Probably Just a Coincidince

Over the years, the attendance at our English-language services has always been something of a surprise package each Sunday. We never know who, or how many, or where from. In recent years, with the advent of time share apartments, we begin to see certain brothers and sisters every year or two years at the same time of year. The first 20 years or so, there were no local English-speaking members, so attendance depended totally on tourists visiting the island. While we've had visitors from every European country, and many countries outside Europe, the majority of visitors are from the U.K.; there was an occasional Sunday when no one showed up.

Seven or eight years ago, this changed, when we began to have a core of local English-speaking residents who attended. At the peak, they totalled over 30; presently they number 10 or so, so we're always assured the presence of someone.

Change of scenery:

The World Cup game last Saturday...Portugal vs. England. In a cliff-hanger, the game ends in a draw, 0-0, even after a 30-minute overtime. In the penalty kick shoot-out, Portugal beat England and moved into the semi-final round, to play France on Wednesday.


Back to Scene 1:

English-language service last Sunday---
A total of 15 were present, and Abbie and I felt out of place. We were the only two there who have never lived, or are not currently living, in South Africa. Not one tourist was present, not even an English tourist. Surely the English tourists were not in hiding after the defeat of the previous afternoon...I think it was probably just a coincidence.