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Friday, 5:00 AM at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The lines are long but the faces sure aren’t. We’re finally on our way to South Africa. Patsy decided to make getting there an adventure. The Delta Agents in Phoenix almost didn’t let her on the plane because “she was already on the plane”. They eventually let her join us. Six of seven fire engines joined us on the tarmac (thankfully not for our plane) and we were finally on our way. Atlanta – Patsy decided to share her adventures. After we separated and stopped for something to eat - Cassie, Deb and Patsy all ventured off to the gate listed on the tickets. Unfortunately, Delta had reassigned the flight to a different gate. Not to worry, they decided to join us in plenty of time for the flight. Dakar – it’s been sixteen hours since we met at Sky Harbor. Some slept, some wished they could have. We were entertained by a special young man who was eventually “cut off” by the flight attendants. And we all experienced “a first” – as we were treated to “World Health Organization approved insecticide”… inside the plane. Apparently this is required for all flights from Dakar to Johannesburg. And I guess it was a good thing, because we did see mosquitoes flying around us as we waited (on the plane) as they refueled for our next flight.
Johannesburg – twenty six hours now. Patsy strikes again – as it momentarily appears that her, Cassie and Debbie’s luggage has been lost. Not to worry though, they just decided to set it aside to add to Patsy’s adventure. We’re greeted at the airport by Mike and a beautiful African sunset. Then, we load up for the bus ride to Mafikeng. Mafikeng – we’re here! Only thirty two hours. Everyone is tired, but excited. We all choose a bunk bed, find our pajamas and head to bed.
God moment: Sunrise in Phoenix; sunset over the Atlantic; sunrise in Dakar; sunset in Johannesburg…
It’s a cold night in Johannesburg – you can see your breath as we stop at a local gas & shop to get water for the last leg of our journey. We started in Phoenix 28 hours ago, flew to Atlanta, endured 2 8-hour legs from Atlanta to Dakar, Senegal and then on to ‘Joburg,’ as the natives say. Now, we venture on a coach trip of 4 hrs to reach our final destination of Mafikeng, South Africa. Fires are heating the homes tonight causing a haze in the air, but it gives us a gorgeous blazing orange sunset. Along the road, we pass apartment-like buildings, all seem to have the decorative white columns in front depicting the British heritage of the region. It’s dark as we travel along the highway, so we can’t appreciate the beauty of the flower gardens and rows and rows of greenhouses along our path. But, my mind fills in the blackness with vivid color. Soon, the road narrows to a dark 2-lane rural road with no street lights, lit only by the headlights of oncoming cars. Massive grain silos can be seen only in silhouette against the night sky. Onward we drive in the darkness to Mafikeng, and the local dinner that awaits us.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 With full confidence we committed our Delta Flight plans with the Lord and therefore landed in Johannesburg safely and ON TIME and with our entire luggage. We were met after clearing customs by Pastor Mike for our 3 ½ hour bus ride to Mafikeng. We left Phoenix at 7:15 Friday and arrived in Mafikeng at 9:30 Saturday night. We are staying next to the church in what was once the parsonage, the building is modern and spacious. We had breakfast and a walk around the neighborhood and were struck by all the razor wire, large dogs and high walls.
We were warmly welcomed on a chilly winter Sunday morning. The contemporary service was filled to capacity with mostly young people. The Praise and worship band filled the first half of the service with familiar songs sung in English and several African languages. The congregation sang and moved with the Spirit. We were very noticeable among the regular worshippers. Pastor Jeff made some very brief remarks. One of the most fascinating differences was how the offering was made. We were light heartedly cajoled to take out our wallets give because we could not pay for food by praying with the checkout clerk, or buy gas by the power of the Holy Spirit. The church has needs that have to be met. The offering was received in cloth bags suspended by a wooden slot to encourage giving instead of receiving. Pastor Mike gave a memorable sermon that lasted at least 40 minutes (no kidding Pastor Garman!) and we were all amazed that it had been two hours when the service ended.
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