Wednesday 29th February 2012 – Taking it all in

We are now back in White River, staying at Mercy Air.  Our friends Paul and Cathy Middleton work here and the organisation have a flat which we have rented  for a few days, in order to catch our breath and rest.  Mercy Air fly small aircraft and a helicopter from South Africa to take people and goods to where they are needed in remote parts of southern Africa.

Our first night here was Monday 27^th and after a 7 hour drive we were glad to arrive.  The night was warm and the sky clear.  Paul took us out onto the middle of the grass airstrip and gave us a guided tour of the southern sky.  We were able to see, Venus, Mars and Jupiter with the naked eye as well as the Milky Way and other parts of the night sky which can’t be seen when there is too much light pollution from the ground.  It was truly magnificent.

The purpose of our time here at Mercy Air, as well as some rest, is to try to reflect on all that we have seen and experienced on our visits in Matlosane. So we have been trying to get into order the hurried notes that we have made; organise photos, and think about our time in Matlosane to imagine how Lichfield Diocese can play a good part in the partnership with Matlosane Diocese.  Of course this isn’t all up to us (thankfully!) but we are privileged to have seen so much and be still here to think about all this and to take it all in.

Sunday School Leaders of Matlosane

 Last weekend (Sat 25^th & Sun 26^th ) was a busy one.  Saturday involved Rose and the boys driving back

from Lichtenburg to Klerksdorp.  Meanwhile Richard went to Itsoseng with most of the other clergy in Matlosane and the Sunday School leaders from the diocese for a special service for two priests who were taking on new roles in the Diocese (Archdeacon Diplokwane and Canon Ngidi).   

Susan (Left) & two friends work hard
with cooking etc at Itsoseng

The service started at 8.30am and finished about 11am and was followed by a lovely breakfast (prepared by the ladies from St Peter’s Itsoseng).  Then there were separate meetings…for the Sunday School leaders of the diocese  there was time with Brenda Diseko (Bishop Steve’s wife) while clergy and churchwardens met together for Diocesan council.  This meeting went on until around 4.30pm and covered a wide range of topics, including stewardship and giving, youth work, choirs, issues on human sexuality, and the new diocese of Matlosane website. All of this was then followed by another meal, again cooked by the same ladies from Itsoseng.  By the time we got back to Bishop Steve’s home it was 7.30pm.

The day had been long and it highlighted to me how much more difficult it is to organise and run events for the diocese when the distances are large.  The only way to get around this seems to be to have one day to travel, and try to cover lots of things on one day.

On Sunday (8am) we attended St Peter’s Church in the centre of Klerksdorp.

A team game of catch!

This church has the most mixed congregation which we have come across, with members from various racial groups - black, white, coloured and indian all joining together for worship. To add to the mix, one of the priests (Father Methla) is from Botswana and another is a white South African (Father Jaques). Father Methla called the church congregation the United Nations.  There were hymns from a hymn book (some of which we recognised) and a warm welcome from all- which is an encouraging standard feature of every church we have been to.  At a guess I’d say that there were about 100 adults with 30 children.

Toasting the Link

Ladies who lunch!

After the service was tea and coffee, and a chance to play in the vicarage garden with the children – Andrew and Sam making friends and being glad of the fact that English was the common language for the children from various backgrounds.  Members of the church council returned at around 12 for a Braai (BBQ).  This gave a lovely chance to talk to the church members and get to know each other a bit more.  After the lovely food, one of the church wardens (Nolita) produced a bottle of sparkling wine and explained that it was to “toast the link”  (between Matlosane & Lichfield).  We all shared a small amount of the wine and duly “toasted the link.” 

It felt significant and good.

We said our goodbyes and headed to visit a retirement home in another part of Klerksdorp to deliver a gift we had been asked to pass on.  We were all tired but found that our hosts were so kind that we were able to enjoy their company and hope that we were a blessing to them.  It was encouraging to meet the retired couple who had been lifelong members of the Methodist church still keen to talk about the life of their church and how they have hopes for its future and their part in it.

Drs Luke & Varghese & their family

Rose, Andrew and Sam then went back to Bishop Steve’s home and I went on to have an evening meal with an Indian family from St Peter’s Klerksdorp.  I was overwhelmed by their kindness and their understanding and awareness of so many issues in the world.  Dr Binu Luke is a consultant in two of the local state hospitals and his wife  ( Dr Sushmitha Varghese) is a dental surgeon.  Both have oversight responsibilities outside their own practices which makes their week intensely busy.  So I felt very privileged to be invited to join them for a precious family time with their children Aishwarya (16) and Ashwin (10).

