Time Back

In South Africa if you work overtime you get time back and most people use that time here and there. Mike and I took some time back over the last week in the form of a holiday. It was a very blessed time for us and we have been rejuvenated and are ready to finish off the rest of the year. Monday was our first day back to Living Hope and we have been non-stop since then. Monday evening we had an incredible light show behind our flats. The fire department burns mountains around the area to keep fires down during fire season so the area behind our flat was the target area. It went on for about 6 hrs. The point where the flames were so intense was unbelievable. It was like a tornado the fire was spinning and the winds seemed like they were about 40 mph. All the neighbors were out back watching the firefighters working hard to keep it controlled. We found out a little later that the fire was actually out of control for a short period of time right behind our place. One of the ladies didn’t see Mike and she said is Mike inside praying because it was a miracle that the fire didn’t shoot across to one of the houses on the hill. I told her he was watching the fire from upstairs but he had prayed previously for our safety. It is good to know that our neighbors see us as praying individuals

Date night with Hillary Clinton

Yes we did spend time with Hillary Clinton on our date night, but it was for a very short period of time. Here is how it all went down. Mike and I were headed to our favorite little restaurant that we like to go to at the V & A Waterfront Mall for date night. Living Hope/Living Way were invited to bring items to sell, Khumi’s bags and Vusi’s candles, in the 2 hotels where Secretary Clinton and the media were staying. Pat Ball, one of the American Volunteers at Living Hope was asked to man the table. She called us before we left home and asked us to bring some Living Hope brochures to the hotel. By the time we got there Mrs. Clinton had already walked through and said hello. We figured we had missed our chance and went on about our day. After dinner we thought we will walk back to the hotel and see if any of the bags or candles had sold. They hadn’t had a lot of business, but after a few minutes someone came in quickly and said here she comes, here she comes! So yes she came into the little vending room and the room got very quiet. It was really difficult for her to shop because we were all just staring at her not knowing what to say. Hillary began to ask questions about particular items and I spoke into Pat’s ear and suggested that when she gets around to us start telling her about Khumi’s bags and Living Hope. Mrs. Clinton took one of the rugs and started moving toward us. Pat moved in for the kill and when it was all said and done she had bought one of Khumi’s bags. When Pat mentioned Living Hope, Hillary said, “wow you guys are all around” Pat said, “Praise the Lord”, Hillary said, “Praise the Lord”. We had a fun time and left them shortly after and headed home.

Toyi Toyi

No, this isn’t something we give to the children here in South Africa. This is the local word for a public demonstration or protest. Last week, we witnessed our 2nd uprising in the last couple of months. There are issues going on in the community of Masiphumele where the government is promising to build concrete houses to the people who have land if they will tear down the shacks on the property. They want to put in 1 house for one family, but the way it is right now there are 6 or 7 shacks with 4 to 6 people in each one. When it is all said and done it would leave about 10,000 people without a place to live. Most of the people that live here are not from here but see this as a place of opportunity. They are coming here from other places in South Africa and other countries in Africa. This is causing much controversy and strife amongst the people. We found out this past Monday that John Thomas has been asked to be the interim chairman of a group to work out a compromise for all the people involved. As he puts it, there is no solution right now. They are building some flats (apartments) that were donated by an organization from England. It has forced some of the people off of this property but promised them they would get first dibs at the flats. These people are upset about this because they have to pay rent for these places. They are being asked to pay R30 per month (about $5.00 dollars a month) and they normally don’t pay rent because they get income from the people living on their properties and paying rent to them. This “thinking” is way over our heads of understanding!!!! We work across the street from all of this and know when things are getting out of hand. As volunteers we are all advised to stay clear when they are demonstrating. Please pray for resolutions to these issues. We, as humans, may not be able to understand all that is going on but God has a plan and we have to trust Him for it.