Did she jump or was she pushed??

Hello everyone, this is the actual evidence that I actually did the sky-dive and the sponsorship is still coming in so thank you to all who have supported me.

So get the popcorn, sit back and enjoy the movie... ha ha

It is so hard to believe we have been home just over 2 days, the temperature is 7c, it is cold and wet and the busyness of the world is crowding in on us.

We had such a wonderful time, we were very tired by the time we left but we can thank God for all we were able to do. We have made so many new friends and have experienced so many new situations it is hard to know where to start when trying to share with family and friends.

Thank you for the wonderful welcome we recieved wherever we went.

We have put some of the photographs from the conference to give everyone a flavour of what happened. We are sure that many others have different photos they can share.

Making badges on the first day of the conference

Learning to sing Allelu, Allelu

Taking part in games, lots of fun and laughter

Finding out different ways we can pray on our own or with children

Putting our destiny in his hands

Praying for those who are ill or in need

Look what I made in the craft session!

When we work together we can turn someone's vision into reality.

Praising God for all he had done throughout the conference and giving him the glory for what is to come.

Rob and Ruth

At last - some photos!

Now we are not rushing from one place to the next, I've had time to conquer the photo issue! So here are just a few of the hundreds of photos that we took during our stay. I'm sure the others will post more of the teachers at the conference. I led the daily Eucharists and did some plenary sessions; and also did a lot of background stuff. The others had much more contact with the teachers than I did.

Meeting at Manchester Airport we had no idea what was ahead of us, but we were all set and ready to go! Our cases just made the weight limits!!

Monday morning it was off to Rabbuni, the RC Conference Centre in Klerksdorp .....

...... unloading all our gear, shifting furniture and setting up our Team Room.

All too soon the teachers began to arrive, and were almost ready for them. The teachers were divided into 5 groups, designated by coloured badges, and one member of the team allocated to each group. Chris and I had badges of 5 colours, because we belonged to all groups and none.

 Tuesday afternoon, it was games and crafts. Clare and Libby took advantage of the good weather until the thunderstorm began!

Can't quite remember what Chenda was doing here, but I know she was doing it because I heard her!

The altar frontal for the final service made from cardboard cartons gleaned from the shops, string, chalk, coloured paper and bits of blue cloth.

As part of their commissioning, the teachers were all given a bag of resources at the end of the Final Eucharist.  They showed their appreciation in a typically African way - by dancing and singing.

By the end we were exhausted, but still smiling, and all vowing to come again. 

  £1,600 from the congregation at St James the Great, Clayton, for the building of the church at Matlwang being handed to the Dean.

My personal highlight of our day at Pilanesburg.

We have landed!

Hi everyone, just to let you know we landed safely, and with no delays... I was personally very impressed with that after suffering a 5 - 6 hour delay when I travelled to West Malaysia!

I'd like to say a very big thank you to every one for following our blog and posting your comments, this was very encouraging to us as a team whilst we were out there in the midst of our adventure.
Thank you also for your prayerful support, this was very much appreciated by all of us.

We have had such a wonderful time with some challenges along the way but as one Sunday School Teacher said to me as she left the conference "see you next time".  We all fully intend on returning to Matlosane!

I'm sure we will all be sharing lots of our experiences as we see you soon.

God bless.

Clare

PS: We had a close experience with a couple of elephants when visiting Pilanesburg.

Ooh, can you see the zebra, it's by the green tree!!!!

It's 6.36am on Tuesday. We have all had very interesting weekends, ranging from a wedding, accommodation in township areas, a youth Council, a 2 hour meeting all in Setswana (Chenda was rescued from that by Chris!), and Sunday School, to lounging by the pool, drink in hand (Clare and I!).

Sunday we drove to near Pilanesburg, and had supper with Fr Tom, the NSM at Koster and his family and friends. Then yesterday we went to Pilanesburg and had a very - some might say 'too' - close encounter with some elephants. Scenery was fantastic, giraffes, zebra wildebeest, antelope and birds (for Chris) a plenty. A whole new perspective on our Creator God, and the land of Africa. The day ended with a farewell Braai.

After Sunday, there are reports coming back of teachers meeting to plan future Sunday School times, using what we have taught them; of a priest who was at the training, telling her congregation that Sunday School is going to be completely different in future; and of songs we taught them being used on Sunday. It all augurs well for the future.

This has been time when not only have the Matlosane teachers grown, but so too have we. We have all been operating out of our comfort zones: we have learned more of the very different life, education, opportunities and resources available to people here. We have learned much of the joy of worship. We have supported one another through thick and thin, and come out much the stronger - both as individuals and as a team. The hospitality and generosity of everyone we have met has been overwhelming, and there are not enough words to express our gratitiude to +Steve and Brenda for all they have done for us. Also the others who have given us accommodation, in Klerksdorp - where they have hardly seen us, except as we rolled in very tired at night and left bleery eyed next morning - and in the places we stayed over the weekend. Yes, we have had some dark times, but as I said before, every single one of us would come again.

