I got to Cape Town about a week ago last night. I am staying with a guy named Morgan Cathey. If you do not know who he is, he was my college goalie for three years at APU. He is a guy that everyone needs to know because of his personality and his never ending smile. (Seriously, I think it is permanently imprinted on his face). But also because he is an incredible man of God and is absolutely on fire for God. He has an awesome wife, Cari, who is currently helping teach English in South Korea. Morgan is the second string goalie for Ajax Cape Town which currently sits on top of the PSL Standings.
Personally, I have 3 reasons for being down here in Cape Town. 1) There is an Ambassadors Conference, 2) Currently in Polokwane, there are no teams to play with so I figured I would try and get a trial with Morgan's team. However, since they have already filled up all of their foreign slots, this isn't possible. That means I am on Plan B which is any team in Cape Town I would be allowed to go on trial with... Saying that.. Be praying for me because as far as I know,(TIA = This Is Africa) I start on Monday... and finally 3) Get a needed vacation to recharge and find myself again.
So far, I have had many adventures some of which include hiking up in between Devil's Peak and Table Mountain, going to my first cricket match while getting really badly sun burned in the world's only "never ending game" (we were there for 8 and a half hours!), getting slammed in the ice cold water while body surfing in Camps Bay, going to a bible camp in Strandfontein which emphasized soccer and God, had several Braai's, and met some new amazing people.
The hike was unbelievable because of the way Cape Town is set up. I am staying in Newlands which is directly on the north side of Cape Town. With the mountains serving as a barrier, I was standing looking on both sides of the city (where I am staying and downtown) and also the ocean in the background along with Robben Island (where Mandela was held). Being up on top of the mountain really makes you think... Who am I... What can I really do... (Which then my next thought was "be Peter, and step out of the boat..")
Currently, I am at Noordhoek Bay with all the South African Leaders in AIS. It is an awesome time of refocusing, planning, and fellowship. We have a ton of free time which we spend playing guitar, swimming in the ocean, hiking, and playing soccer. In fact, we had an inter office (Cape Town vs Pretoria {I was on Pretoria}) and the Pretoria office won even with giving the Cape Town office a handicap of 2. It was played on the beach and it was a great time! Moving on, similar to a soccer ball, it is amazing how a guitar can be used as a tool for spreadin' the love. We (I think I am one of 6 Americans out of 30, other are from England, South Africa, and New Zealand) were hanging out on the patio when we noticed a couple that had just got married walking back from the beach. Chris Lockwood and I were thinking the same thing... Let's go serenade them! So we grabbed the guitar and got to sing "Sea Breeze" to the newlyweds... It was another "dana moment!"
All in all, my time in Cape Town has been awesome and I have met some incredible people of all races and denominations. I always think it is awesome when people ask what I am doing here and why I would ever come to South Africa from the US because it just allows me to let God talk through me and let Him work... We are in His-story!
