Colorado Burning and Butterfly World

Today was the day we both visited Butterfly World and learned about the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs. It was a surreal juxtaposition. It was cold and rainy here in South Africa - it is winter, afterall - and we had noticed that the temperatures have been in the 90's in Colorado. It had been an extraordinarily dry winter and, apparently, the conditions were just right for a devastating fire. It's been hard to be so far away, but amazing to see - from afar - the ways in which the Colorado Springs community, including First Congregational Church, has pulled together to help people out.

Where we are staying, near Muizenburg, is close to a township called Kayelitscha, with close to a million people living in close quarters, in shacks of varying qualities. Disasters are daily occurrences, with disease and violence a constant part of folks' reality. Accordingly, the community ties are very important. People rely upon each other daily for survival. Why does it take a disaster to help us realize how much we rely upon each other for our very survival. I'm grateful for the life-giving qualities of the communities of which I am a part.

And now, life in the midst of destruction... a few pictures from Butterfly World, in Klapmuts, north of Cape Town.

 

Glass-wing butterflies!

A local getting friendly with Ben's ear.

Posted with Blogsy