More personally, I was able to hand over almost R18,000 to the Dean at the Cathedral on Sunday from my own congregation. We have been raising money through Lent to fund the completion of the building of a church in a very poor area called Matlwang. He was almost speechless, but managed to say that he felt very humbled by what we had done - and very, very grateful, sentiments echoed by the church warden. I have photos to prove I handed the money over!! So thank you St James'.

It was trying to post photos that caused all the problems on Friday and why there was a blank 'post'. In a very un-African way, we have been dashing around all over the place and there has never been enough time to do the extras. (When we were lounging by the pool, I didn't have my computer with me!!) So photos will have to wait till we get home!

No doubt everyone will be putting up posts when we get home and I look forward to reading them. Please excuse mistakes in this blog - it's early and I have't got my glasses on!!

So now, I really am signing off from South Africa. God has been faithful; God has been gracious; thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Sunday 22nd April

(Attempted post on Friday)

It’s Thursday evening, the conference is over and we are all exhausted, but all agree we would come again, and do it all again, albeit differently!

Sorry that there was no Wednesday entry. The morning session on the cross adn Me went very well – thanks for your prayers. A session on prayer stations went well, but after that it was all downhill and by 4pm we had all hit rock bottom, and even the most experienced among us were really struggling.  We held an emergency meeting to talk about how to get ourselves to the end of the day.  Over an extended tea break, we talked freely about how we were all feeling and realised that feelings of frustration and despair threatened to overwhelm each of us. So we redesigned the next session. I stayed in the team room, cutting out shapes for the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ as a way of praying that those fruits would be evident in the team, while they went off to model a lesson. The noises issuing from the room evidenced the fact that all was going well.

That hurdle over, it was supper and then the evening session was a cultural exchange and great fun was had by all. The teachers amazed us by what they produced - drama, singing, dancing – in contrast to our country dancing –chaotic, shambolic and hilarious. 

However, our rendition of the Hokey Cokey was greatly enjoyed by all, and they all joined in. Likewise, Auld Lang Syne.  But writing up a blog was one job too many – though finding some comments did help me cope. Thank you!

Today has been a new day. This morning was all about preparation for the final Eucharist. There were lots of practical things to do, and they made a beautiful altar frontal from cardboard boxes, paper, string, chalk, pebbles and bits of cloth. Flowers were made for the altar top; songs learned this week were practised; pebbles were inscribed with a name and PowerPoint finished.

The service started half an hour late and over ran (why am I surprised?!), but what a splendid occasion it was. At the end each delegate was given a certificate and ‘goodie bag’ in which were simple resources for them to use with their groups. +Stephen then commissioned them all as Sunday School teachers, and they were sent out to ‘love and serve the Lord in the name of Christ’.

Lunch over, photos taken, van packed it was time to head for the Bishop’s House and some much needed R’nR. +Steve took us first to the local butcher’s shop – a massive place! And then it was home for a braii. We ate a lot, sat in silence, fell about laughing, played football, found some space for ‘us’ and generally wound down. It was a good evening and we were all very grateful for the opportunity to relax together.

Sunday

This is the 4h attempt to post this! on Friday the Bishop turned up early(!) and I tried to do it in a rush so as you saw somehow nothing happened! We have all been away for the weekend in differnt parishes and Rob and I were preaching this morning. I tried 2 computers where I was but one was so slow I couldn't wait for it and the other wasn't working. Now I should have been at the Bishop's hoise 5 minutes ago. But i just wanted to assure you that we are all well and texts over the weekend have assured me that every onewas OK with their new hosts.  We are off to the Pilanesburg game reserve in half an hour and back with our hosts only briefly. So this may be the last post till we get home. Thank you for your interest and prayers.  Nita.

Tuesday 17th April

Rob:     So many friends. So much passion for children. So many smiling, happy people wanting to learn. Well worth my waiting 40years to get here. Summer 1972 I should have visited ‘somewhere’ in Africa on a field visit for teacher training college.

Ruth:   Very tired, but excited. So much to learn but so many people wanting to learn new things. The enthusiasm as the people who have come is amazing.

Clare:     Yesterday I nearly greeted the Bishop in my PJs and as I ate a boiled egg – the wouldn’t happen in England would it!?  It has been wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm of all the Sunday School teachers. They had just entered into everything with a wonderful and joyful attitude- it is a joy for us to see the effect this is having!

Chris:    As the Sunday School teachers arrived, the team coped with the inevitable hiccups and complications with gusto. The mix of reverence and exuberance as we celebrated the Eucharist to start the conference was marvellous. This (Tuesday) morning I spent time with Ruth, the Diocesan Administrator, exchanging ideas on best practice in Diocesan and Cathedral administration.

Chenda:    What a day – busy, chaotic but everyone seems to be responding to new ideas and input. Pray God’s Holy Spirit will empower us all.

Libby:    what an amazing start to the conference. I have been amazed at the enthusiasm of everyone here. This afternoon  has been a great opportunity to share with everyone some practical ideas that the teachers can take home. As i write this I can hear our friends form Matlosane preparing songs for the cultural exchange tomorrow evening.

