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.
