on top of a mountain at the bottom of the world.

day 3 of cape town!
today was very different for me.  i woke up early, really excited, but i wasn't sure what for. just the excitement of it was alot for me. i knew today held something special.

matt, joy, and tracey, setting up waumba land.

we went at 6am to help Southpointe Church Set up for their Sunday services, waumba land, and up street. Brad was especially excited about today, and said that he thought he was "going to just come and serve and be a blessing, but i never expected to see such organization and love for what they're doing. they impressed me with how they put together an entire Sunday service out of one 15ft storage trailer. i was definitely encouraged by their dedication." their services are held in a public space because they outgrew their church site, and the volunteer staff unloads a trailer of decorations, partitions, signs, toys, workbooks, A/V equipment, etc... every Sunday, rain or shine. it's clear their dedication. the staff has it down to a science. sometimes i felt we were slowing them down because they had to explain things to us that otherwise they would not had to express.

matt setting up at parking

service was indeed great. there was a little skit for the kids on courage, based on the story of david and Goliath. then pastor John Hastings spoke on the impressions people have and had on Jesus, based on his own words and those people closest to him. it was very illuminating, which, coincidentally was the title of the series. i took more from that sermon than i could have known at the time.

after, the team served tea and coffee, and Tracey and i sold muffins, cookies, and juice for 4-5rand apiece (about 55-60cents American). the kids loved it and left with such smiles on their faces. i noticed that no matter how rushed they were, or how anxious they were for their snack, they waited patiently and didn't dare leave without paying. there was no need for crowd control or lines, they just waited until we were ready, no pushing or shoving.

the cable car up Table Mountain

after Church came a delicious lunch which included ostrich chili, and then a trip to Table Mountain. on the way up, co-leader Karen said "oh yeah, is anyone scared of heights?" and i remembered- oh yes, ME! but Pastor John, who was still  guiding us through the city, along with his delightful wife Becky, said "remember your courage!" and so i got in the cable car, took deep breaths, held on to the rails, and trucked it up the mountain. there was no way i was going to stay on the ground- i didn't come halfway across the world to not step out of my comfort zone.

when i say this was the most beautiful thing i had ever seen, I'm not exaggerating. we could see the whole of Cape Town, and then some. there was a view like no other. listened to a psalm read by John, then prayed over the city and our team and hosts. we prayed for courage- "it takes more courage to be down there than up here" is what i said while i  was up there, for the strength to continue to be unceasing givers, and for the hearts of those we'd meet through our trip. for kindness and energy. and that they would see God in us. He is the whole reason we are here at all.

I've always been the type to feel God most in nature. i was eye-level with clouds today. i saw animals i have never known existed. i stood atop God's table. i watched my newest friends and total strangers stand at precarious peaks and smile and laugh about it. i saw the beauty in the children and the church. this is only day three.

the view of the city from Table mountain

God bless-
Joy