Fast and Slow

Today began with a bit of a hectic pace but then eased into a more slowed down African ending. We returned this morning to The Warehouse to help load a truck set to deliver December and January food packs plus Christmas presants to just under 600 orphans supported through, I believe, ten churches. There were quite a few people on hand to help load the truck so we were able to learn a bit more about the Orphan Care program, as well as other local ministries in the area. Within the next several years, the number of orphans in Cape Town is projected to reach 150,000.

After the hectic pace of the morning at The Warehouse, our afternoon plans fell through, so we left to see what the afternoon had in store. Our normal lives are so busy and planned that it has been good for us to relearn what it means to be spontaneous. Although, sometimes it is hard for us to even desire to leave the Cordles because it is so easy to relax here.

We did travel a short way down the road to see two vineyards in the Constantia region. The area is really beautiful as it is set against the mountains. We took a cellar tour of Groot (pronounced in a very Dutch way) Constantia and learned quite a bit of the winemaking process that we hadn’t learned before. We then went on to Klein Constantia up the street. The history of wine making in this region dates back to the 1600’s. One of my favorite little bits of history at this vineyard was a note that the Constantia wine region is commented on by Jane Austen in Sense and Sensibility: “I have just recollected that I have some of the finest old Constantia wine in the house that ever was tasted, so I have brought a glass of it for your sister. My poor husband! how fond he was of it! Whenever he had a touch of his old colicky out, he said it did him more good than any thing else in the world. Do take it to your sister. "

We are at home for the evening to enjoy a little downtime and cook up a fillet from Mount Camdeboo…we are not entirely sure yet whether it is beef, antelope, or something more exotic yet. Of note, our little companion is the little, deaf, black and white dog of the house, Dannie. He has won a special little place in our hearts. Tomorrow we are planning to go to a sort of youth program for younger kids in the area. Ricky, who guided us through Guguletu, and his wife, Minty, are taking us.