Brett in Joburg

My cousin Brett is such a blessing to me! I'm so appreciative of the money and time he spent in coming to see me in South Africa!! I am so thankful for my friends and family who love and care for me. I couldn't be here without their support.

Brett enjoyed going to Soweto and getting to see first hand the ministry that is taking place there. He was able to meet many of my friends and just spend quality time with them. He came to Bible study one day and was able to take part in Bible storying.

Brett quickly became friends with Philani... they encouraged each other in the faith!

Zach and Philani have been able to start soccer back up at the schools even though the strike still lingers. Currently, the strike is postponed but teachers are willing to strike till the end of the year if demands are not met within 21 days. Please pray that the teachers and government would come to a compromise for the sake of the children who are the ones suffering.

Brett took part in soccer practice and enjoyed warming up with the children and getting to be a part of this ministry.

After awhile, Brett found some kids who were just standing around the field and asked if they wanted to play some basketball. Basketball is not a popular sport here in South Africa so they played with a soccer ball on a netball court (no backboard). But the kids loved playing with him which is what is most important!

Brett was able to experience another aspect of South African culture by going to a cricket match. I'm beginning to understand and appreciate this sport a little more even though soccer will always be my favorite!

I wanted Brett to be able to enjoy the African landscape so we decided to go on a canopy tour at the Magaliesberg Mountains. We enjoyed the thrill of ziplines in the beautiful African bush.

No comparison to the gorge swing at Victoria Falls though...

I also wanted Brett to experience the life of locals in Soweto which included using different modes of transportation. We took a taxi to downtown Johannesburg to get a feel for the city life.

Top of Africa. We went to the Carlton Centre to get a view of Jozi from 50 floors up. It is the tallest building in Africa but only about half the height of the Sears Tower in Chicago.

Brett made quick friends with Sibongile's son who enjoyed being thrown around and carried on his tall shoulders through downtown.

I had never ridden in a train before so why not add to my firsts in Africa! It was quite an experience... You don't find too many white people in taxis or trains so we were a spectacle to say the least. But I enjoy breaking stereotypes... I strive to put the Gospel on display to all peoples!!

I long for the day when we are in Heaven and people from every nation, from all tribes and languages will be standing before the throne and before the Lamb worshipping together!! Revelation 7:9

Victoria Falls

I had the awesome privilege of going to 1 of the 7 wonders of the world... Victoria Falls! This is the largest waterfall in the world and is named Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the "Smoke that Thunders" in the Lozi language of Zambia. The spray from the falls can be seen nearly 50 km away.

Three good friends and I took a road trip through South Africa, Botswana and finally ended up in Zimbabwe to see the falls. It was a long car ride but worth it with fun company and getting to see elephants, baboons, warthogs, and a giraffe in the wild.

I love baobab trees!

To help break up the 16 hour drive... we stayed the night in Botswana on the way there and back with a wonderful family. We enjoyed a nice meal and fellowship! Can't really explain what is going on here except that Stacie thought it would be fun to get our hair did 80s style.

We walked through the Victoria Falls National Park to see the falls which were absolutely stunning! Just amazing to see how big God is and how small we are.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens...

Isaiah 40:21-22, 26

Had to represent the TOMS.

We took a sunset cruise one night on the Zambezi river and enjoyed seeing elephants, hippos and a crocodile.

After much encouragement, I decided to participate in a Half Day Adrenaline excursion. This consisted of 3 different jumps off the gorge... (1) flying fox which was running off a platform and flying like superman (2) zipline out over the water (3) gorge swing. They were all intense and I'm not afraid to admit I was scared for my life at times. This is a picture of the gorge where we did all these jumps. You can see the cables to the left of the picture where the zipline and gorge swing were.

This is the gorge swing which is a 70 meter (230 feet) free fall and then swing out over the gorge. The free fall is only 3 seconds but it felt like a lifetime! It was intense but I think I would do it again :)

Here is the video of my gorge swing... Sorry mom!

Vic Fall Gorge Swing from Rachel Jensen on Vimeo.

Welcome to Nicholas'

Disclaimer: There is a graphic picture of a cow head so if you are faint of heart... don't scroll down to the last picture.

Nicholas goes to Faith Baptist Church in Snake Park, Soweto. He has had trouble finding a job with such a high unemployment rate in SA. He has worked from time to time as a car guard. Car guards work at malls or sporting events hoping people will give them small change such as 2 Rand which is equivalent to 0.27 cents. Now Nicholas has a restaurant which is located on the side of the road at a major intersection.

His restaurant sells pap, which is mealie a type of corn, and cow head. The food is cooked in two pots over an open wood fire. The cost of a plate of pap and meat is R30 which is about $4.

This is the kitchen which includes dishes for people eating in and plastic bags for take away.

This man came and got take away.

This video is to show you where the water supply comes from. They retrieve water from a broken and leaking water pipe that has created standing water with rubbish floating around in it. They use the water for cooking, drinking, washing hands and dishes.

Cooking 101 from Rachel Jensen on Vimeo.

Nicholas was nice enough to give us a small taste. Sibongile, Thembane and I shared a plate of pap and cow head. The meat was tough but tasted just like steak. I thought it was pretty good and would eat it again which is saying a lot!

Afterwards, Nicholas asked if I would take him to the butchery so that he could buy another cow head. Of course I love to help because otherwise he would have to take a taxi to retrieve it. Thankfully, he had some plastic to put in the boot (trunk) of my car to keep blood from getting all over the place.

As I was talking to him about the cow head.. he explained that this shows how poor they really are... that this is what is available. Africans truly make use of every part of the animal... including intestines, tongues, eyes, hooves, brains and every other part you can imagine.

My friends enjoy having me try everything and I'm always happy and willing to... at least once. So far since being in Africa I have had caterpillars, kapenta (tiny fish eaten whole), dove, snoek fish, chicken feet, chicken neck, intestines, liver and cow head. What will be next?

I'm so thankful to God for all that I have. But my heart breaks to know that there are many starving people living in Soweto! Please remember to lift them up... that God would provide for their needs as He promises to those who are His children.

Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"... your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33