1st Church blog

This morning we worshiped with our sister church Evaton Nord.  The congregation was elated to see Kelly and Wendell again, and they greeted Dave G and I very warmly.  At the end of the service, Maria Boysen pulled us aside and gave a heartfelt greeting.  Maria has been suffering from diabetes lately and would greatly appreciate the prayers of the congregation for her health.

It is custom to sing and sing and sing in a South African worship service.  The Sunday School children perpared two songs for us.  The children from the creche were all wearing the Shoreline Christian T-shirts that were donated in 2007.  It was so cool to see Shoreline Christian emblazened everywhere.  Flora reports that there are 101 kids registered in the creche.  And the building looks beautiful. 

The women start the singing, with a BEAT.  One of them was also playing a BELL - think a dinner bell.  Everything began and ended with song.  Much of the service was taken up by receiving the offering.  The people come forward in groups - or wards - a geographical grouping of members.  They would dance in front of the table and lay their coin on it.  Dance around it again and lay another coin down.  When the group was done, the total given was announced, and then another person read off the contribution by name and amount.  Most were able to give about R20-R50 ($2-$5).  It took a long time to go through all the groups. 

There was a group of 4 individuals who are able to tithe.  They had their own presentation of their gifts.  I should also note that everyone gives something -- even the smallest of children.

 The Seattle Ward also had their chance to give.  Our dancing was ---well David reminded me "white men don't dance".  (But can Kelly get into it!)  And we were able to lay our gifts down in one pass by the table.  Our gifts were totalled also, and announced.  The people took great joy in giving.  You can see it on their faces, you can hear it in their song.

Each of the team members was given opportunity to greet the congregation.  Wendell thanked them for the gift of the Belhar. Kelly presented maps of the USA and world.  David gave greetings from the congregation, and I was asked to close in prayer -- but that wasn't the end of the service.

On Saturday Swart was invited to give a eulogy at a mass funeral for 5 men killed in a public works accident. That took his full day.  At the close of the service today, he was off to preach at a nearby DRC where he is starting a new church for black community members. This is another daughter church of Evaton Nord.

During the lunch time, Kelly and Wendel had opportunity to talk in depth with four of the church women and got to know them better.  They are very concerned about the upcoming national elections. They are disillusioned with the ANC, and they don't trust the promises of any of the politican parties.  They told us of their love for Evaton Nord and speak highly of Swart.  We have photos that will be shared with the congregation.

Dave and I were outside migling with the children.  They were eatting their lunch, and very happy to chat with us. Most told us their age and grade at school.  I met one young man named "Thank You"  He said that his parents were thankful to God to recieve him.  The feeding program is funded by the gifts of the people at First Seattle CRC.  Each child had a chicken leg, rice, vegetables -- and cooks did a wonderful job of preparing it.  (No, I didn't get a taste).

 After everything was done, we took 4 people to their homes in Sebokeng -- about 25 km from Palm Springs - the area where Evaton Nord is.  These people normally take 2 taxis to get to church.  Church is certainly the center of their lives.

Tomorrow we are off to the north.  Dullstrom on Monday.   Tuesday and Wednesday we will be at the game preserve -hoping to see lots more wild animals.  Thursday we come back to Kgautswane staying in native rondevells.  We will be mostly out of contact during this time.  Next weekend will be a full one with the folk at Marantha URCSA.