South Africa: Part 2

The Wedding
   
About a year ago, A dear friend, Peggy, went for 3 months to South Africa where she had an incredible adventure. She went without a plan but a heart to meet people and spread the love of Jesus. She traveled into the villages, stayed with a variety of people and experienced both positive and negative aspects of this new culture with such joy.  During this three months, she met a man who was a true worshipper. Her initial attraction to him was due to this passionate love for Jesus she saw in him, and he noticed her as well. By the end of her summer, he had asked her out and they had been getting to know one another.   Before long, they were engaged.

Peggy and Leefa invited me to officiate their wedding ceremony, and I was honored and took very seriously the opportunity. Not knowing exactly what to expect, but having prayerfully considered it, I agreed.

My prayers for this couple are that they would grow in their love, not lean on human understanding, receive grace in abundance, grow as partners on fire for you Jesus, give them confidence and wisdom. I pray protection over them from the prevalent witchcraft in the country.

The wedding was on Saturday, July 29 in the mountains of Ficksburg, which is Free Stste of S Africa near the border of Lesotho. After much discussion and thought, they had mad the decision to have the ceremony in Ficksburg in order to be with Leefa's sick grandmother, mother, and two cousins (12 and 5).  It was simple, but lovely. The mountains behind us and a small lake. Right about sunset we returned to a BBQ celebration which was special, a cake and blessings ceremony. We enjoyed a perfectly clear starry night and it felt as if heaven was in attendance.

South Africa: Part I

     On July 23,   I went on an adventure with Jesus.  I planned to be with my friend who was marrying a S African man, encourage her, officiate her wedding and bring her inspiration and hopefulness and comfort from the Lord.   I hoped to be able to speak whatever necessary in my friend's life and that she would be able to hear what the Lord had to say.  I have such love for her. I began by running to my flight from Kansas City on the 21st, to a delay which caused me to need to stay the night in Atlanta and get to South Africa a day later than planned.   All this delay was not a problem for the Lord, who saw all beforehand. 

On July 24, I got on a plane to South Africa along with about 250 other passengers.  I met a missions team on the way, sat by a girl who works in the Peace Corps in Mozambique and another girl who was traveling to a special seminar for her area of scientific research.  

When I finally arrived on Tuesday evening, July 25, Peggy and Leefa picked me up from the airport and we took a train, a shuttle and another taxi to get to their home in Pretoria, South Africa from Johannesburg.  We stayed up that night until about 4:30 in the morning talking. 

July 26, Wed.  I met the pastor that Leefa had been mentored under in the beginning of his walk with the Lord and whom the Lord used to bring him the good news of salvation.  We had lunch with this pastor and discussed the upcoming wedding details, where we would have the wedding whether their church or in Ficksburg (Free State) where Leefa's mother and grandmother live.  It was an opportunity to really speak into this pastor's life heart to heart about ministry and pour into him.  I am believing great things for the pastor's ministry and believe that God will bring greater things in the years ahead than what was before as he obediently submits to the Lord.  It was a JOY to see how the Lord connected Peggy and Leefa with this pastor and will be neat to see how the Lord allows them to become ministerial partners.  

July 27-30.  The following days blended together very easily as Peggy exposed me to many cultural things and not so common cultural experiences such as eating rock, slugs, and multiple forms of transportation.  It was particularly hilarious when Peggy almost didn't get on the train with Leefa and I and 5 of us had to pull her up into the train so she wouldn't get left behind.  So much cultural adjustment and shock for Peggy right now and I am praying that she will become more comfortable in the next few months with the styles and differences of the people as well as the communication dynamics, learning how to be less direct as we are in our culture.  It was beautiful going with Peggy across the border of S Africa into another country, Lesotho.  The open markets were full of people, lots of straw hats and brooms being sold as well as "rock" this infamous treat to the people that is chock full of vitamins.  Unfortunately we deleted several awesome pictures. There was witchcraft evidence throughout the experience, herbal remedies all over.  During this time (I think on the 27th? We also tasted chicken gizzards on the open market which was very interesting.  We also ate this puffed sweetened corn (reminded me of cereal) and had a staple food item almost every meal called "Pop" which consists of a corn meal type grain that is cooked with water and made stiff to enjoy with other food items.  We also ate alot of ginger. 

Language:  Mesotho.  I learned two phrases  Joa Shua(ng)?  The ng is silent at the back of the throat at the end and the phrase means How are you?     I also learned "Libitu Lahow Oma(n)?" Which means what is your name? 

Most people spoke English.  We stayed for three days with Peggy and Leefa's grandma, mother, and two children Portia and Precious, 12 and 5.  It was very special to play with the children.  

There were people clearly in need in various places throughout.  There were smells of urine, smells in the city and lots of dust.  The people throw trash right on the street instead of trash cans which are somewhat sparse and there were lots of children around of different economic statuses that you could see throughout the town. 

I have so much more to say, but I will write more later.  God is so good.  The wedding was beautiful. I will tell you about the wedding in the next post!   There were also divine appointments throughout the time.  I will put those in part 3.  



It was very cold.  We left from 95 degrees weather to 65 degree weather there.  It was very cold.
 
Blessings!!!