The Lekubu Lutheran Parish did an amazing job of
introducing Al and Deb Overhaug and Pastor Mark and Claudia Ziemer
to their Parish in June and July, 2006! Lekubu elected a Partnership
Committee that worked long and hard on preparing for this visit.
Some of the things they did:
-
A large welcome when we arrived with
representatives from each of the three congregations that make
up the Parish. This included a devotion, songs, official
greetings, performance by the village native dance group, and
songs by the choir. (don't be hesitant to take pictures we
learned)
-
A Mission Festival was held on the first Sunday.
This annual event included a 5 hour worship service, lots of
music, and a huge meal afterwards.
-
The Parish prepared a SWOT analysis
(Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats of the Parish) that
they gave us at the beginning which was helpful in understanding
their parish. This was also used at the Evaluation Meeting held
at the end of the visit which was helpful in discussing our
future direction.
-
The morning and early afternoon were spent
working on projects with them. Al and Pastor Mark joined some of
the men cementing the foundation for the vestry, entrance, and
bell tower at the Mosweu church. Deb and Claudia met with
teachers and teaching in the elementary school at Lekubu. Three
days were spent touring us around to the other congregations in
the parish, to the Circuit Annual Meeting, and to the Deanery
and a few of the churches in the area that are part of the
Madikwe Circuit.
-
Late afternoon was spent interacting with the
people in one of the ministries or organizations of the Parish –
Church Choir, confirmation class, Men's League, Young Women's
League, Women's League, and Youth League. This allowed lots of
time for questions and getting to know each other.
-
They made great use of the Overhaug's interests
and skills. Al used his experience in building. Deb used her
teaching ability. This was a mutually stimulating and beneficial
experience of exchanging ideas in figuring out how to do cement
work with only a few tools and in team teaching. Especially in
the teaching experience we instantly saw benefits with them to
an ongoing relationship – we sending school district's discarded
books and advice we can offer in teaching English (since that is
so new to them), and their coming here and perhaps teaching a
brief summer course (addressing our American ignorance of other
cultures).
-
Pastor Mark was included in worship. It was a
steady progression over the three weeks. Bringing greetings the
first Sunday, assisting with Communion the second Sunday, and
preaching the third Sunday. This was an important part in
identifying and bonding the relationship as sister
congregations.
-
The freedom to walk anywhere in the village,
when there was free time, was wonderful. This was a true African
village with dusty, meandering roads. The smiles and welcome
from so many people all over the village was impressive. Village
life is something that needs to be experienced and is hard to
describe.
-
Visits with the Kgosi (village chief) and
Circuit Meeting were very informative. The two hour meeting with
the Kgosi was not nearly enough to hear his stories of suffering
during the apartheid time and his work in developing the economy
of the village in this time of freedom. Pastor Mark enjoyed the
visits at the Circuit Meeting and with neighboring pastors as
their cooperation and collegiality is more developed than in our
conferences.
-
Shopping, especially the women going together,
was great fun for them and us.
-
The last week each couple stayed with a family.
We wished they had done this sooner and that we had more time
with that family. By that time of our trip the trust level was
very strong and the sharing very open.
-
Our stay at the Diocese Centre was not as
enlightening for us as our stay in Lekubu. Except for seeing
Camp Marang and clarifying the expectations of our sister-church
relationship with the officers of the Diocese, we would have
preferred to have spent that time in Lekubu.
-
The Madikwe Game Reserve is only 40 miles from
Lekubu. We spent two days at Mosetla Bush Camp where the
hospitality was excellent and the animals we saw were incredible
– but it felt artificial and insignificant compared to our time
at Lekubu.
