Catching up Part 15



February 18, 2013 Monday

Here was the surprise! We went to Sterkfontien Cave where Mrs Ples and Littlefoot were found.  This was a wonderful follow up to the trip to the Maropeng Visitor Center on Thursday.  The Visitor's Center put the cave in context. 

Our Guide at beginningof tour- the cave is out there in the veld... but those with back or heart problems or claustrophobia- stay home! 

 

Leon in the middle of the picture with members of the tour group entering cave



I wish I knew more about rocks and geology and dirt.  The cave has been dated to 200 million years??!  The humanoid fossils to 3 million years??!!  I am so fascinated by the whole concept of archeology and how they know how and where to dig.  The excavation of Littlefoot- one skeleton- 50 year's work!  And they think they might finish this spring/summer?

 

Entry to cave- glad there are lights, wish I had a flashlight!

 



While Mrs Ples was found nearer the "surface" after blasting to excavate limestone (used in gold mining), they think Littlefoot fell into a sinkhole- perhaps a 40 foot drop and died of his injuries.  Poor guy!



Little Foot's foot impression- about a woman's size 4 I'd say, but note the handy thumb.



No pictures allowed in the cave- and it was way too dark anyway- you will just have to come see it yourself!



Outside the cave- The statue is the guy who discovered Mrs Ples- if you rub his nose you get luck, if you rub his hand you get wisdom.  If you rub both you get disaster.  I chose wisdom, Leon said he was at the age where he really needed luck.  I haven't actually checked with him but I don't think either of us got our wish.  I know I am no wiser and he keeps showing up for work so he hasn't won the lottery! 

The area they were blasting for limestone when they found Mrs Ples. 

Wanted to walk the scaffolding but probably better they don't let tourists take the walk! 

This walk they do let you take and it is beautiful- Leon enjoying a nice view!

Leon and the view- the whole area is the Cradle of Humankind

I imagine this being like the crevice where Littlefoot met his unfortunate misstep, long way down and demise.

This is some of what you see inside the cave.  The layers are deposits of soil which turn into rock and show where the water receded over 200 million years!  That's one of the ways the caves were formed.  Inside there is a lake.  There were scuba divers who went in 40 km- 60 miles and one kept going to see how far the lake extended.  But he got lost and they didn't find him for weeks and by then it was too late.  They put a biodegrable die in the lake and found evidence that the lake may cover 80 km -120 miles!

Tuesday February 19, 2013

Today I went to the office and read and read and read!

Wednesday February 20, 2013

Today at 7pm I have officially been here three weeks.  I took a day off that I needed for self-care.  I went to Fatima’s salon and had a massage.  My neck and back have been really hurting so I needed it very much and it worked!  I finished the book on Namibia and started one on African Theology.  Then I went to the store and bought an apple crumb tart to share with Fatima and Nadiem at dinner to celebrate my three weeks here with them!



Catching up part 14

February 17, 2012 Sunday

Went to Founders Church with Ayana and Cheryl.


New pastor, Ayana, and Rev. Dr. Cheyl Dibeela in front of Founder's Memorial Congregational Church



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I have now had three distinctly different worship experiences in three different churches; one settlement, one suburb and one exburb (I don't know what to call it- it wasn't either city or suburban). They were in what would have formerly been under apartheid  black, white, and coloured areas. 

But when I look at people I just see shades not colors, and I am not sure if that is good or naive- probably both.  I know I will learn more and more about myself and others, and that is what it is all about.  I know I must look very "different" in most of the places I go, since I am obviously very white and a foreigner in speech and dress, but I forget, and have not felt that way.  I am also aware that I happen to have the color of skin that was privileged. 

There have been places where I felt very warmly welcomed and places where I felt like a stranger, but I attribute that to being new- and the way I have felt in most places where I am new, and not the color of my skin.  So I have to keep self-aware, observant and open to the experience and the people, one at a time, which is the only way you can truly meet people, one at a time from their perspective and life story, and it is sacred and special and an honor and privilege to do so.  And if I approach each situation that way, then people may eventually be able to meet me just as I am, not white or a US citizen, or a woman, or a pastor, or a missionary, or a stranger, just me.

