Thursday, March 6, 2008

Commute

I have a 30 minute commute to work every day. Sometimes more, sometimes less.....depending on the traffic, weather and time of day. I typically spend this 30 minutes yelling at the taxis that cut me off, swerving to miss pot holes, debating whether to give the beggars on the corner a few Rand, and singing Praise songs at the top of my lungs.

Recently, that has all changed. (No the cops did not pull me over and give me a ticket for disturbing the peace with my singing!) I have been taking Sunday to school with me every day. For the past week, Sunday has been staying at Pastor Cheryl's house. This is a temporary measure. He and his Granny have been living in the passage way of a building. She is getting tired and unable to provide for him. So she just gave him to the Pastor. Sunday loves the new living conditions...so far. And in fact, this morning he loved Pastor Cheryl's house so much he didn’t want to go to school with me! (But after about 10 minutes of pouting, he was back to his talkative, active, inquisitive self....If we could ALL get over disappointment that quickly the world would be a better place!)

Commuting with Sunday is definitely a change of pace. First of all, he thinks it takes FOREVER to get to school. Second, he thinks I’m crazy (mostly because I sing along with the CD player and I talk to the other cars around me, even when they can’t hear me.) Third, he has gotten so used to my undivided attention; he wants it ALL the time. Strange how my driving habits have become more sedate and cautious with him in the car. I think I have picked up some bad driving habits while here in Jo'burg.

Sunday is fascinated by all of the things we see on the way to school. The Electric Company's bucket truck. The big tractor trailers. The Policeman with his dog who stands on the corner of Booysens Street every morning. It’s so interesting to see him try to find the English words he is looking for to ask questions. He has a good grasp of English, but a limited vocabulary because of limited exposure. The way his brain processes new information and tries to connect the dots with what he already knows is fascinating.

And the thing that fascinates me most is the fact that he almost knows the route to school now. He has an amazing memory for landmarks. I have a HORRIBLE sense of direction. I wish I could make my brain notice things like his does.

Please continue to pray for Sunday as we try to find God's plan for him. For now he is safe both night and day. Praise God for Pastor Cheryl's willingness to open her home to him while we find a place for him to stay long term! Pray that whatever God's plan may be, that it will continue to include safety and love. God has shown me in so many ways that He does provide for His people....and provides abundantly when His people pray. God is good....

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