Today was a heavy construction day. We shoveled more of the foundation sand piles into the structure (with much of it blowing back at us). We prayed for some governmental bureaucracy snafus that might cease the construction to be eliminated. I get to chat with Greg, a guy from the government inspecting our site – the spitting image of Barack Obama. He’s a nice guy, surprised that Americans are here pitching in. He genuinely wants this work to go forward, but is restricted by policies. He’s a musician on the side and angles to get my email address should he ever get to the states (note: it’s interesting that everyone here wants your 
email address...perhaps looking to build up an international rolodex of couches to crash on should they happen to be in the neighborhood?). We receive permission to continue with the work…and the shoveling gives way to measuring, cutting and nailing frames for the structure.
Geoffrey and I had the chance to talk with Larry today (an older Xhosa teenager who helps African Leadership and is doing construction and translating for us). He was telling us about the Xhosa tradition of becoming a man, being sent away from family where circumcision begins a month-long process of near solitude in a remote region of the country. What actually happens in this time is forbidden to be talked about, but all Xhosa men must go through this process to become a man in the eyes of the community. There is no avoiding it unless you choose disgrace to follow you throughout life. Ceremonial dress is worn upon return to notify all of your successful conversion into becoming a man. Wanga (another teen translator serving with us) will similarly leave to start this in a week. Larry is nervous, but also excited for his approaching time. I can’t possibly imagine this, but concede to him that he is already a man in my eyes.
At kids church, we do a craft where we create string bracelets with different color beads (each representing a biblical principle) for the kids. The skit today is about the prodigal son – I’m the dad and I give Geoffrey (the son) a great big swinging bear hug upon his return – the kids crack up at this. Poignant moment #723 – having 30 Xhosa kids reciting Romans 8:16 back to you…especially how God (“Thixo” in Xhosa) has that click in it. Gotta love it.
I felt the pride of being of use today. All the digging, the sawing, the hammering…it felt good to contribute to the team. Man secret time: we are empowered when we are of use. Let me retain this feeling.
email address...perhaps looking to build up an international rolodex of couches to crash on should they happen to be in the neighborhood?). We receive permission to continue with the work…and the shoveling gives way to measuring, cutting and nailing frames for the structure.Geoffrey and I had the chance to talk with Larry today (an older Xhosa teenager who helps African Leadership and is doing construction and translating for us). He was telling us about the Xhosa tradition of becoming a man, being sent away from family where circumcision begins a month-long process of near solitude in a remote region of the country. What actually happens in this time is forbidden to be talked about, but all Xhosa men must go through this process to become a man in the eyes of the community. There is no avoiding it unless you choose disgrace to follow you throughout life. Ceremonial dress is worn upon return to notify all of your successful conversion into becoming a man. Wanga (another teen translator serving with us) will similarly leave to start this in a week. Larry is nervous, but also excited for his approaching time. I can’t possibly imagine this, but concede to him that he is already a man in my eyes.
At kids church, we do a craft where we create string bracelets with different color beads (each representing a biblical principle) for the kids. The skit today is about the prodigal son – I’m the dad and I give Geoffrey (the son) a great big swinging bear hug upon his return – the kids crack up at this. Poignant moment #723 – having 30 Xhosa kids reciting Romans 8:16 back to you…especially how God (“Thixo” in Xhosa) has that click in it. Gotta love it.
I felt the pride of being of use today. All the digging, the sawing, the hammering…it felt good to contribute to the team. Man secret time: we are empowered when we are of use. Let me retain this feeling.
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