Nita:   We are now 24 hours in, and I have the luxury of sitting in the team room doing this. Around me I can here peals of laughter and squeals of delight – and terror at the thunder which keeps cracking! It is obvious that the teachers are getting a lot out of this training. One told me at lunch time that he has only just become a teacher. He saw that only women were doing this work at his church and thought a man should also be part of the team. This training has not only helped him know where to start but also made him realise that to do it well will take time and preparation.

As I write it’s change over time for the groups and Chris reports that even he, Rob, Ruth and Chenda (a formidable grouping! N) had great difficulty getting the craft group to stop what they were doing, so engrossed were they.

As for the Lichfield team, all the enthusiasm they are expending is beginning to take it’s toll – and some are finding it hard to switch off at night, with a consequent loss of sleep. But to see the way the team has gelled and is supporting one another is brilliant. Two are definitely well out of their comfort zones, but are doing great jobs in leading their groups, and have grown in confidence and trust.

I find myself presiding at the Eucharist each day – I thought the Bishop would do it! I’m trying to include a little more Setswana each time, and the effort seems to be appreciated. And even if I’m getting it wrong they all seem to know how to respond!

Later:  It’s now the end of the day and we are half way through the conference. At the any questions session tonight there were some easy ones: Are you coming again? Do you feel welcome? Some a little more difficult – How do I get God to do what I pray for? And some that I gave to Bishop Steve – do we have to give up our African culture in the face of westernisation (we think that’s what the question meant!!) Brenda took first shot at that, and spoke VERY powerfully; followed by +Steve. There were then several comments, rather than questions, all of which spoke warmly of the Lichfield team. We came away very affirmed in what we are doing here.

Sorry there are no pictures again – I’ve had computer problems today. I’ll try to do better for tomorrow!

Monday 16th April - posted by Nita

Our first day is complete - and it couldn't have gone any better. The Rabbuni Centre is excellent and the food very good. So far (!!!!) 62 people from all over the Diocese have signed in, and the interest and energy levels are high. As we might have expected, singing is a very popular acticity and we have taught them at least two new songs already.

The first session was 'Getting to know you', and having introduced ourselves we split up into 5 groups with one of us as leaders. Chris and Nita are not leading groups, but keeping watch over them all. There was a lot of laughter coming from some groups and later reports of rather more difficult starts for some. But in the end each group seems to have worked out OK.

After supper Chenda led a session on 'Why work with children' and Nita rounded the evening off with evening prayers - tonight it was the Prayer of 7 Directions, based on the celtic idea of North, South, East, West, Down, Up and In. The team have now all returned to their hosts for the night, before a very early start again tomorrow - we are back at the Centre for a 7.30am Eucharist.

I tried to use the dongle today, but failed dismally, so am using the computer at my hosts. I'll collect more notes from the others tomorrow, but thought you would like to know how the first day went. I'll also try to collect some photos to post - but today has just been too busy!

Thanks for your comments which I copy to show to everyone else - we are greatly encouraged by them. Do please keep praying and upholding us. Tuesday is a fun day - with crafts and games sessions, but Wednesday morning I begin the day with a session entitled 'The Cross and Me', which will be hard to deliver well and which will be challenging to everyone. Please pray especially for that.

Sunday 15th April

Everyone went to church with their hosts today, nearly all in townships.

St Monica, Kanana – a township church

Rob:     What an experience of worship. The enthusiasm fro god was wonderful to see ad hear. The receiving of the sacrament was really special – I understood afresh that we are one in Christ through the sharing of bread and wine.   Ruth:     The contrasts between our worship and the worship we experienced  was startling. The singing, dancing and making a joyful noise to the Lord was amazing. The following of the liturgy was difficult as they seemed to be saying 10 words to our every one, but it was wonderful to know we were worshipping the same God. What an experience and no-one worrying about what time the service finished.     Chenda:    A day of rest, of worship and challenge. If only our churches had the same enthusiasm for worship and giving. There were lots of children which reminded me of the BIG challenge before us.     Chris:   It was good to worship God with African brothers and sisters and to share the peace with them. The preacher seemed to be encouraging the congregation to share the gospel in the community which was good to hear.

Holy Family , Jouberton, a township church

Libby:   Thoroughly enjoyed church yesterday in a very different setting. The worship and singing was so joyful and energising.  I spent time with the Sunday School teachers. It was very different from what I have experienced before. There were about 40 children meeting outside under a tree. I’m really looking forward to seeing what God has got in store for us and the Sunday School teachers this week.

Tsogong Cathedral, Ikageng, a township

An early start for me, leaving home at 7am for a service at 8am! The service was a fantastic experience and so glad that I had the opportunity to share with them. The impromptu singing was so great to hear and witness: even though I didn’t understand the words I understood the Spirit amongst everyone. One I did recognise was ‘What a friend we have in Jesus – so I was able to join in with that one!

St Peter, Klerksdorp

Nita:   A church I’d not been to before, and different from all the others as it is the town and is a mixed race congregation – Asian, Afrikaaner and African – and the service was all in English. I never cease to be surprised that everything in a service hangs together perfectly, even when part of it originates in England and part in a totally different part of the world!

