Update from our Friend Katelyn Hiett pictured with
Namunde.
Serving her Deaconness internship in South Africa
Sabona! (Hello in Zulu)
Zulu is just one of the many
official languages here in South Africa. The country boasts 11 different
national languages, including Zulu, Afrikaans (a muddy mixture of German and
Dutch) and English just to name a few. I, unfortunately, only know one of the
eleven, and though I like to think I have good command of English, I am often
not its master.
One might suspect that with so many different languages,
progress and partnership may be a little inhibited. Those suspicions prove true
when observing the complicated history of South Africa. Communication is
essential to building relationships and especially building a country. That is
why the major work of mission work is building relationships. Different
language and different culture complicate this task greatly. Mission work is
about relationships and communication. I am learning the delicacies of building
and maintaining partnerships across that vast cultural line that is often so
hard to bridge.
The team I have joined in South Africa has done an excellent
job of bridging that gap. For two years Shara and Julia have been working
alongside Pastor Thwala of Shongweni, Lutheran Church building outreaches and
programs that the church sees as its own. Their method is one that I will
surely take with me back to Sudan.
Much of my work here in South Africa is
focused in Shongweni parish. My role is assisting Pastor Thwala with making
visitations, teaching the youth when needed and especially ministering to women
in the community. South Africa has never really ever had the advantage of a
“deaconess” so my job description is often made up on the fly and is uniquely
African. It is my daily challenge to shed my western predispositions and trade
them—if momentarily—for African sensitivities.
But there is one thing that I
can be sure of and rest all of my confidence in. No matter our differences of
speech and culture, we are united by the universal and eternal Word of God. The
love of God spoken to us through the incarnation of Christ is a Word every
heart can understand. It would seem that the gospel needs no translation,
except for when it is mistranslated through the imperfect actions of imperfect
people.
Vigilant of my sin and shortcomings, I pray that as I share the Word—my
highest task as Christian and missionary—God will use the weakness of my words
and the failure of my flesh to sow good seed into ready hearts
Think about how you can support KatelynK
For further information contact:
Bob Allen
615-672-0923
