Trip Phase Three: Port Elizabeth

Thursday, 12 August and Friday, 13 August

Our trip to South Africa neatly fell into three distinct phases: the five days in and around East London, seven days on the road in the mountains, valleys and plains between East London and Port Elizabeth, and the last five days in Port Elizabeth.  The first two phases were all about transforming a 22 strangers  from three different countries, Protestant denominations and cultures into a group that cared about each other, learned of and from one others while sharing some life changing experiences.  The Port Elizabeth phase was about strengthening the Ecumenical Partnership between the Moravian Church of South Africa and the Evangelical Church in Hessen and Nassau.

It was difficult to make the transition to this last phase.  We had been together for 12 days, we were tired, and we had already gone through a lot of changes.  So, it was hard to make yet another transition.  In addition the Moravians in our group were back home again.  Several had never been away from home before (not even to East London).  In addition our Moravian hosts were experiencing a unique group of visitors.  We were an ecumenical group of young adults (not older church folks!) and we were not only German, but also UCC's from the USA.

That said, our hosts were diligent in offering us a warm welcome and hospitality.  We greeted our host families  with whom we'd be staying for the last five days at the Ebenhaeser Church in Port Elizabeth.  This church was to become our connection point for the remainder of the trip.  We were to go home for supper with our host families and then join Moravians gathered from all of the congregations at the Bloemendal Church for an evening worship and official welcome at 7:00 that night.  So, I went with my host, Algernon Boonzaaier, to the neighboring city of Uitenhage (pronounced YOU-tin-egg) for a nice fried fish dinner.  Upon completion of the dinner we scurried off to the evening service.

It was a nice service.  We sang.  Everyone always sings not matter where one goes in South Africa, it seems. People have hymn books but seldom seem to need them.  People know the music by heart and they sing.  How refreshing...and inspiring!  Moravians are known for their brass choirs.  The Port Elizabeth Moravians are no exception to this rule.  Walter and I greeted the gathered congregation.  We introduced our delegation.  We had tea, juice and cookies afterward, had good conversation with those present and went home.


Algie's wife, Gilda, had tea and sweets awaiting our arrival.  We stayed up for a little while and chatted. Then to bed.

It was good to get to know the Boonzaaiers and their sons, Devandre and Gershwin over the course of my stay.  Devandre is a graduate student at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth.  He is pursuing a degree in Music Education with an emphasis in organ and choral direction.  Gershwin is about the finish high school.  He will begin his studies in the law school at Nelson Mandela University in the near future.

Blessings,


Rick Cowles