Clinton, New York 16 June 1998 Dear Friends, A few nights ago I dreamed that I was in South Africa, in a strange house, but obviously at home, busily preparing tea for a group of pastors during a break in a meeting. I was having a hard time opening a can of Ricoffy and the electric tea kettle was boiling - but I wasn't upset, just busy trying to do two things at the same time. I awoke with the realization that I am really ready to be on my way back to work in Africa In February we spent a few quiet days at Mercy Center in Connecticut. As we were leaving to continue our schedule of visiting churches, one of the spiritual advisors at the center wished us, "Joyous Pilgrimage!" Her blessing stayed with me throughout our weeks of travel, visiting churches, visiting family, traveling from place to place in the trusty little tan VW Golf that my brother, Glen Cannon, very graciously gave us to use for the journey. A pilgrimage is a journey in search of something. When we are in Africa our image of life in the United States is strongly colored by what we read in newspapers, and hear on international news reports. We hear about the major disasters, scandals, and achievements. We longed to be in touch with the special ordinary people in the United States - our family and friends and members of our churches [the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)] - who support us in so many ways. During this pilgrimage, we sought to share something of the faithfulness of the people with whom we lived and worked in Mozambique. We also sought to learn from faithful people of the United States. Throughout the journey we experienced wonderful hospitality: good food and comfortable beds. We were warmly welcomed. We were showered with precious gifts: from Ward Kisselbrack, in Connecticut, a recording of his excellent piano playing; from a host in Massachusetts, a cool bag to keep our apples from freezing; from an 11 year old in Virginia, two Baskins Robbins ice cream coupons. Many people wanted to give gifts in support of the new work we will be undertaking. As we spoke of the interesting work we had done in Mozambique we learned of marvelous ministries being undertaken by individuals and congregations in the United States: visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, leading Bible study in prisons, providing shelters for battered women, creating a new type of confirmation class, organizing people to influence the U.S. policy on land mines. . . We have been much enriched by time shared with so many of God's faithful people. I started this letter on June 16th. Today is June 25th. Our Re-Entry Visas for South Africa have been issued and we have our passports in hand. Reservations have been made for us to fly to South Africa on the June 28th. We have come to the end of this sojourn in the USA. Stay well, good people. We will write again soon to explain what it means for Lawrence to be Principal of the Kalahari Desert School of Theology and for me to support the theological program as librarian and educational resource person. Love, Carol C. Gilley Return to index page