As I sit and stare out at Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, Lion's Head, and the Waterfront from Signal Hill, I cannot help but be lost in the beauty of this little city called Cape Town. Home to some of the best surf, craziest adventures, and just absolute random madness, I cannot help but think about how much I am going to miss this place. Today, I found out that I did not make the team. The coach told me that he liked me and wanted to give me a chance but I did not have enough "pro experience" and he needed players who "have been there before." I am a little disappointed in the soccer aspect of things but as far as ministry goes, there is no way in the world I would ever change this experience for anything. I have made some amazing relationships that I will never forget. Plus I know that I will go away knowing that God has worked through me with the people around me. Seeds have been planted and people have been loved. I am still here for a little less than a month and there is still stuff to be done but my time in Cape Town has drawn to a close. I am very excited about coming home and seeing friends and family! God has been amazing over here and I cannot wait to see Him work even more!
With that being said, let's start talking about the top 10 reasons "Why I cannot wait to come back to the states!"
10) A tan! Over the last year, I have not had a winter. I have gone from summer to summer now back to summer! I still have not gotten a tan and it is one of my goals to work on!
9) Better phone coverage and better plans. South Africa needs to follow the US in these first two because they will make more money than trying to cheat people. Both the internet and phone are covered by like 3 different companies which have a monopoly on all wireless transactions which in turn drives prices high.
8) Country Music! and Country concerts!
7) Driving on the right side of the road! Here they drive on the wrong side (Left) and everything is backwards! Even though it has created many funny incidents especially if I am driving!
6 ) FREE UNLIMITED WIRELESS INTERNET!!!! You have to pay for really bad internet here and it is super frustrating when emails do not send when they are supposed to or when the internet just all of a sudden goes out!
5) The Green Goblin! My 2000 Toyota Tacoma. You might call it cute because of its size but trust me, it has little man's syndrome and can run with the big dogs!
4) Free Refills and Dr. Pepper! Self explanation! (They try and make as much chump change as they can...)
3) Bigger servings at food places! And Bigger Cups! The cups here are so small and you constantly have to either go back for more or ask the waiter for more which just pisses them off because of the constant trips which just drives their own tips down!
2) Mexican Food! I love Mexican Food... Real tortillas, refried beans, carnitas, carne asada, and real salsa (even though morgan makes a mean salsa!).
1) Family! I love you Mom (and Cheri!)!
(for Cammi... despite your best efforts, you answered correctly. "V" is a Roman Numeral... And you wagered...!)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Time Closing In.. On a serious note.. Brew
Well, it is coming to that time again where life as I know it is changing. I have about 1-2 weeks left in Cape Town before I have to head back up North to Polokwane and Pretoria to finish up some unfinished business. This has been an amazing journey that is coming to a close. I have learned so much about myself and about people and about love and about God. I have had some major breakthroughs and some major disappointments. I have had some times where I wanted to pack it all up and come home. And I have had other times where I have been so in love with what I am doing, the people around me, and what God is doing through and around me, I didn't want to leave. Whether or not this mission/soccer trip has been a success or a failure, I know that God has worked through it and because of that, it will be a major success.
Since I came to Cape Town, my ministry changed or evolved in a way that is difficult to explain but I am going to try. This whole time I have been in South Africa, I have been struggling with this question: Am I a Christian that plays soccer?... Or... Am I Professional Soccer Player that is a Christian? Either way is fine because the important part is that I am a Christian and I am seeking after God and after what He wants for me. Basically, the real question that I have been praying about and asking God is, Where He wants me to be? Does He want me to be working with kids that are less fortunate, all the time and completely abandon my dream of playing at a professional level? Or does He want me to pursue being a professional and once I get signed, then I can start doing all the other stuff? My selfish side wants to never give up on my dream of playing at the highest level possible. I know that when I cannot go to a higher level, it will be time to hang the boots up. But right now, I know I can play at this level and I just need a shot. However, I am completely open to whatever God has for me. Wherever He leads, I will follow. I took a major gamble as far as ministry goes when I came down to Cape Town. I have not been able to be as involved in as many different stuff like I was in Polokwane because of the hectic training schedule. However, I will consider it completely worth it either way but especially if I make the team because I will have another full year here in South Afrika to follow what God has for me!
As far as scheduling goes right now, I get to play in a game this wednesday against, ironically, an American team. I know I have been saying that I will know for sure on whether I will make the team or not but the thing is, there is a thing called Afrika Time. This coach tells me he likes me and is impressed but he says that he needs to be 100%... Completely sure that it will be the best for his team and for me. Thus, I have been on trial for about 2 months which is a really long trial. I had a good talk with him this past week and asked him to assess what he is thinking with me. He told me that he will for sure, give me a decision on wednesday after watching and assessing me play in this game. If he decides to sign me, then I will coming back to Cape Town next year and playing a season here while being able to really get plugged into the different ministries going on here in Cape Town. Please pray for me that God's will be done... whatever it is. Thank you all for your love and support and prayers! I cannot wait to see you in a month!
Since I came to Cape Town, my ministry changed or evolved in a way that is difficult to explain but I am going to try. This whole time I have been in South Africa, I have been struggling with this question: Am I a Christian that plays soccer?... Or... Am I Professional Soccer Player that is a Christian? Either way is fine because the important part is that I am a Christian and I am seeking after God and after what He wants for me. Basically, the real question that I have been praying about and asking God is, Where He wants me to be? Does He want me to be working with kids that are less fortunate, all the time and completely abandon my dream of playing at a professional level? Or does He want me to pursue being a professional and once I get signed, then I can start doing all the other stuff? My selfish side wants to never give up on my dream of playing at the highest level possible. I know that when I cannot go to a higher level, it will be time to hang the boots up. But right now, I know I can play at this level and I just need a shot. However, I am completely open to whatever God has for me. Wherever He leads, I will follow. I took a major gamble as far as ministry goes when I came down to Cape Town. I have not been able to be as involved in as many different stuff like I was in Polokwane because of the hectic training schedule. However, I will consider it completely worth it either way but especially if I make the team because I will have another full year here in South Afrika to follow what God has for me!
As far as scheduling goes right now, I get to play in a game this wednesday against, ironically, an American team. I know I have been saying that I will know for sure on whether I will make the team or not but the thing is, there is a thing called Afrika Time. This coach tells me he likes me and is impressed but he says that he needs to be 100%... Completely sure that it will be the best for his team and for me. Thus, I have been on trial for about 2 months which is a really long trial. I had a good talk with him this past week and asked him to assess what he is thinking with me. He told me that he will for sure, give me a decision on wednesday after watching and assessing me play in this game. If he decides to sign me, then I will coming back to Cape Town next year and playing a season here while being able to really get plugged into the different ministries going on here in Cape Town. Please pray for me that God's will be done... whatever it is. Thank you all for your love and support and prayers! I cannot wait to see you in a month!
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