The Fluegge Family in Africa

“Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:  He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you beautiful/wonderful mother’s/Grandmothers/Great-Grandmothers,

Yesterday was the “big game.”  Pretoria Boys High (English) vs A.H. S. (or Affies the Afrikaans highschool).  Samuel’s Rugby game was at 10:30 a.m.  He is on the form 1 (grade D team.  He started out on “G” team and has since moved up to “D” team.  His coaches think he has the potential to be a very good Rugby player.  He just needs to learn “how” to play.  He needs to learn the strategies and plays.  After Samuel’s game I took the kids and Grandpa home and then returned to watch the form 1 (seniors) A teams play.  It was quite the “cultural” experience.  Boys High lost all games played.  Affies was just better at Rugby than Boys High.  I have to admit that I enjoyed watching Rugby.  I haven’t really enjoyed it, yet, so was glad that I enjoyed the experience.  Now all someone needs to do is invent something to protect the players neck and spine from injury so I don’t worry so much and can enjoy, more, watching Samuel play.

We had a combined service this morning (Sunday May with the German congregation and the Afrikaans congregation.  It was nice to hear all the hymns sung together in all the different languages (ok so it wasn’t really ALL of them.  Just the 3 “big” ones; English, German, Afrikaans).  The readings were also done in different languages ( one of them was isiZulu).  It’s enjoyable to see the three congregations trying to work together and come together.  The “youth” also had some time together today.  My children had a good time but it was hard because the German kids spoke to German to each other even though know English and were supposed to speak English.  It’s going to take awhile but at least they are trying and the effort is there.

On May 1 Samuel and Abigail were confirmed.  I did send out some video clips so that you could feel apart of the whole experience.  \”/  We had great fellowship afterwards with our South African “family”.

My first class in my Masters Program ended on April 29th.  I did ok in the class and thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned a ton.  However, it became very clear that the timing for this just isn’t right.  So, I have put the whole thing on hold and will maybe try again next year when Eliana is also in school.

At the end of March/beginning of April we spent a week at a beach resort in Kenya called Turtle Bay.  The Grace Place retreat people (Dr. Eckridge and Dr. Ludwig).  The people from Grace Place held a dinner one night and asked people to support their efforts in giving the missionaries a Africa an incredible spiritual retreat led by Grace Place.  The people responded by raising the funds in one evening.  It was an amazing week spent in spiritual retreat and renewal, playing in the pools and the Indian ocean, and having good discussions with missionary friends and colleagues we hadn’t seen in a while.  Glenn was also able to spend an extra week in Kenya and visited the Lutheran Seminary there.  When he came home he had nothing but amazing things to say about what is happening in Kenya with regards to Theological Education.

And that is it in a nutshell.

In Christ

Susan Fluegge

(Glenn, Susan, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; ye soldiers of the cross.  Lift high His royal banner; it must not suffer loss.  From victory unto victory His army He shall lead till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.  Stand up, stand up for Jesus; the trumpet call obey; stand forth in mighty conflict in this His glorious day.  Let all His faithful serve Him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger and strength to strength oppose.  Stand up, stand up for Jesus; stand in His strength alone.  The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.  Put on the Gospel armor; each piece put on with prayer.  Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.  Stand. stand up for Jesus; the strife will not be long; this day the din of battle, the next the victor’s song.  The soldiers, overcoming, their crown of life shall see and with the King of Glory shall reign eternally. (LSB #660)

Greetings to all-

Once again another month has gone by but it didn’t go by as quickly as Feb.  I just haven’t had a chance to get to a letter.  It’s been awhile since I have been this busy and am not able to get everything done.  Or should I say it’s been awhile since I have had to let the cleaning of my house go. Clarisse where are you…?  \”/ At this moment it’s been almost two weeks since I have mopped my kitchen floor and it’s really grossing me out.  Thankfully, I have children who help clean, even if it is not up to my standard.

