It's been over 5 years!

It's been over 5 years since I wrote anything on this blog.  In fact I forgot that it even existed.  Last time I wrote my family and I (minus the extra little one we have now) had just arrived back in the US after living in South Africa.  Time does go by quickly and it's hard to believe that all of my girls have grown so much from the little girls they were when we first arrived overseas.

This is a picture from last Christmas in Spain where we were blessed to spend with the holidays with Georgia's family.  Then there is another shot from when we drove up to New York City this past summer.  

Looking forward to more exciting adventures to come in 2016!

Back Home

Ok, so I have not written on this site for 3 months now, but I figured I would give an update.  The family and I have moved back to the States and are now waiting on the arrival of our 5th and most likely final member of the family.  God has worked everything out from giving us a place to stay to finding me a GREAT job.  We were sad to leave the field in Africa, but excited about the plans that he has for us here.  I want to remind everyone that there is still work to be done in South Africa and to continue praying for evryone who is still there.  Zach and Given are continuing the church that was started in Dobsonville and leading some amazing Bible studies.  Hopefully, I will get the chance to go see everyone this Christmas.  Anyway, take care and I will keep you posted on the new adventures in South Carolina.

Camping on the Vaal

Just got back in from a killer couple of days camping with my friends Trent, Amber, and Zach on the Vaal River.  It's great to get away from the city and into the “wild” of Africa.  Of course most of the time it feels like you are camping back home until you look into the trees and realize they are full of monkeys.  Then you know you're not in South Carolina anymore.  

It's winter here so the nights are very cold.  It was just above freezing which is something that I never associated with Africa before I arrived here, but it gets quite cold around where we live.  Anyway, the days are perfect with temperatures in the 70's.  We took the fly tackle and gear this time and had a blast wading into the Vaal River and trying our best to catch some Yellow Fish.  We didn't have any luck, but had a great time trying to stay up in the rapids and not sinking above our heads in the river.

Thanks to Trent and Amber we had amazing meals.  I usually go camping with hamburgers and hotdogs, but not these guys.  We had lamb shoulder, boerwurst,  chicken kabobs, pork rashers, and much more.  It was great! 

Before we left we spent time baiting the monkeys with fruit so they would come in closer for some photo opportunities.  They cooperated, we took pictures, and no one got mauled by monkeys.

  

Mini World Cup

We had our Mini World Cup Tournament in Dobsonville this past Saturday.  Seven schools that our team has been working with participated in a double elimination tournament.  We had a great turn out with all seven schools showing up on time and participating from 9am to 5pm.  It was a long day, but well worth it.  Following the matches Zach shared the gospel with everyone who attended.  Then we had a trophy and medal presentation for all of the kids.  We were so blessed with a smooth running tournament with perfect weather.  We hope that this ministry will aid in the development of a Baptist Church in Dobsonville.

African Funeral

Today, I work up at 5am to head into Soweto for a 7am funeral.  I didn’t know you had to get up so early to bury someone, but evidently you do.  Funerals here are somewhat like ones back home, but different at the same time.  It was somewhat organized with a program and order of events.  Basically, there was a speaker, then a song, a speaker, then a song, a speaker, then a song, a speaker, then a song, etc… for about two and a half hours.  It was actually quite nice, but a little long.  I was one of two white guys there and honored to have the chance to pray and share a bit of the gospel.  Anyway, that was part one. 

Then you go to part two in the program, which occurs at the burial site.  It was very sad to go to the cemetery.  There were fresh graves everywhere because there is so much sickness and death in this area.  At least six funerals were going on at the same time ours was and on our way out others were coming for additional funerals for the day. 

 

Men and women were pretty much separated with the women and family seated or near the tent and the men around the burial plot.  Unlike the burial plots that I have seen these did not include a vault in the ground.  There were only holes dug into the ground, at least 10 feet deep.  The body was in a casket much like ours, but with a plastic or glass covering over the face so you could see the body without opening the casket.  Before burial this covering was sealed with a wooden attachment.  The casket was wrapped in a blanket and lowered into the ground, then the family tossed dirt onto the casket, and finally the men filled the hole with dirt.  It was nice to see how the community all helped to bury the man and showed such respect for him.  It made me think about how quickly we do things in the states and do not always take the time to show respect for those who have passed.

We then returned to the family home to find a line around the home waiting for the family to return and the meal to begin.  Unlike the states where church members and friends provide food for the family, in Africa the family provides food for those who attend the funeral.  Something, I do not think I will ever understand. 

Standing at that cemetery, I think I realized for the first time since arriving in Africa how blessed I am.  To have been born into the loving Christian family that I have and the country that I know and love.

African Culture Shock (Not Really)

So, yesterday Given and I were ministering to a woman who lost her husband.  During our visit Given volunteered my services as “pastor” to receive the body into her home.  

