But wait! When you and I (North Americans) think of a seminar, we almost all think about it in our North American way (sorry non-North Americans reading this, this may not be the case for you!) Name tags, refreshment between sessions like tea and coffee or maybe some bananas and apples, goody bags with notebooks and candies, collective lunches, schedules printed on pretty paper and free pen (seriously tho, there are always free pen),... The list goes on!!!! Ok, now get that picture out of your mind and let me welcome you to South Africa, 2013.
On August 9th, Mike had a chance to teach at his first South African pastor’s seminar in the township of Gugulethu. Bishop Lucas invited him and Terry (Hope Africa director) to come and teach to about 120 church leaders from the provinces of the Western & Eastern Cape. This was a 4 day seminar so it was worth the trip. Bishop Lucas is something else: He has planted 40 churches in these 2 provinces and used to preach up to 15 times a week and he is only in his mid 50's (or so we're guessing)! He is not part of any conference and he has discipled all of his pastors personally. Talk about hard work and dedication to the work of the Lord.
At this time, Bishop Lucas is looking for ways to partner with Hope Africa to offer training for the pastors and leaders of his churches, as well as for some of the his younger people in his churches to go through the program EPIC (Equipping People in Christ), a one month intensive Bible School that Hope Africa offers, to those interested in going deeper in their faith. A few people from our staff are actually from one of his church and have come to us through EPIC. We are still exploring this partnership and it is very exciting.
Funny thing is Mike had to get a suit, tie and new shoes (apparently his running shoes were not nice enough for the occasion). Pastors here really "do it up" and the girls from staff told him to go shopping. I've been telling him this for years without success. I must remember to ask them for help more often. He seriously might have looked better on that day than on our wedding day, or maybe I have grown to love him more??? Either way, he definitely looked the part!!!
Mike felt supported by all who prayed back home and well from all the "Amens," "Hms & Ahs," and "Hallelujahs," during his teaching time. He will be expecting this when we come back to Niverville, just heads up. Things went really well, despite having to cut his material in half "on the spot" as he didn't know he would have to speak through a translator. He spoke on faithfulness from the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, teaching that God is always faithful, God never promises to remove hardship (but he will not leave us or forsake us). He explained that faithfulness and success are not the same thing, and how to cultivate faithfulness in our lives and ministries. There was lots of passionate singing and worshiping, and the presence of God was very real as you can see in this video!!!
So as you can see, this is a whole different seminar than what we picture! Talking about picture, I don't feel I need any for this blog with this video. It is the next best thing if you can't be there. The Bishop and his wife sit in the middle of the stage, which is not something we are used to. And I don't know the story behind all the matching outfits, but we don't have that at "our" seminars. All the women at the seminar are the pastor's wives who have come together with their husbands... to sit on the other side of them :)
After Mike was finished speaking (and had lost all his voice from YELLING his sermon African-style), the Bishop shared how he had not talked with Mike or Terry at all about what material to cover or talk about during their session, but what Mike had taught was right on the mark for what God has been teaching and leading them through this week. The power of the Holy Spirit I tell you!
An elderly lady was asked to close in prayer, and she shared how for the first time in her life, she was blessed to see white people and black people coming together for the same purpose. Halleluiah, God is breaking down walls of discrimination all around us. How beautiful to be able to worship the same God together! She was was probably 55 years old, and I believe that God did a little work of healing across racial lines and in her heart. Amazing.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 3, 2013
July can fly
If July could fly... wait, I'm sure it did!!! How else do you explain that it's gone. Over. Extinguished. Sigh. I'm loosing grasp of time.
I hope this summer is treating you well and I'm pretty honored you are stepping out of the sun to read this blog post. It's better for your skin anyway, so you can thank me later. We were having a pretty mild winter by South African standards here, until I must have done something unforgivable and mother nature literally started testing me (until I rebuked it African-style and it has been behaving again). I was in full survival mode for a while and a girl can drink only so much tea.
There are often people who walk up to our house to ask if we need anything thing done, if they can wash our car, etc. There are many people, including children, begging in the streets. It's hard knowing that we cannot help everyone.
Garbage day
Garbage day for us means treasure hunt for others. We bring our rubbish bin (I can't get enough of that word) to the end of the road and people walk around with stolen shopping carts and begin to dig through our trash in search for food and or any "treasures". I have since learned to put the nappies (diapers) in CLEAR bags so they don't have to touch those or smell them too much. I try to put some muffins on top in the garbage for whoever opens it first. It breaks my heart.
(photo property Ralph Higgo - Cape Town)
Backing up is a "challenge"
People are really desperate for work and I believe this is how this job was create. You park you car, go shopping and when you return, the car guards run to you to help you out with anything, hoping to get a tip. They "guard" your car while you shop, help you park it, and direct you out as you back up. We're learning to carry change on us to tip all those people who help us, whether or not we need it. Can you imagine Mike requiring assistance to back up a car??? Thankfully for him, I realized that if you tip the person BEFORE getting in the car, they quickly go to the next car and you can freely back up at your own risk ;) I on the other hand, gladly welcome any help I can get with this silly driving on the left side thing. Sadly card guards have been banned in some areas and thus taking away jobs for people who really need it.
