An African Odyssey

Images of a beach holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Tue, 15 May 2018 17:24:00 +0000

Sunshine Coast, Eastern Cape

After traveling across southern Africa and seeing many friends and places it was time to unwind and 'chill' along the Indian Ocean. Over a 10 day period we explored this seemingly forgotten but incredibly beautiful part of the region.

Sunrise

Endless pristine beaches were ours for the walking, collecting shells and being awed by the vastness of the ocean. Unending swells crested and broke onto the beaches awaking us a daybreak and lulling us to sleep at night. Here are some of the images that captured our imagination.

The view from our lodging

Structure for the day

Sunshine Coast is an apt description of a coastal belt beset with countless little villages, each offering access to beaches, rivers, lagoons and hiking trails that stretches between the Tsitsikamma and East London in the Eastern Cape [sa-venues.com].

Speckled Mousebird taking off

The glorious weather, the seaside-resorts of Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred - considered the heart of this stretch of coastline - St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis, Jeffreys Bay and their access to warm waters, water sports, eco-walks, friendly locals, sheltered coves, rock pools and nature reserves, makes the area's attraction blatantly obvious [sa-venues.com].

Seaside Village

African Oyster Catcher

We indeed were here!!!

Zeitz MOCAA [Museum of Contemporary Art Africa]

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Mon, 14 May 2018 19:26:00 +0000

The museum building was constructed from the conversion of the 57m tall historic Grain Silo, originally built in 1921 and decommissioned in 2001. The architects, Heatherwick Studio,aimed to conserve and celebrate the original structure's industrial heritage, while simultaneously excavating large open spaces from the 42 densely-packed concrete cylinders from which it is was comprised. Using a variety of concrete-cutting techniques the interior of the building has been carved-out to create a number of galleries and a large central atrium. The remaining concrete shafts have been capped with strengthened glass in order to allow natural light to enter and create a "cathedral-like" interior. [Wikipedia]

Zeitz MOCAA houses the largest collection of contemporary African art on the continent and is the only museum of its kind in Africa.

The exhibits portray reality from an African perspective and challenge western domination of art form. Some pieces are post modern, graphic and jarring exploring ideological and racial conflict and tension. Others reflect African heritage.

The work of artists include Nicholas Hlobo, Cyrus Kabiru, Hank Willis Thomas, Jody Paulsen, Kendell Geers and William Kentridge. Nandipha Mntambo’s solo exhibition, which spans five rooms is unmissable, while Kudzanai Chiurai’s mixed-media work goes right around the floor.

The focus is exclusively on 21st-century work from Africa and the diaspora, centred around the private collection of Jochen Zeitz.

A visit to Binga District

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 18:32:00 +0000

Zimbabwe is a land of struggle and hope and transformation. Today - more than in a very long time there is a sense of hope bordering on the possibility of significant change. Time will tell but indicators include much greater freedom of speech, a minimal police presence on the roads (ie very few roadblocks) and political discussion everywhere. Elections are to be held in July this year and that will be a landmark defining how the immediate future will unfold. People want and expect change!

It was a unique opportunity to visit Zimbabwe as part of our travels in the region. Upon arriving at the Joshua Nkomo
Airport in Bulawayo we were warmly greeting by long time colleagues from the MCC office. It was good to be back having last been here in 2015.

As we drove to town from the airport we received an unexpected invitation to participate in a road trip to Binga District to visit some community based schools we had previously been involved with. Early the next morning the team headed out. It was to be a 10 hour trip (on day one) stretching some 500 kms with stops at 5 schools. We drove through woodlands, past Hwange National Park and into the lowlands surrounding Lake Kariba.


An outdoor blackboard - a remainder of the past

Siamatelele Secondary School is a success story in the midst of extreme hardship. This school is in a remote area of Matabeleland North. In 2013 most all of the classes where held under the trees. Students periodically could not get to school due to lions or elephants blocking their path (how's that for an excuse for not getting your homework in on time?). The determination of the headmistress, however, made all the difference. She grew up in the community and was determined to ensure that future students would get the education they wanted and needed.

In 2015 MCC agreed, in collaboration with 5 schools in the region, to support the building of essential school infrastructure through a unique partnership with key donors in Europe and Canada. The end product of this at Siamatelele is a school that can house all it's students indoors and meet qualifications for official registration. It was exciting to see the progress made.

At the end of the day we rested our travel weary bodies at Ganda Lodge - close to Hwange National Park. It was a memorable way to end a memorable day. As the sun set we watched the elephants tussle at the water hole and the antelope settle for the night. The raucous baboons found their roosts for the night - safely out of reach of potential predators and the crowned cranes finally stopped their calls to one another.

