2008 Trip to South Africa Blog

Dear Family and friends,

This may be a quickie. I’m waiting to leave from a place. I’ve spent
quite a bit of time this morning teaching email? so now I’ve a couple
of minutes.

Each day has been so different.
On Monday we spent about 9 hours in church? an awesome worship
followed by a meal and a meeting that brought together the circuit
council and the partnership committee? the question of the day is
what role does the circuit want to play in agricultural things? it’s
a conversaion one piece at a time?

Monday we got to see a place where the chief offered to the church
some land that is well fenced and would work well for the raising of
chickens. The feeling I had was that our presence was “political
capital”? offering to people the opportunity for their own
negotiations?

Then on Tuesday we went over some mountains to a valley where the
government had put in a large water pump to pump water from the river.
But communication breakdowns and misunderstandings had prevented
anything from happening. So the pump and the irrigation system sat
unused. So we were in the position of mediatiors. We find that there
are resources available but that there is not always the connecting of
the dots? or there is a piece missing to use the technology. So, we
have been doing bits of teaching and encouragement along the way.
Sometimes it is as simple as stating that one could do a double or a
triple row of onions instead of a single row. Sometimes it is helping
them to know what to do with a particular bug? sometimes it is
helping them to realize that there are incountry resources.

Yesterday we saw Longlands, a very large farm that has been returned
to the Zulu? however, there is no water. But the land is very
beautiful and has been fully farmed in the past. Much larger than can
be farmed with even a small tractor, but no funds to begin the
farming. So how? That is the question. Mark and John, we really
needed you yesterday, although Dan did a great job. Lots of space for
corn? which is what they want to plant. More when we are in person.

These past few days I’ve begun to long to go home for brief moments?
but then we get so involved for the day that there really aren’t
moments to think about it. And people have been so very very generous
and kind that one feels totally undeserving. Yesterday I was
“installed” as a Zulu woman? wow.

God is good. The miracles and the provisions for the day keep
happening. I can’t wait to tell you all about it in person.

Oh yes, people get a big kick of the fact that I can’t quit asking
questions? nothing has changed!!! I keep saying, “one more
question”? and then there is one more, and so forth.
God bless you. I’ll see you soon!
Becky

Dear family and friends,
A foggy morning and we are all getting ready to leave. We are also discussing the question, where from here? What commitments are we willing to make.

What are our goals? Partnership. Building self esteem. Looking at connections for the future. There is much to do, but we have been reminded that it is God who does the doing? we plant a few seeds.

Another brief glimpse? (hopefully this is a new one? I don’t totally remember what I’ve written)? 10 women from one congregation, widows all, decided to build a cooperative? they got a hold of 7 sewing machines, and they sew school uniforms (a requirement for all SA students), and also hospital gowns. When we arrived only 2 machines were working? Juanita and Gary took two of them back, figured out what the problems were, and then Juanita went back and taught them
sewing machine repair. Its little, but it is a great boost for a few women.

Christine is working at the Old Age Home at Rorke’s Drift. She’s finding her time rewarding. She’s working on teaching wound care and
infection control. She says that the residents are delightful, and the workers are eager to learn. She’s looking forward to keeping in
touch with the Old Age Home. Lois has said that the quality of the ceramicists could make them university quality. I am bringing home a few simple pieces… others
are bringing home weavings… (I am too cheap for them!)

How I must scoot. Mostly not a whole lot more that you will hear from me. I will be visiting the rest of the parishes next week? that will be incredibly intense? listening, listening, listening. And sleeping in a different bed every night. But people’s hospitality is amazing. People are interested and interesting. I think when I get home, though, I will sleep for 2 solid days. Do you know the hymn, God, my Lord, my strength, my place of Hiding? It keeps running thorugh my mind. Look it up in LBW. The words it ends with are these? God shall have his way. We know that we can trust it. Now and always!

God’s peace and joy!!
Revkah

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

Dear family and friends,

I promised you yesterday that I would let you know a bit more about what has been happening… I only have the info for the Watonwan part of the group. But here it is.

We arrived in Rorke’s Drift Thursday evening. That is a place you can google. At Rorke’s Drift there is an Arts and Crafts Center as well as agricultural land.