Cleaning with cow dung
Yes, with cow poop. In the country side and other place in Africa (and the world), people clean with cow manure. And cook with it too. But clean? That's the part I struggle with. It sounds like an oxymoron... Clean with poop. They even like the smell (yes I had to ask for clarity...). I admit I had a hard time eating my food while having THIS conversation.
Markets
South Africa is big into market. There is probably a different market everyday!!! It surely helps to get cheap goods (some goods were found in your neighbor's garbage)!!! We have been able to get our produce pretty much all at markets and are enjoying getting to try different food. At some market, you can purchase random expired goods that are clearly exported from North America or Europe, like deodorant, shavers, vitamins, feminine products, ... It's quite something!! There are also a lot of hand made things and crafts from all over Africa. I like to support local business whenever I can and markets are fantastic for that.
I hope this summer is treating you well and I'm pretty honored you are stepping out of the sun to read this blog post. It's better for your skin anyway, so you can thank me later. We were having a pretty mild winter by South African standards here, until I must have done something unforgivable and mother nature literally started testing me (until I rebuked it African-style and it has been behaving again). I was in full survival mode for a while and a girl can drink only so much tea.
Luckly for her, little sister Charlene flew away to Manitoba for 5 weeks on July 21... just on time to not get punished by mother nature and to skip my birthday!!! What is it with relatives and knowing they will get away with this kind of stuff??? Seriously tho, it has been great having her here and introducing us to
people, and just catching up with her and learning more about the ministry she has been doing here for the last year. It is also a great comforting feeling
to be together with her here!! She even introduced us to her version of Christmas in July. So fun!!
House
We love our house here and my favorite thing is that it has a bigger dinning room than our house in Niverville, and we have had people over more than ever before!!
The challenge for me is getting used to a smaller fridge while feeding multitudes :)
I'm also very thankful to have my favorite helper becoming a brilliant chef with his magic pink apron:
Pray we find something similar as we only have this place for 3 months, and it’s been so good to host people!!! We have been looking at a few other places, but have not secured anything yet. Keep praying would you?
Jobs
One thing that we have learned since coming here is that people travel
great length to get to work. Can you imagine traveling 2 hours one way
on the public train, bus or taxi to earn less than how much many of us in Canada earn in one or two hour? Yet these
people are so willing and grateful for the chance to work. With such
high rates of unemployment in this country, anyone can afford to pay their workers so
little because there will always be someone willing to do the job. | |
| Christmas in July |
House
We love our house here and my favorite thing is that it has a bigger dinning room than our house in Niverville, and we have had people over more than ever before!!
 | |
| Hope Africa staff |
The challenge for me is getting used to a smaller fridge while feeding multitudes :)
I'm also very thankful to have my favorite helper becoming a brilliant chef with his magic pink apron:
 | |
| Making pizza |
Pray we find something similar as we only have this place for 3 months, and it’s been so good to host people!!! We have been looking at a few other places, but have not secured anything yet. Keep praying would you?
Jobs
There are often people who walk up to our house to ask if we need anything thing done, if they can wash our car, etc. There are many people, including children, begging in the streets. It's hard knowing that we cannot help everyone.
Garbage day
Garbage day for us means treasure hunt for others. We bring our rubbish bin (I can't get enough of that word) to the end of the road and people walk around with stolen shopping carts and begin to dig through our trash in search for food and or any "treasures". I have since learned to put the nappies (diapers) in CLEAR bags so they don't have to touch those or smell them too much. I try to put some muffins on top in the garbage for whoever opens it first. It breaks my heart.
(photo property Ralph Higgo - Cape Town)
Backing up is a "challenge"
People are really desperate for work and I believe this is how this job was create. You park you car, go shopping and when you return, the car guards run to you to help you out with anything, hoping to get a tip. They "guard" your car while you shop, help you park it, and direct you out as you back up. We're learning to carry change on us to tip all those people who help us, whether or not we need it. Can you imagine Mike requiring assistance to back up a car??? Thankfully for him, I realized that if you tip the person BEFORE getting in the car, they quickly go to the next car and you can freely back up at your own risk ;) I on the other hand, gladly welcome any help I can get with this silly driving on the left side thing. Sadly card guards have been banned in some areas and thus taking away jobs for people who really need it.
Cleaning with cow dung
Yes, with cow poop. In the country side and other place in Africa (and the world), people clean with cow manure. And cook with it too. But clean? That's the part I struggle with. It sounds like an oxymoron... Clean with poop. They even like the smell (yes I had to ask for clarity...). I admit I had a hard time eating my food while having THIS conversation.
Markets
South Africa is big into market. There is probably a different market everyday!!! It surely helps to get cheap goods (some goods were found in your neighbor's garbage)!!! We have been able to get our produce pretty much all at markets and are enjoying getting to try different food. At some market, you can purchase random expired goods that are clearly exported from North America or Europe, like deodorant, shavers, vitamins, feminine products, ... It's quite something!! There are also a lot of hand made things and crafts from all over Africa. I like to support local business whenever I can and markets are fantastic for that.
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