The road to Umzinto

   Today we went to Umzinto, an hour down the coast from Durban. We met up with Pastor Alvin and his wife who took us to a modern, clean orphanage. This one was started by a man who had a sugar cane processing factory. It was extremely nice and clean and I left there with a very good feeling.

   Then we went to another shanty village called London Farm. It had at least 60 shanties there. Some were mud huts. We handed out candy and chips to an eager bunch of kids and a few adults. Pastor Alvin led them in a Zulu song and preached a quick message of Jesus. It was very cool to see. I had a very good feeling there also. They have needs, but there it didn't seem as hopeless and cold as Cashew Road.
   After that we went to a safehouse for abused children outside Umzinto. I can show you the sign but I can't show the 10 children there. Pastor Mervyn,  brother Alvin's actual brother runs the place. He told us for the safety and protection of the children we were not alowed to show their  faces. One little girl there was 7 months old. Very cute. Her mother was in the last stages of HIV and could no longer take care of her. These are tough things to hear and see, but I am so thankful that I've been given this opportunity. I have never seen this type of thing in my life, and I must say that it has all made a deep and lasting impression. Not only the struggles these people face daily, but the goodness of the pastors, all that I have met. They truely care for these people, and I know that the money we tithe to South African Evangelistic Mission is going to good use.

   After that we went to Pastor Mervyn's shop in downtown Umzinto and had Mutton Curry in a restarant he has in the back. There is a mosque across the street and as I got out of the van they were calling the faithful to prayer. It was extremely cool as I have never heard this before. I filmed it. Here are some pictures from Umzinto.

    The first photo is a Zulu woman carrying something on her head. The second photo is the mosque. The third photo is Pastor Alvin preaching to some children in London Farm.
    I don't know if Umzinto is what you'd call 3rd world. But it is definately a world I am unfamiliar with. Its so different from Durban, so different from Hudson, Wisconsin. Beautiful. I saw a Hindu Temple, a Musilm mosque and a full gospel church all on the same street. Wow. What I did not see anywhere was white people. Thats fine with me, but its so different  also.
   Finally we went only a few miles to Park Reiny and a beautiful beach on the Indian Ocean. The waves were huge. This is truely a pictuesque and breathtaking landscape I have seen around Durban.
  
  

The Orphanage

   We went to the orphanage in Weldebach outside Durban today. That was a heart wrenching experience. This place had running water and electricity, but not much else. They were cooking dinner outside. Chickens and goats wandered the property. In one section they had the old folks, in the other, more modern section were the children. They were so happy to see us. So cute.
   I took video of them and then showed them how they looked on the camera. They were fascinated. I wish we could do more than just give them some used clothes and candy. Pastor Lionel said they needed a washing machine. There is so much they could use its overwhelming.
   There goverment is so anxious to build beautiful soccer stadiums but not so willing to spend much money on needs......

   There's 20 more pictures that would break your heart and I am tired. That was truly an emotionally exhausing experience. I know Val and I could easily just take one or five of those little kids home on the plane and tomorrow give them a life like they will never experience. But thats not possible and it never will be because of the tangled world we live in.
   Tomorrow I 'll say more. I did see 6 monkeys playing in a tree today. I videod them. That was cute.

Human nature

   I'm seeing America and South Africa have so many similarities. Both countries have such a variety of geography, climate, animal and plant life. And also people groups. Both countries are extremely rich in natural resources. And there I think lies the heart of each countries problems
   When the settlers first came to America they quickly realized how rich and expansive the country was. Our Christian heritage (misinturpreted) has lead many to believe  that it is our God given right to take the land. And we did, much to the dismay of Native Americans who wound up in reservations.
   Somehow I think that same belief is what shaped the current South a Africa. It was explained to me that during aparthied sections of neighborhoods, areas, places, were zoned off according to a persons color and national origin. They were called zones. You were only allowed to live in your zone by order of the ruling goverment.
   That might work in America when the ruling goverment was also the majority of racial origin. Although that is slowly beginning to shift. But I see that right from the beginning that couldn't work in a country where the vast majority is not white, and the vast majority lived and called this place home for thousands of years. Resentment begins to fester. No matter how many guns the minority has, they can't overcome a vast majority with a legitimate grudge to bear.
   Unfortunately, just like America, the farmers and the workers, no matter what color they are, are the ones who truely suffer the most. Their hard work carved out the land and their sweat tamed it. They're the ones who really build a country, and unfortunately when the tide shifts, they stand to loose the most. Including the ground they worked so hard to turn into something. America has something to learn from South Africa.
   Yesterday we visited a beautiful restarant in the hull of a ship. The aquarium in the center of the restarant held numerous sharks of different varieties. It was quite relaxing.

  (My political observations are my own and you can take them or leave them.)
    The last picture is me standing in front of the Indian Ocean. Who'd a thunk it?
   Today we visit an orphanage. Next week we visit a game reserve called Amakhosi. We spend several days there. I am getting excited. Thanks to the wonderful and kind people who made this possible.

Shantytown

We visited a shanty settlement outside Durban today and distributed some of the food parcels we packed the other day. This was disturbing and humbling. These people have nothing. No electricity, no running water. No heat. They were so thankful for what we gave them. It was almost to much.

