Travel, travel...

10:24 PM, Friday, January 28, 2011

Where I am: Johannesburg (more technically “East Rand” section outside Jo’burg, at a Catholic Seminary of all places).

Where I’ve been: Minneapolis, Chicago, DC, Dakar, and now, here.

How it went: My first two flights were good. Typical, annoying, but fine. My flight to DC was spent next to a husband and wife who teach Old Testament and New Testament, respectively, in Zimbabwe. When I arrived at D.C., ready for the long flight, I was informed my flight had been cancelled. Or, rather, yesterday’s flight had been cancelled due to weather, and those people were taking my flight. I would be notified if there was a seat for me. Long story short, two hours later I had a seat. Two hours after that we finally took off (7:30 PM, DC time). Waiting in line to board- for an hour- I had a long conversation with an Afrikans couple from Johannesburg. They were both pastors of a church together, and her name was Sharon. She was very friendly and I told her about my program and she told me about her life and travels and grandchildren.

The international flight was obviously very long. 17 hours flight time not including time change hours. We left at 7:30 DC time and arrived at 7:30 Johannesburg time. The plane was huge- 80 rows with 3 sections of seats. I was in row 73, but I had the window seat. Next to me sat a woman named Mike (I never asked how she got that name..) who was headed to Lesotho. She started some type of ministry online and now works with children there. She had been delayed the night before and was making the trek for ONE DAY in Lesotho. That is love and dedication, my goodness. We talked a lot- she kind of mothered me through the international flying process, which was nice. If not for her, I might not have known how to watch all those movies. : )

Since getting here it’s be a disorienting kind of get-to-know-you. You can tell everyone is really just beat, but trying hard to make friends. Maybe a little too hard- I didn’t feel bad skipping out to shower and go to bed. It’s hard to sleep on planes, and right now as I type this my limbs feel fuzzy and I feel a little dizzy. I’m off to bed- I just knew if I didn’t write this now I never would.

Peace.

Let the adventures of tomorrow unfold!

the pre-departure post.

As I write this, I sit in my aunt's condo in Minneapolis, with a few hours to myself to read, write, make phone calls, etc. It is sunny and I can see all of downtown Minneapolis and the surrounding area (she lives on the 24th floor). It's beautiful. It's beautiful, but I feel like I'm in some sort of limbo. All of this planning and preparation, and here I am in the cities for two days, spending some last few minutes with friends and family before leaving on a jet plane.

This winter break has provided an ample amount of time to attempt to reflect on why I am journeying to South Africa... My attempts led me to my journal from last spring. There was one day- I think at a Catholic Worker retreat- that I asked a series of questions to God, mainly,

What does it mean to follow You?

What does it mean to be a disciple?

I wrote about wanting to give my life to living and loving. I wrote about my belief in a Jesus didn't just come to die for us-- he came to live for us, and to show us how to live with truth and joy.

Preparing myself for this journey can only be a vague attempt because I don't know what this adventure will hold. However, I do know it will alter me in ways I cannot predict.

And, in my heart, I feel as though this is what it means for me to be a disciple. To follow Christ's life and love with an expectation of change, and a surrender to not knowing what that change will be or how it will look like.

I feel as if I am riding a wave of love to South Africa. My birthday was a wonderful way to have a last celebration with friends and family. The support from my communities in Chicago and Bemidji and family has been a beautiful tidal wave, and I will hopefully be able to carry that feeling of love and affection in my heart these next few months.

I fly out before the sun rises on Thursday morning. If you are reading this, please keep in touch!

I feel ready. Or, as ready as I can be.