Cape Town, South Africa

My mother first came to South Africa in 1967 to visit a friend, and has always said that she left a big part of her heart here when she left. I can see why. South Africa is an enchanting landscape of people, culture, history, and geography. There is much to say about the incredible vistas of the Cape, the geological wonders, and the diversity of flora and fauna. But there is also much to say about the turbulent history of oppression and apartheid, and the stories of people that lived through this history. It is these stories that got into my mother’s heart; people that shaped and formed her faith and understanding of the world.

She tells the story of how her friend here, the Rev. John Ulster, was unable to sit with her at a Cape Town soda fountain, but rather had to stand behind her chair because he is coloured. He was putting himself at risk just to show her around town, and could be arrested just for being in the same car as a white woman. My mom now says that this experience as a “young and naïve” traveler served to open her eyes to injustice in the world. It led to her lifetime calling of social-justice work in refugee resettlement, anti-apartheid efforts, and Central American relationship-building.

So, it is a real privilege to be here with my mom! It has also been a privilege to meet and have lunch with her longtime friend John, now 85 years old and the retired bishop of the Moravian Church in South Africa. When I was first developing my project themes, Mom suggested I talk to him. As a young pastor, John’s family was part of the government’s forced relocation of black and coloured families. Millions were removed from desirable property with inadequate warning or compensation, simply because the white minority-ruled government wanted the land for white citizens. The areas that non-whites were moved to were inadequate, offering little for industry, infrastructure, or employment. John’s had no choice but to move his family to the coloured township and take a call at half his previous salary.

He had no idea how they would survive, and wondered how he would put his five children through college. But he has learned to trust the work of the Holy Spirit. Now, at age 85, he says that he can look back and see how the Spirit has provided for him and his family along the way. His children all received bursaries for their studies, through both grade school and college. And their daily needs were met through the generosity of his parish. In fact, even though his parish was filled with relocated people suffering from poverty and the injustice of apartheid, they managed to do a lot of missionary outreach to their communities. One of these projects included the opening of the Elim residential home for developmentally disabled youth. John says that this was the Spirit at work, a Spirit that provided for those in need, a Spirit that uplifted and encouraged a group of parishioners that otherwise had little to be encouraged about.