Video

So, I realize that its been over two weeks since we returned from South Africa and I haven't posted anything more about the trip. I am getting my pictures and thoughts organized and have written an article for a Salvation Army newsletter that I will post once the final edit comes back.

In the meantime, check out this awesome video that Erin put together! Make sure you turn the volume up to hear a taste of the amazing music we were so often treated to while there.

Teaser Post

Well, I have almost finished packing to head back to Colorado tomorrow night.... Obviously, I did not have much opportunity to post while we were here, but I have lots of pictures and stories to share. Some I will do in person, but look here over the next week or so - I plan to post more when I get back to my own computer and have some time to gather my thoughts about what I have seen and experienced over the last two weeks.

In the meantime, here a few pictures:

The First Few Days....

I haven't had much time to spend on here over the last five days, so here are a few highlights:

Friday night, after we arrive and settled in to the retreat Center in Constantia, Erin and I decided to go with the Majors Booth (the Divisional Commanders in the Western Cape) to South Africa's Next Top Model, a fashion show that one of the Corps Youth Groups was putting on that evening. There was some fantastic dancing by a group of boys (I have video, but its too large to upload from here), a great runway show by the teenage girls and the little siblings running around were very interested in everything about Erin and I. The picture to the left is a couple of the boys who were there that night.

Saturday morning, we went to the Athlone Corps and went out into the surrounding community to talk with the people who live nearby. We went to an old run down building that people are living 8-10 people per room. But at least they have running water, and some of it is hot. We spoke to one woman, Ethel, who lives there and shared her fear and anger because the government wants to move them out so they can remodel the building and use it as a hostel during the Soccer World Cup next year.

That afternoon, we had free time, so we took the cable car up to the top of table mountain. It was a beautiful day and the views were spectacular!

We had lots of time to walk around and see a bird's eye view of Cape Town and the surrounding area.

On Sunday, we divided into three groups and attended morning services at different places. In the afternoon, we joined up at the Langa Corps Kid's Club where the program for the day was an 'Olympics' competition. Langa is a township (shanty town) in Cape Town. The final game was a tug o'war - kids against leaders. It's amazing how much joy and laughter is present in these children who live in conditions that would be considered deplorable in the US.

Ok, thats all I have time for right now. It's only a peek into what we've been up to so far, but I wanted to get a couple of pictures up. More to come soon....

Hello from South Africa!

After two overnight flights and a whirlwind day tour of London, we finally arrived in Cape Town as scheduled on Friday morning! We later heard that due to the snowstorm moving through Denver on Wednesday, we were one of the last flights to make it out before they closed DIA. Since then, we have kept very busy with various Salvation Army programs in the Western Cape Division. We have also had some problems with getting adapters/converters that work and the internet is only strong from the building where we have breakfast and dinner, so I'm just now getting on to the blog.

I'll be posting pictures and more about what we've been doing soon! Check out Michelle's blog in the meantime.

The Countdown Continues....

One week to go!

My teammate, Michelle, has been appointed the 'official blogger' for the trip. She will probably be able to update more frequently while we are in country so please keep an eye on her blog as well. I've added it to my Blog List to the right - the one called 'Mission South Africa'.

My assignment? Reporter. I will be responsible for writing articles for various publications after we return. I asked if I get a press pass... apparently not.

On Monday, the team members who live outside of Denver will be arriving and we will start by getting acquainted over dinner that evening. I am looking forward to this, since there are several members of the team that I have not yet met. We will then spend Tuesday and Wednesday together in preparation leading up to our departure Wednesday afternoon.

That's about it for now.... Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers over the next week as we get ready to go. Also, there are lots of sicknesses (colds, flu, pnuemonia...) floating around the building that I am trying hard not to catch! I am really getting excited, but I must admit to being a tad anxious as well. Above all, I am curious to see what is in store for us while we are in South Africa and hope to be a positive presence in the lives of the people that I come into contact with.