Wrapping Up

I have to echo Heather’s thoughts about the service at Masiphumelele Baptist Church; the music is like spiritual caffeine to a sleepy soul! We experienced a remarkable contrast of worship styles; the one at King of Kings, very much like our own, and the one at Masi. It is a breathtaking reminder of how big God is, to realize how many ways His people relate to him, in so many places, in so many languages, all celebrating “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

An acquaintance of mine named Steven met up with us at Masi. He and his wife have just moved to Cape Town from the U.S. to investigate and pursue opportunities to serve the people here (possibly including Living Hope), under the auspices of the organization called ServLife. I met him via the blog site of Amanda Bradley, who was on the BBC S. Africa team last year. The rest of the team was going to the waterfront for the day, some to visit Robben Island, and so we made an afternoon of it there as well. It was good to hear about how he was settling into his life and ministry, and to see if I could offer any helpful information (with all my “vast”experience here in the Cape!). He coached me on asking for “tomato sauce” instead of “ketchup” at lunch, and goaded me into trying out one of the local electric guitars made from a Castrol can (one of our team members is bringing one home) at an indoor market, so it was a good day all around. His blog site is http://twoandtwomakesfive.blogs.com/.


Had a great dinner with Bill Bedi,and was touched by his passion for finding the right place where God can use him next, on the job or otherwise. I also appreciate his straight-shooting way of talking on any subject. His construction skills are a large part of why so much has been accomplished this week, and people have shaken their heads in wonder at how much has been done in such a short time.

Today was our last day of work, so we were up and at ‘em to get things done. We finished up the painting of the office spaces that our local “boss” Bill Eames had for us, and the ladies continued to extend the wall they began last week outside.

Marsha and company wrapped up the crafts work at the shelter and at Capri. I gave Ann Eames the handful of CD’s I had brought so the HIV/AIDS support group clients could “whistle while they work” on the crafts, using their newly-purchased CD player.

The work at the shelter on the new shop area was not as complete as the crew there had hoped for, but the rest is just polishing off the detail work, so their contribution will be greatly appreciated for a long time to come.

Some of us put together some new lounge chairs with cushions, to put on the front patio of the hospice, so the patients will have comfortable seats from which they can enjoy the natural beauty all around them. Naturally, we had to “quality test” them first; they seem to work well. Then we took them over the hospice and enjoyed the smiles of those who were there, eager to put them to use.

We spent a good bit of time praying in the new office spaces and next to the new wall outside, asking God to bless the staff who will be using the spaces, though we didn’t know them by name.

Tonight we’re topping off our time here with a dinner out with some of the Living Hope staff we’ve worked with, to celebrate God’s goodness to us all, and to encourage them further to continue their work here.