SIX MORE DAYS WITH THE WOMEN OF THE AMATOLA PRESBYTERY

QUEENSTOWN, EAST LONDON, MORGAN BAY AND GRAHAMSTOWN

AUGUST 23 - 28

Thobeka Masango and Bev Cooper at Queenstown Worship 

Barbara Cooper relaxing at a host family

At Morgan Bay planning for 2013

Elaine Brown sharing her message at Queenstown Church

Bayanda Mtiya, 2003 Youth Exchange to the USA participant, with Elaine Brown

Some new friends!

Elders marveling at those PNNE women during worship

Finally....vacation time at a Grahamstown Game Park

No problem....here in New England at least....

Five Days with the Women (and Men) of the Amatola Presbytery 

in East London and in Queenstown

August 18 - 22

Thobeka Masango, Barbara Cooper and Phumla Vazi in front of Sterling Church,
East London

Welcome dinner in East London (check out the sky scraper  in the background)

Bev Hoover presenting CD gift to the head of the Queenstown PW

  

Visiting kids from the Phumelela Special Care Centre in Queenstown

Barbara Cooper, Rev. Jacques Murphy, Bev Hoover, Elaine Brown and Thobeka  Masango at Thobeka's Church in Queenstown

We've only just begun our travels, but if everyday is filled with as much information and resources as today, we may have to write a travel thesis versus a blog.

The Rev Cliff Leeuw guided our attention to projects which are supported by his congregation, St. Georges.  Highlights included:
- Canaan Care Center, an education center for special needs children.
- Sunnyridge Community Crime Reporting Center housing "Living Waters", a referal agency for domestic and child abuse.
- St. Andrews Church on the West Bank that just celebrated their 135th anniversaary
-The Haven Wellness Center, a HIV hospice and community outreach for children, including serving meals  for the children everyday
- Samaritan Care Center, a HIV hospice.

Each visit deserves a blog chapter applauding their dedicated staff and service to the community.  But we will have to share those stories upon our return.

Our day concluded with a wonderful dinner at Cliff's and Elsabe's home.  The women of St. Geroge's prepared the yummiest of South African foods; yams, roast beef, chicken, rice, fresh fruits, pudding, but nothing can equal being greeted by rejoicing music as you entered their home.

We challenge of of our readers to begin practicing their musical praises because we've got a long way to go if we want to included in God's choir.

Thanks Be To God

Pictures from our first day in East London

Good morning/evening whatever the time is.  We have arrived at our home gracious host Dr. and Mrs. Jake and Vi Jekwa for a three day visit.  We toured Johannesburg  (Joburg) this morning with PC(USA) liaison to Southern Africa, Doug Tilton.  Doug has lived in SA for over 20 years.  The car tour was short because we had to be at the airport by 12 for a 2:30 flight to East London.

Our morning meal at the B and B was just as exceptional as the evening dinner.  Eggs served like Europe in egg cozies, several types of sausages, mushrooms simmered with red and green peppers, yogurts with copious amounts of fresh fruit of all kind.  I did not eat jam or marmalade, but everyone at the table was enjoying mulberry jam made from trees in her yard.  We said our goodbyes’ and appreciated the suggestion to stay in Joburg for the day prior to flying. 

When we arrived at the airport in East London, we were met by four beautiful ladies who attended last year’s conference with PNNE.  After a lazy cup of tea at the airport, we were skirted off to Auld Memorial Church.  Upon arriving about 35 women were outside the fellowship hall singing happily along with honking horns upon our arrival.  It was quite a joyous welcoming.  A short program was shared and we were introduced and given our Xhosa name.  Translated my name means “Mother of Love”.  I believe it is spelled Noluthando.   Elaine’s name is Nobubele, Mother of Compassion/Love and Barbara’s name is Nonceba, which is Mother of Mercy.  Gratefully, only Barbara’s name has the C click in the pronunciation.  Elaine and I would never be able to pronounce our names if we had to click our tongue….however, Barbara has been practicing even in NH so she indeed was ready for this appropriate name.

We give thanks for God’s travel mercies and for our wonderful SA friends and new friends who are widely encircling us in His love. See pictures on next post!

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We're here!

Hi! We are tired but exhilarated. The trip progressed without a hitch. We were warmly welcomed by Willem and Yvonne Bester from the Marben House B&B where we are staying tonight. It was difficult to get a good impression of Johannesburg just from the airport, but we were most warmly greeted by everyone we came into contact with including the passport control people. Tomorrow morning we meet with Doug Tilton, the  Regional Liason for Southern Africa for the Presbyterian Church (USA). Hope to send you a couple pictures then. 

The day has finally arrived!  We are off to South Africa!  Departed on time from Logan Airport in Boston, and are now waiting in Washington Dulles Airport for a 5:40 PM flight to Johannesburg. It's only a "short" 17 hour flight.  Wish us well!

        

                                            Bev Hoover    Elaine Brown    Barbara Cooper                                           

                                                    Just checked in and are catching our
                                                  breath before entering the security line.

       

                                                        What a mob scene going through
                                                  Security!  Can you spot us in the crowd?

We three have begun our journey to meet and fellowship with our sisters in Amatola Presbytery. All plans are in place and we start our journey on Tuesday August 14. Stay tuned as we share the experience as we go along.
Elaine, Beverly and Barbara