April / May 2016

Six months in the UK and I’m already back in Matlosane – so soon because I’ve been invited to the wedding of one of the clergy here this weekend.

The flight went well – as usual I slept most of it! This time I decided to take the bull by the horns, hire a car at the airport and drive myself to Klerksdorp, something not done before as flying leaves my head very congested and my balance out of kilter. However all went well for the first 4km, till I was pulled over by the police for apparently crossing a dividing line, threatened with a court appearance and a fine of R800 (£40). He was obviously wanting a bribe, but I kept smiling and refusing to play ball, and in the end he let me go! A couple of kms further on I realised I was headed for downtown Jo’burg and therefore on the wrong road, but that was easily remedied. I eventually arrived safely in Klerksdorp, much to the relief of +Steve who had been wondering where I was – my phone had decided that it wouldn’t send any texts to him to let him know I was OK.

Thursday I went to the new Diocesan Office on the boundary of Klerksdorp and Jouberton. I posted some pictures last time I was here, but this time I was able to get inside the church, a real Reformation edifice. ‘Rykdom Onbeperk’ means’ Kingdom riches without measure’. There are plans afoot to make it a more Anglican looking building, by installing an altar on a platform in front of the HUGE pulpit and, and if possible by removing the weather vane at the top of the steeple and replacing it with a cross. The roof obviously needs work done; buckets are strategically placed! The hope is that the Family Day this year will be held there by erecting marquees with screens to house most of the people.

The Diocesan staff find it a more peaceful place to work, and you don’t have to wend your way through ladies of the night (and day!) to get to it.

 The Diocese is using all means available to raise money – and the hall is rented out to a Biker Church. The house on the site is also rented out, to Jouberton parish whose priest’s house was destroyed in the tornado of 2007 and never rebuilt.

The Centre is on Muller Street, Klerksdorp, and if you find it on Google Maps you’ll get a street view and also an overhead view.

Tomorrow and Sunday it’s the wedding, so more about that next time. This weekend +Steve celebrates the 9^th Anniversary of his consecration and then his birthday – we are going to have a braai to celebrate.

Till next time ………