Last Saturday we celebrated the inauguration of Nkosi Mlaba in the Valley of Kwa Ximba...
the story will follow... just running out of time at internet cafe... ;-)
unfortunately I can't get photos on today, but have put some on facebook as it's easier to upload...
oh and I was apparently on National TV as well, on SABC news Sunday night on at least 2 channels... and I missed it!
trying to track down the tape...
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Rain
It has rained solidly here since Sunday afternoon. We had a brief thunderstorm yesterday to make things slightly more exciting, but apart from that it's wall-to-wall rain, a grey blanket across the skies and a lot of mud and potholes. The track that leads from the tar road up to here is now full of holes and water, making any attempt at negotiating it hazardous. Unfortunately it's the only way out of here.
I couldn't go to small group at church last night. Driving was too hazardous and it was very dark.. Annoying as they were going to pray for me.
One of my preschools was closed today too due to the bad rain, and at another one attendance was low. When the weather is this bad people don't leave home.
Apparently it's due to get better on Thursday, but that's 2 more days of rain... it's bad enough up here on the top of a hill, I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like in the muddy valleys...
And it doesn't help that I'm waking every morning depressed. I know something is wrong because normally I wake up in a good mood, but for a while now I've been waking in a weird mood, kind of gloomy. It's like I've turned into Eeyore and everything is a chore. I keep falling asleep too easily too... (so far I missed the only goal in last week's Man U v AS Roma match AND the end of The Matrix... it's not good) . I've tried praying it off but wonder if it's something I've got to go through and that things will get better soon. I hope they do. Please pray with me through this. God is faithful, but for some reason I'm just glum...
I couldn't go to small group at church last night. Driving was too hazardous and it was very dark.. Annoying as they were going to pray for me.
One of my preschools was closed today too due to the bad rain, and at another one attendance was low. When the weather is this bad people don't leave home.
Apparently it's due to get better on Thursday, but that's 2 more days of rain... it's bad enough up here on the top of a hill, I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like in the muddy valleys...
And it doesn't help that I'm waking every morning depressed. I know something is wrong because normally I wake up in a good mood, but for a while now I've been waking in a weird mood, kind of gloomy. It's like I've turned into Eeyore and everything is a chore. I keep falling asleep too easily too... (so far I missed the only goal in last week's Man U v AS Roma match AND the end of The Matrix... it's not good) . I've tried praying it off but wonder if it's something I've got to go through and that things will get better soon. I hope they do. Please pray with me through this. God is faithful, but for some reason I'm just glum...
Saturday, 6 October 2007
car antics..
It never ceases to amaze me how good God is... Despite the terrible roads over here, He still faithfully protects and provides for me on my frequent travels..
Late yesterday afternoon, I drove a friend, Mdu, to visit his family in Maphephetini, by Inanda dam (possibly the most beautiful dam in this country..) and we would have been ok apart from the thunderstorm that started as soon as we got there. We managed to get out of the deepest bit of the valley ok, but as I was driving up the mountain to Hillcrest, with rivers of water flowing down towards us from the top on the windy road, I managed to drive over a BIG pothole which resulted in the front tyre of my car bursting... (having just been repaired from an embedded nail from another valley road!) So poor old Mdu had to change the tyre in the rain. Zulus don't like storms so he was especially brave! ;-) He's such a star, didn't complain once!
As we were sorting my car out, another car went past which must have done exactly the same manoeuvre as they too had a flat...
Anyway, about half an hour later and soaking wet (I'd been holding the umbrella, but it wasn't much help!) we could go on our way again and made it home safely.
Then this morning, as I was setting out for Durban, I got a frantic call telling me that my rear passenger tyre was flat... so I had to reverse up the track to get back to the soccer field where all the guys where playing a soccer tournament and take one of them with me to the garage to buy 2 new tyres...
It was only on reflection that I realised both tyres must have been hit by the same pothole, yet the back one survived through the storm, roadworks and delays to get home last night. Had it gone then we would almost certainly have been in trouble.. God is good!
Late yesterday afternoon, I drove a friend, Mdu, to visit his family in Maphephetini, by Inanda dam (possibly the most beautiful dam in this country..) and we would have been ok apart from the thunderstorm that started as soon as we got there. We managed to get out of the deepest bit of the valley ok, but as I was driving up the mountain to Hillcrest, with rivers of water flowing down towards us from the top on the windy road, I managed to drive over a BIG pothole which resulted in the front tyre of my car bursting... (having just been repaired from an embedded nail from another valley road!) So poor old Mdu had to change the tyre in the rain. Zulus don't like storms so he was especially brave! ;-) He's such a star, didn't complain once!
