Lunchtime - Day 3

Yesterday morning was quite enlightening as we continued our visits in the North End area. Our first visit was to the Magistrates’ Court, which we discovered covers the whole of the greater Port Elizabeth area. Having never been in a courtroom in my life before, I was astonished to see what an incredibly busy place it is. As a result, we found it difficult to speak to people, and established that access to people would be easier if one made an appointment. We did however manage to speak to someone in the domestic violence and maintenance sections, where we established a dire need for counselling.

Then it was on to Home Affairs, which was not actually an office as we would understand it, but in fact a designated refugee processing centre. Once again we were quite amazed to see the number of different nationalities of the people present – Zimbabweans, Kenyans, Pakistanis, and even Chinese. Since the centre only processes 50 applications per day, those who are no’s 51 onwards must come back the next day. Many people (both men and women) therefore end up sleeping in the street, so as to make the queue the next day. One man we spoke to from Zimbabwe is a Methodist from Bulawayo, who indicated that he had been waiting for a week to be able to get into the "top 50" for a particular day.

Corruption and exploitation appears to be rife – we saw a move by a security guard that appeared to be the soliciting of a bribe, possibly for asylum papers / a place in the queue. There was another interesting incident that I didn't notice at first - a white man in a bakkie slowed down, and was immediately surrounded by a number of the refugees. It appeared that he was looking for temporary workers (illegally), and according to my colleagues, he appeared shocked to see me (the only white face in the crowd) as he then drove off in quite a hurry.

There is also a pre-school in the area. However, the majority of children are not from the North End area itself, but from surrounding townships.

Some of the group visit a clinic, where they encountered a high incidence of HIV+ people. There was no support system (counselling), and the staff was not aware that there is a Methodist Church in North End. They indicted that the Church could help immensely by establishing VCT (voluntary HIV testing and counselling) support centres.

Needless to say, a VERY tired group of Phase Ones arrived back at North End just before lunch - and we still had evening services to prepare for...

Lunch on Day Two, and the score is...

We've just returned from Mothwa Haven, an old-age home in North End, and (to be quite honest) I could have spent the entire afternoon there. I don't know what it is - I never thought of myself as having a particular ministry to older folks, but somehow there is great pleasure in just sitting and chatting to people. And as I shared some tea with the folks, and listened to some of their memories, I really felt ... well, loved, actually.

There were a couple of sad moments, however.

Firstly, there was a realisation that although the residents have each other's company, and the surroundings are pleasant enough (I, for one, wouldn't feel too hard done by living there, except that my surround-sound hifi system might create a few enemies), many of the people receive few (if any) visitors from outside. I'm beginning to think that having a group of people to visit such homes on a regular basis, taking along a tray of biccies and having a chat, playing cards, or simply reading to the folks (especially those with failing eyesight) could be a ministry in itself.

Secondly, some of the particularly frail people are no longer to take care of even the basic necessities, such as feeding themselves or performing ablutions. I nearly cried when we were serving communion, as for some of the folks we literally needed to place the bread in their mouths, and hold the cup for them - just as one would do with a baby.

The sobering thought is that all of us will one day grow old. I once heard a saying that the level to which a nation can be considered "civilised" is evidenced by how they treat their aged. I just have such a deep sense whenever I visit these homes, both on this plunge and back in my home Circuit, that many of these folks were there for the Church their whole lives - now the Church needs to be there for them. My prayer is that Luke 6: 38 will hold true in this instance, and that as I "give" by visiting institutions such as this, it will be "given back to me" in the form of someone visiting me when I get to the age where I can no longer get out and about.

Plunging into Day Two

Well, Day One of the plunge came and went, and none of us were abducted (or worse). Still, street ministry is quite scary - perhaps that's why so few people actually do it.

Having said that, it was quite enlightening in a sobering kind of way, since it highlighted just how out of touch we as a Church are with our surrounding communities. Unfortunately, given the transient nature of the Phase One programme, we would not be able to embark on a structured, regular visitation programme, but this is definitely something on my list for when I am placed in a church for 3 or more years.

