Sunday 28th October 2018

Oh what a day! Having spent Friday at Bona Bona to write my sermon, I was increasingly not happy with it through Saturday, and at 4am on Sunday was awake with a new one in my head. So I got up made a cup of coffee and went back to sleep. When the alarm went off at 6 I got up and made some notes. By 6.30 I was happy, listened to Taverner's 'Celtic Blessing' (Deep peace of the running wave) which has been played at every significant occasion in my ministry, and just entered afresh into the peace and serenity of Bona Bona and God's peace. And that never left me - so thank you to everyone who had or was praying.

Just after 9 the long procession made it's way into the Banqueting Hall, which was rapidly filling up as people arrived from all over the Diocese, for some a 4 hour journey. Around 9.50 I got up to preach, and gulped as I saw all the people in front of me, standing room only by this time. I took the microphone in hand so that I could move easily to engage everyone. Canon Guma then gave a short translation of the sermon.

Now it was time to take a deep breath. There had been no rehearsal so I had no idea what was to happen, or what I would have to swear in the Oaths. But the Dean, the Very Revd Christopher Seupe came and led me by the hand to the centre of the staging, where he the citation, stating why the Bishop and Chapter had decided to confer the Canonry on me. Fortunately I knew what was coming as the Bishop had asked me to check its accuracy and English the day before!

Then it was  over to the Bishop for the legal part of the ceremony and the swearing of the Oaths of Episcopal and Canonical. I, the Bishop and the Dean had to sign the paper but they also had to be witnessed. It was especially appropriate that the Bishop's Chaplain for the day, the Revd Aaron Maleke did it as he was one of the small group that met me at the airport the very first time I came.

 

 I then had to kneel - fortunately there was a prayer desk for support! - while the Bishop read out the official document making me a Canon. He held both my hands and the document, and I eyeballed him. A very special moment. Chris then put the cope around my shoulders and the Bishop prayed for me and for my family, and then formally blessed me using the words of the Celtic Blessing as an introduction. Another special moment. 

Then the Bishop led me to the front and presented the new Canon to the Diocese.

(They have their own way of pronouncing Canon - Ca-non! I'm getting used to it!)

I was so much happier than I look in this photo, but its the only one I have.

After this the service progressed on its merry way, eventually finishing around 1.15, yes that is 1.15, and not a mistake for 11.15!! Outside the temperature had risen to 34, and as all the doors in the Hall were open, it wasn't far off that inside. We were all melting and downing bottles of water

. 

At the service were many friends, but among them were Canon Guma, Pulane and Mpho who came to stay in Clayton parish in 2004. It was good to be together again, even if only for this photo. It was also good to get back to the AC of the Bishop's car and eventually home to a change of clothes.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing with some of the Bishop's friends, and receiving their congratulations. By the end of it I was absolutely shattered, but have had a good night's sleep thanks to the electric fan that Brenda provided and which ran all night!

Today it's back to earthly things, and all that I need to do to get ready to leave tomorrow. I gather it's cold in the UK, but I cam e armed with a thermal vest, thin teeshirts, a long sleeved jumper and a fleece. So hopefully I shall be warm enough!

Thursday 25th and Friday 26th

Thursday morning, just after 9, I met up with my friend Mpho. She stayed with me in 2004 when St James, Clayton hosted a group of three visitors from Matlosane, not long after my first visit here. I stayed with her for most of my sabbatical in 2014. Her husband has just bought a farm with three other men, so officially she is a farmer's wife, but anyone less like a farmer's wife it would be hard to meet. In her youth she was a beauty queen, hence her nickname, Queen. However, she is taking classes in cheese and butter making and hopes to go into production in the New Year. We chatted away till lunchtime and then I set to on the blogs I produced yesterday which took till supper time!

