So I know it has been a long time since I've last posted and I wish I could say that there was a good excuse for it, but the truth is that I have just been caught up in reading a couple of books the past few nights. This post then is long overdue, so let me jump into what I have been up to the past couple of weeks.
Last Monday, the four of us Duke students arrived at the early morning worship at the seminary and were then told after the service that we had the rest of the day and Tuesday off to celebrate July 4th. We then decided to call Edgar, another one of the Duke students who was placed in Durban, and asked if we could come visit him. Edgar said yes and amazingly found accommodations for all four of us to stay. When we arrived we picked up Edgar, and went to the waterfront to have dinner. The city felt like a smaller American city much like a Jacksonville or Daytona. When then ate and celebrated the 4th while looking out at the Indian Ocean.
Later that night we went back to the living arrangements that Edgar made for us; John and Joan went to stay at the house of Edgar's supervisor Anna, who was a former Duke divinity intern who came back to serve in South Africa. Jamison and I stayed with Edgar where he was staying at a place called Boys Town. Boys Town is an organization that houses boys either from troubled households, or from impoverished households, and raises them as a family, teaching them both academically and socially. It was such a great experience to be there, and the three Dukies and about 6 boys had a very good time playing laughing and playing Uno together.
The next day we went to a famous Market downtown and took a tour. They showed us around to all the areas including an herbal market, in which we got to help grind the herbs into the fine powder. We also went to the meat market where they serve some interesting food, including cow head which they chop and cook right there in the market. Apparently in Zulu culture cow head is a delicacy which in the past was only eaten by men because it shows power because it's still a very patriarchal where men are supposed to be the head of the household (i.e. eating a cow's head) I did try the cow head and was surprised that although it was a little gamy like venison it actually had a very good flavor. After the day we returned back to Pietermaritzburg.
The very next night we had the honor to go to dinner with the Reverend Peter Storey. Rev. Storey is a former professor at Duke and is our liaison between Duke and South Africa, but is so much more than that. Rev. Storey is the former bishop of the Methodist church in South Africa, yet still this is not what makes him so remarkable. Rev. Storey, was one of the leading religious figures in the fight against the Apartheid regime, so much so that he and Desmond Tutu are good friends. He was even the chaplain to Nelson Mandela while Mandela was in prison. At dinner he told us some about his struggles, and how he had been arrested many times fighting for the cause. It was a very inspiring meal.
The rest of the time we have spend participating in what the seminary calls intensives, which are short but intense sessions that are geared to help the seminarians engage in practical discussions in ministry. The great thing about them is that they are not for a grade, therefore the seminarians can't really wrestle with ideas and delve into discussion without the fear of being graded. Last week we sat in on lectures by Peter Storey himself, since he helped form Seth Mokitimi Seminary. He spoke about some many powerful issues, but in particular he gave a lecture on prayer that blew my mind. There isn't enough room to talk about details but if you are interested ask me about it when I get back. This week we were in classes with John Van de Laar who is a South African liturgist. He gave amazing lectures about the intimacy of worship and how the packaging of worship (i.e. contemporary vs traditional) is the least important aspect of preparing worship. Once again there is not enough room here to talk about it or explain what he meant by this, but ask me and I'd love to tell you.
So that is what I have done the past two weeks. What the last couple of weeks hold for me I'm not sure, some more intensives probably, but other adventure I'm sure as well. Until then, God Bless.
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