Thursday, seriously my 1st real adventures in a township

Don't hate on me. I know it's not by my own choice I hadn't been in a real township yet. I was in DTS, then doing this campaign which was really indoors, which hasn't been my gig, but I have been trying to be a servant how I felt I am suppose to be. However, finally, today I happened to get into Keilitsha for the 1st time. Definitely not my last.
What a great experience just to see these literal, TOWNS, more like CITIES! that and Mitchel's Plain, holy cow! There's like 5. some million people out there in the Cape Flats. Unreal I know.
So I went out there because Stefan from Germany here has been telling me about this soccer tournament they're setting up with this Cape to Cairo thing him and Gabriel have done and are working on more together. I wanted to check it out and see what sort of events, or things were going on, maybe even how I could find some volunteers or coaches or at least how they were doing things.
I didn't know it was a meeting with many different areas and pastors about the National Youth Day coming up June 16th. Yeah, I'm learning more and more about the history etc. here. Apparently a terrible massacre of youth that day back in apartied times. Yikes, I know, I need more education obviously. Anyways, first just driving out there and the many differe colored 1 story houses, shops, or what looked like these things, with random spray painted advertising, and just LIFE everywhere. Walking all over, lil shops here and there. We first parked at this lil place which apparently was the library and lil community center. It was surrounded by real laid back gaurds carrying very visible guns. We were allowed in to meet some pastor. It was like, once they see white people it's magnets. They see money, or just, I don' tknow. I went to purchase this apple from a lady and then she wanted to fetch me water and overly helpful.
I checked out the so called library a bit, since, of course we had so much time beign in AFRICA, so I went in and looked around at the oldest school RANDOM books. Completely obviously out of date and donated hand me downs. Really interesting to see this small thing.
Finally this pastor arrived and we threw him in the lil car as well, and drove down the road in between this and that car, to this meeting area. The building was similar in what it's purpose was for. We arrived late, obviously however the man we picked up was the one holding the meeting. SO, it was ok.
All in this round table, we introduced ourselves, ME obviously being the very American and 1 of 3 girls out of 20. There was much Khosa speaking there, so I didn't follow everything. However they were really engaging and such and interesting mix to follow. I guess Keilisha was a really black township, where Mitchel's plain is all colored. Apparently even the graveyards are segregated. I heard there's 1 all white township in Joborg. So interested eh?
Well the meeting went on about needing the youht to coincide with the leaders to make this youth day, obviously run and led with youth. Much wasn't already on the table, but it sounds like they're desiring a HUGE event. In this Mendella stadium, it will be desired to have many youth organizations, booths with things like EMT, media, music, etc., of many different organizaitons, business, to show case themselves and interact. Opportunity for the youth who have no hope. A day for life to speak. They have apparently speakers, or desired speakers of gov., maybe some famous soccer players, maybe celebrities. There's even a match taht day of SA during the world cup, so perhaps show that somehow. I just see a HUGE event unorganized since it isnt' suppose to cost anything. I don't get it. However, the funny part was, once they decided they want an organizing committee, lol, they wanted to choose 6 people, preferreably youth. I couldnt' see more than a few around that table who were probably less than 25. So as they're going through this nominating process, this guy from far across the end, points to me and speaks stuff I can't comprehend. I look around totally confused, and yes everyone starts chuckling and points to me. They're freakin nominating ME! I was like, I don't even know what this holiday came from, I've never been in a township, I'm whiter than snow, I dont' even plan on being here after world cup for more events to come. Well, as Gabriel is trying to shoo them and speak for me, this ol woman heading up the meeting with her deepKhosa voice, asks for them to hush and let me speak. I tell them I'm very excited for this event and their ideas, and I'd love to help in anyway I can but I'm not sure how much involvement I can have and so won't be on the committee but support. :) SO, every Thursday now I'll be getting out there to those funny people and hoepfuly make things happen. Oh man it was awesome. Stefan and I just say, oh Africa.
Sorry also for the delay I know you're wondering what's been going on. I've been running around. Oh yes and literally, my kinee hasn't really had any pain after some runs this week.
Ah, Cristian has been working on the brochure and power point a lot with Kenny. I really expected this all done obviously, but it's not. So it's still there, but I'm trying to link and do more work. I'm finally not feeling anxiety. yes I'll elaborate more later, but now trying to use my resources and links to connect people and events for/around the world cup to help one another. For instance the 4 townships nearby and their kids camps. Trying to get volunteers, locals etc. trying to sort things out with Musa, gotta see him tomorrow. Talk about answering some questions and then also looking into the future what he's doing for the world cup and beyond in Kenya. Ahh trying to link in with Living Hope and yes their ministries, linking with Ubunto. All doing the holiday camps. Seeing if other churches I know can lend volunteers to help. Arts with a mission and I are trying to help get some of their 50 events started after the major kick off next month. I already want them to play a few places, maybe even have a match showing event here in Muiz next to CCFM. I'm trying to link them all, OH and heard from Ambassadors In Sport and the team coming here and how they'd love to see what sort of ciriculum we're creating to share with youth/women on the outreach. Or at least how ABSTAIN could be shared with them and play with them during WC. Oh man so many lil new things, or at least tying things together. Feeling a lil useful in that way. trying to get ahold of bus and airports for playing the great 2010humantraffic videos. I contacted hotels and they're super keen to get brochures, anything we have on display. I'm trying to get brochure to ask for funding and also for printing for free from people and places like Marc with that printing company. Still moving. Man oh man I'm so stinking tired. I'm sorry I must go home, getting up real early to go into town on the train to extend visa before April 20th. Love you so so much, Mommy Daddy you're missed!