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.