3, 2, 1 (Brent)

Pardon me if I am a bit cheesy in what I am struck with today. I would not take the time to post either, since Kyle already did, but today has been an interesting day and is worth another mention. John Thomas said that serving in Cape Town can kind of create this “spiritual schizophrenia”—from one street to the next you see the difference between first world and developing world. It really is amazing and hard to describe. Anyway…

3 Languages: We have dealt with at least three languages already today: British English (it can be tricky sometimes), Afrikaans, and Xhosa (one of the three “click” languages—yes Jon Merryman, click—a whole 2 hour worship service in click, with translation for the most part).

2 Oceans: Cape Town is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. They actually look different—the Atlantic is more blue, while the Indian is more turquoise. Apparently the Indian Ocean is about 5 degrees warmer, too, and only a few km away from where we are staying and overlooking the Atlantic.

1 Bird: a parrot named Coca…you can see LeAnne’s picture. Wow…

Also…

3 Generations: We were told about three generations of women living under the same roof of no more than 12’ x 12’, all HIV+, all isolated from one another’s status. The chaplain here at LH knew about all three, but they withheld the news from one another. HIV status is highly secretive and stigmatic, even within family units. (They now know and are living with this together rather than apart.)

2 Decades: We heard of a girl who believed her life would not amount to anything so she decided she would have sex with as many people as possible and enjoy it to the “fullest.” She decided to rack up countless partners and get HIV so that she would be dead before she was 20—then it would not matter if the poverty in her life kept her from earning a decent wage: she’d already be dead. She is well on her way and is HIV+.

1 Village: Red Hill. Maybe only 1,000 live here on the side of a mountain. There is spotty electricity and only one water source for all the people who call Red Hill “home.” It is estimated that 50% of the residents of Red Hill are HIV+. We go there tomorrow.