Day 3-The Coffee Can

Today I went out to a garden and preschool out in a township called, Claremont. Claremont is one of the oldest townships in the Kwa Zulu Natal Region and a place where many political leaders went to hide during the struggle.

I went to Claremont to help lead a group of Americans from Atlanta see the work of Phakamisa (which means to lift up in Zulu). You can go to their website, www.phakamisa.org, and check out their amazing work! When we arrived at the garden I was overwhelmed with hope and joy as I met, Isaac, one of the newer employees of Phakamisa whose main job is to teach and help grandmothers in townships plant gardens. Isaac showed us the spinach and carrot plants, the mango and papaya trees, and introduced us to the faithful women who make it all happen. All will filled with pride and hope.

Next we went to a preschool started by a women who had her formal training as a preschool teacher four years ago at Phakamisa training center. She is a natural teacher and leader. The children all listened and laughed at the appropriate times. The children sang and were silly in their free time. Again, I was filled with hope and brought to tears as I watched the teacher who was my age give her life to teaching the poorest of the poor kids. I dreamt how life might be different for each kid there because of her care and instruction. She helps them to dream with the fantasy center she set up. She gives them a step ahead as she teaches them lessons that they will be taught when they reach primary school.
While the kids were eating their snack, one little girl who looked a bit scared the whole time asked the teacher to use the bathroom. The teacher led her outside while trying to manage snack time, so I offered to take the girl to the bathroom. I didn't realize when I offered to take her I was taking her to the coffee can outside the small wooden one room school house. I finally realized why she had looked so scared and preoccupied. She needed to use the restroom but didn't want to while all the kids and guest were gathered outside. I am still filled with hope, but I was reminded by the coffee can, how much work still can be done here in South Africa. The financial crisis is just hitting South Africa and like the US the non-profits here are being hit the hardest. This is a time where we can be a part of the hope. I wonder how each of us can live with less so others can simply live.

Before I left Branches collected Pennies for Phakamisa and in a few short weeks we collected $40 in pennies. When I get back we will continue this effort, but maybe we will collect them in a coffee can instead of a milk jug.

Day 2- Bacon Rolls and the Biggest Hug in the world!

Sunday I had the great opportunity to serve at my church here in SA, Pinetown MC. We made bacon and egg rolls to sell as a fundraiser for the church. Most of the eggs I made were rubbish but people still bought them. 1000 R raised, and as we know at Branches, every little bit counts.

At 11am I went with my friend Umpumi to the Zulu service at the church. The singing sprung from the souls of the men and women there. We sang and danced and worshiped God. I did not know but three words the whole time, but I did know the Holy Spirit was there. I shared a few minutes about Branches and the fire. After I shared and the next song began the largest woman there came to me with tears in her eyes and gave me one of the largest and deepest hugs I have ever gotten. She didn't have to say anything and she could have embraced me after the service, but she came right when the Spirit told her and gave me the gift that I needed at that moment. I knew that the people from Pinetown had been praying for us in Florida City and her hug seemed to carry all the weight of those prayers I had felt the past year.

In the evening I went back to church for the night service where I got to see so many friends, some whom I have known now for over 5 years. We worshiped together and I shared a bit about Branches per their request. I was reminded in a huge way as I shared in the morning and the evening how much this place prepared me to be a pastor and in the ministry setting in which I am. How grateful I am for Ian, the pastor, and Glenda, the director of Phakamisa, and so many others who have been along with on the journey. As I have had time to reflect I am so grateful to God for the ways that the Spirit was preparing me to be in ministry now and to be who I am today. My friends at Branches, I wonder what God might be preparing you for in the future?

Feels Like Home- Day 1

Its Saturday afternoon and as i sit here in the house where I am staying, I hear the sound of drums moving fast and happy. The pastor with whom i am staying, Ian, tells me there must be a wedding close by. A few hours from now it will be noon in the states and I am sure from my house one might hear a base as well, not from a set of drums, but from a car's audio base playing some kind of music that I don't totally understanding. It is amazing how we all live together.

This morning I woke-up, jet-lag free, and went to Pinetown Methodist Church with my Pastor here. I walked to the store to get a few things then came back to a circuit meeting of pastors and lay people. Don't worry, those who are concerned about my rest, I skipped most of the business portion and was only present during the devotion and the tea, ofcourse. The meeting was a smattering of black and white. In this meeting they asked early on if they needed translation and they did. I was surprised as no one seemed to be put out by this, most took out notebooks or phones when their mother tongue was not being spoken. I could tell they were all well-trained in this practice of patience. Readers from the Southeast District, we are not the only Methodist around the world that meet billingually on a regular basis! Branches UMC we are not the only church that worships billingually! It is amazing how we all live together.

Two years ago when I was last here I told many that South Africa is not too different from Miami. After two years of living in Miami and coming back to SA I can say my predictions were right. Durban and miami are cities where many people from many backgrounds live, work, and worship together. Both accept, tollerate, or seek this life-style, yet, whatever the motivation, they are put in a place where they are with others who think, act, and believe things different than themselves. In the midst of it all people are being formed and holiness might have the possibility to take shape.

When I first moved to Miami and other times I have visited South Africa foreign languages have shocked me and even scared me a bit. Yesterday, it wasn't until I was in Johannesburg for more than two hours that I realized other languages were being spoken around me. The noise at naptime from the drums seemed somewhat normal, which might indicate patience growing inside me for the base that finds its way to my backyard every weekend. Maybe these things, patience and flexibility are the riches recieved when living in diversity? Maybe this mad way of living is a source to the fruits of the spirit? These fruits are grown sometimes without us knowing but maybe moreso when we stop in the middle of the maddness (traffic, noisy neighbors, busy lines at Wal-mart, etc) and ask, "Lord what do you have to teach me?" This week I will be pondering that question as I meet with many people from many parts of the world. I encourage you to Branches UMC to do the same, and anyone else who is reading. This week rather than choosing complaining or anger in the midst of situations that are out of our norm, let us ask, "Lord what are you teaching me?" May the Fruits of the Spirit be born in each of us!

