South Africa Trip 2009

Support Letter

Church of All Nations (CAN) was birthed in 2004 for the ministry of reconciliation, and in particular, racial reconciliation because of the unique history of racism in America.  The incredible and inspirational story of South Africa’s journey from apartheid to a multicultural democracy has informed the spirit and ethos of Church of All Nations from our foundation, and continues to inform our struggle to be Christ’s beloved community.

We will embark on a partnership mission, October 5-21, 2009, in order to reconnect with and deepen the relationships we have established with churches in South Africa in 2006.  Among the participants will be all eight of our current parish resident interns who are preparing to be pastors in multicultural settings engaged in the ministry of reconciliation.  This is the kind of critical learning and missional engagement that will be formative for these future pastors.

The Church of All Nations has a three-fold strategy for global mission:

1. To go where we may contribute to the ministry of reconciliation, especially in countries torn by ethnic, religious and political conflict
2. To go to our members’ various countries of origin, and have them lead the mission
3. To go where the people suffer from a history of oppression, that we may serve as ambassadors of faith, hope, love and the peace of Jesus Christ

In South Africa our 12 member team will visit various individuals, sites and organizations that continue the struggle against racism.  Among our team are two native South Africans who will lead us.  We hope to bring back what we learn in the historic cities of Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, and Cape Town to further equip Church of All Nations in its ministry of reconciliation in the Twin Cities.  As a church with many adoptive families, we also are concerned about the welfare of the children.  South Africa suffers from the highest infection rate of HIV/AIDS per capita, leaving countless children parentless and homeless, and we understand there is a direct link among the ongoing legacy of apartheid, poverty and disease.

We are so thankful to God that our team reflects the wonderful diversity of our multicultural church embodying over 25 nations.  In previous trips our diverse teams have encouraged and challenged the homogeneous churches still struggling with racial division.  We earnestly seek your prayer and support as we prepare for this trip.  Each of us needs to raise $1,600 in support.  We will send you a full report upon our return.

Travel Itinerary

Johannesburg

Monday, Oct. 5

12:30pm           Leave MSP for Chicago (NWA 1672)

3:09pm             Leave ORD for Johannesburg (Delta 1711/200)

Tuesday, Oct. 6

5:15pm            Arrival at Johannesburg International Airport

7:30pm           Check into Joyce Moodley’s guest house (Victor’s sister)

7:45pm           Dinner with Risley’s sister and brother-in-law, Victor & Desiree Govindasamy

Pietermaritzburg

Wednesday, Oct. 7

8:30am            Breakfast

10:00am          Leave for Pietermaritzburg

12:30pm          Lunch break

5:00pm            Arrive in Pietermaritzburg

6:00pm            Dinner with Renisha’s family (Kamala Moodley and Billy Maeshchundra)

9:30pm            Sleep in different homes

Thursday, Oct. 8

8:30am            Breakfast

Morning          Voortrekker Museum

Afternoon        University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

6:00pm            Dinner

Durban

Friday, Oct. 9

8:30am            Breakfast

9:30am            Leave for Durban

10:15am           Arrive in Durban

10:30am          Visit Merebank Presbyterian Church (Rev. Joseph Prakasim’s former church)

12:00pm          Lunch

1:00pm            Visit Diakonia Council of Churches (ANC) or Phoenix Settlement (Gandhi)

3:00pm            Go to Durban Beach and swim

6:00pm            Dinner with Risley’s family

9:00pm            Leave for Pietermaritzburg

10:00pm          Arrive in Pietermaritzburg

Johannesburg

Saturday, Oct. 10

9:00am            Leave for Johannesburg

11:30am           Lunch with Renisha’s family

12:30pm          Leave for Johannesburg

7:00pm            Arrive in Johannesburg

7:30pm            Dinner at Guest House

Sunday, Oct. 11

7:30am             Breakfast

9:00am            Worship service at Daxina Christian Center (Victor & Desiree’s church)

11:30pm           Lunch at church

1:00pm             Visit AIDS related nonprofit dealing with children, etc.

5:00pm            Dinner

6:30pm            Visit Rhema Bible Church, Randburg

9:00pm            Team Debriefing

Pretoria

Monday, Oct. 12

7:30am            Breakfast

9:00am            Apartheid Museum

12:00pm          Lunch in Joburg

1:00pm             Leave for Pretoria

2:00pm            Arrive in Pretoria

6:00pm            Dinner in Pretoria

9:00pm            Team Debriefing

Tuesday, Oct. 13

7:30am            Breakfast

9:00am            Visit Soweto (South Western Township)

The Soweto Tour will include:

1. Hector Pieterson Museum
2. Regina Mundi Catholic Church
3. Winnie Mandela’s house
4. Nelson Mandela Family House

12:00pm          Lunch in Soweto

2:00pm            Constitution Hill Museum

5:00pm            Visit Sandton City Mall (Nelson Mandela Square)

6:00pm            Dinner at Sandton City Mall

9:00pm            Team Debriefing

Cape Town

Wednesday, Oct. 14

10:00am           Leave Johannesburg International Airport

12:10pm            Arrive at Cape Town International Airport

1:30pm              Pick up lunch; Arrive at Leisure Lodge (40 Murton Rd, Rylands)

5:00pm             Evening at the Waterfront

6:00pm             Dinner at the Waterfront

9:30pm             Team Debriefing

Thursday, Oct. 15

8:00am            Breakfast

9:00am            Leave for Somerset West

10:00am          Visit with Allan Boesak

12:00pm          Lunch at Somerset West strand

2:00pm            Visit Stellenbosch University (Clint Le Bryuns, Gordon Dames, Anlené Taljaard)

5:30pm            Dinner at Stellenbosch with Clint and Anlené

9:00pm            Team Debriefing

Friday, Oct. 16

7:30am            Breakfast

10:00am          Robben Island tour

12:00pm          Lunch at the Waterfront

2:00pm            Cable Car up Table Mountain/Drive to Signal Hill for view

6:00pm            Dinner

9:00pm            Team Debriefing

Saturday, Oct. 17

7:30am            Breakfast

8:00am            Leave for Cape of Good Hope/Stop at Kalk Bay

12:00pm          Lunch at Hout Bay Wharf

3:00pm            Parliamentary Tour

6:00pm            Dinner

8:30pm            Team Debriefing

Sunday, Oct. 18

10:00am           Worship at Zwane Memorial Church, Guguletu Township

2:00pm             Discussion with the Rev. Dr. Spiwo Xapile

3:30pm             Visit St. Luke’s Hospice Central, Kenilworth (AIDS hospice)

6:00pm             Dinner

8:30pm             Team Debriefing

Monday, Oct. 19

7:30am             Breakfast

9:00am            Visit with Professor John W. de Gruchy

10:45am           Visit with Elizabeth Peterson

12:00pm           Lunch

1:30pm            District Six Museum

2:30pm            Green Market Square

4:00pm            Walk Around downtown Cape Town

6:00pm            Dinner at the Waterfront

10:00pm           Pack

Johannesburg

Tuesday, Oct. 20

1:10pm            Depart for Johannesburg (Pastor Jin and Pastor David SAA 334)

1:50pm            Depart for Johannesburg (rest of team SAA 336)

3:10pm            Arrive in Johannesburg (Pastor Jin and Pastor David)

3:50pm            Arrive in Johannesburg (rest of team)

8:45pm            Depart Johannesburg for MSP

Wednesday, Oct. 21

1:09pm            Arrive in MSP