In the Lodge of Dreams where we eat meals and cook together, is the below sign that seems to embody our experience today, Sunday, January 15:

“ Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”

We traveled to St. Omaar, a small rural Catholic Church.  Team 2 had been lead to it by a chance encounter that Beth Blessman had with a parishioner last year.  So Team 3 returned today.  We loaded into vehicles at  6:30 a.m. for a one hour drive to this most special church.  Father Ray celebrated with the South African priest. (St. Omaar parishioners greeted and remembered Team 2 and looked for others that did not return.)

The church was built in 1979 and they received recognition from the government for serving the spiritual and medical needs of a cholera epidemic.

We were told by the priest that he and another priest come to celebrate Mass once every two months  and these two priests serve 30 parishes.

We witnessed two babies baptized in full baptism. We entered to hear the most beautiful rosary in Sepete, native language.  Many of us knelt on the very basic wooden kneelers to join the rosary in spirit and the quiet internal attempted translation to our English words.

We were treated like royal guests when they moved from the center front pews and asked us to sit there.  And after a 2 hour mass, we sat outside with a special reception for Americans.  Coral, the Blessman’s dear friend and neighbor made some delicious muffins for the occasion and we brought peanut butter cookies or “peanut butter biscuits” as they are known here. We sat with members of St. Omaar on benches and chairs under the tree sharing food and conversation. What was lacking was anyone checking their cellphone – except for the beloved selfies taken between St. Francis Team and St. Omaar members.

Todd’s mother made way over 100 rosaries that he presented to the priest and the priest had his leaders give them to the children first and then adults. Juliana made special bracelets the kids loved!!(and they remembered her from last year.)  And Jess Streit, Team 1 member from St. Francis lead an initiative to donate shoes which they were overjoyed to get.  Rachel, a church leader, said they would distribute them to the poorest of the poor – she said there were lots of orphans in the area. (below is Sydney presenting Juliana’s bracelets to children that are wearing her grandmother’s gifted rosaries and right, Rachel with the shoes donated from St. Francis).

The sermon was about Identity.  There was youth in special outfits that represented a 6 month religious study they were doing.  There were women that were dressed in the St. Anne Guild of which they had studied for a year to be a part of.  There were many church leaders from other parishes that received training after Mass.

Here is what team member Steve Craig had to say about Mass at St. Omaar’s Mass: 

” On Sunday, January 15 we experienced what will surely be a highlight of our trip to South Africa.  We experienced celebration of the Mass with the parishioners of St. Omaar’s Parish.  This is one of many parishes that currently two priests try to serve.  As such, St. Omaar’s only has Mass about every two months as these priests rotate between the many parishes they service.  On other Sundays, the parishioners meet with a Deacon who leads a prayer service with the Eucharist.

We arrived for 8:00am Mass at 7:30am and many of the parishioners and the priest were already reciting the rosary – complete with singing a verse of the Ave Maria after each decade. 

When the Mass started, it was a joyous celebration with lots of singing and dancing.  We were amazed at the parishioners beautiful acapella singing in multipart harmony. They were accompanied by drums, tambourines, and one of the oldest ladies regularly blew on a whistle. 

The dancing was joyous and did not seem at all exaggerated or inappropriate.  Even the priest was a wonderful singer and dancer.

The service lasted nearly 2 hours.  As we gathered after Mass we embraced and many pictures were taken of the parishioners of St. Omaar celebrating with their brothers and sisters from St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, IA. 

I wish you could hear the singing and witness the dancing and you would know why this was such a highlight of our trip.  “

 

We arrived back at Blessman International and had some respite and after dinner received training for Day’s for Girls and also for Optical Outreach.  It was clear that the Blessman’s are shaking and moving for the Lord.  Dr. Blessman explained that some of the children we would see this week would be older that we would think.  He said this is “stunting” – not getting good nutrition.  Thus with great purpose and passion the ministry feeds 7,500 children a day with the help of the four – 40 foot containers of rice meals made by Iowa volunteers of Meals from the Heartland.  These meals come in shipping containers each year from Meals from the Heartland.  And to the subject of this, Dr. Blessman said, “Many hands make light work.”

He explained that Del Kramer is a pilot project that serves 105 children – they have seen the power that their vision, time, talent and treasure and that of volunteers has.  Rene Blessman is an amazing leader at Del Kramer!!

We closed the evening with a bonfire lead by Dr. Blessman facilitating discussion about the experiences of the team.

Tomorrow we will be up and out very early – our team is READY and EXCITED!!  We are changed by today no doubt and our hearts are ready to serve in the name of Jesus Christ!!!