Back in Johannesburg Part II

April 10 Wednesday- April 15 Monday

This week I had two fun things happen.  One was that Nicole, Leon's daughter was on break from school so she came to the office.  She found the Afrikaans tutoring game on my computer and we had fun playing with it.  Needless to say, she did better than I did. :)

I then got the opportunity to go to the quarterly workshop for seminary interns.  In the UCCSA the process toward ordination requires a master of divinity as well as a three year internship in a local church.  Some of the interns are paid full time positions, and some are self-supporting.  In comparison, my process required a master of divinity and a one year internship during which I received a small stipend.   Rev. Majaha is the director of the education process for the interns and the seminary students I visited at Kuruman in March, as well as leadership academy which are classes for both lay leaders as well as ongoing education for clergy.  The General Secretary Rev. Dr. Prince Dibeela and Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dibeela led the morning and afternoon sessions on congregationalism and mission and I really enjoyed it and learned alot.

Rev. Dr. Dibeela and my sister Rev. Muriel (who is involved with the committiee on the ordination process)

Interns are from all five of the countries in the UCCSA.

 More interns

 More interns

More interns


 Rev. Dr. Dibeela and Rev. Majaha

 Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dibeela

 Listening...

The other wonderful thing that happened is that I talked to the Secretary for the Namibia Synod Jimmy Heyman and an intern here at the meeting and found out that I will be traveling to Namibia tomorrow April 16 and returning on April 28.  My visa is still in the process and perhaps I will find out more when I visit, but tomorrow I get to go and see Namibia and visit the people there.  The plan is to spend a week in Kalkveld and Otjiwarango to meet the people I will serve with and see the place I will live, and another week visiting other places.  I am excited and will try to remember to take pictures to share!

Back in Johannesburg

Tuesday April 2 to April 9

The last two weeks have gone by in a blur.  There are only a few pictures for this post and the next.  

I have no pictures for the biggest adventure, that actually started before I left for Botswana, and continued this week at the Home Affairs Department, where I went to file my visa application for South Africa.  Now you may ask, "Wait, I thought you were applying for a visa for Namibia?!"  Well, you would be right.  And I am waiting on their process to be completed.  But in the meantime, I need to extend my stay in South Africa.  USA citizens can visit many countries without a visa for 90 days in a calendar year and South Africa is one of them.  My 90 days may be used up before I hear about the visa for Namibia.  The process of applying involved three Home Affairs Department offices, six trips on four different days, and two sets of paperwork for two different types of visas.  Whew!  I am gaining experience that is expanding my compassion and empathy for people who go through the immigration process in any country.  Now I just need to wait on their process to be completed.

The other adventure for this week was visiting the South Africa Synod office for a worship service involving the staff of the Synod and the denomination.  I so appreciate seeing the different offices, but especially having time to meet and worship with the people in the various parts of the church.

Waiting in the conference room

 Great food for tea!

Trip to Botswana Day 14

April 1 Monday
A day for travel from Molepolole to Gabarone where I met up with the General Secretary and his family and traveled together to Johannesburg.

But first there were goodbyes to be said.

Neo on his porch- a farmer of crops and animals (a rancher) this is a rare moment of rest between errands and chores.  I had some bean soup made from the beans he and Francesca grow.  They were the best beans ever!

Francesca and Neo - I tried to get a picture of them but they wouldn't stand still, laughing and joking together, a wonderful partnership in marriage and the farms!

Enthroned in their beautiful chairs!

Muriel wanted to try it out too!

A shy and quiet woman with a wonderful smile, the woman who works for them takes good care of their house and of me too.

Neo and Francesca's daughter, granddaughter and grandson

Muriel and I say goodbye at Trinity Congregational Church in Gabarone- but we will see each other next week in Johannesburg!

Trip to Botswana Day 12-13

Saturday March 29 and Sunday March 30 Easter

Saturday was a day of rest and a drive to Molepolole to get a bus ticket after the big night on Friday.  I also got some pictures of Ms Sheilah, Muriel's dog.  When Muriel is home Sheilah does not allow her out of her sight and if you look at some of the previous pictures you will see her sitting beside the altar in the church during worship.  She is quite the church dog.

Easter Sunday.  Some of the Women's Fellowship and Soldiers of Christ came and prayed all night on Saturday night and then went singing and praying throughout the village of Molepolole at sunrise.  There were three new visitors who came after they heard them singing in the streets.

Two of the youth- twin girls in high school Muriel asked to escort me on my first day to the church.  They told me they want to be a doctor and a lawyer and I believe they will be so I addressed them that way!

A young man and his friend.  He told me he 'heard' my sermon- a call to take the emotion, passion and drama of Holy Week and use it to change the world, to build God's kingdom on earth!

Trip to Botswana Day 11, part 3

March 28 Friday Night

Friday night was the awaited Passion play and concert.  It began with singing hymns and dancing with the Soldiers of Christ.

A handsome member of the congregation.

 .
The youth put on a wonderful concert

It was a packed house from 8 pm to 1 am!

Then the young adults gave us a concert.

There was a young evangelist and finally at 10 pm the Passion play began.  Here are a few scenes.
The Last Supper and the disciples ask- "is it me who will betray you Lord?"

The Garden of Gethsemane- Jesus goes to pray and the disciples are attacked by Satan and his demons, tempting them to fall asleep.

The chief and his two sons watch...

 As the disciples give in and Jesus prays.

 

Judas leads as the soldiers come to arrest Jesus.

Jesus before Herod.

Jesus before Pontius Pilate.