I learned so much from my time with them.  The family has its roots in Karala in the south of India.  Binu was very proud to tell me that the church in that area can trace its origins back to St Thomas, who landed there and started a church in AD52.  Suddenly the church of England and Anglican worship did not seems to have such an ancient pedigree!  Our conversation ranged freely over pretty much every topic that any of us chose to bring up.  Although I was tired when they dropped me off I was so glad to have met them and was enriched by their commitment to the Lord Jesus in all their work and play as well as their commitment to the church they attend on a Sunday.  I was especially refreshed to hear some of Aishwarya and Ashwin’s thoughts about life in South Africa from their perspective.

Now we  are still trying to let all this sink in.  South Africa defies any attempt to define it or put it in a box.  It has so many layers and complexities.  Perhaps that this the reason why people here are a little dismissive about political life.  They are glad of the democratic system, but aware that the challenges faced by South African’s are too big for any one political programme.  This is a country where people are openly asking God to be at work- so the church here has a pivotal role to play.

But then – the UK is complex and multi –layered.  It too has people who disaffected by political solutions.  There may not be such an openness to see God at work in our communities, but perhaps that means that the church in the UK has just as much a pivotal role to play (though in a different way) as in South Africa.  Maybe the issues are about confidence in the God whom we worship- and in this respect we have much to learn from our South African brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus.

Richard & Rose

Friday 24th February 2012 - Church and community in partnership for the poor

Constance, Lydia, Maria & Evelyn with Fathers Sam & Labius

Constance shows Sam some home grown peppers

We woke today in Lichtenburg in the North of Matlosane.  After a speedy journey with Archdeacon Sam Diplokwane in his “Backie” (pick up truck) we passed through the northern town of Zeerust and ended up in a rural village called Lekubu.  We knew we were getting further north when we saw road signs for Gabarone (the capital of Botswana)… were we really this far up in South Africa?

We were taken to a community care project which was started in 2002.  It is a gathering of those of good will in the community of Lekubu… with members of all the local churches involved.  The Anglican Church has a number of members involved and we were introduced to the care volunteers by the local priest for St Francis Lekubu, Father Labius Tori.

As we entered the brick building there were lots of school children finishing a cooked meal which they receive every weekday after school, before they go home.  All ages are welcomed and those who are orphaned or vulnerable in some way are given priority. 

The 22 care volunteers join together every day to cook the meal for the children, and also tend a very productive community garden (which provides food for the feeding programme with enough surplus to sell).  They undertake home based care visits to orphaned and vulnerable children and we were shown the detailed records they have in order to keep track of the children.

Father Sam outside the new metal nursery extension

We were astonished to hear that they often have 40 nursery school age children… in a very small room.  They have recently built an outdoor extension (made of corrugated metal… which is hot in summer, cold in winter, but cheap to build).

Lekubu Care Volunteers

Constance (one of the leaders) was please to show us around and tell us all that they do for the needy in their community. The ladies (20) and men (2) are very proud of what they do, but are not complacent, and do not receive any payment or financial incentive for their work. They are keen to receive help and support for all that they do, and we promised to tell others in the UK about them and the project which does so much for needy children in Lekubu.  There are more than 130 children on their records and they often help more than 150. 

We wondered whether a church or community group in Lichfield diocese would like to partner with them; a rural group reaching and serving the poor in their midst… a great example of churches working together to transform lives in their local community.  Anyone interested?

It is interesting and challenging to see a group of people who see that loving the vulnerable and needy in their community is the “normal” thing to do.  It seemed fantastic to us.  Perhaps that says more about us than it does about them?

Rose & Richard

Thursday 23rd February 2012 -All is not as it seems – appearances can be deceptive

Christine & Dirk de Beer ( & dog.. Kerry)

Whilst in Christiana (in the South West tip of the of the Diocese of Matlosane) we have been privileged to stay with Christine & Dirk de Beer.  They are retired farmers but still live on the farm where they have dwelled and worked for 50 years.  They have shown us exceptional kindness and generosity in their hospitality.

They are both longstanding members of the local English speaking congregation of St Philip and St James in Christiana.  In recent years the number of church members has dropped for a variety of reasons and one gets the impression that if Christine did not take the initiative to rally the flock for the monthly service, then there would not be a congregation at all.

At the Ash Wednesday service, which I led, there were 9 people in the congregation.  On the face of it, the church here has a limited life span… most of the congregation are retired and there are no children in the congregation (as many of the local white families send their children to boarding schools).  This is not an unfamiliar situation for many churches in the UK, and in Lichfield Diocese.  The issues of how to use the limited life, energy and resources of a church community is a real one for many congregations- both here Matlosane and in the UK

St Philip & St Peter, Christiana

But South Africa is complicated… in a nearby township is St Mary’s Anglican Church – where there is a congregation of around 200, of a range of ages.  The self supporting priest (Father Calvin) is a school teacher on weekdays and covers both St Mary’s (Setswana speaking) and St Philip & St Peter (English speaking).  The complexities of ministering to these diverse, historically separate, groups of people made my head spin at the thought of it.

