Since we have been here Elder Hunt is always being called the Pastor. The guys at the security gate call him Pastor, people in KaNyamazne call him Pastor. Elder Hunt will say, "I am not the Pastor, I am a Missionary." The reply is always the same, "yeah we know Pastor." I love it makes me laugh when he is trying to explain what he does. On the other hand, it comes in handy when he is stopped by the traffic police.. he pulls those Missionary Papers out pretty darn fast and plays every card he has.
The Traffic police are pretty prevalent here. They have road stops everyday somewhere. They have it figured out where someone will have a tendency to speed and they set up their little station right there.
Now Bob, the Pastor, has had some problems with lead feet meeting the pedal. We have been stopped a few times....well a number of times...well, there was only one ticket the first month we got here, but, now the minute they stop us he pulls out the missionary handbook. If that doesn't work he starts talking about his work in KaNyamazane that ends it. They always seem shocked that we work in KaNyamazne then they tell us good luck and let us go. Over all they are very nice and they know the little white missionmobile now.
The best Pastor story was a call the Pastor got in December. December is the end of the school year and they have these big awards meetings. He was asked to give a devotional and prayer at the school. Again, Elder Hunt explained he is not a pastor and told them he is a missionary. It was the same response that they knew that, then principal said, "Pastor can you be there at 8:00 am.
Here is the story of the Pastor and the school program.
South African Schools
The program was at the Vulumasango School. This is a primary school of about 1200 students. It is the school we meet at for church. It considered a good school, as all schools it is very deficit in teaching supplies (pathetic really). The physical structure is okay but not great. But, it is better than many schools. In January a six year old fell into a pit toilet and drown in a town near here. This school does have flushing toilets. The class sizes are huge, 52 first graders in one class and 53 second graders in one class. It is the same for all grades. The teachers have no teaching assistants or anything. It is sad to think of all the money being siphoned off by illicit politicians with no regard to the needs of the people that live here, especially the children. It is millions of dollars.
The Event
The invite said 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. It finally ended at 3:30 pm. We left at noon because we teach seminary on Saturday afternoon.
It was held in the Community Center and they had decked it out in decorations. White, Blue, and Gold Draperies (I think they are the ones used at a funeral held there several months before).
There were lots of flowers. some for me, one for the Pastor, and one for all the dignitaries.
There were lots of flowers. some for me, one for the Pastor, and one for all the dignitaries.
We did arrive at 8:00 an and it finally started at about 9:45 pm.
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Some Community dignitaries were there. They represented some large companies in South Africa: Cannon; Old Mutual (big investment/insurance company); and several others. The girl on the end was a former student that has become a hospital dietitian and does well working at a big hospital. She got a distinguished alumni award and gave a little speech.
The pastor is giving a spiritual thought and the prayer.
Each class grades k-8th gave a little presentation.
They were cute. Some were music or dance. The little group in the costumes had the jive going. Then the best student in each grade level gave a talk.
The Thing I loved about the talks was the fact that every person that gave a talk, addressed God and Jesus Christ and gave thanks that they have been blessed in so many ways, (many of these people have very little compared to most of us in the USA.
They pray in school here. Schools invite ministerial people to talk to the students. The principal asked me the other day if I could play the piano because the school is going to sing the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah for the Easter program about Christ. After I finished rolling on the floor with laughter I assured him I couldn't play chop sticks let alone sing.
But, the point is religion is taught freely, gratitude to God is expressed openly at school. I find that more than refreshing, What has happened to America.
Represented from Grade 8 giving her talk....it was good. She talked about following God.
Principal Peiri giving Pastor Bob an award for being so helpful to the school! It was a nice pen set,
It was fun, especially because the children were so excited. In many ways it reminded me of home and going to school programs there.
The longer I am here, the more I realize how much alike all of Heavenly Father's children are.....more about that at about another time.
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