Thursday, October 31, 2013
FĂȘted By The Poor
For the first time in a while, I walked (pretty much) the length of my old urban parish. I was treated like a celebrity by the poor. They called out to me on nearly every block, shook my hand, asked me how it was going, said that they loved me. All except one. He reminded me that I had had him put away (not really -- the story is here: Attacked). OBSERVATION: It was an awkward relationship, with the poor.
Damage
NOTE: Within a week of this post, I was victim of another smash-and-grab.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Privileges And Motives
In the Church, if all is working as it should, people may find many privileges they do not find elsewhere: status where they have had none, forgiveness where they have been stained by sin, a voice where they have been ignored -- and so on. This applies to people high and low. It is a wonderful thing, but it is also a (classic) hazard to the Church. One is offering something unique, and either people will take it up for the right motives or the wrong ones. One needs to discern therefore whether the motives are human or divine, or to put it simply, one needs to "have en eye" for whether people are spiritually sound.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Union Congregational
I happened to pass Union Congregational Church this morning, which is close to where I stay -- looking "as pretty as a picture". It is the "mother Church" of Congregationalism in Southern Africa. Its present minister was once a Church planter with me -- we were a two-man team, when I was very young (1982). I was seconded to the Church plant by my home Church. You may click on the photo to enlarge.
Business Chaos
One speaks of business chaos in Cape Town. Here's the most recent example in my own experience. I live in a cottage in a student complex. The Internet was continually going down. It was probably down more often than not. Finally Telkom sent a technician over, who fixed it -- and this fix lasted nearly a week before the Internet went down again. Being crucially dependent on the Internet, I decided to connect to the sky. I entered what may be the best known Internet shop. They said sorry, their own Internet was down. After about an hour's wait, the technician confessed that he had borrowed the plug -- the Internet should now be up again. But then the manager pulled the wires out of the card machine. I would need to pay cash now -- so I would need to find an ATM. The nearest ATM, on the same block, was out of order -- and so was the next one. I walked two blocks to find the next one -- and so obtained my cash, and finally connected to the sky. OBSERVATION: Actually, it wasn't quite this simple, but the rest was so to speak my own fault. I was connecting with Linux, and they only had experience with Windows.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Popular Posts
According to Blogger, my all-time page-views exceeded 150,000 this week -- however, Blogger started counting late, so it will be more than this. Looking over more recent posts in particular, African Solar has gone "stratospheric"-- having leapt into my all-time most popular posts in a short time. A very popular theological theme has been Vocation For The Ministry. As for more "everyday" themes, How Much Is That Doggie has been popular. In spite of being a mere impression, The Wedding Video is one of this month's most popular posts. And popular, too, is Blossoming Ministry -- a note about my wife's blossoming in ministry.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
The Perfect Steal
I learnt through urban ministry: "If it can be stolen it will be stolen." You name it, it will be stolen. With this in mind, I was standing before some great Church doors tonight with an urban minister, when I realised that they were "the perfect steal". I said: "Look! All you need here is a screwdriver!" But he said: "We have a very big batten behind those doors."
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Popular Mementos
For both Church and private events, I have frequently handed out small picture mementos. These are extremely popular. Here is an example on the right -- printed on matt photo paper and then sliced up. At the most recent occasion, this month, I made 150 such mementos for about 100 guests. Within minutes, there was not one left to be seen -- they were all taken.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Many Invited, Few Chosen
Today I prepared a sermon for Sunday night -- for the Lutheran Church in Long Street at 6:00. A pastor handed me the text: "Many are invited, but few are chosen" (Matt 22:14). The first commentary I picked up suggested that the story was "bizarre": a man enters a marriage feast (he is invited), and to his dismay, he is bound like a pig and thrown into outer darkness. OBSERVATION: It is a theme, though, that I have become increasingly aware of through experience in ministry. Some are not chosen. (See also Lutheran TNT).
Thursday, October 24, 2013
A Great Feast
Culture is a funny thing. I attended a feast this month. This woman (pictured) very much wanted to pose for the camera. Ordinarily, if a woman posed for the camera (in my culture), it wouldn't look quite like this! But this picture, for her, represented the great time that was had. She was delighted with it. OBSERVATION: Those were mean chickens, too -- not like city chickens.
