Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Rhythm
I’m beginning to find patterns of movement here that are making life seem more… comfortable isn’t exactly the right word. But more manageable. I’m finding a rhythm. No doubt I will hit another wall of cultural confusion soon and take several steps back. I think that’s how adjusting to a new culture works: in layers.
The School of Creative Arts has been keeping me happily busy. We have finally hit a lull after the last wave of events before the Christmas season. I did almost nothing at work today. It was great.
The frenzy started with the week leading up to the SoCA facilitator retreat and our first Art Factory since the Feast of the Clowns in August. Art Factory is the platform that Zee dreamed up for our students to perform what they’re learning. It serves as the practical side of their studies and an incentive as an opportunity to perform. Because Art Factory is free, it also is a way that we can provide performances to the community, especially to those who might not be able to afford paying for access to the arts. We also bring in at least one professional act so that we can draw the community in and allow the students to share a stage with artists they respect.
Initially, the only thing I was responsible for with the Art Factory was helping to design the poster. But due partly to one of the other volunteers unexpectedly leaving and to the chaotic way things generally get done here, my role increased as the event drew nearer. One of our big problems was that the students had somehow not been informed about the event until a week before. This meant planning last minute rehearsal time and trying to dole out “transport” money for students to come to school on days they don’t have classes. I spent most of that week on the phone with facilitators and students trying to make sure everyone knew where to be when and how they were getting there. The school was a bustle of activity all week long, filled with students getting ready for the show. One of the things I am learning is that just because things get postponed till the last minute, doesn’t mean they won’t happen. In the end the Art Factory was a success, despite torrential rain that kept some of our audience away. And we, as a team, learned some important lessons for next time.
The Art Factory was on a Friday night and Saturday Zee and I were planning on putting together the agenda for the day long retreat/planning session with our facilitators, taking place Sunday. Unfortunately, Zee got sick and ended up having to stay home for a week. So instead of planning the agenda leisurely over “cold drinks”, I met Zee at her home and we went through all the points while she huddled under the covers of her bed. And since I would now be facilitating the planning session, I had to understand all the points much more clearly. I also needed to prepare for the braii, which I wasn’t expecting to do. Thankfully, my friend Mandla came to the rescue, helping me buy the meat and other supplies at the only super market still open on a Saturday night, carry it across town to my house and then marinate it for the next day.
Miraculously, the retreat went well. I am impressed by all our facilitators; they’re dedication to our students and their creative ideas on better ways to engage them and our community. It was also nice for us all to get to hang out, since we’re never all at SoCA at the same time.
The following week was equally hectic, since Saskia (the other remaining volunteer) and I were running everything with Zee still sick. That weekend was the retreat for all of TLF, around 200 people. And I was put in charge of art. In the end we had some places for people to respond to questions relating to our theme of abundance, a table full of art supplies available for people to express their ideas about the theme and a slideshow of images to provide a back drop for the communion and celebration dinner. I enjoyed taking on some responsibility in the larger setting. The retreat itself was a great mix of fun, relaxation and good dialogue with coworkers.
Once Zee was back, we had so much catching up to do and two more events for the week. Some of our students were performing on Monday and on Wednesday we hosted a Christmas lunch for all our most dedicated students. This ended up being a much bigger endeavor than we initially expected. Once again I was constantly on the phone with facilitators, students and performers. The idea for the lunch was to reward our consistent students with a nice meal, a small gift and quality performances in the different disciplines we teach from people outside the school. Once again, everything came together at the last minute and the lunch was a huge success. Our star performer for the day even offered to become our official patron. The students enjoyed the show and I think were really encouraged by seeing artists who are excelling in their fields.
In case all these events weren’t enough, Robin and I decided to host a Thanksgiving dinner the Thursday after the actual holiday. We ended up with 26 people around one huge table, which included people from South Africa, Germany, the U.S. and Zimbabwe. We were locals, foreigners, refugees, middles class, struggling, unemployed, volunteers, professionals, educated, students, uneducated, singles and families with different abilities, family back grounds and financial statuses. Robin pointed out that the table was a physical example of the abundance we had been speaking about all weekend at the retreat. It was also great to share this beloved holiday with people who were mostly celebrating it for the first time.
Since then I have basically crashed. I’ve been making up my overtime hours accumulated in all the madness by working short days (or taking days off). This weekend was gloriously uneventful. Except that we also were introduced to a new holiday tradition: Saint Nicholaus Day. Saturday night we all put one shoe outside of our bedroom doors and in the morning they were filled with sweets and goodies. In Germany (and apparently in Museum Park) Santa comes on December 6th. I like this better because then Santa gets to do his thing without taking away from the birth of Christ. And that same evening, there was a ridiculous hail storm that turned the ground white, as if with snow.
This week the school is quiet as many of our students have gone home for the holidays. I’m looking forward to rest and to celebrating Christmas for the first time on this half of the globe.
The School of Creative Arts has been keeping me happily busy. We have finally hit a lull after the last wave of events before the Christmas season. I did almost nothing at work today. It was great.
The frenzy started with the week leading up to the SoCA facilitator retreat and our first Art Factory since the Feast of the Clowns in August. Art Factory is the platform that Zee dreamed up for our students to perform what they’re learning. It serves as the practical side of their studies and an incentive as an opportunity to perform. Because Art Factory is free, it also is a way that we can provide performances to the community, especially to those who might not be able to afford paying for access to the arts. We also bring in at least one professional act so that we can draw the community in and allow the students to share a stage with artists they respect.
