Stark Contrast

I think Jo'burg is like many cities around the world. There are areas of affluence and areas of poverty. Last night I had a chance to see the two worlds within moments of each other.

I work in an area of town that is run down. It used to be a white area during apartheid, but in the past 14 years it has been abandoned by its former white residents and is now a predominantly black area. You can see the beauty that once existed in the architecture and remaining landscaping, but the area of Troyeville has become very run down. Just driving to the church I see trash along the grounds, many buildings with graffiti and broken windows. As you look around there are people milling about everywhere. Although most of them try to remain clean, their clothes are often worn and often second-hand. The stores have bars at the windows and doors all day long and the cars look as if they could fall apart at any moment.

After working in Troyeville all day yesterday, we had the opportunity to go out to dinner with Peter and Yvonne (the couple that took us to the mountains for the weekend). We went to an area called Sandton. Sandton is vastly different than Troyeville. There is no trash to be found. I don't think trash would dare touch the ground here. It would pick itself up and find a trash can before it would allow the landscape to be upset by litter. The landscaping is beautiful along the roads, homes and shopping areas. The people, clothing and cars are equally impressive. The stores have no bars (during the day) and the people seem to walk around with a sense of leisure. They aren't rushing to get somewhere, but enjoying their shopping experience. I feel that this area is so fancy that I don't quite fit in. (The South Africans use the term "Larney" when describing something extremely fancy and high class.)

It is always interesting to me to see the "Haves" and the "Have-Nots" so close together and yet so far apart. When I tell someone from the nicer areas where I am working, they instantly become shocked that I would dare go to Troyeville. They have judgements of the area when they have never been there. But I suppose I am the same way. I have judgements of the Soweto area because of its horrible reputation for violence. It is often easy to make judgements on what we've heard rather than risk seeing for ourselves.

Just to ease your minds....I am usually locked safe within the walls and gates of the church. I rarely walk outside of the church perimeter, and never by myself. I have met enough people in the community to get a wave from a parent or child as I am driving the short distance from the church to the highway. And all of the people that I have come in contact with in Troyeville have been friendly to me. Safety precautions are a necessary part of life and I observe them. So don't be a worry-wart (I'm speaking to a select few of you out there and you know who you are!) If you are still feeling worried, please turn your worries into prayer so it can do some good.