2010
SOCCER FEVA
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Been a while
We have been so busy with our church and with many different activities that i have really struggled to make time or find time to keep blogging. to give you a very short feedback as we are almost on our way home leaving tomorrow at 5ish back home on Saturday by 5ish too.
Since our last blog, we have moved between two families, first the Seyemours who were a wonderful family and had a simply beautiful home however we didnt get to see to much of it with our hectic schedule. Thursday last week saw us visiting the Presby childrens home out in Talledaga where the North Alabama Presby supports a school housing children of abusive and neglected home environments. it was amazing and such a priviege to spend time with these kids. Our next adventure took us to the national childrens advocacy in Huntsville - one of the first of its kind which has spread throughout America and even internationally. Again this was a super experience discovering and exploring the heritage that this worthy mission and outreach has developed in its short history. This ministry helps the community by aiding child abuse and caring for or taking away children who have been abused or molested or involved in violent home crimes through domestic violence.
We also managed to go to the space and rocket museum which was AWESOME!! we had so much fun exploring this amazing history and designs of the old space program brought in from the German researchers who came here after World war 2. We alsoo got to go on the space shoot ride flying high in the sky and seeing why space camp is so wildly cool!! Yet another exciting time was spent at the botanical gardens walking and relaxing and taking in some of Alabama's natural aesthetic. Saturday we went to a church called St. Marks where we spent the day in IMS - interfaith ministries service - where they sent us to the Islamic centre to pack food parcels as a day of service with other faiths and sharing our unique beliefs and differences. Saturday evening was my highlight as we went to an Alabama A & M University Football match which they won rather too convincingly. it was such an amazing opportunity to watch this crazy sport live and see why Americans love it so much. Still prefer RUGBY!
Sunday was a blessed day for us as we spent almost the entire day at 2 churches. firstly we went to Covenant Presby which is our twin church or partner and we attended the 3 services they have even getting a chance to speak about Trinity a little and enjoy 2 styles of worship. After this we went to Faith Presby where we were rehearsing for the evening Celebration Service celebrating the 10th year of the partnership between eGoli Presby and North Alabama Presby. This was such a wonderful celebratory service and really managed to branch the gap between the entire team and our Hosts as well as try to bridge the existing gap between communities and congregations over here too.
Monday we had already moved to our final host family and the ministers of our partner congregation Hal and Jean Oakley. it has been a super useful time spent sharing and felowshipping and hiking and doing outdoors activities a exploring the beauty of nature here. i think this has been the initial first step and hope that we can continue to build and grow in our relationship and hopefully transgress to the next level of opportunity and use. Monday evening we had a splendid chat on racial harmony and explored the difficulties, differences and similarities shared across borders between our 2 countries. I found this particularly intriging that even back home we have segregated congregations and seem happy or content about this with no urge to change or make change.
We made another trip whihc was out to Birmingham where we visited the civil rights museum and found a society rich in atrocities such as South Africa. just as dissapointing as back home, too much suffering and segregation has occurred and still seems to result due to COLOUR! Tuesday began our preparation for CAMP Maranatha where we spent the next few days having a reflective and relaxing time debriefing and offloading our thoughts and experiences while aslo spending some time in wilderness doing crazy things. One such crazy thing was to climb and walk around a vertical obstacle course about 10 feet high known as the Sky ropes. it was so fun and so scary and so awesome. IDEAS are overflowing from every outlet and adventure.
And now we prepare to return back to SA with an overload of information desires and ideas to share and try in the coming future.
Since our last blog, we have moved between two families, first the Seyemours who were a wonderful family and had a simply beautiful home however we didnt get to see to much of it with our hectic schedule. Thursday last week saw us visiting the Presby childrens home out in Talledaga where the North Alabama Presby supports a school housing children of abusive and neglected home environments. it was amazing and such a priviege to spend time with these kids. Our next adventure took us to the national childrens advocacy in Huntsville - one of the first of its kind which has spread throughout America and even internationally. Again this was a super experience discovering and exploring the heritage that this worthy mission and outreach has developed in its short history. This ministry helps the community by aiding child abuse and caring for or taking away children who have been abused or molested or involved in violent home crimes through domestic violence.
We also managed to go to the space and rocket museum which was AWESOME!! we had so much fun exploring this amazing history and designs of the old space program brought in from the German researchers who came here after World war 2. We alsoo got to go on the space shoot ride flying high in the sky and seeing why space camp is so wildly cool!! Yet another exciting time was spent at the botanical gardens walking and relaxing and taking in some of Alabama's natural aesthetic. Saturday we went to a church called St. Marks where we spent the day in IMS - interfaith ministries service - where they sent us to the Islamic centre to pack food parcels as a day of service with other faiths and sharing our unique beliefs and differences. Saturday evening was my highlight as we went to an Alabama A & M University Football match which they won rather too convincingly. it was such an amazing opportunity to watch this crazy sport live and see why Americans love it so much. Still prefer RUGBY!
