It's always fun to go exploring. Mom is always a little reluctant to go running off into the veld, but after I convinced Elder Bob Dabell and his wife, Margret, (from Bozeman, Montana) to join us for a day trip, she came along happily. About a 2 1/2 hour drive north-east of Johannesburg is an abandoned missionary station called Botshabelo. It was started by Alexander Merensky of the Berlin Mission Society in 1865. His converts were primarily members of the Bapedi tribe, which was lead by Chief Sekukuni a very feared and not well-liked Sotho Chief. Sekukuni and his people did not like the Christian missionaries and decided that the converts should be killed. Merensky, in order to protect his new converts, built a German fort on the hill next to the Botshabelo Missionary Station.  The name means "place of refuge."

The fort, originally called Fort Wilhelm after the German Kaiser, is now called Fort Merensky. It is a mixture of Sotho stonework and German castle, and it did work to protect the Botshabelo Mission.

The mission is on the north bank of the Klein Olifants River (small elephant). This old Lutheran Church, found on site, was for many years the largest church on the Transvaal. It is still used for weddings today.

Mission barracks now used for a cow stable. The mission station was abandoned in 1961.

While walking around the mission grounds, we were stopped by the man on the right. His name is Justice. He had come seeking answers to his prayers. He hoped to establish a place for African youth to come and learn religious principles. When he saw our name tags, he asked if we would offer a prayer for him. We all joined hands and I offered the prayer. It was a sweet moment; after which we gave him and his friends some pass along cards.

A picture of the abandoned mission school. Note the old gas pump on the left. I don't think you can get unleaded out here.

Across the Klien Olifants River is a wonderfully preserved Ndebele village. Some of the refugees who had been sheltered at the Botshabelo Mission use to live here.

The Ndebele always paint in geometric forms.

Inside a Ndebele hut.

Not far from Botshabelo is the town of Middelburg. Roughly 120 years ago, the Dutch Reformed Church established a tiny settlement on the south bank of the Klein Olifants River and named it Nazareth. For reasons unknown, there were objections to the the name and a few years later the settlement was renamed Middelburg.  The sign is evidence of the faith of the citizens.

Known as the White Church, this Dutch Reformed Church dates from 1890. In the early days, the Dutch farmers would flock into Middleburg to celebrate Nagmall (Communion) once every three months. The grassy fields around the church would be covered with tents and ox wagons.

Having a late lunch with the Dabells at Nandos. A nice chicken restaurant. You need to be very careful of the Peri Peri Chicken. It's beyond hot!