I went to the Jozi Film Festival yesterday with Cheryl and Ayana and Cheryl's daughter Loreto (it means love) and boyfriend Prince. (actually one movie- Johannesburg, SA independent films).  I don't know if or where it will be distributed but it was very good.  Loboba -(may have spelled it wrong).  We enjoyed it but agreed there is hyperbole in the interest of emphasizing the point about the tradition of "bride price".  It seems to me that once upon a time it was more a show of respect, and an exchange between families of valuable things, including their children to cement the relationship between families and to support the new couple. The movie is also a commentary about relationships between blacks and Afrikaaners and prejudice and stereotypes in general. Anyway, made me laugh and cry so I thought it was good.

"Coloured" here means mixed race- though that has been used for many different "mixes," it seems to be primarily white and black, because if you were white and another ethnicity you would be lumped in with that ethnicity- Malaysians or Indians for example- it is all very confusing and seems very arbitrary which was the whole point of Apartheid- if you weren't "pure white" you got classified so you could be excluded.  It appears that South Africa is still very much in the struggle about skin color, as is the United States I might add.  Their struggle is just more recent and more compressed in time and complicated/aided by technology and global communications (we have 200 years of independence and 100 years post slavery and they have 20- and we think we have to deal with rapid change!).

We also watched the comedian Trevor Noah and I only missed a few of the more South African, Johannesburg references so I am catching on to more of what is happening here.  Cheryl and Prince's son made lunch and it was delicious!

Tomorrow Leon from the UCCSA office is going to pick me up and take me somewhere- it is a surprise.  He has been driving me to and from the office and to all the places I have been.

I go between peaceful and content to be here and exhausted and impatient with waiting.  I feel like I lost the momentum for moving and so I am a little concerned I will not be "up" for the task.  On the other hand these two weeks have allowed me to rest and decompress and get used to being in a new place without any permanent connections, and that will probably be useful for being less anxious about missing home and meeting new people and situations.  I certainly have had to learn to go with the flow and let go of having control over anything (which is an illusion anyway right?!)

In the end I came home and collapsed after a fun day. Thanks Ayana and Cheryl and Tumi and Loreto and Prince!  I did forget to drink a lot of water today and I learned my lesson!

Catching up Part 13

A quote I meant to post from a friend of mine on her Facebook page on Valentine’s Day
“I am reminded that love is not just a feeling or a sentiment. It is a pattern of behavior that benefits the well-being of another. May my actions always build, encourage and benefit others -- all too often I fall short of that mark."  Thanks Tam!

February 15, 2013 Friday
Today I read and read and read.  I read through modules of the Leadership Academy and I did one of my favorite things I explored the library.  And I got books!  In the UCCSA library I found a book on the history of Namibia, African theology and African Christology.  I am in heaven with books!
February 16, 2013 Saturday
Today I went to my first Toastmaster’s meeting!  It was hosted here at the Guesthouse and I had nothing else to do at 8:30 am!  What a wonderful group and experience.  I have always been a little intimidated by the idea but this was really fun.  Two of the people giving the speeches were new and they did a fantastic job.  I would not have wanted to follow them.  And between them and the third person speaking there was much humor and enjoyment.  That led to spending the rest of the day trying to update my blog.  For those who don’t know I have just posted a bunch.  For those who do know you know I worked my fingers to the bone today (actually I waited on the computer to load the pictures a lot). I hope this is enjoyable for those reading it, worthwhile as a project, and that I am now going to get into a habit so I don’t have to spend an entire day getting caught up! (although it still may take a week to load all the pictures to date!)   Today ( Feb 19-Tuesday I am glad I am getting closer to being caught up!)

Catching up Part 12

February 14, 2013 Thursday 

Today Leon, Ayana and I went to the Cradle of Humankind.

I realized afterwards when we were going home that there was a docent confused by us.  He asked who we were.  Probably because he is used to school groups on the weekdays or parents with children on the weekends.  But we were just three adults.  When I told him we were from a church he asked why we would come here- after all it is a museum about evolution. I told him that we were here to learn because the more we learn about the universe and everything around us, the more we get to know God.  He said that was a good answer. He said he liked it.  I am glad... I think it is the truth. 



