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!