Looking Back

[I've arrived back in Colorado after about 20 hours of flying yesterday/today. My semester has come to end, but I believe the memories, stories and relationships will be there for a long time to come. I wrote this post during my last night in South Africa on May 4.]

Tomorrow is May 5, and I'll be boarding a plan in less than 12 hours now that will take me back home to the U.S. As a group, we spent today reflecting on and evaluating the semester. I remember our very first meeting as a group back at APU in January, and it's hard to believe that group of 52 strangers 4 months ago is the same group of friends that met today to reflect. I'm not usually one for reflections and introspection, but I got a lot out of today's reflections and discussions. It hasn't even been 4 four full months, but it's already time to say goodbye to South Africa and return to life in America.

Through the relationships, experiences, adventures and interactions that I've been blessed with during my time in South Africa, I can truly say that I have grown as a student, Christ follower and as a human being. From incredible mentors and professors like Francis Njoroge to my amazing homestay family in Ocean View, I've met some incredible people in South Africa. It was so encouraging to be surrounded by such life giving people who are always there to lift you up and bless you. I saw a lot of who I want to be in the future in guys like Francis, Dan and Reg. It's comforting to know that there are people out there who are getting it right, and living life how it's supposed to be lived.

While it was tough sometimes going straight from touristy things like a water park in Durban to my service sight in Haniville, I experienced an incredible range of people and places in South Africa. I'll never forget people like Phindile, Bruce and Neels from Walk in the Light, or other amazing people that have been with us form start to finish like Reg, Reagan and Baba Philip. I saw so much love in these people and how they lived out there lives everyday.

Places like Lesotho, Kranzkloof, Carmel and Kalk Bay will be in thoughts for a long time to come. I can still remember the incredible peace I felt near Sani Pass in Lesotho, and the feel of the thick ocean air in Kalk Bay. Pictures help, but it won't be the same looking back on all of the amazing places I had the opportunity to visit this semester.

It's going to be a tough adjustment going from doing something new and exciting every weekend like horseback riding in Lesotho and bungee jumping the world's highest bridge to living a normal life back in Colorado. We talked a little bit today about reverse culture shock, which is what I'm sure I'll have to deal with when I resume life in America. While I don't have an accent and I haven't forgotten what a Chipotle burrito tastes like, I don't feel as connected to life as an American than I maybe used to. I think I'll be much more aware of materialism and consumerism and how American culture is different from South African culture. It's going to be strange being back in a position where I'm in control of my transportation, food-making and weekend activities. I know there will be adjustments I'll have to make in incorporating what I've learned in South Africa to living life in America.

So this is the end. It came a lot faster than I expected, and I don't think I'm quite ready for it. I know that it's important for me to go back so that I can apply what I've learned here. What was the point of studying abroad in South Africa if there's no change in how I think and live when I come back? Thankfully, I know that there has been change and growth, in so many ways. The challenge in front of me is going to be effectively sharing what I've learned, integrating it, and maintaining the growth that has occurred. South Africa has been nothing short of incredible for me, and it's sad to leave this beautiful country and it's people. But I have so much life in front of me, and so many places where I still need to grow and mature. I thank God for the blessings He's given me in allowing me to come to South Africa, and for the growth that He facilitated. I'm not the same person who started writing this blog in January, and I hope I'll continue to change and grow as a person. Goodbye South Africa, sala kahle and I hope I will see you again one day.

Saving the Best for Last

I’ve just moved out of my home stay with the Jegels family into my hotel room here a few blocks away from downtown Cape Town. I’ve had a lot of amazing weeks during my time here in South Africa, but I have to say that this one was one of the best. I had the incredible blessing of staying with some of the warmest, genuine and caring people I’ve ever met. Pastor Dan and Moira were welcoming and inviting for my entire stay at their house. Even though we might not have a lot in common in terms of backgrounds, we have established an incredible relationship centered on Christ’s love. My roommate Shaun and I were blessed by them non-stop the entire week.

After a day of classes at B.I., Shaun and I would take a taxi bus from Kalk Bay to the township of Ocean View about 20 or 30 minutes away. Dan would meet us at the taxi stop and we would walk back to his house a block away, sharing the events of our days with each other. Even though he and his family are native Afrikaans speakers, they all speak fluent English so it was easy for us to communicate and establish friendships quickly. Dan and Moira have 4 kids: Daniel age 11, Matt age 9, Luke age 7 and Sarah age 4 (or 5?). After a first day of shyness, we were soon playing games, sharing pictures and laughing together pretty much nonstop. Moira and her sister Thosa would spoil us with an amazing breakfast and dinner every day and send us on our way with smiles and blessings. I can honestly say that I feel like I have a second family in South Africa.

After dinner we would have some of the best conversations I’ve had while drinking some of the best tea I’ve ever drunken. It was incredible to hear Dan’s life story of how he had a seemingly perfect future for himself in the South African navy, but he gave it up in order to give his life into full time ministry as a pastor. He is one of the only people that I can say truly puts God and other people before himself. The Jegels drive a humble van that doesn’t always work. They live in a simple 2-story house that isn’t completely finished. They don’t own a t.v. and they don’t have internet service. They struggle to make ends meet, but they are some of the richest people I’ve ever met. They have filled their lives with what matters most. They don’t worry about the material side of life, and they put their faith and trust in a God who delivers them time and time again. Dan and Moira do everything they can for their kids and members of their church. Their lives are about loving God and loving people – completely. If I could be like Dan when I’m 37, I would say I’ve succeeded in life.

As my time to leave South Africa creeps closer and closer, I have a mix of emotions running through my mind. I’m excited to see my family and friends back home in Colorado, and go to a church service in my language without any funny accents or theology. I’m depressed that I only got one week with the Jegels who were some of the greatest people I’ve met. I’m sad to leave Cape Town, this exciting city full of flavor and life. I’m super excited that I will get to eat my mom’s cooking again. I’m still sad that I had to leave Haniville and Walk in the Light. I’m relieved that I’m done writing papers and giving presentations on the grasses of Africa. I might sound like a nervous wreck, but somehow I feel full of peace and comfort tonight. I think I’ve found a balance between missing the good times of South Africa and looking forward to spending time back home this summer. I know that I’ve gone through some permanent growth during my time here – most of which I’m probably not even aware of. What can I say? God has been a total blessing to me this semester. The relationships I’ve made, the sites I saw and the lessons I learned were more valuable than gold. I wouldn’t take back any of them.

I know I’ll have a fair share of issues to deal with when I get back to the U.S. From working in townships and home staying with people who don’t have nearly as much wealth as me, I’ll be sleeping in a comfortable bed, eating full meals and wearing clothes that will always keep me warm. I’ll go home to a family that loves and supports me and has blessed me with an opportunity to get a college education. I will go back to living a privileged life, whether I want to or not. But South Africa has taught me more than just being thankful for what I have. It’s more than just being thankful for what you have – it’s about using what God gives you to lift up people around you: the broken, the hungry and the sick. Everything that God has blessed me with in my life is there so that I can in turn bless other people. My gifts, abilities, and relationships are not just for my enjoyment or comfort. There is hurt in this world, even at home in Colorado Springs. My job – my purpose – is to love God and love people with everything I have. I haven’t arrived yet, but South Africa has grown me much closer to being the man I want to be. I could not have spent 4 months of my life any better than I did here in this incredible country. Next up: class and re-orientation, then a BIG flight back home to Colorado on Wednesday