September 5
Travel to New York, Orientation, Travel to South Africa
Journalist: Rev Eugene James

September 6
Arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa
Evening Devotions
Journalist: Rev Eugene James

September 7
Visit Apartheid Museum ; Lunch at Wandies in SOWETO
SOWETO Tour: Mandela House, Hector Peterson Museum, Regina Mondi Church, and low income housing settlement.

The group all acknowledged sleeping soundly and awakened energized and with excited anticipation of what the day was to hold in store. The sun shown brightly, but the bush cold air quickly dispensed with the deception the temperature would be warm enough to go without sweaters or jackets.

The conversation around the table was lively and voices sounded rested and reasonably focused. Global Ministries missionary, Kim Harris, arrived from the mission’s office informing us that there would be yet another change to our agenda (which was no real problem; we are here to learn and anticipate, as well as receive any interruptions as God’s leading).

Our first stop was at the Apartheid Museum. Here we were split into separate groups by the cards provided at the museum’s entrance. It was explained to us that the cards, which we should not look at, would give us a first-hand experience of how it feels to be manipulated into certain experiences, based purely on race. Each card represented one of three categories; white, African or non-white. Each racial category carried with it certain privileges.

What struck me personally were the busloads of children dressed in tell-tale uniforms that I presumed represented their particular schools. There was a large group of what appeared to be well-to-do, young, white girls (giggling every half second), interspersed with one or two black girls. There was also a group of high school black young men standing in line dressed in very noticeable, but distinguished-looking, striped jackets. I applauded how mannerly they all appeared to be and mentioned that I like the idea of kids in uniforms as it bespoke a quiet sense of equality. However, Sandra Gourdet noted that one could still distinguish the difference in economic status by noticing the quality of the clothing . . . it was just then that a small boy ran by us with a tear in his sweater’s elbow. It caused me to look further and thus I noticed his overall appearance was not only tattered, but unkempt. Its odd how looking beyond the big picture can be so very revealing.

The entrance into the museum began a journey into the history and transformation of South Africa. The primary exploration in settling of the continent by Europeans was no different than could be expected at that time in history. It was when the wealth of this continent was discovered by the foreigners that the greed, power and social positioning cut deeply into the vein of what was, initially, an Eden-like paradise.

Individually, the group seemed to be taken aback by the fierceness of the Anglo settlers in their move to conquer the indigenous peoples and claim this paradise and wealth-pregnant land as their own. I immediately was reminded of scripture that bespeaks of the “love of money/wealth as the root of all evil.” And evil at its worst raped and tortured and maimed the beauty of this virgin land as the Anglos sought to drain the very life-blood out of the continent. Apartheid inflicted the worst of the wounds.

The designers of the museum were prophetic in its design. The progressive walkway introduces one to the history and presence of South Africa’s inhabitants from the birth of human kind to the Cain and Able-like conduct of its offspring.

Each exhibit leads one unknowingly to the next. Each exhibit gradually touches people in tender places that are not always known to the individual personally, and I felt pain, pride, shame, hopelessness, hope, and astonishment as I found myself struggling emotionally and spiritually.

Some of the group spoke of the governmental policies, technology and racism that transformed this country from paradise into a living hell for its indigenous people. Others focused on how the movement/fight toward equality affect and transformed the children into warriors for justice.

Lunch at Wandies, a local restaurant in SOWETO – the largest black township in Johannesburg, was quiet as I believe the drama caused by the Apartheid Museum visit took time to digest. The most common theme of conversation was: 1) courage of the African black people in the face of hopelessness, 2) determination to receive justice, regardless of the cost, 3) the passion of the people that burned even after their leaders were jailed or killed, 4) the blindness of the government that refused to acknowledge their evil, and 5) the role of the church on the side of the disenfranchised.

In contrast to the civil rights movement of the U.S.A., the black African’s fight for freedom was not one saturated with religious verbiage.

