Half-Way Through Lent

I guess it is almost that point, isn't it? I confess that I had a little Mardi Gras celebration a in February. I went for all-you-can-eat-sushi at a local (cheap) place. And usually cheap means sketchy in terms of sushi, but here it was actually very good. But Mardi Gras and feasting aren't the same without the company of your friends, and though I did invite some of my friend to join me, none could make it. Whatever the matter, here we are, a mere three and a half weeks from Good Friday.

Heat Wave!

I've shared my sentiments about the weather around here with several of you back home, and all you did was scoff at me and remind me of the weather back in Canada. Well, scoff as you might, it is HOT around here! Unbearably hot sometimes! 40°C hot! I think we can all agree that whether the temperature is far too hot or far too cold, it is uncomfortable to be in. And I know, I know – I did sign up for Africa of all places, so what was I expecting? But still, the heat will affect you, even people who have been living here their whole lives are remarking at the discomfort, so it's not just me. On the hottest days I find myself yearning for the more temperate climates of back home. But just as with the cold, there are ways to deal with the heat. Really, if I just stay at home and take it easy, it's not such a big deal, but then I don't get much work done, so, I can't take too many 'heat holidays', or else I'd get nothing done at all!

Dan and Yvonne

From the 5th to the 10th My aunt and uncle, Dan and Yvonne were here. For them it was a trip that would mark the last time they would be in Cape Town for a good, long while, so I was glad that they were able to spend some time with me. We enjoyed a few nice meals out, and it was very nice catching up with them, hearing about their work and their thoughts about my work. It was a sort of bitter-sweet meeting, they were anticipating their trip home, saying their final good-byes and tying up loose ends, and those are never really easy things to go through. With their being here, for the first time I contemplated what my own return home might be like, but it was still fairly incomprehensible, it really still feels like I just began here. Also while they were here, Dan and Yvonne had the fortune (misfortune?) of hearing me preach! It was my first time preaching at our church here in Sea Point, so it was interesting, but I'll get into more of that later.

Anticipating the Parents!

Having Dan and Yvonne here was a bit of a pre-cursor to having my mother and father here! I won't lie, I am looking forward to my parents arriving, I think it will be really nice to see them. For the past three weeks (or thereabouts) my parents have been on a thorough tour of South Africa, seeing many diverse parts of the country. I must say, I envy them a little bit. The most recently that I was able to talk them was right before they left Dan and Yvonne's in Pietermaritzburg three weeks ago, so I really can't give many updates on their behalf. I'm told their email isn't working, and they are a little distraught about that, but I doubt they would have had too many opportunities to use internet on the road anyway. So word on the street is that they arrive on Wednesday, but we'll see what actually ends up happening. They have my number, so I'm assuming they'll get in contact with me when they get in. Meanwhile it's up to me to be planning their events calendar while they have the time off, so we'll see what I can get up to. I should also say that my uncle Don and aunt Dale will be with them when they arrive, so it will also be great to see them!

As for the Preaching...

Yes, I did have the opportunity to preach for the first time at our church. I would have said it went well, my supervisor would have said otherwise, and beings as he's the one calling the shots...we'll go with his opinion. No, in all honesty I am well aware that my preaching has a lot of room for improvement, and Thomas is ready and willing to help me improve in that area, so I'm up to preach again in July, and hopefully I will have gained some ground by then. My sermon was about our call as the Church, and what it might mean to be the Church in this day and age through a reading of the Great Commission. It was probably too formal, academic and inaccessible, which makes sense, if you were going critique my writing at all (and I know, dear reader, it is difficult to imagine my writing having any faults) it would be that my writing is too formal and academic, and thus this is reflected in my preaching. So there you have it. I will be sure to update you on the sermon that comes about in July.

Argous Bicycle Race

The same day I was preaching there was also a bicycle race around Cape Town. And not just any bicycle race, but the biggest one-day bicycle race in the world, I am told! So needless to say, the town was all abuzz with the excitement of the race. And also, Matt Damon was in town to do the race, so there was some excitement around that as well. Unfortunately the conditions for the race were actually quite bad. Of course, it was clear and sunny, but the wind was relentless! I felt bad for those poor riders, biking approximately 150km uphill and downhill in conditions that had some people struggling to stay on their bikes. A good portion of the racers ended up not actually being able to finish the race,much to their chagrin. Many of the bikers were from abroad, so imagine spending all that time, money and energy to get here, and then not be able to finish what you can to do. Very frustrating, I am sure. But I got an opportunity to see some of the earlier bikers ride by (but not Matt Damon, shucks-darn) with Dan and Yvonne after church. Back in the fall in Ontario I did a 50km on a bike around in rural Ontario, I can't imagine doing 150km in the hills of Cape Town!

Friday Night Supper

I think one of my highlights of being here thus far was a dinner we had at my friend Ester's house last Friday. Ester is actually a domestic worker for a well-to-do Jewish family in Cape Town. They treat her very well and allow her to have mini-soirées for her friends when the family is away. So a group of five of us showed up for dinner at their place and ended up staying until 11:00! Ester prepared a feast that included barbecued chicken, lamb and sausage and many side dishes. I don't think we finished half the food. It was incredible. And the company and conversation was great as well. It was a real treat to get to know my friends around here a little bit better. We all come from pretty diverse backgrounds, so relating to each other is sometimes tricky, but it's also sometimes very interesting, and often quite comical. I do think of my friends back home from time to time, and I miss them, but I am very glad for friendships around here. Travelling is a funny thing, sometimes I wonder what good it is to go to one place and make good friends only to leave them in such a short time and miss them terribly when you're gone. I suppose that is part of what is sacrificed when you decide to travel.

Only a Taste...

Again, I must say farewell for now. I realize this is only a taste of my time here. If you would like more details or information, of course, feel free to send me and email or a comment on here. Either way, I remain -

Until next time,