Caught up finally

Monday March 11- Sunday March 17

This was a week of office work, paper work and preparation.

On Monday I found out that it does not appear that my visa for Namibia can be expedited. I have submitted everything needed so now we just have to wait for the processing.

So I began the process of finding out whether I will need an extension on my visitor visa in South Africa and finding out where I can get my inoculation boosters.  I also found out that I may be traveling to Botswana with the staff for the Executive Board meeting.  Rev. Dibeela has invited me to lead the Bible study three days, and has also arranged for me to visit and stay with a colleague in Molepolole for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter.

On Wednesday I went to dinner at the home of Leon, Nolene, Nicole and, Magdelena and then went to a Lenten service with Nolene.  I did research the research I needed to do on Botswana- weather, inoculations, visa requirements.  No visa requirement for a short visit, and I will need to take my antimalarial medication.

On Thursday I read and did some preparations for the Bible study and for a women's conference in Botswana.  I also pulled together paperwork to apply for a extension to my visitor's visa for South Africa.

On Friday I made my first trip to the South Africa Home Affairs Department and found out all the paperwork I had prepared was not the paperwork I needed.  So I went back to the office to prepare more paperwork.  Then I went to the doctor for an inoculation. I had dinner with Nadiem and Fatima- a meter long sandwich- Jimmy’s Gatsby with roll, fish/shrimp, chips (french-fries on top with sauce- mustard, thousand island dressing, very good.

On Saturday I made my second trip to the South Africa Home Affairs Department- although they are open on Saturday, they are not open for visa applications, so - no luck.  Will have to apply when I return from Botswana.  Then I came home and read for the Bible study and women's conference, but mostly worked on getting caught up on this blog.

On Sunday- a little under the weather, nothing serious but I didn't go to church this morning.  Instead I am finishing up all these postings and will then be packing and working on women's conference and Bible study.

On Monday with any luck we will be on the way to Botswana sometime after 5 am with Leon, Ayana and Monalisa, driving 6 hours or so.  Will be there for the executive board meeting Tuesday to Thursday.  On Friday the plan is for me to go with Rev. Muriel to her church for Palm Sunday, Holy week and Easter in Molepolole.

Don't know if I will be able to access the internet there, so I may come back behind again, but with many pictures hopefully.

No pictures to take this week.  But here is a favorite from the Lion and Rhino park with me, Kristine and Eddie the 10 year old cheetah.  He was originally more interested in the kibble truck, but when he realized dinner was not imminent he decided being petted was the next best thing.  Thanks Kristine for the journey, the picture, and Eddie for letting me pet you!

Catching up Part 29

March 9, Saturday

Walked early – very cool this morning and took pictures of the entrance.

Moving day for the students and they are supposed to clean inside houses and to clear the weeds around the houses so there are no critters in the house or around it (especially snakes).

A group came in to stay at the mission so the students moved their lunch from the dining room to an outdoor picnic.

The students gave me some words to learn:
Peace- kgotso (Sesotho), vrede (Afrikaans), kagiso (Setswana), Paz (Portuguese), xolo (Xhosa and Zulu), ukuthula (Ndebele).
Please- kea kopa and ka kopo (Sesotho), asseblief (Afrikaans), tsweeswee (Setswana), Por Favor (Portuguese), ndiyacela (Xhosa) ngiyacela (Zulu and Ndebele)
Thank you- kea leboha (Sesotho), dankie (Afrikaans), kea leboga (Setswana), obrigado (Portuguese), enkosi (Xhosa), ngiyabonga (Zulu and Ndebele)
Greeting-dumelang (Sesotho and Setswana), hello, more or goeie middag (Afrikaans), ola' (Portuguese), mholo kunjani (Xhosa), sawubona (Zulu), salibonani (Ndebele).

Sunday March 10
We set off for the Soldiers of Christ meeting and worship later at Wrenchville Congregational Church.

Here are some of the students in front of the white house.

The Soldiers of Christ 15th Anniversary meeting of the Twanee Region.

Rev. Kuzani Ndebele with the children and a children's sermon at Wrenchville Congregational Church.

And preaching.

I was sorry to leave and will miss the students.  I headed back on the double decker bus and a different room at Sooffah Guesthouse but glad to get back.

Catching up Part 28

March 8, Friday

Amina, the bookstore manager preached today and it was very good.  She is a kind and gentle soul with a deep faith.  She stopped me to say goodbye and I made sure I got a picture with her.

Today the students were told they would be moving- all the women will move to the house I am in- when I vacate the room.  The third year men to Simon’s cottage, the first and second year men to the space the women are in in the White House.  Then the rest of the house will be filled with people from the mines.

Today was the last class.  Loreto presented on his experience as an Ecumenical Accompaniment partner in Israel and Palestine.  I asked them for words (peace, thank you, please, greeting) and gave them lollipops- to leave them with a "sweet taste in their mouths"- very popular.

 

In the evening the students cooked the meal and we were dancing afterwards.  They try to have a community cultural evening and share traditions.  They showed us some kids dances with songs and motions and I showed them the US traditional dance- the hokey pokey. We all laughed and had some fun.  They gave me a card everyone signed.

Catching up Part 27

March 7, Thursday
Another great class. 

Then I went to Kuruman with Johanna on a taxi.  I later discovered my feet were very sore from walking and working in the garden- and that I had bruised my toe using it on the spade instead of my whole foot.  Worked in the garden one more time.

Michael and Lotes transporting the shovels in the wheelbarrow.

Waiting for the key.

Opening the gate.

Climbing through the fence.

Precious (Botswana) tending the garden.

This is how good they are-working standing on their heads!

I then was visited by the Mayor of Kuruman, Esther who is also a UCCSA Executive Board member.  She and I and Johanna and Pillar had dinner.  Thanks ladies for a very nice evening.

Rev. Ndebele stopped by to say hello.

Learned Rev. Majaha’s father is ill and he will go to Zim (Zimbabwe) and not come here, so I will get to take the bus or drive with Kennedy on Saturday or Sunday.