So here we are in a suburb of JHB called Chartwell West, it's 5:32AM in the morning and I cannot sleep! I guess that's what comes with traveling 26 + hours (a 16 hour flight straight from Atlanta in JHB no less). But we're here...our feet has walked on the African soil...although at this stage it has just been the paved halls of an airport and the parking garage.
Today the exploration and adventure starts in earnest. Last night looking into the eyes of 13 tired, unsure, excited high school students I talked again of just simple honesty. I short time to remind us that if we are able to show up to this with honesty and openness that God will do the rest. I don't say that in a coy or flippant way but I say that having done enough experiences like this to know that there is an overwhelming desire to want to control, to want to label and to just make sense of. It is much harder to show up open, honest and say. "I don't know to much of anything right now...can you please show me? Can you please lead me?" That will be our aim spot, to show up asking, pleading and hoping.
Today, we jump right into the cauldron! After breakfast it's onto the Apartheid Museum with our friends Gigi and Sihle (who have just been phenomenal hosts) and then for the rest of the day with them and some other friends in Soweto and another informal settlement where some of their church members live. From here on out Lara and I are less likely to be doing the posting and you are more likely to read the words, thoughts and experiences of one of the 13 great young people we have with us.
So..."Lord, today it will be very easy to want to control, pretend like we know what's going on. It will be very easy to just breeze through everything just looking but not really seeing, to hear all these noises and sounds but to never really listen. Our confession is that we to easily label and try to define, we feel like it makes things easier that way. Teach us today to not just to look, but to see, to listen and not just to hear. Today, teach us..." AMEN
It's going to be an amazing day for you and the kids. I know God has you all right where He wants you and I can't wait to hear all about it. Give my warmest regards to Joberg. I'll be back :)
ReplyDeleteHi all! I just wanted to let you know that I am so excited to hear about all of the great things that God has in store for you while you are on your trip! I wish I was there with you, but I am sending my prayers your way! :)
ReplyDeleteThinking and praying for you! I am so excited about what God will do in your lives and in thelives of those you are meeting.
ReplyDeleteA GREAT reminder for our lives everyday. Thanks for stepping out and inspiring all of us to look for what God wants to teach us in the course of a day. He's waiting for our invitation. We love you guys!!!
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