Our first stop in Africa was Johannesburg, South Africa. We stayed in a backpacking hostel as a squad. That’s right, all 40ish of us! The reason for our weekend in Johannesburg was Leadership Development Weekend (LDW). This is designed to let everyone catch their breath as well as training for the months to come. Three days to take a break from pouring out and instead be poured into by our squad leaders, as well as, just having time to spend in the way you rest best. This weekend was much needed.
After two months living in very different cultures than my own, being in Johannesburg was a shock, because it looked a lot like my home. Most of South Africa is developed, modern, the people dress like I do, wifi is everywhere, they have Starbucks and Krispy Kreme. All of those things were strange to see and be a part of for a few days, especially knowing that soon I would be in rural Botswana for two months. But it was really beneficial too. I feel rested, not just in the physical way of resting after two months of being a busy body. But it was an emotional and spiritual rest. With the abundance of wifi, I got to communicate home and reach out to people I haven’t been able to on the race before. My squad and I got to explore a really cool city and make some sweet memories together. I had some lovely conversations with the people I met. One lady, named Ruth, asked Paige and I where we were from and we got to tell her all about what we are doing and about the world race. At the end of the conversation she seemed very determined to share this with her son who is around our age because it sounded like something he would really consider. How crazy would that be? A simple conversation over a market table could lead a young man from South Africa to join world race, because two Americans who happened to cross paths with Ruth and shared what they are doing with these nine months of their lives. That sounds like something God likes to do, if you ask me. Another great part of this weekend was that it made me aware of time. Everywhere we went there were Christmas decorations up. That was the first time I realized that Christmas was right around the corner!
Sadly, this weekend was marred by one low point… a few days before we left Haiti, I got a little rash on my neck. I wasn’t worried, thought it might just be a bug bite that was itchy, no big deal. Wrong, big deal. On travel day(s) we flew from Haiti to New York (Go USA!), then to Qatar, and then to South Africa. The flight from Qatar to South Africa was quite an experience. The rash had spread to my legs, arms, stomach, chest and face. And this is on a flight, that’s 12 hours, and there’s nothing I can do but try my hardest not to scratch the endless itching. As soon as we landed, I went to the air port clinic (Qatar airport is extremely fancy and cool). They told me, “you’re having a reaction,” gave me some pills and said I was good to go. Not good to go. So when I got to our hostel in South Africa, i made my way to the hospital clinic in walking distance. Even in South Africa, the medical care is not like in the US. They gave me a shot, handed me some pills and told me I’m good to go… Again. Not good to go. The next day my rash had swollen my eyelids and ears and I was starting to get very nervous. The main issue: no one knows what caused it. So I had to go back to the clinic. A new doctor was there, saw me and immediately took me into her room, and helped me. Within the first half hour I was seeing the swelling and redness go down. Praise God for medicine and doctors!! Most of the rash went away after taking the pills for a week. But it wasn’t healing completely, and caused a lot of irritation. I really had to practice “worry about nothing, pray about everything.” The rash is slowly but surely going away, prayers welcome : ) I am endlessly grateful that this rash developed in a modern city with great medical resources. God is very good to me. If it were to start in rural Botswana, the nearest clinic to receive help would have been more than a two hour drive. Praise God perfect timing!
I am excited, SO excited for Botswana. Though I am nervous, too, I KNOW big things are going to happen. And soon. Can’t wait to update y’all : )