Today I met Given there and did what I was recruited to do.  It was a great experience and extremely enlightening in the area of African culture.  I arrived at quarter to four and met with the woman.  She was grateful that I had come.  Promptly at four the body arrived from the funeral home, which is very odd since African time usually involves things running extremely late.  I met the body and pall bearers and led the procession into the home.  Here they take the body into the bedroom and spend the night with the deceased person.  I greeted the family in the name of Jesus and shared from John 14.  Following this I explained the passage and prayed for the family.  This went well and it was very nice to share God’s word with those that I had only met recently.  

We then went outside and noticed that there was a cow tied up outside.  I was a bit worried knowing that many sacrifice animals at funerals in ancestral worship.  However, this cow was being butchered for food for the guests of the funeral.  So, I was able to witness this activity and even asked to join in by my dear friend Given.  Fortunately, I wore my suit and did not get to get my hands dirty.  

It’s strange to me how people in this area have so little and yet culturally they are expected to provide so much for their guests.  The cow cost nearly $1000.00 US and is being prepared for those who attend the funeral.  Much different from the covered dish lunch that we have back home.  I am happy that God gave me the opportunity to share his word this evening and for allowing me to experience the African life and culture.

Holiday Soccer Club

Today the team went into Soweto and had a great day of ministry.  We began the morning with visiting and had a couple of nice visits, meeting parents of the kids we work with during the week in Girls Club and Soccer Club.  It's great to meet parents who are so happy that you are taking the time to spend working with their children.  It was nice to begin building relationships through this ministry and we hope that it continues to grow the Bible Studies in the area and hopefully a church within the year.

Following our visiting time we went to an open field and set up cones to mark off a soccer pitch.  As soon as we got there kids came out of every nook and cranny.  It doesn't take much to get the kids out of bed, just a soccer ball and a few white guys.  Anyway, we had a blast playing with the kids and sharing a story from the Bible with them during half time.  God is so good and gives us so many opportunities to share his word and have fun at the same time.

Indian Ocean Trip

Mammy came to visit and we traveled to the Indian Ocean for the first time.  It was pretty amazing.  Africa is so different from province to province.  The water was blue in Umhlanga, where we stayed, and the girls loved the waves.  They were a little rough however for me to take them out too far.  We also went to a water park and to the what I think is the biggest mall in the Southern hemisphere.  Pretty cool, with a climbing wall, indoor surfing, an IMAX and more shops than you could get to in a day.  Isabel and I went to see How to Train Your Dragon there and had a blast.  On the way home we went through the Midlands Meander and saw many small shops and farms.  We stopped at a farm had a cheese tasting and bought some fresh cheeses.  We also went to a candle dipping place where the girls made their own candles.  The ride home was beautiful until the rain began, but we made it home safely.

Yaya and Poppy Come to Town

Last week was great!  Mom and Dad came to South Africa for a surprise visit.  Well we knew Dad was coming, but Mom surprised us at the airport.  We took Isabel and Kylie to pick up a “package” at the airport.  They were clueless as to the real reason that we were going.  When Poppy came out I said, “There’s your package.”  They looked around and never saw a box and kept asking, “Where is the package?”  I said, “That man has it.”  Isabel took a long hard look, and then said in a confused tone, “Poppy?” and then they both ran to him.  It was great!  The next thing you know, Yaya is coming out to surprise us all.

We spent the entire week together.  Got the chance to show them a little bit of where we live.  We went to the Lion and Rhino Park, to Soweto, and to a few of our favorite places to eat.  The day before they left Dad and I went to play golf at the Soweto Country Club.  It’s kind of strange to have it in the middle of Soweto, but a lot of fun. Pretty straight, but very long.  Especially when you hit into the jungle, I mean rough, on each of your second shots.

It was hard to let them go, but we look forward to their next visit in June.  I never thought they would come twice, but they are proving me wrong. Great parents and wonderful grandparents.

Ministry in Soweto

Great story of ministry in Soweto and some of the strange things we encounter here.  Don’t be alarmed it’s just life. 

So, about a week ago Georgia and I began our ministry in Dobsonville.  We were beginning to recruit people to help us with interpreting as we witness and for soccer clubs.  Our team leader asked us to help him out and go speak to a man who has been coming to church.  My plan was to talk to him, share the gospel, see if he was saved, and if he was, then I would talk to him about baptism.

Georgia and I arrived at his home where he and his girlfriend live.  OK, that is how it is here.  It’s strange, but that’s how it is.  We shared the gospel and how to study the Bible and things like that, but never got a clear answer as to if he was saved or not.  The girlfriend in the background kept saying he needs help, etc… and I thought they were going to throw down any minute.  So, we continued talking and I decided to explain baptism anyway just to make sure that they all understood what it was about and that the act of baptism did not actually save you.  We went through all of that and prayed together.  After leaving his home, we were going to set up some final arrangements with schools and he asked if he could come along.  So, we all left together.

