Cape Tizzle

Here are a few pics from the unmatched glory that is Cape Town, South Africa. Good times were had by all, and while I was sad to see some friends go, I'm thankful for the pics that will immortalize our time here in the Rainbow Nation. Now the time has come to pursue the continued adventure that God has set before me. May I have the passion and discipline to live the next 3 and 1/2 months to the fullest extent. Life is not always easy here, but comfort doesn't always equate to fulfillment. So here's to the road ahead. Raise the sails and find out where this ship takes me.

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

How Things Fall Apart, and Back into Each Other

My apologies again for the gap between posts. I really will get better. South Africa has always been one backdrop in my life that has provided a great deal of personal growth and learning. The last month and a half have proved to be some of the most enjoyable weeks of my life, filled with realizations and epiphanies galore. Yesterday I spent 3 hours in the presence of my Xhosa brothers and sisters during a church service in Thembalethu. As I enjoyed the vibrant and celebratory worship of the moment, my eyes welled up with gratitude as I re-lived a similar moment from years past. I am living a life that I've dreamed about for years, and smiling to myself that I was given this chance. When I wake, I rise to the sight and sound of waves crashing on the shore. Throughout my day, I am embraced by beautiful and genuine people from numerous cultures and countries. When I check my email, I am encouraged by friends and family who are loving, supportive, and more of a blessing than I could ever ask for. I am also surrounded by a solid community of friends here in George. When I go to sleep, I bid my goodnight to four stellar roommates who are walking the same uncertain journey as me. But most of all, I am thankful to live in the dynamic and transformational power of knowing God through Jesus Christ. I know that I'm fairly subtle with my faith in many scenarios, but Christianity is easily the most vital and life-giving part of my existence. In actuality, it is not an aspect of my life at all, but encompasses all that I am and could ever hope to be. My prayer and hope in coming to South Africa was to allow the power of a life with Christ become real in my heart and not just my mind. Thankfully, that is happening slowly but surely. So here I sit, over 2 years after my first visit to South Africa. Between those two linear points in the history of time, the pieces of my life have fallen apart to the point of collapse. It now seems that those pieces are finding there way back to each other, fused together in the careful hands of a surprising God.

Back in Action

Back in the Rainbow Nation. Don't have much time at the moment, but I'll definitely be more long-winded next time around. Had three guys from APU that I graduated with come out to George, which has been awesome so far. We've all moved in with a South African stud named Rehgert Van Zyl (we call him Red). Check out the pics of our place! (taken by one of my roomies) Not a bad set-up. The three APU guys: Anders, Chadwick, and Sean, are gonna be filming for OAM and a non-profit I'm hoping to start up. They do really quality work, so it should be great. Peace and blessings.