This Is Africa. I was totally excited about coming to Africa and now that we’re here it’s hard to believe it. I was excited but also terrified at the same time. Pre-race when I would be asked about what countries I might someday return to I always said Africa right away, without any hesitation. And my response each time scared me a little. I wasn’t all that sure what to expect. I was however, expecting the 3 months we were to spend in Africa to be like nothing else. I was expecting Africa to be tough emotionally, spiritually, and physically. As racers we have a running joke that we’re saving everything in our packs for Africa. Extra spice packets are saved just for Africa. Vitamins – saving for Africa. Heavy long skirts – saving for Africa. I found and bought Fbreeze in Malaysia just for Africa.
When we arrived in Johannesburg I really didn’t think that we were actually in Africa, it totally feels like America. But as we boarded the bus for Umtata and then jumped in our vans headed to Coffee Bay it felt like Africa. Hills covered in dead brown grass. Colorful huts line the dips and valleys of those hills. What used to be rivers now leave dry craters in the earth. Women walk beside the road carrying large pots and baskets on their heads. And there are children, everywhere. We have seen starving and malnourished children in every country so far. We have also seen children who only own the clothes on their backs. And we are now seeing this in South Africa, but I feel there’s a difference. You are now seeing the very bloated guts because these precious children are truly starving. We are also seeing 5 year old girls walking around in a tank top and small skirt even though it’s probably 50 degrees on average during the day. But they have no other choice. As I sleep in my warm sleeping bag at night they are cuddling with their brothers and sisters, blanket–less trying to get warm.
We are working with children who are 14 and because both their parents have died of AIDs they are now responsible for their 8 younger brothers and sisters. We are introducing these children to Christ and sharing the hope and love that He offers. We are also trying to set eat child up with a Christian mentor so that when we leave they have someone they can always turn to and someone who will help them continue on their walk with God.