Our guide for the next phase of the trip, Malusi Makalima, was quite personable. He spoke of his ethnic heritage, Xhosa, as being jolly and quite warm. What was also impressive was his statement about the many different dialects, or languages, spoken by Africans. He spoke seven languages himself. He noted that multi-linguistics was essential because of the varying number of diverse populations that were thrown together as the result of the government using as many people from as many places as possible to provide an adequate workforce.

It was mentioned that the visit to Mandela’s home humanized him for most of us. The simple, humble abode reminded me that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That transformation is not necessitated by one single entity became apparent when the names of many other persons who died, or were exiled, for their participation in the anti-apartheid movement came to light. Transformation has its greatest effect and most powerful momentum when it is at the behest of the larger community. When it becomes the heart and soul of the people, it takes on a life of its own. It calls to the spirits of the past while dwelling in the hearts of those present and, in turn, motivates them toward a prophetic future.

The unrelenting power of transformation stood brightly in the dim light of tragedy, anger and frustration when a speaker at one of the meetings explained to the crowd that while they (black Africans) appreciated the liberal thinking of some of their white counterparts, they were not really needed. The phrase, “S—t man, we’d rather do it ourselves,” truly applies. In this I believe that the hunger and thirst for righteous-changed transformation ignited a passion that no longer was dependent on a helping hand, but an end of itself; transformation demanded to be recognized and refused to relent to any other power or motivation than its own impetus.

In the earlier part of this reflection, I mentioned that I struggled between pride, anger, shame and astonishment. I felt moments of tremendous pride when in my mind’s eye I perceived in the student march of June 16^th, the pride, beauty and fearless beauty, the spirit of proud African ancestry. I no longer saw children marching and singing, but I saw Zulu, Bantu and other indigenous warriors marching proudly and bravely against their oppressors. I saw the traditions of a proud heritage that refused to relent to the demonic forces of assimilation, oppression and hatred. I swelled with pride and understood with greater depth that same spirit that moved and revealed itself in the hearts of my people back home that stood against dogs, batons, fire hoses, and threats against their lives. I understood more clearly the thoughts of Frantz Fanon in Algiers when he prophesied that the disenfranchised will only allow themselves to be pushed so far until they would rise up and stand against their oppressors without regard for even their own personal safety or “individual” motives. Transformation, the desire for change, the innate need to be recognized and valued, spoke to my heart and spirit as I stood so much taller as a man, as an offspring of the diaspora, as one who lived in a time that prejudice, segregation and dehumanization was given its proper place in the abyss of impotency.

I struggled with anger because I saw here in Africa that self-same demonic force working in the heart and mind of the Anglo man. Why, I asked myself, are they susceptible to such narcissism? Why do greed and self-deification seem to infect them so easily? I was angry because I could not find an answer. I was angry because I found myself categorizing a race of people almost in the same dehumanizing manner that they had. Anger clouded my judgment and tore at the fabric of my core. Sin, the need for power, the insatiable spirit of greed was the real answer. Sin knows no color, it knows no heritage, it takes root in the weakest system and spreads like a cancer to dehumanize not only the oppressed, but the oppressor. I was angry because it’s difficult for me to explain away all of the atrocities of man by such a simple statement. I struggled because I wanted the answer to be more complex; I needed a hiding place to disbelieve that all of this damage could be the result of such an obvious impetus. Karl Menninger apparently was correct in his assessment that at its core “sin is the turning away from being a part of the whole, and focusing on the desire and perceived needs of the individual part” (not sure if the quote is correct, “Whatever became of sin” – Menninger). I guess I was angry because such simple statements as I quoted above don’t always have answers that dispense with, or trivialize, sin’s devastation.

Amazement took me and shook me by the heartstrings when I saw the anti-apartheid movement reflecting the self-same spirit as the civil rights movement back home. More than once did a scene of the African struggle recoil my mind back to the scenes I watched, read about and was part of during the days of my youth. I was amazed to discover that righteous resistance could, and possibly always will, serve as an inoculate immunization against dehumanization and racism. I was also amazed to see how greed and the need for power could blind the hearts of seemingly intelligent men. Builders of nations, cities and countries refused to see that evil had taken hold of them like the undertow after the storm, pulling them further and further into the depth and darkness of narcissism and self-worship. Assumed intelligent men that could not recognize that God exists in the hearts of the poor and the disenfranchised, nor could they see that this self-same God refuses, to all the enemy, to lift his throne above His and remain, but that ultimately such a kingdom and its disciples will be toppled and put in its rightful place at the foot of justice (I think that will preach!).

