Whale watching Helps!

Yes the Whales are there!
But you would need more than a microscope to see them in this photo , a mother and calf slowly making their way past the cliffs in Hermanus, the place for whale watching in October and the whale picture I really wished I had was the one that happened when I did not have my camera, but you might say, so what? OK, let me get on with this story. On Sunday, feeling stressed by the lack of summer weather here-it has been as stormy as I have ever seen it in my four years here- and other things, I went for a ride around my part of the Western Cape. There is nothing like the unending sweep of the Atlantic with those whitecaps, so common to this part of the Cape of Good Hope, that puts everything in perspective for me. It's not about my small concerns, but the greatness of a God who made this swirling majestic mass of ocean that surrounds our small Cape land mass. The drive is about 45 minutes and by the time I drive it , with one eye on the narrow mountain road and the other on the ocean, and pray, I calm down and remember whose I am and how much I love the work I do on Cape Town. Then as I neared the end of my drive I could not believe my eyes. A whale breached, I mean right out of the water, not once but three times. I stopped my car on the sliver of dirt road that separated me from the downside of the cliff and just enjoyed the show. This year, whales have been scarce in False Bay, the reason for the Hermanus trip, but this was the first time I had ever seen a whale completely out of the water. I was too far away to hear the sound of his body hitting the water when he landed but I could see the wall of water that shot up in the air at the impact. It was such a treat and mood enhancer! I checked on the Internet to see why whales breach and while there are several theories,mating, getting rid of hangers on or even attack or defense, no one really knows why. Maybe they are just putting on a show, and if so, I was glad this whale decided to put on a show for me. It reminded me of the wonders of nature and the sea world and of the majesty and power of the Creator at the time I needed it most. Today I shared this experience with the homeless men and women at devotions, and with my sewing and computer class. I urged them to live their lives in praise to God, just as the great sea creatures do. Yes,perhaps that whale was praising God! With a renewed mind and heart my eyes were opened to new opportunities today;to learn more about the homeless women so I can possibly start a sewing program with them, to encourage women who want to learn to sew so they can teach others and to strengthen our existing class with another teacher. Thank you Lord for whales!

Seeds that bear fruit

Wonderful News!
Last night I attended the annual meeting of the Warehouse, a church-based and church-focused ministry of justice to the poor. It is one of the ministries whose work I love. It is bathed in prayer, and locally resourced both financially and with an army of volunteers. The connection with Evangeline Ministries comes especially with the ministry to women with HIV and AIDS in another informal settlement Sweet Home Farms. Three of the women from that group graduated in July. They were led by Christina, seen here with her new sewing machine and this was the first time EM had done something like this. We loved the girls and they loved us back and when I heard that they are already passing on their skills to others in the community, that gave me the impetus for a new priority for EM here. Now I learned something else. Christina has also started a restaurant right there in the shacks and on Monday hosted a group led by the consul general in Cape Town, Dr. Alberta Mayberry. I was amazed and further, Christina and the girls are making beautiful aprons which they sell along with some other small items. Talk about seeds growing wonderful fruit. So, I will head for Christina's restaurant and will enjoy the food and buy some aprons which I will bring back home to share with you. Soon EM will participate in a Christmas fair at the US consulate and I was more than impressed when I learned that Secretary of State Hilary Clinton also has one of our bags. God has done such marvellous things for us!

It's Time!

It's Time!
This past weekend was Missions Week at King of Kings Baptist Center, the church behind the many ministries of Living Hope to which I am connected. I was particularly challenged by the words of the key speaker, Willie Crew, founder and director of the Pretoria based World Missions Center with a worldwide reach. In a time when we are all trying to find our footing in the financial quicksand of the current recession Crews says God is saying it is time to shift to a higher gear of ministry and allow God to provide the resources in His amazing way. He reminded us that "love is the currency of God's kingdom." He also said, based on missions around the world, that God will use the "lepers' of the world, people with HIV and AIDS, homeless, ex-prisoners and so on to be his messengers of good news. I identify with what he said. Last week as I spoke to the men and women in the homeless ministry Living Grace, I asked two of the women with me in the photo, what their plans for the day were. they had none and the Holy Spirit prompted me that I must join with others to do something more. This week I will meet with the manager Peter, seen with the Bible in the photo, there to see what Evangeline Ministries can to to provide skills for those women. It is the next step and I do not have any answers as yet, but sense God is leading here. Among these homeless women are those who live with HIV and AIDS, and many battle alcoholism and drug abuse but they faithfully come to worship and yes for bread and tea. We tell them about the love of Jesus but we realize that we must now show them that love in a practical way by helping them develop their skills, earn income and build new lives. Pray with me about this and I'll keep you posted.

Who is a South African?

