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For now, I'm just going to be posting some daily reflections, maybe a week's worth at the time. Once I'm engaged more in the ministries here at PMC, I'm sure this will become more focused. Things are going very well, and the people here are great. It promises to be a very exciting summer.
May 22-23, 2005
I met up with the three other students from Duke traveling with me at the airport in Atlanta, and we took the 10:30 flight to Johannesburg. I was surprised at how full the plane was; it was occupied mostly by a group of undergraduates from Hope College in Michigan. I’m not sure what kind of trip they were on, but I gathered it was some sort of mission trip/educational experience. The other group that was well represented were hunters, making the trip to do some big game hunting in the wild life parks. The flight was not as bad as I expected. Each passenger had a fairly extensive selection of movies to choose from, as well as games, tv shows, and radio stations to view on the monitor in the headrest in front of you. I set my watch to South African time (six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time) as soon as we took off so I could try to adjust myself to the time as soon as possible. We ate lunch and I watched a few movies, and I managed to fall asleep for a short power nap. By that time we were in the Cape Verde Islands, where we landed long enough for the crew to be switched out and the food restocked and then took off.
We landed around 9:30 or so. We got off the plane on the runway, which I found unusual for a jet that large, and took a bus to the terminal. I chuckled when my foot hit the pavement—I never thought I’d be walking off a plane in Africa. The weather was better than I expected, about 60 degrees. We took the bus to the terminal, waited to get through “Passport Control” and then at baggage claim. We survived all that without any trouble, and Customs was really fairly easy as well. I suspect US Customs on the way back will be a bit more of a hassle. It must’ve been about 11 or so when we got done making our way through customs. Rev. Dion Forster from John Wesley College was there to pick us up. It was good to see a welcoming face, especially one that was sympathetic to our exhaustion. We were stopped by a crew from South African Airways magazine, who was doing a story on people visiting South Africa. They snapped a picture and got some information and we went on our way. We got some rand (South Africa’s currency) from the ATM there, and Dion put us in the van to bring us to John Wesley College. We drove out of Johannesburg—I was under the impression that the seminary was in Johannesburg, but it’s actually in Pretoria, the capitol, about 45 minutes from the airport in Johannesburg. Dion drove us, and pointed out various things along the way. It is easy to see the country’s beauty just from driving down the interstate. Rolling hills and clear skies make it seem like you can see for miles, and we passed some beautiful new neighborhoods. Money is now the determining factor for those neighborhoods, as opposed to race, so they are integrated, but still primarily white. The medians were all burned over—Dion told us that often during the dry season the foliage in the median gets so dry that a cigarette tossed from a moving car will ignite the whole thing. Of course, there was the oddity of driving on the left side of the road, something I don’t think I’m at all interested in doing, though Dr. Storey wants us to be able to drive ourselves in Cape Town when we’re there. We shall see.
We got to the seminary and were briefly introduced to some of the students. It is small, very small, but is really beautiful in many ways. One gets the impression that what is here is a small group of Christians who want very much to learn and are working very hard at it with limited resources. The vibe here is a very happy one. Everyone was extremely welcoming, and Dion kind of rushed us through so that we could get to our rooms and get some rest. We’re staying in cottages here, which are pretty nice. They’re nicely furnished, with a TV, twin beds, and a bathroom. I don’t much like the shortage of phones there seems to be. I guess that’s something I’ll just have to get used to. We put our bags down and our hosts left us for the afternoon. We promptly crashed. I slept for maybe 2-3 hours, and it could have been more, but I didn’t want to get to a point where I couldn’t sleep tonight. Somehow, I don’t think that will be a problem. We’ll be picked up for dinner shortly, then we’re pretty much free for the evening. Chapel service begins at 7:30am tomorrow, and I believe we have a fairly full day of visiting classes, etc, after that. On Wednesday, we’re supposed to be traveling with some students to the places where they do field work, and then on Thursday Ryan and I catch flights out of here. I do wish I could check my email and find a phone. More later. . .
