Women Building Global Community - South Africa

Our Last Day in SA!

2008-11-17T02:34:00.000-08:00

Today is our last day of the WBGC SA study seminar. We've actually just wrapped-up our final session as a group and several of the women are in eating lunch as I type this. We'll be boarding our 2 vans shortly to head to the airport (Durban), from which most of us will head into Johannesburg and go on to our respective countries.
It's a sad day! We've genuinely built some global community these past weeks, and it's sad to think that the 2 weeks have already passed by. BUT, the silver lining is that the 'community' we've built does not rely solely on being physically in close proximity with one another; this community will continue through correspondence, our interactions back at home, and prayer. Today is the 'last day', but actually, it's the first day,too. This is an exciting time for all of us to go back home with all that we've learned and experienced here. 'Break the silence', ladies!!!
Vanessa

P.S. Internet access has been considerably more sporadic than we expected/were told it would be, and for that we want to extend our apologies to family, friends and supporters! As we were unable to make regular posts to the blog during our day-to-day experiences these past 2 weeks, we'll be taking the time during the next few weeks to bring the blog up to speed and post the reflections, pictures, stories, videos and things learned for everyone to share in. Please be patient with us and stay tuned! And again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Day 10: Durban, Focus - Faith and Worship

2008-11-16T21:50:00.000-08:00

Today we attended worship in 2 separate groups at two local Lutheran congregations in Durban. In the afternoon we spent time debriefing our 2-week experience and then later had a farewell dinner as a group!

Day 9: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve/Durban, Focus - The Landscape and Natural Resources

2008-11-15T21:50:00.000-08:00

This morning we participated in an open-vehicle game drive to view South African wildlife. Afterward we traveled to Durban.

Day 8: Umpumulo/Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, Focus - The Landscape and Natural Resources

2008-11-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

Today we traveled to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.

Day 7: Pietermaritzburg/Umphumulo, Focus - Lives of Local Women

2008-11-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

Today we traveled to Umphumulo Southeastern Diocese and had a conversation with local members of the Womens Prayer League, including the bishops wife. We also took a walking tour of the surrounding community of Umphumulo - the seminary campus, the hospital and the nearby Lutheran church.

The video below is from our brief time spent at Umphumulo Lutheran Cathedral, where we were fortunate enough to listen to the last few minutes of the youth choir practice. The youth choir was AMAZING! They had such beautiful voices, and all of the WBGC women who walked over to listen to them sing were so grateful to hear them practice 3 of the songs they've been rehearsing for an upcoming celebration. The recording below was taken in the back of the church standing across from the singers where they were practicing, but doesn't truly do the choir justice. The electricity was out that afternoon so it's a little hard to see the choir director and members, but the beautiful voices are definitely still audible. The youth in the choir are mostly high school age with a few who are older (young adults), and at the time we were there, practices were taking place 3 days a week leading up to their performance. We were told that many of the youth travel an hour or more to make it to practice!

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Quick Update

2008-11-12T23:26:00.000-08:00

Family, friend and supporters,
Just a quick note on behalf of the group:
We'll be departing from Kenosis Retreat Centre today in Pietermaritzburg. Internet access has been limited (we can't upload much text and don't have access to the stockpile of photos without wireless access), so we apologize for not being able to update the blog for a couple days. We'll try to log back in soon to let you know about the past 3 days!
On our way to the next stop...
Love,
the '08 WBGC Participants

Day 6: Pietermaritzburg, Focus - Gender Justice

2008-11-12T21:50:00.000-08:00

Today we met with representatives of the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Christian Social Awareness (PACSA) to hear about their Gender Audit Research among churches and other related issues. Afterward, we went to the Lutheran Theological Institute and spoke with female students about their studies in religion and theology, and their experiences relating to gender justice, race relations and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

PACSA - http://www.pacsa.org.za/index.html

LTI - http://www.sorat.ukzn.ac.za/lti/

Day 5: Johannesburg/Durban/Pietermaritzburg, Focus - Gender Justice

2008-11-11T21:50:00.000-08:00

Today the group traveled from Jo'burg to Durban by plane, and then traveled to Pietermaritzburg by van to meet with a professor at University of Kwazulu-Natal to learn more about HIV/AIDS in relation to gender. For the next 2 nights we'll stay at the Kenosis Retreat Center.

