An incredible first day in South Africa. After getting into the Portswood Hotel at midnight, we were out the door at 8 a.m. to make it to the 9 a.m service at the Sarepta Uniting Reformed Church.
This church is 173 years old, and going strong.
Notice the word "Uniting. It's ongoing, not finished. After the ravages of Apartheid, these Colored and Black Reformed churches are deliberately working to be united in faith and life, so have come together as the "Uniting" Reformed Churches. According to Mike Smuts, our guide (and a retired pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa), the White churches are also invited to this party, but have been a bit slow on buying into it.
The singing and choir were fantastic. The dominie gave a good message in English with occasional sentences in Afrikaans for the non-English speakers. Afrikaans is the mother tongue for many in this region. Singing songs with them from their hymnal in both English and Afrikaans was a treat. Erik Hoekstra, president of Dordt College, greeted the congregation on our behalf and on behalf of Dordt College, and the church made us feel even more welcome after the service by giving us a feast!
Back on the bus and off to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Given as a gift to South Africa by Cecil Rhodes--the imperialist and also founder of the Rhodes Scholarship--Kirstenbosch is an amazing place packed with flora and fauna, nestled against the back side of the fabled Table Mountain.
Vivian, our guide, gave us unique insights into the names of plants and birds, how the park was started and what it means to the people of South Africa today. Fortunately for us, the King Protea, South Africa's national flower, was in full bloom.
A quick bus ride back to the water front district of Cape Town to shop or rest, then a wonderful dinner at the hotel next door.
And tomorrow is another day ...
 |
| Earl and Myra Heibult at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens |
No comments:
Post a Comment