Africa - Day Four

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. - I Corinthians 9:16

Today, we got up early but still managed to miss the school meeting we were supposed to attend. It wasn't really anyone in our group's fault just likely the outworking of the South African laid back attitude . . . which, by the way, is a bit difficult for my driven self.

Instead of visiting the school, we cleaned up the church grounds. I was amazed at how much progress the kids made in a really short period of time. The moved hundreds of rocks by hand, raked the ground of all the trash and debris. It looked like a different yard by the time we were done.

We visited the high school during the afternoon. Crazy experience - there weren't any teachers because the apparently went to pay their respects to the family of one of the teachers who had died. We split into small groups and divided into the classrooms. I gave Joey's testimony because he was busy at the church putting up a jungle gym - and in a way, I guess it is my testimony. During the time I talked about Joey's story, was the only time that the kids were completely silent and attentive.

In the late afternoon we again had a kids activity and a youth meeting. I hit a wall last night when we got back to the camp, though. My energy level was barely functioning. Thankfully we ate, showered and slept.

The people here are amazing - they have lived through more than most of us can imagine, they're more joyful than most Americans, and they love and trust Jesus in a way that seems foreign to those of us who have so much.