Catch up - poor internet connections

An evening of contrasts

I am now in Zeerust, or more correctly Marico, in the north of the Diocese, near mountains, and the internet signal is weak. Before I left Lichtenburg this morning we had 5 minutes of rain – not nearly enough, but at least a promise of what might come. The journey was straight forward and after lunch I sat in the warm sunshine and chatted with the Revd Clifford Letlonkane, whom I first met on his ordination retreat in 2014. Marico is like a township, but is actually for farmers who have come to live in the town. The houses are similar to those in the townships, as is the way of life.

About 5 we set off to pay a visit to a family whose 40 year old son died on Friday. As we arrived I realised that I had visited this hoe in 2014 with Archdeacon Sam and been treated to a lovely lunch. Some of them remembered me, but I only remembered the house. We walked through the family home to the parent’s bedroom, where the base of the bed had been removed and the mattress was on the floor. Tucked up in bed were two women, the mother and her sister. Had the mother’s mother still been alive it would have been her duty to stay with her daughter in the bed. The mother is allowed up – and out - for dealing with the bank and funeral directors, but otherwise she stays put till the day of the funeral. The same applies if it’s a husband that has died. She is supported by the women of the family, from church and friends. If it’s a wife, the husband is expected to stay around the house with other men. Each evening a different group turns up about 6pm - tonight it was the Lay Ministers - to ‘say’ Evening Prayer. I write ‘say’ because the psalm was sung and there were many powerful choruses interspersed in the service. There was a sermon, and an add-on – both of which were ‘forcefully proclaimed’ to those of us in the bedroom. Of course it was all in Setswana, but I understood Ps 23 and Romans 8, the Apostles Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Grace, so I just mentally tagged along. When it was over there were refreshments for everyone. Fr Clifford told me that he found the restraint shown by the white community at such times hard to understand. “You would hardly think there was funeral taking place,” was his comment.

Back at the Rectory, we got out of the car and I was hit by the serenity of the place. It was cool; there was a smell of wood smoke in the air; the cicadas were chirping; a newish crescent moon shone and we could see myriads of stars in the sky. I could have stood for a very long time just drinking it all in. Magical – and in the truest sense of the word, awesome.

Tomorrow we begin our tour of the area. I can’t wait to get started!

 

Internet access failed last night so tomorrow is now today, and we have had a good day. We visited a possible venue for the clergy retreat later this year, and I realised that I had been there before for a Family Day – only this time we saw wildebeest, zebra and bok as we drove around. I was surprised to see that much of the rock seemed to be slate – but mostly red and brown in colour. There were moments of stillness when you could hear the wind in the trees, birds singing, insects humming and very little else.

Then it was off to the township of Lehurutshe, to see the chapelry church (an outstation / daughter church of a parish) which is under-going renovation, visit some sick parishioners – a 16 year old with asthma, who is on constant oxygen and needs a lung transplant, a 13 year old with brain damage, and a middle aged man badly injured in a car accident some months ago. Eventually we were entertained to lunch in the home of an MU member. If I thought the water shortage was bad in Lichtenburg, it was even worse here. They have water for one day, and then there is no water for 3 days – and the four day cycle just repeats! They assured me that you do get used to it. Here in Zeerust there is no problem and we have a constant water supply - so far!

Now I’ll try to post this before the evening sets in and too many people try to get access!

Friday 6th - Monday 9th May

It’s been a busy few days. Friday was quite quiet as Jacques and I were both suffering from an ‘Autumn cold’. Thankfully by Saturday morning I had recovered enough to do the training with a rather rough voice, and without a constant stream of tissues! About 16 priests came, one or two I had not expected. They have been ordained for more than 10 years, but are ‘slow learners’. We began with Morning Prayer and then had breakfast – an evil smelling ‘sour porridge’ and cheese and ham sandwiches. Some had had to travel long distances. One left home at 6am in order to be sure to arrive for 10. We then worked hard till 1.30pm, looking firstly at our call to ‘BE’ priests and how that is supported by a Rule of Life, and then at problems priests face today. We ended our time with lunch. The day seemed to go well and, they had all engaged with the process, even if they found some things hard to understand at first.



