Well it’s been a while since my last update, so we are going to play a little catch up here and more later 🙂
We flew out of ATL Jan 9th and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was a 15-hour flight but it didn’t seem that long for me. I had all my new friends around me laughing and pretty much owning the plane, plus we watched 3 movies and that passes time! Once we landed around 5 pm the next day, we had to find a place to sleep and get to the bus station the next morning for an 18-hour bus ride for Cape Town! Wait what? So, like world race veterans, we decided to sleep in the airport. We piled all the bags in the back corner and most of the men slept on the outsides of the fort to be watchmen. What an adventure already!
We arrived in Cape Town on Jan 12th around 7:00 am and each team went to the host homes and got settled in. What I didn’t know is that I would spend the first 2 nights by myself to start of the race. My team is spread out into 3 host homes, whereas most teams live together for the month. My teammate that was supposed to be paired with me at my host home was having issues with his passport and wasn’t able to join us until a few days late. But God knew exactly what He was doing when He placed me here with the Able family. This family (Paul, Claudene, and Rebecca Able) has invested in me every second since I have been here. Paul is in the Navy and the way he loves Claudene is how every husband should love his wife. He walks in humility and has much wisdom in the Lord. Claudene is the counselor at Simons Town School and let me tell you she can do it all. She does not fear man and will not stop going all out for the Gospel and to see this entire school converted to Christianity. She continually speaks truth into my life and really challenges me as a leader. Rebecca, oh man, God is going to take her all over the world and use her in mighty ways. She is rooted in the Lord and is going to be a doctor. I promise she is the most intelligent, disciplined, and driven 15 year old I’ve ever met. She is also running for Cape Town Junior Mayor. Needless to say, I have been blessed beyond measure by just watching how this family interacts with each other and how they live for God. If you are a future world racer reading this right now and you will be coming to Cape Town… I suggest you start praying now that you may be fortunate enough like me to stay with this family for the month.
Copy and paste this link to view photos or just go to my South Africa Photo album on my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/harris.richie/media_set?set=a.10202013332627186.1073741829.1002060208&type=3
Here are some things that have happened along the way that I think would catch your eye:
-The spiders are HUGE here (duh y’all knew that was going to be no.1 on the list) and you don’t want to come in contact with a baboon spider trust me.
-The family has the coolest pup around (lucky)
-I touched a penguin and we see them everyday when we walk down to the beach after ministry.
-Running at sunrise in Cape Town I mean come onnn
-Jet lag had me all screwed up for 2 days and it was rough.
-No tents this month. I’m actually spoiled by this family and I feel like I’m at home. I have put on a few pounds. I’m showering everyday for those back home who don’t think I am… Taylor Huff to mention one J
-We have had numerous opportunities to share the Gospel in front of hundreds of students. Through Claudene’s hard work and by God’s grace I have the opportunity to speak on the radio station CCFM 107.5 this coming Tuesday at 11:10 am South Africa time. I will be talking as well as the principal of Simons Town School, Rebecca (grade 10), and George (grade 9). God is so amazing and I am very humbled to have this opportunity to share with the world who Jesus is! You can stream it on your phone and the coverage is worldwide!
-I took a taxi home one day and that’s when I met Elliot and Shane. I was able to share Christ with them and now I see Shane in town all the time, so I get in check in with him time to time.
-I see Mongooses and Baboons on the reg. Last Saturday morning I woke up to Caludene yelling that a baboon broke into the house! So, I got up and look in the living room and there I saw the alpha male baboon chilling on the dining room table eating fruit while juice is gushing down his chin. The oddest thing I have probably encountered in some time, but it was awesome! Sorry no picture on this one… it all happened so fast.
-Most of my team surfed last Friday. WE SURFED IN MUIZENBERG AND IT WAS LITERALLY ½ MILE FROM SEAL ISLAND (where most of Shark Week is filmed!!) I did not see a great white shark, but I could not quit thinking about Jaws while out in that water. Dillion and Aashiq are students from Simons Town High School who taught us how to surf. Dillion is actually a Pro Junior surfer who is one of the top surfers in his division in Africa and he is sponsored by Vans. Aashiq is such a fun guy to be around and right now he is a Muslim, but I have faith he will come to know Jesus soon!
-The entire squad hiked Table Mountain! That day was spent in much adoration of God and His beautiful artwork.
-The squad went to see South Africa vs. Nigeria soccer game at the same stadium that hosted the World Cup a few years ago. This picture shows how much fun that was.
-I fed a baby for the first time! Not so bad after all.
-I am cage diving with great white sharks this Saturday and the squad is going to Cape Point Sunday.
Some things God has been teaching me:
-Always have a Sabbath (rest/rejuvenate) I’ve been sprinting the race right now. You can’t sprint because this is a marathon, so I must conserve energy.
-God is more concerned with my “being with Him” rather than my “doing for Him”. It’s time to enjoy Him.
-Never tire of telling your story
-Be observant of teammates and continually check in and know where they are spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
-Keep a list of goals for the year of what I want to see the Lord do.
-Finding true identity in Christ and walking in it. What He says about me, not what others say about me.
Our ministry for this month is at Simons Town School. Bradley Barnes is our ministry host with Kingdom Sports. I have really enjoyed getting to know this incredible man of God during my time here. We lead P.E. classes with grades 4-12 and we also substitute teach. Through building relationships with the students and engaging them through sports, there is a platform to share the Gospel with them. The school allows the Gospel to be preached which is awesome and hard to fathom at the same time because we can’t talk about Christianity in public schools back home in the states. God’s presence flows through these hallways. I noticed it from the moment we steeped in this place. The Lord is capturing the hearts of the students and the faculty here and I’m just honored to be a part of it. We ask for your prayers as we go hard to make sure these students hear the truth of the Gospel before we leave South Africa. Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!
I have never felt more alive in my life. I have fallen in love with this place. I want give a BIG thanks to all my donors and prayer warriors out there! I have already met my April deadline ($11,500) and I am currently at $12,500!!!! I am so blessed by each one of you and your commitment to see the great commission in action all over the world. God is so faithful. It is a privilege to play a small part in His plan of redemption.
Wherever you are… never tire of telling your story. Don’t tell your story and live another life. Rely on the Lord to give you courage to tell and strength to live for Him.
