1 full week down... 14 more to go

   This has been a week of adventure.  I have now been to a South African church, eaten two African meals, explored downtown Krugersdorp, experienced two different malls, lived with a 17 yr old (=P), went to a braai (S. African cook-out), and lots more.  

   Church on Sunday was great.  I'm sure that the experience was a bit different for me than the other students.  For me, it was sentimental as well.  Just knowing that I was in a church that held Dr. Jimmy's heart for so long made it all that much more special for me.  I was able to find a few of the people who are still there that knew him.  
   This week began the classes.  We are learning to be culturally relevant rather than ethnocentric.  While some of the information may seem like common sense at first, when we dig a little deeper we are able to see things a bit differently.  If you ask me, this is a wonderful way to help people understand what life can be like.  We are hearing from people who have been out in the field for many years.  Their experiences may all be different, but they have a common thread.  It's not easy!  

   We went out for ice cream last night after supper.  We piled 8 adults into a lil pick-up.  It's totally legal for people to ride in the back here.  Of course, it does have a nice camper-type shell on it.  The ice cream here is really good.  Most of us got the soft-serve vanilla cones, some plain, some chocolate dipped, and one caramel dipped.  The ice cream has a slightly different flavor, it is a bit richer and creamier here.  It's almost like you can taste a bit of butter in it.  

   Our African meal today was Chicken Curry with Pap (pronounced "pop") and Rape (greens).  The picture here shows the way a native South African fixes this plate of food.  Pap is similar to grits, except it's a bit more coarse and they don't put as much water in it so it's more solid.  They put bananas on top so that the sweet will help cut a bit of the heat.  I wish I had known that and tried it myself.  Another note, when cooking chicken they don't de-bone it.  They leave the bones in because it adds more nutritional value.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:20-22