Sunday morning I was up really early because I had to drive to Tigane for the 8am service. It did not begin well when I set off on the wrong road and had to turn back and start again. But I got there in plenty of time, aided by a server who was walking to church and whom I stopped to ask directions. It was Mothers’ Day – a separate occasion from Mothering Sunday – and the church was decorated accordingly. Some decorations fell during the service, narrowly missing the candles carried by the servers!  

Central decoration on the altar frontal

  Afterwards I was able to distribute some of the jumpers I had brought, but sadly about half of the children were too big for them. The smaller ones will be taken to other outlets with connections to St Luke’s. The congregation is served by Canon Tom Mafora, a retired priest, who has worked hard to grow the congregation. Now they have to working hard to extend their building, and so are busy fund raising. Boxes of cakes were on sale, with a Happy Mothers’ Day sticker on the lid.

 

After the service I drove on to Lichtenberg, where I am staying with the Revd Elizabeth Amir in her small house on the location (township) of Blydeville. She calls it an old lady’s house. It is tiny but has large furniture. The only supply of hot water is from the kettle. There is a modern but small bathroom, but no water to the sink tap, and only a cold water tap for the bath. I dare not think about how many extensions are run off one power point. But the welcome is warm and genuine. Today we have been out and about in the area, visiting the half built church for Blydeville, a lady whose birthday it was yesterday, and Isaac Rapakeng, whose wedding I went to last week. We had an evening meal with Elizabeth’s daughter who lives nearby, but in a much larger, modern house.

Lichtenberg is served by two reservoirs, both of which are nearly dry. Every day between 12 noon and about 5pm the water is switched off in both the town and surrounding townships, and so people have large containers of water standing around in their kitchens to enable life to continue. I have also seen field after field of dried up crops, wasting away, both maize and sunflower. The drought is biting hard.

Tomorrow I travel north to Zeerust – and new adventures and experiences. Pray for rain for all the drought affected areas of southern Africa; for those who attended the training that they may be faithful priests; those who don’t enjoy what we think of as the basic necessities of living; and the young people seeking solace in alcohol and hard drugs.

Thursday 5th May

 
This was the day the busy-ness started! Most days the Bishop and I say Morning Prayer together in his chapel after he has taken the children to school and work begins. Thursday, Ascension Day, was no exception.

After breakfast I headed off to Jouberton to Boitumelo School, with Fr Paul Letlala, rector of Jouberton. Founded in 1939, it was originally an Intermediate School but is now a Primary and intermediate School. It was visited by last year’s Sunday School Teachers’ Training team, and Codsall First School have set up a link with it. I was asked to bring out some photos, information papers and a donation of money, which I duly handed over to the Head Teacher – the first woman head of the school – Lydia Moiloa, who is also church warden at Holy Family Church, Jouberton.

Lydia took us on a tour of the Grade R and Grade 1 classes, and I was able to take photos to pass on to Codsall School. As we toured there was a smell of food being cooked, which is financed by the authorities. But any refurbishment of the buildings has to be financed by fundraising at the school. The education authority provides one exercise book per child, and if they run out, or the book is filled then further books have to be paid for by the families. It seemed to be a happy place, and I was put to the test when I had to read out the months of the year as displayed on one classroom wall!

Later in the day I travelled to Potchefstroom (Potch) to stay the night with my friends Peter and Ritha Menyatso, members of the Cathedral congregation. Ritha has been teaching in Ikageng, but is awaiting the papers for her new post, teaching Setswana through the medium of Afrikaans to Primary children in a school near their home. Different!