Early the next morning we woke to the roar of lions calling through the pre-morning darkness. As soon as light crept into the sky I got up and warmed myself by the fire the night watchman had kept going. Together we tracked four lions making their way around the water hole in front of the lodge. As soon as they were gone the baboons crawled down from their refuge and walked to the plains to feed. At that I made a cup of coffee, breathed deeply the fresh air of a new day and gave thanks for this gift of time in Zimbabwe.

Kruger National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 09:40:00 +0000

Wildebeest

Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivaled diversity of life forms fuse with historical and archaeological sights - the world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa!

It was our privilege to once again enjoy the beauty of nature as we traversed the plains of Kruger National Park. We had booked accommodation in centrally located Skukuza Camp and made daily forays from there to explore the park.

Early morning and late afternoon trips provided the most successful game viewing. Whether it was the multiplicity of birds, antelope or predators - we were reminded time and again of the creative, self-sustaining and complex eco-systems that made it possible for such a rich variety of plants, birds and animals to survive a sometimes extremely hostile environment.

Grey Heron - drying out its wings

Elephant munching on a tree

Nyala

The life of any one organism provides food for the next level up - grasses nourish the herbivores which in turn nourish the carnivores. While we enjoyed the grace and beauty of the impala and zebra we knew they were food for the lions and leopards we so much wanted to see. One cannot exist without the other. Energy is transferred from one to the other and the cycle of life is extended.

Occasions for hope ... Belfast, South Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 14:06:00 +0000

The pursuit of the elusive leads down many roads

Destination - Belfast, SA

"The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." - from Fly Fishing - a Sacred Art

There is something very peaceful as a natural silence wafts over one and a rain sodden fog blankets the land in a white mist. Emboldened by the soft swish of the fly line singing through the air and the gentle splash as the fly lands on the water - things spring to action. After moments of intense focus the snap of the fly rod as a fish takes the bait causes an intense surge of excitement and the pursuit gains momentum...

The delight of companionship brightens the day - irrespective of the rain and the competition under the water...

In the evening the warmth of the fireside, sumptuous food and anticipation of the new day make for a relaxing and energizing stay.

Images of welcome...

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 20:35:00 +0000

It was with growing excitement and anticipation that we landed at Oliver Tambo International Airport... and yes we were tired and feeling the need of a good shower and sleep but at least and at last we were in a place we long called home.

The grass was green, the weather in the mid 20's (Celsius) and the people welcoming - even at immigration. We now have a 90 day visa to explore this incredible place (but unfortunately we can only stay a small portion of that time.


Baptist Guest House Accommodation

The Baptist Guest house near the airport has long been a haven for MCC workers flying to and from southern Africa as a stopping point in between flights or in preparation for returning to their northern homes. It was our first stop on this trip and home for the first week.

Trinity Presbyterian Church

Trinity Presbyterian was our church home for many years. Upon being introduced on Sunday morning they all gave us a warm welcome. Tea in the courtyard after church is a lovely tradition.

Fall Hibiscus bloom

Fwship Group

Part of our former fellowship group gathering to celebrate our friendship.


eMseni Conference Centre

eMseni is a Methodist Conference centre. Since our departure MCC has set up its offices on their grounds. It too is a gathering place for workers to find renewal and to engage in meetings, training's and workshops along with partners. We met many of the MCC Reps there one evening prior to their regional meeting.

One day with some good friends we travelled to a nearby game reserve called Reitvlei. It was a favourite place in the past to unwind from the demands of a strenous job. We traversed the plains and hills, saw many animals and had a lovely picnic by one of the dams.

And so we are welcomed back...

Enroute once again

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 19:49:00 +0000

It has been two years since we returned to Canada from our previous sojourn in southern Africa. This journey will provide opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues from as far back as the 80's as well as to explore our sense of where we belong. We have spent 14 years in the region living and working in multiple countries.

Southern Africa has become 'home' for us in many ways and has a familiarity that is comfortable. One of the challenges faced in this kind of multi-cultural life framework is that the concept of 'home' and 'identity' takes on different meanings depending on the place one is in and from which one looks outward to the rest of the world. Both of us, Lois and Bruno, will revisit and explore this concept from various vantage points. From the Calgary Intn'l Airport the journey begins...