Designed To Be A Blessing
I received mail from Europe this week: "Your blog is really good, and entertaining. But your direction should be this: The daily activities, cares, and thoughts of an urban minister. ... It is more important that you reflect with hindsight: The burdens that a younger (or older) minister of a congregation may encounter. How one should engage with these or even avoid them. To what extent faith directions may be decided by the congregation, and how the differences are reconciled. Which faith directions are ethnically determined by Black and White. How one grapples with neighbours and authorities as this relates to Church activities. Whether one should host cultural, secular [and so on] events in the Church. Whether the Church may publish its own community paper to raise its profile. How one should strengthen a sense of community. How one may improve income and expenditure -- and so on." OBSERVATION: This comes from a respected mentor of many younger professionals -- and this has in fact been the primary goal of my blog. It has been designed to be a blessing. But, see my post Off Air.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Traffic Jam
Anonymous Notes
A regular feature of ministry is anonymous notes. A good friend of mine (also a minister) treats them with contempt -- he sets them alight -- before he even puts them down -- no matter what they say. I typically make some attempt to determine where they came from and what to do with them. In a few cases, that has in fact been worth the trouble. One of the problems is, it may be impossible to tell whether one is dealing with a religious nut, or someone with a bitter spirit, a genuine issue, or something cleverly contrived. OBSERVATION: People could of course keep it simple and be personable. (I received an anonymous note today).
NOTE: I traced this person. It was -- someone said -- sad.
NOTE: I traced this person. It was -- someone said -- sad.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Electronics Book
I worked flat out today to complete a first draft of my new electronics book -- and put it out for comment. It contains about 160 projects, of which the large majority use six components or less. This week a well known electronics author (Stan Swan) referred to my "bare bones style" -- of which this book is a showcase. Yet as compact as they are, these projects accomplish a great deal: An intercom, various metal detectors, sonar, a disco strobe, a UV black light, solar power systems, an all-band radio, a fire alarm, a code lock, various security circuits, a hand generator, various timers ... and very many projects besides. With six components or less, these projects can be constructed in a jiffy.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Contact Us
On my resignation from urban ministry, a large number of people contacted me. However, some have said that they have found it difficult to trace me. My e-mail address is scarboro@iafrica.com (nearly 20 years the same), and my cell-phone number and SMS are 076-8394439. This weblog's comments feature (see underneath this post) also permits personal contact -- comments only go public if I punch Enter. OBSERVATION: Two people traced me only this week -- hence this post. I am very glad to hear from people.
How Much Is That Doggie?
Friday, October 18, 2013
Gleeful Then Sobered
It's interesting that some plots (such as mine) have a boundary line which runs down the middle of a stream. But what if the stream should shift its course? At least you still have the stream. This spring, as the winter floods subsided on my plot, I was gleeful to see that my land had gained a few square metres / yards from a neighbour. But then when I walked downstream, I was sobered: another neighbour (the bishop) had gained a few square metres from me.
Territorial Spirits
A fellow alma mater Peter Wagner wrote a book: Territorial Spirits. One may think that a spirit broods over one's local Church alone, or that a pattern of problems is unique to one's local Church. Without necessarily endorsing Wagner, what ails one's Church may be territorial, in that one has networks of people whose influence reaches into more than one Church. I am not speaking of the spirit of the age, but rather of territorial phenomena.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Tortoise
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Fitting A Dress
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
African Solar
Monday, October 14, 2013
Khoisan Corral
This is a photo of a Khoisan corral in an isolated valley in South Africa—surely hundreds of years old: pre-history. Locals say that the corral has visibly deteriorated during the past generation—however, parts of it are still in perfect condition. I would estimate that it encloses about a hectare. OBSERVATION: The locals prefer to keep the evidences of Khoisan culture secret—I doubt that I would be shown some of what I am told about.
RDP Houses
RDP houses – a few of which I have stayed in – are legend in South Africa – not always for the right reasons. I might improve them like this: Provide a drain, and move the privy closer. These simple steps would surely make them so much more “user friendly”.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Offal
A Different Man
Recently I met with a colleague for lunch. He said: “You are so relaxed! You are a different man! You do realise this is of God?”
