Respect

I spent a few days this week with other Methodist ministers visiting families in the far western part of our district - near Kuruman, which marks the start of the Kalahari desert! It has been a couple of years since I spent time in this area and I had forgotten the very high regard in which ministers are held. The woman who opened her home to us was so generous, hospitable and respectful - every sentence was punctuated several times with the SeTswana word 'Moruti' (Reverend).

It was only a couple of days later on reflection that I realised how much her attitude had prompted a similar respectful attitude in me. Respect it seems is contagious.

Rona

Yesterday I participated in the Opening of Rona (the R is pronounced like a G in Afrikaans) with our 1pm congregation. We whites usually don't know much about Rona in the Methodist Church, but it is a season of sacrificial giving which lasts a couple of months each year. The funds generated are in theory earmarked for mission and outreach but in poorer communities often get used to meet outstanding debts. There is nothing hidden and private about this giving - each member of this small congregation had a chance to come to the front and put a note on the table after sharing what she was thanking God for or praying for. The secretary dutifully wrote down each name and amount.

One old lady with a wonderful sense of humour gave a long speech and put R10 down. I asked someone what she had said. "That was her taxi money - she will walk 10km home now". I saw another lady of very limited means slip a R10 note to a friend who had nothing to give.

It had been a long morning and I hadn't relished the thought of sitting through a Rona service, but I felt enriched and humbled to witness the joyful, sacrificial generosity of these ladies.