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I have been home for over a month now from my missionary trip to South Africa. Together with my youngest step son I worked in a Township in Houtbay near Cape Town. He gave weekly football training and helped to make the entrance of the Township beautiful.
I helped in the kitchen of a Christian center in the same Township. Every day they cooked for people who do not have the means and resources to do so themselves. It was very rewarding work.
My son and I came back richer. We were able to meet South Africans, both black and white. We saw how big the gap is between black and white, between rich and poor. We tasted both worlds, we felt the differences and saw the consequences that come from that. We overcame fears, let go of prejudices, felt welcome and safe and were able to give and receive much love.
It was special to go with one of my children. We were dependent on each other and had to do it together. Of course I felt the responsibility, but where possible he carried it himself. I was able to experience how he also cared for me, by taking my feelings and needs into account. We undertook everything in consultation and experienced special moments. We talked a lot together about small and big things. He noticed that we often wanted to say the same thing at the same time. He found that very irritating. For me it was confirmation of how connected we were.
I was able to let go of the home front. Of course there was frequent contact via WhatsApp and that was nice to know how everyone was doing. The contact was mainly between me and my husband. The children sought it out less. They were busy with their own lives and that is good. I gave myself the freedom to make this journey, it is also important to give my children the freedom.
It has also done my relationship with my husband good. We have been together for a long time, feel like a unit and often behave that way. Now I had to do everything myself on the trip. It gave me a sense of victory. Of course I know that I am independent and can arrange my affairs perfectly well and so can he, but still patterns have developed that allow you to hide behind each other in certain situations. Now, back home, we feel our own strength and possibilities and also realize that together we are more than the sum of our parts.
Of course we also enjoyed beautiful Cape Town and its surroundings. They call it the most beautiful city in the world and even though I thought that was a bit exaggerated at first, it really is great.
I am so grateful that I was able to make this journey with my son. I followed my heart, found the courage to carry out my plan, I am grateful to my loved ones for letting us go. The journey has brought us more than I dared to dream