And I will praise YOU in this storm! I will lift my hands, for YOU are who YOU are, no matter where i am. And every tear i have cried, YOU hold in YOUR hand. YOU never left my side. And though my heart is torn. I will praise YOU in this storm.
For the most part, we have been spending our time with the blacks because our contact is black, the church is black, and the teams we play with are black. I do not say that because I am racist... In fact, I feel like I get along better with the blacks here than I do with the whites. Mostly because the whites wonder why we are here and sometimes make it difficult for our ministry because of their lack of love for people of a different skin color. However, our ministry is not just out to the blacks. It is also to the whites. Our main goal is to spread the love of Christ to whoever will listen. We can do nothing but only be open to let God work through us. We are powerless to force people to listen to us. All we can do it hope and pray that people listen and that seeds are planted. And the crazier thing is... I feel so much better and I feel so much more alive by not trying and not worrying about what I can do and just giving it up. Our main goal here is just to let God shine His light through us and to plant seeds. Hopefully good ones... I will consider myself lucky and blessed if we get to see the seeds grow...
With that being said, we had a great night last night when we had a bri with our neighbors. It was such a blessing on many different levels. We had an opportunity to get a different view of the culture in South Africa while hopefully shining our light. We have been hearing things that blacks like/dislike about the government and culture but we haven't had much chance to hear about it from whites. It was very interesting to hear and actually surprised us a bit. We had some amazing Bri'd meat and got to watch Beowulf on dvd! (which isn't out yet.. Gotta love bootlegs!)
Back to the culture (the main point of this blog). We talked about things like the differences between the US and South Africa. They asked us what we expected when we got here. The truth to that answer is... We didn't know what to expect. We didn't know if there would be Lions roaming the streets or Rhinos having a beer at the local pub. We didn't know if there would be any infrastructure at all.. much less cars or communication at all. We didn't know if the roads would be gravel/dirt or paved (and the answer to that is yes). Obviously, we assumed that cities like Joburg and Cape Town and Durban would have these things but considering we were going to Polokwane, (a place that I did not know existed until I got here), it was all a big fat question mark. We were trying to describe the similarities and the biggest similarities to the US is the huge array of different people. South Africa is the USA of Africa. There are people of every nation here and the people from all over come to South Africa because it is an easy place to get into and there are opportunities all over the place. Businesses are starting to boom. Entrepreneurs are free to pursue many different things with little interference from the Government. Another similarity is the infrastructure. There are roads going all over the place from city to city, the communication system is similar, electricity, and transportation with buses and taxis.
However, the US is by far, well ahead of South Africa on almost everything. With the exception of the major cities, everything here in South Africa is behind the times and almost medieval. Yet, it is well ahead of the rest of Africa! South Africa has come a long, long way, but still has a long, long way to go! The biggest difference between the US and South Africa that I can see is the quality of life. In the US, everything is right there, you can get it anytime you want due to mass consumerism and all the business terms that go along with that. In Africa, because of unknown reasons there are shortages due (probably to some kind of scandal or the government) to unknown reasons. I have heard some blacks say they liked the way things were before the apartheid ended which absolutely blew my mind. Things here can be very corrupt and harsh yet it is a free country that is pursuing democracy...? Interesting...
We got to talk to our neighbors about the apartheid which was really cool. Daniel, the bartender/seriously bad potty mouth/biggest and only Lion fan (Rugby- they are like the KC Royals.. nobody likes them.), grew up during the time when everything changed in 1994. He said that it was really hard because it was a release of power from the whites. He said that there was a lot of hate and racism. There is obviously still much animosity going on however from my own experience, love breaks down that barrier instantly just by a simple "hello" or "how's it!" Brandon makes fun of me because whenever we walk anywhere, I am always saying hello to everyone who even acts like they look at me. It isn't because I am scared but because God has shown me that we are all His children and that everyone deserves a chance, then another, then another... I never quite understood what the big deal about Martin Luther King Jr. was until I got here. He said, "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." What is important is that people realize the subtleties that are going on here. That everything is not always what it seems. It is important that people do what they can to make a difference in the world. Half the time, I feel like I am not doing anything here. I think to myself, "what can I possibly do?" Then I have to continually remind myself that South Africa has a lot of work to do but the good thing is that God is here... in HUGE ways which means that there is hope, a light at the end of the tunnel.