The travel is long - 20 hours flying time plus airport layovers. Yet in such a short span we cover some 18,000 kilometers flying a speeds of 900 km/hour and at heights of 11,000+ metres. Hopefully things will slow down once we land at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Celebrating the present

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:57:00 +0000

January is birthday time for some members of our extended family - a space in which we reflect on and celebrate the milestones of our lives. Tonight my grandson and I read stories, played crokinole and soccer, and created imaginary structures from Lego. He and his sister, mom & dad joined Lois and I in a celebratory supper of West African groundnut stew culminating with a heavenly hot fudge pudding topped with vanilla bean ice cream... What more could one want!

As I was reflecting on the day these words from Henri Nouwen echoed the reality of our existence. I share them with you as a hopeful perspective for the year ahead.

Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, “How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or ten years from now?” There are no answers to these questions. Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let’s rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the great beam that would take all shadows away.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. (2009-03-17). Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith (p. 9). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Winter Wonderland

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 23:12:00 +0000

At -30C everything is covered with hoarfrost turning the landscape into a winter wonderland. It is essential that you dress warmly, put on winter boots, and cover your face with a balaclava and your head with a toque before following me into the crisp, bright outdoors.

Saskatoon is a city of bridges creating and shaping movement over the South Saskatchewan River. These images were taken along the river.

The entire landscape is held frozen in time offering brilliant visions but cold and merciless if unheeded. Snow cleared trails invite you to explore the icy beauty of winter or rest in silence on a snow covered bench.

The azure blue sky contrasting with the pure whiteness of the snow takes away the breath (if the cold hasn't already done that)!
Crystalline beauty just waiting for the eye to behold.

Where cold air contacts the warmer river water condensation takes place and a fog or mist rises giving an sense of ethereal beauty and timelessness.

May you experience a beautiful New Year and be blessed in it!

A Tribute To Madiba

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:29:00 +0000

The Soweto Gospel Choir flash-performance in a Woolies store!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHHjP7XrBq0

The Soweto Gospel Choir song is a magnificent tribute to Madiba and a witness to a life well lived with an incredible impact on the local southern African scene and the global community.

Many people gathered at many venues to say farewell and bid their respect. We had opportunity to join others at Mandela Square in Sandton City, Johannesburg to say our farewells to a man who transformed the political and social reality of South Africa.

The rain came down in droves the day of the memorial service at the FNB Stadium (Soccer City). Rain is seen as a blessing to the person whose funeral it is and this could not have been more appropriate.

If we all lived out the values of non-racialism, forgiveness, justice and compassion that Madiba modelled the world would indeed be a different place than it is now.

The story is well told by Peter Storey - Methodist minister and church leader in South Africa:

THE NELSON MANDELA I KNEW … AND LOVED

I met Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela exactly fifty years ago in his jail cell on Robben Island. I was a newly ordained part-time Chaplain to the prison there. He, together with his fellow Rivonia Trialists, had been flown secretly to the Island after being sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for the rest of their natural lives. The guards were very edgy about their new prisoners, determined to show these ‘terrorists’ how tough they were. Sunday, when I visited, was their one day off, but it was spent in total lock-down. I was not allowed to gather them for a normal service of worship, but had to walk up and down the hallway between the cells, trying to make eye contact with each occupant as I passed. Apart from Ahmed Kathrada, a Muslim, the rest had all experienced mission-school education and were familiar with Christian worship. Preaching was difficult but I tried to leave each one with a word of encouragement. Singing, on the other hand, was not bound by iron bars and the great hymns of the church, which were well-known to them, echoed powerfully through the hallways, their melodies often taken up by prisoners in other blocks. My memories of Mandela were of a strong, vital character in the prime of his manhood, all strength and contained energy. He had a ready smile and clearly appreciated the dilemma of a young minister trying, under the cold eyes of the guards, to bring a moment of humanity into this desolate place. Only once, on a very cold day, was I able to persuade a guard to let the group out into the prison yard where we gathered in a sunny spot. That day I changed my text to, ‘If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed,’ letting them choose how to spell Son/sun. They enjoyed the joke. The guards did not.

Given these impossible limitations, I have sometimes felt embarrassed being introduced as ‘Mandela’s prison Chaplain.’ Yet, looking back I realize that being confined to sharing nothing other than the healing, strengthening words of Scripture and the songs of the faith, required one to put one’s trust entirely in the power of the Gospel – nothing else. More than one of the Rivonia group, including Madiba, have told me since how that ministry and those who followed me (my security clearance was abruptly withdrawn after a few months) meant to them. Ahmed Kathrada, now the only Rivonia trialist still living – and the Muslim in the group – has also shared how, in those early horror days on Robben Island, that brief moment of humanity helped them all.