Initially, the only thing I was responsible for with the Art Factory was helping to design the poster. But due partly to one of the other volunteers unexpectedly leaving and to the chaotic way things generally get done here, my role increased as the event drew nearer. One of our big problems was that the students had somehow not been informed about the event until a week before. This meant planning last minute rehearsal time and trying to dole out “transport” money for students to come to school on days they don’t have classes. I spent most of that week on the phone with facilitators and students trying to make sure everyone knew where to be when and how they were getting there. The school was a bustle of activity all week long, filled with students getting ready for the show. One of the things I am learning is that just because things get postponed till the last minute, doesn’t mean they won’t happen. In the end the Art Factory was a success, despite torrential rain that kept some of our audience away. And we, as a team, learned some important lessons for next time.
The Art Factory was on a Friday night and Saturday Zee and I were planning on putting together the agenda for the day long retreat/planning session with our facilitators, taking place Sunday. Unfortunately, Zee got sick and ended up having to stay home for a week. So instead of planning the agenda leisurely over “cold drinks”, I met Zee at her home and we went through all the points while she huddled under the covers of her bed. And since I would now be facilitating the planning session, I had to understand all the points much more clearly. I also needed to prepare for the braii, which I wasn’t expecting to do. Thankfully, my friend Mandla came to the rescue, helping me buy the meat and other supplies at the only super market still open on a Saturday night, carry it across town to my house and then marinate it for the next day.
Miraculously, the retreat went well. I am impressed by all our facilitators; they’re dedication to our students and their creative ideas on better ways to engage them and our community. It was also nice for us all to get to hang out, since we’re never all at SoCA at the same time.
The following week was equally hectic, since Saskia (the other remaining volunteer) and I were running everything with Zee still sick. That weekend was the retreat for all of TLF, around 200 people. And I was put in charge of art. In the end we had some places for people to respond to questions relating to our theme of abundance, a table full of art supplies available for people to express their ideas about the theme and a slideshow of images to provide a back drop for the communion and celebration dinner. I enjoyed taking on some responsibility in the larger setting. The retreat itself was a great mix of fun, relaxation and good dialogue with coworkers.
Once Zee was back, we had so much catching up to do and two more events for the week. Some of our students were performing on Monday and on Wednesday we hosted a Christmas lunch for all our most dedicated students. This ended up being a much bigger endeavor than we initially expected. Once again I was constantly on the phone with facilitators, students and performers. The idea for the lunch was to reward our consistent students with a nice meal, a small gift and quality performances in the different disciplines we teach from people outside the school. Once again, everything came together at the last minute and the lunch was a huge success. Our star performer for the day even offered to become our official patron. The students enjoyed the show and I think were really encouraged by seeing artists who are excelling in their fields.
In case all these events weren’t enough, Robin and I decided to host a Thanksgiving dinner the Thursday after the actual holiday. We ended up with 26 people around one huge table, which included people from South Africa, Germany, the U.S. and Zimbabwe. We were locals, foreigners, refugees, middles class, struggling, unemployed, volunteers, professionals, educated, students, uneducated, singles and families with different abilities, family back grounds and financial statuses. Robin pointed out that the table was a physical example of the abundance we had been speaking about all weekend at the retreat. It was also great to share this beloved holiday with people who were mostly celebrating it for the first time.
Since then I have basically crashed. I’ve been making up my overtime hours accumulated in all the madness by working short days (or taking days off). This weekend was gloriously uneventful. Except that we also were introduced to a new holiday tradition: Saint Nicholaus Day. Saturday night we all put one shoe outside of our bedroom doors and in the morning they were filled with sweets and goodies. In Germany (and apparently in Museum Park) Santa comes on December 6th. I like this better because then Santa gets to do his thing without taking away from the birth of Christ. And that same evening, there was a ridiculous hail storm that turned the ground white, as if with snow.
This week the school is quiet as many of our students have gone home for the holidays. I’m looking forward to rest and to celebrating Christmas for the first time on this half of the globe.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chris
The hour between 6:30 and 7:30am Friday morning was the probably the most important hour since I arrived here over three months ago. I think about the meetings I’ve been in with influential people, the planning sessions and decisions that have been made. These things are good. But sometimes it’s the spontaneous moments and the opportunities to share the Words of life that are far more important.
Thursday evening I was walking home with my friend Rebecca, who volunteers at Akhanani, PCM’s homeless ministry. We passed Chris, a homeless man who spends most days on Minaar street, a couple blocks from our flat. Usually Chris is lying on the bench with his head in the lap of Jenny, who has been his woman for the last ten years. I remember that on my very first day working at the Potters House, I was with some of my coworkers as we passed Chris and Jenny walking together. He was helping her along, as she was at the time using crutches. And she was guiding him, since he’s blind. One of my coworkers expressed benign jealousy regarding the kind of love they have for one another. After that I frequently saw Chris and Jenny together at Akhanani’s temporary headquarters at PCM. I was surprised one morning to find Jenny there alone, with a black eye. Love is complicated. She and I talked for awhile about her options and she explained that she needed to get away from Chris. I was both surprised and disappointed to see them back together not long after. I often said a short prayer as I greeted them. As I’ve gotten to know more of the homeless people in our neighborhood, I’ve heard different stories which have made me aware that there are other sides to the story of their relationship. And I even started to admire the way they look after one another.
