January 31st: Project Jan complete

If you have been following closely I may have not always posted everything on time. But now the month is complete, and I promise I didn’t get to half the things I set out writing. I hope this helps tell some everyday stories from here though.

January was a good month. I have had to start dealing with the fact while days aren’t always easy, I love it here. That this is my life and these people and stories have made is possible for me to truly live in South Africa. I listen to traffic reports now and know where all the areas are. While my American accent is still a dead give away, I know the diversity of communities in this area better than a lot of South Africans. So while this is home and I feel strong it, I also have to prepare to take the next steps in my journey.

In less than a month I leave this place I love. Some people are saying its going to be so strange I’ll never see you again. I ask how do they know that, but for people that have never traveled away from the town they are from I understand the concept. Its far and a ticket can be half a years salary. Others look at me and say I know you will be back.

The song Hear I Am Lord has been coming up a lot and the line I have been thinking of is “I will go Lord if you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart.”

Sometimes it is a rough and beautiful thing when you realize how serious all these words are…

Central Methodist Chuch

Freddy and I went to Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg this morning. WE have all been a few times before, but to the French service because some of our students and colleagues from SHADE from DRC attend there. And it is always nice after getting used to the singing and dancing during church, then going back to more of the white traditions in church to come back to our Congolese friends.

But again on the list I had really wanted to go to the main service. Central is a pretty controversial place, because its extreme welcoming hospitality to refugees and immigrants had put tremendous stress on the resources of the church and general conditions. So different people I work with are in different camps about that. Believe me I have had to talk out protocol many a time in the last few weeks, but also how do we serve as we have been called to.

This Sunday happened to be when all of the youth society stewards were being appointed for the whole circuit. As you will see in the video the Youth wear blue and can be very strong in the leadership of what we would consider youth/young adults. Adults wear red as church uniforms in the Methodist church. (Sorry it’s a bit shaky, other clips have better songs, but I was swaying and dancing too much and don’t want you to get sick…) actually too big to upload now, but soon.

Anyway it was a wonderful service to be part of. And standing there knowing the night before the same sanctuary had been filled with sleeping people that had left their own homes and families. People on a hard journey, just needing a safe place to sleep. It’s not as simple as all that, but as you look around imagine all the people that have been in the sanctuary and for all the purposes.

And there are successes too. The school connected to Central that mainly serves Zimbabwean children, many who risk their lives traveling over borders and struggle everyday to stay in this country, many without the care of their own families, passed their international examines with over a 73% pass rate. (High for most South African school) And a 100% pass rate for subjects like English literature and Divinity. This Albert Street School has been a real inspiration to me while I have been here. I encourage you to keep it and these learners in your prayers.

Cradle of Humankind

We have lists. Yes lists of things we want to do and people we need to see before we have to leave South Africa. Rachel calls it her bucket list.

The Cradle of Humankind was on both of our lists. My mom and I had actually wanted to go when she was here, but I finally got the hint the last day she was here it was more important just to sit around talking then getting all the sites in.

So we called Lucille, fetched her in Pretoria, and headed out to Maropeng. This is a site where many fossils have been found especially of pre human primates. So I was imagining more outdoor type things etc. And we had heard about a boat ride…

Well there is another cave sight you can go to, but the museum is supposed to be very good so we opted for that. I was quickly reminded of my anthropology classes, the museum of natural history, and a fancy interactive science museum.

The boat ride was through all the four basic elements, but it was dark right before you got something, and I am sure many children come out the other end crying. I may have been a bit frightened a few times, so didn’t get the full appreciation of the development of elements.

What I was most impressed with however, was the social awareness that was evident throughout the museum. The contributions modern humans are making to speed up the next extinction phase. Sort of a where we are from, how we have developed, and the good and bad coming from it. And of course how important bi pedalism is… but also communication etc.

It was a good day for the ladies to be out and thinking…