The important thing is never to give up and keep pressin' on!
There is something that is downright scary about the fight in the man that does not fight back.
Happy Holidays to everyone back in the states! (Merry Christmas is coming next week!)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
You never know what will happen!
This weekend has been one of the craziest weekends I have had yet. Most of it was pretty humorous but some was very frustrating. As I have tried to point out in previous writings, in South Africa, anything could happen at anytime. There is just no knowing when you could either win 1,000,000 Rand or get car-jacked. I left the last message saying that we have a trial with a PSL team, called Jomo Cosmos, on Monday, which is now in about 12 hours. So I will pick up where I left off...
Well right now, our missions side of things is very simple... We are kind of on our own. School is out for summer (remember that its summer in the southern hemisphere) and the prison is on lockdown because the prisoners get ancy because they want to go home to their families and security is really tightened... which essentially means we are NOT allowed in. (However, I did get good news about the prison: I am going to be allowed to take a camera in and take pictures!)(Also, I am working on putting pictures up.. The internet here in Polokwane is tricky and you buy it differently than in the states, plus I am dealing with limited internet, so thanks for the understanding and patience!) So our ministry is the team that we currently train with, anybody we might encounter, the boys academy (2 boys teams), and church. That being said... Here I go again
Friday night, Church. We got there at around 645 to help set up the sound system. People start rolling in (on Africa Time of course) anywhere from 30 min before to 30 minutes late. Church officially started at 7 and didnt officially end until 1 am. During the course of those 6 hours, many things happened. First of all, the pastor did not like the "level" of worship (sorry for lack of a better word) and he made everyone sing louder and get more into it. He got up there and started singing into the mic... now you have to imagine this 50ish man with an extremely deep voice singing into a mic and emphasizing every syllable so it comes out a resounding FFFFFFFFF... all the while "dancing." I say "dancing" because he looked like a soldier marching back and forth about 15 yards in total, one way. Then the whole congregation, at that point, about 15 people total, started marching as well arms and legs all in unison. I thought I was in boot camp for a second. After the first couple of songs, no one could think of anything to sing, so me, being a leader stood up and offered to teach them one. I taught them a song called "Undignified" which is about David dancing before the Lord when the ark came back in. There is an interaction part where I sing na na na na.. and they yell HEY! they got a big kick out of it and it was a ton of fun. I sat back down and started reading the bible because they started discussing church issues of which I am basically not involved. I was reading acts and got to chapter 20 when I realized how long I had been reading. At around that same point, Sam started talking about how I have a passion for kids and I was nominated for being the new Youth Pastor. So as of now, I am the youth pastor! I remember all the crap I used to do in youth group... Help Dirk!
The next morning, and 5 hours after church, I got to talk to my mom on skype for the first time since I have been here. I kind of planned it that way so I could actually give her a "birthday present." Anyways, Happy Birthday Mom! After I was done talking, B and I went to train the kids and they actually trained hard. It is encouraging to us because if you could have seen the level from when we first got here to where it is now, you would be amazed. I am proud of the boys for changing their attitudes and for actually listening to us and getting better as people and players because of it. Praise God.
We walked back to our flatt thinking our day was done and we could simply relax and watch some English Premier League.. that idea was squashed when the manager of the team (Peace Lovers) called us around 11 and said he was picking us up for their game. This was confusing considering he hadn't communicated with us for 2 days straight. He keeps telling us, we want to sign you but we have to figure out the work permit. We will do it next week. This is now the start of the 3rd week. We would be great additions to the team and give them a little "Color" (meaning more than skin). We traveled about an hour and a half to watch them kill this team 5-0. It was about 10 pm when we got back. Long unexpected day! (The funny story that happened here was instead of a donkey on the field, it was goats along with random dogs that would rush out from under a fence when the ball got near!)
Lastly, today, Africa time struck again.. It is very frustrating when your ride comes early. We got to church plenty early and set up fairly quickly which allowed me to "meditate" before the service started for an hour. Luckily, it wasn't 6 hours. After church, I got to make some very cool relationships. I met and had lunch with some guys that play in the Vodacom League (the league that Peace Lovers is in). We went to KFC and got sit around and like the verse in Proverbs says, "As Iron sharpens Iron...," It was awesome to have fellowship. Another thing that was really cool about it was that 4 different nations were represented. Needless to say, our skin color, joy, and praying caused many onlookers to wonder what was going on!
