More on Mother's Day continued...

I guess I will try and share my soccer personal experiences with you. Like my facebook says, we beat UCT, University of Cape Town's B team, 19-0. Yes that's soccer folks. I couldn't believe the competition. I mean I can't believe my own team. They have such a chip on their shoulders from 1 years ago when apparently they were the best team, that NOW oh yes NOW, they think they know everything, and can run over teams. I mean even our dear lovely coach Charlie, (bless his heart but he really doesn't understand teh full development and coaching) he was still telling us to score goals! I mean come on? The girls and no sorry, Mamas, on my team since there were a few on our squad of 13, (which we all showed up 10 min before the game and i still met a few new girls) there's a 14 year old named Montana, to be honest is the best and has most potential in my opinion, and a 40 year old mama who hasn't at least seemed like she's played before. But still good on them for all being out there to play right? Right. Well same for apparently UCT. Amy and I and this new girl Becca, all from America, stick out like sore thumbs. I haven't even practiced hitting a ball against a wall much, I"m terrible, and this league isn't helping. At least I'm getting a run around but I'm sure I'm getting terrible habits. But I'm feeling healthy and getting a lil fitness back. But even here in Muiz I have no where to train or kick a ball really against a wall that's safe, away from people, etc. Yeah so we slaughtered them. However Amy and i were drooling over their facilities! Nicest artificial pitch I've ever seen! There was so much going on around it too, with this 5 aside in the back and a few grass fields with lights. Oh man and their gym! I haven't seena real proper gym in ages and I was just SUPER jealous!
I scored a few, but really was asking my team at even half time, can we PASS the ball around. We will probably play harder teams and we can't even pass the ball around in the back. Instantly the few older ladies who play in the back said, OH NO if I'm stuck I'm going to boot the ball out! I said yes if you're relaly stuck, but we're also ahead by like 10! I mean our goal keeper touched the ball2 times in 2 games, and 1 of them was because we gave her a chance to have the penalty kick (which she missed). I asked coach if I could switch positions with Montana to let her play in the centre mid to work more well-rounded positions. He said NO we must play our positions. This is like the last 15 minutes. I just have to reach a point to believe that hey, how long am I here? How much do I put my foot in my mouth, how much do I let unravel and lay out because I'm new and it's not my position. I need ot continue to learn how things are, the different cultures, the different players, try and put myself in their shoes. This girl Z and Candace are incredible. However they look down everytime. They're going all the way to the line as outside forwards, then trying to always cross a ball in the air right to the keeper or let alone SHOOT! I am like, you lost your angle! I took it to the line a few times and dropped it to the top of the box, and they weren't even expecting it of course and missed the shooting opportunities. Yes frustrating. Then Z, who I am already having problems with beacuse she has such a chip on her shoulders, she will like stop playing. I have no idea why. I mean we beat Bellville 12-0 the week before and she just stopped playing. Now I can't tell if she's injured, tired, a brat, or what!?! She even gets all mad at the opposition when we're up 12-0 and about to get a red card! I don't get it! CHILL OUT! But if you're going to just stand there, I'd rather you get off the field. Now this is where I"m from and come from, but I've not lived in her shoes. She's from Ocean View where even there that i know of, have no pitch. So Craig reminded me that a major problem with players even from the townships is they play in a lil circle. Hardly even on a street. So how can you expect them to have the knowledge of how to play and pass around when they just worry about skills and tricks in a circle. Broader problems. So I try and be encouraging and patient and only open my mouth to give some feedback when I think it's ok.
Now the trainings, which no one hardly comes to, is in Fishoek, tuesday thursday. I didn't go Tuesday because I've been offered the opportunity to take this guy's position on thi slil kick around indoor through South Point CHurch. I went tuesday in the hail storm, found the place, and had a great time. They aren't great, but it was such a joy to be in that environment again. So that is WAY more beneficial than making my way out to practice with these girls. Also thursday, we have base worship, so I have to play in part between times to go there to base worship and when to be in the community at the football club. It's over an hour's walk to get there if I don't get a ride, it's not easy then to always bother with transport and logistics etc. The Lamb's though are very nic about everything! But then if I don't make that commitment, what does that say to the team? So I must make next Thursday at leaset. I guess we have a bye anyways next Friday. I was going to go into the B team's coaches Sun Valley school and run a lil session, but he quit apparently and I have no number to even ask if it's still on or what. Wtih most Africans he probably just expected me to be there. I feel bad.
Oh man, anything else I can brief up to date on. We had an awesome 50s party last weekend! yes I had such a lovely time! Our dear friend Jac, who I met at this wild Gypsy Balconology party downtown Cape Town I went to a few weeks ago with martin and co., well Jac brought this amazing butternut soup, sound system, made a 50s cd, Lydia set up a projector in the back yard that showed old 50s films, we had about 25 people come through and it was just fun. Getting my roomates dancing and catching up with new people and old it was great to see them mixing. This is waht I love. To net work to benefit and open eyes, ears, and minds of everyone! I even remember Jeff, my website friend, he and his teacher/friend at African Renewal are looking for help and I know this Nigerian friend Nelson on base who's skilled in all those areas of computer and teaching and he's worked and even done YWAM schools in graphics, so to link them together to have more educators in African Renewal is awesome!
Oh I wanted to tell a little bit about my train experiences. I've been going in and out of the city and places more recently, amen to getting out! But yeah I specifically always take the 3rd class anyways, there's always tons of people there so it's safe. However the people are the people of this country. Yeah, I can remember this girl, who I could clearly see her heart surgery on her chest, was going to the doctors, and she said she loves to meet and talk with people. She loved me and was telling me about my white skin color. She said that's all she wants. Her children are growing up and just want ot be white and live in America. I couldn't believe this. I was trying ot explain to her how beautiful she was! I get the stares and smiles from all because I stick out like crazy. Can you imagine if I had my blonde hair? But it's appreciated I feel because I'm there and I mingle and I give up my seat for the mamas and children. I chat about football with the men. I get asked what I'm doing here all the time and I explain that I'm volunteering. This one old woman yesterday on the train who could barely understand English, was asking me if I was married because I said my house was in muiz. She couldn't believe an unmarried woman had a house! I said I definitely didn't own the house it's just where I stay. I've named places like Canada, New Zealand to people who have never even heard of it. NEVER! Life's unique and beautiful here in itself. This guy from Congo yesterday asked me if I spoke French. That's where we began our conversation on life adn what we're both doing here. Again a Congolese here to make a better life. He's doing construction adn sending the funds back home. He said he's very impressed with me mingling and talking with the people around me. I was totally humbled to hear this. I said I felt bad that I really hadn't done anything but I thanked him for even speaking with me. Those moments make everything real and back at heart where we're all the same under one God and one sky.
alright, it's about 10:30 and I haven't really stepped outta the building. I must get out, go to the market, looking for rain gear like boots, a coat because I hardly haven't anything to keep me warm let alone DRY! I also must get some things for he braai!
Everyone's response to supporting me is more than grateful! Seriously I am so overwelmed. I mean I feel I don't do enough, or commit to enough, or always 'feel' I'im a good person with not always having the amazing thoughts and actions Jesus had. But working on that as we always should/could is it. Thank you Lord and thank you all who strive and even pray for me.
Thank you