Arrival in Cape Town, South Africa
By Larry Allhands

Our first day in Africa! What an amazing trip it has been, getting here. We left at 10:30 PM on Saturday, April 10th and got to Cape Town at 11:30 AM on the 12th. We stopped in Johannesburg to refuel and take on passengers before setting off to Cape Town. While we waited on the plane, a strong sense of accomplishment washed over me along with the realization that we were finally on the great continent of Africa. All of the hours of training, reading, fund raising and praying had paid off - now we would be rewarded with the chance to serve our Lord here.

After arranging our cell phones and rental cars in Cape Town, we stepped outside for the first time. I was initially amazed at how much South Africa looked and felt like Northern California. Now I know why Brett & Lyn Johnson, who lead equip, selected that area to live in.

As we drove to the Bell Rosen B&B in Welgemoed near Cape Town, where we will be staying for the next fortnight, the differences became more apparent. On either side of the highway, we passed squatter camps - villages of tin and wood walled shacks where people survived in conditions of abject poverty. Upon viewing these living conditions, I have come to realize that the "poor" in America are actually very wealthy by world standards.

Once we finished checking in at the B&B, we were whisked off to a beach to view Table Mountain and get some dinner. The mountain was truly breathtaking. I stated to several of my fellow team members that I was almost ashamed to be serving our Lord in such a beautiful location and they agreed whole heartedly.