Saturday, June 13 - A Serendipitous Day

The morning began with Russ (photographer extraordinairre), Bryan and I interviewing some of the athletes from the Dave Woeste Soccer School. These boys have amazed me from the beginning with their politeness and interest in B2C, and the interviews are no exception. We ask them things like; "what were your thoughts when you first heard about the opportunity to come on the trip, did you have any hesitations, what was the deciding factor to come, what do you expect to get out of it and did you have to make any sacrifices to come here?"

We had time to interview six boys and though they love the game of soccer, not one of them said that playing in the tournament, or seeing the Confederation Cup games (which is a huuuuge deal here) is their motivation for coming. These boys were sincere and I tear up just thinking about their answers. Brad Zinnicka a 17 year old junior attending Mason High School said he was most excited to learn about the culture here, and that he wanted to experience if first hand, not just hear about it. He paid for over 75% of the trip, which I won't reveal the sum of, but let's just say this boy worked really, really hard to get here. He also said he personally bought and brought a lot of things for the kids and "not just soccer stuff," but school supplies and one of the most coveted things I'm sure - candy.

Tylor Bruin from Lebanon, Ohio said his deciding factor was the desire to see a third world country, but is most looking forward to helping out the kids and making them happy. Garret Listo who graduated from Sycamore High School recently will attend Cincinnati State in the fall to study business management. He heard about the trip through Dave Woeste and just knew he wanted to come to "expand his horizons." He is also partially paying for the trip and has brought some donated gifts for the children. His biggest sacrifice was missing year-end soccer tournaments back home - remember soccer is king to these guys - so that was huge!

Father/son team Mark and Cory Campbell of Lebanon both wanted to come to help the people of Mamelodi. Mark related that he's watched most of the boys on the trip grow up with his son over the last ten years, and is excited to see them experience the culture along with his son. They thanked B2C for inviting them and showing them the 'real' situation as it exists in Mamelodi and other townships.

Kylor Mackey of Lebanon has a special story too. He is making the trip to learn about diversity and for 'self growth'. He sacrificed by having to pay for his entire trip, which he did through working at the YMCA with kids. Sounds like Kylor is keyed up for this experience.

They are just some amazing boys.

Our entourage then drove to downtown Johannesburg to visit the Apartheid Museum for a better understanding of the country's history, and how the segregation has negatively and discriminately affected generations after it. We ended up taking a wrong turn, and although disappointed that we never actually made it to the museum, here is where serendipity happened.

We went to Market City - lots of vendors and a central outside venue where performers are on stage doing all sorts of things; rapping, singing, magic, etc. The media is here, and since we were the only white people in the downtown Johannesburg -what an experience to be the minority - they came over to talk to us. Frikkie, Dave and some of the athletes, as well as Mattie Koen were interviewed by three radio stations! Frik also did an interview (see photo) with a reporter from channel E, which is the most widely watched station in South Africa. The interview made the 7:00news that night. You couldn't pay for that kind of publicity. Only God arranges such serendipity!

Frik with Channel E Reporter




Channel E Reporter interviewing










The Voortrekker Monument
We then traveled north to Pretoria to the Voortrekker Monument, where Tina's (mirror image) twin sister met us with a prepared picnic - thank you Debbie and husband Adrian. We ate under a pavillion in the park and then walked through the park to the monument, which commemorates he battle of the Voortrekkers against a local native tribe. What, you've never heard of the Voortrekkers? They were settlers from England. More to the story - but that would have to be another blog entirely. However; the entire inside of he monument has a bas relief depiction of the settlers from their first landing in South Africa to the victory of the battle. It was amazing. We climbed the spiral staircase to the top and could see for miles.

Me at the top of the monument













The checkered floor photo was taken from above at a distance high enough to make you dizzy and numb by just barely looking over he edge. It's probably four stories high.














Looking down - see the people?
The hole looks down to the basement below.

Matthew next to a monstrous Aloe
plant outside the monument.











Matthew and Josh next
to a cactus plant
outside the monument.

That evening, Adrien's parents - Keith and Melita Pearson invited us to their lovely home where we all shared a meal that, once again, Debbie prepared for us. It was delish, only to be outdone by the dessert - Malva pudding, which would never be served justice with words, only by experiencing it through your taste buds. I will post the recipe when Tina or Debbie give it up. Adrien's brother Gareth and wife Tracy were also our hosts, and they were just so incredibly welcoming and generous. Thank you Pearson Family!!!!