As we were sorting my car out, another car went past which must have done exactly the same manoeuvre as they too had a flat...
Anyway, about half an hour later and soaking wet (I'd been holding the umbrella, but it wasn't much help!) we could go on our way again and made it home safely.
Then this morning, as I was setting out for Durban, I got a frantic call telling me that my rear passenger tyre was flat... so I had to reverse up the track to get back to the soccer field where all the guys where playing a soccer tournament and take one of them with me to the garage to buy 2 new tyres...
It was only on reflection that I realised both tyres must have been hit by the same pothole, yet the back one survived through the storm, roadworks and delays to get home last night. Had it gone then we would almost certainly have been in trouble.. God is good!
Friday, 5 October 2007
funeral 2
As promised, here's my account of the funeral that we went to on Tuesday.
First of all, it was a long way away. I was so glad that I didn't actually have to drive as it was so far. So I travelled in the front of the Combi (the same one I drove a year ago if you can remember that far back). I was also glad as the road we took went from tar road to gravel road, then dirt, then rocks, across a stream and over smaller rocks, through some mud, down a shingly track and into what can only be compared to the wilderness of a game reserve (minus the lions, hopefully) in the absolute middle of nowhere. As far as we could make out, the nearest neighbours were about 6 km away on another mountain slope! Ultimate respect to Samson for driving a combi through what was essentially a 4x4 offroad adventure track! (incidentally, the combi stopped working the next morning, wonder why?!)
So we went via New Hannover to pick up the coffin and then on past Greytown, Muden and into the wilderness for 1 hour till we arrived at the birthplace of the lady. It was bleak, dry rocky ground which was difficult for the men to dig a grave in, probably why they were still digging when we had to leave. Although we did find out that there had been some dispute as to whether she could be buried there as well, which caused delays.
The coffin was taken into the house and the photos and yellow roses that Catherine felt we should buy were laid on the top. Then everyone sat around and sang, prayed and cried in Zulu for what felt like ages. Spha, the little boy sat very quietly to start with but was restless after a while. N, the baby was grabbed by some relatives and didn't appreciate that at all so she wailed a bit, but calmed down later. In fact, both children we very well behaved, all things considered.
And that was it really, we had to drive back before they put the coffin in the ground. The most poignant thing was that the coffin was made of chipboard and cardboard and held together with what looked like tacks. That nearly got me. Even in death, poverty is alive and well. It was all that could be afforded with what little she had. Although at least she had a funeral, apparently there are hundreds of unclaimed bodies in the mortuary that have to be buried in mass graves..
The children are now with us here, now the task falls to Auntie Pretty to sort out their welfare with the social workers. They continue to settle in and are doing well. Pray for the health of the baby and that Spha will adapt to an English speaking environment when he only speaks Zulu.
First of all, it was a long way away. I was so glad that I didn't actually have to drive as it was so far. So I travelled in the front of the Combi (the same one I drove a year ago if you can remember that far back). I was also glad as the road we took went from tar road to gravel road, then dirt, then rocks, across a stream and over smaller rocks, through some mud, down a shingly track and into what can only be compared to the wilderness of a game reserve (minus the lions, hopefully) in the absolute middle of nowhere. As far as we could make out, the nearest neighbours were about 6 km away on another mountain slope! Ultimate respect to Samson for driving a combi through what was essentially a 4x4 offroad adventure track! (incidentally, the combi stopped working the next morning, wonder why?!)
So we went via New Hannover to pick up the coffin and then on past Greytown, Muden and into the wilderness for 1 hour till we arrived at the birthplace of the lady. It was bleak, dry rocky ground which was difficult for the men to dig a grave in, probably why they were still digging when we had to leave. Although we did find out that there had been some dispute as to whether she could be buried there as well, which caused delays.
The coffin was taken into the house and the photos and yellow roses that Catherine felt we should buy were laid on the top. Then everyone sat around and sang, prayed and cried in Zulu for what felt like ages. Spha, the little boy sat very quietly to start with but was restless after a while. N, the baby was grabbed by some relatives and didn't appreciate that at all so she wailed a bit, but calmed down later. In fact, both children we very well behaved, all things considered.
And that was it really, we had to drive back before they put the coffin in the ground. The most poignant thing was that the coffin was made of chipboard and cardboard and held together with what looked like tacks. That nearly got me. Even in death, poverty is alive and well. It was all that could be afforded with what little she had. Although at least she had a funeral, apparently there are hundreds of unclaimed bodies in the mortuary that have to be buried in mass graves..
