Hello to you from our new location in South Africa. We can hardly believe that we have really arrived.Although far apart in miles, we feel close to you in spirit and thank you for your prayers.
The children had a tearful farewell from their grandparents at the Detroit Metro airport. We spent about twenty hours in the air.We had a twelve-hour layover in London.The children did remarkably well.
After dropping off our luggage at the place we are staying for our first six weeks, ABC missionary Cheryl Jones drove Anita to a nearby shopping center to buy groceries.About fifteen men stood in various areas of the parking structure.When we parked, one of the men waved to us, indicating that he would watch the car.Cheryl explained that after shopping it is customary to give the attendant ten or twenty cents.This shopping center does not pay these men for their services.
We learned that 20 million people in South Africa live on less that $2 a day.We have already seen heart-wrenching scenes of poverty and disease just in the streets of this upper-class area.Out of our front gate, we see twelve men standing up in the open bed of a small pick-up truck with only a rail to hold onto.
Our place of temporary residence is one half-block from McCord Christian Hospital.About 80% of the inpatients have HIV/AIDS.The homes in this upper class neighborhood are surrounded by high walls, which are topped with concertina wire, sharp metal spikes, or electric fence wire.All windows and gates have metal bars and there is an intercom system at the front gate.Most in this neighborhood buy the services of armed private civilian police forces who will respond when they are called.
The place we are staying is next to Temple David, a reformed Jewish synagogue.The doors to the sanctuary face our kitchen, and on our first night here we could hear the people celebrate the Sabbath and worship God.
We have received a warm and gracious welcome from our partners in mission.We have enjoyed Indian curry meals and braai (South African-style barbeque) at the homes of Pastor Daniel and Mabel Philip and Pastor Brian and Eileen Naidoo.These partners are helping us get Marc and Paul enrolled in schools.We are in the process of finding and apartment and a car.Please pray that we find a safe and affordable place to live.
God is already at work here in South Africa.We join together with his faithful servants here.Please pray that the people of Durban may experience more and more of the healing love of Jesus Christ that is abundantly poured out.
E-mail correspondence is difficult for us because we do not have a phone line yet.Our mailing address until December 23, 2002 is:
C/o Mr. Dallas Reed
367 Ridge Road, Berea
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4001
South Africa
The temperature has ranged between 50 and 90 degrees.We are amazed by the beauty of God's creation in the trees, flowers and birds here.
God Bless,
Rick and Anita Gutierrez