Preparation

This season of Advent has been full of anticipation and preparation for me. In some ways I have prepared for the trip through reading and attending required meetings but I believe my heart is woefully prepared for the things I am about to witness. The end of the semester was particularly challenging for me as in addition to finals and writing papers, I completed several non-seminary related projects. This placed thinking about our trip at the end of a long line of realities. I put the thought of traveling out of my mind and was able to avoid considering the impact this time in South Africa could have on our lives.

Last week I spent time with a friend, a mentor really, who has spent a lot of time in South Africa and is especially familiar with the events surrounding the end of apartheid and the role the church played in the effort. Knowing of my interests in this particular situation he shared with me his experience of being present for the first reading of the Belhar Confession (http://www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship/confession/belhar.pdf). At this point we both got emotional and he then told me to be careful because South Africa was a “terminal disease.” After the first trip people often can’t shake the experience and return again and again. This sounded exciting but then upon reflection, I found myself being a little intimidated by that piece of information. As a person discerning a call to ministry, the thought that I could possibly come away from the trip with this terminal disease and that I could only be cured by seeking a deeper understanding of the oppression and hope that has plagued South Africa well, that part frightens me. For now I will put these thoughts aside and focus on the immediate tasks.

I consider traveling exciting and a privilege. My husband and I are very fortunate to have many friends and family members who agreed that this trip would be good for our souls. I am honored by their belief that God is working in our lives. In the coming days, as I begin to pack, finish reading assignments, and review the news of the current political situation, I think I’ll feel more excited yet still apprehensive. The awareness of this incredible opportunity also contributes to my anxiety but I believe God is at work in these emotions and this situation.
My understanding of the reality in South Africa seems trivial when I look at current events in the country. It is with this fear and understanding that I go to God, ask for grace and trust that we are all in God’s hands. During the waiting of Advent, I found comfort in a piece of scripture. Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.”

This text speaks loudly to me in my own life but as I learn more about South Africa, I find it is also relevant to the situation in South Africa. Please keep these words in your heart as you pray for us and South Africa.

Shots, Itineraries, Plane Tickets ...Oh My!

So we are less than a week away from our departure to South Africa. I think my backpack has been ready for weeks, but who's counting? Can I confess to being just a smidgin' excited? Yes I said a smidgin' as to not take my anticipation of this adventure overboard, but SERIOUSLY- my classmates, some LPTS alum, and 3 professors are "Leavin' On A Jet Plane" to steal the words of John Denver (or Peter, Paul, and Mary). "My bags are packed it's time to go..." WAHOOOOOOO!!!! There has been alot to do (shots-yeah buddy!!), think about, read (Country of My Skull and No Future Without Forgiveness are deep!!), and soak in the last 6 months that have lead up to Monday Jan 5th and an 18-20 hour plane trip to Capetown. I look forward to our travel and all that we will encounter and experience while there, but one of the most wonderful parts is going to be coming back to tell the story. I promise I won't let the Lions and Giraffes nibble away too much in the game reserve. Follow along and thanks to those who have continued to financially and prayerfully support us.

Beyond Excited!

Hello friends, family, and supporters of our trip to South Africa! My name is Emily and I am a third year student at Louisville Seminary. At this point in time I am beyond excited for the trip, and since being home for the Christmas holiday realized just how close we are to leaving. It seems like many of us were not allowing ourselves to be excited until the semester and all of our classes were over, but now that they are, I'm pumped up! There are many reasons that I am excited for the trip, but one is the fact that South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have been things that I have only read and studied as something that is far removed from me-yet we can learn so much from it! I am thrilled to get a front row seat and talk to people who were actually involved. Finally, I want to thank all of you for your support thus far, there is no way that we would be taking this life changing journey without each of you. Can't wait to post a message to you all from South Africa! Peace!

It's almosttime to go!

Friends,

Like you I am so excited about this trip. South Africa, right now, is one of the most exciting developing democracies in the world. It is truly a global country. The strides that this nation has made over the last decade is nothing short of remarkable. We will be traveling to Cape Town and Johannesburg during their 10th Anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We will be traveling during S.A.'s summer/vacationing time. So, we will be among many global travelers descending into the country during this time. Our focus, however, in the midst of enjoying the beauty and majestic qualities of the country, is to learn about reconciliation, the church, and human rights, as well as build meaningful relationships that I hope will last a lifetime.
To the group: get plenty of rest during the Christmas break! We ship out on the morning of January 5, gearing up for a loooong 18-20 hour international flight. I'm thrilled to be traveling with such a terrific group. Onward we go!

