We got lost today…well, not quite lost, but we did miss our turnoff because the dear folk doing the road construction had removed all the signs on our side of the road. So, we blissfully drove on until we got to the mouth of the Fish River. Stunning views, but way off course…but we did get to see a family of Vervet monkeys on the way, so it was not a total waste of time!
Once on the road to Grahamstown, it was a straight shot…well a curved straight shot through Bathhurst. This is the bastion of 1820 British Settler territory and we drove past farms with names like Lyndhurst and Waters. Many of these farms are game farms so we spotted a few zebra and various antelope like Springbuck and Blesbokke. This is also hill country and the views along the way are breathtakingly beautiful. Many aloes grow here as well and their blooms are particularly bright red this year.
The Cathedral of St Michael and St George
Today we met with the Rev Dr Claire Hunter, the wife and co-worker of the Dean of the Cathedral (see here: http://grahamstowncathedral.org/) who is away in Stellenbosch attending the funeral of his godmother who recently passed into the arms of Jesus.
Dean Andrew Hunter and his wife Revd Dr Claire Nye Hunter
Claire is an educationalist and was so excited to hear about the new LEAD program of Growing the Church…we were so excited she was excited, so you can only imagine how much fun we had over coffee and delicious home-made cakes. We look forward to training with her on board as GtC faculty in the future.
She told us that the Cathedral was one of the best integrated churches in southern Africa. If you look at the pictures on their website, you can see why she says so! A wee glimpse of heaven…every tribe, nation, tongue…together worshipping our one Father. Bliss…
Aunt Alice is on the far left.
Claire was also able to point us to the Cory Library where an exceptionally helpful young lady by the name of Louisa…good name…helped us find the baptismal record of Southwell Anglican Church. Lo and behold, there it was. Pages filled with my great-grandfather’s signature as he baptised baby after baby after adult…yes, adults too…after baby. Folks didn’t have television or cell phones those days and the winters are cold. Three of these babies were his own children. Clara, John (my grandfather), and Alice, who later became an Anglican nun and served at a mission in Rusape, Zimbabwe. This was an amazing find. The librarian was so excited she hugged me goodbye!
John Lomax, born on 3rd October 1882 and Baptised on 19th November 1882 by his father, Arthur Lomax.
We spent a lovely cozy evening with Pen, her sister, Carol, and her Rector, Cynthia…thankfully, Carol’s Staffordshire Terrier is male, otherwise I would be totally outnumbered! We had a marvellous time and Cynthia is convinced the LEAD Disciple-making course is a necessity for their parish…if only people knew how life changing this course really is! To follow Jesus…to REALLY follow Jesus, is to make disciples…and what could possibly be wrong with that? And to follow Jesus is to embark on a journey that will take you deep into the very heart of God…
All in all, this has been a fantastic day! Thank You Jesus!
