I used to post multiple blogs about my trips. But the last time (the Ethiopia trip) I did an extended reflection with lots of "bytes" on it. I had quite a few comments from people who liked that approach.
So, I thought I'd do something similar with this trip. So here are vignettes about the trip, or a collage of images and reflections about leadership, culture, people and some fun stuff from my time in South Africa last week. They are not in any particular order. Enjoy.
ONE: Scripture Union has a senior leadership team of deeply committed leaders. It was a privilege and a pleasure to spend time dialoguing with them on issues of personal development, developing a leadership culture in the organization, mentoring and training leaders, and on issues about servant leadership. (The picture was taken on Friday and a few of the staff had already left due to other commitments.)
TWO: Scripture Union's mission is to reach teens and children for Christ. They want to reach the next generation and instill in them the values of Christ and the Kingdom of God and also find and develop the next generation of leaders. For so many teens and chidlren, the family system is utterly broken. Click here to check out Scripture Union's website. (Tony Nzanzah, the director, is pictured to the left.)
THREE: South Africa is now about 13 years post-apartheid. It is hard to explain what the experience is like. It would take several posts to talk about it meaningfully. It was a far more radical shift and experience than what the United States had with its civil rights movement of the 60's and desegregation in the south. While many good things have happened, many "not so good things" have also occurred. The country is struggling and the consensus of many is that "a new kind of leader" is needed. For a brief explanation of apartheid read this.
FOUR: Scripture Union in South Africa is a great example of racial integration where the different races and ethnic groups of South Africa come together in a synergistic way. I would say they are a microcosm of the Kingdom of God. (In fact, for our friends at Crossroads in Amsterdam, it reminded me of the wonderful diversity in your church.) They have paid a price of losing some supporters and partners because of their steps in this direction. It is a price they were willing to pay.
FIVE: The Sunday morning after I arrived in Capetown, Tony Nzanzah, my host and SU Director, took me to his church: Edge Church whose slogan is "A Place for All." They are a "white" Assembly of God Church who are committed to racial integration in their church, missional living (locally and globally), and to social justice. Pastor Pedro, the senior pastor, preached that morning, and his heart for holiness and for reaching South Africa with the gospel of peace and hope was powerful. It was good AofG preaching (like my friend Tim Adour, senior pastor of Church of the Revelation, - I thought, Tim would love this place). Plus, like my friend, Steve Almquist (senior pastor of LWCC), world missions just oozed out of this guy. I see why Tony enjoys being a part of that local church. Visit their website at EdgeChurch. Also, discover what the word "Zanethemba" means.
SIX: There are a number of people who have left South Africa and will probably not return due to the changed political context and an uncertain future. I certainly understand this and am in no way critical. We all have different callings. While in South Africa, I talked with a number of people who have wrestled with this on their own personal level and have made the decision to remain and Be the Change that needs to happen. Pray for them. We discussed Philippians 1:29 and Colossians 1:24 in this context.
SEVEN: Two things I was unable to do because of time constraints, and which are must activities the next time I have the opportunity to go to SA, is visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and to have a lengthy tour of a township. Mandela is just one (although arguably the most famous) of those black leaders who was imprisoned for his social 
and political activism in the country. I had the opportunity to look through some of the museum that is on the mainland and that alone was interesting. To read a great book on this, get a copy of either this authorized biography, or Long Walk to Freedom which is his autobiography.
EIGHT: The townships were/are large, crowded, impoverished neighborhoods that were divided in "black" and "colored" areas. We have the language of "the other side of the railroad tracks" and that was/is the situation for the townships. Whether it is the "garbage slums" found in Latin American cities, the "shanty towns" in India, the villages of Ethiopia, or the 'townships" of South Africa, large numbers of the human race live in dangerous and damaging conditions. The message of freedom, shalom, grace and justice that was set forth in the Old Testament and re-inforced by Jesus MUST BE A PART OF THE CHURCH'S MISSION, if we are to be faithful to Christ. Many of the friends I met at SU last week have a heart for this as well.
NINE: In America we have the big three sports - Football, Basketball, Baseball. South Africa has their big three as well, only they are: Rugby, Soccer, and Cricket! Talk about cultural adjustments! And my friends in SU are pretty passionate about their teams! Here is something that is quite interesting. Even in the sports, you see the racial divisions of South Africa. Soccer is a sport played much more by blacks (By the way, blacks and colored are the terms the South Africans use. It took a little getting use to those terms since they (colored and black) would be considered derogatory and dated
here in the States). Rugby is played by the Africaners, the Dutch descent. And cricket is dominated by those of British descent. There was an interesting article in one paper about trying to do more intergation in the sports teams! Plus, I'd like to see some American football players play one game of rugby, without all the protective padding and have them compare the toughness of a sport that has constant physical contact with no padding and the constant running of soccer. I think there would be a few surprised football players. I met Hannes (pictured above to the left), one of the "oaks" who played professional rugby and is now a staff member of SU. I think, among other injuries, he had 16 or 18 broken ribs in his rugby career! Ouch. They do love their rugby in South Africa (current world champions).