Sunday was a blessed day for us as we spent almost the entire day at 2 churches. firstly we went to Covenant Presby which is our twin church or partner and we attended the 3 services they have even getting a chance to speak about Trinity a little and enjoy 2 styles of worship. After this we went to Faith Presby where we were rehearsing for the evening Celebration Service celebrating the 10th year of the partnership between eGoli Presby and North Alabama Presby. This was such a wonderful celebratory service and really managed to branch the gap between the entire team and our Hosts as well as try to bridge the existing gap between communities and congregations over here too.
Monday we had already moved to our final host family and the ministers of our partner congregation Hal and Jean Oakley. it has been a super useful time spent sharing and felowshipping and hiking and doing outdoors activities a exploring the beauty of nature here. i think this has been the initial first step and hope that we can continue to build and grow in our relationship and hopefully transgress to the next level of opportunity and use. Monday evening we had a splendid chat on racial harmony and explored the difficulties, differences and similarities shared across borders between our 2 countries. I found this particularly intriging that even back home we have segregated congregations and seem happy or content about this with no urge to change or make change.
We made another trip whihc was out to Birmingham where we visited the civil rights museum and found a society rich in atrocities such as South Africa. just as dissapointing as back home, too much suffering and segregation has occurred and still seems to result due to COLOUR! Tuesday began our preparation for CAMP Maranatha where we spent the next few days having a reflective and relaxing time debriefing and offloading our thoughts and experiences while aslo spending some time in wilderness doing crazy things. One such crazy thing was to climb and walk around a vertical obstacle course about 10 feet high known as the Sky ropes. it was so fun and so scary and so awesome. IDEAS are overflowing from every outlet and adventure.
And now we prepare to return back to SA with an overload of information desires and ideas to share and try in the coming future.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Busy busy busy!!!
Since i last had a chance to upload some of our adventures we have had such a fun and busy schedule going from one side of Huntsville and North Alabama to the other. On Tuesday we went out to Cullman Alabama which is about an hour out of Huntsville where we were welcomed into a very small congregation. The first thing upon arrival after introductions was to drive 3 miles back the way we came to a famous Grotto! I know, I was picturing this spectacular water fall with pools and amazing trails and wild life. No! This Grotto was a memorial to a catholic priest or Brother Joseph who designed these small rock features of different places in the world and bible. If you picture a mini version of Jerusalem - thats what we went to view. Interesting and such a strange artistic expression.
Following this we settled back at the church for a wonderful time of fellowship and luch before travelling on to a huge Catholic Shrine out in the countryside. WOW! Some people have too much money. But still very beautiful in its own rights - i was forced to wear longs over my shorts so my judgement may be biased. We left here to start our trip back to Westminster Presby in Decatur in Alabama. We were meeting with the church here to disucss our first Seminar on the missional church which was a super time of ministry and fellowship with some of the congregants in Decatur.
Wednesday has just come and gone so quickly for us. We awoke to a wonderful day of cloud assuming it may be a little cooler but unfortunately it was more humid and sweat drenching. Today we spent our moring and afternoon with two special elementary schools in Huntsville. Ang, Chris, Mkondi, Komnani, Mabela and myself went to the University Place elementary school where we had a special and fantastic time with the children. Firstly we got to share in a meal with them in their cafetaria. Then we went on a well guided tour by miss Dollie throughout the entire school visiting a few classrooms. We were then paraded a little with the grade 3-5 in a short assembly where we could speak a little about South Africa. After this we were requested to visit some of the classes and read some of the books we brought over to the children which i found to be the most fun.
When we eventually left for Nancy's house we had experienced such a wonderful time with the children we needed to rest and discuss our plan of action before the rehearsal this evening for the celebration service on Sunday. Then we arrived at Faith for dinner and the rehearsal where again we were put on the spot to perform a traditional song for our guests. Fun!!!! We were also expected to sing in the choir with these amazing vocalists which was terrifying for me - you know i cant sing! Anyway we had fun and survived only to be blessed by the A & M University choir mixed with the Fellowshp Presby choir who performed some amazing songs just for us as we gave them a small South AFrican Reception.
We are looking forward to our next visit with a new family from our church congregation and too exploring more of this beautiful country.
