Sunday, May 30, 2010

Africa Update 3: The Hairy Chest (originally sent 2/28/2010)

Some say that the third is the one with the treasure chest, but since the guys have decided to only trim, not shave facial hair while abroad, I thought an alternative third may be more appropriate.

Hello from Cape Town! This city is beautiful, clean, and well-to-do. It was even endearing until we visited the District 6 museum that documented the forced relocation of poverty-stricken Africans from the city to townships in the dry flats 20+ kilometers away. Suddenly the cleanliness is less comfortable- it came at an unnacceptable price.

A statement, and then a reason: I'm not drinking on this trip. This is
for several reasons:
i want to save the money,
i want to avoid the calories (the Africa 15 is
frighteningly possible),
but, most importantly, because i know myself.
I know that, given a Dr. Pepper before a meal, i will drink five glasses before the main course arrives, and another while i'm eating. I finish every drop of every beverage and every scrap on my plate, and so i don't think it is wise, for me, personally (that is, for me, personally), to introduce a substance that the same unchecked consumption of which could hurt me and my friends. My grandfather was an alcoholic, and while i never knew him, there is academic support for the possibility of a genetic predisposition to it. Thus, there is every reason for me not to drink.

BUT, I also believe that it is not wrong to drink (provided you're of
legal age). That is why i am GLAD, genuinely glad, that two good friends, among others, drink. I think, on this study abroad in particular, it is very important that Christians walk in the freedom of Christ. After all, it was not for a new law that we were set free.

We're nearing the halfway mark of the journeys, and tempers, including mine, are high. Funny how well we bury our pride, and yet how easily exhaustion exhumes it again. Recognizing the fact, instead of cage diving on my day off, I'm going to church. And sleeping. And reading. Part of me is laughing in self-ridicule at the decision: am i actually passing this up? Because i honestly don't believe that there is anything wrong with cage diving either, even if it means you miss church. Go for it. Once in a lifetime, so why not?

But I also know that i am tired. I know that the my usefulness to God as a tool of redemption, my quickness to forgive, and the effectiveness of my witness will all be the worse for it if i don't rest. And i know that being intentional with Jesus, which will be easier for me if i rest
tomorrow, is sweeter even than cage diving. For me, i will Sabbath, and I am genuinely excited about it.

Sidenote sermon here: when was the last time you heard someone yearning for Sabbath?
Not to set an oppressive law, as a strict God, but a sweet proof of his love, God has called me to not depend on my workmanship. My faith does not rest on how good I can be, how much I can accomplish. No, it all rests on God, and thus, I can rest on him, too.
check Isaiah 30:15

I think we underestimate the commands of God. I have, anyway. Take the command 'pray continuously'. immediately my thoughts run to "oh, that's hard. good luck with that." Yet the best moments of my life have been in prayer. I have not been praying well recently, another
reason to rest tomorrow. Not because i have to, but because i genuinely want to. I want to walk closer with my God, and to recognize his voice. Why would i not pray continuously? (and, if you're looking for ammunition, pray continually for me to pray continually. i could use the
support).

Saw the cape penguins today. They may have been the most boring creatures i've seen yet on this trip, but the wind was blowing sand so hard it was stinging, like rain when you stick your arm out the window going 90 on the connector (joke, mom, joke), and that was exciting enough for the penguins to remain motionless. We also went to cape point (http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/1784869 [not my blog, not my picture, but a good one nonetheless]) , where the wind literally blew hannah kuehnert over and made me lose my balance more than once.

And we met Bishop Peter Storey, a friend of Rimes and Hauerwaus. He talked of the preeminence of the gospel, even over tradition and culture (both African and European), and
discussed the need for intentional integration in the church, particularly during apartheid. An interesting lecture for a student at a fairly racially segregated church. I don't think the segregation back home is intentional, but i also don't think it's beneficial, nor does it reflect God's chosen kingdom. How Bishop Storey integrated, he didn't say. But it happened, and the
methodist church in South Africa is better for it. And i think God is glorified by it, too.

How have I written so much, yet left so much out?! Brief updates and highlights:
1-I miss home
2-i miss friends
3-i LOVE the mountains here
4-i was offered marijuana [weed, pot, mary jane, grass] (i learned the
names in South Carolina Public Schools, but was offered the good in Capetown)
5-I failed heroically at surfing Durban
6-i threatened a baboon with my Teva
7-i traversed a 24km hike at Giants Castle, an epic journey that included
- an asthma attack by a friend of mine. without an inhaler. 3 miles from civilization. we prayed, she got better, but wildly frightening.
- chasing Elond (big mythical-esque moose-esque things)
- listening to Baboons scream
- breaking out in hives on my legs
- losing the trail in the middle of a thunderstorm on the top of rolling mountains as lightening struck all aroud us and steven insisted that we spread out, so if one gets hit someone's left to attempt CPR
- ducktaping blisters
- filtering stream water through a bandana to drink
- pulling grass-spears out of my shoes before they broke the skin (though i missed a few)

All true, and it was wild.

Additionally, there have been good conversations, i met a begging man
named Thabiso, and had my clothes laundered. A good trip, thus far.

Pray for rest, pray for joy, pray for wisdom in conversation. I thank God, that in his limitless grace, He gave me friends like you and then let me share my joy in Him with you. Pray that i'd have the same joyful opportunity here.

Much love to all, and my prayers go with you and this email. And my gratitude. Thanks for reading!

-thabiso

-drew

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