The children are now with us here, now the task falls to Auntie Pretty to sort out their welfare with the social workers. They continue to settle in and are doing well. Pray for the health of the baby and that Spha will adapt to an English speaking environment when he only speaks Zulu.
Monday, 1 October 2007
Tired
It's amazing how tired one can get here. The weather has been awful and it's chucked it down with rain since about 2 days ago which is depressing and muddy. No thunderstorms, but it's only a matter of time...
I thought I'd poisoned myself last week on some dodgy turkey, but now I think it must have been a tummy bug cos Catherine went down with it last night and we've pretty much eaten the same food. Am glad I didn't get it as bad as her, although I still had to take last Thursday off to rest. This actually was good for me as I had been stupidly tired and that way I had some energy for the weekend of work. I'm finding more and more that I'm totally exhausted at the end of each day, frequently falling asleep in front of the TV or with the light on...
Where is the sun?
The baby (see previous blog) has been a little ray of sunshine. I got her a few toys and a playmat as she had nothing. These stay in my house as otherwise they'd be trashed by the other kids in seconds. She comes over and loves playing. In the space of a week she's learnt that if she pulls the lion's tail it sings and that the toy book has things to pull too. She's nearly crawling, is getting in position... it won't be long. This child has spent the first 6 months of her life in the sugar cane of Swayimane, sleeping at night in a rickety old valley toilet. Considering that, she's positively a child genius! ;-)
I thought I'd poisoned myself last week on some dodgy turkey, but now I think it must have been a tummy bug cos Catherine went down with it last night and we've pretty much eaten the same food. Am glad I didn't get it as bad as her, although I still had to take last Thursday off to rest. This actually was good for me as I had been stupidly tired and that way I had some energy for the weekend of work. I'm finding more and more that I'm totally exhausted at the end of each day, frequently falling asleep in front of the TV or with the light on...
Where is the sun?
The baby (see previous blog) has been a little ray of sunshine. I got her a few toys and a playmat as she had nothing. These stay in my house as otherwise they'd be trashed by the other kids in seconds. She comes over and loves playing. In the space of a week she's learnt that if she pulls the lion's tail it sings and that the toy book has things to pull too. She's nearly crawling, is getting in position... it won't be long. This child has spent the first 6 months of her life in the sugar cane of Swayimane, sleeping at night in a rickety old valley toilet. Considering that, she's positively a child genius! ;-)
funeral
Tomorrow I'll be attending my first Zulu funeral. We took in 2 children a few weeks ago as their mother was seriously ill. It was a privilege to pray for her last Tuesday when she was here briefly. She looked as if the hope had gone from her eyes. She died early on Saturday morning in a hospice. She was 29.
The funeral is tomorrow in her birthplace far from here. There was no one to move her body from the hospice to the mortuary yesterday so we had to send a car to help. We'll be providing the same help tomorrow. The funeral directors are overwhelmed and so it falls to the families to organise everything. In this case there is little family around, although we have made contact with her brother who is arranging everything.
I have spent quite a bit of time making sure that the 6 month old girl has been cared for properly here with us. She is a little treasure and at her age I guess she won't remember much about her mother. Her brother has settled into the creche, he's gorgeous too, but only speaks Zulu and it's fun to watch the volunteers try to communicate with him. I am managing to speak Zulu with him, albeit haltingly. He's about 4 so will feel his mother's death more. Both children will be with us tomorrow as it's traditional.
I'll write more after the event. At the moment we are busy sorting out logistics. I'm sure there is more to reflect on. I took photos of her with her son last week. These are being printed here at the internet cafe as I write. One or two will be framed and placed on the coffin tomorrow.
The funeral is tomorrow in her birthplace far from here. There was no one to move her body from the hospice to the mortuary yesterday so we had to send a car to help. We'll be providing the same help tomorrow. The funeral directors are overwhelmed and so it falls to the families to organise everything. In this case there is little family around, although we have made contact with her brother who is arranging everything.
I have spent quite a bit of time making sure that the 6 month old girl has been cared for properly here with us. She is a little treasure and at her age I guess she won't remember much about her mother. Her brother has settled into the creche, he's gorgeous too, but only speaks Zulu and it's fun to watch the volunteers try to communicate with him. I am managing to speak Zulu with him, albeit haltingly. He's about 4 so will feel his mother's death more. Both children will be with us tomorrow as it's traditional.
I'll write more after the event. At the moment we are busy sorting out logistics. I'm sure there is more to reflect on. I took photos of her with her son last week. These are being printed here at the internet cafe as I write. One or two will be framed and placed on the coffin tomorrow.
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