It was 20 years later when I next heard from Madiba. Still in prison, he used one of his precious letter-writing privileges (initially one per month and later relaxed to a half dozen) to congratulate me on being elected to lead the Methodist Church in Southern Africa, and to express his appreciation for the care the church had shown to him through its Chaplains and to Winnie his spouse, in her banishment and suffering at the hands of the ‘system.’ It was in that letter that he referred to his first encounter with the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg in the 1940s, when he was struck by the message outside: ‘The greatest glory in living is not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall.’ That message, he wrote with typical understatement, ‘tended to steel a person against the host of traumas he was to experience in later years.’

In the years following his release our paths crossed often. From a personal point of view I guess the most special occasions were when I shared a platform with him in 1993 speaking at the Centenary of Gandhi’s arrival in South Africa and in 1995 on the first anniversary of Freedom Day, presenting him with a sculpture forged out of melted-down guns collected by Gun-free South Africa, which I headed at the time. On both occasions we had some laughs about this proud former commander of the ANC underground army/become peacemaker and these two determinedly non-violent events.

The Mandela I knew became beloved by me, not so much for the grand gestures, although he was a master at political theatre, but for the lesser known acts that revealed a truly human genius for Ubuntu – the awareness that his life was inextricably bound up with the lives of all his fellow human beings, especially his enemies. He was the great includer; nothing was too much trouble if he could cajole or charm another opponent into friendship.

This man who would not bend an inch in his determination to win freedom for his people, nor to be humiliated by the cruelty of his prison guards, yet who said to his comrades as soon as they arrived on the island, ‘Chaps, these Afrikaners may be brutal, but they are human beings. We need to understand them and touch the human being inside them, and win them.’ And did...

This man who, on behalf of the one Muslim among them, badgered the prison authorities literally for years – six, I believe – until they at last yielded and granted permission for Ahmed Kathrada to walk the 50 yards outside the prison entrance to pray in the Kramat (a holy place commemorating a Muslim Imam exiled to the Island by the Dutch in the 1740s). The whole Rivonia group accompanied him...

This man who, when former spouse Winnie shamed the Mandela name by her involvement in the kidnapping of some young men in Soweto and the killing of one of them, struggled to understand the role of his church in the drama and criticized our actions from his prison cell. And who, when we managed to send him a true record of what had happened, sent a personal apology via his lawyer, requesting ‘forgiveness for having misjudged you...’

This man, who in his first Parliamentary speech as President, announced that nursing mothers and children under six would receive free health care, ‘whatever had to be done to pay for it...’

This man, who, when he invited the spouses and widows of former white Presidents/Prime Ministers to tea, received news that Mrs Betsy Verwoerd, widow of the most virulent racist of them all, had ‘diplomatic flu’, decided to surprise her in her whites-only redoubt instead, arriving in his helicopter and knocking on her door, and appearing later with her in a smiling photograph…

This man who, when told by his staff that they were changing the name of the Parliamentary office building named after Dr Hendrik Verwoerd, suggested they hold off until Verwoerd’s widow had passed on. ‘There is no need to hurt her unnecessarily. It can wait…’

This man who, when told that one of his personal armed bodyguards had links with a far right-wing racist group and had been removed, said, ‘I don’t think we should do that. He is young and immature and it will destroy him. Let’s give him another chance …’

This man, who when we presented him with our list of nominated Truth Commissioners for him to make the final cut, asked first, ‘Have we sufficient women on the list? We must have gender equity…’ And when we told him that we had been able to find only one candidate of integrity from strife-torn KwaZulu Natal, he disregarded the process and just went ahead and appointed a Methodist bishop from the region, knowing that unless KZN was better represented, the Truth Commission would not be accepted there...

This man, who when I led a small delegation to meet with him about the crisis of guns and killing going on in 1994, came shuffling into the grand conference room next to his Presidential office in Pretoria wearing an old pair of slippers. He sat down and said, ‘I’m tired Peter. It’s been a hard day, you chair the meeting please,’ and closed his eyes. He wasn’t asleep, however: at some point he looked up from the list of participating religious groups and asked, ‘Where are the Dutch Reformed Churches?’ I said that they had been very difficult to persuade about the gun hand-in campaign. ‘Well, he said, ‘if I’m to be patron of this, you need to get them in…’

This man who asked me to write a speech he was to give to a church conference, and who, wherever I referenced the ‘role of the churches’ in the liberation struggle, or in leading protests or caring for victims, struck out the world ‘churches’ and inserted the words ‘ faith communities,’ in order to be more inclusive of other faiths in the land he now governed…

This man who never tried to hide his feet of clay, lived comfortably in his skin, and never lost an opportunity to deprecate his own accomplishments, lightly deflecting praise to others…

What a very human being!