After visiting the “unofficial settlement” (shantytown) in Soweto, I can’t help but wonder if racism has changed its mask and is now walking freely again in the guise of “classism.” I wonder why it is so easy for the persons living in Metro Jozi (term for Johannesburg) to turn their heads to the dehumanizing existence of the children and dwellers of the corrugated tin shacks. Our visit raised the question, “Where is the bride of Christ?” Does she visit, leave a few dollars, pat a few heads and walk away?

I have to ask myself the question as I contemplate our church’s focus on transformation, “Are we really seeking to be transformed or are we only concerned about salvaging what is left of our own personal religious kingdom? Is our salvation to be found in systems theory, new church development, strategy planning, and other surface motives, or is it found in continuing the struggle to create a world where all of God’s creatures find wholeness?” I fear that if we turn away and focus solely on ourselves, are we not guilty of Menninger’s sin? Are we allowing our own need to preserve what has been good for us to blind us (the Christian church) to the spirit of true transformation? Will the people rise up because we only crack open our doors enough to throw out morsels to a hungry crowd, or will we recognize that the world is indeed “hungry for the living Bread . . . I want to believe the latter. I need to believe the latter.

September 8
Sharing and discussion with pastors of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa ; Shop at a Church sponsored Craft Market ; Barbeque lunch in SOWETO ;Visit a church sponsored children’s after school program; an evening of relaxation at Moyo’s dinner club
Journalist : Rev Denise Bell

September 9
Travel to Luanda, Angola
Jane Lawrence
Informal sharing with church leaders of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Angola
With “sack breakfasts” in hand, the crew set off to Luanda, Angola. The people on the flight were a virtual picture of the people of the world. I realized once again the meaning, the full meaning, of the phrase “the children of God.”

Seated next to me was a couple who had been contracted to go to Angola to build and stock a dairy farm. They told us to expect “dust, dirt and poverty” in Angola. I couldn’t help but think that there was more to Angola than these three things – there had been no mention of the people.

Following our lengthy wait to get through customs, we were met by Rev Augusto Chipesse and several pastors who had been waiting for us for almost three hours. They were so gracious and welcoming – took our suitcases from us and loaded us in vans to take us to the Continental Hotel. As we left the airport and entered a main road into Luanda, a hush fell over the van as we came face-to-face with the people and the extreme poverty of the people. There were tall apartment buildings with laundry hanging out the windows, small “shanties” lined the street, and every few feet there was someone selling apples (or almost anything); anything they could sell to buy food for their families or meet other human needs.

It was no surprise that after the 27 years of civil war, the city would bear the scars of that war. Over sandwiches at a small restaurant on the bay, the pastors explained some of the harsh realities of the war. Most of the war was fought in the provinces, so the people fled the villages and headed for the “security” of Luanda. Luis Samcuimbi, Projects Director, told us that the population grew by nearly six million people – displaced persons seeking refuge. What they found was a city that was overwhelmed – not enough water, unable to handle sanitation needs, insufficient housing and too, too few jobs. The pastors told us that in one day, more people died in the city of starvation or disease than had died that day in the villages due to the fighting. Some of the people have gradually begun to return to their villages to escape the hardships of Luanda.

When asked about the work of the church during the war, we were told that the pastors deliberately split themselves into two groups – one group working in the city and one group working in the provinces. They said the church tried not to side with any of the factions, so they could be pastors to all the people. They also said the faith of the people grew as they faced the hardships of war.

They feel the current government has brought stability, but the people in the “bush” do not want to have anymore elections as they equate elections with war. The idea of a smooth change in leadership is not assumed.

