With approximately twelve days at our disposal, we decided to hit the open road in South Africa and see where the Lord takes us. Our metaphorical Journey with the Lord has become a literal one. We are asking Him to lead us further into the depths of who He is and who we are. And we are asking Him to lead us step-by-step through South Africa.
These are our road trip adventures. This is the Journey of Agapetos.
Part I: The Zulu Kingdom
We decided to head south. We knew we wanted to hit the Durban area. Now, I have some amazing friends in Ashland, Ohio, that have spent some time in South Africa. So, we called up their friends (with very little notice) and asked if we could stop in on our way through.
Pat Blair with YWAM and local contact Garry Hare welcomed us to Hillcrest, a town outside of the coastal city of Durban. Our new home was overlooking the Valley of a Thousand Hills, mostly inhabited by the native Zulu people. Pat and Garry’s ministry centers around empowering the Zulu people, who were severely oppressed during the South African apartheid.
We spent a couple of days in Hillcrest. We visited a local school and taught the children about how God’s love protects us. Then we spent some time encouraging the “go-go’s,” the grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren and other small children in the community. There is a generation gap in South Africa, where much of the middle generation has either died from or is suffering with AIDS. This leaves the older generation raising the younger one. We had a wonderful time meeting these incredible women.
Of course, we spent some time at the beach in Durban. From Durban, we took the coastal route west across South Africa. Occasionally, we just had to stop and play on the beach.
Part II: Detour
There is a part of South Africa called the Wild Coast. There are very few road leading there, and one is led to believe that the Wild Coast is natural, untamed Africa. It sounded perfect to us.
The dirt road leading to the Wild Coast winded through the beautiful African countryside. Unfortunately, the wild African roads proved to be too much for poor “sharan.”
After we dug out, we spent the night at the nature reserve. We spent the next morning exploring and discovering a gorgeous sight – a waterfall that flows directly into the ocean!
Part III: Reunion
On our way towards Capetown, we stopped for lunch in beautiful Jeffrey’s Bay, which just so happens to be where Kelly is staying for the moment! Though we didn’t have much time, Kelly was able to stop by (she was only a few blocks away) and hang out for awhile. It was so good to see our sister, and she is doing very well, following the Spirit of God on new adventures.
Part IV: World’s Highest Bungee Jump
So we had heard from our other adrenaline-junkie friends that the world’s highest bungee jump is here in South Africa. Now, I have decided that you are not really living unless you have to stop every once in awhile and say, “Oh, s***, what am I doing?!?” I figured it had been at least a week since I had said that, so I might as well jump off a bridge. I mean, who can pass the world’s highest bungee jump and not jump?
Now, let me tell you about bungee jumping. There are very little instructions and no way to mess it up. I think you really turn off part of your brain (the common sense part). The kind gentlemen explain how safe you are with the belts and bungee cords. You just stare at them, knowing they’re saying something important, but not really understanding because you’ve turned off the common-sense part of your brain. I remember thinking. Arms out. Jump straight out. Look pretty for the camera.
At this point, everything goes blank. You are not thinking anything. Everything just goes blank.
The jump… And the fall.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the face of pure adrenaline.
Part V: Gordon’s Bay
We have finally arrived in Gordon’s Bay, outside of Capetown. We will be here for a few days before we head back for the return trip. Gordon’s Bay has already been a special place for me. My favorite spot to spend time with the Lord is on a balcony overlooking the ocean. (Usually in my mind!) We are staying with Tom and Cindy Sipling, our Jesus-followers and friends. They just so happen to have a house with a balcony overlooking the bay. If you would like to see more pictures from the trip, check out michelle’s videos. Stay tuned for stories from the return trip! If you need me, I’ll be here… seeking the Lord and resting in His Presence. As always, I’m yours for the Journey!
