Greetings, once again, from Pretoria-

WOHOO!!!  The grade 6 Science Expo is finished!  At the beginning of the school year Abigail was told she needed to pick a project for a Science Expo that would be happening at the end of August.   There was much debate in this family as to what she was going to do.  I am not one for anything Science and so gave suggestions that would be easy to do with items that would be easy to find.  Glenn just wanted to do chickens, which was fine by me as long as he helped Abigail.  That didn’t go over to well so Abby took one of my easy, boring ideas and ran with it.  Ok, she sort of crawled very slowly with it.  The last two weeks she has been working hard on her project and if it could have gone wrong it did.

Which battery will last the longest?  That was Abby’s question for her expo.  She started out with a cheap flashlight and 4 different types of batteries.  The duracel batteries burned out the light bulb on her flashlight and started to smell and leak.  So, I bought her another flashlight of the same brand.  Once again all the other batteries were fine but the duracel wrecked the flashlight.  We thought maybe this was due to the fact that she was using an energizer brand flashlight so I bought her another cheap brand flashlight.  No luck.  Those duracel batteries wrecked the flashlight.  If that wasn’t enough Abigail would forget to keep track of her flashlight and the light would go out and she wouldn’t know when it happened or how long it had been out so she was always having to start over from the beginning. I was getting tired of always having to buy new batteries.  Then Glenn came up with the brilliant idea of having four flashlights all going at the same time plus one extra with a maglite (or a really expensive good lightbulb from a really good expensive flashlight) lightbulb to see what the duracel batteries would do.  This time everything went well except for the pictures she had taken with my camera.  For some reason they were deleted.  We are not sure who the culprit was but Abby had to retake her pictures, after the experiment was all over.  So, which battery does last the longest.  That would be energizer.  Even with the good lightbulb the duracel batteries went out after four hours while the energizer batteries lasted about 6 hours.  The other batteries Abby used were Eveready and PNP (store brand).  The energizer battery does out last, or shall I say out shine, all other batteries, according to Abby’s experiment.

On the day of the Expo Abby had to give a “speech” to those who were evaluating the projects.  In other words, she needed to “sell” her project.  She did not do too well on this.  Her project was well done but her speech needed some work.  She even had to give her speech to grade 6 parents on the night of the Expo who also evaluated her.  She needed someone next to her giving her advice on her to “sell” her project and not be “shy”.  Glenn had gone with her but he was too busy walking around evaluating everyone else’s projects.  However, we are very proud of Abigail because she put the time and effort in and did a great job.  I included a picture of Abby and her Science Expo.

I am feeling the freedom.   In order to not have Eliana “cry out” as an infant I substituted nursing with a sippy cup full of milk.  For over a year I would get up about every two hours and give Eliana a cup with milk in it.  I didn’t “ween” her from this earlier because of all the changes that were happening in her life.  I knew she and I both would need for her to have this comfort.  However, we have been stable for 9 months now and it was time.  But, it was not just the milk in the middle of the night that was taken from her.  I also took away diapers.  For about 2 weeks I got up with her once to have her pee in the potty but now I don’t have to get up.  I don’t have to get up for milk, water or toilet.  It is a really nice, freeing feeling.  I am loving being diaper free, finally!

Some news about the work side of this family.  The LTS (Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pretoria) hosted women for a deaconess program that was done by Grace Rao and sponsored by Lutheran World Relief and Human Care.  It was a two week intensive and from what I understand the women worked hard, read, wrote papers, and were taught how to do an exegesis on a passage of scripture.  It was an intense learning experience for everyone.  Also, Professor John Pless from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne was here teaching a two week course for the advanced students.  I included pictures with the letter plus Glenn posted something on our website (www.flueggefamily.com)

Other tidbits of information.  Samuel is at his first dance tonight.  I hope he is having a good time.  Glenn left today (Aug. 31) for a pastors conference and I am not exactly sure where it is being held.  I don’t have enough information for you at this time.  I am sure he will post something on the blog when he gets back.  Caleb has his robotics competition this weekend and Sunday is the first day of my Bible Study.  Also, on the 28th of Aug. we attended another game night.  This time it was not at our house.  Glenn won two games of Settler of Cattan and so is still lord.  Someone needs to beat him.  \”/  Jesse’s teacher is really proud of him because he can do 96 piece puzzles now.  At the beginning of the year he cried if he had to do even a 5 piece puzzle.  Go Jesse!  I do believe I have come the end of what I can remember to share.  Happy Fall.  I hope you all enjoy the cooler weather as I am thoroughly enjoying the warmer weather on my side of the world.  Also, I did read through this letter but it is late and I am tired so I know I have left out words and for that I apologize.