But for the past week or two Chris has been alone on the bench. Some told me stories of Jenny stealing from Chris and running off. Regardless of the situation, Chris has not been doing well. Thursday, walking home in the rain, I told Chris he was looking a little better and he responded by demonstrating how much weight he’d lost and explaining to us that he hadn’t eaten in eleven days. We asked how we could help and talked about shelters, but he only wanted to was wait to die. He swore to me that he would never eat again. Not knowing what I could offer someone in this situation, I asked if I could pray for him. When he refused, I told him simply that I would pray for him on my own.
When Chris told me he didn’t want to live, I was at a loss. I felt powerless. The next morning I felt compelled to find Chris, check on him and offer the only hope that I know. After some searching I found a man helping Chris across a street. Chris took my arm and we walked to his usual bench. I asked if I could read him some poetry. I read Psalm 40 aloud, with verse 12 especially on my heart for him. It was that verse that he asked me to repeat. When I had finished reading, he remarked at the poem’s beauty and asked me to read it again. We talked awhile and then I read Psalm 62 as well. He asked me to pray for him and for Jenny. We prayed together holding hands and I watched passersby stare at us. I thanked God for the beauty of his creation and his love for us. Chris wiped away tears as he thanked me. I continued to sit with him as he told me about Jenny and about his children. He spoke of rejection and being unwanted. But he also spoke of hope. He said he believed things were going to get better. And he took the granola bars I offered him. Then he asked me to leave so he could drink, not wanting to drink in front of me.
Monday morning Chris asked me to read Psalm 40 again to him and the friend sitting with him. He also told me that after talking with Robin the other day he got down on his knees and prayed, “Here I am. Take me as I am.” And he said that God did.
I need to get Chris a Bible. He asked me for one so he could read Psalm 40 to Jenny when she comes back. I also told him I would find the nearest AA meetings for him to attend. And I’m hoping to get him enrolled in our poetry class at SoCA. I don’t know what will happen to Chris, if his life will change or not. But God has been challenging me to believe that He is powerful to redeem lives and even cities. So I will continue to pray for Chris and Jenny. And I will continue to lean into learning the importance of slowing down and making space for interruptions. I am finding that on most days I am becoming more willing to stop what I’m doing and talk or just sit with someone. I’m still working on being present with people in the office at SoCA. Students and facilitators alike often remark about how busy I am there. I’m trying to find the balance between productivity and presence. Presence. That’s the word Chris used when he thanked me for being with him that morning. It’s also a word I’ve been using in thanks to God and in prayers for this city.
Please pray with me for Chris and for Jenny, that they would feel and embrace God’s presence with them and that they would be freed from what entangles them. Pray also for me, that I will continue to learn to see my neighbors and be present.
Thursday evening I was walking home with my friend Rebecca, who volunteers at Akhanani, PCM’s homeless ministry. We passed Chris, a homeless man who spends most days on Minaar street, a couple blocks from our flat. Usually Chris is lying on the bench with his head in the lap of Jenny, who has been his woman for the last ten years. I remember that on my very first day working at the Potters House, I was with some of my coworkers as we passed Chris and Jenny walking together. He was helping her along, as she was at the time using crutches. And she was guiding him, since he’s blind. One of my coworkers expressed benign jealousy regarding the kind of love they have for one another. After that I frequently saw Chris and Jenny together at Akhanani’s temporary headquarters at PCM. I was surprised one morning to find Jenny there alone, with a black eye. Love is complicated. She and I talked for awhile about her options and she explained that she needed to get away from Chris. I was both surprised and disappointed to see them back together not long after. I often said a short prayer as I greeted them. As I’ve gotten to know more of the homeless people in our neighborhood, I’ve heard different stories which have made me aware that there are other sides to the story of their relationship. And I even started to admire the way they look after one another.
But for the past week or two Chris has been alone on the bench. Some told me stories of Jenny stealing from Chris and running off. Regardless of the situation, Chris has not been doing well. Thursday, walking home in the rain, I told Chris he was looking a little better and he responded by demonstrating how much weight he’d lost and explaining to us that he hadn’t eaten in eleven days. We asked how we could help and talked about shelters, but he only wanted to was wait to die. He swore to me that he would never eat again. Not knowing what I could offer someone in this situation, I asked if I could pray for him. When he refused, I told him simply that I would pray for him on my own.
When Chris told me he didn’t want to live, I was at a loss. I felt powerless. The next morning I felt compelled to find Chris, check on him and offer the only hope that I know. After some searching I found a man helping Chris across a street. Chris took my arm and we walked to his usual bench. I asked if I could read him some poetry. I read Psalm 40 aloud, with verse 12 especially on my heart for him. It was that verse that he asked me to repeat. When I had finished reading, he remarked at the poem’s beauty and asked me to read it again. We talked awhile and then I read Psalm 62 as well. He asked me to pray for him and for Jenny. We prayed together holding hands and I watched passersby stare at us. I thanked God for the beauty of his creation and his love for us. Chris wiped away tears as he thanked me. I continued to sit with him as he told me about Jenny and about his children. He spoke of rejection and being unwanted. But he also spoke of hope. He said he believed things were going to get better. And he took the granola bars I offered him. Then he asked me to leave so he could drink, not wanting to drink in front of me.
