Nancy Bohlen sorts through donated items at Marsh Memorial Home. Photos courtesy of Brookings First UMC.

"The ministry of all Christians consists of service for the mission of God in the world," United Methodist Book of Discipline 2016, ¶133. In March, a Brookings First United Methodist mission team, led by Pastor Pete and Jenny Grassow, traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, in a spirit of mission.  

The team's mission work focused on Marsh Memorial Homes. The purpose of the Marsh Memorial Homes is to provide, within a Christian ethos, best-practice residential care and comprehensive developmental programs focused on vulnerable children from all backgrounds. Marsh Memorial Home serves at-risk children ages 5-18 in their familial homes. The Marsh campus consists of six units equipped to house ten children. 

Sixteen missioners worked in three primary areas: 1) relocating a shed to house play equipment closer to the playground area; 2) painting a house; and 3) inventorying the stockroom (clothing, school supplies, toiletries, school uniforms, and linens) for financial accounting.  

"We met the children after school for fun interactions and to assist with homework. It was heartwarming to observe the children surrounding others who may be having a hard day," said Nancy Bohlen, a First UMC mission team member.  "We gifted ten quilts to the senior girls. 

The senior girls responded, "Thank you, they are beautiful, and 'Thank you for getting us blankets, we appreciate it." 

Members of the mission team explored the culture of the area with some face painting.

"Our souls were renewed through moving worship experiences. We worshiped at Rusthof Methodist, which is celebrating its 175th year in ministry, and at Marsh Memorial Homes," said Nancy. "The loud singing of '10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)' was amazing and beautiful. We learned and shared a new Zulu song, 'Somlandela (We will follow)' with our congregation." 

In addition to mission work, the team had many local cultural experiences.  

"We went to the top of Table Mountain on an absolutely gorgeous day. We experienced the West Coast – cold Atlantic and the East Coast – warm Indian Ocean. We saw penguins in their natural habitat. We enjoyed the Lekker (Cape Town) Carnival, which translates the unique South African spirit into visual and sensory experiences through floats, music, and dance," shared Nancy. 

Lekker is an Afrikaans word with a good connotation. It generally means nice or good. The team walked through the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, observing the indigenous plants. The food was fantastic. The team enjoyed koeksusters, koeksisters, bobotie, fish ‘n’ chips, and biltong to name a few. 

"Our leaders, Pastor Pete and Jenny generously shared their home country, family, and friends with us. Through this experience, we all grew in our Christian service. We grew by serving others and living together in a faith community," said Nancy.