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!   

Glued to God

from Elliott
A curious thing here are the names emblazoned on the minibus taxis that are everywhere. Each of them has some form of identifying slogan across the front windscreen or on the back. Still have not figured out the purpose - they don't tell you where it is going and you would not choose a certain taxi over another because they are all about the same inside. Perhaps it is just personality of the driver.

Regardless of the objective I am fascinated by the slogans. We have the driver descriptive Tall Boy, Small Boy, Boy Boy or the suggestive Foxy Lady, Hot Mama, Follow Me, or the religious God's Gift, Blessed, Glued to God. I like the religious ones especially. When they pass me on the road hooting, cut me off at an intersection or imperil their riders with high rates of speed, I wonder how their message (and that of the Kingdom) is tarnished. I guess if nothing else it makes the fearful riders in a prayerful mood. I think just the ride itself would put me in prayer mode!

I have thought of asking the drivers how they chose their slogan but I did not want to seem judgemental. So in the meantime I will just ponder!

Perhaps I should get a slogan for my pick up truck - I think I would choose 'Hayibo Andiazi' which means 'I don't have a clue' in isiXhosa. But then again, they might have already figured that out!

The Doorway to Learning

from Elliott

We are often amazed at the enthusiasm and commitment to learn of many of the students we

encounter in our enrichment programs. That despite the lack of basic of resources such as books, paper and pencils. Oh, and don’t forget the most basic of resources- a school building. Nothing too fancy, just the basics would be nice. Overcrowding is just a fact of life in the Eastern Cape but many classrooms are lacking even the basics – like a door!

As you can see this classroom HAD a door but the only thing left is hinges and one half of the frame. Hardly functional! But maybe that will remind the ‘maintenance department’ that one is supposed to be there so they will think to replace it.

Still there are many success stories where learners and teachers somehow find a way to encourage and achieve success or at least a modicum of hopefulness. 

Where's Waldo?

from Elliott
Some people look at clouds and see shapes of animals or people. We were hiking in the Mkambati Nature Reserve a couple of weeks ago. The coastline was breathtaking, the plantlife amazing, the eland majestic and the waterfalls beautiful. Even the rock outcroppings were interesting.

We had a picnic overlooking one of the waterfalls and I had an eerie feeling...it was like someone was watching us. And then I saw 'him'. Can you see him? Our very own Waldo!

Maybe I have been listening to too much talk of ancestral spirits or maybe I really am becoming part of the culture here.

Some Things Just Translate Easily

from Elliott
Well there weren't any isiXhosa words to confuse me. The message on the side of a house along a road in a remote part of our ministry area was clear. It was in the international language of sport. I think I knew what the resident was saying by the design that he had painted on the side of his one room house. I wonder if Nike would be upset if he had painted it on the outhouse just to the right of the house.

Perhaps he was expressing an affinity for a well know sport franchise or perhaps he was suggesting that he was an athlete of some local regard because just down the dirt road was a sport field Africa style – grass cut by local cows and goats and a rudimentary goal of scrap 2 X 4’s .

It reminded me of one of the talks in the Small Business Development course we offer to budding entry level entrepreneurs. We talk about marketing and branding and we show a series of logos (Nike, Shell, KFC, Puma, McDonalds, etc) without the name and see if the learners can guess the company and the product. Even in the remote rural areas of Africa everyone in the class got the right answers.

Not so sure how I feel about that! I have to admit sport does have a universal appeal. I can think of some other more significant messages that have more eternal consequence that do not seem to have such universal appeal but perhaps that is why God sent us here! We have work to do….   

My Friend Amos

from Katherine
I met my friend Amos at the beach in our town. He washes cars there. Amos is in his 20’s and car washing is how he supports himself and helps out his mom.  Amos charges R30 or about $3. He has a 20 liter bucket, a rag and dish soap and he gets the water from the public showers. Sometimes he will wash the fishing boats or clean fish. He always has a big smile on his face when he gets that job. Perhaps he makes more money or maybe he gets paid with fish.

I have not seen Amos all winter, so I began to watch for him along the road to his house or near his home because he lives near one of my schools. But no Amos.

Yesterday I was walking with a friend near the beach and a young man came to me and said “I have a message for you from Amos.” I was excited that someone had found me that knew about Amos, so I asked “from Amos? What is the message?” The young man said, “I talked to Amos on the phone and he said ‘If you see my white friend from America, tell her I am working in Durban at the Port and I will see them in December.”

I am thrilled for Amos to have a job at the port. It is a step up for a hard working young man. What pride he and his mom must feel! And I have to laugh at my description according to Amos – ‘my white friend from America.’

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.