College of Mission Summer Interns Travel to Southern Africa

On Sunday July 11 four Global Ministries College of Mission Summer Interns (William Almodovar, Lisa Grace, Chesla Nickelson and Kimberly Proctor) left for a fifteen day journey to Southern Africa. The pilgrimage is being co-lead by Sandra Gourdet, GM Africa area executive and Julia Brown Karimu, GM Mission Personnel executive. The overall goal of the trip is to “understand the implication of being actively involved in global mission by sharing in the life and witness of our global partner churches and organizations in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland.”

During the first leg of their journey they will visit partners in Zimbabwe. In Harare, the group will meet with the leadership of the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) and the United Theological College. They will then travel to the Chipinge District to meet with church leaders there and then finally on to Chikore Mission and Mount Selinda Mission. On their return trip the group will visit Victoria Falls.

The second leg of the trip will take the group back to South Africa. A meeting with the leadership of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa is first on the agenda followed by a visit to the Apartheid Museum. The following day visits with the leadership of the Theological Education by Extension College and the South Africa Council of Churches is planned along with a visti to Soweto. The last day in South Africa will be spent in Durban visiting Inanda Seminary.

The final leg of the journey will take the group to Swaziland where they will meet with the Kukhany’Okusha Zion Church and participate in an all night service for the installation of their new leader.

Please check back at this webpage for updates, photos and journal entries from the group.