   There toilet for over thirtyfive families is a jonny on the spot the goverment cleans out occasionally. They have one tap for all those people.

   Valdene and I wondered how we could help these people. What can you give them that would really improve there lives? One lady, who has HIV lives there with her child. She told me she has lived there for 6 years. Its overwhelming to me to see that kind of poverty. That was life changing and I'm still processing it.I'll post more pictures later.
   This is what I see everywhere. This settlement is right across the street from some fairly nice houses.

Cabbage anyone?

   This afternoon we went to visit Pastor Harry Rampersadt (aka Grandpa to Valdene and her sisters) and his wife Ruth in the town of Umzinto, about 40 miles down the coast. The Africa that I am beginning to see is a mix of 1st and 3rd world. To me, the main street of this town was definately 3rd world. It was pouring rain.

   This truck was parked along the side of the road full of cabbages. I'm sure it was bound for the open air market/ grocery store across the street.

   This is another view looking down the rest of the main street.

   Pastor Harry's wife Ruth made us Chicken Curry for lunch.
   The landscape here is beautiful. We're by the coast, so its hilly. Of course there are highways, but what is really interesting are the narrow, winding roads. I am learning not to try to shove my foot through the floor board as Valdene 's Dad drives. No one drives slow here.
   Its strange to see the vegetation. Strange looking trees, palm trees, Papaya trees with fruit on them in peoples yard. They have sugar cane growing all over the hillsides. Its quitea different landscape than I am used to.

    This morning we packaged all the food to feed 120 families. Tomorrow we deliver it.
   
 

A view from here

I've only been here a day, but I realize that I have entered another world. What I begin to see in South Africa is that I am definately the minority. Growing up in the midwest doesn't prepare you for this. The people, at least those I've met, are extremely personable.

  Today we pack up a bunch of food to distribute to 120 families or more. I can't remeber where we do this, but I'll post it later. here's a few more photos. 

  This is the capital building in Durban. Valdene and me.
   Durban is a beautiful city. I used to think it was like Miami Beach. Now I'm beginning to see that in a way I was totally wrong. There is a great seperation between those who have and those who don't. When we flew into Johanessburg I could see the roofs of thousands of shanties below me. Much poverty, and much wealth. Africa is like America, so rich, so poor.

We left Minneapolis with a bang! I was detained after going through the X-ray machine because they claimed I showed an "anamoly" in a private part of my anatomy, and led into a little room where I was serched from head to toe. Then they checked my hands for explosive material residue. Oh well, I guess thats air travel now. When I got through that ordeal I was led out to Valdene who was being interrogated about the contents of her carry on bag.

  The flight to Johannesburg was 16 long hours but not bad otherwise. We had an interesting expeience with airport corruption. We finally got all our bags checked in and made it to the Haags home in Durban about 9:00 P.M. That was a long day.

     This is my new primary residence for the next few weeks. Pretty Cool and I will post additional  photos of the interior later.

   Valdene's father preached at a church in Durban today called 'Harbor Lights Tabarnacle and we had a wonderful lunch with some wonderful people, the Pastor, his parents and Brother and their family.

  Valdene and I sang a song and Valdene shared a word of encouragement to the congregation. After that we took part in a homeless feeding program in downtown Durban.  Pastor Tyrone and his wife are in charge of this. This was a great opportunity to see first hand the struggle these people face, and a great opportunity to offer them the life changing gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
   The last picture is Brother Lazarus's beautiful family. His Son Myron took over his church today as head Pastor. Myron's brother Eugene is in the picture also. I believe God's hand is on him and he will do great things in Christ. I will post more photos tommorow.

The countdown begins

We leave Friday morning. We leave Wisconsin with four suitcases full of children's clothes that people have donated for distribution to the needy. Valdene has carefully stuffed each suitcase to its max, leaving just enough room for our basic clothing needs.
The first leg of our flight is to Atlanta, then sixteen hours in the air to Johannesburg. From there we take another 1 hour flight to Durban. All in all the journey will last almost 24 hours. Wow.
I will post pictures of the Roundavel (pardon my spelling) that will be our primary residence for several weeks. It has a thatched roof I'm told. That will be another first for me. I cant wait to see the monkeys that are suppose to run loose in Durban. I've seen them on You Tube, now maybe I'll see them in person.

My wife's faithfulness

I have to admit that my wife is far above average in all things, and especially her care for others. She has raised at least thirteen hundred dollars for an orphanage we will visit, and distributions to shanty towns. Good people from her work, and folks who really care about less fortunate from our church have stepped up. This is exciting.

A very exciting part of our trip will be visiting Hluhluwe-Imflolozi game reserve. We'll spend several days in a bush camp, hopefully in the midst of African wildlife. I remember all those years watching Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom. I new then that eventually I would get to see that world of Africa up close and personal. I'm getting excited! (Though not for the plane flight.)

Yes, it's true. We leave for South Africa July 22. It will be my first plane flight since I was seventeen. I will be 50 in October. Wow! I have to admit I'm excited. Sixteen hours in a plane. That will be a true adventure in itself.