Monday morning Chris asked me to read Psalm 40 again to him and the friend sitting with him. He also told me that after talking with Robin the other day he got down on his knees and prayed, “Here I am. Take me as I am.” And he said that God did.
I need to get Chris a Bible. He asked me for one so he could read Psalm 40 to Jenny when she comes back. I also told him I would find the nearest AA meetings for him to attend. And I’m hoping to get him enrolled in our poetry class at SoCA. I don’t know what will happen to Chris, if his life will change or not. But God has been challenging me to believe that He is powerful to redeem lives and even cities. So I will continue to pray for Chris and Jenny. And I will continue to lean into learning the importance of slowing down and making space for interruptions. I am finding that on most days I am becoming more willing to stop what I’m doing and talk or just sit with someone. I’m still working on being present with people in the office at SoCA. Students and facilitators alike often remark about how busy I am there. I’m trying to find the balance between productivity and presence. Presence. That’s the word Chris used when he thanked me for being with him that morning. It’s also a word I’ve been using in thanks to God and in prayers for this city.
Please pray with me for Chris and for Jenny, that they would feel and embrace God’s presence with them and that they would be freed from what entangles them. Pray also for me, that I will continue to learn to see my neighbors and be present.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Work and ish
There are some exciting things happening at the School of Creative Arts (SoCA). The school was started in 2005 and has been providing free arts classes to members of the community. They focus on vulnerable people, like those living in shelters, but anyone is welcome. Up until now all the classes have been performing arts: poetry, music, voice and drama. So now I'm starting to develop a visual arts program for the school. We're also making a lot changes with the way the school is run to provide more commitment and consistency among the students and volunteer facilitators.
I've been working pretty hard lately at making connections with other visual artists and people who are doing similar things (teaching workshops, etc...) in Pretoria. We're getting quite a network of people together. This means that we have many more resources available to us. For instance, I've met some artists who may be willing to facilitate classes at the school.
We also get to plan some pretty cool events. Right now we're working on some events leading up to World AIDS day on Dec 1st. This Friday we're having an Art Factory, which is our platform for our performing arts students and a free venue for community members. The theme will be HIV/AIDS. The following week we'll have a series of workshops addressing AIDS awareness through different art disciplines. I'm especially excited about this, because I'll get to facilitate a painting workshop. I really enjoy working with my supervisor, Zee. When we brainstorm together, our ideas just build on one another and we work so well together! She’s also very patient with me through cultural and other misunderstandings.
I'm also teaching two outreach classes per week. I go to two different shelters to teach sculpture. It's pretty chaotic, but I'm learning a lot. It’s given me a good chance to prepare for the coming term at the end of January, when I’ll hopefully be able to begin teaching oil painting.
In addition to my work at SoCA, I’m also working on a few other projects with TLF. I’m on the design committee for the anti-human trafficking campaign leading up to the World Cup in June and July. I’ve also been spending a lot of time working on the web based contest inviting artists and designers to submit project proposals for the [re] branding homelessness initiative. The idea is to create a new language and new images surrounding homelessness in order to encourage a new kind of awareness and sense of responsibility for making a healthier community for everyone. I’ll post the website once it’s completed.
So work is busy, but I love it. I am amazed at how much I’m learning and also how much opportunity there is for me to get real work done here. After several years of jobs which I don’t think have really fit me, it feels like a miracle to be doing meaningful things that I truly love and feel like I’m good at.
I've been working pretty hard lately at making connections with other visual artists and people who are doing similar things (teaching workshops, etc...) in Pretoria. We're getting quite a network of people together. This means that we have many more resources available to us. For instance, I've met some artists who may be willing to facilitate classes at the school.
We also get to plan some pretty cool events. Right now we're working on some events leading up to World AIDS day on Dec 1st. This Friday we're having an Art Factory, which is our platform for our performing arts students and a free venue for community members. The theme will be HIV/AIDS. The following week we'll have a series of workshops addressing AIDS awareness through different art disciplines. I'm especially excited about this, because I'll get to facilitate a painting workshop. I really enjoy working with my supervisor, Zee. When we brainstorm together, our ideas just build on one another and we work so well together! She’s also very patient with me through cultural and other misunderstandings.
I'm also teaching two outreach classes per week. I go to two different shelters to teach sculpture. It's pretty chaotic, but I'm learning a lot. It’s given me a good chance to prepare for the coming term at the end of January, when I’ll hopefully be able to begin teaching oil painting.
In addition to my work at SoCA, I’m also working on a few other projects with TLF. I’m on the design committee for the anti-human trafficking campaign leading up to the World Cup in June and July. I’ve also been spending a lot of time working on the web based contest inviting artists and designers to submit project proposals for the [re] branding homelessness initiative. The idea is to create a new language and new images surrounding homelessness in order to encourage a new kind of awareness and sense of responsibility for making a healthier community for everyone. I’ll post the website once it’s completed.
So work is busy, but I love it. I am amazed at how much I’m learning and also how much opportunity there is for me to get real work done here. After several years of jobs which I don’t think have really fit me, it feels like a miracle to be doing meaningful things that I truly love and feel like I’m good at.
