Dear Folks:
I know you're wondering whats happened to me - NOTHING exciting. But we decided to stay here a few months - the new "Miss World" is from down in these parts!!! Actually I have been approached to accept a "charge" as "stated supply" for a few months. Apocalyptically - at the same time came a letter from Guadalajara saying "we must have a married couple" so that church is out. What a narrow attitude. If a man can't stand alone, no wife will help.
It all began when I went to church at a Presbyt. Cathedral (God's frozen people) just swarming with a congregation of 40 head. Anyhow, the Africaner paster took me to "tea" & dinner, salted and savoired with a good dose of Apartheid. In the course of conversation he offered me this 300 mens church in the industrial area. The stipend wil not be much but of frugale I can save & replenish my capital. After all, a T bone .steak dinner with all the courses costs less thatn a $1. It would be a real job preaching twice a week with my "barrell" at home - I don't even have a Bible (N.T. is all); besides I'm just not dressed for it - (Feminine?); no clerics band, or robe - naked by ecclesiastical standards! Tuesday, its acceptance by Presbyt & after that a grand march on Pretoria to get a new Visa, (an experience in itself).
Sent home for JHB two items 1) some African records - jungle boys (forgot to take down the names & #'s - when they arrive tgell me what I bought. 2) ivory bracelet, beads & a Bacuba hat. All of the newpaper clippings I used as packing please spread out and save SAVE! If you want to read the best travelogue "The Heart of Africa" Alex Campbell, 1954Alfred A. Knopf N.Y.; "Tell Freedom: Memories of Africa" by Peter Abrahams N.Y. 1954. "Dr. Sschweitzer:An Anthology" Charles R Joy, Beacon Press London. 1925 "On the Edge of the Primevil Forest" ,1938 "From my African Notebook" both by Schweitzer pub Allen & Unwine; "The Dark Eye in Africa" Laurens Van Depost - who is a South African Boer.
One reason for my prolonged stay is that I've found this country the hardest one to find out what's going on. As you know, I have been examining & studying missions. But here - few Americans are at work and the rest are clams; Besides, I am sure that much of the work is without government approval - and the less said the better. Of all lands I've visited this is the closest to a police state of any. Fear, suspicion, and unprovoked police raids happen all the time. 75% of the people are subject to arrest at all times, if they don't carry a "pass", are in the wrong district of town, walk thru a door marked "European", or have a drink of whiskey. Where it will all and can only be defined in the word TRAGEDY! And the forces are forming, more severely and more deadly than the "white" man admits.
To study this country, to see what is happening, to be honest will take time. To, to find out more, to penetrate the surface, and to come to any conclusions will take time. No one needs me at home - so why not make the most of this opportunity - to pause in my travels, assimilate some of my experiences, do a little work for a change, I then go on refreshed and revived!
PS If the immigration people cause too much trouble I'll just move on.
My love to all;
Bruce
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