Dankbaar

"In everything be thankful, because this is God's will for you in the Messiah Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name" Psalm 100: 4

Molo (Hello in Xhosa),

Dankbaar means thankful in Afrikaans. Thursday I arrived at the Bible Institute in Kalk Bay, a little fishing village, where I will be having classes for the next 3 weeks. We were welcomed with a Thanksgiving dinner and were introduced to our culture mentors (South African university students that will guide us around Cape Town). I am thankful for South Africans trying to make me feel at home with an American meal. I am thankful for my friends and family back at home, especially my parents who are supporting me and making this South African Adventure possible. I am thankful that Jesus calls us “friend.” I am thankful for God and all His magnificent beauty as reflected in His creation. I am thankful for all the amazing experiences I have had in my life and during this past week…

Sunday, we left the AE campus and drove 10 hours to East London. On the drive we went past Mandelas’ current home. When we arrived in East London we had about an hour of explore time before dinner, so we walked around the beach and I collected shells (of course). IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!! We came across a river that runs into the ocean right next to jungle-covered hills that plunge down into the water. The water was warm and clear and as I stood in it and soaked in the view I was immersed in I couldn’t help getting giddy with excitement and wonder at how amazing heaven is going to be someday.

The next day we drove 4 hours to Port Elizabeth. On the way to the hotel we drove to Reagan, our CLC’s, family’s house. We visited with his family and neighbors and toured his house where I once again was reminded of how much I have and disturbed with the question of why am I so blessed? Then we drove to our hotel on the beach and went to lunch on the boardwalk. We escaped the rain by looking at African crafts on the boardwalk, and going to the movie theater. Which was followed by crocheting a hat in the hotel and then eating dinner at a nice restaurant on the beach.

Tuesday morning I woke up full of butterflies. I was nervous, nauseous and praying all morning knowing that in a few hours I would be bungy jumping off of the Bloukrans bridge. At 216 meters (approx. 709 feet) it is recognized by Guinness as the highest bungy jump in the world! When we arrived I jumped out of the bus and when I first caught sight of the bridge I started crying, but then I watched someone jump and felt a smidge better and proceeded with registering. At this point I found out that my roommate Jeana was also crying, (I love that we roomies were the only two crying at first sight of the bridge). We then went to the toilet, got geared up, and watched the first group jump from the restaurant across from the bridge which had video playing of the jumpers getting ready, their facial expressions jumping and everything. My group then started walking under the bridge in a mesh cage walkway to the center where I found out unexpectedly that I would be 2nd to jump. I was terrified, but I didn't have much time to think about it, thank goodness. I still can't believe I JUMPED!!!! I was expecting that they would have to push me, but they didn't have too, I JUMPED, I REALLY JUMPED!!! I must be crazier than I thought, but I am thankful for that because it was INCREDIBLE!!!! The first initial thought of falling was OH MY GOSH!!!! Then within a millisecond it turned into WOW!!! How Beautiful! I thought that I would feel like I was being jerked around by the bungy cord and that I would be moving so fast that I wouldn't see anything clearly, but it wasn't like that at all. The cord was attached really tight around my ankles, so I felt safe, but at the same time I didn't feel like I was attached to anything or being pulled in any direction. I felt disoriented and was never sure if I was going up or down. I felt free, and weightless; I felt like I was flying. It was so quiet and everything seemed still- the ocean, the green mountains, the dark blue rushing stream. It was SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! I was crying uncontrollably with gratitude for this experience, the beauty that surrounded me and for how wonderful God is. It was an intimate moment between me and Jesus. Falling felt like forever for me. It was like time stopped, but the blood rushing to my head did not. Near the end I started getting really lightheaded and kinda "out of it," but just in time I was rescued by "spiderman" who pulled me upright and traveled with me back to the bridge. My first thought was I want to jump again right now, and then my second thought, a thought I never ever ever thought I would ever have, was "I wonder what sky diving is like?"

The next day we drove to George where we stayed a couple nights at a Christian retreat center called "Carmel by the Sea" The first night we went for a hike and came across a ropes course that we took a break on. The view was beautiful! It reminded me of beaches at home, yet they are far more green here. I enjoyed my morning and afternoon teas there sitting by flower gardens while staring out at the ocean.

The second day in George we went to the Cango Caves!!! We toured 1 cave that had 12 chambers. The first chamber was the largest and can hold 2,000 people. I chose to do an extended tour in which we explored the caves more in depth and went through 4 tunnels, the smallest of which we squeezed through, the "postbox," was about 11 inches in height. It was quite an adventure and I loved every minute of it!

After we had lunch at the caves we drove to the Cango Wildlife Ranch in which we saw birds, fish, bats, turtles, crocodiles, hippos, warthogs, lions and many more adorable animals. I got the chance to pet baby white tigers (through the cage), and I also got to play with and pet 6 baby cheetahs. Another childhood dream checked off the list!

There are many more adventures to come.

Sala Kahle