SOUTH AFRICA—Members of the Philadelphia Church of God congregation in Johannesburg were corralled at the home of Gregory and Hester Lightfoot on July 6. Amongst hearty “howdys” as guests arrived, the group congregated and shared fellowship on the patio in the sun dressed as cowboys and cowgirls with smart-looking hats and cheeky braids.

“Fellowship is part of family,” said member Mario Vergottini.

Members talked about the meaning of life and how it encompasses everything. Laughter around board games soon followed the smells of hot food throughout the house. Games such as Pit had some of the men raising their voices, eagerly bidding for commodities.

After a potluck lunch, Gregory Lightfoot entertained with a picture and video presentation of the couple’s recent trip to the United States, including to PCG headquarters and Armstrong Auditorium. The group saw pictures of Texas longhorn cattle passing through a town and laughed at the tales of the differences between South Africans and Americans.

Yet, as one of member commented, PCG members are “truly brothers and sisters wherever we are.”

Lightfoot said that “God’s fingerprint” could be seen throughout the House of God, from the royal purple shining from the crystal light fixtures in the performer’s dressing rooms to the diamond shape seen in the caramel onyx walls mirroring the huge chandeliers hanging in auditorium lobby.

Before enjoying dessert and coffee, the group was rounded up into rows on the lawn where Liza and Jane Githembe taught us how to line dance. Amongst continuous laughter and tripping over one’s own feet, it was decided that South Africans do much better in pairs on the dance floor.

Filled with food, fellowship and laughter, members left the Lightfoots’ home in the late afternoon, ready and encouraged to take on the rest of the week.