As I look back over this extremely long, hard, grueling weekend, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed, like I am not in control. There are so many things seem so far out of my control that I have no idea where the breaks are. Some of the things that I am talking about that are going on are cultural, some are unfortunate, some are divine. I am not saying they are problems but they do make you think... I have to believe that God is ultimately in control and I do not have to do anything other than "put myself out there." Jeremiah 29:11 says that He has a plan for everyone... I have to believe that even though I cannot see what is going on behind the scenes, that God is working and seeds are being planted. I do not know what is going to happen while I am here, all I can do is pray that I grow and my faith grows too. I am going to leave this blog with a quote from Nelson Mandela (also found in Coach Carter) which describes my ultimate goal here in South Africa:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Well right now, our missions side of things is very simple... We are kind of on our own. School is out for summer (remember that its summer in the southern hemisphere) and the prison is on lockdown because the prisoners get ancy because they want to go home to their families and security is really tightened... which essentially means we are NOT allowed in. (However, I did get good news about the prison: I am going to be allowed to take a camera in and take pictures!)(Also, I am working on putting pictures up.. The internet here in Polokwane is tricky and you buy it differently than in the states, plus I am dealing with limited internet, so thanks for the understanding and patience!) So our ministry is the team that we currently train with, anybody we might encounter, the boys academy (2 boys teams), and church. That being said... Here I go again
Friday night, Church. We got there at around 645 to help set up the sound system. People start rolling in (on Africa Time of course) anywhere from 30 min before to 30 minutes late. Church officially started at 7 and didnt officially end until 1 am. During the course of those 6 hours, many things happened. First of all, the pastor did not like the "level" of worship (sorry for lack of a better word) and he made everyone sing louder and get more into it. He got up there and started singing into the mic... now you have to imagine this 50ish man with an extremely deep voice singing into a mic and emphasizing every syllable so it comes out a resounding FFFFFFFFF... all the while "dancing." I say "dancing" because he looked like a soldier marching back and forth about 15 yards in total, one way. Then the whole congregation, at that point, about 15 people total, started marching as well arms and legs all in unison. I thought I was in boot camp for a second. After the first couple of songs, no one could think of anything to sing, so me, being a leader stood up and offered to teach them one. I taught them a song called "Undignified" which is about David dancing before the Lord when the ark came back in. There is an interaction part where I sing na na na na.. and they yell HEY! they got a big kick out of it and it was a ton of fun. I sat back down and started reading the bible because they started discussing church issues of which I am basically not involved. I was reading acts and got to chapter 20 when I realized how long I had been reading. At around that same point, Sam started talking about how I have a passion for kids and I was nominated for being the new Youth Pastor. So as of now, I am the youth pastor! I remember all the crap I used to do in youth group... Help Dirk!
The next morning, and 5 hours after church, I got to talk to my mom on skype for the first time since I have been here. I kind of planned it that way so I could actually give her a "birthday present." Anyways, Happy Birthday Mom! After I was done talking, B and I went to train the kids and they actually trained hard. It is encouraging to us because if you could have seen the level from when we first got here to where it is now, you would be amazed. I am proud of the boys for changing their attitudes and for actually listening to us and getting better as people and players because of it. Praise God.
We walked back to our flatt thinking our day was done and we could simply relax and watch some English Premier League.. that idea was squashed when the manager of the team (Peace Lovers) called us around 11 and said he was picking us up for their game. This was confusing considering he hadn't communicated with us for 2 days straight. He keeps telling us, we want to sign you but we have to figure out the work permit. We will do it next week. This is now the start of the 3rd week. We would be great additions to the team and give them a little "Color" (meaning more than skin). We traveled about an hour and a half to watch them kill this team 5-0. It was about 10 pm when we got back. Long unexpected day! (The funny story that happened here was instead of a donkey on the field, it was goats along with random dogs that would rush out from under a fence when the ball got near!)
