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.