a cup of cold water
Dear Family and Friends,
It would not surprise me if this is the last day that I would be able to send something. If I return to Rorke’s Drift there will be no access. Perhaps in some other places.
This coming Sunday all of us from Watonwan are invited to participate in an ALL parish Shiyane Circuit worship. I will be preaching. They have rented a hall in Dundee, because there will be no worship space large enough. It is something they do a couple of times a year? the equilivant of everyone from Watonwan River Conference gathering for a 3 hour worship service. However, this one is to honor the visitors from America, and to celebrate our partnership. I will be preaching.
I welcome your prayers. It is amazing the texts appointed for this Sunday? Isaiah 55? something like 5-12? as the snow and rain return to the earth so my word will accomplish that which I have set out to accomplish? (my very loose paraphrase? look it up!!!)
We have all needed the down time that we’ve had here at the game reserve. God has deeply gifted us with time to share. I have never so fully understood why God uses the command of Sabbath. However, the exhausting pace we have been keeping, the Sabbath is indeed gift. I went out on one game drive and have just rested the rest of the time. There are so many people who want to talk. There are so many places to see.
Yesterday we gathered to share the deepest feelings. They ran the gamut? hope, discouragement, and everything in between. Over it all was the presence of God.
One thing that part of our group did at the end of our stay in Shiyane before coming to the game park was visit a seed store. They looked at the seed and the possibilities available for weed and insect control. They explained many things. One of the shop clerks asked Barb and Princess (the head of the partnership committee for Shiyane) what all the talk was about? she said that they were teaching them about modern methods of farming. The white woman asked why they didn’t get that help from their neighbors, and she responded, because no one has offered their help.
Some of the challenges that we have seen are unreliable water sources, some of the soil being quite sandy, and the need to adequately fence all plots so that the naimals, wild and otherwise, don’t get access to the plots. it is indeed quite a challenge!!! also, farming isn’t necessarily a great interest among the young…
an incredible asset is the eagerness of some to learn, and in those people the depth of hope despite their struggles.
Tomorrow we go to Umphumulo to a meeting of the four circuits that we have been visiting. (Shiyane, Ondini, Umvoti, and Durban) Everything
continues to be surprise. May God bless our meeting! We can but give a cup of cold water. But it is a cup of hope. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.
God bless you all.
Revkah