Day 4: Johannesburg, Focus - HIV/AIDS and Gender Justice

2008-11-10T21:50:00.000-08:00

This morning we visited the ELCSA Central Diocesan Center in Soweto (Jabavu) and the Diokonia AIDS Ministry, and in the afternoon we visited the Constitution Hill complex and had a meeting and conversation with a representative of the Commission on Gender Equality.

South Africa Commission for Gender Equality -

http://www.cge.org.za/

Reflections and recollections from after attending worship in Soweto

2008-11-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

Anna, mother and wife of congregation
“It used to be black and white at work, now it’s man vs. woman.”
“You are constantly having to prove yourself.”
“We don’t want to talk about HIV/AIDS at church; they mention it but there is no conversation.”
“If you’re married, there is a 99.5% chance you’ll contract HIV.”
“We don’t talk about sex.”
“Because of challenges that we have we need to change our thinking in our culture.”

daughter of the pastor
“As girls, it’s important to know that it’s about us…..we have to make our own paths.”

“If you teach a woman, you teach a nation.”

Jennifer
“This has given me a foundation to talk at my church.”

Day 3: Johannesburg, Focus - Faith and Worship

2008-11-09T21:50:00.000-08:00

Today, the group of participants split in 2 and attended worship at two different Lutheran churches in Soweto.

Reflections after visiting the Apartheid Museum and the Gold Reef City Mine*

2008-11-08T22:00:00.001-08:00

“I am thankful for this opportunity to meet new women and learn about the struggles of our faith in relation to the sin that has caused so much destruction and oppression.”
- Christy

Share something that surprised you today or disturbed you today, etc.:

- The fact that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 30 years in such terrible conditions and was still compassionate towards those who kept him there; he emerged with generosity in his heart... Mara

- The language and propaganda used to condition people into a set of beliefs; the words that are used, our words also can build barriers... Christy

- When I learned about apartheid, I knew it to mean 'white people abusing blacks', but to see black people abuse black people... What were they suggesting black people needed 'protection' from? That black people were convinced that these things/boundaries are making them free... Sibekezelo

- The concept of 'good neighborliness' (used to justify the concept of apartheid). Sharing a cup of sugar or a blanket is what I'd define as a being a good neighbor, not putting someone in a cement cell with no windows... Vongai

- The conditions of the hospitals with children sitting on the floors, 4 of them in one bed together... Ruth

- The status of education, also with kids sitting on the floor... Nthabiseng

- The contrast between the Apartheid Museum and the Gold Reef Mine/Theme Park across the street. The serious, underlying topic of the mines wasn't really even addressed on the mine tour (the African men who labored and died in the mines, for the benefit of others' greed). Was so terrible what happened there, but the actual story wasn't even told... Becky

- The laws to amend the laws to fix the loopholes of apartheid...reminds me of Jim Crow laws that were meant to maintain segregation. And having a theme park at the mine seems no different than having a rollercoaster at Buchenwald or Dachau, where so many people died during the holocaust... Karris

- I thought I hadn't seen racism during my life because it's almost entirely black people. But things have been 'the way they are' my whole life, so maybe it's more that the racism is not 'blatant' anymore. Maybe it is racism, just not in the obvious way it used to be; maybe it is racism that I have experienced... Vongai

- Apartheid was in place for 47 years and ended nearly 20 years ago. People are still dealing with the same issues: no care in the hospitals, poor education; people who left South Africa during apartheid have returned since it ended and have observed that the problems still exist. The problems are simply deeper... Is there a sense that black people now think they're less important, regardless of skin color?... Nthabiseng

(*the above-mentioned reflections are paraphrased from a group conversation)

"I was struck by the honesty with which the stories and histories/herstories are told at the Apartheid Museum." Karris, Iowa USA

"I’ve been having insightful and educative times since the beginning of the seminar. I have been most impressed by the presentation and discussion techniques." Nthabiseng, Pretoria South Africa

"The Apartheid Museum is full of images , narrations and captions that make one think.
I was struck by P.M. Verroew’s concept of ‘good neighbourliness’ which involved separating people based on colour. This is very different from the interactive and ‘we’re family’concept that I believe in and I thought equating good neighborliness and apartheid was very sick.