We were glad to meet Father Calvin today over a cup of tea with Christine and heard of life in places that we had overlooked. 

Learners at the de Beer's Farm School (age 10)

Christine had earlier taken us to the school for local farm workers which they have operated for more than 40 years. We met Reginah (the Setswanaspeakng teacher)  and Lucia English speaking teacher.  Lucia works with the children 8am -1pm and also comes in early at 6am and says late ‘til 4pm to teach adult farm workers who missed out on school earlier in life.

Teachers Lucia nad Reginah

Father Calvin told us of a social care programme which has been started in the local township by a coming together of local churches.  It includes a feeding programme, HIV/AIDS counselling, a vulnerable children support scheme and is seeking to actively respond to the needs of the local community. Members of the small congregation at St Philip & St Peter give generous financial support this project.

It is all too easy to paint South Africa in black and white.  In reality, life here, including in the Anglican church, is more varied and colourful.  Here in Christiana I have had a lesson which I hope I will learn well – to not be deceived by appearances and to seek to find out all of the stories in a community – and to not judge.

God is at work in his church, even (perhaps especially) at the quiet edges – The Holy Spirit is not one to follow the script that we may write and our job as the church is to catch up and keep up with His work.  Certainly in South Africa there are attitudes to be changed, wrongs to be righted, and situations to be challenged and changed…  But God is already on the case… even when it may not seem like it.  All is not what it seems.  Appearances can be deceptive.

Later today we travel to a new venue – Lichtenburg some 3 hours away…. We wonder what new situations and work of the Spirit will surprise us there.

Richard

The Big Hole. Tuesday 21st February. Rose

I have always envied the job that Michael Palin has; he travels around the world, all the troublesome journey details are pre-arranged by the BBC and he meets local people who show him around their community. Well today I felt like Michael Palin. Our hosts Dirk and Christine De Beer had arranged for us to meet their friend Brian at the Big Hole in Kimberley.

Kimberley is about 100km away from where we are staying in Christiana. Brian showed us around explaining the history of the town. Apparently diamonds were first found here in 1866 and before long, more were found on land farmed by our host’s great great grandfather, Johannes de Beer. Following this discovery, fortune seekers from all over Africa, Europe, America and Australia flocked to this remote dry region, some walking the 1000km from Cape Town. The farmland of the De Beers was the focus of the digging and holes were dug all over the land. The Big Hole that now remains is reported to be the largest hole dug by hand in the world. We stood in amazed silence when we saw the size of this hole. To think of all the people whose lives were spent digging, sieving, sorting and so on in the hope that the next bucket might contain the diamond. It was in this mine that the black labourers were kept confined to their compound to prevent illicit diamond buying. This then developed into the pass system and segregation that was one of the features of the apartheid era.

Brian then took us to the Kimberley Club for lunch. It is now a four star hotel but was an exclusive club started by people like Cecil Rhodes. It still has a very colonial atmosphere.

Brian showed us the historical buildings of Kimberley some of which are still used by the De Beer diamond company.

We felt very privileged to be shown this part of South African life but it seems such a long way from the sort of people we have met so far. South Africa is such a complex nation but we are trying to listen to as many different points of view as we can so that we can begin to build up a picture of the diocese we are partnering with.

Rose

Sunday 19th February St Peter’s Itsoseng : A day in the life of a Bishop’s family

Sunday involved another early start.  We were due to go to an 8am service with Bishop Steve and his family… but the service was in Itsoseng, which is about 1 hour and 40 minutes drive from Klerksdorp.  So we all rose about 5.15am in order to be ready to leave at 6am.  We all piled into Bishop Steve’s car (which has 8 seats) and headed off for St Peter’s Itsoseng.

The journey was eventful, as after about 30 minutes a group of guinea fowl which were pecking at the edge of the road took off as our car approached.  We were travelling at some speed, and one of the guinea fowl didn’t get airborn fast enough.  There was a massive, “Thwack!”  as the poor guinea fowl hit the top corner of the windscreen.  The bird was almost certainly killed instantly and the windscreen was cracked badly.  Guinea fowl are pretty big!  It was a bit like someone firing a chicken at the windscreen at 70mph- now wonder the screen cracked.  We were all ok, and were thankful that the laminated windscreen did it’s job.  About another 20 minutes later, another smaller bird flew into the windscreen!  What was going on? 