What has been especially good is that everyone now has a much clearer idea of the situations many of the teachers will be coming from and of the conditions in which they teach. And they all survived the incense!

First Impressions

Chris writes:         Everyone very hospitable and welcoming. It’s humbling to feel how much hope and expectation there is about the visit. Compared to Tanzania and Zambia, there is no sense of the racial difference and any feelings of black inferiority. Such a vast continent with miles and miles of roads.        Chenda continues:  good, good company! Pray God will enable us to live up to expectations and encourage people for him.

Ruth writes:     What an amazing welcome, what an amazing country of contrasts in countryside and town. Wonderful weather and unbelievable food.         Rob adds:  Incredible, amazed, awestruck by the country as a whole, by the welcome of the people. I’ve waited 40 years for this adventure. Love the food. The experience so has set my emotions a flood.

Clare says:     We have been welcomes so greatly with a wonderful sense of hospitality. Trying to get used to new faces and overcome my shyness. Tried chicken livers yesterday which were lovely!!      Libby writes:  What an amazing place and what amazing people – we’ve had such a warm welcome. We have been to Tsogong (Resurrection) Cathedral today and finalised our planning for the conference – can’t wait to get started now. Have eaten some delicious food – I love pap (maize meal)  Mmm!!

Nita writes:   As this is not my first visit, I can’t claim to be giving first impressions – but I can echo what the others have said about our welcome. At passport control into South Africa we had to give the reason for our visit. We all ticked “visiting family and friends”, I on the basis of experience, and everyone else on the basis that people would be by the end of our visit. Today has made that a reality already!  We were all very tired when we arrived in Klerksdorp yesterday, but a good night’s sleep was had by all, and hopefully after a second of the same we shall be fully restored. Today the Bishop had a meeting in the cathedral for clergy and wardens so that the latter could be sworn into office and we were asked to go in for a few minutes to be introduced to everyone. +Stephen made it very clear how grateful he is to Lichfield Diocese for all the help we have given in making this conference possible.

After our planning meeting we went into Potchefstroom (Potch for short) to do some shopping for next week and some general retail therapy.

Tomorrow (Sunday), I am presiding and preaching at St Peter’s, Klerksdorp where my host is warden, and everyone else is going to church with their hosts. I think they will all be town churches, but I know they will find it a wonderful experience. I’m just hoping they will survive the incense!!

The conference begins on Monday. Brenda, whose husband is +Stephen, whose vision and dream this conference is, is unable to be with us during the week because of work commitments. She is bitterly disappointed,  but will be with us in the evenings, and we shall try to keep her up to date on what we have done. It will be a day when great wisdom will be needed as we try to make real contact with one another across language and cultural barriers.

We're off!!

Well the days, weeks and months of preparation are finally over and we're on our way!   We start our trek to South Africa and the people of Matlosane.  The bags are packed and the passport is safe and secure.

I am so looking forward to being in Klerksdorp, meeting the amazing people of South Africa and seeing what amazing things God has got in store for everyone there :)




Libby

Todays the day

It is hard to believe that after all the planning. talking, worrying today is the day.

We are all packed. Only things to tidy up so we leave the house ready for our return.

We know that God is very much in this venture and that he is leading us into a whole new experience of his work.

We are looking forward to meeting lots of new people and having the opportunity to come alongside and support the work that is being done among the children of the diocese.

We are hoping to learn so many new things to take back and share with our church, circuit and community.

How great is our God, sing with me how great is our God, and all will see how great is our God.

Rob and Ruth

24 hours to go ..

God of our journeying, be our companion
in the varied ways of our travelling;
along the tracks of our cultural encounters;
and on the unknown paths of our working and learning together.
Give us the imagination to walk in the footsteps of our brothers and sisters,
the humility to learn from each other,
and the wisdom to do your will, your way.
Father, your kingdom come.

(Revd Nita Edwards – written for the visit)

2 days to go...

It's hard to believe that after a year in the planning this adventure will soon become a reality.

I am so excited at the adventures and experiences that are waiting for us all, those we know about and those spontaneous ones we have yet to discover!

I have half packed and currently trying to get everything done in the office before we leave, although it appears the office may be travelling and I'll be doing some PA duties out there too... I love my job!!!

Now how long will the delay be in our planned journey? Any guesses.  Let's see, the closest guess will.....

Thank you to everyone for their continued support and prayers.

Clare

From Chris and Chenda

Hi, we are looking forward to flying out with the Sunday School team on Thursday and meeting the folk in Matlosane for the first time. It is 17 years since we last visited South Africa (Pietersburg) so we are pleased to be returning. We have been busy preparing for the trip but are taking time out today to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Unfortunately it is wet and windy so we haven't gone out but we will have a Chinese meal tonight near our home in Stafford.

Tomorrow, together with Rob and Ruth Hitchens, we will be running an Easter event for children and their families at our local church. 

Less than a week to go ...