On Feb. 25th I was asked if I wanted to accompany a friend of mine to a wedding that she and her husband had been invited to.  My friend’s husband was out of down that day and she wanted to know if I wanted to tag along.  The wedding was a “mixed” one.  This meaning that the groom was from Botswana and from the Kalanga people group (with whom my friend and her husband had lived and worked for over 15 years) and the bride was from South Africa and I think from the Zulu people group.  I really can’t remember about the bride so don’t quote me on that.  It was an amazing day.  I had no idea what was being said and I didn’t know anyone, except my friend however, I was introduced to some amazing people.  I was also able to witness the dancing in the aisles that I miss from Togo and hear the trill emanate from the mouths of some women which I also miss from Togo.  It was good to spend some good quality time with this friend of mine.

The first week in March was supposed to be calm since 3 of my children had off from school.  However, it ended up being very busy and I didn’t get done all that needed to be done that week.  I was, however, able to walk around the mall with my mom and spend the money I had gotten for my birthday.  Abigail spent the night with a friend and I learned a bit more about Pretoria.  Samuel also had his birthday that week.  I allowed him to invite over a few of his friends for a sleep over. They had a good time together and I enjoy having Samuel’s friends around.

On March 7th the first class in my Master’s program started.  I have to admit it’s an added stress to this family and I am still questioning the wisdom of it.  That said, my first class has been interesting.  I am learning about English Language Learners and bilingual education and the importance of bilingual education in the U.S. I have also learned about some of the many methods to learning a second language and which of those methods is most effective.  I have to admit that my children (the ones learning 2 other languages besides English at the moment) are not going to be multi-lingual or even bilingual.  They will, at least, have a working knowledge of the 2 other languages they are learning.  The literature I have to read also talks a lot about preserving culture and this has helped me have a clearer picture of what moving around the world has done to our kids.  I have also realized that in Togo it was hard to really, really know what our children were missing out on because the life is just so very different.  However, in South Africa it has become very clear what “things” our children have missed out on (especially Samuel and Abigail).  I have also come to the conclusion the 80% of a person’s culture comes from outside influences.  For example, the other day I asked Samuel what the Super Bowl was and he said no but he thinks it has something to do with Cricket.          YUP!!!        Cricket!  Now, if I had asked about the World Series and he had said Cricket I might understand but Football and Cricket?  Seriously?!  Poor guy.  Glenn and I never were really into watching sports, even in the U.S. so while in Togo those things were never mentioned.  We didn’t even really know when they were happening until Facebook.  So, we can’t really blame Samuel because it wasn’t a priority for us so it wasn’t a priority for our children either.  Had Samuel lived his entire life in the U.S. he would have known, even if Glenn and I didn’t “teach” it to him.  It’s sad when he plays basketball and wants to become good at basketball but doesn’t know anything about March Madness, nor can he watch it on t.v. (or watch any basketball for that matter).  So, if there is anyone who wants to tape it for us and send it Samuel would be really grateful!  \”/  That was just an example of the many “small” things that people take for granted in their home culture but disappear when the immigrate to another country and I’m sorry but I don’t think it’s the job of the U.S. people to help spanish speakers, hmong speakers or others “keep” their culture.

Enough about the “bad parenting” of Glenn and Susan.  Term 1 sports have ended and the term 2 sports have started or are going to start.  Abigail ended her swimming with a Gala against the 4 other schools in Crawford’s league.  Crawford came in last over all and in about every race they swam in.  Abby did well, though, and we are very proud of her.  We had a good time cheering for her and embarrassing her.  Crawford was put in the A league this year because in 2010 they did really well.  However, with coming in last this year (2011) they have been put back into the B league.  For term 2 Abigail wants to play Hockey.  I am still trying to talk her into a swim club that will give her more experience in the pool and will give her a coach who will help with stroke correction and other swimming/racing fundamentals that she is lacking because of her 10 years in Togo.  Caleb is done with Cricket and wants to play field hockey which hasn’t started yet.  He is still busy with Chess and Robotics.  Jesse has, however, started with his term 2 sport and that is Soccer.  He loves it!  He couldn’t wait for it to start and is so thankful to be out there on the field playing.  Samuel is done with Basketball and is trying to get into the Rugby scene.  He didn’t make the A team for Rugby but he is also not on the F team either.  So, for never having played before I am pretty proud of him.  He is enjoying it.

There have been Professors here teaching at the LTS.  John Pless from the Ft. Wayne seminary was here for two weeks teaching an intensive and Dr. Kleineg from Australia was also here.  I have a lot of respect for both these men and it was nice to have them around.  Grace Rao, from LWR-HC, is also here teaching in the Deaconess program.