Postwar problems are HIV/AIDS, poverty, unemployment, and housing.

Following a brief sightseeing trip to the edge of the bay, we returned to the hotel. Reflection time was important and very relevant to transformation – we discussed the importance of building relationships with others and sharing our belief in Jesus Christ and what that belief has meant to us.

A poignant discussion took place regarding how the African-American members of the group felt about being in Africa – the joy of finding identity and their history was shared, but too, the pain of being identified as “black Americans” rather than “African American.”

David Vargas’ devotional was a powerful close to another amazing day as we meditated on the role and importance of memory.

September 10
Worship at local church in Luanda; Sharing and discussion with local pastors
Journalist: Rev Carolyn Reed

The morning began with breakfast at the hotel. Following the feast, we enjoyed at the sumptuous buffet, we loaded into the vehicles to take us to the service of worship.

When we arrived at Bunjo (which means “to call the people to work”), we were warmly greeted. Soon we were ushered into our special reserved seating and the service began as the choir sang down the aisle into their designated place. The inspirational service included a time of special thanksgiving, the reception into the life of church of two new members, spirit-filled song and prayer, and a lectionary-based sermon based on Mark 7:24-31. David also expressed our thanks to the congregation and presented them a monetary gift we had collected the previous evening. One of the fascinating things is that the building was filled, and so was the surrounding outside windows. When everyone stood to sing, you could see those standing outside through the windows. It was an amazing witness to the presence of God in that place.

Another highlight was that throughout the service of worship, Abais and Luis interpreted to us what was being said. We were grateful to them for their hospitality in this special way.

After the service, we were told that there were 523 people present at the 8:00 service – which we attended. The second service, scheduled to begin at 10:00, was expected to have that many worshippers also. They usually average about 1,000 in worship each Sunday.

The fellowship following the service was wonderful. As people milled around outside and greeted one another, and us, it was a special time. We enjoyed watching the children eat ice cream, the youth interact and all of the relationships celebrated.

Following the service, we left again with Luis and Abais to go to the Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola’s General Synod office. Our car got “side-tracked” to the hotel on the way to the office, but that’s another story! When we all had gathered at the office, the Rev. Dr. Augusto Chipesse welcomed us. He described the history of the work and presence of the church in Angola.

Baptists were the first group of missionaries to come to Angola. They came in 1878 and went to the northern part of Angola. The second group were three United Church of Christ missionaries from the United States in 1880. They came to the Benguela Province to begin their work. The third group were the Methodists in 1885. The Catholics came during the time the Portuguese came in 1492. It was the three American missionaries from the Congregational Church that began the work continued today by the ECCA.

Up until 1975, the mission was rural-based. When the Portuguese left and civil war broke out, many people from the rural areas moved to Luanda to escape the war and find some safety. The church’s next phase of ministry then shifted to respond to the needs of the people in the urban areas. The infrastructures of the cities, especially Luanda, were overwhelmed. The church refocused its energy to respond to their urban crisis. In 2002, when peace came to Luanda and the people began to migrate back to the rural areas, the church found itself needing to shift again. This time, in the third phase of its life, the church found itself needing to minister in both the rural and urban areas.

Luis, as the Director of the Development Department, shared with us the varied and dynamic work the church was doing throughout Angola. The church works with people in the areas of health, education, evangelism, justice and reunification, and community development. The church partners with many NGOs to conduct the required work. One of the things he told us is that pastors sent to rural areas have two kinds of training – theological and development.

Alice Miguel Pongolola, the coordinator for the Training Center in Luanda, described her work and shared pictures with us. This Center has received support from Christian Aid in the U.K.

Following our conversation, we had lunch at a cafeteria. After lunch and a too short rest at the hotel, Abais and Luis were back to chauffeur us to the church to meet with pastors from the Luanda area. The focus was on the spiritual life of the church. It was a tremendous exchange of questions and answers as we explored life in the church. We discovered there are many challenges facing the church in the States, as well as in Angola. We made a commitment to stay in conversation and relationship so that we might continue to learn from one another.