Lastly, today, Africa time struck again.. It is very frustrating when your ride comes early. We got to church plenty early and set up fairly quickly which allowed me to "meditate" before the service started for an hour. Luckily, it wasn't 6 hours. After church, I got to make some very cool relationships. I met and had lunch with some guys that play in the Vodacom League (the league that Peace Lovers is in). We went to KFC and got sit around and like the verse in Proverbs says, "As Iron sharpens Iron...," It was awesome to have fellowship. Another thing that was really cool about it was that 4 different nations were represented. Needless to say, our skin color, joy, and praying caused many onlookers to wonder what was going on!
As I look back over this extremely long, hard, grueling weekend, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed, like I am not in control. There are so many things seem so far out of my control that I have no idea where the breaks are. Some of the things that I am talking about that are going on are cultural, some are unfortunate, some are divine. I am not saying they are problems but they do make you think... I have to believe that God is ultimately in control and I do not have to do anything other than "put myself out there." Jeremiah 29:11 says that He has a plan for everyone... I have to believe that even though I cannot see what is going on behind the scenes, that God is working and seeds are being planted. I do not know what is going to happen while I am here, all I can do is pray that I grow and my faith grows too. I am going to leave this blog with a quote from Nelson Mandela (also found in Coach Carter) which describes my ultimate goal here in South Africa:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Weird Days In the South African Sun
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!
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!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
South African Weddings... In the middle of Church!
So its Sunday.. The day begins with a call from Sandra Pam, our contacts wife. The phone is way too loud and it is an early Africa time today as they are already waiting for us at the front gate earlier than they originally told us! It was an interesting day today that is for sure!
Going to and from places, can be interesting because we have to cram 6 people into the smallest car I have ever been in. Just imagine Steve Urkel's car from Family Matters with 6 people in it. Sam likes to play the lottery when crossing the major streets. He likes to yell, "oh I should have gone" when we would have all definitely been crushed by the speeding convi's!
We arrive at church and set up all the electrical equipment. We are there 1 and a half hours early and we set up in record time, (45 minutes) so we are just sitting around waiting. Sam, our contact is falling asleep at the sound board. Brandon is doodling and I am on the internet. ASU wins! Woohoo! It is FIESTA time! Also, before church started, I got all the kids to do some "jumping" pictures which turned out fun and even Brandon did one!
Church started and the pastor began to speak. Well, I found out that I was volunteered, about half way through the service, to take pictures of a wedding that was going to take place in the middle of the church service. Weird, but okay. The keyboardist, named Precious, starts playing "Here comes the bride" cutting off the pastor only to quit after playing for 5 minutes because the bride and groom hasn't come in. Yet, as he quits, they start walking in. This was the start of the hysterics began. The pastor had 4 camera's going on, 2 video cameras and 2 digital cameras. I, along with Excel (a 10 year old boy) were on the digitals and Jacob (a grown man) and Josh (9th Grader) were on the video cameras. The bride and groom are sitting down next to the podium and both do NOT look happy. They are looking away from each other and around the room like "seriously?" Well the pastor begins to talk and tell everyone why we are gathered here today and asks if anyone has anything against them to say it now or forever hold their peace. Well the ring ceremony began and I was snapping some good shots from a distance because I didn't want to get too close or get in the way. I am hiding, trying not be involved. Meanwhile, Jacob, Josh, and Excel are climbing all over the pastor, the bride and groom trying to take pictures. When I mean climbing, I mean "in your grill" all over them! I was trying not to laugh during the service it was so funny. To put things into perspective, the shot that Excel was most proud of was the shot of the ring he took from 3 inches away! I don't think the rest of the audience could see anything because the camera people were so close! The even weirder part was that nobody cared! They all just sat there and probably thought I was the weird one for trying to hide and not get stuck in! Well, the service ended and the preacher just went straight back into the sermon he was talking about earlier before the service. It was the strangest thing I have ever seen. It was like the wedding hadn't even happened. Then the pastor went back to the new couple, announced them, in front of God and the congregation, man and wife. The keyboardist began to play, of all songs, Handel's "Messiah Hallelujah Chorus!" I basically lost it! It was like the "unexpected or the most unlikely thing to happen!" YES they are FINALLY married! Brandon and I were crying we were laughing so hard at the morning's events. We had lunch at the church and then left.
