Thank you Tony

Tuesday February 24
A Visit from Tony
Last week for four days from Februay 19-22, I had the absolute joy of being with my mentor and friend Tony Campolo as he ministered to people at the 2009 Mission Fest meeting in Pretoria, South Africa. My love for Tony and his wife Peggy goes back a long time, all the way to 1972 when I went to then Eastern College, now Eastern University, because I heard Tony on Christian radio. At that time I was unsure of where I wanted to go. After I heard Tony I was headed to Eastern. From the day I arrived, he and Peggy took such an interest in me. I actually got to know Peggy first since she interviewed me for the local newspaper. Then Tony helped me with financial support, but even more, with a new perspective on the call of Christ and the Christian faith that was to change my life forever. I took every sociology course of his even though I was an English and Communications major. Like hundreds of others, I could hardly wait for classes which were more sermons than lecture but with a professor who was one of the toughest examiners of the college. Oh yes, I did well, and the lessons I learned are with me today. The call of Christ is a radical call to change the world and see the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all of life. Jesus loves the poor and we must work with him in the power of the Holy Spirit on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged. I listened and watched as Tony preached that same message with that same passion to Mission Fest and I was as moved and motivated now as I was then so many years ago. In my humble opinion, Tony's imprint on evangelical Christianity in North America and Canada and Europe is large, and all to the Glory of the kingdom of God, never to Tony's. There are hundreds of people in full time Christian service today who are there because they heard the call of God through Tony's preaching. When he asks you to respond, he calls you to sacrifice and service, with no promises. He is unswerving in his belief that Christ came to change the world and Christians must be involved in every aspect of it. I am thankful too that he shares his struggles in the Christian faith around issues today that challenge the evangelical church. You may not always agree with him but you have to do some thinking and I like that. I am as proud today to be his friend and thankful for the short time I served on his Board before I left for South Africa. What I do here in Cape Town, can be traced all the way back to my late dad and to Tony Campolo. thank you Tony and may many more lives be changed because of what the Lord does so uniquely through you-call people to Jesus Christ

Visitors so welcome

A welcome visit.

It is always so good to have visitors from anywhere, but especially from home and better yet, from the women of Virginia. Today was such a day and I loved it all the more because I was not supposed to be here. When Barbara Hoge wrote me to say she would be in Cape Town, the dates seemed to conflict with my visit to Missionsfest in Pretoria. Barbara comes from Ox Hill Baptist Church, where I have had the joy of speaking and also the home of a dear friend Joanne Hendricks a work colleague at the Baptist World Alliance. Barbara was in Port Elizabeth to quilt, prayer walk and show the Jesus film as part of an evangelistic tour. How delighted I was when Barbara called and I had one day left and she and her team, just an hour before she had to go to the airport. Thankfully you can accomplish a lot in one hour. Apart from lots of hugs they were welcomed by John Thomas pastor of Fish Hoek Baptist Church who gave them a brief history of the ministry here with people who live with HIV and AIDS. Since it was not a class day, they saw sewing machines but also met Khumi Morare, one of the first graduates of the sewing program here. And it all happened on day filled with Cape sunshine. a great visit.

A new chapter has started

Sunday February 15, 2009

as I sit at my window and hear the "Cape Doctor" wind roaring outside, temporarily blowing away all the pollen that aggravate my allergies at the absolutely and amazingly beautiful time of the year, I reflect on a few things. Class has begun, eleven women full of desire to learn to sew and acquire some computer knowledge.

I am as thankful for them today as I was that first c;ass day in 2006 when this all began. Just two weeks into our schedule, the taxis went on a three day strike. I barely noticed except I wondered why the suburbans streets around which I drive, were so quiet. However, while the strike did not affect me, it made it very hard for the three ladies from Sweet Home Farms to come. What moved me even more was their concern for my safety. As I drove them to the train station that afternoon, they asked me to drop them off, away from the sight of the taxi stand to avoid any danger. I was amazed to think that, because I gave the women a lift, a cab or bakkie driver as they are known, would be incensed, but sadly, that is the reality here and I did well to listen to them. Later that evening I attened a poetry reading by one of Cape Town's celebrated poets. Sindiwe had just completed a book about HIV and AIDS and she is most concerned that freedom in her beloved land has not brought about transfomation and harmful traditional beliefs contribute greatly to the spread of HIV and AIDS, expecially among women. As I read her book, I learn even more about the conditions and world view in the townships and all the more I appreciate the women in our group. Soon I will attend a Missions Conference in Pretoria and I look ahead to all I will learn there. Tony Campolo will be the featured speaker and I look forward to that.

A good massage

A good Massage
Was not what I expected when I headed off to the new farmers market in Fish Hoek where I live. I have recently returned to Cape Town after Christmas and Inauguration in Virginia. It was, as usual, a wonderful time with my family and friends. I mourned the loss of a neighbor and friend who supported me in the work here. As I had done before, I joined the crowds in the bone chilling cold to welcome in the new President. As soon as I got back to the Cape, I began a week of journalism teaching at the Youth With a Mission base in nearby Muizenberg. So yes, I was ready to sleep in on Saturday morning when I heard my cell phone. It was Mary from church. "Come and have breakfast at the new market," she said. Off I went to the food market, part of the upgrading of this small seaside village. As soon as I entered saw, not Mary but (l)Victoria and (r) Primrose. Both were 2008 sewing class graduates but they were also on to a new venture to help grow their limited incomes. So , did I want an African massage? Of course, I said yes. So after a spicy breakfast at Mary, I had my fifteen minutes massage. I then bought salmon cakes from Patricia and vinegar from another young man. On the way there I met another young African who needed my help and another who wanted to know about computer classes. With my purse much lighter I headed home and thanked God for all of the people whose lives I have touched and whose touch mine. Relaxed after the neck therapy, I was all the more grateful to be here. You see, it is sometimes hard to leave home and fly back to Cape Town, even though I know this is absolutely where I should be.In my honesty before God, I am comforted in His will and by all of these special people.