How blest are those of a gentle spirit …

How blest are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail …

How blest are those who show mercy …

How blest are those whose hearts are pure …

How blest are the peacemakers …

How blest are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of right …

We are so grateful that God made Nelson R Mandela, purified him in suffering and gave him to our divided land to help us become different - the kind of people we were meant to be.

We are so grateful that he now rests. He always said it was in our hands. Now it is.

Peter Storey

Cape Town,

December, 2013

A Maputo Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 03:21:00 +0000

It was with great delight that I recently received an invitation to participate in a wedding of one of our workers in Maputo. With the accompaniment of friend Hugo we headed for Ressano Garcia and the Mozambican border. Border crossing has become seriously easy travelling to Mozambique and before long we were experiencing the Indian Ocean breezes of Maputo. According to the Lonely Planet guide, Maputo, with its Mediterranean-style architecture, waterside setting and wide avenues lined with jacaranda

and flame trees, is easily one of Africa's most attractive capitals. Normally December means high temperatures and high humidity in Maputo but for now the sky was overcast and a cool breeze made for a very pleasant stay. The purpose of course was to participate in a wedding but it was also a time to explore this exotic and historically fascinating city. The town of Maputo initially emerged around a Portuguese fortress built in 1787, became known as Lourenco Marques, and is now the dynamic capital of Mozambique.

Galao and Pastel de nata were a definite must at one of the many sidewalk cafes. Craft and flower markets as well as visiting the railway museum with its well maintained architectural structures became part of the agenda as we ventured out from Fatima's - a backpackers haven in the centre of the city. Except for a few suggested 'no go' areas the city is comfortable and quite safe to explore in vehicle and on foot. People are friendly and helpful but a rudimentary knowledge of Portugues, the lingua franca, is a definite asset.

But now to the wedding...!

It was a North American / Mozambican wedding full of surprises delightfully simple and complex with the groom being held up by Maputo gridlock and having to walk several kilometres to get to the church while others stayed with the vehicle. The civil ceremony took place in a local church with family, friends and MCC colleagues blessing the happily married couple. The celebrations took place in the 'Chicken Palace' - a vast series of banquet halls offering sumptuous and plentiful food.

Here's to blessings to you Victor and Katie as you share your life journey together across cultures and continents! We walk with you and uphold you in our prayers of gratitude and love.

A Christmas wish from MCC

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 02:55:00 +0000

http://www.mcc.org/stories/videos/christmas-wish-0

In the bulb there is a flower...

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 20:34:00 +0000

In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed an apple tree,

in cocoons a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free…

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody.

There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery…

These words from Natalie Smith* ring so true in the journeys of our lives. As we have come face to face over time with the death of loved ones, of dealing with the realities of cancer, of conflict and of brokenness we have also discovered that in the midst of each there is new life, and hope previously undiscovered because unlooked for and only now – in the midst of the journey – been made obvious to us.

What is also an incredible source of strength is the community of friends and family that stretch across the globe - truly a cloud of witnesses.

So the journey continues as we seek healing and hope. The sun shines and the rain (or snow) falls, the birds sing their morning songs and friends lift up their hands in prayer – for all this we are grateful and give thanks.

In our end is our beginning; in our time infinity;

in our doubt is our believing; in our life eternity…

In our death, a resurrection; at the last a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

* c New Hope Publications 1986

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 14:20:00 +0000

To a Life Well Lived

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:57:00 +0000

A Eulogy for Mom (Margaret Baerg)

Margaret was born to Katherine and Henry Klassen in Gruenfeld, Russia (Ukraine) on 19 March 1916 (Gregorian calendar). She and her parents were part of the 1925 emigration to Canada fleeing the violence of political transition and economic ruin following the 1^st World War

Her family eventually arrived in southern Manitoba, living initially in Altona, then Dominion City and eventually settling in Morden. Here she attended Maple Leaf School enjoying family and friends. At 16 she committed herself to the Lord and became involved in the Morden Mennonite Brethren Church teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. Later on she attended Winkler Bible School where she met her lifelong partner William George Baerg.

Initially she and her new husband farmed on a small holding raising cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys and driving a Whippet. Before long however they felt the call to international mission. In preparation they travelled to Prairie Bible School for studies. Initially the door to working in Africa did not open so Margaret and Willie enlisted with the United Church and worked among the First Nations of northern Manitoba. To minister to the communities on their circuit they travelled by canoe in the summer and dogsled by winter.

