Africa Day 5: New

Today was about new experiences, new thoughts and new heights. Our strategy sessions for Hammer and Chisel are coming together nicely. New trips being launched and new programs being developed. We enter day 2 of strategy today.

During the morning break Peter Holscher needed yet another view of Cape Town. This led to a new experience and a new height on our trip - a helicopter ride around the Cape Peninsula. 

Strategy sessions continue tonight as we look to the next 3 years and the growth of HC. Some intriguing concepts have emerged that require further study and survey.

More to follow tomorrow as we visit a local school and meet some parents for a trip to the States.

Africa Day 4: Madiba and Dumisani (or The Mountain and the Prison)

Today was a work/cultural exchange day. We took an HC board member and local HC staff and families up Table Mountain and then to Robben Island.

Table Mountain revealed herself for the first time this week with no wind and no clouds. She was spectacular. The ride up and views were breathtaking. Maybe the photos will provide some insight.

On the cable car down our ride was ended with a quote from Nelson Mandela (affectionately called Madiba in South Africa). "Whether the cat is black or white, is not important, his ability to catch mice is." Good way to end one icon (the Table) and head to the another (The Prison)

Heading out to Robben Island on the ferry is alway enjoyable. Being on the island is always reflective and somber for me. Robben Island has been a prison in years past, a hospital, a leper colony and then a symbol of apartheid and struggle.

The tours are done by former prisoners and it is deeply personal. In the pictures you will see the depth of Apartheid control - even to food allotments. You will also see photos of Madiba's cell, from inside and outside and the courtyard where they exercised and labored. The lime quarry contains a pile of rocks placed by released prisoners each year they returned to honor the suffering they endured on the island.

Dumisani was our tour guide and his final words on the tour were a soul searching play on many levels. He invited us all at the end to take our "short walk to freedom". At its most surface level it was a clever quip on Madiba's book "Long Walk to Freedom". On other layers it was a reflection on how easy it is for us tourists to walk to our own freedom and how low our price has been for that freedom compared to his. A short walk indeed.

In the pictures you will see two photos in black and white. They are of the Island as seen from the Mountain and the Mountain as seen from the Island.

You would do yourself a favor to save up money to come and discover this beautiful country that bears the scars of its past and the dreams of its future. You would do well to come and laugh, play, eat, dance and socialize. You would do better to come and listen. You would do best if you came to breath it into your souls and take a piece of South Africa back with you.

Africa Day 3: Wine

Today was spent relaxing and enjoying good conversation, lamb on the spit, sun and connection while on a wine farm. Tonight is all about Avengers.

Sitting at Backsberg wine farm eating our lunch (for over a wonderful 4 hours) is good for the soul. The conversation, like the sun, washes over us as we explore the depths of the universe, the depths of depravity and the lightness of laughter.

All done under the African sun as we are surrounded by wine land, Outeniqua mountains and the African bush.

In between we got to visit with cousins and extended family and solve education crises in the world.

It has been a good day.

Africa Day 2: Surprises

Today we visited V&A Waterfront and an old workplace. The site of Planet Hollywood Cape Town. It is now a stunningly beautiful food and stall market that screams the hopes of what South Africa specifically and Africa could be.

Walking around the venue that used to be Planet Hollywood brought many surprise memories. Of serving people, managing, experiences etc.

The food mart shows the breadth of South African cuisine from local delicacies (mopane worms) to local staples (pap and vegetables and meat pies) to adopted favorites (sandwiches, barista coffees). Also filled with local shops offering stunning things - a spice shop, a balsamic reduction stall next to a local honey producer and more.

I sat thinking this is what this place should always have been - not a commercialized theme restaurant but a community of entrepreneurs working together to raise the level of each person.

It was beautiful on a personal, social and corporate scale. Workers sit eating their staple lunch next to tourists trying new food while the blend of exotic spices, sounds and smells wash over them.

If all of Africa became like this it would be the breadbasket of the world and the emotional soul of humanity.

We ended the day seeing Camps Bay. This is a place that until today I had not realized kept a piece of my soul. Walking on the beach and feeling the sand brought a flood of memories - playing volleyball, many tournaments, weekend after weekend sitting with friends, training and more. Left the beach leaving more of my souls and heart behind.

Africa Day 1: Arrival

Nice entry into South Africa. Very warm day which was lovely after a long cold winter. Relaxing day shopping and then sitting till late in he night drinking wine, eating steak and lamb and laughing and talking. Great first day.

Thank You for Sacred Spaces

We have come to the end of another Holy Week and our church wrapped up Sacred Spaces tonight. The team that pulled this together has been incredible - from creative genius, to courageous challenge, to humble servants - all of them. They are led by a courageous volunteer management expert (who will totally deny that she is one!). We saw more people go through the spaces this year then before.We heard of incredible moments of transformation and spiritual connection. It all happened because a group of people chose to volunteer their valuable time and gifts to make this happen.

Thank you to a team that has captured the heart of what it means to guide others "One Step Closer to Christ". It is a privilege to work with you and see the impact of your work on people.

Lord Jesus, remember them and bless them for the work done on your behalf. They are servants worthy of the honorific "Good and Faithful".