Oh, (South) Africa.. How I Love Thee!

*Note: This blog is photo heavy… which I know makes most readers happy.  It took forever to pick and upload these, and I hope you enjoy em.. but please do take time and read the actual content.. If I could also make a request to please read my blogs in general, whether or not I post pictures, so you know what’s going on.. I started the year w/ hardly any photos (deferring you to Mel’s and other teammates’ blogs), and have begun to include lots more, but I can’t guarantee photos due to limited time or connectivity.. can you guarantee me loyal readership anyway?  I also prefer blogs with photos that accompany them cuz photos spice things up.  But now that I’m on the other side of things, I realize how much I appreciate the fact that blogs are being read for the words and not just if they have pictures.  Thanks!*

 

My month in South Africa was surprisingly wonderful and full of blessings. I didn’t expect that staying in the country I’d solely associated w/ touristy Capetown and business-center/ghetto Johannesburg with would end up being so hard to leave.  I have the communities of Back Door and even Nelspruit (where Betor House is located) to thank for providing all the memorable moments and warm people, and for feeding my obsessions.  The church under the tent at Back Door really gave us a fantastic send-off on our last Sunday (6/28), praying for us, asking us to go up and share a farewell message (Dave and I both said a short thanks), and inviting us to dance alongside them (a huge honor, considering how well they dance and how well I DON’T!).  I was also blessed with Pastor Surprise ‘Surpresa’ Sithole and his wife Trythina, being there that Sunday instead of in Mozambique like they’d planned… so I got to hear Trythina lead the worship in singing one of my favorite new worship songs, Show Us Your Glory.. for more on Surprise, visit his website: http://surprisesithole.com

 

 Vogue photo shoot on “the Farm” on our last day there:

I loved that lone tree in the background – it was the reason for the spontaneous photo shoot.. reminds me of U2’s The Joshua Tree album or something. 

 

The scenery and color accent make for a very Africa look.  Lins’ blonde hair matched the golden wheat perfectly… she’s such a natural model and easy on the eyes!  I love takin pics of her.

I’m quite proud of this pic.. after I saw how well Lins’ lone pic turned out, I found Dave (had to drag him away from cleaning) and made him model with her… have you ever seen a more beautiful pair?  No photo enhancement was needed.

We were supposed to be peekin’ out from the fields of wheat, but somehow I just look like a hobbit popping out..

Can you believe this is our first jumping shot ALL year?  This would never happen at home.  Lyd, are you proud?  Jen looks elegant, Lins looks joyful, and I look…like Karate Kid gone wrong.

Here’s our J.Crew ad… Mel assumed model position immediately.. I like Jen’s casual pose and everyone else’s but I never know what to do so it’s always the “hand on hip and grin”..

One more – can you spot the similarity (instead of the difference)?  Oh, yes, it’s Steph… she doesn’t change positions when the other girls do, cuz she doesn’t have any originality.  Yea, this is why I enjoy taking the pictures instead

 

My S. Africa Obsessions:

1. the Adorable, now infamous Big Heads.  I hafta be careful not to type “My Big Heads” and my team has to
regularly remind me that they do have a mother who loves them..

this was 6/26, our last Friday together..

  Big Head 2 got pretty attached to me – we were joined at the hip.. well, he was glued to mine, and I didn’t really have a hard time keeping him there.

  He’d become so happy and funny, like he was finally out of his shell.  Pretty big difference from the first Friday I’d met him (6/12).  I bet he’s quite a character when he’s not shy.

 

  This was my view when I put him down.. he hugged my waist and would lift up his arms and smile, indicating he wanted to be picked up again.. needless to say, I was pretty heartbroken to leave that day.. I wanted to stay as long as I could, and haven’t stopped thinking of this little guy since.

 

Trythina heavily into worship on our last Sunday.. what a
joy to have her voice (gifted) as one of my final memories.. I took many close
ups and videos..

3. Braais (rhymes with fries) – also known as bbqs in S.
Africa. Those who know me know that
“Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner”
is pretty much my ideal motto in terms of diet.. the more red meat, the happier
I am. So yea, braais, small and large,
were had and enjoyed during my month here. We had our own small version on a small grill, with Benny as
grillmaster. Then, on our last Saturday,
we went to a butcher’s house and had a GRAND braai, with fancy grills,
delicious meat (lamb and pork) as appetizer and main course, and plenty of
it! I was in heaven.

  Benny preps the small grill

hot dogs.  mmmm

Another night, we threw our own braai, w/ burgers and sausages for the team, and one rump steak to be shared b/w Benny and me.

 

Not shown: the sides of creamed spinach, creamed corn, baked potato, cole slaw… I obviously care mostly about the meat.

 

Team Lum’s idea of a last meal on the farm.  The ledge I put the camera on is blocking the array of burgers I’m holding.  Sad.

Not to hate on our little braai the night before, but here at the butcher’s braai, there was serious grilling equipment and action.  You can’t see it, but there’s dual grills. This is outside, on their porch.  Pork is what’s grilling, as an appetizer.  Super juicy and tender.. i’ll spare ya all the pics I took of just the meat on the flames.

Spit-roasted lamb.. craziness

Wimpie (pronounced Vimpie), son of the butcher…

.. and my new BF (that’s BEST friend to ya’ll)!

check out the “crackling” aka crunchy pork skin.. my family would’ve loved and relished every bite.  we are total carnivores, so I missed them (and ate for them) that night!

  Lamb in gravy sauce

  Pork in a sweeter sauce

one happy camper!!  there were plenty of other sides as well – veggies, creamed potatoes, salad, etc… I ate like a pig.  No regrets.  Wimpie’s family was so generous, kind, and welcoming as hosts… they went above and beyond for the large group of us.. may God continue to grant them favor in their butcher shop.

4. Bonfires – I love sitting and staring at fires.. the last time we had one (aka Benny gathering all the sticks, twigs, wood and basically doing the whole thing) was in Haiti.  Luckily, S. Africa’s winter meant it was cold enough to have fires, which we enjoyed a handful of times this month.. I appreciated sitting and letting Benny start and fan the flames, altho I’d throw in a twig/branch every once in a while… some of the best convos start and end at fires.

 

 

5. Dogs!  I’ve said that dog = God for me.. and not just cuz of the spelling.. I see God in how dogs love unconditionally.. sometimes there’s a connection, a peacefulness and joy that comes to me when I’m petting them (certain ones). 

This is one of Wimpie’s family’s 3 Jack Russell terriers.. reminded me a bit of Casey, whom I miss and love dearly.  I haven’t pet a domestic dog all year until the night of the butcher’s braai.. the wild or strays don’t really count… watta great way to end the nite!

6. Last but never least, the “still cute and going strong” Jen Den… my original obsession, and now the squad crush (I have good taste).  I am still obsessed with her but dealing with sharing her amongst 51 others.

While this picture was my idea, I certainly didn’t hafta do much convincing… she loves me.

 

“and they lived happily ever after…”