In less than a week seven of us will be on our way to Matlosane to lead a training course for the Sunday School teachers of the Diocese. We are all very excited, especially those who never been farther than Guernsey!

'We' are Chris and Chenda Nuttall, Libby Leech, Rob and Ruth Hitchens, Clare Spooner and Nita Edwards. This is Nita's sixth visit to the Diocese, but it's a new experience for every one else. We fly out on Thursday 12th April, arriving in Jo'burg at 09.15 the next day. We have a weekend to acclimatise, familiarise and  - can't think of another -ise to mean getting ready! - and a weekend in the homes of people from the Diocese. The conference itself begins at 2pm on Monday 16th April, and we are expecting around 60 participants.
Our second weekend in the Diocese will be spent with different hosts, enabling us to experience Sunday Schools at work in their own settings. After that it's a couple of days of fun - at Pilanesburg Game Park and the Apartheid museum before we fly home on Tuesday 24th April.

It will be a hectic two weeks - and then its back to work on Thursday 26th.

Please pray for the team from Lichfield:

·         for our health, stamina and safety:
·         and that we will be sensitive to the culture and expressions of faith in Matlosane.

And for the delegates from Matlosane

·         that they will be open to and inspired by new ideas and ways of doing things:
·         and that they will be given vision and endurance to stick with it for the years ahead.

Our final days in Matlosane… Monday 12 March 2012

On our last Sunday with Bishop Steve and his family we shared a “farewell and thank you”  meal together.  We agreed how our time with them in the diocese had gone quickly and that there was still so much that we hadn’t seen.  We have some sense now of just how large the diocese is and the scale of travel involved for all those who are ministering, especially in the many rural areas.

Bishop Steve, his wife Brenda with Letlotlo,
Leruo and Gnata, with Ivy their helper 

On Monday 12^th we rose with the family to say goodbye to them … Brenda off to work as Senior Environmental Co-ordinator at a gold mine, and Letlotlo, Leruo and Gnata off to school.  By 7.05am they were all gone.  We loaded up the car and said a big thank you to Ivy who is the housekeeper/family friend/helper for the Diseko family… she was always kind and so willing to welcome and help us…even though our limited Tswana meant that we couldn’t always say thank you very well.

Bishop Steve with admin staff from the
Matlosane Diocesan office.  Ruth (left) and Mable

We then joined Bishop Steve in a final visit to the diocesan office, where we were shown the plans for a heritage site to be built on the ground where Archbishop Desmond Tutu was born.  We met the diocesan office staff, Sonia, Ruth and Mabel  and Bishop Steve prayed for us, for a safe journey, as we left.  We were each given a Matlosane Diocese badge, which we all put on.  Andrew and Sam were especially pleased as it was a bit like a “Blue Peter Badge” …. I had no idea how helpful the badge was to prove on the journey as we met a policeman who was an Anglican too and he recognised the badge.

We arrived safely just after 6pm at Mercy Air and have been resting and enjoying some family time together.  We are so grateful for all we have experienced and encountered in our time in Matlosane – all the people we have met, the kindness care and hospitality.   We will not forget them

Thank you for following the blogs and please carry on following for more details about our links with Matlosane.  Especially, you may like to follow a team of people from Lichfield who will be coming to Matlosane after Easter 2012 to help with some training for Sunday School leaders.

Please continue to pray for the church and people in Matlosane as they face ongoing challenges…and they will pray for us too.  It is exciting to think about where and how God may use this partnership.

Thank you and God Bless

Richard, Rose, Andrew and Sam Westwood

Sunday 11 March 2012...St Andrews Boikutso, near Lichtenburg, (in the north of Matlosane Diocese)

Our final Sunday in Matlosane was spent in different places.  Rose, Andrew and Sam went with Bishop Steve and his family to a church in Kanana, near the town of Orkney – about 20 minutes drive.  I had a longer journey, about 1 hour & 20 minutes to the township of Boikutso, just outside Lichtenburg-

These long journeys and early starts are routine for priests here in Matlosane.  Many of them will have several churches (or chapelries) to visit within the same parish ona Sunday.  The parishes are often huge, so the distances covered can be very large.  They would appreciate our prayers for God’s care for them as they travel

I had no idea where the church (also called St Andrews) was and had arranged to meet the priest, Father Joseph Ngiidi at a petrol station at 7.30am.  This all went according to plan.  I was glad to arrive safely as I had travelled on the same road on which, two weeks earlier a guinea fowl had flown into the windscreen and cracked it when we were in Bishop Steve’s car.  I found myself driving astride the centre line and looking closely at the verge for most of my journey… thankfully the journey went well.

Canon Joseph Ngidi (left) & Father Ghoro Mogami -
Ministers ar St Andrews, Boikutso

Inside St Andrews Boikutso

Having been met by Father Joseph, I followed him to the church and we joined those preparing for worship. The sights and sounds and actions were more familiar now – one of the servers lighting charcoal on which to burn the incense which would be generously used in the service at various points.  My role was to preach and as all the readings were in Tswana I had to take it on trust that the readings I had used were the ones which had been heard by the congregation.  (It turned out that they were)… All the same I listened intently to try to see if I could recognise key phrases (like “Jesus”) which I knew should come at the end of the Gospel reading.