Our word for the day was “onjango.” Abais explained this to me as meaning “family gathering together where they talk about common issues in life and society. People talk freely with no reservations.” This is how we all felt about our day as we gathered in friendship and reflected around our dinner at the hotel.

The day ended with our “Chaplaincy Service” (aka Denise) leading us in our evening devotions. We were asked to share, “Where did you see God today?” After we shared, we gathered in a circle for closing and prayed ourselves into the journey of tomorrow.

September 11
Travel by aircraft to rural Province (7 members of delegation)
Visit with Angola Christian Council of Churches (2 members)
Journalists: Rev David Vargas (meeting with Council of Churches)

Monday, September 11, 2006 (Visit with Christian Council of Churches in Angola)
David Vargas

On Monday, September 11, and while the rest of the delegation flew to Kuito to visit a mission station of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Angola (IECA) in the center of the country, Sandra and David visited the main office of the Council of Christian Churches of Angola and met with General Secretary, Rev. Luis Nguimbi.

Through Global Ministries, the Disciples of Christ relates to the Council of Christian Churches (CICA) since 1985, and currently provides financial support for the general administration of the Council and its Peace and Reconciliation Program. Rev. Nguimbi affirmed that the church is now the strongest voice in matters of peace in Angola. He is constantly invited to speak on this topic and the next opportunity to do so will be on Wednesday, September 13, when he will make a presentation at the National Congress. The people of Angola trust the church more than they trust the politicians; therefore, it is the responsibility of the Council not to allow politicians to interfere or take advantage of church worships and other religious gatherings. Also, the member churches of the Council do not allow their pastors to actively participate in political matters. CICA encourages pastors to work, not for one political party, but to relate to all regarding the political scene.

In 2007, Angola will probably have their next general election since 1992. Two years ago, the general public was very apprehensive about the idea of having elections because of the violence which occurred in the country around the 1992 election. Now, the country is more open to that idea as a necessary move toward democracy. In preparation for that future, the Council has developed a Training in Social Theology Program for church leaders. In 1992, the pastors preached the election was not a Christian activity and that Christians were not supposed to participate in politics, but rather “devote their energy in preparation for the good things that are awaiting in heaven”; however, the Council is now teaching that “those good things must start here.” The Training in Social Theology is a one year program which covers the following topics: homiletics, advocacy, ethics (especially in regards to the contribution of the pastor to the political scene), and cooperation between church and church, and church and society. Participants in the training program are selected by each of the 20 denominations that are members of the Council.

Among other dreams and plans, the Council would like to organize a Protestant university as a further development of their current Emanuel Seminary; would like to develop partnerships with theological education institutions in other countries, including Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis (where Rev. Nguimbi visited three months ago).

Regarding the topic of church transformation, Rev. Nguimbi congratulated the Disciples of Christ for such an initiative and vision. Reflecting on the challenges that the Angolan Church currently experiences and the areas he perceived where the church needs to be transformed, he expressed deep concern for the rapid expansion of Islam in the country since 2002, when Angola allowed other religious groups to come to the country. In a country where approximately 40% of the population is Catholic and around 39% Protestant, a lot of Angolans are currently leaving their churches to join Islam. According to Rev. Nguimbi, this occurs for three basic reasons: 1) because Islam offers money, supplied by big Arab corporations; 2) because they offer jobs, since they are gradually controlling many of the local businesses; and 3) because they are more liberal than the churches, especially allowing men to have up to five wives.

Among the Christians, Pentecostals are probably the best prepared to face that expansion of Islam. Pentecostals are not affected much because they study and know the Bible. The same may be said about most Southern Baptists. The Congregational Church is not being affected much because they are concentrated in the southern part of the country, far from the area where Islam is expanding.

