From The Pastor’s Pen In South Africa

 

 

March 18, 2003

 

 

Greetings from South Africa,

 

After traveling by air for twenty-two hours, with two stop-overs, I arrived safely in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday morning March 14th .

 

On Saturday I participated in the graduation ceremonies of the Baptist Convention College by hooding the 7 graduates. The college does not have one Ph.D. on its facility,  and were delighted to have me, with my academic regalia, present and participate.  The Baptist College, which is in Soweto, is the primary vehicle for the training of ministerial candidates for the churches of the Denomination.  It was a wonderful African affair  with lots of singing, dancing, eating and celebrating. 

 

I am truly humbled, and amazed at how they are able to accomplish so much, with so little, in much of the third world; while in the United States we have so much and seem to do so little.  During the next two weeks, I will deliver some special lectures, and fill in for some of their lecturers.

 

On Sunday, I attended the 11:00 A.M. service at the Kagiso Baptist Church, which is in another section of Soweto.  About 300 worshipers praised God, and danced like David  danced, as they worshipped God.  After the offering was gathered, the Pastor informed me that I was certainly expected to minister to the congregation by preaching.  I was not expecting to preach – but, I collected a bible and asked God’s Spirit to guide me.  I preached the Word!  After the sermon, there was an alter call for special prayer. I was asked to pray for every one of the 40 or so persons who came to alter.

 

The majority of the members of this congregation live in a Township where there is an unemployment rate of 40-50 percent.  Those who do work earn approximately $125.00 a month.  According to the health organizations the rate of HIV/AIDS infection is approximately 3 in every 9 persons living here.  As a consequence, there are many orphans whose parents have died from the virus. 

 

Disappointment is rampant among the masses of Black South Africans from whom nothing has changed, since they have been granted the right to vote.  As with us in the United States, they are rapidly discovering that political democracy is meaningless without some form of economic democracy.  As in the United States, there is an emerging black middle class, which benefits from the social and political changes, but  for  the  masses  of  Black  South  Africans  nothing  has  changed.   I served as an

 

 

(Over…)

 

 

accredited election monitor, during the elections of 1994, when hopes were high.  It has been very disappointing to see how little things have changed.  Certainly, it is unlawful for White South Africans to discriminate against Black people, but as in the U.S. racism is basic to the fabric of the society.

 

As a consequence of the socio-economic conditions in which the Baptist Convention Churches operate, and  with the few resources which they have access to, they are quite dependant on assistance from their sister churches in the United States and Europe.  The Baptist Convention of South Africa is the Convention which serves Black South Africans.  Similarly, there are Baptist Conventions which minister primarily to Whites, Afrikaners, Colored and Indian South Africans.  These Conventions are talking together about the possibility of cooperation,  but as you might imagine, there is tremendous distrust which must be overcome.

 

It is my view that African-Americans who live in the U.S. and who have tremendous resources, must nurture the Pan-African vision which was advocated by many in the last century.  African-Americans must expand our vision beyond the frame of our own circumstances. We must realize that as a people, we have a calling to assist our African brothers and sisters throughout the African world.  This is on reason why the Music Staff and the Imani Choir will be going on a mission trip to Costa Rica’s Atlantic Coast, where the majority of Afro-Costa Ricans live.  The Staff will be conducting a music institute.  In addition, about 15 other members are going as a part of a work crew to help build the classrooms for the Caribbean Theological Center.  This center is where theological training will be held for ministerial candidates.  Pray for our church, and support Imani, as we endeavor to respond to God’s call. 

 

Another communication next week!

 

 

                                                         Peace,

                                                               “Rev”