The exciting adventures of South Africa

Hi everyone,

Did you know South Africa has 11 official languages; that’s more than anywhere else in the world. When we sit on a train I hear English, Africaans and Klosa which involves a few clicks. Yesterday on the train we had a funny experience. We have been traveling in 3^rd class instead of 1^st class as it is cheaper and usually the train cars are fuller which is good for safety. There is safety in numbers. Anyway we were taking the 10 minute ride into Muizenburg from our place in Fish Hoek with our friend Dave. Before the train left the station the man next to Dave asked him if we were lost and meant to be in first class. This may seem funny to you but you have to understand we were the only white people in our car – which is usually the case. In South Africa the blacks and coloreds ride in Metro and the whites ride in Metro Plus.

Catching the sunset light of a beautiful ocean view in Fish Hoek. South Africa is truly a gorgeous place

You may be shocked by my use of the words black, colored and white to describe the people but it is the way that all South African’s distinguish one another. They are after all the Rainbow Nation. Blacks are Africans while Coloreds are a mix often with some Malay her in Cape Town and Whites are anyone of white skin color. I must say it is very strange to use these terms to describe people but within this culture it is the norm. I suppose that this attitude is a remnant of the pre-apartide culture which has yet to work its way out. On the other side of the spectrum we have had many “helpful” white people telling us how dangerous the blacks and coloreds are. It’s hard to hear this knowing that we have met so many amazing South African’s of all colors and ethnicities.

Over the past few weeks we have been going into a township about 15 minutes walk from downtown Muizenburg called Capricorn. The townships are where a huge percentage of the black and colored people live. They don’t live there because they have to by law anymore as they did prior before but most of them can’t get out. They find themselves now stuck in the poverty and dangers of the townships. Our friend and fellow DTSer Lydia has been co-leading a number of house groups with an African named Clinton. Gary has had the opportunity to speak at the home groups and will be teaching every Thursday from tomorrow forward until we leave the 24^th. We are so encouraged by the growth and fruit of these home groups and are reminded of the early church from the book of Acts. One of the best aspects of attending with Clinton and Lydia is that we are able to pray, encourage and feed all those attending. The meals are simple but such a powerful example of feeding the hungry both in spirit and in body.

Caleb walking to the beach to enjoy the sand and the sea shell that lying around for him to play with.

The home groups were started by a group of students from our DTS that did their outreach here in South Africa. It is so encouraging to see the fruit of their labors and we are thrilled to be a part of what God is doing. It is through this experience that we have been able to see yet again the beauty of God’s diverse creation through the faces of his children. There truly is beauty all around us.

Additionally we have been working on a project for Voice for the Voiceless surrounding the topic of alcohol abuse in South Africa. I have been working on researching statistics, awareness programs, support groups, education, etc. Interestingly there is not a lot of education about the dangers of alcohol abuse here despite having one of the highest documented incidents of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, FAS, and a culture largely built around alcohol. Alcohol abuse is wrapped up in a lot of other social problems in South Africa such as domestic violence, risky sexual practices which increases one’s risk of contracting STD’s including HIV/AIDS, incredibly high incidence of motor vehicle accidents, increased violence and abuse. It is a problem for teens, young adults, parents, grand parents and great grandparents and nearly every family in South Africa is affected by it regardless of their religion, color or how much they make.

This is Clifford and Clinton, at the home group in Capricorn. Clinton is the leader and Clifford is one of faithful follower who comes to every meeting.

Gary has been focusing on a different part of the research which is personal stories. He developed a survey and through the questions has been engaging with people he meets on the streets, trains, shops, church groups and restaurants. One of the great contacts he has made is with a woman from Nero’s pizza where we get coffee in the mornings. Her mother is a foster mom for a two year old boy with FAS. Late last week he and two of our team mates interviewed her and this morning they had a photo shoot with the family at their home. At this time our goal is to use all that we have found in our research to clearly outline the issue and be able to produce an article, photo essay and or exhibit of some sort about alcohol abuse with the intention of bringing awareness and educating.

This is Khayletisha, one of the largest townships in South Africa. There is at least a million people who live here. (Capricorn, the township where we have our home groups, looks much like this)

Please join us in praying for open doors, effective words and images that capture the heart of what we are trying to communicate to this, the Rainbow Nation. We have a little over two weeks left here in South Africa and we want to use our time effectively. We are headed home in just 17 days and we know the time will fly by. Despite the exciting things we are doing and the beauty that surrounds us I was ready like yesterday to fly home. We are definitely ready to move forward in sharing all that we have learned, experienced and captured with our cameras. This has indeed been a fruitful and ripe year for us as a family and we are bursting with it all.

Again this is Khayletisha, but this is an overview of what one little area of it look like. What a interesting place to call home.

Likewise we want to know all that you are up too. We feel in many ways we have missed out on some significant events this year; friends having children, our nephew turning 1, my brother Matt & his wife Whitney moving back to Colorado, changes in our church Mill Creek Foursquare, my mom turning 50. These are just a few of the changes and we are definitely ready to be a part of life with you again. We can’t wait!!!

Love,

Jenn, Gary & Caleb Land

A picture of us coming back from the beach. Don't we look cute.