Just in case some of you have been overly impressed by how 'normal' I tend to makes things appear here, the following should help everyone remember that there still is some AFRICA in Africa:
1. Earlier this year I had surgery at the Pretoria Urologic Hospital, and I experienced no unusual difficulties. A few days ago the news reported how a man was operated on at that same hospital (different surgeon than mine) to remove a cancerous kidney. Unfortunately, the surgeon removed the wrong kidney. They then, of course, had to remove the one with cancer, leaving the poor fellow with NO kidneys. The surgeon reportedly offered to help by donating one of his own kidneys. What he intended to do with his brain was not discussed.
2. A few days ago I was leaving our local strip mall after buying some groceries. After I got in my car I noticed a black man wearing a bullet-proof vest crouching down between two cars - right in front of me. He was carrying, in firing position, an automatic weapon. Interestingly, this is an occasion of little note, since it is standard procedure for the guards of the armoured vehicles that move cash around South Africa. They are routinely attacked by gangs of men with automatic weapons, so now the guards hide some distance away in order to spot such thieves before they are seen. Should a fire-fight break out it is simply a good idea to be somewhere else.
3. Earlier today I MIRACULOUSLY encountered a shop with EIGHT (!!) cans of Tab! I immediately bought them all, because there is a critical shortage of carbon dioxide in South Africa. As a result, the manufacturers of soft drinks have ceased making most of the brands. As of now you can get Coke and Sprite. That's all. They expect the situation to improve some time early next year.
Now on to other news. Two nights ago a family came to visit that Louise has known for some years. The gentleman (Norman) is the chaplain for one of the police districts in Pretoria (in a not-so-nice part of town). The lady is a school teacher and a FABULOUS singer (opera quality). They also have a two-year-old daughter (Leanne), who seems to be interested in a singing career herself (see photo). Perhaps even opera. Norman wants Louise and I to come regularly to the central police station where he ministers every morning. He thinks many of them will want to come for inner healing/deliverance after they get to know us. We will begin this early next year.
The project of converting the garage to a meeting centre made significant progress (see photo) for a while, but then the 'South Africa closes up for a whole month' thing happened, and work has ceased. Next month the project will be completed. If not . . . well, it WILL BE!
For quite some time a VERY nice lady has been attending Philadelphia Fellowship, along with three of her grandchildren (an 11 year old and twins of 5). The mother of the grandchildren was away - for almost a year - in Cape Town with her baby, who was having a series of heart surgeries. There was grave concern that he would even survive, and he was always blue (due to poor oxygenation of his blood). Recently everything suddenly started to come out right -including his colour - and she was able to come to Pretoria with William, who is now almost two years old (but way behind in development in many ways). The grandchildren were staying in one room, provided by a sister of their mother (who is, herself, almost blind). After the arrival of their mother and brother all FIVE of them were staying in that one room - until this week. The sister simply bought them a house adjacent to hers. They are now moving in, and the congregation is
gathering whatever we can to help furnish the house. Miracles still happen! William is now Philadelphia's miracle baby, and he VERY much enjoys our services, especially the dancing. His mother puts him in the middle of the circle on a blanket, and he participates as much as he can (see photo). He may be somewhat behind in some ways, but he has an absolutely BEAUTIFUL spirit. The other day one of the black children was very upset, and William simply put his arms around her and made her feel better. More of us 'normal' people should be like him.
Finally, even though it is summer here, a few people go to the trouble to decorate their houses at this time of year. LOTS of people drive slowly up and down on one particular street where most of such houses are found. The other night we joined them, and took pictures from our slowly moving car. The result - blurry pictures, but for that reason rather artistic (see photos). One of them looks like alien craft passing overhead and landing on the street in front of us. I don't recall seeing any alien craft on the street in front of us, but then we were primarily focusing on the houses to the side, so . . . .
Love from Africa,
Lary and Louise