In other news...
I still love it here, but relationships are getting more complicated and I feel my foreignness more and more. I'm so thankful Robin is here. Otherwise I might be getting lonely. I love my job, but am very tired at the end of each day. I often want to be alone and quiet, but I live in a duplex of flats with about 13 to 15 people staying here and it is almost never quiet. If I lay down for a nap I will likely be woken up by blaring music. Just recently I’ve started to have a sense of rhythm here. I think it’s helped that I’ve started saying “no” to more events and excursions and have been taking more time to do art and little projects on my own.
I feel completely off with the seasons however. It’s strange to see Christmas decorations in the department stores when it’s simultaneously getting hotter every day. I had to do something to celebrate Halloween. Its one of my favorite holidays precisely because it is completely meaningless to me outside of the silly traditions we’ve built around it. So I bought candy and made caramel apples. Robin made cider. I also bought little gem squashes and butternut squashes for people to paint and carve. Many of the other volunteers came over and we invited a few local friends as well. It was fun and relaxed. There was no drinking and no drama. I was in bed by 10:30pm. But I went to sleep a little closer to believing that the following day would be November.
In other news, I’ve started to learn to play the marimbas! They’re African style xylophones and are super fun to play. The students in the marimba class are all really great guys. They’re definitely among our most dedicated students and perform at pretty much any show we put on. Most of the students stay on the streets or in shelters. But they continue to play their hearts out on the marimbas day after day and even volunteer to clean the school once a week. The star player is my age, also stays in a shelter and is the most talented and dedicated student. We recently threw him a surprise birthday party- first birthday party he’s ever had. Lately I’ve been jamming with them when the instructor’s not around. I taught them a melody from a duet my mom and I used to play called, “Pink Elephant.” It was fun to hear them spice it up with their African jazz flare. My friend Mandla also showed me how to play the base line for “you are my sunshine, my only sunshine...” as well as “La Bamba” and some music from the Buena Vista Social Club. I like playing with these guys because they’re so good that they make me feel like I’m part of creating something beautiful, even though I don’t really know what I’m doing.
Robin and I are reading through Isaiah and it's like I've never read it before. It seems like a newspaper at times, how close it hits home. I sometimes feel like Isaiah was writing with Pretoria in mind. I've been learning a lot of God's justice and how it's an integral part of his love. God used to seem so mean to me in books like Isaiah. But now I see it as Him advocating for the powerless, pursuing justice in situations of oppression. Robin has made me aware that God is unrelenting in how He strips our pride away. So much of the book is about God taking away what people take pride in. And I'm now seeing that as love as well. God wants us to know and rely on Him, because that is all that really works. Isaiah is also helping me pray for the city.
I feel completely off with the seasons however. It’s strange to see Christmas decorations in the department stores when it’s simultaneously getting hotter every day. I had to do something to celebrate Halloween. Its one of my favorite holidays precisely because it is completely meaningless to me outside of the silly traditions we’ve built around it. So I bought candy and made caramel apples. Robin made cider. I also bought little gem squashes and butternut squashes for people to paint and carve. Many of the other volunteers came over and we invited a few local friends as well. It was fun and relaxed. There was no drinking and no drama. I was in bed by 10:30pm. But I went to sleep a little closer to believing that the following day would be November.
In other news, I’ve started to learn to play the marimbas! They’re African style xylophones and are super fun to play. The students in the marimba class are all really great guys. They’re definitely among our most dedicated students and perform at pretty much any show we put on. Most of the students stay on the streets or in shelters. But they continue to play their hearts out on the marimbas day after day and even volunteer to clean the school once a week. The star player is my age, also stays in a shelter and is the most talented and dedicated student. We recently threw him a surprise birthday party- first birthday party he’s ever had. Lately I’ve been jamming with them when the instructor’s not around. I taught them a melody from a duet my mom and I used to play called, “Pink Elephant.” It was fun to hear them spice it up with their African jazz flare. My friend Mandla also showed me how to play the base line for “you are my sunshine, my only sunshine...” as well as “La Bamba” and some music from the Buena Vista Social Club. I like playing with these guys because they’re so good that they make me feel like I’m part of creating something beautiful, even though I don’t really know what I’m doing.
Robin and I are reading through Isaiah and it's like I've never read it before. It seems like a newspaper at times, how close it hits home. I sometimes feel like Isaiah was writing with Pretoria in mind. I've been learning a lot of God's justice and how it's an integral part of his love. God used to seem so mean to me in books like Isaiah. But now I see it as Him advocating for the powerless, pursuing justice in situations of oppression. Robin has made me aware that God is unrelenting in how He strips our pride away. So much of the book is about God taking away what people take pride in. And I'm now seeing that as love as well. God wants us to know and rely on Him, because that is all that really works. Isaiah is also helping me pray for the city.
