Today was a strange day... In order to explain today, I must go back to yesterday a bit. We got to travel yesterday with the new team (Peace Lovers) that we had been training with. However, even before our adventure got started, AfricaTime (I am making this one word and it should go in the dictionary!) struck! They told us originally that they would pick us up at 11 am and not to be late because they would leave without us! We were there at 1045. We called at 11 and asked them where they were just to see if we were at the wrong spot. They said they were still coming and to expect them at noon. Now, We are getting really good at being flexible and coping with sudden dramatic changes. We waited around until we ran into some of the guys on the team on the other side of the road from where we were. Brandon started doing some squats and exercises while we were waiting and I took a nap. Brandon told me after I woke up that "I got few interesting looks from people passing by. They would pass by and then they would turn around and think to themselves 'why is this white guy sleeping on the side of the road with all these other black guys sleeping around him?' Then they would actually smile because it was refreshing to see."
When we finally got picked up, the bus was 2 hours late and 3 hours late from the original time they told us. The game was in an 2 hours. Needless to say, it was not very professional but it was hilarious. Finally on the bus, we drove for about an 45 minutes on the freeway then got off the onto a dirt road for about an hour. When I say dirt, I mean like back-roads in mexico dirt. When we finally got to the field.. I only had 1 question: Where is the field? All I could see what an open dirt area, mountains in the background and storms rollin' in, in the distance. I almost thought that we were going to hike to a field or something. Then the guys starting started putting their uniforms and "cocks" (its their word for cleats) and I looked closer and I saw goal posts and a faint chalk outline of the field. However, it was not a soccer field! It was a beach... with no water. Then it got even funnier. As I scanned the type of field that I might eventually have to play on, I noticed a donkey eating what little green that was actually left on the field. That in itself was a laugh and it took me back to all my trips to Mexico. With this team, even though I have only had one season professionally, I feel like Brandon and I are the only ones with any experience. They really lack a professional side to everything they do. However, we do what I can to try and remedy that. I helped warm up the team, encouraged them, played with the bench guys, and I just do anything I can to serve them. They know that we are Christians and they asked me if I could say something right before the game and pray for them. So that was exciting and encouraging to me! The team eventually won (That prayer must have been really good! jk), I got a sunburn, and we left.
After an exhausting day, Brandon and I planned on just sitting around at my flatt and watch some 24 or greys anatomy and fall asleep. However, ministry can happen at anytime and anywhere. Wiyan (ViAn) my High School friend that I hang out with and try talk about God to, came over with a friend. He wanted to play guitar and write a song. Well, 3 hours, a guitar string, and one verse later, I was finally back at my flatt sleeping! What a day...!
With that being said, today was an "off day!" I got to sleep in a bit which was nice after a very long and tiring day yesterday. I had a kind of to-do list to do today which consisted of going to the South African Home Affairs Office and apply for a work permit, get more internet time in town, get bread, and train on my own. This might not seem like a lot but when you do not have a car and have to walk everywhere you need to go, this is quite a list. Well, as I said before, Ministry can happen at anytime, anywhere. As I was walking out to go through my day, my neighbor Renee knocked on my door with 5 of the cutest little boys and girls you have ever seen. The kids had seen us juggling a soccer ball the day or two before and wanted to meet the "white guys" that can play soccer. (Since soccer is a black mans sport here, it is like an Anomaly for a white person to play soccer much less be good at it!). I played 2v2 with the boys in the yard outside our flatt. Then one of the girls found the largest snail I have ever seen in my life. Close your fingers and make a fist.. Yeah, it was that big. She started chasing everyone around with it! Girl after my own heart! We took some pictures and then they wanted to listen to me play guitar. Then my "Dana" moment happened. I played guitar and I was singing some fun songs like "Free Fallin," "3 am," and a couple of worship songs like Awesome God and Undignified. It was fun because they were kinda groovin' to it and trying to learn the words. Then the coolest thing ever happened... They asked me to play "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." You know the song that is in the Lion King? Yeah, it was classic. Brandon got it on video which I am trying to figure out how to put up on the internet. They were singing so loud and we had all 3 different parts to the song going (1- A-wee-ma-wack, "In the Jungle..." and 3) (high pitch voice) A WEE- a boomba bumba way!)! It was great! The kids were so much fun!
After the jam sesh, I went into town to get more internet and while I was walking several people came up to me and asked if I was one of the 2 white boy soccer players that they had been seeing around. This is encouraging to me because the people in the big yet small community of Polokwane, people are becoming aware of who we are and are asking questions as to why we are here! It is a great opportunity to bring glory to God through it. I walked about 3 miles total, there and back.
I went out and trained with B at the high school across the street. We trained for a while then this kid that we had previously met at a birthday party, who happened to be a goalie, came and trained with us. It was good for a couple of reasons: 1) He was a goalie and we could shoot on him, 2) It is a great opportunity to encourage him and try and show the love of Christ, and 3) He has many football contacts all over South Africa. Well, he told us that he had seen us train and was impressed with how hard we work out and had actually mentioned us to a PSL team (the US equivalent would be the MLS). He said that because of injuries, they need players, especially midfielders and defenders. Ultimately, We have a trial with a PSL team starting on monday morning... Be praying for us that we train well and that we have the opportunity to play at the highest level in South African Football!
