GETTING TO IT!

I have now been working with the Methodist Church in Britain for a whole month and have been in the country for longer (arrived on 17 August) so it is about time that "I GET DOWN TO IT", namely writing in my blog.

There are moments when I feel that I have been working here my whole life. At times it all seems so familiar to what I have been doing for the last forty years. I guess that 10,000 km's does not change the fact that I am still in a situation where people, and that includes me, are on a journey of faith, seeking to get deeper in that relationship with Christ. Others are needing help just getting on with life.

Yet it is all so different. Of course there is the weather! We have had some cold days but also so many really warm days. One Saturday in September I went out in shorts and sandals.

There are not quite so many formal meetings as we are used to in South Africa. The Circuit Meeting (QM) only meets twice a year. As do Church Councils (Leaders Meetings). District Synods on the other hand meet three times for ministers and on two of those the lay people are there as well. But the good news is that they only meet for a day each time. One strange thing is that you bring your own packed lunch and as Synod rises the hosts give you a slap up "Tea". I would have been happy to have that at lunch as I had not realised I had to bring my own. In the tradition of the 'loves and fishes' I was none the less fed at lunch time.

I have been enjoying the services and have been allowed to let them be as I would do them. So no first hymn but some songs of prayer and praise. Most have enjoyed the experience. I have rediscovered 'Harvest Festival'. It is a big thing here with meals and also in one spot an auction of the goods. Took me back to the old Hilton, Whittlesea & Roslyn Circuit in the Queenstown Distinct well over thirty years ago. Most of what is collected from the sales goes to agricultural projects in the third world. Some non perishable items are collected and end up with the Methodist children's charity called 'Action for Children'. It has just been renamed after being 'National Children's Homes '(NCH) since forever.

BE BLESSED!

IN THE USA

Lynese and I arrived in the USA on Saturday night after a three day stay in Holland with our family there. We leave the USA on 16 August and go directly to an "INTRODUCTION TO CIRCUIT MINISTRY COURSE" in Sheffield.

On Friday we will be spending some time with Ernie and Erica Williams. Ernie and I were at Rhodes together as well as being together in the East London Circuit in the mid 1970's. Should be fun catching up.

More at a later date.

A MONTH TO GO!

A month from today we leave South Africa on the journey which will end at Downham Market on 20 August. There is much to do!

GOT THE VISA!

Yesterday Lynese and I went and collected our visas for the UK. The whole adventure now seems to be becoming very real. Today we handed our applications in for a Netherlands visa as we will be visiting our family there on the way to the UK. We are also visiting the USA to spend time with Lynese's sister who has a 60th birthday.

79 DAYS TO GO!