Catching up

It's hard to believe the World Cup is nearly over... which means my time in South Africa is nearly over as well. Here are some pictures of what I've been up to over the past few weeks.

World Cup Opening Match
I went with some friends to a public viewing area at Giants Stadium in Soshanguve to take in the Opening Ceremonies and the opening game against Mexico.

It was amazing to be in the midst of tens of thousands of loyal fans to watch the first goal of the Cup scored by Bafana Bafana... even though the game ended up being a draw.

Paraguay vs. New Zealand
Sarah and I got tickets for one of the World Cup group matches and took several of our friends from Soshanguve on a road trip to see Paraguay play against New Zealand. It was a no-scoring draw, sadly, but we still had a blast watching World Cup soccer live and in person!

Me, Pretty, Lucky, Emily, Alex and Solomon

Kids' Photo Class Field Trip
Sarah took her photography class kids on a field trip to Joburg, to visit the Market Photo Workshop and the Joburg Art Gallery. She needed another driver, so I got to tag along for the day!

Sarah and me with the moms who came along for the day, and Sarah's translator for her photo class (also big sister to one of the kids). We took this picture with all the adults, and realized it doubles as a picture of our women's prayer/Bible study group. :)

Goodbye at Granny's
On Sunday, I had to say goodbye to many good friends in Soshanguve. Sarah and I had a goodbye party at Granny's home with the family as well as some other friends from Sosh. It was a great time of being together, sharing gifts and memories, and letting the family know how much they have meant to me during the past 3 1/2 years. I will miss all of them so much!

Me and Precious, Emily's middle daughter. Since I first met her in February 2007, Precious has been the little girl who singles me out whenever I'm in Sosh--to play ball, to dance, to do my hair. I'll really miss her.

Sarah and me with the women of Granny's family: Granny, her daughters, and granddaughters (and a great-grandson)

In between the above, I've been finishing up my weekly prayer & Bible study with women in Soshanguve and Art of Soul every couple weeks (we had a goodbye Monday night but I forgot to take pictures)... and now I'm in the midst of taking care of final details, thank you notes & goodbye gifts, and the packing will happen all too soon. I'm gonna miss this place.

World Cup Geography

A friend forwarded this picture to me today, with the subject line: "Don't be surprised if no Americans make it to the World Cup..."

Amahoro

This week I've been at a conference called Amahoro Africa, a 5-day gathering being held this year in South Africa. "Amahoro" is a word used across Africa. It means "peace," but much like the Hebrew "shalom," it also carries with it a depth of meaning beyond that word--conveying a desire and hope for wholeness.

It's been awesome to be here among leaders from across Africa (as well as around the world). One of the most amazing experiences I will carry with me from this conference happened at a workshop yesterday afternoon. Following a brief history of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there was a panel discussion which included a man named Adriaan Vlok. Mr. Vlok spent 10 years as minister of police for the apartheid government. Yesterday afternoon, he shared how God had moved his heart toward reconciliation. He told some amazing stories about the ways God has led him to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with people who suffered deeply as a result of his actions as minister of police. On several occasions, Mr. Vlok has washed the feet of those who've been wronged by apartheid, as a symbol of humility and service.

One of the other men on the panel began spontaneously to share his story as the discussion drew to a close. As a young man, Sean had served on the apartheid "death squads," hunting down those the government named as terrorists. He talked openly about how this had affected him and how for many years he had blamed Mr. Vlok specifically for the pain he'd gone through. Sean even mentioned that he'd used Mr. Vlok's name to curse, in the same way that many use the name of God. In front of the group gathered there to listen to the panel, Sean asked forgiveness from Mr. Vlok, and asked if he could wash his feet. Mr. Vlok asked if he could, in turn, wash Sean's feet. The two men, there on the stage, took the glasses of drinking water provided for the panel, and used the water to wash each other's feet.

This spontaneous act of reconciliation affirmed a quote mentioned on the first night of the conference: "Pain, if not transformed, will be transmitted." Suffering can either embitter, or ennoble, and if it is not redeemed in some way, those who have been wronged will in turn pass on their suffering to others. Claude Nikondeha, the director of Amahoro, made the point that most Westerners go to great lengths to avoid suffering--and that facing suffering together is the wiser course. Sean and Mr. Vlok courageously did just that yesterday. It's an image I won't forget.