Rock in the garden,Rock in the church!

The taxi strike was postponed.So Martijn and I picked up the hired pneumatic hammer,and headed for the township.It proved useless.The fuses would not allow us to use it.But we managed,with our picks,to eventually get the rocks out.
In the afternoon,we went to Florence's house,where Claire and Marloos were already doing work with the kids.It is so noticeable that when you first enter,the kids hold back that little bit,even though the youngest might come for a hug.Gradually they open up.To end the afternoon,we opened up a new game of Twister that we had bought.They had great fun with it;so much so,that they suggested a competition of Twister between the houses.When it was time to go,the 3 oldest girls began singing and dancing.The strength and clarity coming from these small bodies was sublime.They moved effortlessly,without any embarassment.Then they asked us to sing....time to go!
On Fridays we have a meeting with Tia,to discuss any probems,discuss financing and generally plan ahead.Without her work,these kids would have no home,no future.The model she has created-that of setting up homes of a family size,rather than a large institution-works well.She overlooks no detail of the health and wellbeing of the children in her care,always fighting a battle against bureaucracy and insufficient funds .
Another of the projects in which Be-More is involved is Ithemba.44 physically/mentally handicapped children are housed there.One of the volunteers that works there,and stays here, is Marco.He himself suffered from a stroke that left him partially disabled.But he is devoting a few months to helping these kids.As some people pass by the fence-blacks and whites-they shout out rude names to the kids.The full-time carers are doing a job only;it is only from the volunteers that these children receive affection and attention.So it is very important that the work continues.However,when the kids reach 18,they have to leave.There are about 1000 on the waiting list in this area.When resources are slight,the weakest always suffer the most.
Sunday.
We drove to the township and picked up the kids on the way to church.I hadn't realised that the kids were going into Sunday school,while we attended the service. This was to be an experience.I knew we were in for the long haul when I saw toilets in the chuch!The music blasted out.The pastor was shouting into his micropone like an enraged Bishop Tutu!The congregation were yelling out the words and gyrating...this was a full-bodied,release of adrenalin,arms swaying in the air (and that was just me!!),it was like the roar of the Kop when Gerard has scored a goal.Then,the noise slowly changed to a more sombre mood.Two women had gone to the front to join the pastor and his assistants.What started with the pastor laying his hands on their heads,then became the pastor moving the first woman about while holding her neck,shouting ''Satan,come out'',over and over again.Then ''Fire,fire,fire''.The congregation immediately took up the call,shaking their arms in the air.The woman started shouting and screaming,before eventually reaching up to God-I think that is what happened.The same happened to the other woman.
There was some Bible reading,more singing and exhorting,during which some members were wiping their eyes,or were almost overcome with fervour.Small pieces of bread and thimbles of grape-juice were passed round.All at the same time, we partook.The music continued ,soothing but loud,matching the wisdoms crooned out by the pastor.
As the service ended,you knew that this was the source of inspiration for the 90% of the townspeople that go to church each week.As for the pastor..if I was him,I would take a large whisky and go to bed for a week.What a performance,non-stop for 2 hours!
I think I might have other things to do next Sunday....
Best wishes,
Eric.

Photos
1 Marco
2 Daphne-our hostess
3 In the church
4 Peter-rare picture of our host-you never catch him relaxing!

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