Getting resettled

First full week in South Africa

Last Wednesday, our team *finally* arrived in Durban after 54 hours of travel and a 12-hour time change. Hallelujah!

Our itinerary was… ambitious.

• Sunday night: Six-hour flight from Kona to Seattle (+2 hours)

• Monday: Nine-hour layover in Seattle

• Monday night: 14-hour flight from Seattle to Doha, Qatar (+11 hours)

• Tuesday night: 13-hour layover in Doha

• Wednesday: 11-hour flight from Doha to Durban (-1 hour)

Fortunately, I slept wonderfully during the flights — to the tune of probably 70% of the 31 hours. It was incredible.

We spent the first few days in Durban acclimating to the time change, being oriented by the local YWAM staff, and shopping for essentials. On Saturday and Sunday, we celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas by feasting¹, doing a $10 white elephant gift exchange², and simply enjoying quality time together.

Today was our first day leaving the base for ministry. I am thankful for a few days of rest, and I am thrilled we are finally beginning to interact with the people of Durban! The local staff have created a schedule that exposes us to many of their partnering organizations. This week alone, we are serving at a drug/alcohol rehab center, working alongside a church who ministers to homeless people, passing out sandwiches and engaging in spiritual conversations at the public beach, and throwing a party for 75 kids at a children’s center (orphanage). I love the variety!

Spoiler alert: I was healed from my gluten intolerance during one of my last weeks in Kona — just in time to travel to South Africa. Praise God! I can now eat gluten without side effects. I hope to share the long version with you soon.

Here are a few photos: the YWAM base in Durban where we are living, a few of my beautiful friends, enjoying gluten, two days of feasting for Christmas, and a puzzle to make me feel at home.

1. One of my teammates is a professionally trained chef. He absolutely spoiled us. Several other teammates baked homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning and apple pie to accompany Christmas dinner. I am *so* glad I can eat gluten again!

2. I bought a 1,000-piece puzzle for the gift exchange… and stole it. I met my puzzling match in my friend Solveig from Norway. Maria from Sweden also contributed significantly. Crushed it! And we had great quality time in the process.