Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Expecting the unexpected



One of the dormitory rooms at the
Red Location Backpackers
hostel in Port Elizabeth
where we spent two nights.

If there’s anything members of OAMC have learned on our mission trips, it’s to expect the unexpected.

We’ve had a few of those over the last several days, starting with the bus ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town on the 1st and 2nd.

Three buses left Joburg after our concert at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown. Before our dinner stop, it was determined that one of the buses was having some sort of trouble with its rear suspension. A replacement bus was secured and made it’s way to the Bloemfontein area where we were waiting. 

Our group of more than 100 had overwhelmed and “took over” the Steers Restaurant where we had dinner – we used up the 19 veggie burgers they had on hand, and most of the veggie burgers we provided them.

As we often do, we sang for the four restaurant workers before we departed. As we sang our first song, one of the women mouthed the words and more than one had a few tears in their eyes. In the middle of the restaurant surrounded by singers, four men sat eating their dinners. After our songs, one of the men, with tears in his eyes, commented to a few nearby, “That song was for me. I needed to hear that.”

These are among the unexpected blessings we receive as we meet people along the way.

Two buses were sent on ahead while most of the young people and a few others of us waited for the replacement bus. Sometime during the night, the second bus developed some sort of electronics problem that prevented the driver from shifting the gears. A second bus was secured while we waited in the middle of the night and cold temperatures. Sometime around 4 a.m. the second bus arrived, we transferred luggage and personnel and were on our way again in a few minutes. 

In the meantime we learned that one of our Walla Walla members on one of the buses ahead of us, Warren Berg, was suffering from passing a kidney stone and had been taken to a hospital in a small town on the route. About an hour later they and Warren were on their way. Warren continued to recover for the next few days while we were in Cape Town. He was finally able to get out and about by Monday, the 6th.

The third bus completed the trip without further incident, arriving in good spirits to join our compadres already in rehearsal in Cape Town late Thursday afternoon – making the planned 17-hour trip a 28-hour journey. 

We stayed at the Shalimar hotel and conference center where our hosts were gracious and the accommodations adequate. 

The concert at Cape Town’s Artscape concert hall went well, the audience responded enthusiastically, and the trip to Port Elizabeth (PE) was made without incident. 

When we arrived in PE, however, we learned the city was suffering from a water shortage because the dam that supplied the water was broken, and water was being allotted to only portions of the city at certain times. 

That presented a problem because we couldn’t use the indoor toilets nor was there water for showering. The first of our two nights here we had to use the outdoor portable toilet. The next morning we learned that the dam had been repaired and we should be getting water again. While we did get more water and could begin using the indoor toilets, it wasn’t generous enough for many to get needed showers. A few took showers late after lights out and got warm water, while a number of others who did get showers got cold water or had to finish with the water dribbling. And others settled for sponge baths. A few scruffy faces can be seen among those who chose to forego shaving until we have warm water. 

On Monday, the 6th, a group went to a nearby elephant park while another group had opportunity to do some shopping at The Boardwalk mall. 

Today we depart for Grahamstown, about a 90-minute drive, for rehearsal early this afternoon and concert this evening.

In spite of the less-than-ideal conditions, there have been no or few complaints. Spirits are good. God is good. We’ve had warm beds for the cold nights and meals that have kept us well fed.

We continue to see God’s hand as we meet and minister to people wherever we go. Monday evening for part of our rehearsal, we had opportunity to sing a couple of songs for members of a local Adventist church, where we received a warm reception. 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. We pray for God’s continued blessings and protection as we continue our mission journey. 



No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your comment. To prevent spam, all comments will be reviewed by the blog moderator as soon as possible.