We later found out from Brenda, Bishop Steve’s wife, that this is a common problem on rural roads when travelling near to dawn or dusk.  Birds gather at the edges of the road for some reason. We wer glad to arrive safely at Itsoseng at about 7.45am

The service was a traditional Holy Communion service, with incense and all of the informal South African “adaptations” (beautiful spontaneous singing and clapping) which we are beginning to expect.  The service had a lot of older people present who had been invited to come, as there was a later special service for them after the morning service. I had been asked to preach which I felt was a real privilege and was uncertain of what I was to focus on.  In the end I elected to home in on the gospel passage for the day (Mark 2:1-10…. Jesus heals a paralysed man).  What I said was translated phrase by phrase which made me think carefully about each sentence… (not a bad thing) and the congregation seemed to appreciate what they heard.

Part of the Senior's Celebration Day at St Peter's Itsoseng

The whole service (including notices) lasted about 3 hours and also included someone being anointed with oil for healing and being prayed for.  After a brief exit and time to take off clergy robes (Phew!) we returned to the church for the special senior citizens service.  This was a “thank you” to those who had been longstanding members of the church for their continued commitment and encouraging them to carry on with their work of encouragement, so that the church can continue to grow.  It was part of the diocesan “Growing the Church” initiative.  There was singing (of course), talks and two items (including and excellent drama) from the Sunday School of the church.  All of this was followed by a lovely meal with a wide variety of foods.

It had been an especially long time for Andrew and Sam, who had (quite understandably) dipped out of the service after the sermon and played with Leruo and Gnata (Bishop Steve’s youngest two children).  Afterwards it was time to head for home (no guinea fowl interruptions this time) and we arrived back at Bishop’s Steve’s home at 5.15pm – nearly 11 hours after we left.  We were exhausted!  But when chatting with Brenda Diseko, she explained that this was not an unusual Sunday for her and their three children.  It came home to us the sort of demands placed upon Bishop Steve’s family here in Matlosane, in order for him to fulfil his duties. It is a 
costly decision that they have taken, to do things as a family.

Brenda, Rose and Bishop Steve do some map work

We flopped and rested with a cup of tea, the weather was mercifully cooler  (about 28^oC) today and we were glad of it.  Later Bishop Steve and Brenda asked us to join them and their family at a meal out.  This was a nice surprise, and it got even nicer, when we discovered that it was in our honour, as it was our Wedding Anniversary today.  We had a lovely relaxed time, to end a very full and fulfilling day.

Richard

Saturday 18th February- Guerrillas in the midst!

 

Speaking of some people as guerrillas is not usually a compliment.  Guerillas are often a small group of people who are fighting/working a the edges of the community… and then will make short but effective moves into the area they are trying to win, before retreating back to their usual position.  So often in Africa and in other parts of the world, guerrillas are brutal, leaving a path of death and destruction, using fear as a weapon against their opposition.  Today we met members of a guerrilla movement of a different kind.

Revd Caroline with Rose, Lindi and Lesley,
eceiving gifts from St John's Church in Lawley, Telford

Inside St Anne's Church Stilfontain

We were invited to meet some of the members of the Church at St Anne’s Stilfontain, a suburb about 12 km from Klerksdorp where we are staying.  As we approached the single story house a quiet street of Stilfontain, we had no idea of the courage which we would find inside.

We were visiting members of St Anne’s Church in Stilfontain which has a link with St John’s Church in Lawley near Telford. We had been asked to see if we could meet folk from St Anne’s to pass on greetings and some gifts to help with their work.  The home was that of Brenda McKenzie-Cameron and her friend Lesley White… both of them white ladies in their 70s and widows… but please don’t let lead you to thoughts of Miss Marple or a quaint and quiet life.  These ladies are guerrillas for peace and justice! 

Along with Brenda and Lesley we were able to meet Revd Caroline Sebowane (priest at St Anne’s) and Lindi Paterson, who is a church warden and who leads the Sunday school… and both of them too are courageous in their pattern of life for God. Caroline has 5 boys of her own and is in charge of theological training in the Diocese- and sometime men to not like to be encouraged and trained by a (more qualified) woman.  Lindi is widowed herself and as a single mum battles with all the pressures which that brings, but still has a steely determination to make the Sunday School a thriving place for the children who come…(15  compared to 6 when she started it)

Brenda is recovering from a recent knee replacement…. Not that we would have known had we not been told beforehand.  She explained to us about the St Annes Social Care Centre (SCC) which has been running since 2001.  Essentially these two ladies, with the support and help of their church leaders and Revd Tom Mafora (a previous priest at St Annes), reach out and help some very needy people in the local township of Khuma.

Brenda explained to us how bad things can in Khuma, 45% unemployment, children who may not eat over the weekend (since school meals are their main source of regular food) with high levels of crime, and the fear that goes with that.  Lesley told us how their link started by them caring enough for their gardener, David, (from Khuma) who didn’t turn up for work and they decided to see where he was and if he was ok.  For two white ladies to go into Khuma would have been a brave (some would say unwise) thing to do.  But they went, and found the conditions he was living in, got him to hospital and helped him recover.  