In Christ
Susan Fluegge
(Glenn, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

There was this thing that happened on Sunday (Aug. 15) called the sports festival.I didn’t go to it because there was no rugby, yet i did take part in the opening ceremony. Crawford says it was a big success, yet when they saw me and my friend Johnathan in it they changed their minds. You see me and Johny were stupid enough to act stupid while representing our school, so we got in a lot of trouble for that. Ya.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Greetings once again from Pretoria-

Street Braai.  Thats what they call it when all of the people on a street get together for a barbecue.  Despite the cold our street came together for a street braai.  Our street is not all that big so organizing one of these is not a huge ordeal.  We, the Fluegge family, attended the street braai because we wanted to get to know our neighbors.  It was a good thing we went.  We were the first tenants of our house to attend the Om de Berg street braai and it made impression on those who have been living on this street for generations.  Also, we now know that we have excellent neighbors with whom we can call if the need arises.  I was, also, the only one who made any sort of dessert and the chocolate peanut butter bars were a huge hit.  So thankful for those american chocolate chips.

The street braai was held on Fri. 30, July.  The very next night we held a game night at our place.  The story behind this game night is quite interesting but I will not bore you with those details.  We had quite a few show up with lots of yummy, healthy finger foods to munch on and fun games to play.  Most of the participants played Mexican Train dominoes.  However, I was able to talk a few into a game of Settlers of Catan.  I think I was able to get a few addicted to the game.  It helped that Glenn was shut out at the very beginning and could do nothing the entire game which meant that one of the newbies won.  Winning always makes one want to play again.  The winner was our boss, Mike Rodewald.  For the next two weeks Mike called Glenn squire as he was lord.  Game night was such a huge success that we have one planned for the end of Aug and another one the beginning of Oct.  Looking forward to more fun and fellowship.

The following weekend was a long weekend because of a public holiday so on Sunday, Aug. 8 we went to the home of Gerry and Carmela Weber for dinner.  We brought Settlers of Catan so we could play again. \”/  The kids played their computer games, watched t.v., listened to music, and had a good time being together.  The adults talked and played.  Because of all the talking the game took over 4 hours with Glenn being the ultimate winner.  We can no longer call him squire Glenn which is too bad.  Despite the fact that Glenn won we had a good time and I am reminded how well God takes care of his children even through fellow children/believers.  Gerry and Carmela Weber are good people and I am thankful God has put them in my life.

This past Sunday, 15, Aug., was the opening ceremony for the inter-crawfordian sports festival.  There happens to be more than one Crawford in the country of South Africa.  Every year they come together for a sports festival.  This is the year for Crawford, Pretoria to host the event.  On Sunday the whole school (Crawford Pretoria that is) assembled to put on the the opening ceremony for the sports festival.  Glenn took video and I threw it altogether in a 10 minute presentation so that one can view each of the Fluegge children who participated.  In order to view this “master piece” one has to go to the Youtube cite where it is published.   I am also going to post it on our blog. I am hoping to work on shorter clips to put on facebook for those who really need to Samuel “dance”.

Just in case anyone is wondering none of the Fluegge children are participating in the sports festival.  I’m still trying to figure out how things work here.  I know Glenn would have it all figured out by now because he is so good with things like that.  However, I am still learning.  Next year?  Caleb is, however, participating in the World Olympiad Robotics Competition in Sept.  We will go and show him our support.

Have a great week.

In Christ
Susan Fluegge
(Glenn, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

FLUEGGE NEWS UPDATE

Visit with the former rector of the LTS. Dr. Wilhelm Weber III was the former professor/rector of the Lutheran Theological Seminary from 1965 – 2000 and has since retired on a farm in Welbadacht, South Africa (his son, Wilhelm IV, is the current rector). Last weekend Susan and I made the five hour drive to spend the weekend with Wilhelm and his wife Karin (Thanks to “Auntie Coral,” a dear co-worker, for watching the kids).  They received us graciously and we were once again amazed by Weber hospitality.

