Day Twelve
6th Century Chinese Prayer for Peace
If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations,
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.
Let us be bearers of peace.
AMEN
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Day Twelve
This is our last day in Malungeni, but it was a most emotional and joyful day. It was a beautiful summer morning to celebrate Eucharist on the lawn. In the midst of of celebration we were honored to welcome 16 Malungeni children. The service was translated into Xhosa by Rev. Spiwo Xapile and complete with a beautiful Xhosa song sung by the ladies of the village.
Our annual "Spa Day", a few delightful hours to treat our Malungeni family was one of two events this afternoon. Spa Day has grown in popularity as we estimate we had at least 75 people sitting in the shade being pampered with shoulder massage, manicures and pedicures. The human touch is a powerful connection to our friends to remind us we are human beings together.
While the spa was in operation, preparations were being made for the community dinner, which is cooked for hours over a wood fire. The delegation had the honor of serving the meal to the men, women and children of the village. The day's gathering was an opportunity for a village meeting. There was a discussion amongst the community to ask that they share their thoughts, cares and concerns in regard to the children in the community. A major challenge to maintaining a sense of hope goes back to the apartheid era of "Bantu" education, when black community were legally barred from obtaining more than a 4th grade education. Continued gatherings like this are what will move this community forward.
As the rain started to fall, community members said good-bye and began to make their way up the gravel roads back to their homes. Although some of us have just met community members of Malungeni, the parting was emotional because we have fallen in love with this ELalini, this village.
Peace,
The 2014 delegation