I just noticed these articles on the South Africa trip:
Great overviews of the work our church was involved with in 2007.
Jon & Dawn Barnes have a new newsletter on the Global Ministries web site:
Robben Island and the Cape of Good Hope
March 26, 2007
Robben Island and the Cape of Good Hope
Robben Island is the place Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were held between 1960 and 1991. Mr. Mandela was on the island 18 years and lived in cell 5 of cellblock B. His name while on Robben Island was inmate 46664. He was released from captivity on February 11, 1991. He was elected president of South Africa in 1994.
Blessing of the New Samaritan Care Centre
March 25, 2007
Buffalo Flats Township - East London, South Africa
On our last day in East London we returned to the new Samaritan Care Centre to do two things; first we all wanted to see the new vinyl floor which had been installed while we traveled in the Transkei; and second, so that Glen could offer a blessing of the building, and an affirmation of the project.
Newton Phillipton Primary School in Fort Beaufort
March 22, 2007
On Monday, our mission was to spend four hours with nearly 650 students (grades R to 9) and to lead reading, games, music, crafts, and reading sessions. There had been a great deal of planning done in preparation for this morning adventure at the Newtown School. The team leaders and organizers of this project were Marcia Ramsey, Nancy Lear and Dawn Barnes. Our group carried books, pencils, balloons, Frisbees, a parachute, Play-doh, balls, bookmarks, and music to use with the kids. Markers, crayons and snacks were also purchased and were on hand for our use when we arrived.
Photos from March 21, 2007
March 21, 2007
Cyndy Short creating another blog.
Glen Miles and Harry Kema
Harry is the director of the Intleziyo AIDS Project. He is also married to Lynette, who visited Country Club Christian Church last year with the delegation from South Africa.
Greg Lear working at the Samaritan Care Centre.
The church bell at the Ezolo Congregational Church, Ngcongcolorha location, in the Transkei.
Nancy Lear and Clayton Hasser visiting with a member of Ezolo Congregational Church.
Nevile McDonald, who is the principal at Newtown Primary School.
This is an Imbongi, a traditional Xhosa praise singer.
Intliziyo Project
March 20, 2007
The Intliziyo Project is in Queenstown. Queenstown is in the Eastern Cape Province, as is the Transkei and East London. Our visit here was quite special for those in our group who came to South Africa in 2005. That group included Nancy, Ken, Clayton, Carol, Mary Linda, Glen, and Marcia. In 2005, when this group arrived here in Queenstown, the Intliziyo Project was in its infancy. The Ashby Manor Farm had been made available to the founders of this project so that they might establish a program to help those with HIV/AIDS, but the estate was in need of repair.
Ministry of Presence: Traveling to the Transkei
March 19, 2007
On Friday we left East London and headed inland to a village in the Transkei. The drive was two hours long and took us from the ocean toward the mountain terrain. We passed several towns, before we reached our destination near a town called Tsomo. The roads along our route were paved highways which eventually began to wrap around the hills along our route and take us upward. We drove over the Kei River about an hour before we reached our destination. This river is a significant landmark for those who lived through Apartheid.
Our Final Day of Work at the Samaritan Care Centre
March 19, 2007
It was raining when we gathered for our final day of work at the SCC. By mid morning the sun was out and there were people in every room painting, finishing the cabinets, staining doors, building the nurses’ station wall. Others were outside installing the gutter and painting the exterior. Nancy, Greg and Glen spent the morning with Dawn doing home visits. Carol and Bill went with Dawn in the afternoon.
Photos from the first week
March 16, 2007
The Samaritan Care Centre at the original location.
The new location for the Samaritan Care Centre, before renovation.
During renovation
Children from the township, in a day care run by the Catholic Church.
