It's sometime Tuesday morning, July 4th. Happy Birthday to my wife Karen!
Team Arandis/Rehoboth are still at Dieter's with Mike's teen team and the band. I am amazed at how much of this place seems so familiar because of last year's trip that my two daughters, Diandre and Adria, were a part of. I am hopeful that before we leave, our team - and I - will get to hear of Dieter's vision.
Even though it has only been two days that we are here, I can begin to see changes in a few of the teens and almost wish I could remain here to watch. As a parent of two teens who were here last year I know what the parents of these teens are going through. Both Jackie Livsey (mom to Steph who was also here last year) feel blessed and privileged to have this opportunity to watch and listen to your teens as they begin to experience God's presence here in Africa. I can't wait to meet up with them again on the back end of this trip.
The band played their first of eighteen performances last night and it was nothing short of incredible to experience. They are off to their second performance at 7 AM today and have another tonight at 6 PM.
This part of Team Arandis/Rehoboth's mission here at Dieter's has been as support for each of the groups and for Dieter. We leave for Arandis in the morning. It's going to be hard to leave - even after such a short period of time here. I can understand how it would be harder for someone who has been here for longer. Today, the plan is that the team visit Vyf Rand, the squatters camp that is located a short distance north of Dieter's. We will also be visiting the cemetary where so many from the village have been buried. Sadly, Dieter says the cemetary is now just about full.
I have asked each of our team members to share a small section of their journal as these next two weeks unfold. Here is one that I had...
---------------------
Don's Journal: Sometime Sunday morning
Still on the plane.
Cabin lights have been turned on and everyone anticipates Your glory as we see the sunrise from 37,000 feet as we begin this new day. It is the most magnificant orange I have ever seen. Lord, I do not know how many hours I have been awake since rising at 3 AM on Friday morning, nor do I know what time it is now. Give me and the team the strength to continue. I am tired from the extended layovers and long flights. However, I look forward to getting on the ground.
For some reason, I am reminded of a Scott Kirby song with these lyrics...
Somewhere between the sun and the moon.
Somewhere between July and June.
If this voyage is a dream,
Don't let it end too soon.
Somewhere between the sun and the moon.
posted by Don @ 5:43 AM
