beginning to learn the basics

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Pioneering is not moving from one place to another. It is moving from your old self to a new self.

(Horace Holley)

Bahá’í pioneering is when a Bahá’í moves to a new place, makes it his or her home, and proceeds to serve the Faith there in whatever way possible. It is not missionary work in the traditional sense, because there are no paid missionaries in the Faith, nor paid clergy at all. It is more like emigrating with the purpose of serving God by serving humanity. Our goal is to be Bahá’í pioneers.

All of this weekend the NSA of South Africa has been meeting here, and they have been very kind and of great assistance, making many wonderful suggestions as to where to settle and how to find work. As new people in Africa, many people have approached us urging us to visit their respective communities and consider settling there. Everyone has been most kind. On Monday, we rented a car, and a friend named Bonnie helped us return to the airport to retrieve our other luggage that we had to send via cargo from Amsterdam. Bob learned how to drive on the left side of the road, with Bonnie’s coaching. Instead of power steering we have

power-full

steering, which means you have to be powerful to steer it! The gearshift is on the left, of course, and the turn signal arm is on the right. I have not tried to drive as yet. The phone system here is very confusing and we are still trying to figure it out. The number to dial depends on whether you are using a land line or cellphone, and the tones for the dialtone, busy signal, and ringing signal are all different from those in the US. When I dial a number, I am not sure if it is ringing, busy, or the call was dropped by the cellphone carrier.

Because the Dutch Boers settled this area, one of the local languages is Afrikaans, which is a form of Dutch. Everybody here knows how to pronounce our last name correctly. It is also a custom to have morning and afternoon tea. The local tea is called

Rooibos,

which means

red bush

after the local plant it is made from. This tea is available in the US but is everywhere here, and I enjoy it. It is easy to ask for, tastes good, and does not have caffeine. The coffee is not just coffee, but usually a coffee/chicory blend. Bob is adjusting.

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