The lonliness and the miners’ (Gold Reef City Mine Museum) living conditions were sad, the resulting use of alcohol; the role that women played and the size of the confinement cells were all very touching.

The good thing that came out of this (the visit) for me was the hope, the selflessness and determination to set things right was the highlight of this museum for me. The South African people wanted equal opportunity for everyone so badly they were willing to die for it. I wish them the best on the reconstruction of their country." Vongai, Harare Zimbabwe

"Apartheid scars will never be healed- we know that for some of us-we are what we are because of it. What we have to do is to forgive our oppressors and go on with our lives. We are all in the image of God and His beloved creatures. Love yourself as you love your enemies." Serweetsana, Rustenburg South Africa

"I have seen many things today. One of them is the newspaper (article-Apartheid Museum) where Nelson Mandela was telling the nation the disease which caused the death of his son. This is one of the thing I will take home with me as where I come from people don’t tell if one of heir family members died of AIDS—they keep it secret. This one has touched me very much." Winne, Lilongwe Malawi

"After visiting the museum I have learnt that when we are working in the field of God we need to have love, confidence, patience, and hope. With these we can achieve whatever we want to do. When I go back home I’ll share his with my fellow young women and even elders that these four items are the keys. Thank you." Judith, Lasaka Zambia

Day 2: Johannesburg, Focus - Race Relations

2008-11-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

Today our seminar group visited the Apartheid Museum and the Gold Reef City mine.

http://www.apartheidmuseum.org

Day 1 : Orientation, and dinner at the infamous 'Carnivore' restaurant

2008-11-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

We're staying at the Lakeview Airport Lodge in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Lodge is run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA). Day 1 was an orientation with all of the women from the U.S. and the women from southern Africa; lots of introductions and opportunities to get to know each other, as well as what this seminar experience will be all about!

Some things learned so far (among many!):

- There are 11 languages spoken in SA; from the age of 4 years old, most children already know 4 or 5 different languages!
- About 70% of the people in and around Jo'burg speak English
- The racial make-up of SA is: 79% black, 9.6% white, 2.5% Indian, and 8.9% 'colored' (ie., mixed race) .
- Gold was discovered in Gauteng (essentially, the county that Jo'burg is in) in 1886; several mines around the Johannesburg area soon followed.
- European immigrants - primarily "Dutch and British with a few Germans, French Hugenots and others" (P. Knutson) - took colonial power because of the discovery of gold and diamonds; Union of SA was established in 1910.
- Africa was divided and boundaries were drawn by Europeans, not Africans; borders were drawn based on 'claims' by different countries, to protect their 'interests' when it came to various natural resources they were hoping to discover and make a profit on.
- "These boundaries/borders weren't created by God. They're killing us. AIDS, global warming, immigration; these all transcend ANY boundaries." (P. Knutson)
- "How do you undo colonialism? How do you undo cancer without damaging the other organs?? It can't be undone nicely." (P. Knutson)
- Apartheid was established in 1948
- Apartheid ended in 1994

There is much, MUCH info between these last 2 dates (MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more) when Apartheid was taking place in South Africa. More to come on this after tomorrow's sessions that will relate to race relations in SA: the Apartheid Museum and the Gold Reef City Mines.

Day -1 (or maybe Day 0...?): Our Travel Day to South Africa!

2008-11-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Hello family and friends!

On Wednesday, November 5th, all of the American women participating in the SA WBGC seminar will travel from their home cities to Washington Dulles before heading on to

Johannesburg. Here are some pics of the group in transit!

More pics of us on the way to SA if you check out the slideshow on the right side of this blog, or if you go to flickr.com and enter 'WBGC'. It was a direct flight from Dulles to Jo'burg; 1 5hours or so... Lots of sleeping was done, and we were glad that all 11 of us got to sit near each other on the SA Airways flight!

"So...where will the group travel to during the seminar?"