Following this we settled back at the church for a wonderful time of fellowship and luch before travelling on to a huge Catholic Shrine out in the countryside. WOW! Some people have too much money. But still very beautiful in its own rights - i was forced to wear longs over my shorts so my judgement may be biased. We left here to start our trip back to Westminster Presby in Decatur in Alabama. We were meeting with the church here to disucss our first Seminar on the missional church which was a super time of ministry and fellowship with some of the congregants in Decatur.
Wednesday has just come and gone so quickly for us. We awoke to a wonderful day of cloud assuming it may be a little cooler but unfortunately it was more humid and sweat drenching. Today we spent our moring and afternoon with two special elementary schools in Huntsville. Ang, Chris, Mkondi, Komnani, Mabela and myself went to the University Place elementary school where we had a special and fantastic time with the children. Firstly we got to share in a meal with them in their cafetaria. Then we went on a well guided tour by miss Dollie throughout the entire school visiting a few classrooms. We were then paraded a little with the grade 3-5 in a short assembly where we could speak a little about South Africa. After this we were requested to visit some of the classes and read some of the books we brought over to the children which i found to be the most fun.
When we eventually left for Nancy's house we had experienced such a wonderful time with the children we needed to rest and discuss our plan of action before the rehearsal this evening for the celebration service on Sunday. Then we arrived at Faith for dinner and the rehearsal where again we were put on the spot to perform a traditional song for our guests. Fun!!!! We were also expected to sing in the choir with these amazing vocalists which was terrifying for me - you know i cant sing! Anyway we had fun and survived only to be blessed by the A & M University choir mixed with the Fellowshp Presby choir who performed some amazing songs just for us as we gave them a small South AFrican Reception.
We are looking forward to our next visit with a new family from our church congregation and too exploring more of this beautiful country.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Hey y'all
Just a news update from our weekends expereinces since arrival till monday evening.
Our first family with whom we stayed in Huntsville, Alabama were Newell and Mary Witherspoon - not related!! Such kind and generous people, we had a simply wonderful time learning about their family and spending time with them at their/ our sister church - Covenant Presbyterian.
Let me get back to the action that has occurred in between all the hosting of the many diverse and wonderful people of our sister church. Saturday hit us with a bang - mostly becuase of the Jet lag - as we pushed ourselves to not sleep until late on Friday after our dinner reception. We spent the next few hours developing and working through the program for the huge Celebration service which will be taking place on Sunday 12th September. We also managed to fit in some time to felowship with all the different Prebytry members who came from South Africa which was simply marvelous. During this time we had a superb guide from the 1st Presby Church of Huntsville - Harriet - who took us on a tour of her sanctuary and bell tower before we left for our picnic up on Green Mount. Alabama is nothing like i expected. When i say this, i was not expecting such fancy and beautiful homes, such natural beauty and such mountainy and lush green settings. Take my breath away! God has created some breathtaking scenery on this side of the world and i have kept saying to so many Alabama home towners that i wish wehad some of their nature right outside my front door. WOW!!
Sunday was a very special day for us as we were for the first time going through to our sister church to meet and spend felowship with them. What an experience? Firstly, our services are very different, our church buildings are very different, but our congregants are almost exactly the same. Let me explain. they have 3 services in the morning. 8:30 is the up beat contemporary service, 9:45 is sunday school where they have teachings for every age from kindergarden through to 90 year olds teaching stories or bible study type lessons and so on, 11 whihc is the more traditional service - i mean seriously traditional. We chose to attend the various sunday school and teen lessons to gain knowledge and fellowship within our ministry field. We also attended the traditional service where only a choir and choir master and pianist accompanied or led the hymms. Apart from the worship which i struggled a little bit with and the very rigid structure of the service, the sermon was very honest and striaght forward. It was an interesting experience.
Following this we were introduced to many bright eyed and friendly people who wanted to share and talk to the South AFrican couple. We even attended a lunch with some and continued interesting conversations. After luch we went ome with our new host Annette Shilling on the other side of Madison county where Huntsville reigns. Annette decided that we had to visit the botanical gardens which was such a fascinating time exploring the natural wonders of the Alabama plant world. They also have a fun time setting up scare crows as part of the summer and fall season within the garden.
Today was a very similar experience although totally mind blowing and again simply breath taking. We were all shepherded into cars and driven through to Scottsville where we walked around a flea market. Then we were taken through to the Cathedral Caverns - a wonder cave - which is a huge cave like tour into the depths of this one mountain where we witnessed some spectacular sights with the different rock formations and stalagmites and stalagtites. All of whihc had been formed by water erosion and possibly some human input. FASCINATING!! Finally from here we were taken to the maple mount in Huntsville which is there cemetary and was interesting to wonder around.
