Today P31 and Fierce Pursuit (another family) headed to the bus station at noon. Our bus was supposed to come at 3pm. After being told by a local the bus would be two hours late we made ourselves comfortable on the sidewalk. (Just gotta laugh) As it got later and the sun began to set, the cold weather settled in. We huddled up and had great conversations with some South Africans joining in at times. At 8:30, 9 hours later, the bus finally came! (The city of Johannesburg is rated one of the most dangerous city, God was protecting us for sure!) It is funny to think about if this happened in America, a bus being 6 hours late would cause quite the ruckus but we have to keep in mind this is Africa time. The bus driver walked down and apologized for the delay and said he would buy us dinner. What an encouragement because having oatmeal for breakfast, and PB and J for lunch isn’t the most filling!
Pic of waiting at the bus station
As we drove for about one hour we stopped at another bus station for an hour to cram in like more sardines. Getting on the road was great, but it only lasted another hour when the bus got a flat tire and we had another 2 hour wait (just have to laugh). Finally, we were off on the road. By this time Katie and I were super slap happy and all we could do was laugh. The song that was playing on the bus for the last 8 hours over and over again began to skip and someone on the bus had some major gas issues. I think I learned more yoga positions because I tried every position possible to get comfy.
A glimps of how crowded it was.
Then we got to Zimbabwe!!! But had go through departure of South Africa and then through customs to get into Zimbabwe totaling 2 ½ hours. Then it got hot, but thankfully the windows slid open. For some reason I was so content (This was for sure from God! I would have been such a grumpy pants). I know that I wouldn’t have been a happy camper at all if it wasn’t for your prayers! Watching the land fly by, African children playing, zebras chomping on grass, the most fiery red sun set, villages of brick huts, and the sweet African breeze in my face brought me so much joy! Seeing God’s beauty is like a blanket of peace. This is part of the adventure! God is so gracious. Thank goodness! The 16 hour trip ended up being 27 hours, but of course everything happens for a reason.
We have been in Harare for the past for days. P31 got to Bulawayo today and is staying at an orphanage and is working with the local church on outreach, and teaching!! Then we will go out into the bush to love on the people out there.
