course I joined the art cell and have loved attending every week. It is taught by a university student named Mel, who chooses a basic assignment and brings supplies each week. We have done drawing and painting the few weeks. Physically doing art and not just appreciating it is something I rarely take time to do…but it is one of the most relaxing activities…stimulating my mind while calming my spirit. I often laugh when I’m at the cell because no one is talking to each other as we are all engrossed in the paper and paints before us. The group is full of all ages. My pastor Nigel comes with his wife Lisa and their two children…I have really enjoyed getting to know them better. Creating art is not only therapeutic, but it draws in a wide variety of participants. Even though so-called ‘artistic talent’ is varied…everyone has the ability to apply paint to a canvas and create a personal expression. Each one of my weekly masterpieces has made its way home onto my bedroom wall, although I’m not proud of every creation, they symbolize to me a joy and a peace I find while creating something new!

Another Step of Faith!

Isn’t amazing how fast time flies? When I ventured over to Africa this past June, I had no idea how fast 6 months would quickly go by. It was my father’s advice, nearly 10 months ago to pray about “going for six months and then re-evaluating”…and now I have been seeking the Lord as I’ve been at the re-evaluating stage. It was always my sense before coming that Jesus would either teach me something in the few months I was here (which he has most certainly done!)…or that a door would open, allowing me to return in the new year for another strategic season. To be honest, I have known for quite awhile in my spirit that the later would be the case…partly because giving up a job, house, ministry, and packing up my life, while leaving friends and family…was such a big step…and now the idea of trying to re-establish my former life, does not seem what Jesus has for me quite yet.

The ‘open door’ from the Lord has looked different than I expected. I think I kept hoping a job, ministry or role would pop up…and that my spirit would respond, “oh this is why I am here”…but the Lord hasn’t done it that way. I have in no way been able to define my significance by what I do…for my days are spontaneous, the things I do differ…and so do the people I interact with. What he has done is establish around me an amazing community (!)...a church community, a friendship community…and a community where I constantly feel I am ministering to others just by being myself. This has been a foundational purpose of this trip and one of the reasons why I feel Jesus is asking me to come back. I know I still have a full month ahead of me…and to be honest who knows what that will hold…but if its anything like the past four months I have a lot to look forward to.

Any big decision comes with doubts…how will I pay for a ticket, how will I raise funds, how will I define what I’m ‘doing’, how will I get a car, how will my family and friends respond, etc. After a few calls to my parents and sisters and a friend who knows me well, I couldn’t deny the truth that Jesus was asking me to return…despite the many unknowns! (Hey, faith steps are my life…my past…and most likely my future…better start getting used to them!)

Well, miracle one happened just under a week ago, I was given enough air miles by someone to cover my return flight to Cape Town next year! It happened so fast and so unexpectantly! It was an instant reminder from the Lord that He will continue to provide all I need in his timing.

So the details are as follows:
- Leave Cape Town on November 30th…then stop in Dubai to be with friends for a few days, then have a week in London more friends…returning to Tacoma, December 16th.
- Then home for 6 weeks!!!…enjoying Christmas, spending everyday possible with my nephew and nieces, catching up with dear friends, hanging out with family, church friends, my students at New Song School, my former neighborhood kids, maybe organizing some of your homes, and driving my automatic car!
-Then I’ll leave January 26th to return to Cape Town…Coming back to Tacoma June 8th …just in time for a family vacation and my 30th birthday!!!!

Thank you for being a part of this journey!

A Vision of Worship

This morning during worship at church the Lord showed me an incredible vision…it was an aerial view looking down upon the throne of Christ. Coming from every direction, north, south, east and west…were different groups of people, different nationalities marching forward in worship towards the throne of God.

The first group I saw was from Africa, the music was deep and soulful…carrying with it the rhythms of life, the people were dancing as they moved forward like a pulse, proclaiming the name of Jesus…despite personal hardships. The second group marched forward, like an army…upright and strong…they sang the hymns of old…proclaiming the truths of their forefathers. The next group came in running and jumping, they were young and full of life. They were called the “Next Generation”. Their music was loud and explosive. They ran, danced and jumped towards the throne in youthful adoration. The next group came forward on their knees, they were from a Middle Eastern descent. Similar to Muslim practice they were worshipping on their knees, and many prostrate on the ground…but their worship was towards the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

My sense was that there were many other groups marching, dancing and making their way forward towards the throne in their own styles and expressions of worship. Even in the four groups that Jesus showed me this morning…I was struck by how worship around the world can look so different. There are many who criticize the groups around them…saying others worship is too loud, too boring or too cultural. But in my vision…every group was marching forward to the same destination…they were marching towards Jesus, towards the throne of God…even though they were coming from different locations as they marched forward they would eventually meet in the middle with their King!

What an awesome reminder!