First Saturday in South Africa

23 January, Saturday

 

In short:

. Finally slept through the night!

. Drove to the Pick n' Pay all by myself.

. Soccer Game at the New SA World Cup Stadium!

 

 

In more detail:

Some might say that driving less than 1/4 mile somewhere by yourself isn't an accomplishment, but IT IS! I had a leisurely morning, journaled, read… and then decided to go run an errand. I had a few problems starting my car (Prince William)- there's a gear lock (on the stick shift), security buttons and if you don't do the sequence just right, the car won't start and the alarm sounds. I haven't quite learned the order yet, but I'm getting there. Once I got cranked and out the driveway, I made it through traffic, drove on the correct side of the road (left side) and steered nicely (no power steering). I'm feeling more comfortable and keep saying to myself, "what would the Johnsons do?" [Kent, Tami and Kevin gave me 7 total stick-shift driving lessons before I left the US].

 

Saturday afternoon, I felt like I was in Atlanta at the 1996 Olympic Games. This soccer match was a 'test run' for the FIFA World Cup Games coming to South Africa this summer. There were 'directional helpers' in bright yellow shirts everywhere you turned- they were either at a site where you could ask questions or they were making a 'human sidewalk' showing you where to go and where to turn to get to the stadium or for public transportation back to your car. Everyone that entered the stadium was searched- both patted down and bags searched (however… we all brought in snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, cameras… not a lot of restrictions for entering). All in all, it was a great dry-run; all technology worked, crowd control and flow wasn't terrible, and the atmosphere was so fun! There are 2 more 'test events' in the coming months before the WORLD arrives in Cape Town!

 

It was so fun being with the other volunteers (the college team and long-term volunteers) and the ACTS staff (the organization that is handling my living arrangements). I felt so comfortable, relaxed and loved making that memory and being one of the first in the World Cup Arena!

 

Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers and partnership in the Gospel here in South Africa. BIG Ministry update to come...