Is Something Sore?

from Elliott

When you see a doctor’s office (surgery) here they often have a sign with their degrees and schools listed. I don’t know enough about the various schools to know whether you can judge the abilities of the doctor by the location of the school but this one  really caught my attention.

The medical school is “MYSORE”. At first pass it seems like a perfect name for a medical facility, “My Sore”. If you had a sore or something was sore you would certainly want to go to this doctor. I had to look it up; turns out it is a school in India in the Mysuru District pronounced “mi-suer”  .

When You Don't Have Water at Home....

from Elliott

Our town has had a shower to rinsing off at the beach for a long time. What is new is the sign in the photo. One day our son came home from the beach a bit shocked to have seen someone using the shower. That of course is not unusual but this time the person had taken all of their clothes off!

Often we see small children at the beach or at the shower in their underwear instead of a swim suit but we began having young adults doing the same! I am sure the sign was a stock image but it sure seems to bear (or bare) a close resemblance to someone I saw there…

Many times the Zulu or Xhosa translation for something that is very short or cliche' in English turns out to be something quite expansive. The Zulu on the sign, "Abahamba benqunu abavunyelwe lapha" translates into, "Walking around without clothes on is not allowed here"

Which begs the question, "Where is it allowed?"

The Walking School Bus

from Elliott
There is a primary school we pass each day that is on a busy tarred road at the crest of a hill. Cars and trucks often drive over the speed limit through the area. To complicate matters there are no sidewalks or footpaths and the grass is often 3-4 feet high at the pavement edge. The result is young children walking in the lane of traffic and crossing in blind areas. Unfortunately, there have been numerous children hit and killed in that location. We have even witnessed one of the deaths. Tragic.

Finally there was enough community outrage that a number of things have happened. Something as simple as a road hump was added and now there are crossing guards with reflective vests. But just the other day I noticed that there are groups of young children that walk along the road with an adult in a single file. For their safety even they are given reflective vests. And on the vests are the words, 'Walking School Bus.'

While many students ride in minibus taxis, I have not seen what I understand as a school bus here- that is the yellow and black type we know in the US. Regardless of what the reflective vest says, I hope that I never witness another young child killed at Ebenezer Primary School.

The Price of Being an American

from Katherine
We were in the hot, dusty market town of Bizana recently for one of our small business development classes. I had to make a run to the market for supplies to cater the lunch and overheard (and participated in) a conversation of the older couple in front of me.

Husband to Wife: "Let's buy some mushrooms for you to make for dinner for me tonight."
Wife to Husband: "No, I am not buying mushrooms. Just let me shop."
Husband to Wife: "You are always telling me what to do. You sound like one of those American women on the soapies!"

Then someone gives the man a nudge and then points to me. The man looks at me and shrugs his shoulders and apologises. I tell him, "Don't worry, I don't think the women on the soapies speak nicely to their husbands either!

Unfortunately, we bear a burden as Americans from how we are portrayed in television - American or otherwise.  Perhaps our behavior is instructive more so when we are 'counter cultural.' At first I wondered, how did they know I was American and then I remembered that even for those that do not know us personally we are known of here in this town for the work we do and because we stand out just a bit!

Kushushu Kakhulu

from Elliott
It has been very hot and humid recently - not surprising for South African summer! It has helped me practice Xhosa when I can say to others 'kushushu kakhulu' which means it is very hot.

So hot in fact that a gecko got into the car and positioned himself on the vent just waiting for some cool air! Problem is that to get the cool air on it takes a scary human to turn on the car which caused the gecko to hide underneath the seat. We were just waiting for it to surface while we were driving and then it would be scary gecko freaks out a human.

We like geckos here since they eat many mosquitoes. So we are happy to have them outside the house, inside the house and even in the car! 

Mr. Katherine

from Elliott
We arrived at Arise and Shine School after a lengthy absence, so of course there was great excitement. The children in the Grade 3 classroom greet me at the door - "Molo Mr. Katherine". I am not surprised that they see me as the male version of Katherine. They have heard my name, "igama ngu Elliott" but Katherine is their main focus so I must be an afterthought. We joke that I am her driver since they see me driving the truck or that I am there to carry the bags. We tend to challenge many of the accepted gender roles and that can be useful when presenting the Gospel message.

That day the children were very curious as to why I had a ring on my finger and then one child pointed out that Mrs. Katherine had one too and it looked the same. "Thank you, Lord" for opening the door to a conversation (little did they know that they were setting up a new Gospel message!) about Christian marriage and commitment. I explained what the rings signified and that she and I had the same ring reminding us that we were co- equals in a relationship formed by God.

One boy then said, "I think I will get my wife a ring" I explained that were quite a few steps in between Grade 3 and getting married and that he might have to be patient! I then said that now was a good time to be thinking about how God wanted men and women to treat one another and get some practice. 

Mixed Message?

from Elliott

We often see people who profess to be Christ followers but it is clear that they continue to practice their traditional religion that may have some conflict with Christianity. In many cultures there seems to be a blending of faith traditions which can be called syncretism.  Sometimes it is very subtle.

It would be one thing to hear the Gospel and accept Christ but we have found that discipleship is essential to assure a deeper understanding of the Gospel message and consistent application.

I was in a nearby Indian spice shop the other day when I found incense with mixed messages. The use of the incense was Hindi and its stated purpose was to ‘reach a higher understanding and consciousness. It also had a number of Christian references such as the use of Mother Teresa image and the phrase ‘Come to Me’ which suggested ‘come to me all ye who are weak and heavy laden.’

It is often challenging de-conflicting messages we find in our area of ministry. That is certainly not unique to us. I would guess that a missionary to the US might have a similar challenge!