In 1946 they made their way to what was then known as the Belgian Congo via boat from New Orleans. Waylaid by a renegade submarine from the World War II they re-routed to Cairo Egypt. Eventually arriving in Leopoldville they headed to the main Mennonite Brethren mission station of Kafumba for orientation and becoming acquainted with the African continent. They destination, however, was Djongo Sanga in the Dekese. Here they began to learn the local language Dengese as well at the trade language, Lingala. Their task was to build their own home and establish a church, school and medical clinic as they shared the gospel of hope in Jesus Christ. Travel was initially by foot, canoe and eventually by an imported Model-T which necessitated the building of roads. They built strong relationships with people from the local communities and were greatly assisted by them.

In the course of her life Margaret raised five children moving them across the Atlantic on numerous occasions as they travelled to and from the mission field on furloughs. At one time, due to health concerns, she travelled to North America alone with the five children and attended to their well-being while Willie remained in the Congo.

During the 1960 Congolese independence struggle she and her family had to flee across the Angolan border with many others to save their lives. They found their way to Luanda, Angola where they lived in a refugee camp until they were evacuated to Frankfurt, Germany by the US Air Force and then eventually found their way back to Canada.

There were numerous trips back and forth between North America and the African continent as they served the Lord on the mission field in a variety of ways – teaching, training, operating a radio studio, and engaging the church in whatever way helped it to grow. It was a rich and rewarding life that always pushed them to rely on the strength and guidance of the Lord they served.

After completing their full time mission work they returned to the African continent on a number of occasions and were blessed with seeing a church take root and grow in its own accord. Their mission was accomplished.

After Willie died in 1984 Margaret lived in both the Port Rowan and Virgil communities. Her vision was to serve others. She was a strong prayer warrior and upheld many people in her prayers. She saw her time at Pleasant Manor in Virgil as a gift from the Lord and very much enjoyed the support and services of that community. Her last months were spent at the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home.

Margaret went to be with the Lord she served so faithfully on 14 October, 2013 at the age of 97. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, her husband Willie and her eldest daughter Edith Lipps. She is survived by her children Eleanor Wall (Jake), Irene Kroeker (John), Bruno Baerg (Lois), and Welma Klassen (Alvin), and many grand and great grandchildren.

Under the Baobab Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 13:06:00 +0000

Regarded as the largest succulent plant in the world, the baobab tree is steeped in a wealth of mystique, legend and superstition wherever it occurs. It is a tree that can provide, food, water, shelter and relief from sickness. There are many legends and superstitions surrounding the baobab tree.

The bark on the lower part of the trunk often bears scars caused by local people who harvest and pound it to retrieve the strong fibre. The fibrous bark is used to make various useful items such as mats and ropes, fishing nets, fishing lines, sacks as well as clothing. Although the bark is often heavily stripped by people and elephants, these trees do not suffer as a normal tree would from ring barking. Baobabs have the ability to simply continue growing and produce a new layer of bark.

In this instance the baobab in the picture was used for an entirely different purpose! The meeting held in its shade (35C) was to engage the local community leadership and school administration of a secondary school in Matabeleland South. MCC's Global Family Education Support Program offered through the Bulawayo office was holding a meeting with the local school MCC & Development Committees.

MCC Zimbabwe's Global Family program engages fifteen schools in three different regions. The intent is to resource the educational capacity of the schools in areas such as curriculum support and development, basic infrastructure (desks, chairs, blackboards, windows, doors, etc) and teacher support (from training to housing). This particular meeting was to clarify the program and expectations with the local community leadership.

The young woman in the picture to the right gave a passionate speech thanking MCC for the way it had helped improve schooling. She noted that, 'we are no longer mourning or crying but happy for the advancement of our school'.

Local leadership including the Ward Councillor, Pastor, Community representation, Committee chairs, Headmaster, staff and students all participated. It was very encouraging to hear of their commitment to better education for their children.

Voices from the past

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 07:57:00 +0000

Never again shall South Africa be the fountainhead of conflict in the region and further afield.

Never again shall our country be the source of armaments used to suppress our neighbours.

Never again shall we spend our people's resources to develop weapons of mass destruction.