 

Leon and Ayana learning...

It is a wonderful museum with interactive exhibits.  It repeats things in multiple media so you cannot miss the information and messages; first on rocks in the entryway, then in pictures and displays.  There is a boat ride simulating the water, ice, mist and then fire and earth and explosion of life in a tunnel with swirling stars. 

The great questions of life...

Then there are moving pictures and movies of the big bang and creation of earth from gas and water and earth and separation of the first continents. 

Then the information about life evolving into human life with fossils and reproductions of the bones and skulls they have found. 

One wall is all a message about our responsibility to the planet and to each other with facts about global climate change and use and sharing of resources of water, food, education and medical care- wealth of the planet held in few hands. 

Ayana tries Nelson Mandela's handprint on for size

Trying to get Leon to smile in front of the education display

The Important question for us all- what is your future?

Leon and I across from the question- What is OUR future?

The view of the Cradle where the evidence of the beginning of Humankind- the Cradle is found

Thanks Ayana and Leon for a fun day exploring the origins of humankind!

Catching up Part 11- Lion and Animal Park

February 11, 2013 Monday
Today might not appear exciting and there were not pictures but it was very valuable.  I spent time at the office, reading materials (I do love to read).  But even better I got to meet with Prince before he left for Washington DC and talk about my support from the Kalkveld church in connecting the people to the UCCSA, the Synod, and Global Ministries in prayer, celebration, newsletters, etc.  We also signed the agreement!  Now I just need to go to Namibia and get it signed there and send it back to Global Ministries.  One small step...  But then there is tomorrow and...

Kristine Tisinger and lion!

February 12, 2013 Tuesday
Today I got to meet another one of our Global Ministries Interns/Missionaries.  Kristine Tisinger and I went to the Lion and Rhino park today! 

A very self-possessed, comfortable guy, but then the lions are on the other side of the park!

We got to share about our journeys and I got to hear about her work at the Theological Education by Extension College.  It sounds like very fulfilling work helping people to access education and materials to learn and grow in many areas and levels of education, including but not limited to theology and ministry. 

We couldn't decide what he/she was eating that was so good- salt?. 

But I think  he/she decided to try to scare us off so there was no sharing.

We saw some incredible animals (my favorite hippos), and petted 6 month old tiger cubs and a 10 year old cheetah named Eddie.  The momma hippo was not pleased to see us and I was not fast enough with the camera.  Then while she glared at us, baby bobbed up and down next to her.  We finished our day with some authentic African vegetarian dishes at Moya’s near the zoo.  A very nicely decorated place and the food was delicious.  Thanks for the wonderful day Kristine!

This guy was sleeping in the road when we first saw him and wasn't that thrilled to be disturbed but sure posed nice!

This guy is tall- came up to my elbow.  I wanted to take his picture but then he started following me, and I got a little concerned when Krisine said- they bite, HARD.

 

This is Eddie the 10 year old cheetah

He let me pet him but I didn't get a picture.  I wish I could have recorded him- he purrs LOUD!

Saw lots of different kids of antelope.

This white lion was not at all disturbed by us.

But he did keep an eye on us.

An African lion- When you are at the top of the food chain you can nap anywhere, anytime!

6 moth old tiger cubs

So cute!

Completely asleep!

My hand barely covered the paw.  These are gonna be REALLY big cats.

Momma and baby- now you see baby.

Now you don't

Baby giraffes oly 6 feet tall

Baby cheetahs- king of the hill

A pack of wild dogs

Up close

Too close!

I love these beautiful ears!

February 13, 2013  Wednesday

Back to the Apartheid Museum today.  This time I didn’t get diverted into the temporary exhibit on Nelson Mandela, but neither did I finish the museum.  In fact I got only about 2/3 through.  There is so much to see, so much to learn…  I did look more closely to see where the church was and was not involved.  I finished Bernard Spong’s book and now I want to go back and finish the museum to learn more about and see what is in the museum about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There is so much to learn…