5/5/2008 – Monday

The weekend was spent at Lilani HotSprings. The water was warm. The high veld shows obvious signs of a major cataclysmic geologic upheaval. The Zulu village of Lilani is 10km from the last paved road. Several streams cross the road as we slowly drove on the one lane road. Houses appeared to be hung on the hillsides, with no obvious way to get to them, except by foot. The resort is run by the villagers and can be found at www.lilanihotsprings.co.za

The Young Adult Youth League of the Eastern Diocese of ELCSA had their retreat at the resort. With 42+ in attendance, they maxed out the facility. I was asked to speak on US-South Africa bridges for this gap aged group. Starting with age 25, these are folks who no longer see themselves as a part of the Youth League and the issues with which they are dealing are not the same ones that are important to the Women’s League or the Men’s League. There were over 30 items on their laundry list of items that they attempted to prioritize for the coming year.

Frankly it was good to see folks in this age bracket who are interested in being in church and see themselves as leaders, but they are not seeking theological education. These are the young professionals in a new South Africa, and they want to be a part of a Lutheran Church which meets their needs and the needs of their friends in an increasingly complex national society. All praise to God to whom they turn. [Young Adult League Pictures]