Lisa Hermann

My name is Lisa Hermann, and I am a finishing up my second year of study in the M Div. Program at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I am originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and came to LPTS after teaching high school social studies and coaching women’s soccer for five years. I also served as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) through the PC(USA) in Guatemala in 2004-2005. I am under the care of the Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery, and a member of Santee Presbyterian Church in Santee, SC. When not devoted to my studies at LPTS I serve as the student intern at Briargate Presbyterian Church in southwestern Louisville, KY and a relief chaplain at the University of Louisville Hospital.

I look forward to the South Africa travel seminar as a way of taking advantage of the classroom without walls that has been created by our professors. For 20 days my classmates and I will be asked to get outside our comfort zones, placed in situations I can only imagine, and asked to just listen and be, more so than do. We are going to examine and wrestle with reconciliation, theology, justice and human rights – specifically apartheid and its dismantling. I can’t wait. The best part is going to be meeting the people of South Africa, and just listening to their story. Sometimes I wish I could go right now, but patience is a virtue, and January will be here before I know it.

Foreign travel, more importantly the cross cultural experiences that accompany it, are important to me because the world's backyard is getting smaller everyday. Our neighbors are no longer just those to our left and right. We have so much to learn from our neighbors across the globe and what better way to do that than meeting them where they are and learning from one another’s mutual experiences.

In 2004-2005, I had the privilege of working and living on the Southwestern Coast of Guatemala. I was a community development intern, and lived in a small town called Santa Fe, Retahuleu. I taught 10 first graders in spanish, served as a billingual bridge in helping to build a partnership between a church in Ohio and two of the churches I worked in. I also accompanied the Presbyterian Women of Guatemala to workshops and bible studies. For a year I shared a home with six other people. A home with no running water a latrine for a toilet, and cooking over an open fire. I will be returning there for the first time in three years this summer. It is going to be like going home again.

One of the things that excites me about going to South Africa, besides swimming in the Atlantic Ocean (on the other side of the world!!) is culinary exploration. I used food, specifically tortillas, to break down barriers and build relationships in Guatemala, I can't wait to see what will happen at a table of fellowship or in a kitchen in South Africa.

Just as living and working in community with the people of Guatemala helped confirm my call to a ministry of relationship building, pastoral care, and parish ministy I believe traveling to South Africa with my classmates will do the same. We will engage in intentional prayer, study, and a minstry of mutual exchange and presence which will only give me the opportunity to stretch and grow by getting outside my comfort zone, listening to people's authentic stories, and then returning to the United States and figuring out what to do with it all and how to tell the story.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many us, that I believe will leave us with a lifetime of visions and stories to tell. Stories to tell - that is my passion for justice and human rights, both here in the United States and abroad. To learn about both sides of the story and then tell it to those who have never heard it or perhaps need to hear it again. I have never been out side of the Americas so while the flight will be long, the anticipation for what is ahead will be great. I encourage all those who read this to hold my classmates and professors in prayer as we continue to raise funds, begin prelimenary study, and organize.

Gene Gee

Introduction
I am a supporting spouse and influential helper of my wife, Melissa, a first year Masters of Divinity student at LPTS. So far it has been an incredible experience and I love supporting, encouraging, and sending her off to class after a quick meal. After 5 years in the insurance industry and about 10 years in food service, I am currently working as a resident counselor with children ages 7-12 that have been temporarily or permanently removed from their homes. Most of these children come from homes where there was abuse, neglect, or addictions. Every day is a challenge and test of patience and understanding. It is a job that constantly tests my beliefs, breaks and fills my heart, and helps me grow in my relationship with God. I know my vicarious experience in seminary will be a true asset in my work.

Travel
O.K. this is where the selfishness comes to play. I love to travel and have been fortunate to travel a good bit in the last ten years. Only traveling with in the US growing up, I moved to Amsterdam for a 6 month externship after graduating culinary school. Living in Europe provided many opportunities to travel and my new friends have provided even opportunities. I have been fortunate to experience such events as the Northern Lights above Norway; running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain; and was even arrested in southern France (a case of mistaken identity, yet still a good story). More recently my travels have focused on mission work in Peru. The opportunity to work beside and share with the people in Peru has created my best memories of travel. Certainly observing the life along the Amazon River each morning on our commute was one I’ll never forget. Since traveling to Peru, I have worked with PCUSA’s Peru network as well as other groups to develop stronger and healthier relationships with our brothers and sisters in Peru.