God's Promise
I have faced some extraordinary challenges in the past year. At my best, I am keen to know what the Lord is going to do next -- because from a human point of view, it looks … extraordinary. It is the Bible which encourages us to look to God.
Comparing Systems
I was surprised to realise that I have
designed five solar systems in two months. The first (10 Watts) is
doing great. I have no news of the second one (30 Watts), which I built
for a clergyman. The third (200 Watts) failed to meet its promise,
although it did not fail – I dismantled it. The fourth (200 Watts) is
doing well in early testing. The fifth (80 Watts) – which I built for
my parents-in-law – is doing well in early testing. OBSERVATION: 200
Watts means 200 Watts for one hour, or 1 Watt for 200 hours – when
fully charged (my systems have different charge times). They
all run very hot in full sun – yet my calculations tell me that
they have a minimum 30% safety margin before meltdown. The cost of
lighting up a small house (my design) is about R250 ($25) – plus the
lights. But the lights are expensive. Acknowledgement to the wife for the photo (snapped on her Blackberry).
Friday, October 11, 2013
Country Ministry
There are some things that have
immediately stood out for me in country ministry – in comparison
with urban ministry. I'll make a few notes before I forget. This
might not apply universally, of course: The things of God have a
greater significance to country people. Country couples love each other more.
People give more loving attention to detail. Older people are more
positive – or less negative – in the country. People tend to be more equal in social status. The personal stories are unexpectedly interesting in the middle of nowhere. Dealing with
the closeness of village life is a special challenge. And the food is
… well, very good country food.
Eye In The Sky
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Travelling
I am travelling again in the morning, and will be spending a few days in Thembalethu (about 400km / 250mi east of Cape Town) and in Kagiso Heights (600km / 400mi east of Cape Town), as well as visiting the plateau above the Langkloof, via the spectacular Suuranys Pass. I am attending a celebration, a feast.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Buckets
Recently, two parishioners in the Karoo bought a house. When they peeped in the attic, they saw fourteen buckets. They called up a friend: "There are fourteen buckets in the attic. How do you interpret that?" In the semi-desert, of course, it seldom rains -- and when it does, buckets are typically more than enough to take care of holes in the roof -- until the real rains come.
Karoo Showers
The Karoo (where I minister) is a semi-desert. At the best of times, it is arid. My wife calls it bleak ("asvaal"). Yet with the spring, and recent showers, one sees the most beautiful colours all over -- if one just takes the time to see. I took this photo of small flowers on a bush. To imagine the whole bush, multiply these flowers by a thousand.
Once Saved Always Saved
Yesterday I conducted a Bible study on The perseverance of the saints: Once saved, always saved. I asked: "But how does one know that one is once saved? How do you know that you are the genuine article?" One of the participants said: "Some people are jolly good pretenders."
Saturday, October 5, 2013
My Old Man
Friday, October 4, 2013
Technical Turbulence
My blog has hit "technical turbulence", with noise on the line. At present, most times, I am unable to blog. During the next fortnight, too, I shall be beyond the Internet much of the time: in the (semi) desert, and in the townships. It is bound to be an interesting time.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Solar Uncapped
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Rheumatic Fever
For most of my life, I have needed to contend with rheumatic fever. Most people cannot catch it, but those who do may have it again and again. Untreated, it kills about half of those who catch it -- yet properly treated, it may be no more than an occasional nuisance. "Nuisance" has been my experience -- although I have been seriously ill, too. I need to watch the things which tend to trigger rheumatic fever: especially sore throats, dentist drills, and cuts and scratches. In such cases, I am supposed to take antibiotics no questions asked -- although sometimes I "wing it", based on my feel for the illness. OBSERVATION: Usually, my doctor treats risks or symptoms immediately with antibiotics, and I am better within days. Sometimes, one gets a doctor who wants to go back to square one, and begin the investigation all over again -- this wastes precious time, and only yields the same results at great expense. (I am being treated this week for rheumatic fever, having a dentist appointment scheduled).
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Route 62
Pastoral Visitation
Yesterday I was on pastoral visitation in my new parish -- where I took this photo of the major river running through. Or rather, one sees some water in it after the winter rains. OBSERVATION: There are flash floods here once in a while: most recently in 1981 and 2008.
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