A unique church experience

Prior to moving to South Africa our family was very involved in our church at home and it was a priority to find a church here that we would call home.  I had looked online prior to the move to see what type of churches there are in our area and pleased with the options I found.  We were not set on having to find a Methodist church like we attended back home and were open to new experiences.  A month after arriving we visited a large church that was right down the road from our estate.

Growing up I went to a variety of churches, Lutheran, Christian, Methodist, Baptist and Mark was a Lutheran but we decided to try a non-denominational church for a change.  On the first visit we knew this church was like nothing we had been to before.  A full band, concert-like atmosphere with spot lights and video screens, thousands of people standing and cheering as the pastor came in, practically dancing in the aisles as the music played and we took it all in.  The atmosphere and music did draw you in and the sermons were fantastic week after week.  I always left with several take home points that I could apply to my life and felt rejuvenated to start my week.

As the weeks went on I started volunteering at the church, Adalyn was loving the Children's Church, and Mark and I even attended the Wednesday night Bible study.  I was excited each Sunday to go to church and enjoyed meeting the other members.  It was amazing how fast I was hooked on this church, though Mark was a little more reserved about it.

A couple months after attending the church we finally figured out it was a Pentecostal church which did not matter to either of us as we were enjoying the experience.  There were a few of their views that we did not fully understand nor agree with but it did not stop us from going.  Then 3 months after attending the pastor brought up the 13 associate pastors to the front and said he was "inviting the holy spirit into the sanctuary" and tapped them on the head and one by one they each feel backwards and laid on the floor.  Mark and I turned towards each other and with wide eyes and both knew this would be the last time we visited this church.

Looking back on our experience a few things stand out that were probably way too different to us and we were not used to but overlooked them as the experience was new and exciting.  First, the pastor and his family did not come into the service until right before his sermon, no time was spent shaking hands or greeting members (we sat in the row behind him and never met him).  He also left directly after the service, so I don't know how you would ever get to know him.  He came across more as a church celebrity than a pastor.  Second, there was never a single picture or a cross or Jesus to be found.  Third, the pastor only preached the "good news", which to be honest I liked but it did not feel like you were getting the whole Bible.  A few things here and there would cause me to think twice, but obviously I was having such a good time that I was willing to dismiss them.    

Having not grown up in such a church nor been exposed to this type of worship it had become a little too unfamiliar and different that we had a hard time relating and possibly understanding.  Mark was done attending right after people started passing out, though I was still curious (maybe that's the psychology major in me) but willing to search out other churches.  It took a couple of visits to different churches, some our friends attended and we loved several things about it but just did not connect, to find our church home.  Finally, in January we visited Willows Methodist Church right down the street and in one visit felt we found our church home.  I guess the old familiar worship service, songs, customs and beliefs was where our hearts were leading us.  It was an interesting 3 months going to the first church filled with 13 thousand people each Sunday, but I am glad we stayed true to our roots and found a place we love worshiping with our friends.  

My Dad and Steph come to visit

It was a whirlwind 8 days trying to pack as many adventures in as possible while letting them relax, but there is so much to do and see, we had to fit it all in.  My dad and his wife Steph came to visit us last week and we tried to show them all our favorite parts about where we live.

The first day, I decided it would be best for them to be able to relax after that 17 hour direct flight and the 8 time zone changes.  Grant was introduced to them and it was love at first sight for everyone.

Adalyn was thrilled to have them around to play with and she loved the extra attention.

That afternoon Dad went with me to Adalyn's swimming lessons where she showed him her skills and that she is pretty much a fish.  A 10 minute golf lesson also took place, but that was quickly followed up by hours of playing barbies.  For dinner I took them to a local favorite, Mo-zam-bik, which serves more traditional African food.

The next morning we headed out to the Rhino and Lion park and since we went on a Tuesday, we had the place pretty much to ourselves.  No lines to pet any of the animals, so Steph and my Dad got to spend some quality time with lions, tigers, servals and a cheetah.

After driving through their reserve to see more lions, cheetahs, rhinos, impalas, ostriches, meerkats, zebras, and kudu we went for lunch with the giraffes.  One of my favorite places to eat as you get to feed the giraffes from your hand if you are a bit adventurous.

I am glad my dad and Steph got to have that experience of a giraffe tongue wrapped around their hand.  My dad and I even split an ostrich burger which is pretty lean meat and does not have a lot of flavor, but when in Africa you got to try some local flavors.  

The following day we spent around our house, walking along the golf course, driving through our neighborhood game reserve, picking up some groceries and just spending quality time chatting.  That evening, the four adults went for a nice meal at another local favorite, Tin Roof restaurant.

Next up was a trip to one of the craft markets where you can find all sorts of African made souvenirs.  Since we went on a Thursday there were very few people shopping so my dad and Steph got lots of attention, wanted or not.  Once the local venders hear that American accent, they start their sales pitch.  I think my dad and Steph did quite well not to get suckered into everyone's booth and did not end up with items they did not even want to buy.  We made some good deals and everyone, including Adalyn walked away with some new African art.

Another afternoon spent by the pool relaxing, playing in the garden, and dinner outside again was just what we needed after hours of shopping.

With only a few days left we loaded up a van and headed out of town to Zebula lodge, a favorite of ours, where we rented a house for a few days.

With our own pool, the beautiful indoor/outdoor living, and wildlife in our backyard you could spend all your time at the house, but there is so much more to do.  The first day my dad and Steph went to pet baby lions and even got to hold snakes (well at least my dad did, not sure Steph was up for that adventure quite yet, can't blame her).  That night they went to relax and enjoy massages.  

The next morning my dad and Steph headed out for a game drive on 4-wheelers.  Then I took them to Adventure with Elephants where we got up close and personal with 5 elephants.  The guide gave great information on each elephant and their program while letting us touch, feed, and basically play with the elephants.

We could pick up an elephant's foot which is quite heavy as you can imagine, listen to them talk, kick a ball back and forth with them, get sprayed down with water and we each received a goodbye kiss.

The elephants was my favorite part of the trip as I loved to watch my dad and Steph interact with them, it's truly amazing how close you can get to the animals here.

We spent the afternoon at the pool then my dad and Steph took Adalyn to the cheetah run, where they got to watch a few cheetahs show off their amazing speed.

As our time at Zebula ended we made a detour on our way home to Ukutula which is a lion interaction and research facility.  My dad and Steph were able to play with a few week old baby lions, walk with lions that were about 1 year old and even enjoy the 3-6 month old lions while trying not to get bit as they are pretty feisty.  One of the adult females had just given birth in the last 24 hours and my dad and Steph got to see the newborn cubs, pretty amazing.

For their last day in South Africa we hung out by our pool, enjoyed the weather and spending time visiting together while they tried to get all the hugs and kisses they could from Adalyn and Grant.

 Both Steph and my dad got to experience driving on the opposite side (right side) of the car and the opposite side (left side) of the road.  No one wrecked the car or ran anyone off the road, though a few times the windshield wipers would go on instead of the turning signal.  My dad even drove the rental van back in rush hour traffic with me and did great.  You all might want to watch out in Maryville if he gets confused these first few weeks back with American driving.

We loved having my dad and Steph visit, it was so good to spend time together and I loved watching them play with the kids.  Both of them are fantastic grandparents and we miss them already so hopefully it won't be too long before we see eachother again.