Durban
Robin and I went to Durban for five days in October. Durban is a beach town and has a similar feel to San Diego in places. Swimming in the ocean there was ridiculous. I wore my swim suit all day for two days straight and didn’t even get into the water because it wasn’t hot outside. So on the third day I wore a dress... and then went swimming. The waves completely thrashed us. And we nearly had the beach to ourselves that day, so I didn’t have to worry too much about flashing people each time a wave tumbled me over. We also got to tour the largest mosque in the Southern hemisphere, which we couldn’t find from the outside. We explored the Victorian market where you can find all sorts of Indian and African merchandise. We spent our last day at Ushaka World, which is much like Sea World. I especially enjoyed the seal show and lunch at a very creatively styled restaurant- decorated largely with debris from the ocean. We also made some friends with whom we explored the suburbs and played mini golf and night bowling. We were constantly confronted by the difference between the classes and largely, the races here. We kept comparing our lifestyle in Pretoria with the lives of the well off white people with their huge and beautiful homes. I hope the cultural shock I continue to experience here will lessen the reverse culture I’ll experience when I return home.
Other than seeing the ocean, we also wanted to visit the friends I made last time I was in South Africa in nearby Tugela Ferry. Unfortunately my friends backed out at the last minute due to transportation, so we didn’t get to visit them. That was a bit disappointing. I don’t know if I’ll have money to go in that direction again.
I'll post a few pictures soon.
Other than seeing the ocean, we also wanted to visit the friends I made last time I was in South Africa in nearby Tugela Ferry. Unfortunately my friends backed out at the last minute due to transportation, so we didn’t get to visit them. That was a bit disappointing. I don’t know if I’ll have money to go in that direction again.
I'll post a few pictures soon.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Fellowship
Robin and I have started to get involved with a very small Free Methodist Church that some of our co-workers go to. Some of them have a Bible study on Friday nights just a couple blocks from our house. The group is a real mix of couples, singles, kids and people from different cultures (though we’re the only whites). It’s nice to have some fellowship with other adults who are committed with their faith.
Possibly my favorite thing about the church is the children and how they pretty much run wild during the services. They crawl around under the chairs, shout out during the songs and will walk up to anyone to be picked up and danced with. There’s one little boy, Frank, about five years old, who I’m starting to develop a special bond with. One Sunday he got my attention during the singing and told me, “your skin is white!” I responded affirmatively, to which he replied, “who changed it?” I told him God did, but he wasn’t buying it, “You’re lying! The doctor did it!” The next time I saw this boy he asked again about my skin and when I tried to explain that I was born this way he said he knew I’d had a surgery like Michael Jackson. I guess there’s no fooling him!
One of the other kids, Togozo, is about a year and a half old. He and Frank provide endless distraction during Bible studies, which are very thoughtful and interesting. But how can you listen to someone’s story when alittle boy is growling in your face or shouting “Amen! Amen!” I wonder if this was Togozo’s first word, because it’s definitely his favorite. When he’s not shouting it, he’s generally making dinosaur noises and jumping until he falls down on his diaper padded little butt.
Possibly my favorite thing about the church is the children and how they pretty much run wild during the services. They crawl around under the chairs, shout out during the songs and will walk up to anyone to be picked up and danced with. There’s one little boy, Frank, about five years old, who I’m starting to develop a special bond with. One Sunday he got my attention during the singing and told me, “your skin is white!” I responded affirmatively, to which he replied, “who changed it?” I told him God did, but he wasn’t buying it, “You’re lying! The doctor did it!” The next time I saw this boy he asked again about my skin and when I tried to explain that I was born this way he said he knew I’d had a surgery like Michael Jackson. I guess there’s no fooling him!
One of the other kids, Togozo, is about a year and a half old. He and Frank provide endless distraction during Bible studies, which are very thoughtful and interesting. But how can you listen to someone’s story when alittle boy is growling in your face or shouting “Amen! Amen!” I wonder if this was Togozo’s first word, because it’s definitely his favorite. When he’s not shouting it, he’s generally making dinosaur noises and jumping until he falls down on his diaper padded little butt.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
True Stories
“Hey Mama!” I hear that a lot. Or its “Mami” or “Rasta” or even “Lungu” (meaning white person). I’ve started telling the guys whom I see daily that my name is Rasta UmLungu, so that’s become common as well. Yesterday I was walking through an area of town I don’t frequent as often and I heard a woman shout from a 2nd story, “Hey white one! How are you?” I responded, “Good! How are you, Lumthomyama?” (which means black person in Zulu).
Robin and I just got back from spending the day with a 75 or so year old British South African woman. Her name is Winn and she has been involved with TLF since its birth. She’s an amazing woman who has chosen to live and shop and be in the city even though most white people have fled to the suburbs due to the influx of black people into the city center. She picked us up from our flat and took us to the “old age home” where she lives. We had a nice lunch there in the dining area and then she took us on a tour of the city. She showed us all the best places to see the glorious flowering jacaranda trees and bought us “cold drinks” (in this case, ginger beer) at a tea house over looking a lake and bird sanctuary. Then she drove us to the Union Buildings where President Zuma works, and where Nelson Mandela once held office. Afterwards we went back to her place for a swim and then she brought us home. A beautiful day! It was great to spend time with an older person, especially as most of our house mates and friends are younger than us. It was really cool to talk with her about the transitions since democracy began here and other things like dreads, tattoos and aging. Next time we hang out we’re gonna join her and a friend for bingo night.
