Are You a Pastor?

from Elliott

We have planted tomatoes in the garden this season so we needed to find staking material. We went to a Garden Center and asked for a variety of materials that would suffice but were unsuccessful finding what we needed. The person helping us apologized and then said as we were walking away, "Are You a Pastor?"

Well, realizing the word 'Pastor' has a variety of meanings in this culture, I clarified that we were missionaries. He said that he thought so. Strange! But it made me wonder what gave it away to this person and why he thought to mention it. What had we said or done that would have given it away? More concerning was what might we have done or said that would have created an impression - good or bad - about missionaries or the work of missionaries in that individual.

As Christ followers we must always be aware that the world is watching! And as a corollary to what St. Francis pointed out we must be aware even when we are not using words we are preaching the Gospel by our actions.

What's for Lunch

from Katherine

Recently I was at Sirhashini School and one of the teachers told me that sometimes the children will come to school when it is closed for a holiday just hoping that someone might be there with something to eat for lunch. Sadly, this is not uncommon around the world.

Last Friday was a school holiday and we had visitors from America. Our friend Carol Robinson and her daughter Linley were with us for a week. As we told them some of the stories we have heard like that one, we thought that maybe we could offer some activities and lunch on the holiday. I called the lead teacher and she was pleased and surprised and told us she would tell the children we were coming.

Linley Reads the 'Very Hungry Caterpillar

We had a great time with the 27 kids and 3 of the teachers that showed up. I have wanted a copy of the ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and to my surprise Carol and Linley had brought one from America!! We read our new story to the children and they made ‘stained glass’ butterflies with tissue paper. Then we played American football with the UNC Tarheel football they brought. The boys caught on fast! And then everyone had lunch! Even Cason and his friend Kaylene got to join us because their school was on holiday too!!

Carol passes out oranges

Thank you Carol and Linley for a super special day for the children and teachers at Sirhashini School! And thanks to Cason and Kaylene for helping too!!

Famous American Style

from Elliott
A trip to the store is often an interesting experience. Many times it is because of the people we see there while other times it is what we find there. Some raise lots of questions and require more explanation than others. This one just caught my eye...

A package of cookies but not just any cookies. These proclaimed that they were "The Famous American Style." Well, being American I would certainly have to try these! They were cranberry and white chocolate. The cranberry certainly sounded 'New England'  but after tasting one I was not sure what made them 'American.' I think I was hoping for a 'Mrs. Fields' taste since I had been introduced to those while living in Chicago quite some time ago. I was disappointed.


The funny thing is that somehow if I took the advertising at its word I would draw the conclusion that if I did not like the cookie then I would have to doubt my own 'American - ness' How could this be the Famous American Style' if I did not really like them. Have I been gone from America too long? Perhaps I was not really a 'true American' to begin with.

Interestingly, there have been a number of instances where I did not find myself closely aligned with something that those from other countries considered 'American'. Some of that disconnect is due to Hollywood images that are generalized by other cultures but it also suggests that people from other countries tend to see America as monolithic and miss the basic truth America as a republic or a confederation of states and regions/cultures has never been monolithic. It certainly has those things that draw us together but our strength can be found more in our diversity.


btw -While the front of the package was in English the reverse had five different languages, none of which were English, which made it difficult for me to ascertain who had determined that these were 'The Famous American Style'  and where were they from!

Happy Birthday, Madiba!

from Katherine

July the 18^th was Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday. He spent 67 years fighting for social justice here in South Africa. To represent the 67 years he asked his countrymen to spend 67 minutes of their day doing something nice for someone else.

Some friends and I decided to visit some of the schools in our ministry area. We told Mandela’s story, sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and passed out oranges, cookies, and candy to the children and teachers. It was a great day.

As we were driving along one of the many dirt roads in the community I came across a friend of mine. We have spoken about Mama Thandiwe before. She is OLD, has snow white hair (when it is not in a wrap), is legally blind, walks with crutches and has a great big heart! I stopped the car and told her who it was speaking since she cannot see and introduced her to my friends in the car.

We told her what we were doing and why and she shouted “Madiba’s birthday Yoiwee.” We are not sure what ‘yoiwee’ means but she says it with such enthusiasm it must be good.  I reminded her that Madiba (a term of endearment for Mandela) was 94 and she started singing ‘Happy Birthday to Madiba with her arms waving in the air and turning in circles! We sang along and then she went on her way to a ”church ladies” meeting. We loved celebrating with the children, but Mama Thandiwe made our day extra special!

To the Head Chef - "I Have an Emergency"

from Elliott
It seems that I keep seeing signs worthy of a good ponder. Some lead to some deeper cultural understanding or reinforce an underlying issue that we are dealing with daily.

This one is just plain funny. We were enjoying a long weekend renting a cabin in a remote area known for 'birding'. On the door of the small kitchen was this sign noting the 'Emergency Numbers' for guests.

Being located on the kitchen door, I found it humorous that you could have an 'Emergency' that would be appropriate for the 'Head Chef'. That is not just a South Africa issue - I think that would have been great even when we were still living in the US!

The State of Education

from Elliott

A job posting that I saw at the Post Office made me wonder whether this High School in the Eastern Cape would have me as a teacher. It is seeking 'Qualified, Underqualified or Unqualified' applicants for current openings.Certainly that includes me!

Sadly though, this does not speak well of the state of education in our ministry area of the Eastern Cape. Class size here is high and it seems that the students are often lacking the opportunity they deserve. I have read recently that there are 65,000 teaching positions in the province with as many as 10,000 unfilled. Certainly, with so many without work in this country, they can find someone to fill the positions. Is it another example of short sighted leadership or the pervasive corruption or both?

Unfortunately, regardless of the cause, the students lose out. Life is already tough here for the learners but then to add overcrowding, inadequate facilities and limited opportunity for graduates, hope is already in short supply.    

Green Eggs and Ham

from Katherine

I read each week at several schools, but the Sirhasheni Pre-School tugs at my heart. As you can tell from the photo there are a lot of kids and very little room. They do set up an outdoor class room when the weather is nice.

Anyway, I was reading 'Green Eggs And Ham' by Dr. Suess. I asked the kids if they would eat green eggs and ham and most said that they would not. If you don’t remember 'Sam I Am' wants the other furry guy to try green eggs and ham. The furry guy will not eat them here there of anywhere!! Sam I Am keeps trying until finally the furry guy gives in, tastes green eggs and ham and LOVES them. Well the kids started clapping and cheering because the furry guy tried the food! I have never gotten a reaction like this! I thought it was the cutest thing. I asked the kids again if they would eat green eggs and ham and they said they would.

If you have never eaten green eggs and ham, grab the book, a kid or two, and some green food coloring. You will have a ball!!

p.s. this was my kids favorite meal when they were little.