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!!!!

Friday, June 12 - Piece of Cake

A I board in Cinci, I decide to meet the pilots in an effort to calm my nerves. They were two very nie gentlemen, and were more than happy to show me the cockpit and how everything worked. They both had over 30,000 hours of flying time. They were pleased to show me their very cool dashboard lights, levers, buttons and pictures of their kids they kept in their pilot hats - Joey would have loved it. I felt so much better and they put my mind at ease.

Takeoff was a breeze - no pun intended, and Matthew was quite sweet and helpful offering his hand to squeeze, great words of encouragement and statistical facts about how safe flying was. The whole thing was a piece of cake.

In Atlanta, Dave (Woeste soccer coach extraordinnaire), Russ (photographer and videographer for the trip), Matthew and I ate dinner. Before we knew it, it was time to board and take off to SA. The flight from Atlanta to South Africa was 16 hours. I slept the entire way. This was no small feat as one had to be a contortionist just to sit in the very small space between the seats, let alone sleep there.

The landing was was awesome. I didn't even realize we were close to the ground and the pilot landed the huge craft like it was a feather. We then went on the mission trip of finding our luggage. Most everything came through OK, except for Matthew's guitar!!! Our worst nightmare. While we were waiting, however; we were amused and entertained by a beagle-sniffing drug hunter performing due dilligence by inspecting our bags. When he abruptly stopped and detected what he was trained to find in one of the boys' bags, I was a little worried. The customs officer conducted a thorough search of the luggage and found the dog's booty - beef jerky! We laughed in relief. Finally, after we found our luggage all the boxes of supplies were located and lo and behold, Matthew's guitar with it - oh joy! The case was a little worse for the wear, but that was it.

Matthew and I waiting for or luggage

Our Cincinnati entourage after we got all our luggage

Got through customs - breeze. Found the Koens - excitement, disbelief, surreal. Airport was big, had a mall in it and bigger than life. Not like a European airport where things are on a small scale. Once we had the luggage, we all posed for a group photo.

Standing: Mary Kirk, Dan Richardson, Dave Woeste, Killian Richardson, Chris Richardson, Tyler Brun, Garret Listo, David Kisor (in red), Coach Carl Eifert, Tyler Eifert, Kylor Mackey, Logan Wells, Bryan Wellage, Hayden Menshouse, Jen Schlosser, Coach Terry, Paul Crockett and Joshua Koen.

Front Row: Alex Henn, Brad Zinnecker, Tyler Galley, Brendan Uetrecht, Corey Campbell, Mattie Koen (in black), Amy Crockett (in white), Matthew Pace, Janet Pace

Where are Carole Ryan and Mark Campbell? Taking the picture.

We took the luggage outside and sorted about 80 - 90 bags onto busses, trailers and rental cars. Matthew and I rode with Tina, Josh and Mattie to the hotel airport where we are staying for just one night. Did I mention it is cold yet? So cold you can see your breath.

When we landed it was dark - it's winter here - so not much to see. The highways have no streetlights, and everyone drives like they have a NASCAR. Once at our cozy hotel, we went into the 'restaurant' - a combination of an up north tavern with some English flair to it. English style drapes, paintings and candlesticks, but also rustic tables and chairs with an odd primitiveness to it. Did I mention it is cold? There is no heat in the buildings.

We had a fine home-cooked meal in the little tavern/cafeteria/continental breakfast type, up-north looking English influence room.
There was pizza for the kids who were thrilled. Looked so good, but decided to go for the native fair - minced meat. It was a wonderful reward. It tasted like a mixture of sloppy joes and stew. Fine ground beef with veggies, in a very good sauce. Excellent rice, fresh salad and beet root - which Tina hadn't had since she was a kid, that I had never had, and still haven't.

After dinner we got our room assignments. Matthew went back with the Koen's to Ohm (uncle) Freddie's and was so excited about it. Marnus had kindly given Matthew one of his jackets, since we forgot to pack one - did I mention it is cold? So I have a room to myself - good, but not great. Foreign country, foreign continent, foreigners and did I mention it's cold?

Marnus (long-time friend of Frik's and executive director for Bridge to Cross in Africa) then informed me that all rooms have an electric blanket. Thank you Jesus, because, did I mention that it's cold? Once in my room, I discover that there is no electric blanket. I have socks, sweat pants, t-shirt, hoodie, black running jacket on in bed with one sheet and four blankets. It's still cold. I did make some tea in a 'hotpot'. Just to hold the cup feels good, but I sure hope the tea is decaffineated. It doesn't say on the label - there was no label, they were just in a little baggie. But it's warming me up at least.

Tomorrow, we are getting up early. Russ and I are going to interview some of the soccer players to get their perspecitive on what they think they're in for. We're then it's on to the Apartheid museum. I'm preparing to be blown away. Getting sleepy now. Tea must be decaf.

Thursday, June 11 - Getting Ready to Go!

After 3 months of preparation, the day is finally here and I'm still incredulous. Passports acquired, immunizations done, Malaria tablet schedule in full swing, and all other major boxes checked. As Matthew and I pack our last little items into our backpacks and luggage, I look at him in disbelief. My mind scans from his premature birth 13 years ago when he could have slept in a small shoe box to just yesterday when I bought him a size 10.5 shoe. I know I'll feel a little safer traveling with this young man whom I once was so crazy about keeping safe. It also finally hits me that we're leaving Doug, Joey, Mark and the USA behind for 10 plus days and it's surreal. I have a peaceful calm about it, not as nervous as I thought I'd be.

My prayers to the God our Heavenly Father have been to prepare my heart and mind for what he has in store for me.

Thirty-two Bridge to Cross entourage members met up at the airport, everyone with their Bridge to Cross polo's on - the athletes from Dave Woeste Soccer School looking official and cool at the same time. I couldn't help but wonder where their minds were at and try to anticipate where their hearts will be in just over a week. I believe we are all in for the change of heart of a lifetime, the scope and depth of which we cannot fathom.

Now to get on the plane - I loathe flying - terrified actually. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.