On the way to the school, he asked if we could stop buy to see his friends and prove to them that he is going to church, because they didn’t believe him.  We pulled up to this house and noticed it was quite busy.  We followed him to the side yard (kind of an alley) and his friends came out to meet us.  In their hands were some interesting looking cigarettes, that didn’t quite smell like cigarettes either.  One guy stuck his lit “cigarette” in his pocket when he saw me.  That was actually pretty funny.  So, I began to tell them who we were and began to share the gospel with them.  As I was doing so, people kept coming into the shack in the back and left with plastic bags.  So, it seems Georgia and I were sharing the gospel in the middle of multiple drug deals. 

I guess God really can use you anywhere!

Rugby and Soccer in the Same Weekend

So, as far as sports go they are just as crazy about them here as we are in the states.  Fortunately they have very cool sports.  Luckily, this weekend I had the chance to see my two favorite here in South Africa.  A Rugby match on Friday night and a Soccer match on Saturday.

Pretty amazing match on Friday between the Lions (Joburg Team) and the Chiefs.  It turned out to be the highest scoring game ever in the history of the Super 14 league.  We of course left early when our team, the Lions, were losing 65 to 25 or something like that with 20 minutes to go.  Of course when we got home we saw that the final was 72 to 65.  We still lost, but those last 20 minutes would have been amazing to see!  Anyway, for my first professional rugby match it was pretty awesome, except for Kurt thinking the game began at 7 when it really began at 8.  Well, the two hours we had to kill before the game talking and eating were fun.  By the way I love Prego Steak Rolls!

So, Saturday was the big Soweto Darby between the Kaiser Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates.  The stadium was packed and we were about half of the total white population in the stadium.  The game was full on with everyone trying to score.  Too bad no one could hit the net.  Maybe, one day I will actually see a goal scored in South Africa.

Go Lions and Go Pirates!

A Day Full of Surprises

WARNING - OVER 18 ONLY 

Well, I have not updated my blog lately, but I had a pretty interesting day.  Zach and I picked up our national friend Given this morning to head into Dobsonvile.  While Zach and I were waiting in the car, two young men approached us.  We rolled down the window thinking they were selling something and came to find out that they were working for the Health Department of South Africa.  Zach was not really paying attention to what was going on and he took what they gave him.  I noticed the sticker said, “We Can Stop HIV/AIDS” and then I noticed that Zach was holding a package that looked like a small pack of tissues.  As we examined the package more closely we discovered that it was a 10 pack of prophylactics!  Zach promptly threw them at me and we both busted out with laughter.  I of course threw them at Given as he came outside to see why we were laughing.  That was the start to our day.

After a few more laughs we headed into Dobsonville.  The area we are targeting is called Dobsonville Hostel and is made up primarily of Zulus.  We met with a few families and shared the gospel with four different women.  We walked through and found a community center in the middle of the hostel where we may be able to have evangelism events in the future.  Then we headed toward our car.  On the way out Given asked what time it was and we decided that we had time for one more visit.  We walked around the corner and met two women plucking chickens.  Given asked if we could come into talk and they said it was ok.  So, we went in and Given began plucking chickens, so I decided to join in.  So, as Given and I plucked chickens Zach started to tell the women what we were doing and that we would like to begin having Bible studies in this area.  The women agreed to let us begin this Thursday at 10am.  We continued talking with them and plucking chickens and then left so that we could get back for our afternoon duties.

It was a crazy morning, an interesting day, but full of God’s blessings!  Please pray for Bible study this week and that we may continue to teach and build relationships in this area. 

Today, I had my best experience of 2010 so far, and I owe it all to my wonderful mother-in-law.  She sent me Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup and I had my first glass of real chocolate milk since arriving in South Africa.  I am so grateful for three things from America – Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup, Grape Jelly, and Duke’s Mayonnaise.  By the way, if you have any of these items lying around in your house taking up precious cabinet space please feel free to send them our way : ). 

Ok, seriously, thank you to everyone who has been so generous in sending us packages from the states.  The girls, Georgia, and I get so excited when we look in the mailbox and find a little slip of paper saying that we have a package from back home.  We are so grateful for the gifts, thoughts, and prayers that all of you have sent our way.

Soweto Evangelism Team Video

Our wonderful team member, Rachel, made a video showing a bit of our life and ministry here in South Africa.  The video is at the top of this blog page and is really great.  It shares many of our prayer needs and the needs of the people here as well.  You'll also see our Bible studies, Girls Club, Soccer Ministries, Church Services, and Baptisms.  I hope that you will enjoy it and share it with others.

