August 5th

We woke up at 7 am today, well rested from our travels. To start off, we had some localbreakfast: Popped Rice! With a double your money back guarantee!(We have been finding that South African food quality is poor.) Our devotion this morning will start off our in depth series looking into Matthew 5. The day was spent getting acquainted with the culture. Louis gave us a tour around the city of Welkom and the "Township" which resides on the outskirts of town. During apartheid the black and white populations were separated, in which the poor blacks lived in the townships. We drove to the new building site and discussed the plans for the next two weeks. Louis is waiting for the government to approve the building plans, so we are still waiting for the okay. (I'll talk about the site later, because I've got plenty to share today!)

Now, Welkom was the major catalyst for spreading AIDS. Our trip by the gold-mine revealed a lot. The peak of the gold operations happened in the 1980's in which 200,000 people were employed from all over the country. Quick 9 man houses were erected in rows, wall to wall, about 50 buildings in a row. Airplanes flew daily back and forth between Joburg (slang of Johannesburg) and Welkom. A lady could get a ticket for $5 to do her shopping in the large city. Prostitutes then made their way down each house in the row, making money, and starting the spread of AIDS within the housing sector. When these men went home, they began the spread throughout all of South Africa. Estimates in South Africa indicate that 30% of the population have

AIDS, however the doctors told Louis and Amber that it is close to 50% here. 40,000 workers continue to work in the mine today.

The next stop was at the Children's Cemetery. Kids 3 and under were laid here. Every Friday, the deceased are buried. It isn't uncommon to see 5 or more buried on one day. Most families couldn't afford hedge stones, so bottles and toys lay on the dirt with signs.

For lunch, we went into the township were we met DJ and Bridge. They are young men who help at the orphanage. DJ woke up at 5:30 to prepare the meal. It consisted of:

Pap - an oatmeal/rice dish that is eaten at every meal

Mashed pumpkin

Spiced crushed mango (which was put over the Pap)

Chicken feet and heads (yes! everyone had a little bite!)

After lunch we had a devotion with them and played soccer with the locals in the street. We used bricks separated 2 and half feet for goals.

Tonight we are playing cards and just enjoyed a nice meal that Amber made! (It is not safe to be out in town at night.) It gets dark around 5:30-6:00 as we are reaching the end of winter here.

[Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them... Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.] Romans 12: 6, 13