March 26, 2000
Dear All,
I have returned from lunch and felt compelled to write this while the thoughts and emotions are still fresh. Today is the last time Maggie and I will be at All Saint's for the foreseeable future. Connie and Dane were with us in attending both the 8 and 10 o'clock services having arrived yesterday and getting a little rest yesterday afternoon and evening.
The eight o'clock service(in English) was rather sparsely attended, although spirited. Charles asked me to say a few words during the announcement time and I had to choke back the tears as I tried to express my gratitude to the people of All Saint's for the warm and friendly way they have treated us since our arrival. We have been made to feel very much at home and we are most pleased to have had this experience. I introduced Dane and Connie, although she was not there at the time, as she was with Maggie in the Sunday School.
Because of the late hour, we didn't spend much much time at coffee hour and went to the second service. We began to realize that this was a special occasion because the church was crowded and people kept coming in until every seat was filled and there were a number standing. The special occasion turned out to be an engagement, celebrated in the church, and was it CELEBRATED! The regular service was departed from after the sermon, which was given by one of the visitors. The engaged couple were a woman from All Saint's and a man from the AEC (African Evangelical Church) and there were plenty of AEC guests at the service. Their minister spoke, there was singing by several choirs of young people and the music was really swinging. There was much spontaneous singing and praying and the service was filled with the Holy Spirit. Charles Kunene, the Acting Rector of All Saint's, blessed the engaged couple who had recited some vows in front of the whole assembly. While all of this was in Siswati, Maggie related later that the young woman sitting beside her had translated what Charles had told the couple before he blessed them,"If either of you can't wait to 'know each other'(in the biblical sense) then that person should sit down right now"!
I took some pictures of some of the participants in the service and some of the little ones in attendance. I hope that they aren't too dark, but I'll send them anyway. It was a wonderful service and we were very fortunate to have been there to witness it. Another unforgettable African experience!
We're leaving Wednesday so are beginning to wind down. We have several trips to take with Connie and Dane so will have more to report in the next two days. See you all in the good ol' USA.
Fondly, Dan
P.S. I'm sure that Maggie will write and add her comments on the day.
The couple celebrating their engagement
The choir singing in celebration at All Saints
A father and his son, members of All Saint's Cathedral Church
A mother and her child, members of All Saint's Cathedral Church