The Mother City

There truly is no place like Cape Town in all of South Africa. This great city is alive and booming with chic restaurants and trendy shops aligning the old Waterfront Harbor giving it a New England style feel. Skyscrapers and modern architecture cater to Cape Town’s sophisticated reputation. In comparison to other South African urban areas, Cape Town is very clean and relatively safe.

Most of my days in Cape Town were spent relaxing, reading on the beach, and walking around The Waterfront at night. My dad was there with me and he definitely spoiled me with some of the nicer things in life. We spent Christmas on the beach and had sushi for our Christmas dinner, not so traditional but still welcomed. It was good to have my dad with me for Christmas but even if he had been absent I have really come to know my team as my family here in South Africa. On New Year’s Eve I met back up with the team. We ate dinner at an Asian restaurant and sang karaoke afterwards. Our team is a blast and it was hilarious watching everyone give it there all onstage especially, our Korean brothers singing I Believe I Can Fly, which sounded more like “I Beribe I Can Pry”. Later that night we toasted in the New Year at the Waterfront Harbor. We dangled our feet over the dock and watched a fireworks show. 2008 was a wild and unforgettable year and I look forward to what 2009 holds, as well.

Two days after returning from holiday we headed off to the OM Africa Retreat. There we worked as the catering team. Our workload was light and during the day we got to enjoy the pool. Today, January 10 is my 19^th birthday. It is so weird having a summer birthday this year. Two of my American friends had a surprise night planned for me. We first went to a restaurant in the mall called Baobab. The malls here in South Africa are far better than the ones we have back home. At our first visit to the mall I mentioned that I wanted to go there before leaving. So it was a fun time with my two closest friends here. I thought that was the end of my birthday celebration and that we were coming back to the base to watch the greatest American tv show, The Office, with two friends from home. When we got there my two friends were in on a surprise that the team had planned. I was sent into the coffee house and had a surprise party with the team.

Things to Pray for:

1) Processing all of my experiences

2) Spiritual Rejuvenation

3) What’s after Africa

Love,

Adam