Ang and i are thoroughly enjoying our visit thus far and are looking forward to our fellowship with our congregations and churchs more this week and weekend.
Our first family with whom we stayed in Huntsville, Alabama were Newell and Mary Witherspoon - not related!! Such kind and generous people, we had a simply wonderful time learning about their family and spending time with them at their/ our sister church - Covenant Presbyterian.
Let me get back to the action that has occurred in between all the hosting of the many diverse and wonderful people of our sister church. Saturday hit us with a bang - mostly becuase of the Jet lag - as we pushed ourselves to not sleep until late on Friday after our dinner reception. We spent the next few hours developing and working through the program for the huge Celebration service which will be taking place on Sunday 12th September. We also managed to fit in some time to felowship with all the different Prebytry members who came from South Africa which was simply marvelous. During this time we had a superb guide from the 1st Presby Church of Huntsville - Harriet - who took us on a tour of her sanctuary and bell tower before we left for our picnic up on Green Mount. Alabama is nothing like i expected. When i say this, i was not expecting such fancy and beautiful homes, such natural beauty and such mountainy and lush green settings. Take my breath away! God has created some breathtaking scenery on this side of the world and i have kept saying to so many Alabama home towners that i wish wehad some of their nature right outside my front door. WOW!!
Sunday was a very special day for us as we were for the first time going through to our sister church to meet and spend felowship with them. What an experience? Firstly, our services are very different, our church buildings are very different, but our congregants are almost exactly the same. Let me explain. they have 3 services in the morning. 8:30 is the up beat contemporary service, 9:45 is sunday school where they have teachings for every age from kindergarden through to 90 year olds teaching stories or bible study type lessons and so on, 11 whihc is the more traditional service - i mean seriously traditional. We chose to attend the various sunday school and teen lessons to gain knowledge and fellowship within our ministry field. We also attended the traditional service where only a choir and choir master and pianist accompanied or led the hymms. Apart from the worship which i struggled a little bit with and the very rigid structure of the service, the sermon was very honest and striaght forward. It was an interesting experience.
Following this we were introduced to many bright eyed and friendly people who wanted to share and talk to the South AFrican couple. We even attended a lunch with some and continued interesting conversations. After luch we went ome with our new host Annette Shilling on the other side of Madison county where Huntsville reigns. Annette decided that we had to visit the botanical gardens which was such a fascinating time exploring the natural wonders of the Alabama plant world. They also have a fun time setting up scare crows as part of the summer and fall season within the garden.
Today was a very similar experience although totally mind blowing and again simply breath taking. We were all shepherded into cars and driven through to Scottsville where we walked around a flea market. Then we were taken through to the Cathedral Caverns - a wonder cave - which is a huge cave like tour into the depths of this one mountain where we witnessed some spectacular sights with the different rock formations and stalagmites and stalagtites. All of whihc had been formed by water erosion and possibly some human input. FASCINATING!! Finally from here we were taken to the maple mount in Huntsville which is there cemetary and was interesting to wonder around.
Ang and i are thoroughly enjoying our visit thus far and are looking forward to our fellowship with our congregations and churchs more this week and weekend.
Friday, September 3, 2010
16 hour flight
Hey all
So we finally arrived after a very long flight with many distractions and stange people. The main negative was not sitting together but we managed and arrived safe but tired. We have now officially been awake for close on 18 hours having gotten some sleep in flight. It has been a fascinating adventure so far with many friendly faces and so much delicious food we feel like we are over eating. We have also managed to go on a short walk through downtown Huntsville visiting some churches and some heritage sites that this town is known for. So far it has been an amazing first day and we are looking forward to meeting our first host family tonight.
Bye for now
So we finally arrived after a very long flight with many distractions and stange people. The main negative was not sitting together but we managed and arrived safe but tired. We have now officially been awake for close on 18 hours having gotten some sleep in flight. It has been a fascinating adventure so far with many friendly faces and so much delicious food we feel like we are over eating. We have also managed to go on a short walk through downtown Huntsville visiting some churches and some heritage sites that this town is known for. So far it has been an amazing first day and we are looking forward to meeting our first host family tonight.
Bye for now
Thursday, September 2, 2010
preparation
Today, the 2nd of september 2010, is the day for preparation. All our discussions and plans have led up to this exciting day, when we fly out to Huntsville Alabama to visit and fellowship with our sister congregations over there. This blog exists to notify and share this wonderful adventure with our own congregation back home in sunny South AFrica.
Wish us luck
Blessings
Wish us luck
Blessings
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