The reason for our visit was to sit and listen to his story. We spent hours listening to his family history – how his great-grandfather came as a German missionary to South Africa in 1861 (!), how his grandfather’s family spent time in the British concentration camps (a little known fact) during the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, how his Father decided to become a missionary and worked among the Zulu in South Africa, and how he worked as a missionary among the Motswana in South Africa…. And then we talked about his 35 years of experience working at the seminary. What a wealth of knowledge!  I think I took about 20 pages of notes and I still have questions. If you really want to understand something, you must understand its history.  We still have a long way to go, but we’re getting there.  I’ve attached a few photos of Dr. Weber and his wife and of a Lutheran Zulu congregation in Ekuphileni that we visited Sunday morning.

CLET graduation. The Lutheran Center for Theological Studies in Togo, where I formerly taught for ten years, held their graduation in June. Director Dr. Dongo sent a couple of photos that I wanted to share with you of the students and also of the Seminary Wives’ Association. Please continue to keep this seminary in Togo in your prayers as they trained students this year from Guinea, Ivory Coast, Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Congo-Brazzaville.

PLEASE PRAY WITH US:

Thank God for Dr. Weber and his wife and their ministry and for the opportunity to hear their story.
Pray for the LTS and the students (see previous updates for list) as we begin the 3rd quarter on July 20.
Pray for the work of the CLET – for Dr. Dongo, the rest of the staff, and the students and their wives and families.
Thank God for those whom God has raised up to support our ministry and His work in Africa.
Pray for our continued acclimation to our new work and life in South Africa and continued protection from crime (the crime rate is quite high in South Africa).

ABOUT US:  We (along with our five children) have served with LCMS World Mission since 1998 in Togo, West Africa where I taught at the Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, a seminary that trains pastors for Lutheran churches throughout French-speaking Africa.  We recently accepted a call to continue serving as missionaries in South Africa where I currently teach at the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) in Pretoria and work with Lutheran churches throughout Africa to help develop their pastoral training programs. Please visit our websites to learn more about us:  www.flueggefamily.com   or   www.revglennfluegge.com.

SUPPORT US: Susan and I greatly appreciate your help in making our ministry in Africa possible. LCMS WM missionaries are now responsible for raising 100% of our own support.  As we begin our life and work in South Africa, we continue to need your support. There are many ways to support us:
Give a gift easily using the secure online giving link: www.lcms.org?7705.
Give a gift using the attached “Prayer Card.”
Your ongoing support assures of God’s provision on a regular basis :
If you are an individual, please use the attached “Prayer Card.”
For your congregation, school, or a group within the congregation, please consider a “Together in Mission” (TIM) partnership – please contact me for an “Adoption Form”.

The purpose of this update is to keep you informed. We do not wish to clutter up your inbox. If you receive this email more than once or wish to no longer receive these updates, kindly send us a note.  Thanks.

The peace of the Lord be with you,

Glenn Fluegge
________________________
Rev. Glenn Fluegge, MDiv, MS Education
LCMS World Mission
Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane
Pretoria, South Africa
Tel/Fax: +27 12 368 1751
Cel: +27 72 163 3171
www.revglennfluegge.com

Ce n’est plus moi qui vis, mais c’est Christ qui vit en moi… Gal 2:20

Greetings from Pretoria-

Ayoba Bafana Bafana!! I really have no idea what that means. Bafana Bafana is what they are calling the South African soccer team and ayoba is a word that I have not really figured out yet. I keep forgetting to ask someone. However, the soccer world cup has started and soccer fever is in the air. The crowds are cheering, flags are waving, and vuvuselas are buzzing (I really do want one eventually). A vuvusela is a long trumpet type instrument that the South Africans blow during sporting events. They are loud, obnoxious, and can damage ones ears. But they are South African and are a huge part of life here. If you really want to know what one sounds like watch a soccer game.

June 11-13 was spent in Wartburg, South Africa enjoying the German Lutheran synods youth and brass festival. (German Lutheran Synod is the FELSISA-Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa…and I hope I have that correct) Yes, the germans in South Africa have their own synod and everything is done in German. However, the church we attend is English speaking and it will be joining the FELSISA and there is another church in Soweto (I think) that wants to join in with the FELSISA as well. There are also a few other mission congregations scattered throughout South Africa that have been started by the FELSISA. (those stubborn germans are trying to “change” \”/) However, the weekend in Wartburg was done mostly in German. The youth (at least the girls) dressed in their “german” garb and did a german dance. It was a really good eye-opening, cultural experience for us. It was a long, hard, tiring weekend because we just didn’t fit in. And, to be honest, I am the only one in my family who somewhat enjoys listening to brass bands and choirs. I included a picture of the youth in their “dress.”

