Driver's License!!!

Just a quick update that I probably should have put up two days ago...but I didn't. So please forgive me. Anyways, I GOT MY DRIVER'S LICENSE!!! Just to clarify, this means I am now legally allowed to drive a manual vehicle in South Africa. And automatics, too, I guess. And I didn't even have to bribe anyone. 

Thank you so much for everyone who was praying for me. The whole morning I had such peace and wasn't nervous at all, which I know is because there were so many people both here in South Africa and in Canada (and probably elsewhere in the world that I'm not even aware of) praying for me. So once again, thank you!

Next step, buying a car!

Stereotypes, Malakal, and Durban

This week I have been thinking a lot about African stereotypes and assumptions made by the general western world (the biggest one being that Africa is a country - in case you were not aware, Africa is a continent composed of over 50 diverse countries...exact numbers differ depending on which disputed countries you include and which website you check). When Africa is mentioned, I think people associate it with beautiful scenery, HIV/AIDS, living in straw huts, poverty, lions and elephants, war, etc. I think there are quite a few generalizations made about Africa, and I will admit that I have seen every single one of the things listed above (except for the lion - I haven't seen that...yet!). But there is so much more to Africa than that.

Africa is not just one homogeneous country (as mentioned before).
Three years ago tomorrow I arrived in Malakal, South Sudan for the first time. Three months ago yesterday I arrived in Durban, South Africa for the first time. I believe I have been to the two extremes of this continent.

Before arriving in South Africa, I knew that it would be different than when I was in South Sudan. But I don't think I really realized how different. I just mentally associated all of Africa with my brief six month stint in one city, when really Durban and Malakal are on complete opposites of a spectrum. I can't help but compare them, but at the same time I don't really even know where to start with comparing them (I know that doesn't make any sense at all, but it's how I feel).

Malakal. I loved living in Malakal. I loved my little tent. I loved going to the market and bartering with vendors. I loved (and hated) trying to learn Arabic, and all the goofs that went along with that. I loved my students, who could be so mischievous, but could smile their way out of any situation (I didn't enjoy the teaching so much, but I loved my students). I loved visiting ladies and sipping coffee with them. (I realize I'm making this sound very idealistic. Don't get me wrong - there are definitely things I did NOT enjoy, like the mud, my frustrations as a teacher, and the toilet situation...or lack of one.)

I am also loving living in Durban, but it is SOOO different. At night I don't hear animals...I hear cars (and occasionally the crazy cat that lives near my flat). I don't barter with merchants at the market, but instead drive to massive shopping centers that I get extremely lost in (does one mall really need TWO movie theaters?). Instead of fighting the mud every time I want to go somewhere, I can take leisurely walks on a sidewalk to the park or beach. And when I am walking, I don't stand out as a white foreigner, but instead blend into the melting pot of cultures that exists here. In fact, in Durban it is sometimes easy to forget that I'm not in Canada...until I actually start visiting with people and am very quickly reminded of the huge cultural differences that I couldn't even begin to understand.

I don't really know if there is a point to this post. I think the fact that it was three years ago that I first arrived in Sudan (which was a huge influence on me being here in South Africa) has just made me stop and reflect on the different parts of the world that I have visited. And how I can't sum up any of those places in just a few words, because they are more than stereotypes. They are real places with real people with real stories. 

Confirmation

Recently, I had a few people ask me why I didn't blog more, or something along those lines. In all honesty, I think it was because I felt like there was nothing in my life to blog about. I'm settling into South Africa, slowly getting to know people, nothing too exciting or different to tell people, blah blah blah. In short, I simply couldn't think of any stories to tell people.
In addition to that, I was starting to get discouraged. I hadn't made any friends who I could share Jesus and His love with. Don't get me wrong...I've made friends since arriving (a surprising number actually, many of whom have very graciously taken me under their wing and helped me in various ways), but none who aren't already Christians.
On one hand, I was slightly okay with that. I'm in Durban for two reasons, and the first is to help Christian women in South Africa to see the need to reach out to those around them who are blinded to the truth about Jesus. So in one sense, I could almost justify not really developing any relationships with those who aren't already believers. But it also seems extremely hypocritical to be telling other people that they need to be reaching out more when I'm not doing it myself. And it's also the second reason why I'm here - to tell other people about Jesus and what He has done for them. Which is why my biggest prayer lately has been for God to give me a friend who isn't a Christian.
Today God answered that prayer request. A colleague of mine had dropped me off at Shaista's house while he visited another friend. I've met Shaista before, but never on my own, and it was more like I had tagged along before rather than actually building a relationship. Anyways, he dropped me off and told me to let him know when I wanted to be picked up, both of us assuming it would be about an hour, maybe two at the most.
Shaista graciously welcomed me in and offered me tea while I held her newborn daughter. In fact for the next two hours, I feel like I got a crash course on babies and taking care of them. After a bit, I could tell that Shaista was getting tired (she has a newborn after all) so I messaged my colleague, he said he would be there shortly, and I waited for him. And waited. And waited some more. Eventually I phoned him and heard that his car had been "misplaced". Long story short I ended up staying at Shaista's house for over six hours while everything was being sorted out. And at the end of the day I have a new friend.
I'll admit that it was a longer day today than expected. But it was so good. And I wouldn't change a thing. There was no way that I could have planned the experience that I did today, and I'm glad that my friend had the car problem that he did. Spending the afternoon/evening with Shaista confirmed to me that God has called me to this specific place to do this specific ministry.
I know that I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again in the future, but God is sooo good. And so awesome. And once again He has shown me that He is in control of every situation. Even car problems.