The Rev. Nguimbi also affirmed that in the economic and political scene of Angola, Islam is becoming the “boss of the country.” Recently, the Council issued a declaration about the influence of Islam in the country and asking the Angolan government to be careful and to awake to that reality. At this moment, the Council is not interested in a dialogue with Islam. “Our priority,” said Rev. Nguimbi, “is now to consolidate the Christian family before engaging in any dialogue. Not only is Islam one of the greatest challenges the church faces at this moment, but one that could cause another war in the country.” At the request of David and Sandra, Rev. Nguimbi sent the following message to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, as the Disciples works on the transformation of 1000 congregations.

As Disciples of Christ, your priority of priorities should be evangelism; that is, to keep what Jesus says. That is the church. I appeal to the Disciples of Christ not to abandon Jesus Christ. I encourage the Disciples’ church to be a tool of peace, a tool of evangelism through the preaching of the gospel and development of social work.

Sandra and David also visited the main office of the Social Affairs, Studies and Projects Department of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Angola (IECA). They met with the department’s director, Luis Samacumbi, and some of his staff, including the assistant project coordinator, and the director’s administrative assistant.

The Social Affairs, Studies and Projects Department of IECA received financial assistance from Global Ministries and various European organizations from the United Kingdom (Christian Aid), Norway, and a significant support from ICCO of Holland. The latter pays their monthly office rental, staff salaries and computer system as part of a four-year grant that expires at the end of 2007. An evaluation of the Department’s programs and projects will be conducted by ICCO and the other European funding agencies within the next few months. It was suggested that Global Ministries also be included in the evaluation, as well as representatives from supportive churches in Canada.

The goal of the Department is to gradually move to a new stage of sustainability. A current challenge the Department faces is that funding agencies do not support schools and health clinic projects because they claim those are the responsibility of the government. However, in Angola, the government is not providing those services, and it is unlikely that they will be able to do so in the near future. If the government does not build schools and hospitals, or provide health and educational programs, the Department’s dilemma is then who will provide those services if institutions like IECA do not count on the support of funding agencies to respond to these basic needs.

The Peace, Justice and Reconciliation component of the Department is geared toward helping to prepare the population for the country’s general election process. “It is a big challenge to work toward peace in Angola,” said Luis.

Finally, Luis expressed deep appreciation for Global Ministries’ request for reports on the use of funds sent to IECA designated for the Department’s projects and programs. Having to prepare those reports provides an opportunity for the Department and the Church to document, with transparency and accountability of spirit, all funds received and how they have been utilized.

In the evening, the entire group met again for supper and to share about their two visits that day, and to brainstorm on follow-up activities relative to the transformation upon the return to the United States. The idea of members of the delegation organizing other “Ubuntu” mission trips (including other areas of the world) to expose other members of the Disciples of Christ to transformation experiences in the life of the church outside the United States/Canada was affirmed with enthusiasm. After dinner and follow-up discussion, the days work concluded with devotions led by Ed Morris on the theme of trust, specifically on how each member of the delegation felt the trust of God as part of his/her participation in this “Ubuntu” mission trip to South Africa and Angola.

Rev H. Lee Parker (trip to province)

A filling breakfast – laughter

• some nervous laughs; anticipation, maybe fear of flying
• travel to somewhere --- plane
• packed in and somewhat uncomfortable
• take off -- in the air over Luanda there is no green – everything is red/brown – looking like “dry bones” with the promise of life gone
• southward – laughter: still fueled by nervousness at small plane flying (Cesna 208)
• land becoming greener away from city

“Are those people waiting for us?” The people at the airport embraced us in ways that most of us have never embraced before … singing, a line of greeters, huge smiles … a reminder that Angola is still not a place of safety and security, don’t take pictures at airport, etc. Traveling to Mission Station (about 15 miles) over poor roads (tracks) we bounced and bumped along the way, we saw how the people lived … without stopping and interacting as the time was very limited. Adobe brick houses, very simple and plain, a lot of dirt, no grassy lawns here; goats, pigs, an occasional dog, but I never saw a cat – btw I don’t care for cats so that was okay.

We met a few motor vehicles, mostly bicycles being used to carry loads, not ridden, but pushed, and women carrying heavy-looking loads on their heads.