A couple weeks ago Robin, a volunteer and her newly acquired “coloured” boyfriend and myself went with our friend Ngwako (some of you may remember a story about him from my first weeks here) to see his African Jazz Mood band play at a bar called The Taliban in one of the “locations” (or “townships”). We arrived early so Ngwako could get set up. He bought Robin and I Amarulas, a baileys-like African liqour (delicious!). He also introduced us to the owner, of whom we asked about the bar’s name. He told us that they were building the place as they watched news about Sept 11th on the TV and one of his friends said that the place they were building looked like the Taliban and the name just stuck. You may be wondering how a bar could look like a group of Muslim extremists.... So am I.
The show was amazing. I’ll try to post one of the videos on the blog. Pretoria was once known as a city of jazz and there are still some places where you can find that legacy. Ngwako is actually a fairly well renowned performer, having had a record produced by the nationally (and internationally?) celebrated Hugh Masekela. We also had a good time hanging out with his band mates.
After the show we all piled back into Ngwako’s little car with one extra person, Ngwako’s guitarist. I was sitting on laps in the back seat when we got pulled over. We all started joking nervously about what the cops must be thinking of three white girls crammed into a car with three black men. We squeezed out of the car and were told there had been a car jacking, so they were just checking. Once they saw Ngwako’s license and registration (and I’m sure were assured that the three of us hadn’t been drugged or kidnapped), we were free to go. Luckily there aren’t seat belt laws here, at least not enforced.
Robin and I just got back from spending the day with a 75 or so year old British South African woman. Her name is Winn and she has been involved with TLF since its birth. She’s an amazing woman who has chosen to live and shop and be in the city even though most white people have fled to the suburbs due to the influx of black people into the city center. She picked us up from our flat and took us to the “old age home” where she lives. We had a nice lunch there in the dining area and then she took us on a tour of the city. She showed us all the best places to see the glorious flowering jacaranda trees and bought us “cold drinks” (in this case, ginger beer) at a tea house over looking a lake and bird sanctuary. Then she drove us to the Union Buildings where President Zuma works, and where Nelson Mandela once held office. Afterwards we went back to her place for a swim and then she brought us home. A beautiful day! It was great to spend time with an older person, especially as most of our house mates and friends are younger than us. It was really cool to talk with her about the transitions since democracy began here and other things like dreads, tattoos and aging. Next time we hang out we’re gonna join her and a friend for bingo night.
A couple weeks ago Robin, a volunteer and her newly acquired “coloured” boyfriend and myself went with our friend Ngwako (some of you may remember a story about him from my first weeks here) to see his African Jazz Mood band play at a bar called The Taliban in one of the “locations” (or “townships”). We arrived early so Ngwako could get set up. He bought Robin and I Amarulas, a baileys-like African liqour (delicious!). He also introduced us to the owner, of whom we asked about the bar’s name. He told us that they were building the place as they watched news about Sept 11th on the TV and one of his friends said that the place they were building looked like the Taliban and the name just stuck. You may be wondering how a bar could look like a group of Muslim extremists.... So am I.
The show was amazing. I’ll try to post one of the videos on the blog. Pretoria was once known as a city of jazz and there are still some places where you can find that legacy. Ngwako is actually a fairly well renowned performer, having had a record produced by the nationally (and internationally?) celebrated Hugh Masekela. We also had a good time hanging out with his band mates.
After the show we all piled back into Ngwako’s little car with one extra person, Ngwako’s guitarist. I was sitting on laps in the back seat when we got pulled over. We all started joking nervously about what the cops must be thinking of three white girls crammed into a car with three black men. We squeezed out of the car and were told there had been a car jacking, so they were just checking. Once they saw Ngwako’s license and registration (and I’m sure were assured that the three of us hadn’t been drugged or kidnapped), we were free to go. Luckily there aren’t seat belt laws here, at least not enforced.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Why I love my job
Every Friday morning all TLF staff (are supposed to) meet for devotions. I was surprised at the relatively good turn out a few weeks ago considering it was following a public holiday celebrating Heritage Day. To honor our heritage Pastor Joel asked the fifty or so of us who were in the room to list the languages we spoke. The list came to about twenty as follows:
Afrikaans
Swati
Tswana
Zulu
English
German
Venda
Tsonga
Pedi
Shona
Rwandis
French
Ndebele
Dutch
Serbian
Spanish
Rastafarian (language?)
Thai
Tsotsi (street vernacular)
Swahili
Xhosa
We then proceeded to speak TLF’s vision in all the languages. I got to do Thai, which solictied quite a few laughs and some high fives. In English the vision is:
We see healthy and vibrant communities flourishing in God’s presence.
Have I mentioned that I love it here?
At our volunteer orientation last month, the founder and director, Stefan, spoke about what TLF’s doing and their methods. He talked about not saving people, but rather creating spaces (for people to be reconciled, trained, empowered, etc...). I love the theology behind what they do and am excited to grow in it. The next day his wife, Wilna spoke about TLF’s vision and values. I have never been a part of something that had such a solid set of values that range from valuing the resurrection (including the potential for the resurrection for this city) to valuing simple living and embracing an alternative lifestyle. Other values include risk, Biblical teachings, justice, truth, brokenness and confession. And the way they carry these values out in each of their projects is nothing less than inspiring.
My role at TLF has changed over these past few weeks. I was starting to get stretched really thin with all the projects I was getting involved with. We decided that I would become a full time volunteer with the School of Creative Arts, but continue to participate in two of the outreaches with the Potters House as a SoCA representative. So on Wednesdays we visit women in the prison, which is always a highlight for my week. And on Thursday evenings we visit with women living on the streets in an area called Marabastad. I’ll write more about the outreaches another time.