Other quick news;  Abigail was able to spend a week in Capetown with the grade 7′s from Crawford.  She had a good time.  Caleb had an inter-class swimming gala and I was able to get a picture from Grandma to include in this letter.  I just love the yellow swim goggles.

I really don’t have anything to say about Glenn.  He just teaches and studies and “plays” with the kids and takes care of all the “little” things that keep this family going.  He did get wireless into the house so now I can do internet at the same time as someone else.  It’s wonderful!

In Christ

Susan Fluegge

(Glenn, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless; My soul, believe and doubt it not.  Why stagger at this word of promise?  Has scripture ever falsehood taught?  No!  Then this word must true remain:  By grace you too will life obtain.  By grace!  None dare lay claim to merit; Our works and conduct have no worth.  God in His love sent our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth; His death did for our sins atone, and we are saved by grace alone.  By grace God’s Son, our only Savior, came down to earth to bear our sin.  Was it because of your own merit that Jesus died your soul to win?  No, it was grace, and grace alone, that brought Him from His heavenly throne.  By grace!  This ground of faith is certain; As long as God is true, it stands.  What saints have penned by inspiration, what in His Word our God commands, our faith in what our God has done depends on grace – grace through His Son.  By grace to timid hearts that tremble, in tribulation’s furnace tried, by grace, in spite of fear and trouble, the Father’s heart is open wide.  Where could I help and strength secure if grace were not my anchor sure?  By grace!  On this I’ll rest when dying; In Jesus’ promise I rejoice; For though I know my heart’s condition, I also know my Savior’s voice.  My heart is glad, all grief has flown since I am saved by grace alone.  (Lutheran Service Book hymn #566)

Where did the month of February go?  I don’t even have that much to write about.  The month has been spent “watching and running”.  We have spent the month watching the kids at their various activities and running around doing errands and shopping.  My sewing machine bit the dust because of all the moving around we did.  I am pretty sure those “guys” with the AGS moving company didn’t treat it very well.  So, that had to be fixed.  With a bit of effort Grandma and I were able to locate someone who could fix it for me (ok really it was fixed for Grandma \”/) and fix it for a reasonable price.  Really, really nice guy and I am so thankful we found him.

Rev. Alfred and Nancy Ebel arrived safely, along with all their goodies.  There are now 3 new beautiful quilts adorning 3 beds (all the quilts were made by Grandma), we have eaten all the wonderful “snacks” they brought and are thoroughly enjoying their company.  Grandpa is helping Samuel learn how to play basketball, Grandma is helping Samuel with his Math.  They have been to 2 of Abigail’s swimming galas (swim meet), one of Samuel’s basketball games, and one of Caleb’s cricket matches.  Grandpa even knows a little bit about Cricket (who knew?) and has been able to give Caleb a few pointers.  Grandma comes faithfully once a week to help out our roses which really need some help and to help with a little bit of dusting and ironing which are two chores I really, really hate to do.  I am so thankful for the help and the roses are looking much better.  They are looking well cared for.  Grandpa and Grandma were also able to take a trip to Capetown this past week (20-25 of Feb).  I am anxiously awaiting their return to find out how they enjoyed it.

The excitement for the month was the scorpion found by the 3 and 5 year old in the garage and the snake I uncovered when I put the trash out.  Glenn, my knight in shining armor, was around for both and killed both of them.

Caleb has taken up Chess along with Robotics this year.  Where did this child come from?  Samuel starts Rugby trials soon.  This coming Friday he is supposed to show up to play touch Rugby.  He was instructed this would be a good thing for him to do if he wants to join a Rugby team.  Samuel has also taken to selling my fudge nougat and congo bars at school.  He has a “buyer” who, Samuel believes, pays well.  Samuel uses the money to buy things from the tuk (snack bar) shop.

Samuel and Abigail are to be confirmed on Sunday 1-May-2011.  You are all cordially invited!  We have plenty of floor space and there are many wonderful guesthouses (bread-n-breakfast type places) within walking distance of the house.  Seriously, the more the merrier.

In Christ

Susan Fluegge

(Glenn, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

Threw together a few pictures with some music from our vacation at Camp Buffalo.