One funny thing to close on and this is very cultural is when people see something that they like, like a camera or computer, they come and commandeer it. Haha they just come up and take it and don't ask anything. Then the really funny thing is they walk off with something that isn't theirs while you are sitting there wondering what in the world just happened!
Well, until next time, may God keep you and bless you!
Skelly
Don't Quench the Spirit!
Friday, November 30, 2007
South African Culture My Brew!
So at the urging of Obi Won Kenea Obi, I am starting a new blog. I do not know how this will work out but I do have some inspiration from a friend who is currently writing from the Island of Tonga. Before I start telling stories and sharing about the experiences I am having, I must try to explain the culture and my having to adapt. So here it starts... Whoever reads, enjoy!
Africa. It is said that Africa changes you. It is true. But it is God through Africa that changes you.
Everything here is just bigger and more raw than the US. The culture is western to an extent but it is still behind the times. The culture is also very rustic at times. A good example would be our training. The kids have coaches who know what they are doing but they still don't even pretend to pay attention. They train in clothes that are a step above rags. They have been wearing the same cleats for 5-6 years which are barely holding on to a thread! Many of the "pro" players get royally screwed by the managers of the club who take the majority of the money from sponsors and sales and don't pay their players, who run through walls for them. Players are always coming up to me saying that "I must give them my 'cocks' (soccer boots) or my training top" even though it is simply a T-Shirt. Then what I think is absolutely hilarious is when the players pick up the big cones from training and run to fill it with water to drink out of. Bringing a water bottle just isn't thought of. There is no point to it. Just use cones. The fields we train on are rock hard and the only grass, most of the time, is on the outside of the field. Oh and do not even get me started on Africa time. Africa time means late... really late. If someone says they will pick you up at 9 am, it probably means that you will get picked up anywhere from 930-10. That is fine and is definitely something I can deal with. But when someone says they will pick you up at 9 am and they show up at 8 in the morning... that isn't cool! Training always starts late. Discipline is pretty much non existent. They are absolutely the most skilled players just behind Brazilians and are probably the most athletic players I have ever played with and against. However, they really struggle, especially from the 1st Division down to the youth levels, with the idea of a team. It seems to me to be a very selfish country. Players will pass up the opportunity for a scoring chance in order to meg an opponent or make someone look stupid. I tried to use soccer as an analogy to the culture. The parallels between the two are very obvious. But it can be very difficult to explain unless you actually experience it.
This might sound bad.. but at the same time, I don't view it as negative. I think it is perfect! It is a blessing in disguise! Ever since APU's Business school, I have learned to see every opportunity in every difficulty. Plus, with God, nothing is impossible!
We have been able to train with two different teams at two different levels. At both of the levels, we have been accepted very well. The guys like to have us around. They are very supportive of us and encourage us when we make mistakes. The thing that we have to try and understand is that since there are two different styles of play from two different cultures, we are probably as frustrating to them as they are to us. Yet, we are seeming to get along great. It is just new into the fold. (A funny side note: I have never seen a group of people both black and white get so religious when it comes to sports. Whether it be Rugby or Soccer, they are very dedicated and love their teams. As I watch a championship soccer game, all I see as the camera spans the crowd is people praying, looking up to heaven, and wearing huge, stupid, ridiculous looking glasses made of tin foil! But that passion is what makes this country great!)
Ever since the Apartheid, this country has been healing. Slowly but surely, God is taking over this country. The people's faith here is incredible! Most of the time, it is all they have! The churches here are very charismatic, loyal, and supportive of each other. There is a very distinct difference between churches here and in the states. Also, there is a big difference between the black churches and the white churches here. Speaking of which, as I said before, everything here is healing however everything is still split black and white. It is probably the most racism that I have ever had to deal with. For example, when we are training at the high school next to where we live, the guards, who are black, come over and love to talk to us about football and try and teach us sotho (sUtU). But one day, there was a group of white guys that asked us to play rugby with them and we accepted. We learned how to play and when we left, the guards were not as open or as accepting as they normally would be. It was like they took it personally! It was like we betrayed them! Rugby is the white sport and soccer is the black sport. The blacks like us because we play soccer. The whites like us because we are white. When South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, it was a fantastic step in unifying the country on a color level. Everybody was celebrating! I was happy to have experienced it... even though I didn't get any sleep because of how loud it was!