I still haven’t got the hang of the skill of preaching with a translator… unlike Rose’s experience of hearing Bishop Steve with his translator -  I don’t think that the person who translated for me knew me well enough to know where I was “going” with my talk.  Nevertheless I trust that the message encouraged them to trust the Lord Jesus and follow him.

I found that the service was reverend and worshipful and even though most of it was in a language I do not speak –I could especially sense that the Lord was present as we gathered to receive bread and wine in Holy Communion and in the beautiful singing which followed.

After the service Father Joseph and his wife Obertina, took me along with Father Ghoro the deacon for the church took me around the township of Boikutso, The community is perhaps one of the most needy I have come across… 2/3 (66%) unemployment and poor housing for many of the residents means that life is heard for lots of people who live here.  There were (as in all the townships) a collection of tin “shacks” put up at the edge of the “formal” housing… But there were more of them here… without electricity or sanitation… I wanted to take a photo, but I was the driver, and anyway it felt like I would have been intruding. 

This must be such a hard place to live in.  But how good that there is a church here…  St Andrews Boikutso gathers members to worship God, even though lie is hard.  There are talks of using the back to the church for and Internet café, which would help township residents get access to jobs which are advertised on the internet. 

The scale of the problem for communities like Boikutso is massive… politicians have make promises to people in these sort of situations – but they are still to deliver on them. 

Whilst we have been in South Africa there have been, in various parts of the nation, protests and demonstrations involving people living without water and electricity and with poor schools for their children.  It is no wonder that they protest – who wouldn’t, when you can see across the road and work daily with people who have these basics, and luxury on top as well. 

We went on to have lunch with the Masia family (with whom Rose and I & Andrew and Sam had stayed earlier) before I returned to Klerksdorp.  Our conversation over the meal covered the distance which South Africa has come.  Father Ngidi told me of the harsh way he personally had been treated under the apartheid era… “And yet,” he said, “here we are!”  We agreed that it was by God’s mercy that South Africa had not descended into civil war.  It has certainly come a long way…. But there are still such a lot of things to put right, injustices to correct and attitudes to change. 

In praying for South Africa, perhaps we can pray “Lord have mercy” and do the same for the UK too.  We do not know what God having mercy on these lands on their people will look like, or when he will answer that prayer… but we can be certain that His mercy is a good thing to pray for.

Richard

What we believe... Rose... Sunday 11 March 2012

Today I went to St Monica’s in Kanana, a township of Orkney, near to Klerksdorp. I went with Andrew and Sam, the Bishop and his family. The service was mainly in Tswana, but also some English and some Xhosa. The music seemed to have an ‘African’ rhythm and arrangement with a lead singer and group responses.

I was fascinated to watch how Bishop Steve and the interpreter worked together to communicate the message to the congregation; when he spoke in Tswana, she spoke Xhosa, when he spoke English, she spoke Tswana and when he spoke Xhosa, she spoke in Tswana. They switched languages within the same sentence, moving fluidly from one to the other. The whole thing seemed to be organic; the two speakers weaving their speech together. At times, as the Bishop increased the volume and speed of his speech, as for example, when he was emphasising a point, the interpreter would raise her voice too. Sometimes they were both speaking at the same time, overlapping the stream of words. I asked him afterwards if interpreters were selected because they had a particular gift with language. He said that this particular interpreter was lay reader in the church and therefore was a preacher herself; she knew where Bishop Steve was ‘going’ in his sermon and believed passionately in what he was saying. It was therefore easier for her to help him to communicate this to the listeners.

I couldn’t help thinking about my job as a Speech and Language Therapist in the UK. We often work with interpreters to communicate with parents, carers and clients. The therapist and the interpreter need to work closely together. This relationship works well if the interpreter knows where the therapist is ‘going’ with his/her questions or observations. Interpreting isn’t just translating the speaker’s words: An effective interpreter knows the purpose of the interaction and helps to communicate this.

I must have had my Speech and Language head on that morning because I also noticed that I could read the Tswana words in the Liturgy and the hymn book (though the longer words and sentences were difficult for me).  The written Tswana matched the spoken Tswana, so I could read it without understanding it. I could match the responses to the familiar English responses being used at St Andrew’s church in Great Wyrley that morning. This was especially evident in the Nicene Creed, when we say what we believe as Anglicans. It struck me that the Anglican Church is a worldwide church whose members all repeat the same creed in whatever language they communicate in. The last part of the service is when the Minister sends the congregation out ‘in the power of the Holy Spirit to be a living sacrifice’. I realised that that is the most important thing for me…..to not only say what I believe with the world church, as in the creed, but then to try to do what I am then called to do as a result of that belief i.e. to offer my soul and body as a living sacrifice.

