Day 1 of the Big Trip

September 25, 2008

A few days ago we found out that Johnathan was leaving due to his support being cut. So, last night (Wednesday) we spent time at Ken and Judy’s after church to say farewell. The night was non-emotional because of the extreme level of fatigue filling everyone’s bodies. Johnathan and mine’s, at least. So we said goodnight and planned to take of this morning for Lesotho. . . the beginning of our “big upcountry trip”.

The original plan was to depart from Ken and Judy’s at 6 a.m. This early morning start was thwarted when we found out that the girls’ car was in need of a tire replacement. This couldn’t be done on Tuesday when the scheduled appointment was for one reason or another, and Wednesday wasn’t possible either due it being a public holiday (National Heritage Day). So we were shooting for around 10 a.m. for our actual leaving time.

I haven’t slept well in the last three days. Risk is a game that we boys have been playing regularly since our arrival several months ago. It’s a fun, strategically challenging game of diplomacy and wit. Exactly what we needed to add an edge and take one away. It added an edge to our game playing times (more tension built up in an extreme way) and took it away because we all were very good sports about losing, destroying another player, or back-stabbing. Things seem to play out fairly in the end. Be very careful what you say, be even more careful about how you say it. So we would stay up until 2 a.m., 3 a.m., 5 a.m. No big deal. A couple weeks back Mike got an electrical transformer from the girls apartment and now his Xbox is set up. Well, we can’t play JUST Risk now can we. Halo also became a semi-regular event. Two large pizzas from St. Elmo’s for R94.90 and we were good to go. Now that Johnathan is leaving next week, and we’re already on our trip, it’s not going to be the same. Ever. His flight will have to go through Johannesburg and we will get to see him off (hopefully). We’ll be there next week for the SABS (South African Bible School) lectureships. Another teammate transfers fields.

I say all that to say I slept in a little bit and finished packing. Mike and I arrived at Ken and Judy’s a little after 9:30 a.m. and found their car not in the driveway. Apparently this morning, there was a short and their car just shut off. Judy sat by the side of the road and eventually flagged down a police officer to assist her. So, as Ken told me all this, I got a cup of coffee and helped finish packing the trailer. The first team was all there and wished us well. After hooking up the trailer (and Miss Judy finally getting back) we set out on our journey northward. The time: just after 11 a.m.

Mind you the trip to Lesotho is at least 10 hours, plus a border crossing, plus toilet stops, and food. We weren’t going to make it in time to set up our tents and camp before nightfall. That’s what brought us to this chalet we’re staying in. Around 19:30 p.m. we pulled in and unpacked. Once settled we dropped by the Kendallballs room and ate sandwiches for dinner. A light and filling feast.

I cannot finish posting this without attempting to tell about the drive up here. It was absolutely breath-taking. Long,twisting, mountainous roads that dipped down into valleys. Countless cows and goats wandering around in fields, by houses, on the road. Seeing the occasional green tree or patch of grass in a sea of brown and gold. But my favorite part of our drive today was the sunset. Staring at the sky I lost sight of the rest of the landscape (not completely, I was driving). The thought arose that no matter how you ‘say’ it words just don’t do justice to what the Supreme Being of the Universe has given us to show His splendor. 20 minutes before complete dusk the thin wisps of clouds were a deep purple with a soft, pastel peach on the horizon fading into light blue. Just after sundown the sky burst into a brilliant orange, pink, and yellow. The red on the clouds so vibrant it’s easy to see how a painting can be wonderful, but not that glorious.

We’re here together as a team for the next three weeks. Two aunties from Texas (Barbara and Sandra who write the Lessons to Live By curriculum that we print and distribute), Ken, Judy and us five. Diana, Sasha, Tara, Mike and I. The females outnumber the males by 100%. No worries, God loves us everyone. Gender makes no difference. And that, my friends, is what will take us through this trip without problems. We may get sick of seeing each other every waking moment. Or we may choose to have a good attitude and take joy in the bonds we have and are strengthening. I cherish everyone on this trip in a special way. Each one has a special room in my heart. That room is where I store my memories of them, the things they’ve taught, and are teaching, me, and every little thing about them that makes me smile, gives me concern, and allows me to see Jesus in their hearts. His exemplary life . . . I see parts of it in each one.

I feel tired. Reading tends to either wake me up or put me down. Reading is where I will leave you. On this trip I plan on finishing the books I have started and never completed. Namely: Catch 22, The Kite Runner, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, Epic (to be fully read), and The Shack. Count in the Bible and what a plethora of words to take in.

Good night, and farewell.
KCK