South Africa - The Methodist to Methodist Connection

Hey Gang,

This is an initial posting concerning the beginning of my ministry experience in South Africa. For the record, my name is Sweeney Jamison Doehring, IV. I am working and living within the Seth Mokitimi Seminary in Pietermaritzburg. I will be here a total of ten weeks, roughly 78 days. I state this just in case anyone has happened upon this blog and wishes to congratulate the exquisite prose that is sure to follow. Any concerns should be addressed to Katherine Hester in the comment section. She is our resident academic and moderator of our combined summer reflections. Not to mention she is my really cute and wonderful girlfriend. Hey Kid!

I wont belabor you with my flight details, sufficient to say 15 hours on a plane at 6' 9'' provides ample opportunity to experience being cramped in all its compact glory. I arrived at the seminary 2 days ago and from the beginning, the radical hospitality of this place was evident. There are 11 official languages in SA meaning that names come in varied forms of spelling and pronunciation. Yet, no matter how many times I asked to hear names repeated and spelled out, the seminarians and their families always maintained a smile. Thankfully my incompetence was not a hindrance to formal introductions. Tea time is an official past time here as well. At almost every social engagement, either in homes, the seminary or even following church services, tea is offered. I have never fancied myself as a tea man. But, I have discovered that with a 1/4 a cup of milk mixed with brown sugar, tea is inescapably delicious. I plan on bringing this realization back to the states. May we as an American people finally overcome the aftermath of the Boston Tea Party.

Today, May 23, I attended the portion of the seminary where classes are held. To avoid any confusion, the flats, which the apartment buildings are referred to as, are located a little over a mile from the actual campus. For any of you curious out there, my flat is Wallhaven, pronounced with a distinct German "V" in place of the "W". Back to my initial point, I attended the seminary today where I was allowed to peruse the library as well as attend a first year church history class. The library situation is fascinating. The seminary works almost completely off of book donations. That being the case, there were several familiar volumes from my studies at Duke. Fascinating that theology, no matter how obscure, manages to find its way to the far reaches of the globe.

I already find that much of my reflection revolves on just how normal everything feels here. Seminary classes, although perhaps different in intensity and prerogatives, cover much of the same material. Listening to the lecture by Professor Delme, I could not help but feel like I was sitting back in CH 13 with Warren Smith as I relieved the tales of the Cappadocians. Church history is church history. Its a good thing too. I would feel lost without a little academic consistency.

This week I begin my first active duty with one of the agencies in the surrounding townships. I look forward to reflecting on these inevitably transformational experiences.

Until we meet again,

Jamison