Additional thoughts.

Well, I can only echo what Brad said in our previous blog...rural North Carolina is beautiful. It's like something out of a movie. One of the most memorable things we did was drive up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a little scary because there was such thick fog, but in the end it was so worth the drive. The view from the top of the parkway was incredible because we were actually above the clouds! It was like seeing islands of mountain in a sea of clouds. As with all the other places we've visited so far, we could easily have stayed longer. Folk were very friendly and welcoming, and Jeff and his family were so kind and hospitable.

 

One of the highlights for me was playing with the music/worship team on Sunday. It amazed me to think that even on the other side of the world, people can worship the only true God together. It just showed that being a Christian crosses all divides and creeds because no matter what background someone comes from, if you have Christ in common, you'll be able to identify with each other. 

This is an idea of what most of the churches look like in North Carolina. It's the church our friend Jeff Maynard has returned to the states to pastor. http://www.marblespringschurch.org/

One thing that struck me at the churches we have visited in the states is the resources available to them. Everything from media resources to books to finances. The church at Marble Springs is kitted out with ADSL across the entire property! Brad uploaded his last blog sitting in the sound control balcony at the back of the church. Jeff also gave us Christian reading material. It was a good thing Brad bought an extra luggage bag!

As I write this we're on the plane waiting to take off for New York. We were delayed by about an hour due to bad weather. One thing I have seen in America is that some children are totally without discipline. They seem to have all the luxuries life could offer but they have no sense of how fortunate they are. There's a little boy in front of us on the plane who has thrown a bunch of temper tantrums already because he wants what he wants and his mom has not disciplined him in any way. That cannot be good for him in the future. One thing I mentioned to the reporter who interviewed us this morning (it seems that two South Africans in Andrews is quite something) was that I wish Americans would understand their fortunate positions and look outwards to see how they can make a difference not only in their own communities but in other countries too. It would be interesting to see the reactions of Americans if they had to see some people's living conditions in South Africa.

I'll have to update more later, because it seems that soon we will have to take off (hopefully). Over and out.