Since then that have been going back very regularly to give out food parcels, firstly to families through the local church and now via schools.  They have helped people to get official documents (like birth certificates) and so enable them to get government benefits. They provide resources for schools, confront police on behalf of those affected by crime and are a force for good and God wherever they can be.

Brenda explained that this seems to be a “widow’s mininstry.” (Average age of the SCC group  was 73)  We were bemused, “Why?” We asked.  It seems that many South African white men would not want their wives to be involved in going to Khuma. (It wasn’t clear whether this was concern for the wellbeing of their wives, or because this would prevent the wife from doing the other jobs which were normally her role… Perhaps it was something of both).  In any event, the availability of time and the ability to drive were needed- as well as the absence of “permission” which would otherwise be needed from others who may have concerns for their wellbeing.  Whatever the reasons, there was a steely resolve and fire of compassion about Brenda and Lesley.  I would not like to cross them!

The discussion raised as many questions as it answered… Can more churches be involved?  Are not more white (and black) people aware of the conditions and needs of their fellow citizens in places like Khuma?  I held back from asking most of them.  But I could not help enquiring about how was it that more white folk from all kinds of churches were not involved…. “they are in denial”   was effectively what Brenda said… we might call this an inconvenient truth.   How many of these truths are there, that we choose to live in denial of in our private, separate worlds?  But Lesley and Brenda tell of God’s providing for the needs of the SCC in remarkable ways so that they can carry on the work.  They asked for prayers that they might have new, younger members who can take on the work when they stop… “We can’t keep going for ever,” they commented.  Perhaps this humility allows them to be able to keep going, as they know they are reliant on God’s strength and help.

I felt humbled and challenged during and since our meeting with the folk from St Anne’s.    It seems that the people we met are, like many of us, praying “Lord, your Kingdom come,”   But we had met some people, who were adding onto this prayer…” and do it now and use me to bring in your Kingdom Lord”

There was a sense that, whether or not they knew it, the people we met, were bringing the future realities of God’s Kingdom into being in the current realities of life for some of the children in Khuma.  Literally, on earth as it is in heaven.

I can’t help wondering how God must long to recruit some more guerrillas for his kingdom of justice and love and peace- whatever our age and situation - Surely we can only say, “Here I am send me Lord”   Then perhaps there will be more “Guerillas in the midst”  of our communities for God.

Richard

A visit not a ‘trip’-Rose Saturday 18th February



Preparing kebabs



Last night we had a braii (BBQ) with Bishop Steve, Brenda, Letlotlo, Leruo and Gnata. We talked and listened to each other as the meat cooked in the garden and later continued to talk as we ate in the dining room.



Looking after the braii



It struck me how different this sort of visit is from a trip or holiday. The conversation covered politics, history and church life but we kept coming back to relationships. We are not just observing each other. To simply observe would suggest a degree of distance or detachment. Instead we are trying to engage fully with each other and in this way we are being challenged.

I am reading a book by Stephen Cherry called “Barefoot Disciple”. In it he encourages adults to step into the unknown and to become learners again. Many of us  might avoid this sort of experience because there is pain in learning. When we are in the position of the learner we put ourselves in a very vulnerable position. Sometimes what we will see and hear will be bewildering to us. The writer believes that talking followed by reflection and then writing helps us to deepen our involvement in what we experience. This process may not result in us making sense of what we see. Instead we may learn to accept that we may never fully understand.

As a family we feel so privileged to be staying in the homes of the people we meet. We believe that we are learning about how strange we must appear to others! Brenda used the word ‘surrender’; to live with another family is to surrender yourself. You can no longer choose what to eat, when to eat, where to go. I believe that this submission is needed in order to grow into a deeper relationship with God. What I hadn’t realised is that this sort of visit is an opportunity for that sort of growth.

I feel deeply committed to encouraging others in both Matlosane and Lichfield to become involved in this link. I feel that this should not only be for those who can afford the cost of visiting but that we should be investigating the possibility of funding visits both ways for all our benefit and for the growth of God’s kingdom.

I didn’t know I would feel like this. Before leaving the UK I had said something like; “We are hoping to develop links with people in order to share our Christian journey”. However it is only as I have experienced these thoughts and feelings for myself, that I have begun to feel challenged and changed. I can now see how helpful it can be to have a partnership with people from other cultures who are trying to follow the Lord Jesus –

Rose

Friday 17th February… A road trip… with God

It was really good to be back together as a family.  When I got off the Citibug mini bus on Tuesday 14^th, I was met by an enthusiastic Rose, Andrew and Sam- it was so good to see them.   We enjoyed catching up and sharing stories of our different days whilst we were apart.

After a day of rest at Mercy Air, we travelled back by car to Matlosane.  This sounds easy when you say it quickly, but the journey took over 7½ hours and involved driving through Johannesburg in very heavy rain, and about and over an hour in a traffic jam, caused by what looked like a very serious accident.

