The Head Man is a Woman

About noon we - Roy and I, the "Americans" - were officially welcomed by the committee and the head man (who is a woman at the moment).  It is a very big deal to the people here to be official. We packed into a Toyota Helix (old Tacoma) and bounced down the road to her house.  She had a TV and DVD player.  Handshakes and "Mola's" (hello) all around and we were welcomed.

The morning was spent in the classrooms of the school doing AIDS education and Q&A.  No questions!  AIDS is "The Sickness" and is the huge elephant in the room.  No one talks about it and they tend not to face the real issues of sex and abuse.  Crazy superstitions and beliefs surround the subject that only further the cycle.  The leading candidate for the presidency of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, stated publicly that AIDS is of no concern for him personally because he showers... for real!

While most of the team was in the classrooms Rufus, Roy and I went with our guide Ijenjeji (means "my friend") surveyed the neighboring villages to begin assessing where the need is greatest and Birchwood might begin to partner in the endeavor.  The need is overwhelming, hope among the people does not seem to be an abundant commodity.  But God is God... and he's slain bigger giants.

Abbey is a rock star with the kids.  She's doing great and enjoying every moment - except maybe the toilet situation (who is?).

There are constantly three languages at work in any gathering.  Xhosa, Afrikaanz (the JAM team - it's from the Dutch settlers) and English.    It is both confusing and a symphony at the same time.  

All for now.  It's 2pm here and we are back to work.  First an AIDS seminar and then soccer with the kids.      David

Bukwini village day

The day began with the Hippo Roller (Hipporoller.com) crew coming down from Johannesburg to film the distribution of the Hippos to the care workers - mamas (mature women) who take care of orphans.  It took several hours.  Some of our team began work in the school while that was going on and will be doing AIDS education in the classes tomorrow.

 The village “committee,” or elders met with Roy, Rufus, Gerhardt of Jambalani African Mission (JAM) and I this afternoon and the high chief wants to meet with us tomorrow to officially welcome us.  When they meet one person stands and speaks at a time, then someone else stands and responds – they are very formal. 

 We played soccer and other games with the children for a couple of hours.  Abbey is an attraction to the girls of the village.  They gather around her everywhere we go.  At one point I saw a crowd and wandered over to find several of them braiding her hair.    

 Day one ended with us showing the Jesus Film under the stars – very strange to hear Jesus speaking Xhosa.  Everyone knows he spoke English… right? (And with a formal British accent).  Speaking of Xhosa, I keep asking children their names and watch as they bust out laughing when I try to repeat it.  My Okie mouth and tongue can’t make the clicking sounds work. 

 Pray for us.  Most of our team is already red – the African sun is different – and the jet lag has not worn off yet.  Hopefully tomorrow.  I’ll post when I can.  Recharging batteries is proving to be the most difficult thing; that and being completely grungy!                        David  

In the hands of a madman!

We are on the road from East London to Umtata (Mthatha).  Nine of us in a white Toyota van (which will be our home for the next five days).  Roy, the pastor of Shoal Creek, is at the wheel – on the wrong side of the car!  In Africa apparently you drive hard and honk often.  Paul writes that we are to "walk by faith," we're driving by faith!  We just crossed the Great Kei river into the Transkei (thus the name of the region).  Short post here… I’ll be posting again (hopefully - TIA) after we distribute the Hippo Rollers this afternoon.  Please pray for safety – for real – and for God’s power. David

Somewhere over the Atlantic

The in-flight screen says we’ve traveled about 1700 miles from Washington DC – only 6700 (12 hours) to go!  Have plane seats gotten smaller?  Or have I gotten bigger in the… never mind.  It’s 3:53 am Johannesburg time, 7:53 pm KCMO (I have no idea what time it is wherever we are).  We’re scheduled to touch down in Jo-berg at around 4pm.  We’ll catch a smaller plane to East London from there.  Together, today’s travel began at 11 am Kansas City time and will end at around 10pm (the next day) on the Indian Ocean coast.  Tomorrow, or is it tomorrow right now?... we’ll wake up early and drive about 4 hours into the Transkei.  Our first mission: to link up with a documentary crew as we distribute Hippo Rollers to Bukwini village.    Hopefully I’ll figure out how to post while in the Transkei.  I figure if you’re reading this (which I assume you are), problem solved.  I’m also going to see if I can put some pictures up as we go. 

Talk to you tomorrow… or yesterday…             David

Disclaimer

I have a confession: I'm a good starter, but not the greatest finisher.  And because I'm completely aware of this fact, it is with some trepidation that I start my blogging career... endeavor... life... whatever.  Some may be surprised; those that know me well are nodding their collective head right now.  Truth is, I still haven't finished writing thank you notes for high school graduation gifts I received - and that was three graduations ago! So some of you can stop cursing the U.S. Postal Service.  (And yes, that is my official senior picture on my profile). I don't have Facebook because I don't want to have to keep up with it and continually make updates (i.e. I don't need the pressure of declining some long-lost junior high bully from being my facebook buddy).  I was banned from fantasy football because I never updated the roster I was given by default - having missed the draft - and was booted for inactivity, though my team was somehow in second place at the time.

 

I'm compelled to write though.  I'm compelled to share a journey with you.  I used to be a journal-keeper; not so much any more.  I'm chronicling this journey because i want to remember (and share) how God has put things together and the incredible things he is going to do.  My daughter and I are leaving in the morning for the Transkei in South Africa.  I am praying that this journey will be life-changing and contagious.  

Here we go!