January 14, 2007
I feel a little bit like a dishtowel. You know when you are drying dishes after dinner and the dishtowel you are using is so wet that it doesn’t even pick up water off the plate, it just moves it around? I feel a little bit like that wet towel. Saturated. We have seen so much and experienced so much that I feel like I am dripping with stories and facts and encounters and growth.
This morning after a good night’s sleep in this new place we wiped the sleepers from our eyes, ate a delicious breakfast, and piled into the van to go to a Dutch Reformed Church. The service was great: a warm welcome from the pulpit, friendly people, and Dutchy pastries afterwards. The only snag was that we couldn’t understand a word. Everything was in Afrikaans. But, Afrikaans is very similar to the Dutch language, and I could even belt out my English versions of the hymns they were singing. We sang “How Goote is U” which is “How Great Thou Art” in English.
After the service we met our host families for the afternoon who volunteered to open their homes to us. I met my cheery, middle class family with two children who were home from university. The son, in fact, has a dream of becoming a Hollywood actor so he proceeded to take out his guitar for the Americans and serenade us before dinner and talk in Irish, New York, and English accents throughout the meal. It was entertaining to say the least. We were served mutton, chicken, potato salad, pan, cucumber salad, carrot and pineapple salad, rolls, muffins, sausage, a tomato salsa type dish, tea, and milk tart for dessert. Needless to say, they were more than hospitable and we all waddled to the car to head home.
The interesting, and maybe a little heated, part of the afternoon came when conversation flowed to issues of politics. My family was astonishingly progressive, but many other students were hosted by families who were openly racist and/or sexist. It was the separatist mindset of the Dutch Reformed church in the early 20th century that helped fuel the apartheid movement, and apparently, old habits die hard for some people. Overall, this afternoon’s experiences were fascinating and beneficial.
On other news it was Matt’s 40th birthday today! Woot woot! Also, it is the rainy season. And by rainy I mean sporadic torrential downpour. I have started to gather gopher wood for a small ark I will begin construction on tomorrow. Africa is great, I miss and love you all and thanks for being interested in our travels.
Brit,
It was GREAT to actually hear you today, filling in some of the (few) blanks on the fabulous blog messages. Many thanks to the person whose cell phone you were able to borrow. Both Mom and I can’t wait to get more details on what sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I’m really glad that you’re getting close to many aspects of life in SA, the people, culture and land.I’ll close, but one more piece of news: Da BEARS just won 5 minutes into OT over Seattle with a 49 year field goal. Really a close, back & forth game but the best team eventually won. I’m glad tha you’ll be back for at least some of the post-season that could still involve Chicago. Next week, the Saints (not you guys) are in the Windy.
Now for Mom: Oh, my gosh...could you tell how excited I was to hear your voice on the phone??? You sounded so wonderful and we are thilled for all of you for all of the marvelous experiences you are having. You are all in our prayers for continued safety. I cannot wait to hug your cute self!! Love Mom
Posted by Britton's Mom & Dad on 01/14 at 04:42 PMHi Girls,
Wow! What a fabulous time!
I began reading the entry for Sunday and I didn’t even look at the author’s name ... as I was reading I thought, “this must be Laura!” You are a great writer, Laura, and you take a great Sunday afternoon dinner picture, as usual, Steph… looks like your getting a tan!
Love ya both.
Mom
Posted by jvogelzang on 01/14 at 06:26 PMWhat an adventure everyone is having! Every evening we’re excited to read the latest stories. If you haven’t heard, Calvin lost to Hope. Enjoy your warm weather because we have storm warnings out for tonight and tomorrow. Hope to read a blog from you soon Amanda. We love and miss you and look forward to your brief return. Hi to all!
Posted by Mom and Dad Stek on 01/14 at 06:37 PMI hope you guys are having fun!
God bless,
LukePosted by Luke on 01/15 at 11:52 AMGreetings (especially Justin) We have been trying to send you a message several times now with no luck.(D even tried from Ferris) I am hoping this time goes thru. We have enjoyed nightly your blogs with amazing photos. What an awesome trip!( We even had grandpa and grandma here to view them. Also your Canadian aunt and uncle were home this weekend and saw them.) We’re glad everyone is healthy and you had a safe trip to Jo-burg. Can’t wait to see this week’s adventures. P.S. The roses were delivered and I received a BIG hug (for you of course.) We will continue to pray for you all. Love, Mom, Dad, and D
Posted by The Boldt Family on 01/15 at 12:21 PM
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