Sunday, August 17, 2014

Minute for mission by Jean Roesner

Jean Roesner prepared the following for her church's Minute for Mission on 17 August (posted with permission):

Have you ever been so disturbed that you were sick to your stomach?  Have you ever been so excited that you wanted to shout out congratulations to the people you were watching?
Now, have you ever had both emotions at the exact same time?
You might know that Deb and I just arrived home from the Women’s Exchange to South Africa.  One of the sites we visited was an elementary school in Ducats, just outside of East London.  As we toured the school, we were introduced to the teachers and their students.  It was obvious that they were using some of the very “new” strategies that I am struggling to bring into my classroom.  In my heart, I was hopeful, because these teachers obviously wanted to teach their students in the most current, research-supported methods.
At the same time, I was sick to my stomach.  I watched as 68, 5 year olds – kids just like my son, Myles – gathered in their outside classroom.  These children were learning under the shade of the trees, flanked on either side with metal shipping containers that served as shelter for the students when the rains came.  There was no chalk board, no serviced toilets, and some of the teachers hadn’t been paid for 3 months.  There were no students who received special education, as the school was not accessible for students with physical disabilities, and other learning disabilities are not addressed for individual learners.  To me, this is the face of poverty that will forever be etched in my brain.

I was thinking about it.  It’s easy to be anthropomorphic when thinking about God.  After all, we only know the human experience.  It’s easy to imagine that God might have the same feelings about how we deal with such poverty in the human condition.  When He sees those conditions, does his stomach turn?  Is He happy to see His children suffering due only to the fact that their lives began in one part of the world vs the other?  I don’t think so. 
But, I do think God is hopeful.  When He looks at exchanges such as this one, which has literally improved the lives of thousands of people in the Amatole Presbytery, I think God is hopeful that we can, no, that we will, improve the human condition by reaching out to those around us who are in need.  You might have heard that six ladies came to the US in 2011.  In 2012, those very ladies started garden projects, soup kitchens, and community clinics, to name just a few IN 34 congregations.  Why?  Because God brought them to the places here, similar to our food bank, clothing center, and others, where they were inspired by others making a difference in their communities.  When God sees that, how can He not be hopeful?
It is my hope, as we continue to be part of this exchange, that we reach out to the people in the Amatole Presbytery, and that we encourage their growth.  In doing so, not only are they doing the work of God, they are reminding us what it means to be Christian.  Maybe, as we work together, we’ll be able to let go of that sick to our stomach feeling. 

Saturday, August 16, 2014

There are many anecdotes from our journey that I am sure are worth sharing...here's one that came to my mind today....

During our (cluster) stay in a small rural-ish township, Bisho, Janet and I spent an afternoon with a quite extraordinary young boy we'll call L. L is 10, and he's so small, he looks about 6. Until he speaks, then you might mistake him for a young man of 19 or 20. His English is incredible (and he uses words like suspicious and vortex!). He used to live in a very small rural village, with a very poor primary school. The school wasn't very helpful for him - he taught himself English, learned about science and maths...yet he couldn't read at all. 

One of the members of Semple Memorial (the church in Zwelitsha, for which Bisho is an outstation) came to know L, and brought him to the attention of some of the women from the Bisho congregation. The women began working with L, having him tested, and ended up finding him a "sponsor" so he could go to a primary school in town, where the standards are quite a bit higher, and where they are now slowly teaching him how to read. (The costs of the primary schools is quite different - 500R per year in the village' 750R per MONTH in town!).

Over the course of our afternoon together, he asked to see some photos from home. I didn't have anything but my cell phone with me, so I showed him some photos on there...he took a liking to the selfies with funny faces I took with my 9-year-old niece at my sister's wedding in July. 

As we were starting to say goodbye an hour or so later, L shyly asked whether we could take "one of those photos with the funny faces"...And so we did.

