Hello to all!
As stated above, this is the last you’ll hear from us while we’re in Mozambique for 8 days. Tomorrow at 6am the guys are running a 10k….yeah I think I’ll be WALKING most of the 10k.
There’s nothing really specific I wanted to write about, so I’ll just share some things I’ve learned so far. 1) The Zaks are an AMAZING family and I am soooo glad we’re staying with them. 2) Jumping in a freezing cold pool at night is actually a lot of fun. 3) Even if it’s an outhouse, girls still hog the bathroom. 4) A hoedown song Angela played on the violin when she was 10 can quickly evolve into “The Christian Hoedown” and be played at every service we do. 5) I never thought I’d spend 212 Rand ($25) at a fabric store. I never thought Steve would spend 478 Rand ($60) at a fabric store. 6) When you go to barter at all the shops, you magically become everyone’s friend. Seriously though, this trip has far exceeded all hopes and expectations I had going in. Every day I learn something new, and I have not ceased to be amazed. Last I want to say Happy Father’s day to Dad. I love you Dad! Mom too of course.
I did get on ESPN.com just long enough to see Pittsburgh won. Just glad I wasn’t there to watch it.
And also, Happy birthday Justin! I love you all and look forward to sharing what the Lord does in Mozambique. Keep praying!

Eric

Hello to all!

We had a very full day yesterday seeing many people of all different ages. As the others have said, people such as Joanna and Pastor Nicholas were a huge challenge to all of us with their love of the Lord and of people. One of the things that impacted me the most yesterday was sitting around the campfire last night listening to Pastor Nicholas talk about South African culture. I learned enough to write a book, but what really stood out to me was the lack of jealousy and greed among most of the people here. In America it’s so common to see others with big houses, nice cars, etc. and want those things. In America, the mindset is that if we aren’t the best, we do everything we can to be the best. In South Africa, the people are content with where they are at, and if they see someone next door with a nicer house, they accept the fact that their neighbor has a nicer house and just focus on their own lives. It made me long for that kind of mentality in our culture. One other thing that happened yesterday was when we were at Joanna’s house with the AIDS babies, there was one little boy who cried and screamed when I put him down and had to leave! I nearly started crying. Please continue to pray for us, especially as the 9 days in Mozambique loom. Mom, Dad, and Casey, I love you and wish you were here to see some of these incredible people! Oh yeah, Mom, I ended up being the only one on the team WITH a watch

Eric

Where to start? It seemed like an eternity before we FINALLY arrived in South Africa, but so far it has exceeded expectations. The Zaks have been wonderful hosts, and with 22 people staying here right now, it brings a whole new meaning to the term “full house!”

I’ll let the others describe some of the things we’ve done as a group, but one thing that has really impacted me so far is the people of Malas. Malas is a nearby compound where refugees from Zimbabwe have been living for several years. I went with Kevin Zak to pick up some things from a shopping mall (which was identical to an American mall) and on the way we stopped at Malas to visit with some of the people. It gave me a whole new understanding of what poverty means. I met some of the men there, and Kevin invited them to come to a showing of the USA vs. Italy soccer game at Central Baptist Church in Pretoria (which neighbors Onderstepoort where we are). 4 of the men came! I was able to watch the game with Raymond, Telmo, Richard, and Francis and get to know them a little bit. I’m looking forward to going to Malas again soon and ministering with the rest of the team.

We still don’t have our luggage—please pray it arrives soon!

- Eric Johnson