I’ve managed to get a nasty head cold, and went to the pharmacist. The best she could offer was Sudafed, which is a Class 2 drug here. Before I could buy it I had to be registered – they needed my name and date of birth – and a proper chemist’s label was attached to the box. This was then put in a little wire basket and sealed for me to take to the checkout to pay for. How much easier to pick up a packet in Tesco! My surprise was met with “Welcome to South Africa!” I hoping my throat will be OK for Saturday.

Later today – Friday – I’m going to stay with Fr Jacques Pieterse and his family to catch up, and then tomorrow we are off to Khuma for the POT training. Next week the Bishop has arranged for me to travel around the northern part of the Diocese, getting back to Klerksdorp the day before I fly home. I’ll write when I can, and internet access allows.

One week in .....

… and I’m beginning to get used to the temperatures. The mornings and evenings are cold – for the first time I am sleeping under the quilt. There has just been one night when I had to throw it off. Washing takes so much longer to dry too. Today I’ve even worn a cardigan. I’m thinking of taking my fleece when I start to travel. That said, by lunch time it is quite hot and today I had a swim and then a sit in the sun.

Tomorrow morning I am delivering some papers and a cash donation to Jouberton Primary School, with whom St Nicholas’ First School in Codsall are trying to make link, following last year’s visit by those who came to do Sunday School teachers’ training. Then I’m off on my travels around the Diocese, only touching base here at 46 Monica Ave for one night. What internet access will be in the more remote areas I don’t know. At least the Bishop was only teasing when he said there wouldn’t be electricity! He’s told me that if I get homesick I can always come back here anytime. Me? Homesick? Those two words don’t go together! But it is nice to know that he sees this as my home here.

Saturday I am leading a post-ordination training for those in the first 10 years of Orders. I have had no end of trouble with making the PowerPoint, but at the third go it worked. Sunday I shall be at Tigane, and delivering the 75 knitted jumpers that filled my bags on the journey here. Hopefully I’ll get some photos. They are just in time for the cold weather. Then it’s off up north.

Prayers please for Saturday, a sermon on Sunday and safe travelling, especially as my wonderful map book is still in a box somewhere after the move to the new Diocesan Centre, and we can’t find it!

Wedding - Day One and Two

Wedding Day One – the Bride’s home

The invitation said ’10.00’. The Bishop and I arrived in Kimberley at 9.50 to find the church in the township shut. At 9.55 the church was opened: 10 45 the Groom and Best Man appeared, and at 11.00 the revving of motor bikes and the blaring of car horns heralded the arrival of the Bride, Best Woman and Bridesmaids. At last we were underway!

Many parts of the service were very familiar – and some not! The bride entered to the singing and dancing of the family and friends, all hymns were ad hoc and the exit of bride and groom were equally informal. The Bishop’s short sermon was over half an hour – “I do get carried away” was his comment. The rings were presented on a cushion, along with 2 gold watches. When the time came for the groom to kiss the bride, she was very coy and he very eager! The whole thing was in the context of a Eucharist and at the time for the Peace a man appeared in tribal dress and addressed the bride and groom. He is the keeper of family history, and used words of Scripture and hymns to encourage them.

 

I was interested in the register forms. Every copy had to have a photo of the bride and the groom, and just for belt and braces, a left hand thumb print! Wet wipes to the fore!

After the service there was a procession of cars to the bride’s family home – horns blaring and drivers weaving their way back and forth across the whole width of the road. At the house an elder of the bride’s family led a procession on foot around and into the house.

 

Then it was time for photos and another hair-raising ride to the Big Hole, the largest man made hole on earth, a consequence of diamond mining, with lots of tourist exhibits all around. Photos over, it was off to the reception, which began with a whole series of speeches, and I was expected to make one. At the end the bride threw some flowers for any single lady to catch, and then the groom removed the bride’s garter and threw that for the single men to catch. There were cheers when a rather short man caught it, having been lifted aloft by his friends. He then proceeded to wear it round his head for the rest of the evening! About 5pm the bridal party went off to change into traditional dress for the evening and the rest of us at last had something to eat! The partying went on late, but we left about 5.30 and got home around 9pm.

