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!