Sunday, August 30, 2009

NGK Klawer


This is the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) in Klawer, nearly 300km (200mi) north of Cape Town. I have no information about this Church, and this would seem to be the only photo on the Internet. “Klawer” means “Clover”. In Spring, Klawer is a “wild flower paradise”. You may click on the photo to enlarge.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Flashback 1960's


This one’s a flashback to the 1960’s, to Beru atoll (today in the Kiribati Republic), where I lived as a child. The photo is damaged through heat and humidity. OBSERVATION: As young as I was, this may have a lot to do with the multiculturalism of my Church today. I came to believe that “primitive” cultures may be both preferable and superior to my own.

Friday, August 28, 2009

NGK Loeriesfontein


I like photographing Churches. Sometimes I have very little information about them. However, it might be worth publishing some of the photos, since some of them are rare, like this one. This is one of only two photos on the Internet of the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) Loeriesfontein, a remote town in Boesmanland (Bushmanland). The Church was designed by Wynand Hendrik Louw, and built in 1923. OBSERVATION: Louw and Gerard Moerdyk are together considered “the first Afrikaans architects”. You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA. That my vehicle parked in front.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Presbyterian Minister


I went for coffee this morning with our intern P. and Rev. V. (on the left of the photo). She is the minister of the local Presbyterian Church. We shared news, discussed Church “machinations”, spoke about the call, and the need for an encounter with the Holy Spirit. OBSERVATION: I think she has done well. There has been marked growth in her Church, she has sought to deepen relationships between vastly different communities within her Church, and has a real heart for the spiritual development of individual congregants ("a woman's touch", I thought). Her Church is one of those in the area which (well before her arrival) has not been self-sustaining, i.e. is supported by Church structures.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Fishers Of Men?


This is the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK or DRC) Velddrif, a small town about 150km/90mi north of Cape Town. I asked the caretaker whether he was the dominee. He said: “Thankfully not.” I asked him when the service would be on Sunday. He said: “I can't remember. Look in the almanac.” I asked him where else I could find out. He said: “There's a blackboard on the Church wall. It'll be written there in chalk.” I went to look at the blackboard. There was nothing on it -- but above it stood the Church's motto: “Fishers of Men.” OBSERVATION: The Church was designed by W. Bronkhorst, and built in 1954. You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA. See also Vanselfsprekend.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Medical Device


Among my electronics inventions is a medical device that, among other things, destroys localised bacterial and viral infections -- and destroys warts. There are some nice commendations (comments) on this blog. To the best of my knowledge, the commercial spin-offs include the WartAbater, the DermaSeptic, the Cold Sore Inhibitor, and the Wart Zapper. I was surprised to be offered two of these devices on a flight of Delta Airlines! OBSERVATION: However, I didn’t patent it. Nor did I license it. I sold two or three copyrights to the design. I sought to license the concept, but this required (expensive) medical approvals. That dissuaded me. Looking back, it could have been a gold mine. Ironically, the commercial products today have no medical approvals, and the device is not necessarily “100% safe” as claimed. The photo sequence shows a small facial wart being removed. You may click on it to enlarge.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Church In Loeriesfontein


This is (upper right in the photo) a Church in Loeriesfontein -- a fascinating, bustling town that lies on the southern edge of Boesmanland (Bushmanland). The town is in the middle of nowhere and nothing, set on an undulating hill, where the tarred road ends. The area is known for its spectacular flowers in spring. One can see its location at Collins Maps. You may click on the photo to enlarge.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Nieuwoudtville Church


This is a photo of "the Pride of Nieuwoudtville” -- a Dutch Reformed Church some 400km (250mi) north of Cape Town. The laying of the cornerstone took place on the 3rd February 1906. It is a Gothic Cross style Church, designed by John Gaisford. It is built with Tafelberg sandstone, the ironworks are Scottish, and the pews (to seat 500) are made of oak. Nieuwoudtville has an estimated population of 1,000-2,000 (says Collins Maps). You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA.