3-21-15

Hello again from JoBurg, this week has been packed with interesting events and fun. I have to admit that I have had a bad a bad attitude for most of the week, being tired and moody, all that I can assume is that the novelties are starting to wear off and that spiritual attacks are commencing in earnest. Some of our students have been coming rather infrequently due to the weather, health conditions, and other varied personal reasons ranging from work to being disenchanted with the rate at which they are learning.  

On Wednesday of this week we, the young adults working here, went to a Turkish international school heritage festival. The festival was at the Nelson Mandela Johannesburg Theatre, and was comprised of theatrical displays, song, and dance from 15 different countries. Most of the youth were brilliant in their vocal performances. The point of the display was to promote peace and worldwide unity through the ideals and schooling that is offered by the Turkish schools and learning centers that are popping up all over the globe. The display was awesome, and we were able to see how their widespread view on expanding their “views” is working, there seem to be no qualms with throwing large amounts of free things to local and state gov’s to gain a foothold with the people therein. Here as well as in neighboring countries there have been many building projects as well as community betterment projects.

In the area near the theater there are yet more wonderful little coffee shops, one of personal interest is a little roasting shop called “Double Shot”. This little establishment offers phenomenal coffees from around the world, and are partially owned by the roasters, partially by the farms. There will be some photos to go along with the storytelling. While at this little shop on Wednesday I asked the roaster what I should try instead of simply ordering a random coffee, apparently by asking I was showing that I not only liked coffee I also know a little about it and appreciate more than simply things like syrupy sweet latte’s or cappuccinos. The owners/ roasters/ baristas, (they were all serving in the roles) were excited to have me ask, and to show their excitement led me to inspect their unroasted stock and join in on a cupping of a new bean that they were sampling. I was also given multiple drinks and shots of espresso so that they could show off all their roasts and methods. Needless to say, I think they may have been sampling their stock a little heavily!

Our Thursday experience and Friday was not too eventful, on Saturday morning we went to neighbor-goods market. This market is in downtown Johannesburg and is only open on Saturday mornings. There are elements of a “hipster” atmosphere, with open air music being played in a festive manner, stalls where foodies and chefs are selling hot meals or cold drinks and artisanal meats breads chesses and deserts. The individual stalls were delicious and offered their wares in affordable manners. This market which is located seemingly in an old parking garage is a place for people to go and try tastes of food from around the globe as well as from many of the finest eateries in the city. Of course this is simply my opinion, but the experience was really interesting.

While these experiences are fun to occasionally go out and have, the real reason is to reach out and build relationships here in order to share truth with people. Keep us in your pr@yers as we go out in our weekday job, and as we go about town; that we will be the light in the darkness and the sowers of good seed here in JoBurg.

I am thankful for the safety that my team here as well as I have enjoyed. I am also thankful for the successful surgery that my grandfather went through this week, not all Sp. Attacks come upon yourself, and sometimes those who are loved ones are also attacked in order to stop the work being done in the Kingdom. Thank you for your continued supplication to the father on our behalf here, and I ask you to continue in the good work.

With many thanks and thoughts,

Ethan.