Frida we had a long meeting with people who gathered from all over the Shiyane Circuit. We began some basic sharing. We heard from the people who were partnership folk as well as those who were there from ag sights. Then Saturday we went out to visit a cooperative garden site. The women who were working there gathered and started singing a welcome as they each came to greet us. What a welcome. It was a large garden. Some things were doing very well. Some had bug problems. We looked we shared we listened. In the afternoon we split up, sending people out by twos to different parishes. Folk had very different experiences… the ones who stayed in Rorke’s Drift (Mark and Tim, the camera man, and myself… got into number of other spots. One had heavier land. One lighter. The biggest question as how do you control the weeds… some of the challenges included the lack of male presence… it would take a long time to fully understand the reasons for that.

We met many gracious and energetic folk… one young man was asking for advice on what he might try to study in university. Another wants to be an artist… some have big dreams, some have seemingly hopeless obstacles. Yet there is a lot of hope. There are plans there are cooperatives.

Sunday there was worship in a brand new church. I had the opportunity to preach. A woman translated. Their text was the farmer who hired folk to work in the vineyard. Wow! Couldn’t have been a better text to talk about how Jesus offers to folk stories that meet them where they are at to offer them the opportunity to know God’s grace. The service lasted for about 2.5 hours… singing, praying, worshipping. God is good…

I want to let you know about a place where 100 folk are worshipping in a garage… they take the car out on Sunday morning, scrub the floor… they long for their own place to worship, but for the time being…

And then there is the 9 year old that doesn’t come to school on Thursday and Friday… he cares for his 6 year old brother, and on Thursday and Friday he has to go to the garbage dump to collect food that the grocery store has just dumped. Otherwise he has nothing to eat for the next week.

Now we are at the game reserve. A beautiful spot. Quite a contrast… it is a 5 star hotel, with a buffet grand and extravagant. We had a bull elephant coming toward us on the game drive this morning. Wow. Gorgeous. Poverty and extravagance exist next door to each other. Despair and incredible hope. But through it all we have encountered great hospitality.

Sometimes the power doesn’t work. It is long and hard to find a place to send an email. But God is gracious, and has sustained us for each and every day. God is indeed good.

There have been stressors. Most of us have hit the wall at one time or another. One of the gifts is that it hasn’t been the same time for each of us so that we could be there for each other.

Now I have to head out to a planning meeting. Hopefully this will go through.

God bless each and every one of you.

We know you are praying because of the peace in our hearts which has indeed passed all understanding.

Becky.

Dear Family and Friends,

We have just arrived at the game reserve.  We haven’t had any access for the past few days.  I want to let you know that we have been mightily blessed with the presence of many courageous people.  At the same time we know so little of their struggles.

I will write a bit more shortly, but want to get this one on the way.  Thanks for all your emails and all your prayers. 

God bless you all. 

More tomorrow. 
Becky

There was an article some of you may have seen on Sunday in the Mankato Free Press about the trip

Harold Wolle Jr. runs 1,600 acres of prime corn and soybean land, using the latest in machinery, computer technology and farm-management techniques.

This week he’ll be in South Africa hoping to help some fellow farmers who have little if any farm equipment, own only a few head of livestock and are just beginning to farm land they now own after years of apartheid.

Wolle, who is traveling with two dozen area farmers, clergy, business people and academics, doesn’t expect they will be able to offer any quick help that will transform South African agriculture. Instead, he’s looking to kindle a friendship and understanding that can be built upon…

You can read the whole article at: The Mankato Free Press

Dear family and friends,
Grace to you and peace!!!

I arrived safely, and have had an incredibly blessed and busy time ever since.

I can’t share everything with you, but I would like to share two things with you briefly.

The day after we arrived we went to visit in Soweto. It was a totally amazing day, learning a bit about the story about Apartheid, and what it meant for so many. One of the places which we visited was the Hector Pieterson museum. It tells the story of the children against apartheid within Soweto. Specifically, it tells about when the children began a peaceful march objecting to the government mandating that all school instruction be done in Afrikaans, the language of Apartheid. (Formerly it had been done in their local languages and in English). Hector was the first boy killed, and the picture was spread around the world. Then there were many more children who were killed. As I walked through the museum an anthem that I had learned while I was at Trinity in Truman kept coming to me? First time I had thought about it in years? What have we done, what have we done? We’ve crucified God’s own son. I thought the connection strange until I realized that we continue to crucify God’s own son when the powerless in our midst are wounded and killed? What do we continue to do in our world?

That was on Thursday. On Friday we spent the day moving out to Newcastle (Becky and Juanita) and Rorke’s Drift (Gary, Lois, David, and Don). There were no major problems, just a bunch of glitches that made that day many hours longer than it was intended to be!!!