As we got in to the car, it felt like we were setting out as a family on an adventure, a Road Trip with God.  We don’t quite know what the coming days will involve.  Will the food be something the boys can cope with? Will the language differences be a problem? Where will we be staying?  These are all reasonable concerns, but we are able to say… “Lord, we place all these things into your hands.” 

In the UK many of these things are not questions we engage with at the same level, because we are (on the whole) in control of what we do.  In this visit, it feels like we are, in some small way, letting go of this order and control.  We really don’t know what will happen, we have done planning and preparation, and we believe the Lord will take care of us – that we will be given our daily bread (literally and metaphorically). It feels like this process of having to let go of control, though hard, is probably healthy for all of us in the family.  Maybe we will be different in our lives in the UK as a result. 

Bishop Steve Diseko, with his wife Brenda,
and children Letlotlo, Leruo and Gnata

We were very glad to arrive safely at 7.30pm at Bishop Steve’s home as the last bit of light was fading.  We were met by Bishop Steve’s wife Brenda and his children, Letlotlo (13), Leruo (9) and Gnata (8).  It was interesting to be involved when two families from very different backgrounds met together… but it was lovely too. It seemed that the children were able to bridge the culture gap more easily than the adults and Andrew and Sam were soon at play with their new friends.

Bishop Steve and his wife Brenda could not have been more welcoming!  We enjoyed a lovely meal and were glad of a comfortable bed (and a fan to keep us cool!) for the night.

We have today (Friday) to settle in to Matlosane as a family, whilst the rest of the family are at work and school.  This evening we (the Westwoods) will be cooking the food… hopefully a Braii (BBQ) if we can ask for the right things at the butchers!

Saturday will bring a range of different roles/adventures for each of us…  but that is tomorrow. And I am beginning to learn, a little bit more, to make the most of the day and the present moment.  We are being given our daily bread…. Our job now, and when we return home, is to be thankful for what we have and to share it with those whose need is greater.

Richard

Monday 13 Feb 2012: Siyafundisa! Hope has a name...and he hitch hikes!

Kgowe "Philip" Moleme

I spent a good part of this morning  talking with Kgowe “Philip” Moleme, the worker in Matlosane Diocese in the Siyafundisa programme.  Philip is a kind, compassionate young man with a keen sense that this is what God has called him to do.  He has the big and challenging job of working to help educate young people (age 12-24) throughout Matlosane diocese about HIV/AIDS and about how to make wise choices with regard, to drugs, alcohol, sex, gangs, lifestyle etc. 

“Siyafundisa” means “teaching” or “we are learning” and the programme is one which was set up by the Anglican Church in the Province of Southern Africa in 2006, using funding from the US government’s PEPFAR initiative to work on HIV/AIDS education and prevention.  When this funding stopped, Lichfield Diocese offered to take on Philip’s funding until May 2013.(This was done through individual donations and the Bishop of Lichfield’s Lent Appeal).

Philip patiently answered my questions and explained how he was going about the job.  His vivid pink T shirt boldy read  “Hello, I’m awesome!”

However, Philip is a lot more humble that his T shirt logo would suggest.  Given that Matlosane is 4 times the size of Lichfield Diocese and he does not have a car (!) I would say his commitment to his role is little short of heroic.  But Philip would not see it like that.  He calmly talks about the calmly talked about the job of preparing his week to allow for the fact that he will have to hitch hike  to the next parish he needed to visit.  Sometimes taking up to 8 hours!  “If it is a truck it will be slow,” he commented.   I suggested that we pray for more lifts in a fast Mercedes to cut down his journey time.

[I have recorded a video interview with Philip which I hope to put in the blog or youtube when I get back to the UK for those who are interested… watch this space please.]

The week for Philip hinges around the weekend, when the school students whom he needs to reach are available.  He has a network of peer educators in each parish, some of whom will be based in more rural locations where the church has outstations.  They will come together to meet with Philip on the Saturday on which he visits their church.  They will have discussions and activities to highlight the pressures which they face and how they can make wise choices in their life – not giving in to bad peer pressure.  Philip will train and encourage them and in turn they will be able to train the young people connected to the church.  Then on a Sunday, Philip will attend the church they are linked to, to ask parents to support them as they try to choose good paths, and encourage the young people to find their role and voice in the church.  This means that he can work with the local priest to help the young people too.  Often Philip will be able to visit the High School which the young people attend, with the support of the Principal, and use time in school to help all the young people in the area, not just those with a connection to the Anglican Church. I could see that Siyafundisa works on many levels.