Maybe two kilometers from the Mission Station there was a large group of children standing in the road blocking passage, singing and waving green branches. They had walked out from the Mission Station to be the first to greet us. After we passed them they ran behind us to get to the village (Mission Station).

Our time at the Mission Station was way short – drove through and saw three rebuilt buildings, but many others still damaged. Mission Station occupied during war and attacked and damaged.

Many people waving green branches and singing greeted us. A circle was set out for greetings, chairs for us as honored guests.

We exchanged greetings. Jane said at the end of her remarks, “We will pray for you and ask that you pray for us.”

The trip back to the airport was filled with some concern about time. The pilot said 3:00 was the last moment he would wait for us, arrived at 2:35; there had been a meal prepared for us in town. They brought the food out to us and we shared and were blessed in overwhelming ways by the generosity of our hosts.

Angola has suffered, but the spirit is present and alive. As we left the Mission Station, they sang, “God be with you”; at the airport we smiled, shook hands and embraced. I have never, never, never been welcomed in such a warm and open manner.

What is the meaning of this day for us? The acceptance and welcome is not like these people would receive in the churches I serve. What is wrong? Is it that we are viewed as “special” because of where we come from – I doubt it has much to do with origin as it does with who we are and the sharing of relationship in Jesus Christ.

In a fractured/broken world, where is peace? Peace is where brothers and sisters see beyond all the barriers to unify in the spirit. Can there by unity when there is such disparity of wealth? When a 250ml can of soda costing 1.5 USD is offered by one, one who might make 10 USD a day. That is giving. What can we give in return – our friendship, our concern, our letters to Congress; it all seems hollow and not enough.

Maybe I was cynical, but the walk I took down the runway where I saw 40-50 AK47 brass mashed into blacktop, reminds me that I stood on a battlefield from five years before. If peace continues to break out, can the people recover? The land recover? The wildlife recover? Their faith never died.

September 12
Return travel to South Africa; final reflections and debriefing
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Return Travel to South Africa
Doug Pfeiffer

Because my handwriting is so bad, I will take my time on this entry and attempt to be clear and legible.

Gracious and Guiding God (I always journal in mode of prayer),

We had a wonderful breakfast, again. It was totally pleasant to sit for awhile and linger over coffee and chat. We enjoyed conversation about the previous day – were still “buzzing” about the visit to the bush and the hospitality of the people we encountered there. That visit, and the graciousness of the people have worked our souls forever. Thank you, O God, for your kindness and for showing up (to us) in the most fascinating and remotest (to us) corners of the world, and surprising us with your joy.

The pastors graciously and kindly shepherded us to the airport. A good drive. Traffic was heavy. We saw a glimpse of the presidential palace on our way – it was on a hill not too far from our hotel . . . the residence of de los Santos.

Rev. Abias told us that the slums below the palace (through which we were traveling), were about to be cleaned out because the president did not want to see them. And, please give us leaders who are willing to see the truth and do something about it.

We saw a monument en route to the Soviet involvement in the civil war. It was not completed; a statement about how our efforts to control, incite war, never, ultimately, are completed or win out. You win, O God. Peace wins. Ultimately, in the form of your kingdom.

Our pastor friends helped us with our luggage. We talked in pairs and three’s and four’s. Rev. Abias told me how the newer generation is getting stronger, taking the leadership reins, gathering support and wisdom from the older generation and leading the church forward. They want to gather a team and begin working with us. Help us, O God, to be open to them, work respectfully with them, help them, let them help us through their wishes.

I shared with Rev. Abias how our churches were moving through a similar transition, which we are calling transformation. The old ways are dying with new ways. Thank you, God, guide us, God.

As we went through customs, a few of us were searched. They were looking for Angolan money. As we waited, several brought beautiful African-made fabric. Many of us journaled (like me, now – at 12 Noon). Sandra, Ed, Eugene, then Denise talked with Rev. Chipenda, who is going to Jo’burg (Sandra’s shortened version) on the same flight as we. Thank you, God, for good traveling companions, for traveling mercies on our trip. In Christ, Amen.