And, today is his 11th birthday! Happy birthday, L! :)


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

THEY HAVE ARRIVED AT LOGAN AIRPORT!
SAFE, EXCITED AND WEARY



Jenna Carpenter (Barnet, VT), 
Nancy Perkins (Ryegate, VT) and 
Gisela Rots (Church of the Covenant, MA)



Melissa Smart (Learsarge. NH)



Jean Roesner (Leeds, ME), 
Elaine Brown (Mid-Coast, ME) and
Emily Kletzien (Kearsarge, NH)


Jessica Ciottoni (Church of the Covenant, MA)


Elaine and Janet Fuhrmeister (Barre, VT)



A joyful reunion - Susan Gleason (Haverhill, MA) 
and her husband Charlie


The Maine contingent - Jean Roesner (Leeds), 
Elaine Brown (Mid-Coast) and Deb Burgess (Leeds)



Elaine and Roxanne Casadonte (Barre, VT)

Monday, August 11, 2014

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014

TOURING IN THE ALICE CLUSTER


A fun reunion of friends made during
the 2003 & 2004 Youth Exchanges

Mile Katiya - Lovedale Church, Alice
Stephanie Young - Kearsarge, NH
 Lucy Xuza - Mcfarlan Church, Alice


TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014

ADVENTURES AT ADDO GAME PARK
EASTERN CAPE


Some new found friends at Addo



Some of the "wild animals" doing a "selfie" 
at night at Addo Game Park

Barbara Cooper - Kearsarge, NH
Stephanie Young - Kearsarge, NH
Jessica Ciottoni - Church of the Covenant, MA
Gisela Rots - Church of the Covenant, MA 



Sunday, August 10, 2014

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY, AUGUST 8 - 10, 2014


UNITING PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP (UPWF)
ANNUAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION
PORT ELIZABETH




Rev. Susan Gleason Haverhill, MA) giving a greeting and 
introducing Melissa Smart, the PNNE PW moderator



Melissa Smart (Kearsarge, NH) giving the official greeting 
from the Presbyteries of Northern New England and Boston



Preparing the parting lunch



Closing worship



How do you think our Presbyterian Women 
would look in uniforms?

Saturday, August 9, 2014

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2014

UNITING PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP (UPWF)



The annual Women's Day Celebration
- a denomination-wide gathering -

Port Elizabeth

Melissa Smart (Kearsarge, NH), as PNNE PW Moderator,  
greeted the delegates, guests and other attendees 
on behalf of our two presbyteries




A closer look.....






TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

TOURING IN THE KING WILLIAMS TOWN CLUSTER




Roxanne Casadonte (Barre, VT) and Barbara Cooper (Kearsarge, NH)
hosted by Rev. Sicilo Sam at St. Philips Church, Zwelitsha





Roxanne with a new found friend





Entertainment for the special guests


THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

THE INDIAN OCEAN


Having fun at the beach in East London!

Monday, August 4, 2014

MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2014

TOURING IN THE QUEENSTOWN CLUSTER



Visiting the Phumelela Special Care Center


Elaine Brown reunited with Bayanda Mtiya, a 
member of the 2003 Youth Exchange to the USA

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 - 3, 2014

WOMANHOOD SEMINAR
MNGQESHA RETREAT CENTER, KOMKHULU




Six of our women leading a panel discussion "Do women have a role in the building of leadership and the growth of the church in the 21st century". From left to right: Gisela Rots, Jessica Ciottoni, Melissa Smart, Janet Fuhrmeister, Susan Gleason, Barbara Cooper along with a member of the 2011 Amatola delegation to the USA - Babes Majokweni


Making a MATE CONNECTION at the seminar
Poppy (wife of Mcfarlan Pastor Luthuli), Jean Roesner (Leeds) 
and Deb Burgess (Leeds)


Making more friends
Poppy (wife of Mcfarlan Pastor Luthuli), Elaine Brown and 
Tembsie (wife of Auld Memorial Pastor Gwala)


A Final Group Shot
Babes Majokweni, Susan Gleason and Tobekha Masango (all three
 2011 Women Exchange participants) plus other new friends