Who is South African?
For many of us foreigners who live in Cape Town this is a question we face daily and one which affects everything we do. It is interesting to me that here, even with more than a trace of my West Indian accent left, everyone thinks of me as American. In America, I am American too but of course I can be called , African-American or Caribbean-American or and ethnic but still be regarded as American. No doubt an apartheid era legacy, here in the Cape and yes, throughout South Africa there are so many classifications. From my experience, there are many South Africa's that do not as yet make a whole. This is the source of much continuing disharmony and, separate communities rarely join together to celebrate anything together. There are some minor exceptions such as the Argus race where in the photo, people from many ethnic backgrounds in Fish Hoek joined to cheer on the global cyclists. Today as I read the local paper, my attention was caught by an article written by Ryland Fisher, a former editor of the Cape Times. Fisher described the confusion of identity between white, Indian, black, Chinese, colored , colored black, colored Indian and even black Chinese, and further, between Xhosas, Zulus, Tshwanas, Pedis, Vendas and Sotos, and their South African identity.
Is it not enough to be born here or does your ancestry qualify your identity? He suggests that this "should be urgently reviewed by the government or whoever does these things." He believes that all people born on the African continent can legitimately call themselves African, "no matter what their color or complexion." He writes further: "if we create an environment in which we acknowledge each other as South Africans we might be able to unite our nation in an unprecedented manner and develop a sense of patriotism that is sorely lacking throughout society." I agree with him and as a Christian worker believe the Church in South Africa must lead the way to break down the barriers that yet exist. Sadly, just as in America, these racial groupings are mirrored in the churches here but in some churches change is slowly happening. In one of the churches I regularly attend here, the pastor is Africa Soto and our church is racially mixed. In another I see a growing mix as people from other cultures begin to feel more welcome.
For sure it is not easy as there are linguistic and cultural differences that matter, but they can never be more important as the unity of this great nation.

Welcome the Williams family!

A special family visit!

This was indeed a week for visits from home and I love that. How pleased I was to welcome Dr. Anastasia Williams (photo) and her husband Stanford and daughter Nia to our part of Cape Town. Dr. Anastasia is a leading pediatrician in Northern Virginia but more she takes the best care of my dear nephews Elliott and Jordan, both of whom have also been to Cape Town. Jordan was amazed when I told him his doctor was here and Elliott said, "You mean she also went to Cape Point" they will have much to talk about when next they see her.

Anastasia had come to participate in a global medical conference. Cape Town is such a hot spot for world meetings and we see many people here because of that. Next year we are all looking forward to the Lausanne meetings when global mission leaders will convene here.

Anastasia and Stanford, seen in the photo below were a delight to have. They were just so interested in everything they saw but especially in the ministry. They are committed believers, part of the Manassas Assembly of God church in Virginia and are no strangers to mission trips. Anastasia encouraged the women to give their lives to the Lord and serve Him and follow His way and Stanford prayed for them. Ten year old Nia just hugged and loved them too.

Although the rain almost stopped us, I took them to Boulders Beach and the penguins all came out. This was something they especially wanted to see. On our way to Cape Point, the most Southern tip of the African continent, it seemed all of the resident baboons were on parade and they enjoyed that, something not as frightening as the elephant charge they had encountered in Krueger game park. As I reflect on the week, I think so much of Ephesians 2:21-22 and the description of the body of Christ. "..in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." The guests belonged to different churches, but are one in their deep love for the Lord and His work wherever that it. I was encouraged in what God has called me to do here and will pursue the contacts ech suggested to help strengthen and grow this ministry.

Haymarket Baptist Church Welcomed

Haymarket Team Visit
Five members from Haymarket Baptist Church in Virginia visited the Evangeline ladies on Monday. They were led by Rev. Matthew Hensley, youth minister at the church. The team included Matt's wife Dawn and three other women, Christa, Jackie and Debbie. Matt planned a visit to Cape Town to see the community development work of his friends Revs. Dawn and Jon Barnes who serve as missionaries with the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ in East London in the Eastern Cape. When Matt looked to see what Baptist work there might be in Cape Town, he heard about me from some of the other women who had visited earlier. He checked out the EM website and contacted me. Haymarket is a special place to me. It is home when I am not in South Africa as I stay with my sister and her family and my mother there. I know it so well. But long before my sister moved to Haymarket I visited that historic white chapel in the center of that small town many times as a participant in the services for the Global Women's Day of Prayer. I represented the Baptist World Alliance. I was so pleased to speak once again at the Wednesday evening prayer meeting about the work I do here in the Cape. The team arrived, eager to see what was happening but still trying to adjust to that long haul flight and six hour time change. Each of the ladies greeted the class and Matt prayed for them. Visits like these encourage us so much and we thank you Haymarket team. Come back !

Class lessons

Lovely Moments with Mandiswa and Nomakhwezi!

I enjoy being with these ladies and love their enthusiasm for their classes. After every class we serve tea with cookies and fruit. This class has decided they want bread so they each give two rand, equivalent to 35 cents, to buy some loaves of bread which they eat as it is. At first this concerned me, but then I comforted myself that it is wheat bread and not the white bread they love. I also realize that it is more filling for them and love their decision to also do something on their own since we provide everything else. And there is Many who made her own bag with her statement that frames all she does as our computer instructor. When I saw the bag, I knew you would appreciate seeing it too. These women are future leaders in their communities.