What Happens When Your Doll Comes To Life?

from Elliott
As we venture into some of the more remote sections of our ministry area, it is not unusual to find young children that appear afraid of us. Often times, we learn that the child had not been exposed to a white person before. It can be a bit disconcerting at first but understandable given the human minds ability to quickly distinguish differences.

We recently heard a different variation of the situation. A woman told us how her young granddaughter responded to the first white person she saw. She was inconsolable and obviously afraid. When they were finally able to comfort her, she told them that she thought that her doll had come to life and that scared her. It turns out that the little girl, like many of the children in the area, had a doll that was white instead of one that appeared more similar to the people that she had known.

When it comes to human nature things always seem to get complicated.  Some suggest that we should be ‘color blind’ and not even notice differences in skin color or other physical features. I have read theories that say that recognizing differences or unfamiliarity occurs in the primal mind which includes the ‘friend or foe’ or ‘fight or flight’ defensive response.  As with many elements of how we are wired, the original design may be fine in and of itself but it is the misuse or lack of control that becomes problematic.

Perhaps instead of trying not to notice differences, it would honor God more if when we did notice differences we simply marvelled at the Creators expression of an infinite array of possibilities.

The Risk of Abbreviating

from Elliott

With so many languages spoken here in South Africa we are sensitive to language uses and always concerned that we are misusing or misunderstanding something. Abbreviations and unusual technical terms can create some challenges or at least give pause for consideration.

We were taking some tables from the Port Edward Methodist Church Hall outside for Youth Group and I found something that gave me pause. On the bottom of the table for identification someone had marked “Meth Church”. I am not sure that has the same connotation it might back in the states! There is even a website in South Africa with the address ‘Meth Church’.  

I wonder if they did make the connection here, what that would mean. Some might think the Church is high on something. Worse yet, due to lack of passion, inactivity or isolation maybe it would be worse if they did not think we were high on something! 

The Hen that Came to Class

from Katherine

Back to school today after a long winter break, yes winter. We are on Day 5 of the Creation Story when God created the fish of the sea and birds of the air. We read the story, The Little Red Hen. It is a great story and all the kids agreed that the little hen’s barnyard friends should have helped because God wants us to help others.

The best part was right as I finished reading the story, a red hen walked into the classroom! She was very calm, considering all the kids in the room, looked around for a minute and walked back out the door. The kids wanted to know if she was ‘The Little Red Hen’ that we were reading about. 

Happy Fourth! Learning to "Cook" the Watermelon?!?!?

from Elliott

Even though it is winter here, we were excited when Elliott’s language helper, Wishwell and wife, Albertina said that they had a watermelon and invited us to come over to “cook the watermelon.” Well, we were certainly curious about why we had to cook the watermelon. We remembered that you could make sweet watermelon pickles with the rind but that is not what they had in mind.

We arrived the next day for the cooking lesson and it started with a language lesson – the word in Xhosa for the melon is mxoxozi. After practicing the pronunciation for just a bit and finally getting the two clicks (‘x’) just right Albertina brought the mxoxozi into the kitchen. While the word seemed new to us, the melon looked just like what we had hoped for – watermelon to celebrate US Independence Day!

With a large knife we began cutting up the melon in slices but the first slice was a surprise. Instead of the expected traditional mouth-watering red sweet inside was a light green material fruity in fragrance but not near as sweet. We sliced it and cut it into chunks and then removed the dark seeds. We then put the chunks into a pot of boiling water and once it had become soft we added some maize meal. As we stirred it in, the mixture began to look something like porridge or cream of wheat!

We served it into bowls and enjoyed mxoxozi for breakfast. With a lightly sweet flavour, light green color and a hint of fruitiness we enjoyed a hot bowl of mxoxozi! What a treat! 

Is it OK to Eavesdrop?

from Katherine

Is it OK to eavesdrop? Well sometimes I think it is. Recently, on a Saturday, a friend called to say that the person who owns the sewing that she was using took it back. The sewing machine is VERY important to her because she takes in mending as a way to help support her family. We were sad for her and told her we would see what we could do to help.

The following day our youth group was hosting a breakfast for our church family. Hazel, a friend
who runs a thrift shop was there. Elliott went to greet her and asked if she ever had second hand sewing machines for sale. She said “yes, but I do not have any right now.” Another friend, Irene, was sitting right behind Hazel and overheard Elliott’s question. She turned to Elliott and said “I have an extra sewing machine; what do you want it for?” Elliott told her about our industrious friend Grace and Irene was thrilled for our friend to have it!

YEAH! God is so faithful!! I pray that He continues to help us be bold and ask the right questions and have people eavesdrop!

Disenfranchised

from Elliott
Tomorrow is a national election here in South Africa. A lot is at stake in this 20 year old democracy. Challenges of poor service delivery, rampant corruption and continued staggering inequality create a great deal of discussion among the population and the media. Having lived here for almost four years we are deeply focused on the needs of the people, are engaging in the complexities of this society and have a significant interest in the future of this land.

It is a strange feeling - you know there is an election and yet, despite our high degree of interest, since we are not citizens we are not allowed to vote. Perhaps that feeling of being an outsider and disenfranchised gives us a slightly better understanding of the perspective of those that for many years were without the right to vote here in South Africa, their own country. 

Born Free

from Elliott
No, I am not talking about the movie about lions in Kenya.

Instead, I am talking about those young people who were born in South Africa after 1994. Why 1994? The first democratic elections in South Africa and the end of Apartheid which end racial segregation and punitive race based laws. That event 20 years ago was celebrated this Monday on Freedom Day and there has been a great deal of conversation about the state of the formerly oppressed people twenty years later. Of course this year is a national election year so the majority party (ANC) is quick to put its spin on its accomplishments over the last 20 years. And the opposition can point out the disappointments.

The ‘born free’ generation shares a unique perspective. They did not live through the injustices of apartheid so seem to be able to focus fully on the future without the baggage of the past. Some that I speak to seem to be at odds with older family members saying , ‘Just move on, get beyond your anger, resentment, etc.’ They tend to be very open to relationships across old lines and many have moved to the cities creating a vibrant and inclusive culture.

At the same time, unemployment is huge among that age group and frustration is running high. Education in many areas has not improved to the degree necessary. Many in this ‘Born Free’ generation have received substandard educations which have not prepared them to fully take advantage of the reforms. At some point that realization and the sting of unemployment may very well create significant conflict and pit one generation against another.

As with all democratic cultures, it seems that change simply takes time. Perhaps patience and perseverance are the some of the most important characteristics of successful democracies!