This Trip
Melissa and I both are greatly concerned with justice and equality and look forward to this great learning opportunity. I do not know exactly how it will apply to my life and work with at risk youth, but know examining a Christian perspective of reconciliation will be beneficial to everything we do. With so much division and with so many barriers in our country and world today, a knowledge and understanding of Christian perspectives, actions, and emotions, in such an extreme case of abuse will help us in mending damaged relationships at home. Please keep our mission in your hearts and prayers and use this blog to grow with us and share in our experiences.

Much Peace,
Gene Gee

Jamesetta Ferguson

My name is Jamesetta Ferguson, and I graduated in December 2006 from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. I am pastor of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, which is a renewing church located in urban Louisville, KY. This 160 year-old church is located in the Russell community, directly across the street from the largest public housing community (Beecher Terrace) in Jefferson County, KY. There are approximately 743 head of households living in this community, with an estimate of 5,000 persons, primarily children and youth under the age of 18.

I am so excited about going to South Africa. This trip has been a life-long dream of mine, and I am so grateful to God, my family and friends for helping to make this dream come true. When I was a teenager, I read and looked at anything I could get my hands on about the African continent, so to actually be going is just so overwhelming for me.

I believe this trip will be a most transformative experience for me, because it will confront my understanding of human rights and social justice in this part of the world from a western culture prospective. The United Church of Christ has a tremendous Global Ministry that addresses human rights and social justice around the world and I hope that I will be challenged to participate more fully in its efforts, as well as lead the St. Peter’s UCC congregation to be more concerned about our brothers and sisters beyond the borders of the United States. The prophet Isaiah reminds us in 1:17 to “Seek justice, and to encourage the oppressed” not for some but for everyone and that’s a difficult task for many in our St. Peter’s faith community, because of the oppression that many of them experience right here in Louisville. For us to realize that even with our little we have more opportunity than many South Africans will be a powerful awakening. When I return, I hope to do a series of presentations about our trip to help communicate these benefits not only to our church community, but to other local faith communities. Also being an African American, this experience will give me an opportunity to share our rich African heritage with those in the community.

I’ve traveled to several foreign countries and have always enjoyed adventuring off from the tourist routes to come together with inhabitants from the country. I’ve been blessed to go to Mexico, Italy, France, Germany, Grand Cayman, various other islands in the Caribbean and Spain. The city I enjoyed the most was Barcelona, because the people were so hospitable and made such a concerted effort to include me into their culture. I believe that this radical hospitality will be present in our voyage to the Motherland. Asa’

Reconciliation and Christian Mission

Thanks Josh for setting up the map feature on our blog. I'm so impressed that we've had hits from so many places--and now one from South Africa! Reconciliation isn't passe--it's news! I think what we will gain from this trip will be shared not only here at LPTS but around the world. What better way to pursue Christian mission!
Frances S. Adeney

LPTS Community Worship

Last Sunday, April 6th, the LPTS Seminary Village came together to worship and give thanks for the community in which we work, learn and live and it was concluded with a shared meal at the Winn Center.

During the worship, an offering was taken up for the travel seminary to South Africa in which $168.27 was collected.

This is a most generous contribution and we thank all who planned the worship and considered our upcoming mission.

The worship was planned by Claudio, Karin, Becky, Christi and Dave.

Our fellow South Africa travelers Melissa (pictured) was invited to give an offeratory prayer and Gene was invited to give testimony to how God has been at work in his life.

Daniel Stillwell

I was born in Ft. Worth, TX, moved to Michigan, Georgia, back to Texas, and to Lexington, KY. Lexington is what I consider home because I spent most of my life there and my family still lives there. I am the oldest of four children to two fantastic parents. My dad is a Southern Baptist minister so I grew up in the church. I went off to college at the University of Virginia and loved nearly every minute of my brief time there. Isn't it amazing how brief things look from this side of them? I became a Christian at the age of 12 and have spent my life pursuing Christ and the Truth He is.

As a first year counseling student at LPTS, I often feel like there is tradition and protocol to be followed in nearly everything I'm a part of here. Fortunately, that is not the case for this trip to South Africa. Since this is the first year we are doing this, new traditions and ideas are floating around and creating hopefully a wonderful and different environment for many. This blog is itself testimony to that. Thank you Johnny and Frances for encouraging such creativity and embracing the flow of newness.