Dinner was great. We ate with the students here, most of whom seem to be men in their early 30s. I was at a table with all females, which of course, got me some jokes from the guys from JWC. After dinner I got into a conversation with Zakele—it was amazing how quickly the conversation took off. It wasn’t long before we were talking about our families and our education, the issue of gays in the church and the convenience of buying things on ebay. Zakele is kind and funny, very sharp and intelligent. I was captivated by the ease with which he spoke on the various topics that came up, and I was struck how similar his calling seemed to mine, like God had spoken to us across time and space but in the same way. R.G. and Ryan (two of the other Duke students) and I all stood outside with the guys from the school and laughed and joked like we’d been around each other for years. That was due mostly to the kinship between the guys from the seminary and the way they welcomed us. They made jokes about race—“this guy is colored, he is no good!” This guy is black—watch out for your wallet!” They explained the racial dialogue to us, and it is clearly much more on their minds than it is our own. Rather than remaining an awkward topic to be avoided, it is often at the forefront of conversation. The students here are amazing people. They have sacrificed a great deal to be here and go through difficult training, and are pleased to be involved in all of it. They live apart from their wives for months at the time, and yet see God working in all of it. I am excited about getting to spend more time with them. Chapel is coming early in the morning and then classes with the folks, then dinner with Dion. Thanks be to God for the fullness of these days.
May 24, 2005
Today has been very full. It started this morning at 7:30 with chapel service. The chapel is very beautiful—it is situated at the top of a steep hill and overlooks a beautiful valley. The songs were sung mostly in native African languages, Khoso, S Sotho, Tswana, or Afrikaans but the spirit was easily to feel. I was amazed at the joy and enthusiasm at such an early time of day. We sang two hymns in English, Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art, and prayed in various languages. A student preached a very powerful sermon on Romans 5:1-5, challenging us to love, as the mark of a faithful Christian. He was impressive and enthusiastic. We had communion as well, which was powerful, kneeling at the altar in a chapel on top of a small hill, with the place filled to the ceiling with music. We came from there and ate breakfast with the students, then met with Dion for a while to talk about the program here. It is much more focused on the practical—students spend a year in a cross cultural setting, where they are immersed in the opposite culture. They spend two years working in the field, where they learn to do all sorts of practical things. They seem much more equipped to actually practice ministry than those of us who go to seminary in America. After we met with Dion we had some down time before lunch. At lunch I got into a conversation with a student about the image of America abroad. He seemed somewhat envious of America and what it represents, but also critical of our consumerism, our hunger for power, and the war in Iraq. He held the tensions better than I do. I expected to learn more about what is wrong with my country while I was here, but instead I’m getting a lesson in some of the things we have managed to do right. Still, it is easy to see how the suffering of some people is directly related to American economic and foreign policy. Thankfully, people do manage to separate America from President Bush. They like the country and the people, but as for our government, I have not found one person who does not have a profound dislike for his administration.
We attended a New Testament class in the afternoon. Today’s focus was Romans, and it was a solid lecture on the background of the letter. From there we went for a ride with Dion in and around Pretoria. He took us to a township, or an “informal settlement” as they’re politely called. We passed small houses on the way, maybe 12 x 12, and our jaws dropped when Dion told us that the people who lived there are considered middle class. They were constructed by the government in an attempt to provide some adequate housing. We drove on to the village, which were houses made of tin and cardboard and scrap wood for as far as one’s eyes could see. In some places they are literally touching each other. There is no running water or electricity or sewage. They often catch fire; it starts with one and spreads to the others. A dozen families can lose all they have in a flash. It was poverty on a grand scale. The striking part of it was the immensity. There thousands of these shacks, row after row in a field that seemed to go on forever. I’m not sure I have processed it completely yet, but I’m sure I’ll get more exposure to it at Pinetown. We left the township and drove into downtown Pretoria, where we saw the State Building and the University of South Africa. The downtown area was cool, and in many ways wasn’t much different from what I expected. I was amazed that we could drive right up to the State Building—much different from the security in the U.S.
He drove us back to the school and we had some down time. I walked around and took some pictures, then got into some good conversation with Lottie, R.G., and Ryan. We’ve begun to bond and I’ve appreciated their company. We had dinner tonight with Dion and his family—wife Megan and daughter Courtney. Courtney is 5 and a beautiful child, and his wife is very kind. Dion is becoming a good friend. He truly enjoys having us here and engaging in conversation, and he is an amazing guy. He has been a great host to us, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him. I will miss him and the students when we leave here. Dion is very passionate about South Africa and the effort to reconcile the people here. His introduction to the country has been very valuable.
I haven’t slept very well yet here, hopefully that will change tonight. I haven’t had a nap today, so I should be good and tired. Tomorrow is another full day.
