As I write this blog, the sounds of the vuvuzela, the plastic horn in the picture, fills my ear as I listen to the football match at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. It is not a pleasant, more like the droning of a million bees. Someone who hates it calls it "the worst sound you will ever hear." Unique to South Africa however,, it has now been embraced by soccer, football fans from every nation who try to blow away the opposing team. South Africa is in the throes of a world wide celebration with the 2010 World Cup here and what a joyful time it is. I have often written about the lack of unity in this post-apartheid country but I marvel at the way this sporting event has brought people together. One of the first things I noticed on my return from the airport ( so huge I could not find my way) was the flags on cars and I was happily surprised to see these flags on cars of white, colored and black people. Our small town of Fish Hoek has been transformed as is the mall which displays these giant vuvuzelas. Even the home for senior citizens across the street from me is flying a flag and yes, I have one on my car too. This nation is keen to show its pride and unity and now it seems everyone and everything is "proudly South African." None of this was in place when I left a few short weeks ago but as one of the ladies in our sewing class told me, "now I am feeling it." How long will it last? Well there are many editorials on this topic and how much financial benefit will it bring, and especially to impoverished South Africans. We must wait and see but for now, this coming together is a beautiful sight to behold, in truth, far better than the noisy vuvuzela. And I have reflected on the way the church views South Africa, still as a mission field as opposed to the World which has trusted this nation with the world's biggest sporting display and how it has embraced its many cultures. I think maybe there is a lesson here for those of us who come as missionaries.
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