Oasis 2011

For 18 years now over 200 youth from the Miami area have gathered in central Florida to find Oasis from the chaos of life. The camp started by Kim Torres and others was intended to provide an Oasis for the youth post-hurricane Andrew and has continued to do so ever since, tropical storm or no tropical storm. This past week was my second time at Oasis. The theme this year was, "real". Youth were encouraged to be for real about their lives, make real decisions for Jesus, and then go home and live out that real decision daily in the choices they make.

On Monday night we gave youth the opportunity to go outside the chapel and spend 15 minutes alone talking to God. I walked outside and the youth all took this challenge seriously. Each of them spoke to God, some cried to God, and some found others to cry with. On
Tuesday afternoon we had some time to debrief. We asked the questions, "what have you learned?" And, "Where did you see God?" One of our youth who has recently got back involved in Branches said this, "Yesterday, when I was talking to God about my problems I looked out at all the youth and adults, over 200 of us sharing our problems and pain with God, and I wonder how could God hold all of this pain at once." My response was, "I don't know how God can do it. I certainly couldn't do it, but God can and God does listen to each one of us." My answer was o.k. but her question was so profound and deep and left me in awe of how amazing our God is to listen to each one of us and absorb all of our pain and suffering, not only on the cross but even today. I am so thankful for all the children and youth at my church who constantly point me to God!

This evening we had a dinner and time of sharing post-camp. I learned there that this same youth has been texting her friends and reminding them to do the 28 Day Devotional Challenge we gave to each of the youth! Camp Oasis 2011 was AMAZING! Thanks to all of you for your prayers! I know God has even greater things to come!

Speaking into Suffering

Reared by a host of southern women, one discipline I learned early on was that of suffering silently. Whether it was during the painful process of pulling off a band-aid or experiencing the betrayal of a friend, if I was to be a dignified woman I was to deal with pain privately and pray things would change.

Yesterday that discipline was challenged as I marched and was not silent about the pain farmworkers in Florida are experiencing. As I walked and clapped and cheered, rather politely, I also looked to others who were a bit more undignified than me in my clerical collar. As I marched I thought of other marches, like the one Joshua led around Jericho, which led to walls of injustice falling down. I pondered also those who were called to be undignified like David who boldly danced before Saul because God’s justice had reigned. Although my southern tradition says, "shhh", it seems that my Christian tradition calls me to speak, maybe even shout.

I wondered while walking six miles with those from WeCount! (A local farmworker organization in Homestead) why people needed to become undignified. Why couldn't the Coalition sit down in a nice air- conditioned office with Publix executives and politely work things out. The answer is quite simple, Publix doesn't want to work things out. The Coalition has made several attempts and given Publix several invitations to sit-down and talk. While Publix supports the farmworkers who make their fair-trade coffee in Chile they refuse to take any responsibility for the farmworkers here in America. Publix has the power to change the plight of farmworkers in Florida yet says it is none of their business. Although my grandmother would advise CIW to move on, I do believe my God has advised them to march on...and so we did. There must have been well over 500 people who marched on yesterday and refused to stay silent about their own pain and that of their brothers and sisters.

As the Pastor of people who directly feel the economic pain spoken of today I felt privileged to speak with them. Paul said when one part of the body suffers the whole body suffers. United Methodist in Florida City are suffering. I am thankful for the United Methodist Churches and clergy that came out and spoke about the suffering my community and their body is experiencing.

As I prepare my heart for Lent I am reminded too that Jesus did not suffer silently but instead had seven last words to say as he suffered. Words like, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me." "I thirst. "It is finished." Although Jesus' words were few his pain did not happen without protest. Jesus refused to let Rome have the last word. Rather He spoke his suffering while at the same time delivering a message of reconciliation and hope for those to his right and left.

As I continue to be grateful for my host of Southern women who raised me. I am so gratefully aware of the communities of Branches UMC and CIW that are continuing the rearing process and leading me closer to the cross of Jesus Christ.

Thank God for the Mess

A lot has happened since I last blogged. Our church burned down being the largest event. I should have blogged through the fire. My Spanish teacher says the word should or "deber" is not a good word to use and only makes people feel bad about themselves. So, although I lament my lack of blogging through a tough time, the truth is that it was a tough time and there was little time. During the seven months under the tent I barely got my Bible studies and sermons written each week, therefore the luxury of processing what was happening was not an option. Now that we are well-moved into the portable the gift of processing is slowly coming back and absolutely necessary. I hope to share some of it here.

Tonight myself and one of the women from the Spanish service arrived to find trash baskets full all over the building. Another man showed up before the service and suggested we emptied them...all of us privately a bit perturbed which was written on our faces. Then later in the service I went to grab the hymnal from the pulpit and out came three small cups that our children use each day to get water. I said aloud, "there is just trash everywhere." Most days as I walk through our building I find trash in the oddest of places, the places only small people with little hands can put it. As we drank our coffee at the end of the service we thanked God for the mess and then cleaned all the stains of the floor. The truth is that if there was no mess there probably wouldn't be any children either. I was reminded today that each day as I bend down to pick up the small cup that I find between the couch and the wall that I didn't put there, I should pray for the little one that did put it there. When we cease to clean we cease to live as church and as people. Today I thank God for the mess! May it continue and may I be humbled to be thankful for the little people that make it!