The one thing that everyone notices is that regardless of skin color, we try and love on everyone. And that has made all the difference. Our goal here is to play soccer but to show the love of God through the game of soccer. So far, I think we have been very successful. Please be praying for us as we continue to try and break down the race/color barrier! Be back later...
Africa. It is said that Africa changes you. It is true. But it is God through Africa that changes you.
Everything here is just bigger and more raw than the US. The culture is western to an extent but it is still behind the times. The culture is also very rustic at times. A good example would be our training. The kids have coaches who know what they are doing but they still don't even pretend to pay attention. They train in clothes that are a step above rags. They have been wearing the same cleats for 5-6 years which are barely holding on to a thread! Many of the "pro" players get royally screwed by the managers of the club who take the majority of the money from sponsors and sales and don't pay their players, who run through walls for them. Players are always coming up to me saying that "I must give them my 'cocks' (soccer boots) or my training top" even though it is simply a T-Shirt. Then what I think is absolutely hilarious is when the players pick up the big cones from training and run to fill it with water to drink out of. Bringing a water bottle just isn't thought of. There is no point to it. Just use cones. The fields we train on are rock hard and the only grass, most of the time, is on the outside of the field. Oh and do not even get me started on Africa time. Africa time means late... really late. If someone says they will pick you up at 9 am, it probably means that you will get picked up anywhere from 930-10. That is fine and is definitely something I can deal with. But when someone says they will pick you up at 9 am and they show up at 8 in the morning... that isn't cool! Training always starts late. Discipline is pretty much non existent. They are absolutely the most skilled players just behind Brazilians and are probably the most athletic players I have ever played with and against. However, they really struggle, especially from the 1st Division down to the youth levels, with the idea of a team. It seems to me to be a very selfish country. Players will pass up the opportunity for a scoring chance in order to meg an opponent or make someone look stupid. I tried to use soccer as an analogy to the culture. The parallels between the two are very obvious. But it can be very difficult to explain unless you actually experience it.
This might sound bad.. but at the same time, I don't view it as negative. I think it is perfect! It is a blessing in disguise! Ever since APU's Business school, I have learned to see every opportunity in every difficulty. Plus, with God, nothing is impossible!
We have been able to train with two different teams at two different levels. At both of the levels, we have been accepted very well. The guys like to have us around. They are very supportive of us and encourage us when we make mistakes. The thing that we have to try and understand is that since there are two different styles of play from two different cultures, we are probably as frustrating to them as they are to us. Yet, we are seeming to get along great. It is just new into the fold. (A funny side note: I have never seen a group of people both black and white get so religious when it comes to sports. Whether it be Rugby or Soccer, they are very dedicated and love their teams. As I watch a championship soccer game, all I see as the camera spans the crowd is people praying, looking up to heaven, and wearing huge, stupid, ridiculous looking glasses made of tin foil! But that passion is what makes this country great!)
Ever since the Apartheid, this country has been healing. Slowly but surely, God is taking over this country. The people's faith here is incredible! Most of the time, it is all they have! The churches here are very charismatic, loyal, and supportive of each other. There is a very distinct difference between churches here and in the states. Also, there is a big difference between the black churches and the white churches here. Speaking of which, as I said before, everything here is healing however everything is still split black and white. It is probably the most racism that I have ever had to deal with. For example, when we are training at the high school next to where we live, the guards, who are black, come over and love to talk to us about football and try and teach us sotho (sUtU). But one day, there was a group of white guys that asked us to play rugby with them and we accepted. We learned how to play and when we left, the guards were not as open or as accepting as they normally would be. It was like they took it personally! It was like we betrayed them! Rugby is the white sport and soccer is the black sport. The blacks like us because we play soccer. The whites like us because we are white. When South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, it was a fantastic step in unifying the country on a color level. Everybody was celebrating! I was happy to have experienced it... even though I didn't get any sleep because of how loud it was!
The one thing that everyone notices is that regardless of skin color, we try and love on everyone. And that has made all the difference. Our goal here is to play soccer but to show the love of God through the game of soccer. So far, I think we have been very successful. Please be praying for us as we continue to try and break down the race/color barrier! Be back later...
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