It has been such a privilege to take part in the worship of so many Churches in this diocese. I am so grateful to our hosts for sharing their lives with us and in particular their journey with Jesus. The Sunday services are different from each other and are different again from the services I take part in at home, but when it comes down to it we can all say the same creed and we are all trying to serve the Lord Jesus in our daily lives.

Rose

Friday 9 March 2012 A visit to the Apartheid Museum

If I’m honest I can’t say that I was looking forward to going to the Apartheid Museum, when Bishop Steve said it would be a possibility.  The effects and legacy of the apartheid era are all around South Africa – and a day looking long and hard into it was always going to be difficult.

We were not allowed to take photos and without giving a room by room, photo by photo account of the museum it is difficult to portray the day… but I will have a go.

Your ticket has printed on it (randomly) either “white” or “ non white”  and you enter the museum, segregated into different routes.  Sam and I were non white, Rose, Bishop Steve and Andrew were all “white.”  Of course its not fair… but this is the very point.

The museum is filled with photos, video and information points about the set up, development, maintenance and opposition to the policy of apartheid.  All within a concrete and caged setting which seemed to reflect the separation and oppression which were so much a part of apartheid.

A key impression for me was the role that Britain and its empire and economic dominance had in some of the early days of white settlement in South Africa.  The rush for gold and diamonds by British prospectors and the aim  big profits The Anglo Boer war established in many in white South African- a mind set which was one of defiance and embattlement – a kind of siege mentality, which carried on into the 1930s when the rising numbers of black citizens began to be mistreated on a more systematic basis.

It is easy to travel through the museum and mock the ridiculous laws which the apartheid governments came up with- almost as if to say… “we would never do that!”  But the seeds of apartheid are things which are common to all cultures, the lust for power and keeping it – and the greed for money and more of it.    When privileges we have enjoyed become threatened in order to bring about a fair and just life for all… many of us respond in a similar tone to the way that the successive apartheid governments did.

Similar sort of arguments and reasoning are often used to prevent fair trade initiatives, or to defend the arms trade, or of land claims for oil, or for world trade tarifs… even down to the sort of tax systems that we think are fair, or…. or… or   … we can fill in the gaps with our own experience.

In saying this I am not saying that all these issues are the same as apartheid… It’s just that, having been to the Apartheid Museum, you cannot help but make the connections between the recent history of humans in South Africa and the ongoing decisions which our governments and multi-national companies make -  So what we vote for and support with our trade has a significance.

There is a hidden warning to us all here, to watch out for the deceitfulness of wealth and greed and to beware of the addictiveness of power and influence… in our private as well as community lives.

The museum also catalogues the resistance movements against apartheid, both in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.  There are moving sections, including a room with hangman’s nooses in listing the names of the many people who died in custody or were executed in the course of their opposition to apartheid… The official causes of death recorded include entries like “fell against chair during interview and died from head injuries” 

The museum journey also leads though the painful journey between 1990 with the release of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid and the 1994 elections when South Africa teetered on the brink of civil war.  More people died in this period than in all of the previous era of apartheid.

Yet one comes out of the museum with a sense of hope.  This is because the script of the previous decades has dramatically changed, and since 1994 South Africa has defied the forecasts of doom and, against all the odds found a path of peace.  The truth and reconciliation commission and the role of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is also highlighted.

For me all this speaks of God’s mercy on a whole nation.  Many people worked and prayed for a peaceful way through the troubled times and, whilst the museum makes it clear that there is a long way still to go… a different and good future is possible for South Africa.

We also had time to visit Soweto and see the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as the Hector Petersen Memorial (a young school boy killed  by police gunfire in 1976 as he returned from school – caught up in school pupil demonstrations against the education reforms which would make Afrikaans the language used for teaching them)

It was a long and tiring day, and Andrew and Sam toggled between shock at the information and being overwhelmed by the volume of it.  But they did well.

If you ever have the chance to go to the apartheid museum… take it.   www.apartheidmuseum.org It gives a sobering and important insight into South African history and into the pitfalls into which all humans and societies can fall.

Richard

Wednesday 7th March 2012- The cost of compassion

Mr Mothupi, Rsoe, Andrew and Sam & Chickens too

Our final day in the area around Delareyville began with a visit to the village of Middleton C, where we went to see Mr Mothupi who has turned his village home and plot into a chicken farm and small holding.  His energy and enthusiasm were infectious as he told us about how he uses his small plot for good.  He buys chicks at one day old, and then feeds them up until they are 5 weeks and then sells them in the local rural villages to people on limited income.  Mr Mothupi has had an eventful life.  He was a freedom fighter during the apartheid era and ended up having to live in exile from South Africa in Uganda… where he picked up farming skills and met his wife.  He was saddened though at the current state of South Africa, how many young people seem content to rely on state grants – or want and easy life, rather than being prepared to work for their income.  There was a sense for me that, though he was proud of his part in the struggle for freedom- that he was said at the way that freedom was being used by some.

We moved on to Sannieshof, about 30km away and met Father Hendrik Mpolokeng one of the priests in the parish of St Justin’s Sannieshof.  He took us, along with Archdeacon Guma to see three different projects which the Anglican Church has, or is developing, links with.