May 25, 2005
This morning we woke up early to go with the students to their field work. Ryan and I went with about 7-8 who do visitation at Pretoria Academic Hospital, and R.G. and Lottie went to an “Old Age Home.” The hospital is state owned—in South Africa health care is divided into a public and private sector just as it is in America, but the disparities are more pronounced. The hospital looked very much like a scene from the 1950s in America. We met in a group with the directors of the pastoral assistance program for a small devotion, which ended up in a heated discussion about the nature of the devil and evil, which I found a little heavy for that early in the morning. The leaders were all older Afrikaaners, which are whites of Dutch descent who were the driving force behind apartheid. I was interested to see how they treated the students, who are all black. The relationship seems to be good natured, but it felt a little paternalistic still. One woman was staunch in defending her point of view, but in a way that made what the students were saying seem like they were in need of direction. It felt strange. I then went with Michael who is colored, and Ralff, who is also colored, but a mix of black and colored. Here colored is not a derogatory term. It refers to anyone is not clearly distinguishable as black or white, those of mixed race or of Indian descent. It is often difficult to look at someone and tell the difference. The black and colored guys definitely have fun with each other about their respective races. We went up to a general ward, where there were people with all sorts of illnesses, and simply approached the patients. The scene was a little surprising. There between 15 and 18 patients all in one large room, each bed just a few feet from the others, eliminating any hope of privacy. We talked with one man who looked very ill. He began speaking in English, before Ralff offered to converse in Afrikaans. Almost everyone here speaks English, but for some it is a 3rd or 4th language and they are more comfortable conversing in their native tongue. Both Ralph and Michael were native Afrikaans speakers, so they conversed well. Ralff translated for me as Michael conversed with the man speaking Afrikaans. He told us how he was ill with cancer and with high blood pressure, and how the doctors had told him there was nothing else they could do for him. He also shared how they told him that he had three weeks to live—that was back in 1996. He talked of God and of his faith, and how it had sustained him through his illness. He was clearly in great suffering, and yet continued to speak of his hope that God would bring healing. In all, the faith of all the patients seemed to be very strong. They seemed much less interested in the doctor’s prognosis and more interested in speaking of God and praying with us. We spoke with one nurse, whom Ralff and Michael engaged in conversation. She told us how she had converted to Christianity to Islam. Ralff underwent a similar conversion and spoke candidly with her about the difficulties. Ralff and Michael were very good with the patients, and very good at relating and caring for all of them. We came back together with the group and shared our experience and debriefed. We left and drove back to JWC in time for lunch.
I had lunch with the students, and I spoke with Tabang, the preacher from yesterday about America. He wants to visit the U.S. and wanted to know what U.S. cities to visit. I mentioned New York, Washington, Florida, and New Orleans, and described each place to him. I couldn’t help noticing the look on his face, as if I was describing some sort of dream land. I hope while I’m here I begin to understand what it is about America that seems to captivate the people here. Is it our money and technology? Or is it something else, intrinsic to our way of life?
Today we visited the mall in Pretoria with Dion, so we could buy some various things we needed for the summer. I was amazed at the size of the mall—it was bigger than any I had been to in the States with the exception of the Mall of America in Minneapolis. We spent some time talking with Dion, who is someone I have come to admire. The facilities at the seminary are far, far away from ideal. Their main classroom is in a building across the street that they rent from the state theater, even though it was originally the property of the Methodist Church. It is in poor condition, and the computer lab is made up of old computers donated by the Divinity School that often don’t work. Dion makes the most of his limited resources, and so do the students. He is passionate about the curriculum and his relationship with the students, and despite his hectic schedule knows each of the students personally. He is on staff at the University of South Africa, is Dean of the College, working on his PhD, has a wife and a 5 year old, and still managed to expend much of his time and effort on us. I’m grateful we got to know him.
Tonight we went to see a movie, again at the mall. We saw Red Dust, a film about a fictional case brought before the TRC here in South Africa. It was a chance to see how that has worked its way into the consciousness of the people, so much so that it is even part of popular culture. At the mall, we even saw a chess set with the opposing sides made up of characters in the struggle. On one side were Nelson and Winnie Mandela as king and queen, Desmond Tutu as bishop, and ANC militants as the pawns. On the other side were white like PW Botha and Verwoerd, and the Secret Police were the pawns. Dion was surprised to see something that flippant, and I must say I was too. Ryan and I said our goodbyes to Dion, since we will be leaving early in the morning for the airport to fly to Cape Town (Ryan) and Durban. I still can’t get to sleep at a reasonable time. I have to finish packing, and thankfully take my last bath in the bathtub here. There are separate faucets for hot and cold, and me trying to bathe is not a pretty sight at all. Tomorrow is an early rise.
