Stellenbosch
By Alicia
First I must apologize for yesterday's blog- I didn't hav much time so I just spat out evrything that we saw. There was little conclusion- I hope that I gave you enough info for you to be able to come to some conclusions on you own, as I hope you would anyway.
Yesterday our friend Jeremy took us to Stellenbosch. It is a univeristy town about 45mintues away. It is beautiful. It's so funny being in towns where most of the buildings are older than the United States. All of the nice, new buildings are also built in an older, more ornate architectural style. As Ben put it "they haven't been ruined my the 80's shiny glass decor yet." We had some time explore city center (South African for downtown) and get coffee and treats for a snack.
We then went to the University to hear Jeremy lecture. He is a doctorate student in the theological college at the University of Stellenbosch. He lectured to a class of second year students about Stewardship. I think that is has changed my view of that word, and the concept it represents, permanently. Notes from the lecture worth noting: "Jesus was a steward of God's grace." Chew on that for a minute. If Jesus had kept any of that grace for himself, there would have not been any salvation. Doesn't God ask us to have this attitude toward eveything? Even my shoes are God's, loaned to me- that I should take care of them well, until he needs them again. I must continually be seeking God's will to see if He would have me give them back to "Him" by giving them to someone in need of them. Another quick thought- what does it mean to be a steward of your mind? Intelligence, knowledge, training, schooling...
The thought of coming here, studying Theology for a few years and working with Jeremy in the squatter camps is something that Ben and I have been throwing around. Jeremy is studying towards a community development degree (a degree that only exists in African and South Americn Universities). He has a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and passion. It would be great to learn from him. I would love to come back to Denver and start to change communities from the ground up after spending time here doing that with Jeremy.
Here's the kicker- we stopped by the admissions office while at the University yesterday. They were a bit apologetic about how much the cost of one school year was- somewhere between $10,000-13,000 Raand. For those of you who don't have an international monetary conversion chart in your head, that's about $2,000/year. Hah! For all of my Johnson & Wales friends out there, imagine how much one year at JWU could buy you here! I guess the same goes for my CU friends, especialy out-of-staters (Emily!). Stellenbosch is also an internationally respected University, by the way.
Last night we were able to eat dinner in the home of a family from the congregation. Great food and lots of laughter. We are feeling at home here.
Just for fun
In South African English:
flat= apartment
faculty=college (as in I was in the Arts & Sciences college at CU)
every other word is Afrikaans
People drink coffee ALL THE TIME. You would love it Kevin. They laughed at us I mean, really laughed a lot) when we only ordered water at a restaurant.
They only tip 10% at restaurants. We made some waitresses really happy the other day with our standard American tip (and we're usually generous on those!)
First I must apologize for yesterday's blog- I didn't hav much time so I just spat out evrything that we saw. There was little conclusion- I hope that I gave you enough info for you to be able to come to some conclusions on you own, as I hope you would anyway.
Yesterday our friend Jeremy took us to Stellenbosch. It is a univeristy town about 45mintues away. It is beautiful. It's so funny being in towns where most of the buildings are older than the United States. All of the nice, new buildings are also built in an older, more ornate architectural style. As Ben put it "they haven't been ruined my the 80's shiny glass decor yet." We had some time explore city center (South African for downtown) and get coffee and treats for a snack.
We then went to the University to hear Jeremy lecture. He is a doctorate student in the theological college at the University of Stellenbosch. He lectured to a class of second year students about Stewardship. I think that is has changed my view of that word, and the concept it represents, permanently. Notes from the lecture worth noting: "Jesus was a steward of God's grace." Chew on that for a minute. If Jesus had kept any of that grace for himself, there would have not been any salvation. Doesn't God ask us to have this attitude toward eveything? Even my shoes are God's, loaned to me- that I should take care of them well, until he needs them again. I must continually be seeking God's will to see if He would have me give them back to "Him" by giving them to someone in need of them. Another quick thought- what does it mean to be a steward of your mind? Intelligence, knowledge, training, schooling...
The thought of coming here, studying Theology for a few years and working with Jeremy in the squatter camps is something that Ben and I have been throwing around. Jeremy is studying towards a community development degree (a degree that only exists in African and South Americn Universities). He has a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and passion. It would be great to learn from him. I would love to come back to Denver and start to change communities from the ground up after spending time here doing that with Jeremy.
Here's the kicker- we stopped by the admissions office while at the University yesterday. They were a bit apologetic about how much the cost of one school year was- somewhere between $10,000-13,000 Raand. For those of you who don't have an international monetary conversion chart in your head, that's about $2,000/year. Hah! For all of my Johnson & Wales friends out there, imagine how much one year at JWU could buy you here! I guess the same goes for my CU friends, especialy out-of-staters (Emily!). Stellenbosch is also an internationally respected University, by the way.
Last night we were able to eat dinner in the home of a family from the congregation. Great food and lots of laughter. We are feeling at home here.
Just for fun
In South African English:
flat= apartment
faculty=college (as in I was in the Arts & Sciences college at CU)
every other word is Afrikaans
People drink coffee ALL THE TIME. You would love it Kevin. They laughed at us I mean, really laughed a lot) when we only ordered water at a restaurant.
They only tip 10% at restaurants. We made some waitresses really happy the other day with our standard American tip (and we're usually generous on those!)
posted by The Mongoose Chronicle at 8:01 AM
6 Comments:
Hey, I didn't know any better...I was a kid back then! I love reading your posts. God has so much for you all there and it is going to blow you away...it will be hard at times but His glory is there and it is moving!!! I lvoe you and I'm praying for you!!!
What a treat to turn on my computer and find another update!!! I am enjoying thinking about what you wrote about stewardship. It sounds like Jeremy is a thinker - fun for you to get to follow him around and learn from what God has taught him. I love you both. I am about to eat breakfast and I imagine that you are about to eat supper. What is the food like?
D&G made it safely to CA. Brandon McKnight is getting married. tomorrow.
Yum! Coffee sounds great. So what would they typically order besides water at a restaurant? Remember that I am always praying for you guys! And so is my church family at home. I had my mom to put ya'll on the prayer list.
So good to hear about all that you are learning about there and the possibilities that it presents in your life but also those who are following along on your journey.
Thank you for being our eyes. Thank you for allowing us to all go on a journey that we would probably never get the chance to, unless you went for us.
Many of us are so eager to learn more about your passion for this adventure and to grab a hold on to it as well. So, thank you for the facts and historical tidbits that only a history major could include.
1Sa 12:16
"Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes.
We just sat down and read your reports and find them fascinating. I am sure that everything that happens and that you see is going to be used by God in some way to affect the ministry he has called/is calling you two to too.:>)
We had a good study last night at the Agee's on submission from Eph. 5 - good discussion!
Keep the reports coming, we are interested in your impressions and how they are affecting you guys.
Dear Ben and Alicia,
Pam and Rich had me over dinner so I got to hear your stories. I really enjoyed hearing about your trip and I'm glad you are enjoying your time. I'm glad that Pam has the knowledge of the computer so that she can share your trip with Grandpa and me.
Pam is going to take your blog posts to the convalescent home to read to Grandpa. (Grandpa was in the hospital for a week due to dehydration and is now in the convalescent home for rehabilitation because he hasn't got enough strength in his legs to walk). I don't know when he will be coming home.
Keep writing your blog posts so that I can find out how you are doing. We love you and miss you, and can't wait to see you again here in California!
Love,
Grandma Patti
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