Tuesday - Feb. 11

I've tried to upload photos, but have not been successful. I don't know if it's the weak wifi or me not remembering how I did it last time! I'll keep at it (but not tonight).


Saturday - We went to the Milnerton Flea Market - a hodge podge of African crafts and tag sale stuff. We found a couple things to purchase... Then to the Waterfront to shop, ride the ferris wheel and have lunch. In the afternoon we visited with friends (of friends in Wisconsin) in Newlands. Then back to the Renaissance Lodge for our final dinner with Mom before she returned home. Angie (our hostess) prepared snoek - a local popular fish which we had purchased in Hout Bay. It is very bony (loooong bones) and tastes a little like tuna, but not so "tuna-y." It was delicious! Mom left on a midnight flight. (sigh....)


Sunday - Sophia and I went to worship twice on Sunday. First at 9:30 at a neighborhood Presbyterian & Reformed Church. We arrived late, because we accidently walked into the wrong church just a block away - but was an Afrikaans Reformed Church (oops - wrong language!). I was hoping for traditional reformed worship and almost got it! The pastors were casually dressed (no robes) and the prayers were extemporaneous, but meaningful and grace filled. The sermon was 45 minutes long, expository (everyone had their Bibles on their laps), and excellent! The pastor is beginning a series on Ephesians and this was his "overview" sermon. How moving it was for me to receive the Good News of the Gospel in the prayers and sermon - made me tear up! There was no order of worship, hymnal or choir. There was a pianist and drummer and 3 people leading singing from microphones (the church has no organ), and the words to the songs/hymns were projected on a screen. We sang a couple traditional hymns and other songs that were hymnic. The people were VERY friendly. Sophia says she'd like to go back. I'd like to find a church with traditional organ music. So we'll see what we do next Sunday. There is a Methodist church a block from our house, so maybe we'll try that.


After the Presbyterian/Reformed church, we made it back to Hillsong for their 11:30 service. We sat in the balcony again but had better seats so we could see the stage. The "rock concert" atmosphere was already in motion as we arrived. After a welcome by the wife of the husband/wife pastor team, she introduced communion and said that trays would be coming by and that we should take the bread and cup and wait 'til everyone's been served. She said that this is a reminder of what Jesus did for us. Then when we'd all received the elements (tiny pieces of saltines and grape juice in tiny plastic cups - served from a plastic "all in one" tray with the bread in the middle and cups on each side) she said a prayer about the body of Christ (and we ate) and then a prayer about the blood of Christ (and we drank.) Then they came with plastic buckets for us to put our empty cups in. All the while the band was playing. Then on with the service - same order as before - prayers, song, announcement, song, sermon, song, altar call, song. The preacher was the lead pastor from Hillsong Germany (he used Bonhoeffer as an illustration). While Sophia loves being there, this time she fell asleep in my lap during the sermon, and when it was finished (1 hour and a half) she was eager to leave the building (and didn't quite know why...).


I find I'm craving silence in worship, and a peaceful environment, and some mystery.... At Hillsong, everything is AWESOME and INSPIRING and loud. The reach of this church is impressive, and their work in mission is tremendous. I'm wondering what God is teaching me through my time with them....


Monday - We returned to Miracle Kidz (safe house for 10 children). It was nice to be back with the kids and this week, I got to bathe them. Two at a time and then change the water. It's quite an undertaking! They are high energy and wiggly and slippery when wet! And you know how much toddlers love to be naked and running around! This time, Sophia got to spend more time with Bernita, who is 10 years old. They really enjoy each other - it's nice.


Tuesday - (free day) - We visited the Aquarium at the Waterfront, had lunch there, rode the ferris wheel, and went and purchased tickets to The Sound of Music at the big performing arts center downtown (which we'll see in a few weeks).


So, how much does parking cost at Quincy Market in Boston for a few hours? Well, here the equivalent costs $1 ! Amazing!!! Parking everywhere is so cheap!  And the most expensive seats at the theatre were $42 / ticket! Unheard of at any of the downtown theatres in Boston. Everything here is (to my standards) much less expensive than home.


In the afternoon Sophia skyped with her class back home in Maynard for 1 hour! It was wonderful. She was in the class for their morning meeting and math lesson. (I think we need to step up our "homework" time here....!)


I'll try to get some photos here soon. Perhaps I can post some directly to facebook for those of you who hang out there.


We continue to dwell in gratitude and awe for this amazing experience in this stunningly beautiful place with even more beautiful people.