June 22, 2007
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South Africa Update # 2
I never received the first report, though it was sent–that’s how it goes sometimes. If it arrives, I’ll post it. Anyway, enjoy this report and keep the team in your prayers!
Sanibonani,
I am writing to you all from Mountain View Hospital
in the Ngome forest area. The name is really
apropriate as this area is extremely mountainous and
that appears to be all that you can see. We arrived
here on Monday night, but it was dark so we had no
idea what we were in store for when we opened the door
to our billet’s hut on Tuesday morning. The sun was
peeking through sheets of mist that covered such a
wide range of mountains. There really are some
spectacular views. The guys were fortunate enough to
have an hour to walk around and we took that
opportunity to hike through the thick woods until we
stepped out into a rocky area at the top of a mountain
to see how big and creative God is. This is a very
rural area with chickens, goats and cows wandering
around the roads. In the midst of all the beauty,
there is hurt and sickness. Many of the patients here
suffer with tuberculosis but praise God that the
Salation Army can administer treatment physically and
spiritually.
We have had a great time holding Kidz Club meetings
and are encouraged by the joy the youth show on their
faces when they sing. On Thursday, we took an outing
to the Evuna Corps which is a building about 20 feet
by 20 feet made out of dirt and sticks. Here, there
are 80 soldiers and as well as a home league who love
to sing about God and are very proud to wear their
uniforms. We were very priviledged that day as Captain
Sesedi had arranged for us to meet with one of the
Queens of the Zulu nation. We were treated to tea in
her house and she shared with us how she felt that the
Evuna Corps deserved a better building.
We are very blessed and though we are tired, we
have so much to be thankful for. Once again, our
billet hosts have been so kind to us and we have
enjoyed the unique bond that Christians can form with
people from any background.
Today we are headed for Nongoma and I will report
whenever I am able to. Stay well and pray for us.
Thanks,Doug, Dana, Alberto, Sarah, Katy, Mona, Grant,
Tandeka, and Bongani
