Lost in Faith

Jan. 13, 2007

Leaving the confines of the land of the free and home of the brave one never knows what to expect.  It was evident in the faces of my fellow passengers that the world to which I was headed would possess more color than my lily white environs.

A sixteen hour flight goes by amazingly fast.  Especially when you have a change to watch a movie entitled Beat the Drum the chronicles a young South Afrian boy whose mother and father dies of AIDS and he takes off of Jo’berg (Johannesburg) to find his uncle.  It also helps to be seated next to a South African born pathologist practicing for the past 7 years in Vermont.

Tom, my seatmate confirmed that the AIDS crisis is not overblown since South Africa has better statistics than most of rural areas to their north.  I asked him his opinion of the best use of Western money.  Ask if it wasn’t rocket science, he said, “You’ll know when you see the area when you decide to work.”   With a face of warmth and joy he smiled widely and encouraged me with this warn, “They say once Africa gets into your blood, you’ll never get it out.”

Although the 16 flight went off without a hitch, the connection to Port Elizabeth left without us thanks to a painstakingly slow baggage claim.  So the three amigos enjoyed a hotel and meal on South Africa Airlines.  And quite a meal it was!

Johannesburg has no markings of an Africa of TV and movies.  A large casino appoints the landscape of a typical modern city.  The only hint of the Africa of my imagination was the porter at the shuttle bus area who addressed me as “Boss.”

In the morning we fly to PE and meet Mama Gladys and the Oceans of Mercy staff.  Much anticipation for this meeting.