May 26, 2005
We got up a little past 6 to get ready to get to the airport. The airports are much different, because you don’t board from the terminal. You take a bus out to the runway and board the plane from there. Ryan and I got there early enough to get breakfast and I spent some time sending emails since it was a wireless hotspot, as it’s called here. Security is nowhere close to what it is in America. I ran my bag through the X ray machine where one person was watching a monitor. The rest of the security personnel were engaged in conversation and paid no attention to me as I passed through. Quite a change from Atlanta where I got the full search. The flight from Durban was an easy one. I haven’t flown many of the nicer domestic airlines at home, but SAA seems nicer than any I know. I’ve enjoyed flying with them, though one hour is better than 18 no matter what kind of plane you’re on. I got my bags and was met by Glenda Howieson, a petite lady who greeted me with a bright smile. It was clear she has a lot of energy. We hit it off very well, and began talking. The weather is unbelievable here. This is winter, and it is like the perfect spring day, breezy and in the upper 70s with plenty of sun. She informed me that Durban might just as well be referred to as heaven. As we drove, I began to see what she meant. The city is sprawling and diverse, just minutes from breathtaking coastline. (I sound like I’m writing for one of those airline magazines.) We drove to Pinetown, where she quickly pointed out some landmarks, then we came to the Pinedene Lodge, my home for the summer. It reminds me of an old hotel/inn. My room is tiny, but it’s enough. I have a closet, a desk, a twin bed, a sink, and thankfully. . . . .a shower! The toilet is down the hall, which is sort of odd, but they’re clean, so that seems fine. Downstairs is a small restaurant where I will eat. There is a larger hotel in front of us that is owned by the same people, but more expensive. Glenda left me to unpack. It was great to get things out of my suitcase and be somewhere that felt semi-permanent. I took a shower, which was great, then Glenda came back for me with Gordon. Gordon is an older guy who is active in the church, and the two of them took me to lunch. We immediately got into the conversation about America and its foreign policy, which I’ll admit is a conversation I’m looking to have with the people here. They both have a hard time understanding the point from which Americans come to see war. Glenda said she was so shocked to see a first world country treat a problem with third world methods. I was struck by that. She’s right. They were interested to hear about the emotions and the mindset of the people in America that led to the support of the war in Iraq. They’d made plans to take me out this afternoon, but wanted to leave the choice to me. I insisted that they choose what we did, because, like I told them, whatever we do or see will be new to me.
They chose to take me to the Victoria St. Market, a downtown section of Durban occupied almost all Indians and blacks. It was similar in some ways to what you would find in Chinatown in NYC, in the different street vendors and people selling things. I loved it. As soon as you walked in you could smell the curry, in the food that was cooking and the in the spices that the vendors were selling on the streets. There were many shops selling African touristy style gifts, which I will have to go back to. We spoke for awhile with one spice salesman, who got us to try several of the seasonings. He’d sold. We laughed at the “mother-in-law killer” hot spice that seemed to be common at all of them. The place was a wash of African Zulu culture and Indian arts, crafts and spices, and we were a clear minority. We went into the fish market, where they sold various sorts of seafood and meats in a remarkably unsanitary form. The smell was awful, and I found the source quick. We passed chicken feet and the heads of calves hanging from hooks. I watched one young guy in a butcher shop cutting up the head of a calf for display. They kept the skin and the eyes in—it was disgusting. There were other various organs I couldn’t begin to identify laying around and hanging in long bloody strands from different hooks. You name the part, and it was there for you to take home and eat it if you wanted to. I’d seen the whole ducks in the windows of Chinatown but this was a long way from that. We walked back out onto the street and walked up and down, passing Indian vendors and black people selling all sorts of things. The hustle and bustle was great. It had a big city feel, but so different because the people were so different, people of all colors passing one another on the street, weaving in and out of the stores and stands. We walked into Emmanuel Cathedral, a Catholic cathedral right in the heart of downtown. It is surrounded by all that I just described. We walked in and it was surreal. It was as if the noise and movement outside had stopped and there was a silence and peace about the place that was a great departure from where we were just a minute earlier. The inside was beautiful. We went back into the melting pot, and back among the African women carrying children on their backs and young children in school uniforms and the Indian people selling things in their shops. We stopped at a Zulu medicine store, where we spoke with the woman. Behind her was a wall full of various plants, roots, and spices, and we spoke with her about the various herbal cures she had to offer. She had medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, skin rashes, even an immune booster for HIV. She mixed various leaves and herbs and spices to make these pictures that you would either boil and drink or inhale the steam. She told us about how she’d learned it from her father and he had learned it from his father. There are all sorts of shops around where this sort of healing is offered. Glenda was disappointed that none of the Zulu men were around to mix a potion for me that would make me rich or make my girlfriend love me forever. They make those of various unknown liquids and animals hooves and hair, and we saw the beginnings of it, but never anyone we could get to make me a potion. The Market was incredible. We walked in the warmth of the sun among people from places I’d only ever read about, with the smells filling my nose and noise of various languages filling my ears, the cacophony of God’s kingdom ringing in my head. I wondered if Glenda’s statement about heaven wasn’t just a joke. It wouldn’t surprised me if one corner wasn’t something like what I saw in the crosswalks.