Today, Friday , I designated as a quiet day to be spent at Bona Bona Game Reserve, which is only 30 minutes drive away, and one of my favourite places. It has been the hottest day so far today so I was glad of the chance to sit and think about my sermon. But there was also some animal watching - but nothing like Pilanesburg. Some animals - giraffe, rhino, various bok - all roam free, but the predators - lion and other big cats, wild dogs, hyena  - are all kept in large enclosures, and are part of a conservation programme. I noticed that both the lake and the water hole near the restaurant were very low on water. Despite the heavy rains of two weeks ago, a lot more is needed.

 

The rhino put in a proud appearance. At first they were in the distance but later they came right up under the balcony, three adults and one baby. It was noticeable that one adult kept well away from what was presumably the family unit. I saw a sign that said 'Viewing platform' and went to investigate. There was literally a sheet of glass between me and the rhinos - hopefully toughened glass!!

So now it's full steam ahead for Sunday. The service here begins at 9am, which, if the clocks have gone back in the UK, will be 0700 GMT. The first part of the service should run smoothly, with no long chorus singing bits (only if you've been here can you truly understand what that means!!). So I anticipate it will be around 7.45 / 8 that the actual canon making bit will happen. So for most of you reading this, I should do your praying on Saturday night!  Or, as God is outside space and time, do it when you can, and he will use it in his own inimitable timing!

"We went on a lion hunt" - Part 2

The after breakfast drive, for which +Steve did the driving, proved as spectacular as the one we paid for. So often by then it is too hot and there are not many animals around. Not so yesterday. This magnificent creature held us up, a reminder that this is his territory not ours! The 2 below were part of another group we saw later. It is sometimes very difficult to see the animals because their camouflage is so good. The land had recently been cleared by fire and zebra stripes against blackened bushes were particularly difficult to see.

Pilanesburg is set in a weathered volcano crater. One of the things I wanted to do was to stop somewhere away from people and just bathe in the silence. So +Steve took me to the place below. It isn't an enclosed area so therefore under the "Do not get out of your car" instruction. But there were a couple of benches there, and the best way to stand in awe and wonder is to be outside. So I got out of the car - Steve didn't! The pictures do not do it justice - although much wider, it was reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. There is also another photo missing which goes between these two. As I got back into the car two more parties arrived - but I'd had the better part. 

As we drove away, +Steve said he had been scared going up there. I thought he was referring to the hairpin bends all the way up. But that wasn't it. There is no mobile reception in the park, so if you break down you are reliant on word of mouth getting to the Rangers who can communicate with their walkie-talkies. He was afraid that we were the only ones there and we would be totally stranded if anything happened. The arrival of others held his fear at bay.

We saw so many animals it is impossible to post them all. Here are a Kudu, hippo

Late on in our drive we came across these resting lions. My heart missed a beat or 2 when, trying to take a photo, +Steve accidentally leant on the car horn. The lioness just opened one eye, took a quick look and shut it again. Whew!

 This was one amazing sight. We saw a group of 10 elephant, led by the matriarch, walking along together, which in itself was extraordinary. But they were joined by 11 others, all of differing ages. Then, scurrying along trying to catch up were another 10, mostly young, but with the old man in the rear. He decided he was going to go up the hill. So the second group ran back to get him, and the last we saw was all 31 heading off in the same direction. All the time the matriarch had her gaze fixed on the direction they were headed. Says a lot about families and corporate responsibility.

  A final view of the natives of the Park - but a different family to the one above. Fortunately for us they turned and walked away form the road. There were babies here too and they can be fiercely protective of the young ones.
It was a fabulous day - and one where I almost found myself saying, "O, it's only another lion!" But there have been other visits where we didn't see giraffe, or lion - so in the end it was a day to remember the command to look after the earth and all its creatures.

"We went on a lion hunt, and we weren't scared!"

Yes, the reason for the silence is that +Steve and I have been away to the Pilanesburg National Park. We left here around 3 on Tuesday and drove to his favourite guest house just outside the Park, passing the ground where the England Team had trained in 2010.It was early to bed as we had to be up at 04.30 the next morning to be a the Park by 5.15. Hence this photo of an African sunrise! Not something I see usually.

