Archive for June 2008
Here are all of the articles published in June 2008.
Board of Directors Meeting Summary - June 2008
Posted: June 20, 2008
Category: Downloads/BOD Meeting Summaries, Downloads
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South Africa, Part XI
Posted: June 16, 2008
Category: Pastor Steve's Blog
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TAGS: South Africa, vacation
In the previous posts, I’ve tried to let you know about the sights of Africa that we have enjoyed. I want to mention that this country is a mix of paradoxical circumstances. Immense beauty on one hand and intense hardship on the other. Where Christianity is lived out there is life and hope. Where there is no faith, you find fear, death, and darkness.
There are significant issues going on in all of Africa and South Africa is not immune to them. Rampant AIDS that has the potential of killing off huge numbers of people. Much of this is the because of the spread of this disease through people sleeping with multiple wives, girlfriends and “affairs” beyond the first two groups. One African man can spread the disease to hundreds of people through his lifestyle. Those who are trying to help find the government to be no help and sometimes working against the education of the people.
The other more recent problem is Xenophobia. Even though they have many impoverished people, South AFrica is a shining light on southern part of the continent. Many families are “illegal immigrants” from the northern countries of Angola, Mamibia, Mozambique, Zimbawbwe, etc. The poor people of the country have been striking back against these foreigners and even killing them in the streets. It is causing unrest in South Africa and retaliation in the other countries as well.
Truly, the Gospel is the only hope for this country. The following pictures show a little of the country. The round houses (Rondavels) are Zulu homes. The compounds are made up of one Rondavel for each wife…the more of them…the richer the man who built them.
Announcements 6-15-08
Posted: June 13, 2008
Category: Downloads, Downloads/Weekly Bulletin Announcements
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South Africa, Part X
Posted: June 11, 2008
Category: Pastor Steve's Blog
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TAGS: South Africa, vacation
The afternoon of our anniversary was spent going out to find more game. We had felt pretty good about everything we saw in the morning and anxious to see some more that afternoon. The very best thing was running across the white Rhino. The white Rhino was nearly extinct and down to about 20, but this park brought them in and began to protect the animals. Today, the park has 2000 white rhinos and they have distributed another 3600 to other places in Africa.
As this group came up, they played on the road behind us and beside us. It was really great.
We also saw more Giraffe, which was another of our favorite creatures to see in the wild.
South Africa, Part IX
Posted: June 9, 2008
Category: Pastor Steve's Blog
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TAGS: South Africa, vacation
More pictures(Lions this time, baboons, and a beautiful bird)
South Africa, Part VIII
Posted: June 9, 2008
Category: Pastor Steve's Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
TAGS: South Africa, vacation
We continued our trip on May 29th (our anniversary) by leaving St. Lucia and moving on to umfolozi game park(it is connected to HLUHLUWE game reserve. (pronounced “Shoushlooee”) See http://www.game-reserve.com/south-africa_hluhluwe-umfolozi.html for more information on the park. It was a beautiful start to the day. We arrived early in the day and began to see marvelous sights in the park. We first saw a group of Wildebeast’s (gnu) and zebra’s as we drove down the first road. Suddenly, up ahead was the heads of two beautiful giraffes.
As we turned down the main road, we continued to see Impallas, Wildebeast’s, nyalla’s, etc. We came across a park ranger who told us that lions and elephants had been seen up about a mile. We drove up and back and finally stopped on the bridge to see a group of Water Buffalo down near the water. Suddenly, we had a group of elephants. They were drinking, playing and enjoying the river. We looked up ahead and saw some people in another car pointing to the side. A male lion walked across the road in front of us. We continued to watch and another lion came across the road. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to take a picture. We went up the road and back thinking we had missed our chance for a picture. But, as we came back and parked on the bridge to watch the elephants and Water Buffalo, the lions came walking out of the reeds on to the sand of the river area.
South Africa, Part VII
Posted: June 5, 2008
Category: Pastor Steve's Blog
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TAGS: South Africa, vacation
Here are some more pictures..including some animals.
South Africa, Part VI
Posted: June 5, 2008
Category: Pastor Steve's Blog
Comments: 0 Comments
TAGS: South Africa, vacation
The lack of internet and phone service put me behind on the blogs, but let me catch you up.
On May 20th, we flew from Capetown to Jo’burg to join Ursula’s cousin Angelika and her husband. They live outside of Pretoria on an acreage with sheep, bees (Africanized) and horses and it is their retirement dream place. While we were there, we enjoyed seeing the area and traveling to some of the local sites. One of the sites we saw was a “Voortrekker” memorial that gives the history of the Boors(dutch) as they moved from the coast of South Africa to the interior. It chronicles their journey, their meeting with the Zulu and their battles with the Zulu too. Very fascinating when you compare it to the pioneers of North America.
ON the 22nd, we take a 8 hour drive to the Kwasisabantu mission. This mission to the Zulu’s is self-supporting from a water bottling plant and the many other enterprises (including the raising of avocodo’s and peppers). We meet many Africans (of many descents) and even learn a little Zulu. To say hi, you say Sowabona (I see you) and Yebo Sowabona (Yes, I see you). We experience a very unique place and hear some stunning Zulu music at the services. Later, more information on what this mission does in the area and in the world.
After a few days, we take off for the Eastern Coast that runs along the Indian Ocean. We arrive at the town of St. Lucia (sounds like Fallujah). This town sits on a lake and river that is full of hippos and crocodiles. The hippos come into the town at night to eat. Very fun place. We take a boat ride on the lake and have some close sightings of hippo’s, crocs, birds, etc. The ride is topped off with a great sunset at the end.
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- Voortrekker memorial
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- Indian Ocean
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- Kwasisabantu Mission