We went from there to have tea, which I think is great, because the tea here is really good. I’m already addicted. We went to the café in a very nice hotel. It was a big change from the scene on the street, with our white tablecloths, chandeliers, silver teapots, and Danish pastries. We sat and talked and Glenda and Gordon asked me some questions about my call story and my plans for the future, which I was happy to share. After one afternoon, we seem to have quite a bond. They are obviously two very special people and I think they’re going to take good care of me while I’m here. They are both very culturally aware and seem very faithful. I’m going to love being with them for the time I’m here. Gordon is a smart man who is very cultured—he asked me as we left the market if I kept a journal. He knows what I’m in for, and he knows a lot about what makes Durban and South Africa go. I’m going to soak up what I can from them.
Tonight, it was dinner with Ian, the pastor, and his wife Holly. One of the other ministers, Andrew, and his wife Mary also ate with us. I like both Ian and Andrew a lot. We seem to have some things in common, and they’re both young people who like to have fun but are also focused on life in the church. Molly had told me that I might hit it off with Andrew and I think she may be right. They were also very kind and very welcoming to me, as everyone has been since I got here. Tomorrow morning Ian is picking me up to go with him to John Wesley School, where he will give a short devotion. After that I think someone is going to show me around the school, and then maybe in the afternoon he’s going to take me with his son, Alex (he’s a toddler) to the beach, which I’m anxious to see. In the afternoon, I’m going to Andrew’s young adult bible study, then to youth group, then on Saturday all day long at the church, then Sunday I’m offering the prayers at the two earliest services . . . . I’m going to be a busy man it sounds like, which is good. I’m excited about the people here and the city that is just down the hill. I feel much more relaxed about being here, which says a great deal for only having been here a day. I am still a little homesick, mostly for Katie. There was no doubt before about whether she was the one for me, but after this it’s a sort “can’t live without feeling” I have. This is what being in love should be, and I just can’t wait to get home and be about it full time. To bed, hopefully.
May 27, 2005
This morning I got up early to go with Ian to John Wesley School. He led a devotion there in the children’s morning assembly. There must be around 200 students, maybe more. They all wear red sweaters or jackets and black shorts or skirts for uniforms. They look sharp, and the children have a spirit about them that is very bright and happy. I didn’t get to see much of it today, but I will before the summer’s out. After Ian, his son Alex (almost 2) and I went to the beach. The beachfront here is beautiful, just as it said in the travel guide. I didn’t get wet, but I plan to before the summer’s out. Ian is a good guy, and we seem to have some things in common. I think I will be closer to some of the others, but he and I will get along well I think. He dropped me off at the church and I did some looking around there. After that I came back here and crashed at about noon. I still can’t get to sleep before late, then I’m in a haze till noon. I wanted to stay awake to beat this jet lag, but I gave in and caught up on some sleep. After I woke up I got out and went to the grocery store, which is close to here. I got an ironing board, an iron, some laundry detergent, stuff that will help me feel a little more at home. I dropped it off and went to the mall, which is the other direction from the lodge, and bought some postcards, some sunglasses, etc. The mall was packed. I was really amazed at how many people there were crammed into it. Unemployment is nearly 30%, so I guess a lot of people pass time there.