On Saturday we attended the most amazing gathering that I believe that I have ever attended? a celebration of healing for a young adult who had been tormented by demons? Many pastors had gathered and had laid hands on her, and now she is whole. We (Juanita and I) traveled 8 hours round trip with 10 people in our vehicle to be present for the celebration. They told us that there was going to be a short worship service? Well, short was 3 hours. Filled with Zulu praise song, thanking God? Talking about God’s presence and the hope of eternal life we have in God. After prayer we would sing. After everything we would sing. And when the father broke down and started to cry we broke into song while he composed himself. A very long day, but one unlike any other. When we were done thanking God then we were entertained with Zulu dancers and a feast. Oh, if we would so publicly stop to give praise in our country!!!

God’s peace and joy.
Revkah (Hebrew for Rebecca)

PS… today we had 3 hours of festive worship followed by a potluck and then a 2 hour gathering of conversation. God is indeed good! even keeping me awake and helping with jet lag… amazing.

Hope your trip was an enjoyable one! We had a few inches of snow yesterday and it feels more like winter here. I am getting very excited now and also maybe a bit fearful, but i realize that this is an opportunity that I will always cherish. May God’s Grace be with you always and enjoy the moment of today.

My name is Mark Hoeft of Madelia, MN. I will be leaving on the 14th of January for the mission trip to South Africa. What an opportunity to be a part of this group. It’s amazing how God works in our lives every day and has made this opportunity come together. I hope that by being a part of the trip, we begin a lifelong relationship with the South African people and can help them improve their farming operation. I know that this will only be a small step in the long road, but I do think that we will make a difference.

Many of you have asked, “What is your schedule?” There are many things I know, many I don’t know, so I’ll try to tell you a bit more about the trip.

We will be going in 2 groups. I will be going with the 1st group. We leave from Minneapolis Today, January 8th at 3:10 on Flight NWA 42. It is an 8 and a half hour flight to Amsterdam. We have 3 and a half hours in Amsterdam, and then take KLM Flight 591, a 10 and a half hour flight, to Johannesburg. We will arrive at 9:30 in the evening, South African time. We will be met by Pastor Bheki Mathe, who visited us in the spring, and who is now the General Secretary for all of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa (ELCSA). We will stay overnight at the conference centre in Johannesburg that is owned by ELCSA, Kempton Park Conference Centre (http://www.kpcc.co.za/about.htm). The next day we will visit Soweto, one of the focal points of Apartheid and its ending. (http://www.soweto.co.za/html/t_soweto.htm). That evening we will be met by Skhumbuzo Mntambo, who is the treasurer for the partnership committee of Shiyane Circuit. The following day (Friday) we will rent a sedan, and the two vehicles will travel together to the Shiyane Circuit, and specifically, to Newcastle () and to Rorke’s Drift (about an hours drive south of Dundee, or about 60 miles south of Newcastle).

Now, in this first group there are three people going to Rorke’s Drift, where there is an Arts and Crafts Centre (http://www.centre-rorkesdrift.com) that is run by the church. Lois Peterson is a ceramics professor from Gustavus. Her purpose will be to both teach and help with marketing. With her at Rorke’s Drift for the month will be David Goldstein, one of her senior students, who also has marketing skills, and Gary Grunig, from Our Saviors in Butternut, who will be repairing equipment, as well as mentoring a person in repairs. There are two others with the early group… Juanita Harberts, a senior seminarian, and Don Swanjord. They will both be connecting with other of the circuits in the Diocese, as well as participating in the ongoing ministry that we will be doing.

I will spend the 1st week visiting in various parishes in Watonwan Conference’s partnership circuit… Shiyane. I know that this coming Sunday I will be preaching about baptism somewhere around the town of Newcastle in the Mountain View Parish. Then it will be on to Dundee and the congregations around that town. Then I will return to Johannesburg with Skumbuzo to claim the rest of the group who will arrive on the 15th of January.

I began this email 3 days ago… life has been too hectic to finish it. Now I must leave for the airport in 5 minutes.

This morning I began my day by reading a bit from Isaiah 43… Fear Not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine… As I fly I will be taking quiet time to ponder what I will preach this coming Sunday. What is so very cool is that the God who calls us each by name calls each in South Africa as well. And the God who is with everyone in Southwestern Minnesota is also with our brothers and sisters in South Africa. To put it another way, in God we know the reality that we aren’t really that different… created, called, and sent out into our world, wherever that sending might be.

And so, now, the adventure continues.

God bless each and every one of you. Thanks for your prayers!!! Revkah (Hebrew for Rebecca)