TEN: Natural beauty! Spectacular country! Or at least the little part of it that I was in. And yet, many of the friends I made last week are working in other parts of the country and they each said their area of South Africa was equally, if not more, beautiful. I picked up a book, Overland Through Southern Africa, which is a book mapping out 14 tours worth taking to get in touch with the great natural beauty of the country. (The photo at the bottom is looking out the back window of the place I was staying.)
ELEVEN: Penguins (thousands of them on the beaches - I forgot to take my camera along), babbons (just a few of the big creatures - right outside of the car, but they moved before I could take a picture) and constant mongooses running around outside of the retreat house we were in) were fun to see. Oh yes, and four big seals who were sunning themselves! Of course to see the "Big Five Animals" - lions, giraffes, rhinos, elephants and zebras, I'd need to go to Kruger Park. (For more see this site.)
TWELVE: Gardens and hiking areas. I love gardens and flora and fauna and everything growing in the plant kingdom. I was amazed at the knowledge of several of the SU staff (Ron, the director of the Western Cape Region, pictured to the left was one of them). They knew the names of everything that was growing. The biosphere of the southern cape area is one of the most diverse in the world. I was told that in an area of just a few square kilometers, there is a greater variety of plant life than in the entire country of England. I had the opportunity to visit two gardens, both which were breath-taking, even if the prime of the flowering season was past. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden right outside Capetown and the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden which was just a few kilometers away from where we were holding the retreat.
THIRTEEN: The sky was magnificent. The air was so clear. One night when the power was off in our area for a few hours, we were looking at the stars. The Southern Cross, Orion's Belt, the Milky Way - were brilliant and more observable than the stars where I live. It was beautiful.
FOURTEEN: Biltong, Rooibos, crisps, boerwors, braai and more. All foods. Biltong (to the left) is like our jerky only better, according to my South African friends. I tried the Kudu which is deer and didn't like it. The Ostrich is suppose to be the best. Rooibos is a tea. The first time I didn't like it, by the end of the week I liked it a lot. Crisps are chips, boerwors is sausge and braai is a barbecue. I was going to buy some Ostrich Biltong at the airport and bring it home. I'm glad I didn't, because the airplane announcement said that biltong cannot be brought into the country! (Probably the beef jerky industry's doing!) For some South African recipes, visit this website. If you want to order some biltong from a USA source, click here.
FIFTEEN: International travel and making overseas friends is a wonderful thing. I owe the origins of this trip to John and Pat Gerstmyer (a couple at Living Word) who went to South Africa for six months, many years ago and who met up with Tony and others while there. They introduced me to Tony about two years ago and this leadership training trip had its roots in their relationships. If you haven't ever been on a missions trip - sign up for one. Go 
overseas, meet new people, make new friends and build relationships, that if you nurture them, they will last a lifetime. You will be richer, better person because of it. (The picture is of Jimmy and Jill who became good friends with John and Pat. All four are wonderful people.)
SIXTEEN: Okay, almost done. Back to the Scripture Union team. Generally I would say this about them. They were deeply committed to the work of Christ, they had a strong love for their families, they were a very fun loving group, very "out-doorsy" types who loved nature and the things associated with the outdoors, and they were passionate about reaching the next generation for Christ. Thank you to the entire SU team. It was a privilege to be with you for a week. I will be praying for you. (Later this week I'll have some pictures posted on this site for you to see the team.)
SEVENTEEN: Tony Nzanhah. Last year, when Tony was in the States for a visit, we spent several hours together and I was deeply impressed with who Tony was as a person and as a leader. Having the opportunity to see him in action with his team was great. Thoughtful, passionate, caring, visionary, motivating, integrity, faith, a man of God, fun-loving, developmental and so much more - this is who Tony is. And this is the kind of people the SU leadership team is. Like attracts like. Leaders reproduce and imprint out of who they are. Pray for Tony and the work that lies ahead for him.
Shalom, grace, hope and joy to all of you.
Brian Rice
I am currently reading the Amazing Grace biography of Wilberforce by Eric Metaxas. It is quite good. I held off reading it for some time since I had read several other biographies on Wilberforce in past years.
I felt privileged to be in the midst of this group as we were motivated by a historic mentor - William Wilberforce.