Tonight was the Bible Study for the youth at the church. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. The kids have incredible insight. They are very mature in the faith for people their age (13-14) and I got a lot out of what they had to say. At 7 the youth group met and went to the drive in to see a movie. I was introduced to Michael, who is a younger guy who just got engaged. He and I hit it off, and talked a lot on the way to the movie and even during it (Kingdom of Heaven = horrible). I met a few of the younger people from the church, and they seem like a lot of fun. I hope to get to know them more. It’s been a good day, I’m beginning to get my bearings in Pinetown, and I’m actually tired and ready for bed tonight.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Today I slept in a little (8:30), got up and went to the “Trackathon.” The Church has an all day marathon sewing session, where mostly the women of the church sew “tracksuits” to give to the kids in the township. A track suit is like a sweat suit but lighter. It was a little on the boring side, because I hadn’t yet met any of the people there. Some of the women quickly put me to work pinning together the cut out fabric for them to sew, and I got to know a few of them. I stayed there till a little after 1, then came back here to do some laundry. It was occupied, so I walked around to try and find an internet café. I walked around to the mall and some other spots, but no luck. I ended up having lunch by myself at the mall, which was really sort of depressing, but good because I can sit and people watch, which is interesting in such a different place. I came back and actually started some laundry, when Glenda tracked me down on the phone downstairs. I desperately need a cell phone. She asked if I would want to go with her and her husband to the bookstore and then to have tea at her house (I love this concept of having tea—they serve it everywhere, and it’s very good). I agreed since I didn’t have anything else to do, but then Michael stopped by and wanted me to go eat dinner with him and his fiancée. I couldn’t because I’d agreed to go with Glenda, but I felt good that he thought to stop by here and find me to ask me. I think he will be a good friend to me here. He’s really a very nice guy, as all the people are.
So I went with Glenda and her husband Heldein, which I’ll spell like that till I figure out how to spell it the right way. We went to the bookstore, a smaller scale Barnes and Noble sort of place, then back to their house. We spent most of the night embroiled in the conversation about American foreign policy and our parallel history with South Africa. I’m enjoying that discussion, but I’m going to hold off writing down all my feelings till I can synthesize more what’s being said. I came back here and got to bed so I could get up early for church, 7:45 service. And I thought 8:30 was bad.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
I got up early and made my way to church for the 7:45 service. I offered the prayers. The services are informal, which I like, everyone wears maybe a collared shirt and pants. Ian introduced me to the congregation. The people at that service were mostly older, and the service was very traditional. It was full though, which was surprising at that hour of the day. Today’ scripture was the end of the sermon on the mount, the passage about the houses built on sand vs. rock. It was a good sermon. I prayed again at the 9:45, which is more contemporary complete with a praise band. The services were generally the same as any you would find at a smaller congregation here. I went to lunch at Gordon and Julie’s, which was great. Their house is amazing. It has a great view, the sort of place you would see in a magazine. We had lunch on the patio, with classical music playing, it was really pretty surreal. After that we drove up to Keirsney College for a festival they were having which ended up being not much, but there were a few vendors selling things. I’m hoping that I can bring home all the things I want to bring home as gifts. I was exhausted though from being up so early, so I probably didn’t pay enough attention to our drive. We drove through what’s called the Valley of a Thousand Hills, which is breathtaking. The views here are tremendous. We stopped at this sort of tourist spot where you could visit a traditional Zulu village, but the show times were not convenient, so we kept driving. We went back to their house for tea, then Gordon drove me back here. I got a short nap before time to eat dinner. I ate here at the Lodge, which I’ll talk more about later, then went to church to meet my support group. They’re designed to be a sort of sounding board for me while I’m here. I haven’t gotten much of a glimpse of what my time will be, so I don’t know what things will come to mind once I’ve started to get involved in the ministries. After that was the evening service, which was all contemporary. That’s going to take some adjustment. I don’t care much for the music, but we’ll see how that goes as the summer goes on. Andrew preached, and it is easy to see that he is going to do very well in his ministry. His preaching style is very captivating.
Afterward I went with the young people to Mugg and Bean, a coffee shop here. I’m glad I’m getting to know some people my age. They’re all really cool people, with a deep faith, who still like to have fun. I’m going to enjoy being with them a great deal. I’m getting tired though—the pace and the jet lag are starting to catch up with me, so I’m getting on schedule. Tomorrow will be good, as I meet with Ian to talk about my schedule for the summer, so I can begin to know what I’m doing for the summer.
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