 

Day Two – the Groom’s home

The invitation said 11.00, and I had to find my way to the house in Tshing (pronounced Ching), the township of Ventersdorp, a daunting prospect. A white woman, on her own, driving around the streets obviously not knowing where she is going, brings many suspicious stares. When I asked for directions to the address I was met with blank faces, but mention ‘the wedding’ and people knew where it was. The bride and groom eventually turned up at 1pm. They danced their way down the street and the bride was welcomed by female members brushing the road in front of them and a man wielding an axe. According to +Steve, it‘s their equivalent of throwing confetti!

They hadn’t been there long when we all set off for a different house so that they could change into their traditional dress and then go to a beauty spot for photos. By 3pm we had returned to the Rapakeng home for the speeches and eventually the meal. It seemed that many of the township people had turned out, all expecting to be fed. Indeed many of them were eating while we were still listening to the speeches!

I came away feeling grateful for the very warm welcome I had received on both days. I was the only white person there on either day, but introducing myself as the woman Isaac calls his ‘mother from the north’ brought looks of recognition. It was good to assist +Steve at the Eucharist by reading the Gospel and administering the chalice. What a privilege to have been invited.

 

 

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 ………

For all that has been - thanks!

It’s Monday 26^th: the case is packed: and it’s time to come home. As always I’m loath to leave, but since Saturday morning, when I returned the car, there’s been a strong sense that my window of opportunity is now closed.

 

 

 

Thursday last week I went to Kanana for the day and met with MU, and joined in their service. The rector, the Revd Pule Lekoko and I left to do a couple of short visits. At the first the 85 year old lady insisted on giving me R6 – about 30p – to buy some sweets. It’s very humbling when that happens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the workers at the Centre



 

Then we went to see a project that helps HIV/AIDS sufferers, orphans and vulnerable young people and elderly people. It was started by Canon Rebecca Maphitikazi when she was rector, and is currently part funded by the Province. Links with the parish had deteriorated, but Fr Pule is keen to rebuild them. Then it was back to the church for lunch with the MU.

 

 

 

 

 

The rest of Thursday and Friday were taken up formatting 2 services for +Steve. The first proved especially difficult as there was no English version and I had no idea what was instruction, prayer said by one person and prayer said by everyone. I took most of the week to do! For the second there was an English version and was much simpler.

The four Archdeacons

Lesley and John arrived Thursday evening, and after a quick cool drink were whisked off south for a couple of days. They returned for the service on Sunday, which began on time at 08.00: I think they’d had to leave at 05.00!! There were special 25^th Anniversary stoles, which the  clergy had to buy, but Lesley and I were given them as a gift. The huge hall filled over the next hour until it was standing room only. As I was about to read the gospel I got a mouth full of incense and only a squawk came out instead of the greeting. I quickly recovered and was reading without a microphone, till one suddenly appeared over my shoulder and everyone was deafened!

 

 

Lesley’s sermon looked back and on into the future, echoing the words on the celebration cake: “For all that has been – thanks! To all that will be – Amen!” The singing, as always, was brilliant, and the service finished at 12noon, the shortest Family Day service ever. But we had to get out to let the army in – there had been a mix-up with the bookings.

 

 

After the service there was a very quick reunion for Fr Guma, Mpho, Pulane and myself -  they had visited St James in 2004. The majority of people then went to the local recreation ground / park, found a space and set up their barbecues. A good time was had by all – and a real celebration of the first 25 years.

So I sign off with my thanks to everyone who has read this and kept me in their prayers; to those who have written to me, helping to keep my feet in the UK: to those who have kept St James the Great, Clayton running in my absence: to + Steve and his family who have been my family here: and because the last shall be first, to “Morena wa rona, Jesu Kreste” who opened a window of opportunity and gave me the graces I needed to do his work here”.