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What a beautiful day today! It was so warm I wore a t-shirt and sandals. The sun was shining brightly and the birds continued to sing us welcome songs. After the history lessons of the past several days, we decided to do something a little different. We wanted to explore the countryside a bit more so we took a tour. Now, before I tell you where we went, let me just say that Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine … AND the guests told the bridegroom he saved the best for last. So, as stewards of the Word, we wanted to see if the best wine was in South Africa. We visited the Neetlingshof Estate Winery and the Asara Wine Estate and Hotel. Now, I know you all are thinking, Rev. LaKeesha at the wine farm? But I say, what would a trip to South Africa be without having Communion? So, yes, in honor of Jesus’ first miracle, we visited a winery.
Ironically, God met us there, because when we arrived, there was a sign at the entrance that read, “Raphael’s,” with a picture of two swords beneath it. For those of you who don’t know, Raphael was one of the archangels whose primary assignment was healing. His name together with those swords, made me realize that sometimes, we have to “fight for our healing.” Before we went into the estate, God met us with words of life! We had a great time, and the scenery was breathtaking. When we turned the corner, we saw hills, mountains, water, and green, green, green everywhere. It was majestic! Truly a work of the Almighty God! I thought, if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains! Faith Moves Mountains! Wow! I also thought of Jesus teaching on the Mount of Olives. I wonder if it looked like this! There was certainly enough room for thousands in this place! In my mind, I could see Him teaching the multitude here.
While we were at the winery we also had the occasion to meet Giurlo, a Dutch South African, also known as an Afrikaan. Interestingly enough, we were able to have conversation with him about how he felt about apartheid. He was very honest, which we appreciated, but we were not too pleased with his response. He basically said that it was not a big deal to him. Since he was born in 1985, he was only a child during the protests and rioting. He said that his father and grandfather both thought it was a ‘noble’ idea, but he thought it was stupid. Then he said, “The problem is that we named it. You all have racism in American right? If we hadn’t named it apartheid, it probably wouldn’t have gotten so much attention.” Well, we thanked him for his honesty, and thanked God that Sharon didn’t pull out a sword!
We also went to a women’s convocation tonight at the Sun Hotel. There were over three hundred women worshiping and praising God together, with only thirty-nine of us from the states. We praised, prayed, and worshiped together the one true God who created us all. There were familiar songs including “How Great Is Our God” and “Alpha and Omega”. We also sang African songs. My favorite is “Jalo, Jalo.” When interpreted the song means ‘always pray, always give, always praise the Lord.’ It was amazing to sing songs of praise in different languages to God in community with our South African brothers and sisters. The speaker tonight was minister Amanda Buys, who delivered a message called “Standing Steadfast In the Faith.” She talked about how our experiences give us ranking, and our ranking gives us anointing. The interpretation is, the greater the suffering, the greater the anointing.
We ended the night by having room service. Chicken noodle soup and rolls with butter. A nice ending to a beautiful day!
Peace and Blessings~
Gregory Spence
/ February 20, 2010‘Always Pray, Always Give, Always Praise the Lord’ – Amen!
That’s my baby! You make me proud!
Rhonda
/ February 20, 2010Sister LaKeesha:
Powerful, riveting, warm, and full of humor…keep on praising…right on Sisters!
Rhonda Tuckett
Tohma
/ February 20, 2010Communion….Right… Okay! LOL. You should really consider writing inspirational children’s books because you make the words jump off of the page!! I am sure you are going to teach us the words to “Jalo, Jalo” in our next Women’s Bible Study. We all know how much you love to sing.
Continue to enjoy every moment of your experience with God. Until next post……
Sandra Meyers
/ February 20, 2010Good morning my sisters. You all look so beautifully filled with anticipation of the wonders anew. Although much is familiar, I’m sure it is experienced on a grandeur scale because I’m home with goose bumps. Thank you for allowing us to follow.
God bless you, the people, the animals, and the land.
Praise God!
Rachel
/ February 20, 2010These words and your experiences are a breathe of fresh air and sunshine for those of us here in NYC. Thank you for sharing.
Safe travels.
Tanay
/ February 20, 2010Hey Rev.LaKeesha, hearing all this makes me feel like I there with all of you(Which I should have went but I’ll go next time). I think this like a once in a life time thing and you only get about 2 or 3 chances to go and ya’ll took it. Thats wonderful! just hearing some of the thing from the other days and now made me think “wow people we dont even know would be Happiier than ever to see us,” Thank you GOD! some of US really need to go there and learn a thing or two about loving thy neighbor.
Keep them posted it’s GREAT reading these like I didnt miss anything =)
Love you and everyone there. BE SAFE
XOXO Latta=]
Kercena
/ February 20, 2010Thumbs up on everything! So glad that you all are open to all types of experiences; what a great example you all are showing that “you can see/find God in all types of experiences, from going to a winery to attending a women’s praise service. Thanks so very much for sharing!
PS: I L-O-V-E the picture of you all with the mountains in the background; it’s so bananas!
Shellyce Daniley
/ February 20, 2010Today (day 5) seems that it was a blessed and relaxed day, it was quite relaxing, especially since you began at the wine farm. LOL By the way, I wasn’t one of those saying “Rev. LaKeesha at the wine farm?” I was saying Dang! – I should have been with them for the Communion. LOL
One of the many things I love about our FCBC family is we love to worship, no matter where we go….. Go FCBC! I know you are going to bless the women with the new song you learned at Women’s Bible study…… You love to sing a song.
Looking forward to your post tomorrow, I love you all!
Cheryl Faye
/ February 21, 2010Now you know Rev. LaKeesha, I would have loved to have visited the winery with you. YOU KNOW!! LOL It sounds like today was, like Shellyce said, very relaxing. I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to have worshipped in the Women’s service. And I can hear your beautiful voice, in chorus with our choir members present, sweetly singing “Jalo, Jalo.” I’m sure that was a very special time with God and our sisters. I am having such a good time journeying with you. Looking forward to tomorrow.
GOD so IS!!!!