Cape Argus, Lance Armstrong, and the Capricorn Celebration, wow what a week!

Last Sunday was the 110 kilometer annual event for 35,000 cyclists from around the world. The roads around our area are always closed, so we decided in 2008 that we would make the Argus an annual event and we have thoroughly enjoyed it every year. This was our third time and Lance Armstrong came for the event this year. Now I can’t actually say I saw him because they came by in a flash. There was one guy that was way out front in the colors that we knew Lance was wearing, but it turned out not to be him. We got some great photos of that guy!! We had the majority of the volunteers camped out with us in the middle of the road so we could see all the bikers coming down the main road in Fish Hoek, for most them it was their first time and great fun was had by all. Lance wound up coming in 9th and took home the grand sum of R1000 equivalent to about $130. He left immediately from the race in his private jet, almost an oxymoron.
We had a team here from Birmingham at the same time as the Argus and their team leader actually rode in it. The team manned a water station and this kicked off their week of ministry to Living Hope. The remainder of the week the team visited Capricorn Community and went door to door knocking, praying with people and inviting them to do testing on Thursday, including HIV, diabetes, blood pressure etc. They had a huge success and tested about 100 people and 68 of the people for HIV. They also invited them to come Thursday evening for a community celebration including a meal and there was close to 350 people present. Children and adults were singing praises to the Lord and thanking Him for all He has done for their impoverished community. This was our largest turnout event yet for Capricorn and we had 5 people that accepted Christ into their lives. Overall, this was a huge success for this team and they are planning on bringing back two more teams this year. Praise God for what He is doing for this community and may we see others come to know the Lord through Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham Ala.