Give a week

Today, I traveled in taxis through Durban, one of the most dangerous and prolific forms of transportation available. 2.50 rand to get from anywhere to anywhere in Durban. Taxis are not the standard New York Yellow Cab. they are vans that cram in over 16 people and practically fly across lanes of traffic. The person in the front seat with the driver is in charge of collecting the money from everyone else. They must count it and make proper change. Most people in Durban travel this way. I, on the other hand, upon arrival in this country was given a car for the duration of my stay... This was the start of our week at the church called "Give a Week and Change Your Life," more commonly referred to as "Give a Week." This is the second annual such week, wherein members of the congregation journey through parts of Durban and the surrounding areas to experience different aspects of community life. It's a pilgrimage, a time to see and hear the pain and hope all around us that we seldom take time to perceive.

Sidenote. Janice just walked into my room with the grandbaby of our gardener. He is but six weeks old and perfect. These are the things in life that I don't mind noticing at all.

Back to the reality of the day. Paul (half)-jokingly sold me to someone at the market in Downtown Durban for 200 cows. It was to be 150 cows, but Paul jacked the price for me up, since I was American. The people responded that I didn't know the local language, and Paul said he would be happy to teach me isiZulu for 200 cows...I also ate cow head at the market, while the cow head next in line to be cooked sat on the table nearby - it was a sweet brown cow that looked like it was sleeping...without a body. I won't be eating cow head any time again soon. That's all I have to say about that.

More later on "Give a Week." What does it mean to "give" a week? I'm not sure, but I'm so very grateful that it is my job to "give a week," as I'm sure I receive much more than I give - whether it be the cow fat that is currently lining my stomach, or the grace.