How I Spent Thanksgiving

• Not in the cool of winter ... Rather sweating in the heat of the summer
• Not watching the Macy's Day Parade ... But sliding down a mountain in a cardboard box
  
• Not eating turkey ... Enjoying chicken and dumplings
  
• Not with family ... Instead with new friends who are sisters and brothers in Christ

Johannesburg is also called "Egoli" which means City of Gold. Gold was discovered in the region in 1884 and active mining operations began 2 years later. Up until recently South Africa has been the world's largest gold producer. Mountains of gold deposits can be found all around Joburg which are the result of decades of gold extraction. They are actually being mined again because there are still minerals that the old machinery left. 

This is a snapshot of what we see everyday walking around Snake Park, Soweto.

This is Amber and I with Lorraine and Sibongile... anytime we do something whether ministry related or for fun, we always try to have our friends come with. They thought we were crazy for wanting to slide down the mountain but they ended up having such a good time and want to do it again!

This is Sibongile and I sliding down the mountain on cardboard boxes. I'm so thankful for Sibongile who has such a sweet spirit and truly loves the Lord. She has taken over teaching Sunday School at Faith Baptist which is an answer to prayer. She has become one of our really good friends!

This is the view from the top of the mountain overlooking Soweto.

This is the group minus Sibongile who was taking a nap on the side of the mountain when this picture was taken. It was certainly a workout climbing up.