Hello family and friends,
This is my first attempt at posting on the blog. Our granddaughter had posted some of our letters previously, but she is studying abroad this semester in France.
We had a good Christmas, and thank everyone who sent us good wishes by email or regular mail. Now we really know how much missionaries love to get mail.
We had heard the beach would be flooded with black people celebrating on New Year's Day, but we hadn't quite imagined what a crowd it would be. Since we are so close to the ocean, all the streets around us were clogged with cars, people walking everywhere, young and old making fires, cooking and sitting on the beaches and wading into the surf. There must have been about 2,000 people near our flat. We are told the black people want to get ocean water on New Year's Day and drink some for good luck. Then we heard they believe in drinking some of it until it comes back up and that rinses away their sins!
This is a country with many traditions. There is something called a lebollo (not sure how to spell it) we have learned about that is similar to a dowry. If a young man can't afford to pay this to the woman's family, the couple simply lives together without benefit of marriage. We know of one woman who is in an abusive marriage, but she can't leave because her husband has paid for her. Alcohol abuse is a big problem. The children all go to school, most of them in uniforms, and the ones we deal with at church can read English very well.
It is interesting to watch the women walking with various items balanced on their heads. I guess it makes sense to carry something there instead of in one's arms which would be hard on the back for the long walk home to the townships. I have noticed the older women never wear pants, only skirts or dresses. Almost all of the black men and women wear something on their heads, knitted caps or some other head covering. They wear a jacket, sweater or heavier coat most of the time when we are wearing short sleeves. There are always people on the side of the road hoping to be picked up. The taxis are large vans literally stuffed with as many paying customers as can be fitted in. People need rides to and from work since hardly any blacks own cars. It is not uncommon to see a small pickup truck (called a buckee) with 15 or more people standing up in the back on the way out of town.
Although the people have very little in the way of material possessions, they seem happy. They are warm and welcoming and the usual greeting to women my age is, "Hello, Mama." This is a sign of respect and they always smile or nod when spoken to.
We keep busy. The branch is very small so the four young elders and the two of us often speak or teach on Sunday. We try to walk for exercise on the beach most days and usually work in a short afternoon nap.
We feel blessed to have good health. This is a beautiful country to be serving in. The month of February is still summer, no daylight savings, and the whole of South Africa is one time zone.
We miss you and are never too busy to hear from you. Our email is katherinesgodfrey@gmail.com
the Godfreys
