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.)