Senior Ladies who sew school uniform

First was a senior citizen’s sewing project… the ladies who gather have a cottage industry which makes school uniform for the local schools.  We were impressed by the design and quality of the clothes they made.  The ladies were proud of their work and the income helps to add something to their state pension.  Once again, there was a note of regret that younger members of the community were not involved , as there was no promise of income – until the clothes were sold- and the work is detailed, skilled and hard- the ladies come every weekday to do their sewing work on high quality machines.

Members of the Boineelo Drop In Home Based Care Team

A few yards around the corner- and we met the Home Based Care Volunteers at Boineelo Drop in Centre.  A  team of 10 unpaid volunteers (men and women) work in partnership with a local clinic to give support to orphaned and vulnerable children, support those affected by HIV/AIDS & other chronic conditions, supporting 305 people. They carry out basic tasks such as cleaning for those who are too sick to help themselves.  The team need equipment such as gloves to be able to do these tasks safely.  Bringing older people to the clinic is a challenge, when there is no wheelchair – sometimes the seniors have to be brought in a wheelbarrow.  A wheelchair is on their wish list. We heard about some situations where vulnerable older people were imposed upon by younger members of the community to give them some of their pension.  Disturbing though this is, we thought of situations in the UK where older people are vulnerable to others in the community.  We realised that social problems which have their root in the selfishness of the human heart, sadly,  will show themselves in every culture.
The team of volunteers are keen to start a community food garden and a hospice… ambitious plans They were encouraged to hear that the Diocese of Matlosane has funds set aside for community gardens and Archdeacon Guma offered to help them work through the process of becoming a Non Profit Organisation (the South African equivalent of a registered charity) so that raising funds could be less hard– we prayed together before we left- asking that God would give them what they needed. 

Emily and Father Hendrik wih the
children who come every day for food

Our final visit was both deeply disturbing and also very moving.  We pulled up outside a regular 4 roomed village house, the home of Emily Badula.  Emily is a primary school teacher- but school had finished by the time we arrived.  There were lots of children in her garden and yard as she came out to meet us.  We heard how since 2006 she has been feeding he vulnerable and neglected children in her neighbourhood, some of whom would otherise go to look for food at the local dump (which we passed on our way to the area).  It started when she noticed children at her school who fainted because of hunger

Emily in her kitchen

– she started giving food to the neediest once a week, from her won pocket- and it has grown to a meal every day for more than 30 children.  Often she does not have money to buy food and will ask, “God, let me get food to feed these children!”… she is known in the local stores who will sometimes give her food when she asks as she is known for the work she does.  Many of the children are at risk and some have been abused by others in the community.  Emily’s work and love stand out as a beacon of light for these children.  All this is remarkable – and Emily was excited and encouraged to see us, welcoming us warmly into her home.  But the strain and of the compassion and need which she feels is great.  When we thanked and encouraged her for the great work of love she does… the cost of her compassion could be seen in her eyes.  She does all this single handed.  Friends have helped, but drop out when there no payment for them.

Father Hendrik and Archdeacon Guma encouraged her to ask the parish council for funding for the next year, and Rose and I encouraged her to believe that this was God’s work and that we would be able to find people who would support the local churches help for her.  Surely this is true religion, to feed orphans and vulnerable children.  We felt sad that though there are many churches of many denominations in the area, that up until now it does not seem that there has been much support for Emily’s costly care.  Perhaps we don’t know the whole story, perhaps there will be more help forthcoming.  Whatever, we were glad that at least now the Anglican Church will be able to encourage its members to be involved in this kind of care- and we are grateful to Father Kendrik and Archdeacon Guma for bringing us to meet Emily and the children she feeds.  We hope thatour promise to Emily to find some support for her in the UK will not be empty… if you are reading this… could you help please?

There was an uncomfortable feeling as we drove away and headed back to Klerksdorp to stay at Bishop Steve’s home… the feeling that we had seen some very sad aspects of South African life today.  South Africa is a beautiful country and it is hard not to love it....Certainly we have met some courageous and faithful people, working at great personal cost – but to only look at these acts of love and courage, would be like focusing on the sticking plaster, when there is a serious wound underneath.

The disturbing questions will not go away – Why are children sometimes treated as a means to a social grant, and then left neglected?  Why do some people prey on vulnerable people?  Why do men act with violence against innocent children?  Why do people (like us) who say we love God, sometimes shy away from the loving acts and involvement to which God calls us. And the questions keep tumbling hrough our minds.  Like all the big questions, the answers to these are not easy or comfortable.  And they are not questions only for people who live in South Africa –

A visit to South Africa holds up a large mirror to our own life and culture… and sometimes what we see is not what we would like to.  I can’t help wondering what I will think and feel about the needs of my own community in Great Wyrley (and the communities I have visited here) when I return home.... And whether  those thoughts and feelings will lead to action.

Compassion is costly.  But if we call ourselves Christians then we are to follow the Lord Jesus and I believe that we will, like Emily in her efforts to feed the children, be given what we need to do the work God calls us to.

Richard