A picture's worth 200 Rand (at least the ones I buy, apparently)

I bought a hat.

It's a nice one, I bought it on the top of Table Mountain. We took a cable car up to the top, the peak of which is approx. 3500 ft above sea level, which normally wouldn't be all that high but since we could see the sea from where we were, it felt like miles. From this vantage point, we could see all of downtown Cape Town. Downtown itself was relatively compact; for a town with ten times the population of Nashville, the actual downtown area was probably about twice as big.

We walked around what's called the Company Gardens in downtown, a beautiful area that houses the South African Parliament, the former Presidents house, and an immaculately groomed selection of plants and trees. We ate lunch at a cafe in the gardens, where, out of a typical selection of American standards like hamburgers, sandwiches, and omelets, I chose a lamb curry and rice dish (pick your jaw off the floor). It was pretty good too!

After lunch we went to a market where people were selling their wares. I am a terrible haggler, and bought a couple of paintings on my own, and was then pressured into buying another (such a sucker). I also went swimming in the ocean today. And, by swimming, I mean I ran in and out because the water was so unbearably cold! They say the water is about 50 degrees, and I believe them, but it certainly felt like 35. After the second wave crashed over me, I lost my breath for a few seconds and decided it wasn't worth losing my life for an ice bath.

Now, back to the hat. The reason I bought a hat today is because I got so sunburned yesterday. I put on sunscreen in the morning, but didn't reapply throughout the day, and with the variation in latitude my skin freaked out. My skin also freaked out from what I think is a developing allergy to grass; woke up today with red sores up the bottom half of both legs.

We spent all day yesterday with the Life Skills Educators and other staff of Living Hope. It was so encouraging to see their passion for the people in their communities, their resilience, their hope. These 19 people spend their days teaching the children of the community where they live such basic life skills as proper hygiene, the importance of education, and the love of Christ. We started out at Kirstenbosch Gardens, and then went to a church in the area for worship, teaching, and games. We ended up back at our team house and had Brai, or barbecue. A great way to give them a break, and a great way to give us a glimpse into their ministry. Due to changes in management of American AIDS relief funding, the prevention side of Living Hope that these people encompass have had $350k pulled from their budget, essentially everything. They are hanging by a thread, and while they are honest about their struggles, they still soldier on.

I believe, help me in my unbelief.