MALABAR DOMINEE RETURNS TO THE LAND OF DIFFICULT LANGUAGE

A Port Elizabeth Minister and family are preparing to go to Japan in November '99 as missionaries on the southern island of Kyushu.

This will be a return to old haunts for Ds Tobie de Wet. In 1974 he became the first Dutch Reformed Church's missionary to Japan, spending eight years, returning to S.A. only because of the political situation. He was accompanied by his wife Annalie, a social worker, on his first visit.

They spent two years studying the difficult language. From the start all his communication had to be in Japanese, since the Japanese do not speak English.

The older de Wet children, born in Japan, learnt Japanese as their first language. On their return to Japan only Nico (13) will accompany them. Having to live and learn in Japan for the next seven years his parents will help him with the language as best they can. Initially Nico will be home schooled.

Back in S.A. in 1982 Tobie became the Minister at Parkheuwel Dutch Reformed Church then on to the Malabar Reformed congregation in 1986. The family have lived in Malabar for the past 14yrs.

During this time they became exposed to and involved in the suffering and struggle of the people of Malabar, the Northern areas and the Black townships of P.E. He became heavily involved in the sociopolitical field, working endlessly to bring people from different communities together.

To help the ACVV( Afrikaanse Vrouevereeniging) to extend their work into the townships, he took up part-time employment with them and in conjunction with SANCO they set up the P.E. Social and Community Development Forum of which Ds de Wet became chairperson.

When the first ACVV offices were set up in Enkuthazweni, Kwazakhele both Tobie and Annalie worked in welfare and community projects. In addition he chaired and was secretary to a vast variety of organisations and movements.

Before leaving for Japan again they hope to experience the great P.E. Christian Leaders Assembly being held from 29 September to 1 October '99.

A final Farewell and Commissioning Service for the family has been arranged for Sunday, 31 October 14h30 to 16h00 at a venue yet to be finalised.

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