President Nelson Mandela
March 1995

Language learning in Pimville

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 16:48:00 +0000

Pimville Zone 5

Pimville, which is a renamed part of Klipspruit, was established as Soweto’s first township in 1934. It boasts Soweto’s first church and high school, and was among the first areas in Soweto where land ownership by black people was possible. This gives Pimville its middle class character, though it has roots as a shantytown. It is a lovely place to spend some time learning Zulu - which is what a group of six MCCers (including myself) and two visitors did for 3-4 days this week. The event was organized by Phaphama.

Learners and Helpers

PHAPHAMA IS A ZULU WORD THAT MEANS "AWAKEN YOURSELF". As per their website ... It was chosen because this is what we do - we help ourselves and our clients to become conscious (awake) in ways that result in behavioural change that positively transform our human relationships.

Our mission is to awaken ourselves and others to our capacity to lead productive, responsible, ethical and happy lives by empowering us to relate to others, build community and achieve our goals. Our vision is to be a significant contributor to the building of sustainable peace and development. We are motivated by our belief in the power of affirmation, communication, co-operation and community building to transform ourselves and our situations in ways that uphold the good in all of us. For more details go to http://www.phaphama.org/index.php?sid=25&l=eng

Phaphama Initiatives provides opportunities for people from South Africa and abroad to experience our country and get to know our people through a genuine community-based tourism initiative called TALK Tourism.

TALK stands for Transfer of African Language Knowledge, and began as a project helping people learn South African indigenous languages. Its method is to pair a student with a mother-tongue speaker, and the two are encouraged to participate in everyday activities together. This is a great way to learn not just a language but a culture.

Sanibonani! Kunjani? Ngikhona!

Ngisebenzela iorganization ebizwa nge MCC. Sisiza abantu abiswele. Sisiza ngemfundo, ngempilo, ngokudla, nokwakha ukuthula. (See comments below for explanation)

South West Townships

Orlando Towers, Soweto

Soweto is a very diverse and dynamic city.
From mansion to matchbox houses, from migrant labour hostels to squatter camps in many ways it represents the heartbeat of South Africa. With a rich political history it was key to challenging the apartheid government of the past. Today it is a vibrant reflection of the hope of a nation and its future.

Built in 1951 the Orlando Towers formerly functioned as cooling towers for the Orlando Power station. The station was decommissioned in 1998. Since 2007 they have become known as a 'vertical adventure facility with an incredible view of the city and offering bungee and rap jumping. They are painted with the largest murals in South Africa.

Soccer City

Of FIFA World Cup fame Soccer City as it is known to many is located on the eastern borders of Soweto. It is a state of the art soccer stadium and can seat up to 94,736 people. No spectator is seated more than 100 metres (330 ft) from the field, and there are no restricted views in the stadium. It was designed to look like an African calabash pot. IN 2013 it hosted the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Springtime in Gauteng

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 14:08:00 +0000

Gauteng has a fantastic climate: summer days are warm and wind free (Min average 17C; Max average 28C) and winter days are crisp and clear (Min average 5C; Max average 19).

There are about six weeks of winter chill from July to August. September is springtime and is heralded in by a windy August. Summer, offers warm African sunshine followed by balmy nights, and runs from October to March.

The rainy season is in summer rather than winter. Rainstorms are often harsh accompanied by much thunder and lightning and occasional hail, but they are brief and usually followed by warm sunshine.

There and back again...

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 18:57:00 +0000

In the past months I travelled over 40,000 km from Joburg to Canada (and in between) and back on a work and family related trip. Sometimes images are the best way to describe an experience...

Mother and Son

Ah... fresh air

Work till the night cometh

A relaxed set of colleagues

Moving Day

The newest member of the family

Brother & Sister

Sunrise at 39,000 feet

Happy Birthday Madiba

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 05:03:00 +0000

It appears that Mandela's condition has improved somewhat in time for his 95th birthday today. Go to the following link to hear the nation sing happy birthday to him.

http://mg.co.za/multimedia/2013-07-18-happy-birthday-madiba

"Mr Mandela has spent 67 years making the world a better place. We're asking you for 67 minutes."

Nelson Mandela's birthday is on 18 July, and the call is out for people everywhere to celebrate his birthday by acting on the idea that each person has the power to change the world.

The idea of Mandela Day was inspired by Nelson Mandela at his 90th birthday celebrations in London’s Hyde Park in 2008 when he said: "It is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now."

The United Nations officially declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day in November 2009, recognising Mandela’s "values and his dedication to the service of humanity" and acknowledging his contribution "to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world".

The celebration of life

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 04:51:00 +0000

The newest member of our family arrived today to take her place in the circle of life. We are grateful to God that both mother and child are doing well. So now our grandson Riley has a sister.

