Letters from Africa

So I've been working here at the ISS in Pretoria. I stay at a bed and breakfast in a town about 15 minutes away called Moreletta Park. Its a pretty drive to get here. Each morning, we have a 1 hour briefing. We meet in a conference room and the researchers each take a few minutes to brief the group on the latest developments on their respective areas. Since I've been here, ambassadors, foreign ministries, dignitaries and various news agencies have also attended some of the briefings to learn. After, the briefings, one of the researchers usually invites me to their office for a discussion, they want to bounce ideas off me. Then I go back to my office and edit papers. This ISS is in a really nice business park, but true to the country, it's surrounded by a tall fence and topped with electric wire. There's a large mall across the street. I usually walk over there for lunch.

Last Sunday I attended church in Daveyton. Since I left the ward has grown and the building has been expanded. It was great to see so many of the young men I taught and baptized were now back from their own missions, married and serving in the ward. After church, I went to the Mogotwsane's home for lunch. Rice, chakalaka, beet root, sweet potatoes and pap. It was delicious. After lunch we drive to one of the squatter camps in Etwatwa to visit the Stanely and Lousia Bale family. Mom and dad got to me them several years ago. They have since moved into a bigger shack, still no electricity and running water inside, but more space. When we arrived, Louisa was not home but Stanely instantly recognized me and gave me a giant hug. When Louisa arrived, she did a double take and shook my hand as I introduced myself as Cort. The Mogoswane's and Stanely had a little fun with her. After a minute, she recognized me, and screamed, "Bacigalupi, what happened to you, you got so big". It was a great reunion. They have four children now and are still struggling to get by. Louisa work the night shift at a factory 7 days a week, washing floors and washing uniforms. Stanley is in poor health, but somehow they manage to feed their kids. They are still very active and walk to church each Sunday.
It was great to be back in Daveyton. Great place, great people.

This Saturday one of the guys from work here is taking me to a Rugby match in the afternoon. In the morning I'm driving to Vereeniging to visit Simon Lehobo. Next Saturday I'm driving with Mondi and his wife to Swaziland to visit one of my old companions. It's about a 4 hour drive.