While in Wartburg we stayed with a member of the Weber family (Elisabeth Weber Reinken and family). This meant that we were able to meet and enjoy the company of almost all of the Weber siblings, their spouses and children. The youngest Weber, Lena, and her husband are in charge of an English speaking congregation in South Beach. During our conversation it came out that they are extremely frustrated with not having any good Lutheran materials in English. There is a couple who live near St Louis who help them out with CPH materials when CPH has it’s big sale. But, the problem isn’t just the cost of materials but the cost of shipping them out here. I understand the frustration because it is the same in French speaking Africa. There just aren’t any good, Lutheran materials in French. Thankfully there are good Lutheran materials in English we just need to find a way to get them here.

I am doing something completely out of character for me. I have decided to start a Bible study group. I really enjoy the Life Light bible study series published by CPH and so I am starting my own Life Light bible study group. The first study I do will be on the book of Psalms. I have already bought the materials and they will be sent out here shortly. I am looking forward to this new adventure. We’ll see if anyone wants to take the time and participate with me. I think I have Glenn talked into it. \”/

Now, on to something completely different. Two weeks ago the pre-primaries at Crawford had their sports day. They had races of all sorts; three-legged race, potato sack race, balance beam, picking up potatoes, carrying an egg on a spoon, hurdles, carrying a bean bag on their head, just to name a few. Jesse had a great time. I included a picture of him on the balance beam and one with some of his classmates. Jesse is the one in the picture with his hand on his head and wearing a maroon sweatshirt.

Samuel and Abigail had exams two weeks ago. They studied really hard for them. Abigail has done really well. Samuel has not really shared how well he did. It will be interesting to see how he did. This was a great learning experience for us all. The whole process goes against much of what I have learned in terms of good education. I don’t necessarily agree with giving information and seeing if one can regurgitate it on a test. We also noticed that much of what Abigail is learning in grade 6 is the same as Samuel in grade 7. The grade sixes are being prepared for the exams that take place in grade 7. However, both Samuel and Abigail are learning to listen in class, take notes, and be organized. They are learning that just because they don’t have a ton of homework they should still be studying and preparing for the exams that take place at the end of each term every night. We are also not used to an 80% being an A. 80-100 is an A, 60-79 is a B, 40-59 is a C and so forth. We haven’t really accepted this yet and so our children are expected to get 80 and above except in German and Afrikaans where they are in class with students who have been learning these languages for several years. However, Crawford is well known for it’s academic excellence so I know our children are getting a good education.

Abigail has joined a book club. Every Friday the girls get together, read, play, and have fun. It’s been fun for me because Abigail likes to have me read some of the books they are reading. I am getting to know some of the authors from England. So far I have read two really incredible books with some deep issues. One of the books Abigail didn’t quite get the correlations and so she didn’t enjoy it as well as I did. Her book club is also very international. The girls come from Australia, Portugal, Kenya, England, U.S, and South Africa. Most of them are diplomats and their parents work for the embassies. However, she has made an incredible friend with someone from the church we attend, Miriam Weber. I included a picture of the two them that I took after they made me fudgy wonder cookies (also known as ovenless cookies, hay stacks, poop piles and dog droppings).

Caleb is doing so well in school that his teacher does nothing but praise him. Except for his neatness. He tends to not be very neat and it is her goal to remedy that. I hope she can. He has also made some great friends and is really enjoying school and life.

Glenn is on his last of week of classes. The exams at the LTS lasted two weeks. He has one more to give on Friday and then he is on break. However, he has filled his days with latin, german, and other studies for his doctorate. I included a picture of him and his greek class.

I am still working on our new, combined website but you can now visit it (www.revglennfluegge.com) It also has links to my old website and all our pictures. It isn’t all the fancy or interesting to visit but we are going to use it like face book to post any and all information. There is an rss feed so that when we do post it will come directly to your inbox. I am hoping to put all our pictures on flickr. When this happens I will let you know. I am also working on getting our blog posts to post on facebook and twitter. I had it working but now it is not. This is all new experience for me and I am not enjoying it. I miss my iweb!

I think I have mentioned everyone, at least a little bit. I can’t think of any other news to share except that we are very cold. We are not used to our house being 50 degrees and it getting to or below freezing at night outside the house. We also have a house that we just can’t warm up, despite the oil heaters we have running at night. We are learning to wear lots of cloths, hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens.

In Christ
Susan Fluegge
(Glenn, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, and Eliana)

I forgot to mention Eliana. She is turning 3 this week and is a joy to have around. \”/