Making Play-Doh in South Africa

It's already Friday, and I've not been anywhere near a working computer since my second day in Cape Town. Sharon, Steve, and I have been out at a Retreat Center in Hermanus, an beautiful area of the wine country there. It is pretty remote.

It was sort of like a camp setting, kind of reminded me of the ones I've been to as a youth. They put Steve, Sharon, and I in the same cottage. Sharon and I shared a bedroom and Steve had the other bedroom. We had a kitchen and living room.

On the second day of the training, we decided to use the Companions exercise where you mold clay into something that represents your brokenness. Sharon and Steve decided on this the night before we were to lead it, so of course we didn't have any clay with us. We wondered, can we find play doh in the little town closest to us? We went to a grocery store, and alas, no play doh. So instead, we bought floor, oil, salt, and food coloring and proceeded that night to make our own. Yes, the World Editor and Publisher of The Upper Room was up to his elbows in homemade play doh! (I have photos to prove it.) We called my handy-dandy husband back in the States to see if he'd look up a recipe on the internet for this, and of course, he came through for us.

Overnight, the stuff melted into a gooey conglomeration of 4 or 5 colors! Thankfully, Steve changed his mind again, so we didn't need it after all. We had fun showing the group our handiwork, and they roared with laughter, probably thinking, those crazy Americans!

The event there was marvelous; when we came in the first night, we really weren't sure of how we would be accepted. There is a fairly high level of distrust of Americans, especially Americans who come in with "the answers" for the African people. We were aware of this mistrust, and so we came in gently, hoping and praying that the Spirit would go before us and prepare the way. We really feel that is what happened because they were so receptive. By the time we left last night, they said the most astounding things about us and the resource, they gathered around us and laid hands on us and blessed us. It was phenomenal!

The people here are so great. They are so friendly and loving and accepting. On Wednesday afternoon I went on a tour of the wine country there. It was beautiful and the wine was great. I loved hanging out with those clergy guys--many quite young and loved to laugh all the time (even before they drank the wine!).

While there I was sitting at the dinner table listening to two colored men (that is what they call themselves, they are light-colored, not black) talk about how life is post-apartheid. They were both probably in their 50s, so most of their lives have been spent in experiencing separation and being held back and facing barriers. The interesting thing is that they are sort of all in a limbo place right now: out of the "honeymoon phase" where everything seemed so rosy for the future and now trying to get along and work out the kinks in this new system. I felt so honored to be hearing from the front lines, from the place where history is being made right now.

So far today: we met with Lux Verbi publishers this morning at 8 a.m. about partnering with them to possibly publish Companions in Afrikaans here, which is quite a need. At noon we met with Bevan Printers, who have a great print-on-demand facility that would help us do short runs of books for AFrica Upper Room to sell here.

Before we went to the retreat on Tuesday, I met with Veronica Language of Struik Publishers (she's an editor with a perfect name!). She was amazingly cooperative and helpful. Hoping that we can partner together in the future.

Then I went to Salty Print, a missional publishing operation of the Methodist Church here. They employ lots of people who wouldn't otherwise have jobs. They print our Prayers for Encouragement, now in 8 or 9 languages (that is the little red book for persons with HIV/AIDS) and also The Upper Room devotional guide. I also visited the Methodist Publishing House in Cape Town.

Tonight we will have a dinner at a seafood place on the waterfront with Father Fred, who invited us here to do the CIC training, and Bishop Rafael and his wife, who were at the training. Sharon and I might go an hour or so early to look around the waterfront.

Tomorrow we lead an all-day training in Cape Town for about 80 people, and then we head to the airport for Johannesburg that night. Hoping that Sunday can truly be Sabbath because I'm tired! (I can hear my mom worrying already, across the ocean! I'm fine, Mom . . .)

Love to all.