Philip explained how Siyafundisa helped young people in the church to live out their faith in the decisions that make, in a world which is rapidly changing and full of all the temptations and pressures which young people in other  cultures face.   He uses facebook to connect and suppor the young people in the different areas so that they do not feel so isolated when making good decisions can be lonely and hard.  He also uses the Diocesan Youth Events (once a year) to support the young people and is himself supported by Father Dennis Lukuleni, the chaplain to young people.

I was saddened and surprised to hear from Philip that in these areas HIV infection is still rising.  As I spoke with him, the scale and scope of his task seemed so large as to be silly.  But he was able to look at it another way, “If I can save on person’s future, then I have done a good job,” he cheerfully commented. This is not blind optimism, he has stories of young people speaking up with one another in meetings saying how the support through Siyafundisa is making a difference to them.

There are other paths of support for those affected  HIV/AIDS in this diocese, and I hope to meet some of the people involved while I am here.  I am so glad to have met Philip, to hear how he feels called to this work and how he is cheerful as he goes about a vast and challenging task. When I asked Philip how we could pray for him and his work he was thoughtful… but replied,

1.  That everyone in the area would in some way be affected by the Siyafundisa   

     programme

2.  That God would grow in him the gifts of teaching and motivation which he needs to do 

     the work

Please do pray for  Philip and the Siyafundisa programme if you are able to.

It seems that the challenges and risks which young people face today, do not know cultural boundaries….they just change shape when they those boundaries are crossed.  Here, the high rates of unemployment, and legacy of injustice from the apartheid era are like open sores which can be exploited by HIV/AIDS and the other well known dangers facing young people.

The dangers for young people in other cultures are sometimes less obvious.  Sometimes the consequences are hidden by a social security safety net, or perhaps they are like time bombs with a longer fuse. Whatever the case, it is refreshing to see this programme in South Africa which has plenty of social problem to wrestle with.  Siyafundisa, is a defiant act by the church in Matlosane (and Lichfield through its sponsorship) which says that there is hope.  Hope in the gospel that things will change and be turned around.  Hope that God’s Holy Spirit will give young people strength to live differently- And with Philip- that hope comes to visit, is determined… and is prepared to hitch hike!

Yours (hopefully),(ie full of hope)

Richard

PS I will spend a good portion of tomorrow on a Citibug Mini Bus travelling back to be with Rose, Andrew and Sam.  We will then all return to Matlosane  on Thursday 16^th Feb.  There probably won’t be a new blog posting till then.  But you may like to see things from Andrew’s (10) and Sam’s (9) point of view in their blog (as well as this one) when we return.  They are at…
www.westywords.blogspot.com

Sunday 12 February 2012 Multi language worship and a disarming question…

There is a worrying trend in the start times of the church services I am attending…. Last week was 8am, this week was 7.30am! (I hope that it does not get much earlier)… So I rose early with Father Sydney to prepare for worship at St Michael’s Promosa, the township in which I have staying in his home for the last 6 days.

Some of the congregation at St Michael's

The worship was a remarkable mixture of formal and spontaneous… with a Holy Communion liturgy in the Anglo-catholic tradition, and vigorous singing & clapping with real gusto and delight.  All of this happening in an un-announced mixture of English, Afrikaans and Tswana.  Thinking about this, I expect that it gives speakers of all these languages of all these tongues, at least some part of the service in which they feel on “home ground.”  This would be a helpful approach to adopt in the UK in much of our wrestling with one another about formal or informal, organ or guitar, traditional and modern styles of worship.  If we can make sure that there is room for the needs of others who are not like us, then we may have a good starting point.

Opa, the Assistant Priest at St Michaels,
with his daughter Tshiamu

You may like to hear some of the worship at St Michaels… if so I have recorded a short clip for you to try … click on this link...
  St Michaels Promosa Worship clip 
(It opens in a new window)

I was asked to preach and it was a privilege to do so.  At the end of the service, I was greeting those who had come to worship.  There were many warm words given  which was lovely and people assuring me that they would pray for the church in England, as I had asked in the sermon, and also asking for our prayers for South Africa and the church here.

One lady though, asked me question which caught me off guard….
“Are you growing the church in England?”  I asked her to repeat the question… which she did.  I had heard here correctly.  For a short time which probably seemed longer  to me than her, I didn’t know how to take the question…. Did she mean, “is the church in England growing?” or “ Are you (Richard) growing the church in England?”  I opted for the first reading of the question and talked about how we are seeking to see the church grow, and how we are especially trying to reach young people.  I felt it was a cop out really… because the church in England is varied in the extent to which it is growing.  Effectively I had treated here question as a polite, “How are you?” and replied, “Fine thanks!”

To have taken her question personally, “How am I/we growing the church?” is a more disturbing question to consider. 

Later in the afternoon, after returning to Bishop Steve’s home I talked with his wife Brenda and him about the week I had experienced.  As we chatted, I heard more painful stories about forced removals, this time of rural communities, about some white people leaving churches when apartheid came to an end, and black leaders began to be appointed.