I LOVE traveling and as such am looking forward to going to not just another country and continent, but an entirely different hemisphere! I have road tripped to 46 of the 50 states by now, a small portion of Mexico, and some of Canada. I've been to Guatemala a few times and but there isn't really any jetlag for that (central time zone). I'm looking forward to water spinning the opposite direction, to hear people speak in Afrikaans, and to see two oceans at once. I'm excited to meet people, talk to them, and learn how faith works in their contexts. I am aware separation of faith and secular doesn't work the same there as it does here in the states and am fascinated to see it in action.

As I mentioned, I have been to Guatemala a few times and one of those trips was a summer long. This more than anything has confirmed my desire to follow God's call on my life to be an international missionary, perhaps long term. I have some idea of where I am to go, but the time is not now and I only pray God will grant me wisdom to know when that season of my life will begin. Experiencing God's work in South Africa will undoubtedly open my eyes even further to the great plans He has for this world and maybe what small and gracious role I might play in it.

Anyone who reads this that might think about supporting us, just stop and pray. That more than anything is what we need. If you are able your monetary contributions will of course help us tremendously, but this world lacks serious prayer warriors. Only when our hearts are set to receive God's blessing can we use it to in turn bless others. That begins and is maintained through prayer. Thank you so much for everything you do and mean to each and everyone of us.

Josh Robinson, Dallas, Texas

My name is Josh Robinson and I am a middler student at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. I am Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) member from Dallas, Texas under the care of Grace Presbytery.

When I was a student at Austin College (Sherman, TX), I would give walking tours of the campus to prospective students and explain to them the importance the school placed on study abroad programs. "We can read all about tennis," I would say as we passed the courts, "but until you pick up a racket and put ball to string, you never can quite understand or appreciate what it means to play the game."

During college, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to England and Scotland on a theater study trip. (17 shows at the heart of live performance was enriching beyond explanation.) After college, with my company I was able to travel to East and West Canada and Mexico. (Hawaii isn't international, but it counts too I would say.) And last year, during my first year in seminary, I was granted the opportunity to travel to Israel/Palestine. (By far one of the most educational and life changing moments of my life.)

Traveling to Israel/Palestine was the most transformative experience for me because while we did do some of the more touristy kind of things, we were intentionally placed in situations that challenged what we knew about human rights and social justice. We were able to spend time with leaders in the two countries who have devoted their lives to embracing human freedom and working towards peaceful ways of coexisting. But, we also encountered the human pain of decades of oppression and built up hostility.

Most importantly, we were able to bring these experiences home and share them with our friends and families and churches. These experiences have shaped my understanding of what it means to Seek Justice, Love Kindness and Walk Humbly with God (Micah 6:8). The way I understand forgiveness and reconciliation has enabled me to have a more colorful imagination in sermon writing and bible study.

This is what I expect from our trip to South Africa in January 2009. By far, one of the most influential books I have read in my life was Desmond Tutu's No Future Without Forgiveness. Tutu chronicles his own personal transformation and reflections from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in a post-apartheid South Africa. As this was actually the first book I read at seminary, it has aided in my understanding of how we as Christian leaders can do theology.

I would like to thank, in advance, those who will support our trip through prayers and with monetary donations. It is important that we go to South Africa to learn how God is still at work and, most importantly, to bring that message home to share with others. God Bless.

Thank you for your participation in Saturday's auction!

Thank you all so much for your participation in the Mystery Silent Auction at the Global Feast on Saturday. Your bidding and donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for helping us get to South Africa!!

Special thanks to those who bid and won:
Emily Miller
Chris Deacon – Won a wonderful Bubble Bath set!
Paula W. Strange
Gail Monsma
The Easons
Yohan Kim
Frances Adeney
The Hesters – Won a wonderful 12-pack of Coke Zero!
Johnny, Reagan, and Jonathan Hill
Beth Hilkerbaumer
Craig Tuck
Dave Felps – Won PCUSA Book of Common Worship…he’s United Methodist!
Deb Crawford
Heather Deacon
Frances Adeney

Your contribution toward our travel seminar is much appreciated!

We're on our way!

Friends,
I would like to thank Josh for organizing this blog for us. It's a great way to stay connected as we move closer to our departure date. I'm very excited about how things are developing. I invite everyone to contribute regularly so we can get a sense of where we are and how we're doing. Please share the blog with friends, family and colleagues as well.