I don't normally do this, and this is not my normal type of blog . . . but there has been so many "interesting" things occurring in the news over the last few days, that I feel the news to touch base on some of it.
First was the hi-jacking saga. Tragic. I don't know if any other world can really be use. Living in South Africa, crime is a sad reality. I have heard people say that when you hear South African's speaking the question isn't, "have you ever been a victim of crime?" but rather, "How often have you been a victim of crime?" don't get me wrong. I love this nation, and it's people, but crime is a reality that I have personally experienced, and know many others who too have walked through it. . . So when the news breaks that a hijacking occurred and that a 1 month old baby was in the car, our province and our nation, who are normally desensitized by crime, came to a standstill and a rallied together to try help.
Every shop you walked into, every group of people you walked passed, the situation was on their lips and being forwarded on every media and social media avenue possible. A nation stopped and prayed and comforted.
This is the spirit of South Africa, where a nation gathers together to help one another in times of trouble.
Fortunately the baby was recovered, sadly the mother was involved and it was not the hijacking that it first appeared to be. . . but regardless of how tragic a story it is, well done South Africa for showing your support and your true nature.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2017/03/12/BREAKING-BabySiwaphiwes-mom-arrested
The weather in our nation can be beautiful and glorious but also a challenge. Some of you may know that I don't like cycling and think of "bike" or "bicycle" as a bit of a swear word. . . It seems that Cape Town winds agreed with my opinion as they literally brought the annual Argus to a grinding halt with winds reaching 100km an hour [roughly 62 miles per hour - i think]. As much as I don't like cycling, I wouldn't wish harm on any poor soul who does favour the sport....here is a glimpse of what chaos the Cape Doctor created.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93sx0lpxqI4
Durban didn't want to be left out of the action. You never know when things can change, one sunny Saturday morning you speeding down the beach promenade with masses of people all trying to get some exercise in. [i did 5km, by the way - *pats herself on the back*] ...as you briskly walk with your friend, you remember to glance out to sea and take a moment to appreciate your surroundings. "Waves look big today. Actually the sea looks quite rough." you remark and you continue on your way....Sunday comes....and this happens....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p5YNowdZHc
same beachfront ...one day later!!!! Man, that makes Saturday's big waves seem minute in comparison. Am grateful I had chosen to walk on Saturday and not Sunday!!! feel really sorry for all the damaged restaurants etc. Thankfully not many injuries.
what a week news wise. . . .and when you can't think of anything else.... you get the updated list of countries that you can visit without a visa, as a South African....Good news at last! even better news is that Ireland, Grenada and Barbados are on that list.... I have places to stay and friends to visit in all those countries....so now all I need is the airfare - HINT! HINT! NUDGE NUDGE!
https://businesstech.co.za/news/wealth/150789/south-africans-can-visit-these-90-countries-without-a-visa-in-2017/
and then you scroll through facebook, and this catches your eye....
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/charity-worker-jailed-child-abuse-10009633
Now, I am not sharing this latest bit of news to spark a debate or get inundated with your opinions. But this is a significant story that had indirectly affected many areas of my life whilst I ministered in Albania. It was a constant thought in my mind to be cautious and aware and keep safe guards in place, especially because I worked with street boys and Roma children. It had a huge impact on how I did ministry. It had a huge ripple effect, even though I had never met the man, many people were not open to the gospel because they associated Christianity with the accused, even though they too had not met the man. I know many missionaries who had suspicion and false accusations cast over them, even to the point of enduring court cases, because of this case. It did a lot of damage and effected a lot of work and missionaries and ministries. It made me even more cautious because I knew a local Albanian who was caught [and who confessed] to abusing an orphan, who simply received a warning, but yet a foreigner who was accused received 20 years in prison, This was a deciding factor in me pulling out of working with street kids because I knew just one accusation, false and unsubstantiated would land me in jail for a long time more so because I was foreign than anything else. So it was interest that I noted an update on this story cross the facebook news feed today.
and last and not least, because a lot of what was shared today has been way to serious and tragic....and because I need to uphold my reputation of always taking things to the toilet...here is a link to some toilet's that I would love to visit. . . .have a great day....keep watching this space for more blog updates.
https://www.wheretraveler.com/king-thrones-14-worlds-most-intriguing-public-toilets?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=kw&kwp_0=319998&kwp_4=1291794&kwp_1=574149#slide-1
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