Once in the park 

the early morning colours were gorgeous. Some experienced them from a hot air balloon, which was able to come down for a closer look and then rise up again to travel. Game drives do not always produce the stuff of dreams. The animals are truly wild and not at the beck and call of the Rangers. SO I steeled myself to see a few bok and maybe some bigger animals. O me of little faith. 

Very quickly we began to see animals having their breakfast or finding a place to shelter out of the heat of the coming day - wildebeest and rhino, quite a few zebra, a friendly elephant and some warthogs.

Then came the call that there were lions about. A family of them were on the move You can see the two adults in the photo below, but there were also 5 cubs. Just off the top of the picture were a herd of bok, bellowing out a warning to other animals that danger was lurking. We drove on and came across a different pride who had just made a kill. 

And just for Margaret King, the Bishop and I said Good Morning to the giraffe!! And all this before our breakfast. 

 (It has literally taken me hours to do this - the photos don't want to play the game!) So I'll publish this and continue the 'after breakfast' saga on a different post.

Photos!!

Ngata and Letlotlo both growing into fine young women. Ngata, on the left, was just 2 months old when I first came and a very sick baby. Just look at her now! She still has to have an annual check up so that they can catch any problems early.

This morning, Sunday 21st, I was at St Mary's , Potch again. Last week was all hassle, but this week was old-timer! Except that I mistook the church warden - the one who wasn't there last week for one of the men of the street. So when he came up to me as I was getting out of the car I was very cagey! I Iater discovered that he was there to protect the arriving worshippers form the men of the street!! Red face and profuse apologies!!!

St Mary's is known as the 'white' church in Potch, but is more accurate to say it is the English speaking Church. At least half the congregation this morning were black, and all ages were represented. At the end of the service I blessed two people who have birthdays this week. And then there was a very special moment as the congregation said Goodbye to Arthur. He has served St Mary's Church in many different ways since he joined the congregation in 1963. He is now moving north to live in sheltered accommodation and be nearer family.

On the way home and travelling down the N12 - the rural equivalent of a motorway.

This is my favourite view. If you have good eyesight, just to the right of the last bush to break the sky line, you will see a speck on the skyline itself. That is the water pump at Matlwang. That is the village where St James' people helped to provide a church. I always

look at the wilderness and know that a little piece of their love and my heart is up there!!

Saturday - 20.10.18

The great joy of Friday was that I managed to complete the Family Day Programme – apart from finding a photo of +Steve. I can’t remember having had it finished so early before. As +Steve had a meeting at 9 about 2 hours away I also got a bit of a lie in. The good news of the day, for him, was that Saturday’s meeting in Cape Town had been relocated to Jo’burg, so Saturday would be a bit easier for him. After work / school I had a swim with Leruo and Ngata in the house pool. It has been good over the years to see them grow in confidence in the water. We always have fun there.

Today, Saturday, I’ve almost had the house to myself. Steve was in Jo’burg, and Brenda went to the family meeting in Mafeking. This was a meeting for anyone who has the surname Diseko – a bit like Scottish clan meetings. Steve and Brenda began the group a couple of years ago, contacting people on social media. It meets once a year and it seems quite strong. This Family, as well as the closer family, were represented last year at the service to celebrate Steve’s 10 years as Bishop. Leruo, almost 16, has gone with Brenda today. I get the feeling that he is beginning to take on adult responsibilities.

On his way back from Jo’burg Steve stopped off at Potch and picked up Letlotlo, their eldest child from the university. She is at the end of her second year of a psychology degree. She is only here for one night this time, but tries to get home every other weekend, from Thursday to Sunday. It is good to see her.

Tomorrow is a busy one for Steve. The Cathedral service starts at 8 and there are over 100 confirmation candidates. Steve always takes his time over the candidates and invites family members to come and stand around the candidate as he confirms them. But it all takes time. I shall be home long before them.

It is hard to believe that I am already half way through my time here. It has taken time to get used to the thinner atmosphere of 5,000 ft above sea level – not something I’ve been particularly conscious of before. In this coming week, I must make the most of each day and do some holiday type things. Not sure what – but no doubt I shall find something.

Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

(Photos playing up again! I think it might be something to do with the strength of the internet signal.)

Thursday part 2!

Over supper my photos started to upload, and then finished off all in a rush. So here they are, before they vanish again! I'll try to take more tomorrow and upload them.

In the meantime, do pray for +Steve and the family. They were supposed to be going to a family gathering on Saturday. But this afternoon he had a call from the Archbishop telling him that as dean of the Province he is required at a meeting in Cape Town. It takes around 6 hours to get there from here, and another 6 to get home,  all for a meeting of about 3 hours. On Sunday he has a confirmation at the Cathedral with over 100 candidates. There is no way he will  make the family gathering which is about a 3 hour drive from here, and I sense that Brenda feels too tired to do the long drive. Difficult all round!

The new Diocesan Centre, consecrated in February this year. Originally a Dutch Reformed Church, it is a real symbol of Reconciliation. At the moment the Diocesan Offices are behind this, (you can just see them through the open doors) and very cramped. They are hoping to move into a house in the grounds at the end of this year when the current occupant vacates it.

The Altar was paid for by a church in Lichfield Diocese. In the grounds of the church is a large hall, and every Sunday a Biker Church meets there, bringing income for the Diocese.

Kgowe, wedding ring to the fore, standing behind the altar with one of the candle holders from Mirfield. Now  married, both traditionally and legally, he is studying theology with a view to ordination.

Thursday - 18.10.18

I've been with the Bishop and his family for a week now and I just don't know where the time has gone. The one new thing I haven't mentioned is getting in and out of the house. Leruo has acquired an Alsatian dog since last year and we are not the best of pals! If the dog is locked in one part of the garden I can't get to the pool, and if he is the other I can't get to the car! At one point the dog seemed to have calmed down, but then he tried to make a lunge at me and I was very grateful for the Bishop's quick reactions.

Yesterday and today I have been working on the Family Day Service Programme (service book). As a consequence, a lot of the typing is finished. I was surprised how easier it was to type the Setswana than in previous years. I was typing one hymn which was much harder, and so was not surprised to discover it was in Sotho!

Today began early, with Morning Prayer for St Luke's Day at 7.30 in the Bishop's Chapel, at which we not only gave thanks for Luke and his ministry, but for it's continuance today when peoples of different backgrounds are brought together, and medicine heals. We gave especial thanks for those doctors and nurses who made my visit possible. The Gospel for the Eucharist talked of offering hospitality to God's workers, and that was particularly pertinent as well.  This was followed by a working breakfast with the choir master, Richard, in charge of the music for FD. I was delighted, as that  meant that I had all the hymns and all the information I need to type the service. Richard then had to go to work - he is a Head Teacher in a primary school in Potch. I spent the rest of the day typing. By 3.30 I was scrolling up and down a page, seeing nothing. So I came home and promptly fell asleep. It is definitely getting warmer down here, so more tiring days in prospect. But it is forecast to be cooler in the middle of next week. 

I am at St Mary's, Potch, again this weekend, so will need to look at the lessons and think of something to say about them. I must admit I am thinking more about Family Day and Blind Bartimaeus! There are usually in the region of 1000 people there - rather a large number to preach too. And then of course, I am to made an Honorary Canon of the Diocese straight after the sermon. I may have a little respite as an English sermon is usually translated into Setswana.

I do have a few pictures to share, but so far all attempts to upload them have failed. The process gets so far and then stops. But I will keep trying! I also hope I;ve remedied the problem with the size of the print for the last blog. Again, I tried and tried to change it but it wasn't having it!!

Thanks for emails, etc. It is good to hear from home from time to time.

Tuesday - 16.10.18

Travel cards are wonderful things till they don't work! I remembered to bring all the details with me,  so the first time the pin wasn't recognised I checked it and I was 'right'. After another 2 failed attempts, including one in a shop where it has always worked before, it shut down! So I have just had to call the UK to sort it out. When the Access Number and the PIN were changed I have no idea. I'm almost sure I used the card with those numbers last year. But changed they had been, and a very nice lady, having grilled me for details, gave me the new ones. So now I have to go out to a shop and see if they work. I do hope so!