Odd Ending to 2009

So, we have left 2009 and have entered 2010 in South Africa.  It's kind of like living in the future since we are 7 hours ahead of our family in South Carolina.  Anyway, Brett, continues to tell me that I am really not in the future.  I guess he is right because I still have trouble predicting the outcome of sporting events and absolutely no luck with lottery numbers (just kidding IMB).  The end of the year was very nice.  We took the girls to a water park in a place called Sun City, and we all had a blast.  That night finished with a blue moon and our blue moon also came with a lunar eclipse.  Pretty cool way to end the year!  Needless to say we were in bed by 10 and asleep way before midnight.  However, I did predict a ball to drop in New York City and was right.  What do you think about that big brother?

First Christmas in RSA

Well, we were away from home for the first time ever during Christmas.  We missed being with our family, but had a wonderful day.  We began the day by Skyping, Yaya and Poppy and Mammy.  We had to get the girls up at 6 am to do this and our folks in the states had to stay up until just about midnight to see Isabel and Kylie open their presents.  Isn't the internet wonderful.  After the excitement of the morning I had the opportunity to preach at Snake Park.  Although many were not their it was a joy to share the gospel on Christmas day.  Which is what it is all about, right?  Well, I loved it!  That afternoon our team and friends came over for lunch.  It was great, and very close to mom's cooking.  Frank's turkey was excellent and could only be topped by mom's, but everyone knows that.  We had a great afternoon of eating and fellowship and finished up with an intense round of White Elephant gift exchange.  So, first Christmas in RSA, a little warm, but not too bad.  Anyway, Merry Christmas and a happy Boxing Day to you all!

Bunny Chow

Today, after a hard day of visiting in Soweto, my friend Given took me took a place to enjoy a South African “delicacy”.  It's called Bunny Chow.  It is basically hollowed out bread with pretty much anything inside of it.  I think the Bunny Chow first began with the Indians who first came to work in South Africa.  Instead of carrying containers for bread and curry, it was easier to hollow the bread out and place the curry inside and then place the bread back over the top.  Basically, the meal was also a container.

My Bunny Chow had chips (french fries for you guys in the states), cheese, a fried egg, and some kind of bologna type meat in it.  Along with these ingredients it also had some type of spice like red chili pepper on it.  It was pretty good at first, but kind of got old as you kept eating it.  I took some home to Georgia and she did not seem to care for it.  I will probably try it again soon.  I hear there are countless combinations of it.  There's nothing like buying something on the side of the road and eating it.

Dobsonville

This past Saturday we had a great morning evangelizing in the area where I will be working next year.  Six of us went into the streets of Dobsonville and passed out Challenge Newspapers.  These are newspapers full of stories of people and how Jesus has changed their lives.  It's a really great tool to get people talking because it has stories of people from South Africa and sports figures on the back page telling how Jesus has changed their lives.  Through this we were able to show our faces in the area, meet people, and make contacts.  A few people seemed quite interested in beginning a Bible study in their home which would be wonderful. It's definitely a different place.  Many of the men were already busy drinking (or actually beyond busy) and it was only 10 o'clock in the morning.  God was good, as he always is, and answered prayers of meeting new people and giving all of us safe passage.

Braaing in Soweto

This week we were busy doing follow ups with the schools that we hope to work in next term.  We had a very successful day.  I met with all but one of my schools, as well as going to some of the other schools that Zach, Amber, and Rachel will be working. It was a beautiful day and as lunch was approaching, Zach, suggested that we try the Buy and Braai.  Braaing is the term in South Africa that we would call grilling or cooking out.  Anyway, they have these stores that have meat to purchase and then right outside on the street is a braai (grill).  So you buy and then you braai.  I was very fortunate to be given the honor of braaing that day, which was my first experience braaing in South Africa.  The meat was great and I think we were the main attraction that day as it was hot, we were braaing on the street, and were the only mulungos (white people) within miles.

Thanksgiving in RSA

So, it is Thanksgiving today.  Well, not in South Africa, due to the lack of Pilgrims, but in our wonderful home country.  Anyway, I think this is the first Thanksgiving that I actually spent working instead of eating.  However, all work and no play makes Brad a dull boy.  So, after work, Zack, Amber, Rachel, Alan, and I, along with a few of our national friends, decided to spend the afternoon sliding down the mine deposits in Soweto.  We had a plan, which involved two small plastic swimming pools and the force of gravity.  However, that did not work out as planned.  The sand was extremely soft and we only went about three feet down the hill.  Luckily, our national friends brought along cardboard and with the help of Zack, he and I made it down the hill in one piece.  I even came home with a couple of kilos of sand in my pants.  I have so much to be thankful for!

To top off the day, I got to take my three girls out for Thanksgiving dinner and it was great!  For a change we had steak, which I do prefer over turkey, and enjoyed for the first time since we landed in this beautiful country.  I’ll say it again.  I have so much to be thankful for!