Around 11:00 p.m. – Precious and loving God, the one who guides us and blesses us with traveling mercies, thank you for a great plane ride from Luanda to Johannesburg. Thank you for the kindnesses of one another. Thank you for the rest on the plane. Thank you for a great conversation with my seat partner. He was from Segovia, Spain. He spoke Spanish and I spoke English. He was an agnostic and yet you prompted me, O God, to befriend him and show him how to play the chess game on the in-flight entertainment system. Thank you for the guidance.

O God, thank you for a safe journey back to the Jozi House. Thank you for a delicious meal. Thank you for the good discussion around the dinner table about what we are going to preach about on Sunday and about the upcoming generations, and how we need to be open to their taking on leadership. Thank you for a good final session of reflection.

Many good things were shared by the group:

• “Behold I do a new thing”
• Transformation is done in context
• Transformation is done in community
• God does transformation, we don’t
• Transformation has to do with sharing the good news and making disciples of all .
• Transformation has occurred in most desperate of circumstances, and most terrible.
• An entire generation of Africans has had their experience of life robbed because of apartheid and civil war; the setting is destroying lives.
• Transformation has a global dimension as an essential component.
• Transformation has occurred in most desperate of circumstances, and most terrible.

Thank you for these good words. We agreed to email more principles of transformation; “wise sayings” from the Africans we have experienced, and ideas about transformation.

Oh God, may our efforts at transformation be multiplied because of our experience here.

Oh God, thank you for the commissioning of Lee Parker for his efforts at helping to dedicate a church in Zimbabwe, and safe passage and new experiences of your spirit.

Give all of us, as we end this journey, oh God, the guidance and strength of your spirit so that we are inspired to speak and act anew for Christ’s transformation of the world. Amen.

Wednesday September 13, 2006
Shopping, packing and travel home
Sandra R. Gourdet

WOW! A morning for shopping and relaxation!

Before taking off for shopping, we had one final piece of business to take care of. We were invited by the Reverend Bernard Spong, a UCCSA pastor in Johannesburg to go to Constitution Hill to “see the hope for the future” of South Africa. Constitution Hill is the site of one of the most dreaded prisons in the history of apartheid. The original structure has been renovated and a very modern museum added. In addition to the museum, the Court of Appeals is located on Constitution Hill. We saw the gruesome women’s section of the prison where many women had been held and raped by police officers. We did not get a chance to go into the cells but learned that Winnie Mandela had been incarcerated there. We saw the men’s section and that knot at the bottom of the stomach would not go away immediately while looking at the little cubby holes that served as windows.

As we moved away from the men’s prison, we saw the “steps” that divided the “old” and “the new”. The old was represented by the prisons and death cells where one was tortured, raped, beaten and starved to death. The new was the museum that contained stories of struggle and victory, stories of pain but resilience. There were stories of people like Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, stories of young people proud to be South African. And of course, there was the court (was being prepared for a session that morning), that says that even people like Jacob Zuma, former vice-president of the country, could be tried as well for wrongdoings. In the middle of the passageway, one could walk the steps and see the darkness of the “old” on one side and the bright light of the present on the other side. Walking those steps reminded me of Nelson’s Mandela’s book, Long Walk to Freedom. What a wonderful way to bring closure to the intense emotional journey of the previous week..

From Constitution Hill, we went shopping at Rosebank Mall. Some of us were low key shoppers, some were “born to shop” and others literally shopped until they dropped. We had lunch, grabbed our goodies and rushed back to the Guest House to grab our things. Off to the airport for a scheduled 5:40 departure rather than the 7:25 pm erroneous departure listed in our itinerary. At check-in, we learned that the flight would depart at least an hour late. Unfortunately, we were not able to make up the lost time and many of us missed our connecting flights in Washington. God’s grace shined on all of us and we arrived home safely.

The journey is over but Ubuntu has become a reality for all of us and we thank God for the challenge of interpreting the ministries of our partners and the challenge to be real partners prepared to act with a difference.