My job now is primarily to develop the visual arts program, which has not existed up until this point at SoCA. I’ve already begun teaching sculpture classes at two different shelters as part of SoCA’s outreach program. This in itself is amazing to me because I am getting to use art to encourage people through healing and hopefully, reconciliation. I also have two great mentors who are helping me think through what it looks like to truly empower people.
I’m also overseeing some of the transitions SoCA will go through leading up to next term as we strive to turn it into a more structured school where students and facilitators are committed to the classes and students have the opportunity to earn college credit. This is exciting because I see now that God is using my experience at FLC and Bates Technical High School, where I sat through meetings discussing many similar issues regarding turning a home school or independent program into a real school.
I’m also involved with the planning of Art Factory, which is a performance platform for SoCA students who demonstrate outstanding skills and for established community artists as well. These events are free to the community, creating a place for anyone, regardless of race, income or status, to enjoy the arts.
My other responsibilities at SoCA include coordinating visual art workshops, helping with registration for classes and other office duties and I will also be SoCA’s representative to the Re-branding Homelessness initiative. This is a city wide attempt to be proactive in advocating for the homeless as the 2010 games pressure authorities to find ways to “clean up the streets” by pushing homeless people out. Hopefully I will be helping organize a web-based contest inviting submissions from artists, architects and designers of projects that will help to shift the public perception of homeless people and bring the issue to the foreground.
The last couple weeks I have spent a lot of time meeting people and making connections that will help us develop the arts in the community. Probably the most important connection so far is that with Ama Job Job. Please check them out! They are an organization that empowers people through job creation with the arts. Working with them is expanding my vision. I actually feel growing pains when I’m with them because I have so much to learn there! I’ve also been meeting with local artists and hanging out at the art museum.
God is opening so many doors for me, I feel like I can’t go through them all at once, but I want to!
Afrikaans
Swati
Tswana
Zulu
English
German
Venda
Tsonga
Pedi
Shona
Rwandis
French
Ndebele
Dutch
Serbian
Spanish
Rastafarian (language?)
Thai
Tsotsi (street vernacular)
Swahili
Xhosa
We then proceeded to speak TLF’s vision in all the languages. I got to do Thai, which solictied quite a few laughs and some high fives. In English the vision is:
We see healthy and vibrant communities flourishing in God’s presence.
Have I mentioned that I love it here?
At our volunteer orientation last month, the founder and director, Stefan, spoke about what TLF’s doing and their methods. He talked about not saving people, but rather creating spaces (for people to be reconciled, trained, empowered, etc...). I love the theology behind what they do and am excited to grow in it. The next day his wife, Wilna spoke about TLF’s vision and values. I have never been a part of something that had such a solid set of values that range from valuing the resurrection (including the potential for the resurrection for this city) to valuing simple living and embracing an alternative lifestyle. Other values include risk, Biblical teachings, justice, truth, brokenness and confession. And the way they carry these values out in each of their projects is nothing less than inspiring.
My role at TLF has changed over these past few weeks. I was starting to get stretched really thin with all the projects I was getting involved with. We decided that I would become a full time volunteer with the School of Creative Arts, but continue to participate in two of the outreaches with the Potters House as a SoCA representative. So on Wednesdays we visit women in the prison, which is always a highlight for my week. And on Thursday evenings we visit with women living on the streets in an area called Marabastad. I’ll write more about the outreaches another time.
My job now is primarily to develop the visual arts program, which has not existed up until this point at SoCA. I’ve already begun teaching sculpture classes at two different shelters as part of SoCA’s outreach program. This in itself is amazing to me because I am getting to use art to encourage people through healing and hopefully, reconciliation. I also have two great mentors who are helping me think through what it looks like to truly empower people.
I’m also overseeing some of the transitions SoCA will go through leading up to next term as we strive to turn it into a more structured school where students and facilitators are committed to the classes and students have the opportunity to earn college credit. This is exciting because I see now that God is using my experience at FLC and Bates Technical High School, where I sat through meetings discussing many similar issues regarding turning a home school or independent program into a real school.
I’m also involved with the planning of Art Factory, which is a performance platform for SoCA students who demonstrate outstanding skills and for established community artists as well. These events are free to the community, creating a place for anyone, regardless of race, income or status, to enjoy the arts.
My other responsibilities at SoCA include coordinating visual art workshops, helping with registration for classes and other office duties and I will also be SoCA’s representative to the Re-branding Homelessness initiative. This is a city wide attempt to be proactive in advocating for the homeless as the 2010 games pressure authorities to find ways to “clean up the streets” by pushing homeless people out. Hopefully I will be helping organize a web-based contest inviting submissions from artists, architects and designers of projects that will help to shift the public perception of homeless people and bring the issue to the foreground.
The last couple weeks I have spent a lot of time meeting people and making connections that will help us develop the arts in the community. Probably the most important connection so far is that with Ama Job Job. Please check them out! They are an organization that empowers people through job creation with the arts. Working with them is expanding my vision. I actually feel growing pains when I’m with them because I have so much to learn there! I’ve also been meeting with local artists and hanging out at the art museum.
God is opening so many doors for me, I feel like I can’t go through them all at once, but I want to!
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