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.