Taylor Ann

Images from Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 03:55:00 +0000

Flight into the cauldron - Niagara Falls

Mother and Son

Sailing Lake Winnipeg

Bet you can't do this!

From a Canadian point of view

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 03:52:00 +0000

I write this on a cool rainy evening in Sasktoon. The rain has brought welcome relief from a heat wave that reached 37C and higher on the humidex scale. Quite a shift from the cool Johannesburg winters.

The world appears different from the prairies. African news conversation relates mostly to Mandela's well-being and whether his death will cause upheaval in South Africa. The continent and all the programming we do there seems so far away. While folks here are very supportive of MCC and its activities their immediate world focus is what is happening in their neighbourhoods and rural/urban areas. And so it is in each part of the world.

The past month has been spent between three key areas.
1) Engaged with the annual international program directors meetings held this year in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A year after the full implementation of a major re-organization has resulted in a more effective structure and significant collaboration between the various segments of a far flung MCC.

2) Spending seven days traversing Ontario to engage constituents. This rather intense story-telling session included 13 engagements. It was encouraging to see the strong support for MCC and a willingness to become involved. MCC is owned at many levels; in the Thrift Shops, by churches, by organizational boards and staff as well as by the partners with whom MCC collaborates. Stories of peace building, sustainable livelihoods, education and food &water security provided grist for lots of questions and interaction.

3) Embracing family. I had opportunity to spend almost a week with my 97 year old mother who recently suffered from several strokes. She has been determined to carry on and despite the frustration of not being able to understand/shape her immediate future her past memory is clear and her health reasonable. It was so good just to be by her side, hold her hand and pray with her - not knowing how long she will still be with us. Her lifespan has covered almost ten decades and three continents. I am indeed grateful for the modelling and hope she has and continues to represent.

At the other end of the life cycle one of our daughters is expecting another child very shortly - thus our presence on the prairies. The other day Lois and I looked after our grandson Riley. He fully occupied the two of us for the entire evening and then enjoyed being read to and cuddled to sleep. Our entire immediate family is now together - for the first time in five years. So we celebrate family and the individual and collective journeys we have taken.

In the end through our lives, relationships and friendships Sasktachewan, Manitoba, and Ontario are connected to the same in southern Africa. When our Johannesburg friends and colleagues talk about going 'overseas' they mean Canada and the US - a phrase we also use to mean Africa...

It's been awhile.....

noreply@blogger.com (Bruno and Lois Baerg) — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:16:00 +0000

The days and months have flown since the last posting. It is now almost the end of May.

The Anabaptist churches of Angola have been requesting a reconnection with MCC for some time. Mid-May Bruno travelled together with the chair of the Mennonite World Conference Africa caucus to Luanda to visit the churches and see what their status was. Unbeknownst to us there is a thriving (and struggling) faith community of at least 25,000 Mennonites in Angola. For me personally it was the first time I had been to Luanda since our evacuation from the Congo (during the independence chaos) to refugee camps in Luanda in 1960.

Later in April the MCC Representatives met for their bi-annual gathering in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Twice yearly we meet for coordination, training, resourcing and becoming familiar with the regions programs. This time we chose Malealea as the meeting place. This is an old trading post turned into a backpackers lodge in the heart of rural Lesotho. It was also the last time this group met as many will be ending their term of service with MCC and new folks coming on board.

One of the things on Bruno's 'bucket list before leaving the continent' was to spend some time in the Okavango Delta. Early May he along with some friends headed to this vast inland swamp/delta in northern Kalahari (Botswana). Annually approximately 11 billion liters of water spread over a 6-15,000 square kilometre area. At the height it can host some 200,000 large mammals along with myriads of fish, birds, amphibians, etc. It is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We spent an incredible week poling on mokoro's, travelling by 4x4 and seeing the beauty of this oasis in the desert. It was amazing to see the reality of survival play out as a lion pride took down a zebra and a leopard enjoyed an impala until a spotted hyaena stole it from her. For the 'twitchers' in our group it was 7th heaven and we saw and photographed innumerable birds.

Subsequent to the delight of the Okavango was an administrative trip to Mozambique to help orient new staff and participate in the country review. Every five years MCC reviews country programming to assess overall effectiveness and accomplishment of desired program outcomes. Following this is an administrative trip to Pietermaritzburg to discuss programming in Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa.

Clearly it is a time of year where there is a lot of travel. This can include road trips (car and local transport), airline travel, boat cruises and sometimes even 'footing' it! Whatever the context it is a gift to be living and working in this part of the world!