Sadly, the "R" word reared its ugly head - some of my black colleagues experienced some difficulty when attempting to speak to white people. I don't know if it is deep-seated racism, or the perception that someone coming to the door is perceived by many white folk to be a beggar or criminal. I guess it may be more of the latter, because the resident minister had no problems of this nature, despite being black. Perhaps having his clerical collar on is what made the difference. Certainly, I felt that there was one home that I would probably not have gained access to if it were not for me wearing clericals. I also suspect that my more "with-it" colleagues will be dusting off their Tupperware this morning!

So on to Day 2. I'm going to enjoy today, because we will be spending most of the day conducting services at old-age homes. I don't know if I've just become aware of this since turning 40, but for some time now I've shown a marked preference for ministering to the "oldies" than to teenyboppers. Already at this early stage of my ministry, I'm beginning to develop a bit of a reputation with my "harem of octogenarians", with my Superintendent (aged 68) only too happy to have turned this side of the ministry over to me. There are two magical words guaranteed to spark off an hour-long conversation - "Springbok Radio" - which (sadly) went off the air 10 years before any of the current teens were even born.

Tomorrow night we'll be ministering to youth - that's when Jenny, Gift, and others come to the fore, and I'll hide behind the sound system and keep my gob shut.

Things starting to fall into place

In a previous post I reported that I needed to find a place in a school for my son for 2010. This process has been made a bit awkward by the uncertainty surrounding where I am going next year, and as a result I've had to obtain provisional places for him in both Pietermaritzburg and in Uitenhage.

Late last week Pelham Senior Primary School in Pietermaritzburg contacted me to inform me that they are reserving a place for James in 2010. Today it was the turn of Muir College in Uitenhage - while his place in the school for next year has not been confirmed, he had his interview with the Head of Department: Primary Phase today, and it's looking good that they'll have a spot for James as well.

A further letter concerning options for stationing in 2010, as requested by EMMU, was also sent through by my Bishop today, so now it's down to the decision of the EMMU Working Committee, their recommendation to the Connexional Executive, and then the final decision by Conference towards the end of September.

With places in schools confirmed for both Pietermaritzburg (where the Seminary is located) and Uitenhage (where I am currently stationed, and amd hoping - for a variety of reasons - to remain next year), watch the Church throw me a curve-ball and send me to Cape Town next year! (hee hee :-)

And so the journey (and the waiting) continues...

Plunging right in

Well, the "Plunge" has started, and our group of Phase One probationers has plunged right in! For immediately upon our arrival at the College at North End Methodist Church in Port Elizabeth, we had a quick bite to eat and then it was down to the business of finalising the overall plan for the week.

At this early stage some of us are already getting a bit "wired" - the control freaks among us naturally want everything to go without a hitch. Countering this is the inherent fear that we actually don't really know what we are doing. As a result, our first meeting was a bit chaotic, and in the Bishop's presence as well - but somehow, amid all the noise and bluster, we managed to come up with a (more or less) coherent plan.

The aim of the plunge is to bring a renewal to the North End area. If ever we needed God's guidance, it's now...

Call me juvenile, but...

I'm really blessed to have a wonderful secretary who plies me with cups of tea throughout the day. However, what goes in must also come out!

But today, when nature called, I really wish I had a stopwatch going. My son and I are locked in a long-standing, bitter battle for the title "World's Longest Pee", and I'm convinced I wrested the title from his grasp today - except I don't have an official time to verify it.

Next time, James ... next time ...

Our God Is SO Big!

This is the theme of the Phase One "Plunge" that takes place next week (17-21 August 2009), and we've been given the "small" task of bringing revival to the North End area of Port Elizabeth. Thankfully, although our ablities are very small, we serve a God Who is so BIG!

Please pray for 11 scared but excited Phase One probationers, as well as for all the people who will be touched by this great big wonderful God Whose love knows no bounds.

As an aside, it seems that lately God is speaking to me through songs, and right now I'm meditating on a song that I last sung back in 1978 when I was in Standard Two!

We've got a Great BIG Wonderful God!
We've got a Great BIG Wonderful God!
A God Who loves every one of us
Always taking care of us
Great BIG Wonderful God!

We've got a Great BIG Wonderful God!
We've got a Great BIG Wonderful God!
A God Who's always victorious
Always watching over us
Great BIG Wonderful God!

I can't remember the rest, but I'm sure the message is pretty clear!