I began to realise that for the church in South Africa, “is the church growing?” is a complex question.  Certainly they are keen to reach out to the young in their communities and to grow in numbers.  But that is being a bit one dimensional.  Given all that has happened to several generations here, is not  the acceptance, love and forgiveness which is within so much of the church a sign of it’s growth?  For those who are trying, despite tensions to stay together in mixed race congregations- is that not a sign of maturity.

Perhaps the same principle should be applied to the question I was asked of the church in England.  We can and should talk about numbers… but we should also think about changes of heart and mind which count as growth and are harder to spot. Are we growing in love and acceptance of people not like us?  Are we growing in our discovery of God’s heart – in our desire to reach the lost, and serve the poor.  These are all features of health in the life  of a church, and perhaps if there is health here- a growth in heart- then we will see a growth in numbers too.   This is not a cop out.  It is about foundations.  Growing of the church means renewal of the church first of all.   So, we pray… Lord, here in South Africa and in the UK, renew us and grow your church in every way.  Amen.

Richard   PS I'm really looking forward to seeing my wife Rose and two of my children Andrew and Sam again on Tuesday.

A long way travelled…A long way to go?

After several days of fascinating but draining visits and meetings, I was really glad today to find that this would be a day with a slower pace.  Father Sydney was cooking a “special guest” breakfast – bacon, scrambled egg and tomato… with strong coffee - followed by condensed milk on bread! (this “pudding” was my choice, but it was available and delicious.

There is a pattern to hospitality here, give the guest the very best you can.  This is incredibly generous, especially when “giving the best you can,” can be quite costly .  Revd Sydney and his wife Trudi have welcomed me into their home with open arms and I am really grateful to them – even if my Afrikaans is only good enough to say “Bier Danke” (thank you) in a weird accent.  Fortunatley Sydney speaks good English, so my blushes are spared.

Revd Sydney took me to some of the museums in Potchefstroom which were house of some of the early Dutch settlers which had been preserved for visitors to view.  It was very much like National Trust, except that there was no suggestion that you should not touch things.  It seemed strange walking though rooms which early settlers from Europe had lived in, knowing that between their lives and mine the people in the country had been through great turmoil.

One photo showed the team of people which had undertaken the translation of the Bible into Afrikaans.  They were clearly sincere and serious about the job.  But the Bible they had translated, was used by others to justify some evil and unjust laws and actions.  It was a sobering thought, that having a Bible in our language does not mean that we will “get it right”.  Humility is called for.

Conversations with Sydney are always stimulating… we ended up talking about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was set up by the new South African government after 1994.  It’s purpose was to do as its name suggests and in the process allow forgiveness to become possible and reduce reprisals.  He told me how on the nightly news at the time, new and horrific revelations would be told- he and others would sit with tears running down their face, wondering at how humans could do such things.  “But,” he continues, “that is what is so great about being a Christian, you can forgive!”

Wayne, Rosemarie, Chenning and Megan with Father Sydney

Later in the day we are invited to visit the home of his churchwarden for tea (which turned out to be a meal, not just a drink…. Again “giving the best you can”)  Wayne is the church warden of St Michael’s Promosa, and is married to Rosemarie.  They have two children Chenning (10) and Megan (9)  Both parents work and they live but live in a nearby suburb, having moved to the area from Port Elizabeth.  Nothing unusual there… true, but Wayne is white and Rosemarie is black- not that they bother about it. And a more normal family you could not wish to meet.  They are showing a new way of possibility in  South Africa.

We talk freely about our two countries… I mention the strong sense of community life and openness in South Africa as compared to many parts of the UK…. Wayne comments, “South Africa has its problems, but we know how to love”  

Seeing this family and relaxing in the generosity of their welcome, you can’t help feeling that South Africa has come a long way already.  A police car makes a routine patrol past the house while we eat … and I am reminded that it has a long way to go too.

For us in the UK, changes in our society are more subtle and often more difficult to notice than big things like a new set of social laws and norms, as in South Africa.  But this can mean that they can “slip under the radar”.  One of the gifts of coming here, is to be able to see my own culture from a different standpoint.  From here, Britain seems a bit commercially cut throat, and high on individualism- we are more likely to think about “me and I” than “us and we”. 

Maybe I’m not thinking straight-maybe I’m remembering only the good here… (reminding myself that I had earlier seen some boys around age 10 sniffing glue by the town centre park)- Maybe I’m finding fault with both cultures…  But perhaps a helpful question to ask is, “What sort of society do we want to see in our nation?”  We will then have an idea of what we may need to do to move towards it.  For the Christian, this has to include the values of the Kingdom of God as taught and lived (& died)  by Jesus.   

We have a long way to go, but we have been shown the way.

Richard