Yesterday was a lazy day. I checked in at the Office and saw the church part of the Diocesan Centre which was only consecrated in February this year. I knew some of the early plans, and am glad that they did not come to fruition. What they have is a kind of half way house and very attractive. It was lovely to see on the altar 2 small square wooden candle holders that I had bought at  Mirfield and given to +Steve for his chapel. One of the workers at Mirfield takes wood from felled trees in the grounds there and makes them into things to sell to raise funds for the Community. Both Kgowe and the Bishop have been to Mirfield, so it is a special link for both of them.

The Diocesan Chapter met here for the Eucharist, breakfast and a business meeting this morning. I joined them for the first two, and then, after a visit into the Office, went into the Mall for lunch with a friend - and I am glad to report my card is now working fine. Lunch with Isaac was good and there was much to catch up on. Now, I'm back home and trying to find a way to download photos onto this blog! Maybe I'll wait for another day.

Sunday evening - 14.10.18

Oh what a time we’ve had since the last blog. When I arrived everywhere was arid and people were longing for the first rains of summer. Well we have had them and how!! It started to rain before 3pm on Saturday and eventually stopped around 12 noon on Sunday. It lashed it down at times – especially as we were on our way to Pretoria last night. The thunder and lightning were spectacular, deafening and a little scary. Even +Steve, whose normal response to things I think spectacular is “We’re used to it”, was surprised by its ferocity, especially the half hour continuous thunder and lightning in the middle of the night. The ground is well and truly soaked, but as not much further rain is forecast I guess it might all dry out again soon. It seems to have disrupted wifi communication too. So I’m going to try to post this with my dongle, but may not succeed. (Monday 20.30 - the storms were so bad that we have been without internet connection and landline phones till a few minutes ago, hence the delay.)

+Steve went to Zeerust by himself in the end, as Brenda decided that she really was too tired to get up early twice over the weekend after a full week at work. The rain came just as we set off, so it was a very difficult and tiring 3hr drive to Pretoria. I guess if he had stuck to the speed limits it would have taken nearer, if not over, 4 hrs! We saw some very bad accidents, and aqua-planed ourselves a couple of times. The Gala dinner was very good and well organised. Often the event starts late and there are several speeches and items of entertainment before the dinner can begin, by which time everyone is famished and there is a bit of a scrum for indifferent food. Not last night. The food was excellent, and after some of the items the starter was served. The rest of the speeches followed and then the rest of the food.

The main speaker was the Gauteng Provincial Premier, a bit like the leader of one the Assemblies in the UK. He said that he believes that the role of the Church is vital in South African politics, and when Archbishop Thabo speaks people know that they must take note. “When politicians are doing wrong things, the Church must not just pray, but call us to order”, Premier Makhura said. But the Church must also be proactive and not just reactive, he reminded us. She must help make policy, and discern the best way to organise things. “She must exert a moral, ethical and philosophical influence on the government of this country.” I couldn’t help but think that that is true of political life in the UK too!

We made our farewells at 10, leaving others to dance. It was gone one when we got home, knowing that we had to be up early for church. I was to drive Brenda’s car to get to Potch, which I naively thought would be OK as it is Toyota Auris like mine, only to get into it and discover that it is an automatic! I didn’t even know how to start it, let alone put it into drive or reverse. Not a good start to the day. But I made it to Potch in plenty of time to get myself and them sorted out. They were very forgiving!! Just as well, as I have to go there next week too. The altar is right up against the east wall and so the priest stands with their back to the people. I don’t like it!

The rest of today has been peaceful and restful. The Diseko family got home around 3pm, by which time I had had a good sleep. I’ve had 2 more since and am now about to go to bed, and expect to sleep well.

Tomorrow I’ll try to post some photos.