So considering that Africa is upside down and topsy turvy, I am going to do a blog inside out from night to day. So if you are an analytical thinker (like my sister), then you should probably go down the the bottom of this blog and read it going up but if you dare, I am working backwards just to mix things up a little bit.. because I am trying to trip you out... (Thanks Regina!)
Enjoy!
In closing, I want to add this little note about a soccer ball. It is amazing the opportunities that happen because of this little ball that you kick. God opens up doors that you never thought possible and opens your eyes up to the possibilities of Spreadin' the Love. The only way that the game of soccer means anything is if you make it eternal. It is a thrill knowing that God will use my passion for His Glory! It is an honor, and much of the thanks goes to you for all your support and prayer, to be able to do something that I love.
The trip back from the falls was a little bit less on the excitement part because we literally spent ourselves in the sun and in the water. We tried to stop for the "best pancakes in South Africa" but they were closed so we settled for some ice cream. While driving back, we almost stopped for some t-bone steaks but the bulls walking across the street were bigger than the car we were in so we decided against it! We got back and decided that we wanted to watch a movie altogether but needed some rest before we did. I took one step in my house and collapsed on my raft slash bed slash blowup couch. 2 hours later, we went over and watched the movie Phenomenon with John Travolta. Good flick except everyone fell asleep from an absolutely amazing adventuresome day. Later this week, we are planning on going to see lions and I am kind of wondering what will happen when we do that!
After the crazy fall, we headed up to the Braai. The Braai was a blast because we got to talk to several different people about what we are doing. I got to talk to Marco to an extent and found out that we have very similar passions. He studied in Cape Town and has a degree in Accounting/Finance. His passion is soccer and wants to use it to get places. He has a passion for God as well so I am going to try and get him into contact with AIS and let him get going. He is very driven and smart and has been a big encouragement to me (and a good friend to me and the girls!) It has been a blessing being around him and getting to know him.
Then the craziest thing I have ever personally witnessed happened. That Afrikaans man went up even farther. I followed and was trying to figure out what he was doing. He was trying to tell me that he needed to go about 10 feet across slime covered slide rock and as he was telling me, he lost his footing. Now imagine being another 20 yards higher than the 40 we were originally sliding at (so we are at 60 yards from the pool). He started sliding and there was no stopping. All we could do was watch and pray that he doesn't die. He started going down, sometimes on the wet rock but mostly on the dry slick rock. He hit a ramp and sailed about 3 feet from where Jo was, barely missing her, in the air. He landed in the pool but his momentum carried him through the pool and over another 4 foot ramp and an additional 15 yards. In the end, he landed in a pool on his back. His daughter was sitting next to me, unflinching, while I am freaking out thinking this guy is dead or has a broken back at the very least! As we were looking on, he kind of "came to," checked his limbs then yelled out "WOO" pumping his arms in the air. In total, his momentum carried him 75 yards and all together caught about 10 feet worth of air! The fact that this guy is still alive is proof that God exists!
On the road, we were traveling in two different cars and the one that we weren't in, got pulled over for being dumb. We didn't know how to get to where we were going, we just had a good idea of where it is. So that turned into an adventure all by itself. We finally got there and got out of the car and heard the rush of water. Then we saw the danger signs. A mischievous smile began to slowly creep up on my face. We saw an absolutely gorgeous, breath taking water fall. It was about 300 feet tall and hit many jagged rock on the way down. Then it slowly but surely ran down farther into a pool. But on the way down, it was a natural slide. We wasted no time getting to the slide (which we were told multiple times that people have died on... but that didn't stop us!) Right as we were getting ready an Afrikaans man jumped onto the slide and sailed down about 40-50 yards into the pool of cool water. We were all sliding within 10 minutes. It was great fun! (Side note- Gina and Jo jumped into a little pool and as they were swimming, a little skinny bright green tree snake popped up out of the water and wanted to have some fun himself! He slid on his belly down one of the slides while clearing the pool with many loud screams!) (extra side note- that snake is ridiculously venomous! Lookout!)
Ok, as I was saying, today started way too early... at 2 am.. but I already mentioned that in a semi confused slash exhausted state. Still, the morning came quick at 5 and 5:15 when my retarded alarms kept going off. Then the call came at 6:30. Marco came and picked us up for the adventure of a lifetime. After he picked us up, he went to pick up another one of his friends that was probably still sleeping (or smokin' a bowl.. sorry she was bit on the loopy side.. she really wasn't smoking.. but we don't really know) when we got there. So we waited in her house for a while... an hour and a half. As we were waiting, Jo being the perceptive person she is, noticed the goose running around in the house. So what do you do when a goose is running around a house... go pick it up! We took a couple of pics with it (which I will get up asap.. i am not lying about any of this) and put it down which was very good that we did at that time because it took 4 steps and took a giant... you know... on the carpet. The smell cleared the house in 5 minutes and we were on our way.
One more disclaimer... today was way random... and included everything except lions running in the streets... but there were some bulls running in the streets.. and goats. And a poisonous snake in the water! Speeding tickets! Another Braai! Sunburns! Beautiful scenery! Oh... and a guy almost dying (seriously.. keep reading).
Today started way too early... However, before I explain the day, I have to go back to two days ago. Gina and Jo came up to Polokwane to visit me because I was a lonesome puppy. Well, the first thing we did when they got here was go out and train (because unlike me, they have actually been signed! YAY FOR THEM!) While we were out training, a group of white people came out and started playing soccer. (Shocking). Well, considering everything that I am doing here and my purpose, I casually started up a conversation and found out they love soccer and are currently training with the team I used to train with. Gina and Jo talked to the girls for a while then we got a bit of a game going. Eventually they invited to the movies that night and we saw Balls of Fury (It cost 15 Rand {2 Dollars} and it was a brand new movie that just came out!... Oh wait...). We all really enjoyed each others company and really wanted to continue this new found relationship. Personally, it was great for me because I met two brothers, Marco and Dino, that love soccer and live right next to me and are solid christians! So Awesome!
