Missionary Essentials

I got some bad advice before I left the states to come to South Africa to be a missionary.  I was told not to bring a backpack because crafty thieves could come up behind me and take all my valuables without my knowing it.  So, I didn't bring a backpack.  That was silly.

How was I to haul around everything I needed in a given day... or could possibly need...

How was I to carry home my groceries... or other purchases...

Remember that I don't have transport ( a car) and all day, everyday, I walk...

An America team came from the USA to volunteer for a week and brought cheap backpacks to distribute to the students at the high school.  I mentioned that I was in desperate need of one and they gave me my trusty grey.  

What follows is what I carry with me.

 #1. Plastic water bottle for that all important WATER! yes, water is heavy but I drink several liters of water a day.  It's summer here and it's hot here.

#2. My camera.  Many interesting things happening all around me and I don't want to miss a memory.

#3. Wallet. Stripped down to one (of the four that I brought) credit/debit cards.  My Florida drivers license and money.  Rand to be correct.

The only Rand I had on me today was 100's what is one of the BIG FIVE: water buffalo and I had a 10 which is also one of the BIG FIVE: Rhino.  The exchange rate is currently at 8.  So divide by 8.  The 100's are the equivalent of $12.50 and the 10 Rand just over a dollar.  It's like monopoly money.

#4. An umbrella.  Used for both rain and the intense sun.  Even men carry umbrella's in the hot sun.

#5. A bag to carry groceries home in.  The grocery stores charge for each bag you use so I quickly learned to always carry one with me.  Checkers is one of the grocery stores here, along with Pick N Pay, Woolworths and Spars.  

#6. Postcards.  I am trying my best to always write thank you notes to the wonderful folks back home.

#7. A change purse.  Each day I ride a combi.  What's a combi?  Good question.  A combi is a 15 passenger van (which many times will have as many as 20 people in it).  They are all white vans and all look alike.  This is the transport for the black people.  We American look mighty funny riding in them and everyone know that we are missionaries working in Shongweni Village.  The drivers take very good care of us because they appreciate what we are doing for that community.  Anyway, you have to pay for each leg of the trip anywhere from 6 Rand to 13 Rand.  It's been averaging about 40Rand a day and it is best paid in exact change.

#8. Pen and paper.  The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod wants a receipt for everything, well guess what, these drivers don't hand out receipts.  So, we have to keep tract of how much we spend each day and at the end of the month send to St. Louis an affidavit that we actually spent the money on transport.  

There are many, many different Rand coins.  These are just a few and no while I understand the big bills I haven't totally caught on to the coins when paying for something.

#9.  Small essentials. Tissue paper for obviously bathroom needs, gum, tylenol, cell phone, flashlight, and penknife.

#10. Snacks.  The joke is to eat lunch before going to lunch.  Ya just never know if or when food will be available.  My favorite is the Jungle energy bars.  They come in many favors, fill me up and don't melt.

#11.  Hand santizer.  Enough said!

#12. Keys to wherever I am staying.  See the silver key.  Almost every door requires this type of key.  See the blue remote.  All residents, churches, everything is behind a gate.  The remote opens the gate.

I wish I had a scale to see how much I'm carrying around on my back.  I've about wore this backpack out, it is torn in several places but it is my faithful companion full of everything I need to be a missionary.