February 2002 Dear friends: Carol and I concluded our ministries at Kuruman Moffat Mission at the end of June 2001. I was principal of the Kalahari Desert School of Theology, the Moffat Mission program for church leadership training. I provided a lay leaders' course, supported ministerial students, and organized continuing education for ordained ministers. I also assisted with many other Mission programs and activities. The Mission is seeking a person to replace me. In the meantime various people are continuing the teaching. One group completed the lay leaders' course since we left and a further group will complete in a few months. Carol was librarian of the Robert Moffat Library. During her time, a new library building was erected, many new books were added, people were attracted to use the resources of the library, and outreach programs for pre-school teachers and adult literacy instructors were initiated. Carol's successor is Lorato Trok, who worked and learned with her. The Robert Moffat Library has become, and will continue to be, a significant resource for students and church and community leaders. Toward the end of 2000, Richard Aitken was chosen by the Kuruman Moffat Mission board as the director of the Mission. He came to the Mission from Zululand in February 2001. Richard is a layman. He was the director of Mazule Wood Products, a firm manufacturing furniture. He has taught at the University of Namibia and the University of Zululand. He is deeply interested in African literature, history and theology. It was marvelously stimulating to work with Richard during the last four months of our stay at Kuruman. It is reassuring to us that such an historic and significant ecumenical organization is in the hands of a person with vision, energy and experience. Most of our time and energy since arriving in the United States has been focussed on telling people about Moffat Mission and our ministries there. While visiting churches we were asked many questions. Here are some of them, together with a few responses: Will you miss Africa? What will you miss most? We missed Africa as soon as we left. We knew we would. Especially as we talked about our life and ministry at Kuruman we were reminded continually of all that we had left behind us. We mainly miss three things: people, challenges, and living in an ethnically diverse community. We miss colleagues, students and friends. Some friendships are 38 years old. We miss the challenges of a South Africa that is learning what it means to be non-racial and democratic, and of a church that is struggling to find its role in a changing social and political scene. We miss living and worshipping with communities of people who speak different languages, value things, understand life and express who they are and what they believe in different ways. Didn't you see lots of changes? Yes, there have been many changes over the years. Most significant are the social and political changes which have come with the ending of Apartheid. There is a sense of hope, determination and freedom which has replaced the fear and repression of the Apartheid years. Many committed and exciting people are working for a new nation and a new humanity. Unfortunately, and realistically, the answer is also, no. The task of fundamentally realigning the reality of life for most South Africans remains. The legacy of apartheid -- poverty and violence -- continues. So the struggle continues. There are significant people and organizations working for positive change. We pray that they will make a difference!Has it been hard to adjust to life in the USA? We have moved back and forth between Africa and North America on numerous occasions. We know that our experiences of the world are different - and yet there are many in the USA with experiences living in other cultures. Even the most widely shared values and expectations of Americans are not universally held. Many of the external things -- transportation, communication, shopping malls -- are different only in scale. Adjusting to life in the USA is not difficult when we think of it as moving to another foreign land rather than going home. What will you do now? Will you really retire? I do not plan to write my memoirs nor to pastor a church. We will try to be faithful and follow the leading of the Spirit and the guidance of friends. What we are doing now is cleaning up some outstanding commitments (to others or to ourselves) and sorting out some practical problems about housing and pensions. We know that we need to allow ourselves time for listening, reflection, exploration and experimentation before we make new commitments. There are books to read. There are grandchildren whom we want to know. There are some hobbies and some avenues of service to consider. We will continue to be interested in southern Africa and the ministry of the church there. We are deeply grateful to you who have supported us in our ministries and to you who have participated in ministry together with us. We pray that you may receive and perceive God's richest blessings. Peace,          Lawrence Return to Kuruman index page Return to first page