Update on Life in Ocean View

Update on life in Ocean View:

Life is back onto the normal daily routine of life here in South Africa. With the holidays over and the Academy boys getting the rust out of their systems by beginning to train again, I am fully embracing these next few weeks that I have in South Africa. I took the two American kids along with 5 of the Academy boys from Masi to the "Masi Spur" (the Spur is a chain of restaurants here similar to a Red Robin, but not quite as nice, and the Masi Spur is Masi slang for the nicest dining place in Masi - a place where you order a ton of meat like beef, pork, chicken, and boerwors and they cook it all up for you). All the boys loved it, and it was awesome getting to hear the dreams that each of them had. Then on Saturday, I took the Americans kids and several of the Ocean View Academy boys to the Blue Route Mall and we hung out. It was fun hanging out with them and also getting to hear their dreams and desires of where they wanted to be 10 years from now. On Sunday I went to Treswill's church, then the Muizenberg market with the Americans, and Hillsong for their evening service. On Monday night, I drove the two American boys to the airport for their flight back to the States.  It was fun being a host for the Americans, and I hope an everlasting seed was planted in their hearts! Keep them both, Nate and Chase, in your prayers...God has a plan for them and I hope they were able to see that when they were here with us.

Besides getting the Academy boys who live in Steenberg in the mornings (I alternate with Treswill and Sean as drivers) for school, I've seized onto a fantastic opportunity to teach English to several grade 6 students at Kleinberg Primary (where my host's wife works as a teacher). While helping tutor certain students (to help them be able to pass their exam to go on to grade 7), I met two Americans who, along with two British girls, are working as World Teach teachers and are teaching students at Kleinberg as well. It seems like Americans always show up once one NGO leaves (the World Racers left on Monday)!

I just got my SAFA player card finalized, so now I can start playing in matches with the Fish Hoek Football Club's adult teams. My first match will be this Saturday, so that'll be fun! Our U13A team is playing the Ajax U13 team on Saturday as well, so pray that we do great! They were recently in the local newspaper (photo above) too for winning the Rygersdal Tournament, so that was cool to see and be a part of.

 I've gotten to be a daily customer at the local food shop by the school where I get my usual Steak, Egg, and Chips Sandwich. It's a wonderful collision of flavours, and I highly recommend it next time you swing by Ocean View. Many of the citizens in the township seems to know who I am now, whether it's shouts of "Coach John," "Coach Chau (pronounced Tzhow by the kids - which is definitely not something you should say in China!)," or "Chinaman" (by many people I have never, ever met). Am I really THAT Chinese looking? I have certainly become a familiar sight for them as I walk, run, or drive around town on various errands. The moon has been extraordinarily full and bright these past couple nights, which has something to do with Ramadan. The local Muslims have been flocking to the nearby mosque recently, mainly because their fasting has begun for Ramadan. Besides the Muslim calls to prayer several times a day, and the gangster music being blasted from the neighbours' house, life here in the hood has been an auditory adventure every night. Please keep Ocean View in your prayers! Pray for peace here! Also, pray that I make the most of every opportunity that God gives me, and that I remain intentional in everything I do!

Thanks and God bless,

John Chau

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