So what's life really like in South Africa?

The government is working to develop budget housing. Interestingly, it is illegal to evict some in from their home if they do not have anywhere else to go.  Lots of housing and shopping construction going on.  Jo'berg smog due to wood/coal fires to warm homes.

There were still some shanty towns in the area.  Many with a satellite dish on top.  In those areas, water is available via street taps. Would have to collect water in wheel barrow and carry it home 2x/day.

Shanty towns

People walk on the highways all the time.  They drive on the left side of the road (influence of the British). Had to remind Maydelle to not say they were doing it wrong, just different.  Periodically, the police will set up roadblocks to check registrations. We saw many people choosing an alternate route to avoid this inspection. 

This is in the middle of nowhere - where did he come from?

BBQ with local friends 

As we were leaving the Botanical Gardens, friends from a nearby congregation were waiting to whisk us off to their home for a impromptu BBQ.  They were so excited to have us in the country, even though we had only a quick trip to spend time with them.  We enjoyed the generous hospitality of the Struben Valley congregation so very much. Mike, Faith, Jessica, Amy, and Pops were the most gracious of hosts.

There Maydelle and I met friends from Cape Town, England, Zimbabwe, and the US.  We laughed, took pictures, shared stories and had a wonderful time.  A mini feast of handmade sausage (like brats), pap (looked like potatoes but tasted like grits), salads and wine of every variety.  Then came the desserts: apricot pudding with custard, fruit truffle, and my all time favorite Malva pudding. Maydelle has requested this recipe - be sure to ask when she's going to make it when we get home.

Feast of food, friends, and fun

Wendy and David drove us all the way back to our hotel after we were too tired to eat another thing. They shared their wonderful story of moving to small wine farm tone to serve where the need was greater. congregation of 12 publishers. With school age children, they lived their for several years before moving back to Cape Town. This experience really helped solidify the children's spiritual goals and they both served at So Africa Bethel for a number of years.