August 6th

We prepared for the cement slabs today by leveling out the area. Bryan, the other missionary stationed with Louis and Amber, sent in the building plans for approval last week. Come to find out, every plan submitted 6 months ago were still backed up. This is the South African attitude for getting work done. Miraculously, Bryan nagged and bothered the government just enough to push the plan through pronto! We are looking forward to a 12-16 hour day Monday pouring the cement! We also received deliveries of 160 bags of 50 kg cement, 2 loads of rock, and 2 loads of sand.

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

Arrival

We finally arrived to Louis' home in Welkom, South Africa! (Don't worry, Stephen is here: this photo was taken before we met up in Atlanta) It is 10:30 PM here, and just a reminder that South Africa is 7 hours ahead!

Off to Africa!

The guys are all crashed here at the Lutheran Fraternity awaiting our 3 AM departure to the Des Moines Airport. Elisabeth, Sarah, and Miss Alice (Mom AJ) are our beautiful escorts for the morning! The flight will take us to Atlanta, GA followed by an 11 hour layover. Then we have our long awaited 17 hour flight to Johannesburg! Look forward to the grand arrival to South Africa and the photos we'll post! Pray for our safe travels!

Steve Sherman

Steve, an author, is supporting this trip by making a $2 contribution for every book he sells! Check out his website!

http://www.hellandbackbooks.com/home

Trip Date | August 3rd -18th

Just a quick update for everyone! We are completely set for South Africa, mind the packing. Joel talked to the manager at Wal-Mart and received 20 soccer balls, and our friend Amanda Jilek is getting some soccer balls from her old soccer coach! We'll have to make room in every nook and cranny to get them aboard the plane! Louis is sending a suitcase with every guy (as our second bag) to pack other materials to bring for them as a cheaper method than mail.

50 Days!

"Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord" - Isaiah 29:19

Amen! Four months ago, a mission trip was on our hearts. Where we would go and the work God planned for us was unknown. We struggled with the opportunities shared, mostly on account of funding worries. Flash forward to now, and we surely are humbled men. With high ticket costs to Johannesburg trailing off the World Cup, food, and lodging costs, our mission cost totals $13,627.50.

Thank you for being partners in mission by prayer and donation that has raised $9,200!!!

Please take a moment and praise God! Continue to pray as our hearts prepare for what lays ahead and our safety. You can visit the missionaries' homepage, Louis & Amber O'Tool, at http://www.otoolsa.com/ . We are excited to build the new orphanage and become the hands and feet of our living God to the people of South Africa! You are helping us bring true Hope in Christ, His love and salvation.

"It is a picture of my bride, the Church... She's not the place you go on Sundays... That's not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs." - The Shack

In Christ,

Stephen Bowers

Joel Pudenz

Ian Moore

Micah Loesch

Dusty Gutzmann

Joe Eisenbacher