Gathered at the Church before departure
It was the culmination of two years of hard work from many hands raising $45,000. But, by the grace of God eight youth and five adults traveled from Wolf Point to walk beside our brothers and sisters in our companion synod, the Cape Orange Diocese of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA). We bring you greetings from Bishop Bowles, Pastor Bock who hosted us in the Cape Town area, Pastor “K” Kumo who hosted us in the Kimberly area and Edgar Voights who hosted us in the Johannesburg area.
Our flight from Billings to Cape Town was long (24 hours) but uneventful (with the exception of a delay of the luggage of three young people). In Cape Town we picked up our two trusty Mercedes combis and went to our base of operations, the Athlone Lutheran Retreat Centre. The retreat centre is in the middle of the Moslem area of the city, so we were awakened each morning at 6 am by the Imam calling the faithful to morning prayer. Our mission was to spend time and build relationships with the young people of ELCSA. We had the opportunity to spend four days with youth groups from area churches making some wonderful friends with whom we are still in contact via Facebook.
Our flight from Billings to Cape Town was long (24 hours) but uneventful (with the exception of a delay of the luggage of three young people). In Cape Town we picked up our two trusty Mercedes combis and went to our base of operations, the Athlone Lutheran Retreat Centre. The retreat centre is in the middle of the Moslem area of the city, so we were awakened each morning at 6 am by the Imam calling the faithful to morning prayer. Our mission was to spend time and build relationships with the young people of ELCSA. We had the opportunity to spend four days with youth groups from area churches making some wonderful friends with whom we are still in contact via Facebook.
In the Chapel at the
Athone Centre
Four young South Africans were with us when we visited Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were incarcerated; it was their first visit and they were greatly impacted (for more information http://www.robben-island.org.za). At Philippi Lutheran Church (which is located in the middle of a black township) we were treated to an amazing drum worship service performed by their youth. The people at this incredible congregation provide training for area residents in computers, auto mechanics, arts and crafts and much more (for more information see their website http://www.themba-labantu.co.za). We were treated to many wonderful meals, especially the huge feast on our last night there. We enjoyed a 2.5 hour Sunday worship service that was so exciting that we couldn’t believe we had been there that long. Pr. Greg preached and people commented that his sermon was way too short. We also had the opportunity to visit Cape Point National Park where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.
At the Phillipi Community
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At Toews River
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We then set out for Kimberly 600KM away in the northern desert. On the way we spent a day at Toews River, a small agricultural community (population ~7,000) 200KM northeast of Cape Town. There we were hosted by the congregation and had a wonderful afternoon and evening with about 60 young people of their youth group. In this impoverished town the young people have no cell phones or computers and so our group joined them in playing dominoes (Jacob had a special knack for this game) and then spent several hours doing team-building exercises led by a dedicated group of adults. This was one our most memorable experiences in South Africa.
Bishop Bowles receiving star quilt
Arriving in Kimberly, we settled into dorms at the diocesan headquarters. While there we had the opportunity to meet with Bishop Bowles during which time we presented him with a star quilt made by Clint’s Aunt. It was interesting to note that in Kimberley confirmation students are REQUIRED to sit in the front pews and roll is taken to make sure all are at worship, probably wouldn’t fly here in Montana! We also visited the “Big Hole” the largest hand-dug open pit mine in the world, the San Cultural Center (the San are the indigenous “bushmen” of the Kalahari), and the town of Douglas where our host Pr. “K” lives. We were able to bring children’s books to the Thusong Children’s Centre, an orphanage for abused and abandoned children. We were all impressed by the wonderful work Rebecca and her staff is doing with these young people. We were warmly welcomed and made lots of friends during our five days in the Kimberly area. And, as always, there was time for our youth to engage with South African youth both at youth activities and as we visited Kimberley sites.
Reading to children at Thusongs
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Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
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Then off to Johannesburg where we stayed at the Bonaero Park Lutheran Retreat Centre. We were able to spend a day at the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and saw lots of giraffes, rhinos, hippos, zebras and antelope. To our delight, we found out that winter is the best time to be there as the animals are out all day in the cooler weather. We spent a morning at the Apartheid Museum with a special Nelson Mandela exhibit, it was fantastic (http://www.apartheidmuseum.org). We spent two days with the staff of St. Peter’s by the Lake Lutheran Church. The ministry that really engaged us was the work they do with children who are AIDS orphans. 6-8 children are placed in “families” with “mothers”, women over 40 who make a commitment to parent the children until they are adults (For more information http://www.stpeterschildcare.org.za). We were able to visit the homes and talk with the mothers. It is an amazing ministry.
With other youth in Kimberley
All too soon, with sadness and many new friends we bade farewell to South Africa. On our way home we did a layover of four days in Amsterdam. What a contrast to where we had been the previous two weeks! We stayed in a Christian Youth Hostel and explored this wonderfully diverse city.
We look forward to building on our relationships in South Africa and hope to bring young people from South Africa to Montana in the future. We dream of having a regular exchange of young people from our two countries visiting each other. We believe that the future of accompaniment is with our young people.
We look forward to building on our relationships in South Africa and hope to bring young people from South Africa to Montana in the future. We dream of having a regular exchange of young people from our two countries visiting each other. We believe that the future of accompaniment is with our young people.
In Cape Town
Our Africa Trip Group consisted of 8 high school students (Jacob Bauer, Clint Bushman, Edan Doornek, Jamie & Traci Gibson, Lindsey Nygaard, Britta Sande, and Paul Wanderaas) and 5 adult sponsors (Donna Doornek, Diann & Shane Gibson, and Christine & Pr. Greg Holler-Dinsmore) all from First Lutheran in Wolf Point. It was a great journey.
We have had requests from all over the state to do presentations on our experience in South Africa and we have begun that exciting endeavor and are open to invitations.
We have had requests from all over the state to do presentations on our experience in South Africa and we have begun that exciting endeavor and are open to invitations.