2008-11-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

This is a great question! Here's a general sense of some of the places the WBGC seminar participants will connect with people of the ELCSA and South African culture during the 2 weeks:

Johannesburg
Apartheid Museum
Gold Reef City Mine
local ELCSA congregations
ELCSA Central Diocesan Center in Soweto Diakonia AIDS Ministry
Commission on Gender Equality

Durban
Lutheran Theological Institute
University of KwaZulu-Natal
local ELCSA congregations

Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg Agency for Christian Social Awareness
ELCSA Southeastern Diocese
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve

Themes that will be explored throughout the 2 weeks include: race relations, faith and worship, HIV-AIDS and gender justice, the lives of local women, the landscape and natural resources, and the implications of participating in this seminar before returning home.

Some Participant Bios

2008-11-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

There are 11 women from the ELCA who will be participating in the 2-week seminar in South Africa, and here are some of their mini-bios to introduce everyone further!

Hi, my Name is Angela. I am a final year seminary student at Lutheran School of Theology. Right now, I'm doing my internship at Grace Lutheran Church in my hometown of Omaha, NE. I am looking forward to our trip together.

Hello all! I'm Vanessa and I live in North Chicago, IL. In September I began serving as the Youth Leader for a church in Northfield, IL (also north 'burbs), working with high school and middle school youth! Prior to this position, I worked with the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program that sends young adults out to serve as missionaries for 1 year in several different countries around the world, and before that I served in the YAGM program and as a GM Volunteer doing youth and schools work in England from 2004-2006. I'm very excited about this seminar opportunity in South Africa!

Greetings! I’m Karris from Waterloo, Iowa. I’m married to Josh and am the mother of a preschooler --- Zoey, 4. I work at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa (a college of the ELCA) as assistant director of communication and marketing. I’m really looking forward to this trip! http://www.karrisgolden.com/

My name is Kimberly. I work in Human Resources with Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation. A little less than a year ago, I worked in administration with Global Mission, International Personnel. I just recently was apart of the Women of the ELCA's Triennial Gathering, in Utah. I'm married to Nate and mother to 3. It is blessing to be apart of this amazing life change experience!

Hi, I am Christy from Prescott, WI about 20 minutes from the Twin Cities. I am currently serving at Joy Lutheran in Prescott where I spend a lot of time with kids and teens as the director of education and youth ministries. I am married to my great husband Jason, and we have Joona our exchange student from Finalnd who keeps us busy. We have 2 dogs and 1 cat. I enjoy being outside and playing ice hockey. I am blessed to be a part of this group!

(Mara) I live in Chicago and work in development for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. I have lived here in Chicago for 2.5 years and love it! Prior to that I was in Nebraska - Omaha and Lincoln - (shout out to Angela, in Omaha - I worked with the ELCA campus ministry across Nebraska and actually worked with Grace on occasion, probably before you were there). I grew up in Montana and would call that my home. My family is still there and I try to visit often. I can't wait to go on this trip. What an experience we are going to have together!

Hello, I am Molly. I am an associate pastor at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Billings, MT. We have over 800 particpants and are a very young congregation. We have many young families-lots of little kids running around. We are currently engaged in an appeal process to expand our facilities. I do all the regular stuff that pastors do and I have started a chapter of MOPS, mothers of pre-schoolers. I graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN in 2005. My husband, Allen and I, have been married almost 9 years (Dec. 29). We like to hike, backpack, and run together. I spend a lot of my spare time reading. We have a cat, Jewel.I have been wanting to travel to Africa for many years, now. I am particularly pleased that our emphasis will be on issues facing young women today and that we will have the opportunity to travel with young women from Africa. How unique!

My name is Becky and I'm currently a student at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago working on a Master's degree and also at the University of Chicago working on a social work masters. My plan is to be consecrated as a diaconal minister. I worked at the ELCA Churchwide Office for 3 years after graduating college (at the University of Minnesota!). At Churchwide I was the Intern for Lutheran Student Movement USA and thenI worked for Ecumenical & Inter-Religious Relations. I can't wait for the trip!

Hello! I'm Odalis, and I'm from Willmar, MN. I have 2 kids and I'm originally from Panama. I just got married 7 months ago to a wonderful man named Oscar. I'm excited to go to South Africa; an opportunity to learn new things and have an adventure!

(More to come!)

Welcome to the WBGC 2008 blog!

2008-10-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Blog posts from the seminar participants coming soon.....!