Catching up Part 26

March 6, Wednesday

Today started with preaching and communion in the chapel, another wonderful class and more hard work in the garden.

Some of the students singing and dancing in the chapel.

These pictures are very dark unfortunately but are of the students dressed for communion service in the chapel.

Johanna studying

Heard that I might go back on Friday with Rev. Majaha if he is able to come on Thursday.

Catching up Part 25

March 5, Tuesday

Had another good class today.  But my pictures focus on the garden, the garden workers and various stages of garden work.  I got an idea for writing assignment- have the students write a sermon in their own language then have another read it. “Sermon:  Why pulling weeds in Mary Moffet’s garden is a mission and I am a missionary. “  250 words or less.  I tried to open my email but to no avail... hope nothing urgent has come up.  Was invited to be the guest preacher in chapel tomorrow and celebrate communion.  So I have "homework" too!  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Rev. Kuzani Ndebele, director at Moffaat Mission harvesting the old field.

Rev. Ndebele and Kennedy

I am pretty sure that texting won't move the shovel or the wheelbarrow!

I

HARD work in the heat.  Then there was a night storm that cooled everything off- but the lightning and thunder woke me and I realized they had been simultaneous- close!  That is one thing that SA really does BIG!  Lightning and thunder.  I understand it is because of all the gold in the ground.

Catching up Part 24

March 4, Monday

Chapel at 8 and then we had class today.  What an amazing group of students!  I showed them pictures of the World Parliament of Religions in Barcelona, Spain and they seemed to appreciate the interfaith experience.  I have a big job learning their names.  They are from four of the five countries of the United Congregational Church of South Africa, in years 1-3 of their studies.  I hope I got their names correct, blame it on the blonde/grey hair.

Leon (SA), Tsepo (SA), Lotes (Mozambique), Nteo (SA), and Siphilangenkosi (Pillar, Zimbabwe)

Lorato (SA), Sthobuhle (Buhle Zimbabwe), Emma (SA), Rolter (Zimbabwe) and Michael (SA)

Johanna (SA), Mighty (SA), Ivan (Botswana) and Matlhogonolo (Mat, Botswana)
These are pictures of the students in action- working together.

Johanna, Michael, Sboniso (SA)

Lorato, Rolter, Mat

Tspeo, Lotes, Pillar

Buhle and Nteo

Buhle, Nteo, Mighty

Ivan, Mat, Emma

We had a lunch break and I worked on pictures for tomorrow, then we went to work in the Mary Moffat Garden from 4-5:30 and boy it was hard and hot.  There are lots of weeds to pull and both sandy and rocky soil.  I wrote a funny "parable" about it.

Disciples were called to tend the garden.  A strange woman came late to help, but the disciples were not there.  Later, some disciples came, but sat talking, waiting for others to bring tools.  Other disciples soon came with tools, and some disciples began working, but others stood and talked.  As the sun beat down and the work was hot, some disciples began to complain.  They especially complained about the disciples who had not yet arrived to work.  When the latecomers arrived, the disciples teased them.  But some of them began working in earnest to catch up on their work.  Others leaned on their hoes and watched.  I ask you, who amongst these will inherit the kingdom, by that I mean be rewarded by eating the vegetables that are grown?! LOL

Afterwards we went to chapel and I felt like I was part of the community and that was very good for me.  Some of the students told me they appreciated the class and me participating in working in the garden and "getting my hands dirty," doing mission work!  With all the exercise I was really tired and by 9 could not keep my eyes open.  And I was really glad I had taken a walk to stretch after working in the garden so I wasn't too sore to sleep!